Worldbuilding for Masochists

We recognize this is absolutely a wild shot in the dark, @DeborahAnnWoll, but if you would ever be interested in coming on our podcast, we'd love to talk to you about worldbuilding and storytelling.

Episode 117: More Queries and Quandaries It's another listener Q&A episode! Many thanks to folks who sent questions in. Also, learn what your hosts' favorite holiday pies are! No one asked us that, but we're telling you anyway. worldbuildingformasochists.p…

The next episode we record will be a Q&A -- Which means we need some Qs! If you have a question for us -- about worldbuilding, about writing, about history or geekery or something totally random, send it to us at worldbuildcast at gmail dot com before 3pm on Monday, 11/13!

Episode 115: When Not Writing Is Writing Under what circumstances is not-writing essential to writing? Guest @mightymur joins us to explore the underpinnings of the writing process! worldbuildingformasochists.p…

Hard to believe, but it's almost the end of the year -- and that means it's time for a Q&A episode! If you've got a question for us, send it to worldbuildcast at gmail dot com before 3pm Eastern time on Monday, November 13th! We'll read and answer as many as we can!

Episode 114: The St Crispin’s Day Special In this extremely-niche-themed episode, guest Anna Smith Spark (@queenofgrimdark) joins us to explore the interplay of language and leadership! worldbuildingformasochists.p…

Episode 113: Trust Your Instincts Sometimes, you just have to go with what *feels* right -- even in worldbuilding! In this episode, @seananmcguire joins us to discuss developing and using your worldbuilding instincts. worldbuildingformasochists.p…

Episode 112: Whirlwind Worldbuilding This one's for the folks who *don't* want to spend a few eons building their world before they can start their story. @jameslsutter joins us to share some quick-and-dirty methods for getting the worldbuilding going! worldbuildingformasochists.p…

In this episode, we think not just about the technology and technicalities of fighting, but also how combat fits into (or goes against the grain of) social norms. Thanks to @sl_huang for joining us!

Shiny swords, sharpshooting archers, magically-assisted martial arts: all these things are staples of fantasy literature. But how do you do fights *right*? Guest @sl_huang joins us to discuss all the pointy bits! worldbuildingformasochists.p…

If you've been waiting for the chance to submit your story to be part of the Traveling Light anthology, we have some details for you! The anthology submissions page is now up on our website: worldbuildingformasochists.p…

Hobbies and leisure activities aren't just neat ways to give your characters something to do in-between plot beats -- they can also communicate a lot to the reader about the world you're building! @MattFnWallace joins us to explore the possibilities!

Do the people in your fantasy worlds have hobbies and pastimes or other not-plot-centric joys? Including having a dog or a duck or gritty 90s cops raising racing pigeons. The brilliant @MattFnWallace joins us to discuss all these things! worldbuildingformasochists.p…

If your story features a world-shaping prophecy... do your characters lean into that, or try to rebel against it? Do they fight over different ways to interpret the prophecy, or try to use it for political gain? @Spirited_Gal joins us to discuss the oracular opportunities!

Episode 109: Seer-iously: Religion, Prophecy, Politics and Tradition In this episode, guest Aparna Verma @Spirited_Gal joins us to continue our discussion of integrating religion and faith into your fantastical world! worldbuildingformasochists.p…

We did it! The Kickstarter campaign is now closed, and we are so excited to get to work on this project! More details about many things will be forthcoming, but for now, we just want to say another huge THANK YOU to all of our backers!