Daniel and Jon embark on a discussion of one of the most popular topics in fiction: crime. They discuss why this subject is so paradoxically popular and the many different ways crime is approached as the basis for stories.

Jon reads Turing, Daniel’s twisty take on the sci-fi genre. Then, the pair discuss the scale and mechanics of the story, its characters and themes and how all four things relate back to the strengths of the genre discussed earlier in the cycle.

Daniel is joined by Keith and Andy from The Brockton Bay Chronicles, to geek out about The Expanse. They talk about the complicated social and political narratives expressed through the show as well as the fascinating use of both hard and soft science fiction elements.

Daniel and Jon visit the world of Cyberpunk, focusing on Edgerunners while also touching on 2077 and Red. They discuss how how the series embodies the prominent themes of its namesake genre and what it does to stand apart from other science fiction.

Daniel and Jon discuss Science Fiction. They explore the many different forms the genre can take, the misconceptions about it and what it’s like when it is at its best.

Jon reads Daniel’s short story, Blackest Blue. Then, the two of them discuss how Blackest Blue attempts to portray the more mundane horrors of the ocean without resorting to mysticism or anthropomorphising it.

Daniel and Jon are joined by streamer and ocean lover, ghoulshark, to talk about A Lull in the Sea from the studio P.A. Works. They discuss how the sea is used as a metaphor throughout the show, representing both the complex emotions and relationships of the characters as well as its multitude of overarching themes.

Daniel and Jon discuss the ocean in fiction and how the integral place it has in human history has influenced the roles it can play in our stories.

Listen to Jon read Daniel’s short story, The Watcher, in which a young man is quite literally haunted by the mistakes of his past. Then, Daniel and Jon discuss the thematics of the story and its particular style of horror.

It all begins with an idea.