Allora Public Radio

Shelf Life: Bitter Karella

Skye talks with writer Bitter Karella about the psychosis of Californian Republicans, getting lost in the woods, the pursuit of themes, what the big tits signify, and her first full-length novel, Moonflow [https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/bitter-karella/moonflow/9780316581936/].This episode's reading list: "More Than 200 Dead Bodies Have Been Left Behind on Mount Everest, and Many Mark the Path to the Summit," Rachel Nuwer: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/more-than-200-dead-bodies-have-been-left-behind-on-mount-everest-and-many-mark-the-path-to-the-summit-146904416/ [https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/more-than-200-dead-bodies-have-been-left-behind-on-mount-everest-and-many-mark-the-path-to-the-summit-146904416/] "Baader-Meinhof Wagen," https://www.baader-meinhof.com/baader-meinhof-wagen/ [https://www.baader-meinhof.com/baader-meinhof-wagen/] Submitted for the Approval of the Midnight Pals: https://www.bitterkarella.com/midnightpals/ [https://www.bitterkarella.com/midnightpals/] You Weren't Meant to Be Human, Andrew Joseph White: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/You-Werent-Meant-to-Be-Human/Andrew-Joseph-White/9781668038079 [https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/You-Werent-Meant-to-Be-Human/Andrew-Joseph-White/9781668038079] What I was thinking was an SNL skit was actually "Crippling Levels of Manliness" by CollegeHumor: https://youtu.be/wogb2ctOfV4?si=5vcqvSFO3loUeULf [https://youtu.be/wogb2ctOfV4?si=5vcqvSFO3loUeULf] "The Call of Cthulhu," H. P. Lovecraft: https://www.hplovecraft.com/writings/texts/fiction/cc.aspx [https://www.hplovecraft.com/writings/texts/fiction/cc.aspx] Stalker (1979), Andrei Tarkovsky Nothing But Trouble (1991), Dan Aykroyd Annihilation, Jeff Vandermeer: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9780374104092/annihilation/ [https://us.macmillan.com/books/9780374104092/annihilation/] The Ring (2002), Gore Verbinski The Shining, Stephen King: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/92991/the-shining-by-stephen-king/ [https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/92991/the-shining-by-stephen-king/] "The Midnight Meat Train," Clive Barker: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/338960/clive-barkers-books-of-blood-1-3-by-clive-barker-with-an-afterword-by-grady-hendrix/ [https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/338960/clive-barkers-books-of-blood-1-3-by-clive-barker-with-an-afterword-by-grady-hendrix/] A Song for the End, Kit Power: https://horrifictales.co.uk/premium-novellas/a-song-for-the-end/ [https://horrifictales.co.uk/premium-novellas/a-song-for-the-end/] Chasers, Mariah Darling & Eve Harms: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/chasers-mariah-darling/1146273289 [https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/chasers-mariah-darling/1146273289] These Kids Are Not Alright, T. L. Bodine: https://bookshop.org/p/books/these-kids-are-not-alright/8822374a4fd6ad52?ean=9781737465034 [https://bookshop.org/p/books/these-kids-are-not-alright/8822374a4fd6ad52?ean=9781737465034] Wife Shaped Bodies, Laura Cranehill: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Wife-Shaped-Bodies/Laura-Cranehill/9781668098103 [https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Wife-Shaped-Bodies/Laura-Cranehill/9781668098103] City Infernal, Edward Lee: https://www.cemeterydance.com/edward-lee.html [https://www.cemeterydance.com/edward-lee.html]

Shelf Life: Isaac Fellman

Skye talks with trans archivist and author Isaac Fellman [https://www.isaacfellman.com/] about his newest book, Notes from a Regicide [https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250329103/notesfromaregicide/], as well as framing devices, gender-as-genre, feeling bad about a document, aesthetic maximalism, Enjolras and Grantaire, and models of goodness.This episodes To Be Read list: The Princess Bride, William Goldman: https://www.harpercollins.com/products/the-princess-bride-william-goldman [https://www.harpercollins.com/products/the-princess-bride-william-goldman] Borges on Writing, Jorge Luis Borges, N.T. di Giovanni, & Frank McShane: https://www.betterworldbooks.com/product/detail/borges-on-writing-9780880013680 [https://www.betterworldbooks.com/product/detail/borges-on-writing-9780880013680] Aqueduct Press: https://www.aqueductpress.com/ [https://www.aqueductpress.com/] Portraits, John Berger: https://www.versobooks.com/products/151-portraits?srsltid=AfmBOopRe4O0_uB_i9uu6zfEMeCsqjrg0t6Fz2hG5JbkVhNHtiuvdDZc [https://www.versobooks.com/products/151-portraits?srsltid=AfmBOopRe4O0_uB_i9uu6zfEMeCsqjrg0t6Fz2hG5JbkVhNHtiuvdDZc] A Face to the World, Laura Cumming: https://www.harpercollins.com/products/a-face-to-the-world-on-self-portraits-laura-cumming?variant=32245024489506 [https://www.harpercollins.com/products/a-face-to-the-world-on-self-portraits-laura-cumming?variant=32245024489506] Les Misérables, Victor Hugo: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/537593/les-miserables-by-victor-hugo-translated-with-notes-by-christine-donougher-introduction-by-robert-tombs-cover-illustrated-by-jillian-tamaki/ [https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/537593/les-miserables-by-victor-hugo-translated-with-notes-by-christine-donougher-introduction-by-robert-tombs-cover-illustrated-by-jillian-tamaki/] The Stranger's Child, Alan Hollinghurst: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/81879/the-strangers-child-by-alan-hollinghurst/ [https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/81879/the-strangers-child-by-alan-hollinghurst/] The Line of Beauty, Alan Hollinghurst: https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/line-of-beauty-9781582346106/ [https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/line-of-beauty-9781582346106/] "My Father's Fashion Tips," Tom Junod: https://www.gq.com/story/fashion-generation-tips-national-magazine-award [https://www.gq.com/story/fashion-generation-tips-national-magazine-award] The Blazing World, Siri Hustvedt: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Blazing-World/Siri-Hustvedt/9781476747248 [https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Blazing-World/Siri-Hustvedt/9781476747248] The Gormenghast series, Mervyn Peake: https://www.mervynpeake.org/gormenghast/ [https://www.mervynpeake.org/gormenghast/] The Book of the New Sun series, Gene Wolfe: https://torpublishinggroup.com/the-complete-book-of-the-new-sun/?isbn=9781250179111&format=ebook [https://torpublishinggroup.com/the-complete-book-of-the-new-sun/?isbn=9781250179111&format=ebook] Italo Calvino: https://www.harpercollins.com/collections/italo-calvino [https://www.harpercollins.com/collections/italo-calvino] China Miéville: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/authors/20568/china-mieville/ [https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/authors/20568/china-mieville/] The Starving Saints, Caitlin Starling: https://www.caitlinstarling.com/books#StarvingSaints [https://www.caitlinstarling.com/books#StarvingSaints] Fawn's Blood, Hal Schrieve: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/783176/fawns-blood-by-hal-schrieve/ [https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/783176/fawns-blood-by-hal-schrieve/] The Ephemera Collector, Stacy Nathaniel Jackson: https://wwnorton.com/books/9781324093404 [https://wwnorton.com/books/9781324093404] Tess of the D'Urbervilles, Thomas Hardy: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/222980/tess-of-the-durbervilles-by-thomas-hardy/ [https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/222980/tess-of-the-durbervilles-by-thomas-hardy/] The Raymond Chandler Papers, Raymond Chandler, Tom Hiney, & Frank MacShane: https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-raymond-chandler-papers-selected-letters-and-nonfiction-1909-1959-tom-hiney/12488660 [https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-raymond-chandler-papers-selected-letters-and-nonfiction-1909-1959-tom-hiney/12488660] The Yiddish Policemen's Union, Michael Chabon: https://www.harpercollins.com/products/the-yiddish-policemens-union-michael-chabon [https://www.harpercollins.com/products/the-yiddish-policemens-union-michael-chabon] The Aspern Papers, Henry James: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/317451/the-aspern-papers-and-other-tales-by-henry-james/ [https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/317451/the-aspern-papers-and-other-tales-by-henry-james/] Ulysses, James Joyce: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/797588/ulysses-by-james-joyce/ [https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/797588/ulysses-by-james-joyce/] Detransition, Baby, Torrey Peters: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/621886/detransition-baby-by-torrey-peters/ [https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/621886/detransition-baby-by-torrey-peters/] Stag Dance, Torrey Peters: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/708446/stag-dance-by-torrey-peters/ [https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/708446/stag-dance-by-torrey-peters/] Moby Dick, Herman Melville: https://www.harpercollins.com/products/moby-dick-collins-classics-herman-melville [https://www.harpercollins.com/products/moby-dick-collins-classics-herman-melville] Pale Fire, Vladimir Nabokov: https://bookshop.org/p/books/pale-fire-vladimir-nabokov/581281?ean=9780679723424&next=t [https://bookshop.org/p/books/pale-fire-vladimir-nabokov/581281?ean=9780679723424&next=t] War and Peace, Leo Tolstoy (Maude translation): https://global.oup.com/academic/product/war-and-peace-9780199232765 [https://global.oup.com/academic/product/war-and-peace-9780199232765] RuPaul's Drag Race: https://www.youtube.com/@rupaulsdragrace [https://www.youtube.com/@rupaulsdragrace] Daniel Lavery: https://www.danielmlavery.com/ [https://www.danielmlavery.com/] Several People Are Typing, Calvin Kasulke: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/671445/several-people-are-typing-a-gma-book-club-pick-by-calvin-kasulke/ [https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/671445/several-people-are-typing-a-gma-book-club-pick-by-calvin-kasulke/] Zoë Selengut: https://bsky.app/profile/queenofbithynia.bsky.social [https://bsky.app/profile/queenofbithynia.bsky.social] Isaac's Law: https://isaacs-law.ghost.io/ [https://isaacs-law.ghost.io/]

Allora Public Radio: Steampunk and Storytelling with M.J. Baerman

Welcome back to Allora Public Radio! This week, Chris sits down with the brilliant M.J. Baerman, author of the captivating steampunk fantasy novel, 'Aether's Call.' They delve into M.J.'s fascinating background as a writer, exploring her journey and identity as an author. M.J. shares her motivations for crafting intricate worlds and compelling characters, and reveals how her passion for steampunk cosplay at conventions not only fuels her creativity but also enriches her storytelling. Join us as we shine a spotlight on M.J. Baerman, a proud Ally of the LGBTQIA+ and Disabled communities and discover the unique blend of fantasy, fashion, and personal expression that makes her work so extraordinary. Preorder Aether's Call on Blackwarren Books [https://www.blackwarrenbooks.com/the-bookworms-feast/p/mj-baerman-aethers-call-the-ember-bloods-book-one] Preorder Aether's Call on Amazon [https://www.amazon.com/Aethers-Call-Book-Ember-Bloods-ebook/dp/B0DVLSZSHX] Where to find M. J. Baerman: Bluesky [https://bsky.app/profile/authormjbaerman.bsky.social] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/asgard_and_lady_wheelsworth/] Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/asgardautomaton/]

Shelf Life: M.J. Baerman

Welcome to Shelf Life, a Blackwarren Books production! Join host Skye Sisk, editor extraordinaire, as she delves into the literary world with fascinating authors. In this episode, Skye sits down with M.J. Baerman to discuss her captivating book, 'Aether's Call,' and explore the vibrant world of Steampunk. M.J. shares insights into her background within the community, her passion for cosplay, and the welcoming spirit that makes Steampunk so unique. Prepare for a journey into imaginative worlds and the stories that bring them to life. Aether's Call on Blackwarren Books⁠ [https://www.blackwarrenbooks.com/the-bookworms-feast/p/mj-baerman-aethers-call-the-ember-bloods-book-one] ⁠Aether's Call on Amazon⁠ [https://www.amazon.com/Aethers-Call-Book-Ember-Bloods-ebook/dp/B0DVLSZSHX] Where to find M. J. Baerman: ⁠Bluesky⁠ [https://bsky.app/profile/authormjbaerman.bsky.social] ⁠Instagram⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/asgard_and_lady_wheelsworth/] ⁠Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/asgardautomaton/] Opening theme arranged by Vaughn R. Demont

Blackwarren Reads: Certified Gold: On the Air, by David M. DeMar (Finale)

Welcome back to Blackwarren Reads, where we cconclude Season 2 with our latest release, David M. DeMar's "On the Air", the opening of his "Certified Gold" urban fantasy series. Welcome to Allora University, the Argent City's premier institute of higher learning! You'll find all kinds of mythic creatures here - including Allora University's newest freshman, Ricky Konacsz, next in line to be named king of the Dragons. Not that he ever wanted the job. He'd rather just listen to his vintage Joy Division LPs in peace. Ricky's been having an eventful semester. His roommate is a Satyr, and his polycule vacillates between constantly propositioning Ricky and eating all his snacks. The Sidhe noble in Ricky's accounting class has been tormenting him nonstop, threatening to turn him into a set of matched luggage. And the human girl at the library front desk has been hunting him on another playing field altogether! All he wants to do is listen to music and be left alone - and maybe get a job working behind the scenes at the college radio station. Ricky had hoped he could just have a normal life, but Fate had other plans. One night, he ends up behind the Allora University Radio's microphone instead of the soundboard. What began as a one-time event becomes a viral sensation. Things get even worse when he accidentally insults the father of a Sidhe noble on the air - the same noble who's been making his life miserable all semester. Now, all eyes are on him, and not in a good way. What's a young Dragon King to do? Cast: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Dave DeMar⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://twitter.com/dave_demar]: Ricky Konacsz, Misc ⁠⁠⁠ [https://twitter.com/RenLoaf]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Kezz McDonald⁠ [http://www.twitter.com/kezzupSSB]: Anagen ⁠⁠Renard DeFleuraux⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://twitter.com/RenLoaf]: Wyndham Summers, Chad Konacsz, Thomas Canmore, Misc ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Skye Sisk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://twitter.com/boxmastermcgee]: Thorli Konacsz, Dagmar Konacsz, Amelia, Morrigan, Neira ⁠⁠⁠Vaughn R. Demont⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://twitter.com/vaughndemont]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [twitch.tv/kyronerustmore]: Rethas Summers, Mack Konacsz, Misc. Amistad: Jutte Argentus ⁠⁠⁠Listen to our interviews with Dave about On the Air here!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://open.spotify.com/episode/4V8n6OGvnfGO0ko1uL5j6b?si=d862b75967d046c0] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Buy the book direct from Blackwarren⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.blackwarrenbooks.com/the-bookworms-feast/p/on-the-air-certified-gold-1-by-david-m-demar]