Shows
Octothorpe141: A Whole Episode Without Business Meeting ContentJohn is worried, Alison volunteers, and Liz is warm.
An uncorrected transcript of this episode is available here. Please email your letters of comment to comment@octothorpecast.uk, join our Facebook group, and tag @OctothorpeCast (on Bluesky or on Mastodon) when you post about the show on social media.
Content warnings this episode: None
Letters of comment
Chris Hurley (email)
Dave O’Neill (Bluesky, DM)
Ivan Sinha (Facebook)
Jesi Lipp (email, Facebook)
John Hertz (typewritten letter with pasted image from File 770 scanned by Fedex and sent by email)
Mike Glyer (email)
Neil Ottenstein (Facebook)
Ni...
2025-08-141h 02
Octothorpe140: Nerdiest Nerds Who Ever NerdedJohn is laughing, Alison is coughing, and Liz has already eaten.
An uncorrected transcript of this episode is available here. Please email your letters of comment to comment@octothorpecast.uk, join our Facebook group, and tag @OctothorpeCast (on Bluesky or on Mastodon) when you post about the show on social media.
Content warnings this episode: Coughing (aftershow)
Letters of comment
Ali Baker Brooks (Facebook)
Constanze Hofmann (Facebook)
David Bamford (Bluesky)
Farah Mendlesohn (Facebook)
Jake Casella Brookins (Bluesky)
Jonathan Baddeley (Facebook)
Tommy Ferguson (email)
We also heard from Olav Rokne, Shi Lala, Tammy Coxen
2025 Worldcon...
2025-07-311h 14
Octothorpe139: Mostly Just a Wide Spot on the RoadJohn was at the business meeting, Alison was at the cricket, and Tammy is Liz.
An uncorrected transcript of this episode is available here. Please email your letters of comment to comment@octothorpecast.uk, join our Facebook group, and tag @OctothorpeCast (on Bluesky or on Mastodon) when you post about the show on social media.
Content warnings this episode: None
Find Tammy at her podcast, my tiny bottles
Letters of comment
Chris Garcia (email)
Colette Reap (email)
Farah Mendlesohn (email)
Ivan Sinha (Facebook)
Mike Glyer (email)
Niall Harrison (email)
Here are Niall’s 10 recommendations for...
2025-07-181h 15
Octothorpe138: A Tedious Number of Questions About What It’s Like to Run a Games ShopJohn chaired, Alison is off on holiday, and Liz has the agenda.
An uncorrected transcript of this episode is available here. Please email your letters of comment to comment@octothorpecast.uk, join our Facebook group, and tag @OctothorpeCast (on Bluesky or on Mastodon) when you post about the show on social media.
Content warnings this episode: None
Letters of comment
Ang Rosin (Facebook)
Andrea Bell and Derek Hockridge
Bridget Bradshaw (Facebook)
Chris Garcia (email)
Farah Mendlesohn (email, Facebook)
Jake Casella Brookins (Bluesky)
Louise Hughes (Bluesky)
Neil Ottenstein (Facebook)
Paul Weimer (email)
Roseanna Pendlebury (Bluesky)
...
2025-07-031h 05
Octothorpe137: My Brain Automatically Goes to SandwichesJohn is well-read, Alison played a game, and Liz needs an Allen key.
An uncorrected transcript of this episode is available here. Please email your letters of comment to comment@octothorpecast.uk, join our Facebook group, and tag @OctothorpeCast (on Bluesky or on Mastodon) when you post about the show on social media.
Content warnings this episode: None
One hour of Mon Mothma dancing
Letters of comment
Andreas Davour (Mastodon and Mastodon)
Andy Openshaw
Jez Lowe
Ang Rosin
David Bamford (Bluesky)
Ed Morland (Bluesky)
Farah Mendlesohn (Facebook)
Jake Casella Brookins
Nuala Fahey (Bluesky)
Raj...
2025-06-181h 01
Octothorpe136: When Do You Not Want to Talk About Games?John is ambivalent, Alison is against, and Liz is hangry.
An uncorrected transcript of this episode is available here. Please email your letters of comment to comment@octothorpecast.uk, join our Facebook group, and tag @OctothorpeCast (on X or on Mastodon or on Bluesky) when you post about the show on social media.
Content warnings this episode: None
Letters of comment
Ali Baker Brooks (Facebook)
Chris Garcia (email)
2008 Worldcon site selection
Farah Mendlesohn (email)
Dream Foundry
The original announcement of the Carole Goldman Fund
Con or Bust
“If you are Palestinian, or identify as a...
2025-06-051h 08
Octothorpe135: Very Slightly SoggierAlison describes her perfect almond croissant.
An uncorrected transcript of this episode is available here. Please email your letters of comment to comment@octothorpecast.uk, join our Facebook group, and tag @OctothorpeCast (on X or on Mastodon or on Bluesky) when you post about the show on social media.
Content warnings this episode: None
Idea, ed. Geri Sullivan
Lune Croissanterie
Chocolatine
Blondies
Ado Campeol died in 2021
Pink Lane Bakery
Credits
Cover art: “Almond Croissant Engineering” by Alison Scott
Alt text: A blueprint of an almond croissant with “Octothorpe 135” written at the top and “almond croissant...
2025-05-2315 min
Octothorpe134: In the Framework of Linear TimeJohn has shortlisted, Alison has worked in large organisations, and Liz has done a spot-the-difference.
An uncorrected transcript of this episode is available here. Please email your letters of comment to comment@octothorpecast.uk, join our Facebook group, and tag @OctothorpeCast (on X or on Mastodon or on Bluesky) when you post about the show on social media.
Content warnings this episode: LLMs
Letters of comment
Chris Garcia
Clarrie Maguire
Colette Reap
Roseanna Pendlebury
Her Death of Stalin review
Tobes Valois
We also heard from Ali Baker Brooks, Ang Rosin, Brian Nisbet, Caroline Mullan...
2025-05-1658 min
Octothorpe133: I Understand That Alison Has Never Been PopeJohn, Alison, and Liz are live from the Belfast Eastercon!
An uncorrected transcript of this episode is available here. Please email your letters of comment to comment@octothorpecast.uk, join our Facebook group, and tag @OctothorpeCast (on X or on Mastodon or on Bluesky) when you post about the show on social media.
Content warnings this episode: It’s a live recording!
Eastercon 2026: Iridescence in Birmingham
Guests of Honour
R J Barker
Karen Lord
Emma Newman
John Wilson and Serena Culfeather
Prices
Adult: £80
Low income: £50
Child/teen: £20
Supporting: £40
Eastercon 2027: Unconfined in Glasgow
Guests of Honour...
2025-04-251h 02
Octothorpe132: Almost Everything Is Not MacJohn, Alison and Liz discuss this year’s Hugo Awards finalists.
An uncorrected transcript of this episode is available here. Please email your letters of comment to comment@octothorpecast.uk, join our Facebook group, and tag @OctothorpeCast (on X or on Mastodon or on Bluesky) when you post about the show on social media.
Content warnings this episode: None
A note from John: I’ve done my level best to find useful URLs and link them below. Please let me know if there are better links or things I’ve missed!
Best Novel
...
2025-04-0642 min
Octothorpe131: We’re Performance Before We’re InterestJohn is moderating, Alison is auctioning, and Liz is lecturing.
An uncorrected transcript of this episode is available here. Please email your letters of comment to comment@octothorpecast.uk, join our Facebook group, and tag @OctothorpeCast (on X or on Mastodon or on Bluesky) when you post about the show on social media.
Content warnings this episode: The situation in the USA
Letters of comment
Handwriting guesses!
John, Alison, Liz: Ed Morland
Alison, John, Liz: Chris Garcia
Alison, Liz, John: Tammy Coxen
Liz, John, Alison: Tammy has another go
Liz, Alison, John: Ang Rosin...
2025-03-2752 min
Octothorpe130: I Am Scalison OttJohn is working, Alison is plugging and Liz is ghosting.
An uncorrected transcript of this episode is available here. Please email your letters of comment to comment@octothorpecast.uk, join our Facebook group, and tag @OctothorpeCast (on Mastodon or on Bluesky) when you post about the show on social media.
Content warnings this episode: Capitalism, death (Chapter 8: Picks)
Please remember that we have recused from consideration for the 2025 Hugo Awards
Letters of comment
Ali Baker Brooks (Facebook)
Ang Rosin (Facebook)
Christopher J Garcia
Dave Langford
Please do report issues in transcripts and we will...
2025-03-1355 min
Octothorpe129: Deep in Annex AJohn thought of something, Alison is educational, and Liz reads contracts.
An uncorrected transcript of this episode is available here. Please email your letters of comment to comment@octothorpecast.uk, join our Facebook group, and tag @OctothorpeCast (on Mastodon or on Bluesky) when you post about the show on social media.
Content warnings this episode: Money (chapter 3)
Please remember that we have recused from consideration for the 2025 Hugo Awards
Letters of comment
Chris Garcia
DC
On Blind Chance (skeet, requires sign-in)
On picking books (skeet, requires sign-in)
Doug Faunt
Farah Mendlesohn (Facebook)
Eastercon 2025: Reconnect...
2025-02-2749 min
Octothorpe128: A Minidisc Player Will Do You No GoodJohn picks too soon, Alison is fully paid-up, and Liz found the comment.
An uncorrected transcript of this episode is available here. Please email your letters of comment to comment@octothorpecast.uk, join our Facebook group, and tag @OctothorpeCast (on X or on Mastodon or on Bluesky) when you post about the show on social media.
Content warnings this episode: COVID (chapter 7)
Letters of comment
Andreas Davour (toot)
Bridget Bradshaw (skeet)
Chris Garcia
David Bamford (skeet)
DC (skeet, requires sign-in)
Przypadek/Blind Chance
Farah Mendlesohn (Facebook)
Karen Schaffer
Meg MacDonald (Facebook)
Raj (toot)
Short...
2025-02-1343 min
Octothorpe127: Hello BuoysJohn is incoherent, Alison is excited, and Liz is romantic.
An uncorrected transcript of this episode is available here. Please email your letters of comment to comment@octothorpecast.uk, join our Facebook group, and tag @OctothorpeCast (on X or on Mastodon or on Bluesky) when you post about the show on social media.
Content warnings this episode: None
Letters of comment
Abigail Nussbaum
Ali Baker Brooks
Andy Openshaw
Chris Garcia
Claire Brialey
David Salter
Ed Morland
Farah Mendlesohn
Irwin Hirsh
Jonny Baddeley
Neil Ottenstein
Roseanna Pendlebury
We also heard from:
Fiona Moore, Ivan Sinha
...
2025-01-3045 min
Octothorpe126: I’ve Read Some NovelsJohn is a thief, Alison plays games, and Liz is bullied.
An uncorrected transcript of this episode is available here. Please email your letters of comment to comment@octothorpecast.uk, join our Facebook group, and tag @OctothorpeCast (on X or on Mastodon or on Bluesky) when you post about the show on social media.
Content warnings this episode: None
Letters of comment
Andreas Davour
Bella Garcia
Constanze Hoffman
Farah Mendlesohn
Jonathan Cowie
June Young
Mike Scott
Neil Ottenstein
Raj
Tammy Coxen
Zoe O’Connell
We also heard from Bridget Bradshaw, Colin Harris, Meg MacDonald, an...
2025-01-171h 00
Octothorpe125: I’m Physically Present in This Hotel RoomJohn is travelling, Alison is coding, and Liz is faithful.
An uncorrected transcript of this episode is available here. Please email your letters of comment to comment@octothorpecast.uk, join our Facebook group, and tag @OctothorpeCast (on X or on Mastodon or on Bluesky) when you post about the show on social media.
Content warnings this episode: Death (chapter 6)
Letters of comment
Chris Garcia
The Beef and Dairy Network Podcast
Jt
Raj
Rotsler Award
España Sheriff is this year’s winner
Seattle 2025
Virtual Business Meeting announcement
Reportage on File 770
Unofficial WSFS Business Meeting Dis...
2024-12-2053 min
Octothorpe124: The Third D Isn’t What You ThinkJohn is horrified, Alison is spelunking, and Liz is detecting.
An uncorrected transcript of this episode is available here. Please email your letters of comment to comment@octothorpecast.uk, join our Facebook group, and tag @OctothorpeCast (on X or on Mastodon or on Bluesky) when you post about the show on social media.
Content warnings this episode:
Letters of comment
Ali Baker Brooks
Andrew Hogg
4D Golf
Braid
Archipelacon 2
Caroline Mullan
Chris Garcia
Some accusations against Ekpeki have been disproved
Farah Mendlesohn
Ivan Sinha
Jonny Baddeley
June Young
Aurora Australis Alerts
Aurora Now
AuroraWatch...
2024-12-0647 min
Octothorpe123: Infinite Amount of Annual LeaveJohn is going to Seattle, Alison is going to the Åland Islands, and Liz is going to Belfast.
An uncorrected transcript of this episode is available here. Please email your letters of comment to comment@octothorpecast.uk, join our Facebook group, and tag @OctothorpeCast (on X or on Mastodon or on Bluesky) when you post about the show on social media.
Content warnings this episode: Money, grim darkness
Belfast Eastercon
Seattle 2025
Archipelacon 2
Back to Our Futures
The Dark Room
Liz’s Adrian Tchaikovsky scoop
Edmonton Worldcon bid
Picks
John: Wrath and Glory
Alison: Timestalker
Liz...
2024-11-2148 min
Octothorpe122: Topical PumpkinJohn is on the periphery, Alison is carving, and Liz went to Japan.
An uncorrected transcript of this episode is available here. Please email your letters of comment to comment@octothorpecast.uk, join our Facebook group, and tag @OctothorpeCast (on X or on Mastodon or on Bluesky) when you post about the show on social media.
Content warnings this episode: con artistry, privilege, racism
Letters of comment
Jake Casella Brookins
Sankey diagrams on the Ancillary Review of Books
Ali Baker Brooks
I’m a Fan of That
Christopher J Garcia
Emily January
Kat Kourbeti
SH...
2024-11-0759 min
Octothorpe121: All About the VibesJohn, Alison and Liz read Grass by Sheri S Tepper.
An uncorrected transcript of this episode is available here. Please email your letters of comment to comment@octothorpecast.uk, join our Facebook group, and tag @OctothorpeCast (on X or on Mastodon or on Bluesky) when you post about the show on social media.
Content warnings this episode: Rape, consensual interspecies sex, murder, classism, plague/disease
Adam Roberts’ review of Grass
Credits
Cover art: “Three Little Hippae” by Alison Scott
Alt text: Three hippae stand on a landscape of alien grass and plants in blue, purple...
2024-10-2442 min
Octothorpe120: Activate LizJohn does a funny voice, Alison recoils, and Liz loves big stats and she cannot lie.
An uncorrected transcript of this episode is available here. Please email your letters of comment to comment@octothorpecast.uk, join our Facebook group, and tag @OctothorpeCast (on X or on Mastodon or on Bluesky) when you post about the show on social media.
Content warnings this episode: Death (chapter 5)
Letters of comment
Abigail Nussbaum
Chris Garcia
Alison closing a parenthesis
Emily January
España Sheriff
Farah Mendlesohn
Ivan Sinha
Nicholas Whyte
Upcoming eclipses
Tammy Coxen
2024 Hugo Voting Statistics
2024 S...
2024-10-1145 min
Octothorpe119: Only One of Them Is My Bludgeoning Hand, JohnJohn is not assigning blame, Alison is someone, and Liz is bludgeoning.
An uncorrected transcript of this episode is available here. Please email your letters of comment to comment@octothorpecast.uk, join our Facebook group, and tag @OctothorpeCast (on X or on Mastodon or on Bluesky or on Instagram) when you post about the show on social media.
Content warnings this episode: Sexual assault (Neil Gaiman allegations, at 39:28 to 42:02).
Letters of comment
Niall Harrison
On our Hugo win/recusing
Andy on Mastodon
Chris Garcia
Meg MacDonald
Perianne Lurie
Renay
Sandra Bond’s poem
On in...
2024-09-261h 02
Octothorpe118: Och Aye, Sci-FiJohn is savage, Alison hates paper, and Liz likes stationery.
An uncorrected transcript of this episode is available here. Please email your letters of comment to comment@octothorpecast.uk, join our Facebook group, and tag @OctothorpeCast (on X or on Mastodon or on Bluesky) when you post about the show on social media.
Content warnings this episode: harsh criticism (Publications), racism (Picks)
Glasgow wants your feedback on Facebook
Worldcon photography
Glasgow 2024 photographs on Flickr
Andrew Hogg: Noted Fan Artist
Andy Openshaw’s photo on BlueSky
Halls 4 and 5
Staples
WOOF
In Memoriam
Boris the Spider
Jo...
2024-09-121h 06
Octothorpe117: You Made That Joke Last Time, JohnJohn liked the entertainment, Alison didn’t queue, and Liz wanted soup.
An uncorrected transcript of this episode is available here. Please email your letters of comment to comment@octothorpecast.uk, join our Facebook group, and tag @OctothorpeCast (on X or on Mastodon or on Bluesky) when you post about the show on social media.
Content warnings this episode: None
Letters of comment
Doug Faunt
Renay
We are recusing for at least the 2025 Hugos
Renay is known for Lady Business and the Hugo Award Spreadsheet of Doom
ULTIMAFAX on YouTube:
“Allison [sic] looks exactly like...
2024-08-2957 min
Octothorpe116: I’m Not Absolutely Sure I VotedJohn, Alison and Liz have won Hugo Awards.
An uncorrected transcript of this episode is available here. Please email your letters of comment to comment@octothorpecast.uk, join our Facebook group, and tag @OctothorpeCast (on X or on Mastodon or on Bluesky) when you post about the show on social media.
Content warnings this episode: It’s a live recording!
Credits
Cover art: “Octothorpe and Others” by Simon Bubb (CC BY-NC 2.0)
Alt text: John, Liz and Alison (I know, listener, I know) are looking off to the right holding their Hugo Awards as people take p...
2024-08-1649 min
Octothorpe115: I Like the Way Glasgow Did ItJohn is a busy bee, something’s bugging Alison, and Liz meets a wasp.
An uncorrected transcript of this episode is available here. Please email your letters of comment to comment@octothorpecast.uk, join our Facebook group, and tag @OctothorpeCast (on X or on Mastodon or on Bluesky) when you post about the show on social media.
Content warnings this episode: Vote rigging and bureaucracy.
Glasgow programme
Saturday, 11:30: “Table talk: Octothorpe Podcast”
Monday, 11:30: “Live Podcast: Octothorpe”
John:
Friday, 14:30: “Ahsoka: Fusing Clone Wars, Rebels and Heir to the Empire”
Monday, 13:00: “Safety Tools for Tabletop Roleplaying Games”
Alison...
2024-08-011h 11
Octothorpe114: Tastemaker BattyJohn, Alison, and Liz discuss what they’re voting for in the Hugo Awards.
An uncorrected transcript of this episode is available here. Please email your letters of comment to comment@octothorpecast.uk, join our Facebook group, and tag @OctothorpeCast (on X or on Mastodon or on Bluesky) when you post about the show on social media.
Content warnings this episode:
Letters of comment
Ali Baker Brooks
Bridget Bradshaw
Chris Garcia
Colette Reap
Duncan MacGregor
Edward Morlund
Farah Mendlesohn
Mike Scott
Raj
Fantasy Book Swap
Alison Scott, Marianne Dreams and Tamarind and the Star of...
2024-07-181h 05
Octothorpe113: I Realised Too Late What I Had DoneJohn is doing Discord, Liz is doing programme, and Alison isn’t working on the Worldcon.
An uncorrected transcript of this episode is available here. Please email your letters of comment to comment@octothorpecast.uk, join our Facebook group, and tag @OctothorpeCast (on X or on Mastodon or on Bluesky) when you post about the show on social media.
Content warnings this episode: None
Letters of comment
Karen Schaffer
Peach and bourbon pie
Chris Garcia
Peter Sullivan
Kat Kourbeti
Facebook
Farah Mendlesohn
Mike Scott
The Great Paladin Hunt by Mike Brunton
Malcolm Hutchison
Jonny Ba...
2024-07-0453 min
Octothorpe112: Ceilidhs I Have Been to Are Not, Generally Speaking, CompetitiveJohn was gaming, Alison was dancing, and Liz was batty.
An uncorrected transcript of this episode is available here. Please email your letters of comment to comment@octothorpecast.uk, join our Facebook group, or tag @OctothorpeCast (on X or on Mastodon or on Bluesky) when you post about the show on social media.
Content warnings this episode: Wealth privilege (chapter 3)
Letters of comment
Chris Garcia
Curt Phillips
Starter Villain review
David Ian Salter
Ersatz Culture
Peter Sullivan
Sandra Bond
Levitation (Eastercon 2024)
Post-convention report
FunCon
Alan Fleming’s report
UK Games Expo
Glasgow 2024 (Worldcon 2024)
Site se...
2024-06-2158 min
Octothorpe111: Slightly Lower Tolerance for FeelingsJohn, Alison, and Liz read the 2024 Hugo Award finalists for Best Novel.
An uncorrected transcript of this episode is available here. Please email your letters of comment to comment@octothorpecast.uk, and tag @OctothorpeCast (on X or on Mastodon or on Bluesky) when you post about the show on social media.
Content warnings this episode: Rape and murder during a brief discussion of historically accurate piracy in Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi, discussion of billionaires during Starter Villain
John’s rankings:
Some Desperate Glory
Translation State
Saint of Bright Doors
Witch King
Adventures of Amina al...
2024-06-0659 min
Octothorpe110: Tom Hanks Bloody Loves the MoonJohn is a professor, Alison doesn’t have a bucket list, and Liz is the country’s foremost fan historian.
An uncorrected transcript of this episode is available here. Please email your letters of comment to comment@octothorpecast.uk, and tag @OctothorpeCast (on X or on Mastodon or on Bluesky) when you post about the show on social media.
Content warnings this episode: More wealth privilege (chapter 2)
Letters of comment
Bridget Bradshaw
Christopher J Garcia
Farah Mendlesohn
Jonathan Cowie
Jonny Baddeley
Kin-Ming Looi
Sandra Bond
Tammy Coxen
Awards
Babel wins “Best Translated Work” at the 2024...
2024-05-2459 min
Octothorpe109: But Also a Worrying OneJohn is middle, Alison is even sadder, and Liz is sorry.
An uncorrected transcript of this episode is available here. Please email your letters of comment to comment@octothorpecast.uk, and tag @OctothorpeCast (on X or on Mastodon or on Bluesky) when you post about the show on social media.
Content warnings this episode: Discussion of access issues (chapter 2), wealth privilege (chapter 6)
Letters of comment
Abigail Nussbaum
Ali Baker Brooks
Andrew January
The Eastercon members’ portal
Caroline Mullan
DC
Farah Mendlesohn
Critical Friends 8
Jacob Holder
Mark Plummer
Meg MacDonald
Doc Weir award
Dave Langford re...
2024-05-091h 05
Octothorpe108: Ramp is Not RampJohn is ignorant, Alison is first, and Liz is a trendsetter.
An uncorrected transcript of this episode is available here. Please email your letters of comment to comment@octothorpecast.uk, and tag @OctothorpeCast (on X or on Mastodon or on Bluesky) when you post about the show on social media.
Content warnings this episode: COVID (chapter 8).
Letters of comment
Andy Openshaw
Chris Garcia
Maundy Thursday
DC’s loc
Meg MacDonald
Nuala on Bluesky: sorry!
Raj recommends pizza crunch
Mono
Raj on Mastodon
Track Changes
Eastercon 2024
Telford
Telford International Centre
KFC
Catchup
Members’ area
Catchup will...
2024-04-2659 min
Octothorpe107: The Significance of the AcornJohn, Alison, and Nicholas are live from Levitation!
A transcript of this episode is available here. Please email your letters of comment to comment@octothorpecast.uk and tag @OctothorpeCast (on X or on Mastodon or on Bluesky) when you post about the show on social media.
Content warnings this episode: None
Thank you very much to our stunt Liz, Nicholas Whyte!
Nicholas’ blog, From the Heart of Europe
April Fool’s Day
The rocket in all its glory!
The Hugo Awards
Hugo Award finalists
The announcement video
Thank you to everyone who nominated us!
Cong...
2024-04-1153 min
Octothorpe106: Fitter Happier Healthier EasterconJohn used to be an undergraduate, Alison has been keeping a list, and can Liz be a stunt Liz?
A transcript of this episode is available here. Please email your letters of comment to comment@octothorpecast.uk and tag @OctothorpeCast (on X or on Mastodon or on Bluesky) when you post about the show on social media.
Content warnings this episode: Death (Deb Geisler, chapter 3) and gambling (Hugo Awards, chapter 7; Alison’s pick, chapter 8).
Letters of comment
Chris Garcia
Mike Glyer
Transcripts
Bob Morrell
Colin Murtagh
We also heard from Jonny Baddeley, Alex Holden, Fa...
2024-03-2846 min
Octothorpe105: Scorching Hot Month-Old TakesJohn watches movies, Alison walks on the Moon, and Liz has special bonds.
Please email your letters of comment to comment@octothorpecast.uk, check out our subtitles/transcripts, and tag @OctothorpeCast (on X or on Mastodon or on Bluesky) when you post about the show on social media.
Content warnings this episode: Censorship, in the form of more Hugo Award controversy
Letters of comment
Ang Rosin
Andy Openshaw
Chris Garcia
Zodiac Speaking
ErsatzCulture and Raj
España Sheriff
Brighton 1987
Martin Easterbrook
Tammy Coxen
Sandra Bond
Keep an eye out for Poetry Slum!
Click here t...
2024-03-1451 min
Octothorpe104: Groundbreaking and GreatJohn, Alison and Liz discuss what SF they enjoyed from 2023.
Please email your letters of comment to comment@octothorpecast.uk, check out our subtitles/transcripts, and tag @OctothorpeCast (on X or on Mastodon or on Bluesky) when you post about the show on social media.
Content warnings this episode: None
Fanzine
The Ancillary Review of Books
IDEA
Nerds of a Feather
Fan Artist
Alison Scott
España Sheriff
Fan Writer
Camestros Felapton
Paul Weimer
Sandra Bond
Fancast
Going Rogue
Game/Interactive Work
Video games
Baldur’s Gate 3
Chants of Sennaar
Dredge
The Legend of Zel...
2024-02-2954 min
Octothorpe103: Just This Guy, Y’know?John is a year behind, Alison is opening nominations, and Liz is Elizabeth (!).
Please email your letters of comment to comment@octothorpecast.uk, check out our subtitles/transcripts, and tag @OctothorpeCast (on X or on Mastodon or on Bluesky) when you post about the show on social media.
Content warnings this episode: Israel/Palestine war (Montreal in 2027 segment), serial killers (John’s pick)
Letters of comment
Ali Baker Brooks
Chris Garcia
DC
Kevin Anderson
Mark Plummer
Martin Easterbrook
Mike Glyer
Raj
Alison’s fan art page
BSFA longlist
Fan funds
TAFF
Announcement
Ballot
EFF
GUFF...
2024-02-1552 min
Octothorpe102: I Fully Comprehend the MysteriesJohn, Alison and Liz respond to a letter of comment from Tobes.
Please email your letters of comment to comment@octothorpecast.uk, check out our subtitles/transcripts, and tag @OctothorpeCast (on X, Mastodon or Bluesky) when you post about the show on social media.
Content warnings this episode: Chinese censorship (discussion of the Hugo Awards), Jim Crow Florida (Liz’s pick), general socioeconomic inequality (John’s pick)
Glasgow 2024’s hotel bookings are open
Letters of comment
Alex Ingram
Bill Higgins
Chris Garcia
Colin Murtagh
Jersey Gryphon
Karen Schaffer
Raj
Tobes Valois
Hugo Awards controversy
File 7...
2024-02-011h 06
Octothorpe101: John Has Developed Precognitive AbilitiesJohn is self-promoting, Alison ”doesn’t have COVID”, and Liz is distracting.
Please email your letters of comment to comment@octothorpecast.uk, check out our subtitles/transcripts, and tag @OctothorpeCast (on X or on Mastodon or on Bluesky) when you post about the show on social media.
Content warnings this episode: large power and age differentials in sexual relationships (John’s pick)
Letters of comment
Chris Garcia
Niall Harrison
Adam Roberts on romantasy
A website called “pudding.cool”
Geri Sullivan
Bridget Bradshaw
TrishEM says congratulations
Dave Mansfield
Upcoming conventions which aren’t Worldcon
Triple Time!, the 34t...
2024-01-1852 min
Octothorpe100: I Don’t Have Show Notes or AlcoholJohn, Alison and Liz receive a telegram.
Please email your letters of comment to comment@octothorpecast.uk, check out our subtitles/transcripts, and tag @OctothorpeCast (on X or on Mastodon or on Bluesky) when you post about the show on social media.
Content warnings this episode: None
Letters of comment
Chris Garcia
Irwin Hirsh
Raj on Mastodon (1, 2)
Hugo voting stats
Moon Knight
Warren Ellis and Declan Shalvey’s run
Warren Ellis’ predatory behaviour
Article at the time of the original story
SoManyOfUs
Article from the year after
Jed MacKay and Alessandro Cappuccio’s run
Moon K...
2024-01-0443 min
Octothorpe99: Keep Sending Ops Until They Fix ItJohn doesn’t study herpetology, Alison knows lots of words, and Liz goes first.
Please email your letters of comment to comment@octothorpecast.uk, check out our subtitles/transcripts, and tag @OctothorpeCast (on X or on Mastodon) when you post about the show on social media.
Content warnings this episode: Games, SMOFs
If I Ran the Zoo… Con
PDF version
Hard copy from NESFA
Bidding Phase:
3401 Pre-Supporting Memberships by Leslie Turek
5501 Kill the Wabbit by Priscilla Olson, John Pomeranz, Leslie Turek, Mark Olson
Planning Phase:
2201 The “Relationship” by Priscilla Olson, Mark Olson
5901 We’re in the Mon...
2023-12-2156 min
Octothorpe98: Finally, ManitobaJohn thinks it’s grandfathered in, Alison doesn’t think it’s SF, and Sandra is Liz.
Please email your letters of comment to comment@octothorpecast.uk, check out our subtitles/transcripts, and tag @OctothorpeCast (on X or on Mastodon or on Bluesky) when you post about the show on social media.
Content warnings this episode: None
Letters of comment
Chris Garcia
Curt Phillips
Where to buy Moon (USA, UK)
If you know of websites that do this in other countries, let John know!
Mark Plummer
The full text of Mark Plummer’s and Leigh Ed...
2023-12-0759 min
Octothorpe97: The Future of LanguageJohn has played some games, Alison will play some games, and Liz is playing games RIGHT NOW
Please email your letters of comment to comment@octothorpecast.uk, check out our subtitles/transcripts, and tag @OctothorpeCast (on X or on Mastodon or on Bluesky) when you post about the show on social media.
Content warnings this episode: China, being burned alive, classism
Letters of comment
Chris Garcia
España Sheriff
Leigh Edmonds
Lori Anderson
Chengdu
Chinese v foreign attendees
An example
We expect stats at the 90 day mark
WSFS remote participation
Current WSFS constitution and s...
2023-11-2357 min
Octothorpe96: A Less QR-Code-Using SocietyJohn didn’t, Alison would’ve done, and Liz tried.
Please email your letters of comment to comment@octothorpecast.uk, check out our subtitles/transcripts, and tag @OctothorpeCast (on X or on Mastodon or on Bluesky) when you post about the show on social media.
Content warnings this episode: China
Was Chengdu a shower?
Nicholas Whyte signs autographs
Chengdu Worldcon on YouTube
WorldconEvents on YouTube
Site selection meeting videos are going up here
WSFS Business Meeting” group on Facebook
File 770’s reporting on this year’s WSFS
Picks
John: Hallowe’en
Alison: New Zealand
Liz: Poker F...
2023-11-0947 min
Octothorpe95: Hugo, Girl!John is playing a game, Alison is in New Zealand, and Liz’s head is on fire.
Please email your letters of comment to comment@octothorpecast.uk, check out our subtitles/transcripts, and tag @OctothorpeCast (on X or on Mastodon or on Bluesky) when you post about the show on social media.
Content warnings this episode: Privilege (letters of comment), carbon emissions (GUFF), grant applications (picks)
Letters of comment
Dave Mansfield
Esther MacCallum-Stewart
Chris Garcia
Abigail Nussbaum
SJ Johnson
Hugos
Congratulations to Hugo, Girl!
Thanks to Nicholas Whyte for
Being our designated Hugo acceptor
Li...
2023-10-2757 min
Octothorpe94: Satisfying MeatJohn is eating cinnamon rolls, Alison doesn’t think it’s funny, and Liz has two lists.
Please email your letters of comment to comment@octothorpecast.uk, check out our subtitles/transcripts, and tag @OctothorpeCast (on X, on Mastodon, or on Bluesky) when you post about the show on social media.
Content warnings this episode: colonialism (chapter 2), COVID (chapter 3), organised crime (chapter 5), privilege and capitalism (chapter 7).
No letters of comment this week, normal service resumes next week!
Books in the order they were discussed
The Daughter of Doctor Moreau, by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
The Kaiju Pres...
2023-10-131h 13
Octothorpe93: The Good Thing About the HugosJohn is husky, Alison is a dingo, and Liz is a ridgeback.
Please email your letters of comment to comment@octothorpecast.uk, check out our subtitles/transcripts, and tag @OctothorpeCast (on X or on Mastodon) when you post about the show on social media.
Content warnings this episode: None
Letters of comment
Abigail Nussbaum
Chris Garcia
Ersatz Culture
Chengdu is a shower
Relevant Pixel Scrolls:
Fanzine and Fan Writer added; videos of the construction
Panoramic views of the convention site
Arthur Liu’s post on Weibo
Glasgow 2024
Glasgow 2024 Presents: The Media of Storytelling: Print v...
2023-09-2842 min
Octothorpe92: Shouting From Inside the RoomJohn went to Reno, Alison went to San Francisco, and Liz went to Chicago.
Please email your letters of comment to comment@octothorpecast.uk, check out our subtitles/transcripts, and tag @OctothorpeCast (on Twitter or on Mastodon) when you post about the show on social media.
Content warnings this episode: Murder and sexual violence (chapter 4)
Letters of comment
Chris Garcia
Dave Mansfield
Duncan MacGregor
Ersatz Culture
Irwin Hirsch
Juan Sanmiguel
Nick Hubble
Peter Sullivan
ConFrancisco
Ansible 75 (October 1993)
File 770’s Worldcon Wayback Machine:
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Monday
Chengdu is a shower
The Hugo Voter Pa...
2023-09-1747 min
Octothorpe91: O— O— O—John is a journalist, Alison is fundraising, and Liz is approved.
Please email your letters of comment to comment@octothorpecast.uk, check out our subtitles/transcripts, and tag @OctothorpeCast (on Twitter or on Mastodon) when you post about the show on social media.
Content warnings this episode: None
Letters of comment
Abigail Nussbaum
Ali Baker Brooks
Chris Garcia
David Curry
Edward Morland
Farah Mendlesohn
Jonathan Baddeley
Lori Anderson
Not Laurie Anderson
The Clarke Award
Liz read them all! 🌟
Hugo Voter Packet
Ersatz Culture’s report on what’s in the packet
Site selection
Voting has sta...
2023-09-0154 min
Octothorpe90: Resolutely Alison All the TimeJohn, Alison and Liz read Six Wakes by Mur Lafferty.
Please email your letters of comment to comment@octothorpecast.uk, check out our subtitles/transcripts, and tag @OctothorpeCast (on Twitter or on Mastodon) when you post about the show on social media.
Content warnings this episode: Murder, death
Other works we discussed:
Station Eternity by Mur Lafferty
Ninefox Gambit by Yoon Ha Lee
Rosewater by Tade Thompson
This didn’t make the edit due to Liz’s audio being troublesome
The 2018 Hugo Award ballot
Credits
Cover art: “Standard-Sized Cryochambers” by Alison Scott
Alt text: Three cr...
2023-08-1740 min
Octothorpe89: The Winner Does Not Receive a PieJohn is sitting, Alison is watching, and Liz is typing.
Please email your letters of comment to comment@octothorpecast.uk, check out our subtitles/transcripts, and tag @OctothorpeCast (on Twitter or on Mastodon) when you post about the show on social media.
Content warnings this episode: AI (chapter 3), China (chapter 4), colonialism (chapter 5)
Letters of comment
Abigail Nussbaum
Chris Garcia
Duncan MacGregor
Edward Morland
Ersatz Culture
Farah Mendlesohn
Ash by Mary Gentle
Raj
Roman Orszanski
Transcription
We have uploaded transcripts and subtitles for Episodes 49, 62, and 72 as part of our Hugo Voter Packet submission
What do...
2023-08-0439 min
Octothorpe88: Someone Somewhere Must Know What’s Going OnJohn is on brand, Alison wants to do Mark, and Liz had a few twinges.
Please email your letters of comment to comment@octothorpecast.uk and tag @OctothorpeCast (on Twitter or on Mastodon) when you post about the show on social media.
Content warnings this episode: COVID (chapter 2)
Letters of comment
Chris Garcia
Duncan MacGregor
Mark Plummer
Niall Harrison
Adam Roberts’ future books:
The Death of Sir Martin Malprelate (2023)
The Midas Rain (2023)
Lake of Darkness (2024)
Raj
Various congratulations from our lovely lovely listeners
Octothorpe COVID round-up
Levitation are soliciting signups to their eventual COVID su...
2023-07-2156 min
Octothorpe87: We Didn’t Imagine the Third OptionJohn isn’t picky, Alison is in a field, and Liz is very hungry.
Please email your letters of comment to comment@octothorpecast.uk and tag @OctothorpeCast (on Twitter or on Mastodon) when you post about the show on social media.
Content warnings this episode: None
Letters of comment
Abigail Nussbaum
Chris Garcia
Karen Schaeffer
Malcolm Hutchison
Peter Sullivan
Raj
We might have Tweets of comment but who knows?
Chengdu is a shower
Moar Hugo award delays
Now you see them, now you don’t
This episode will go live when the Hugo finalists do
...
2023-07-0649 min
Octothorpe86: The Joy of HemispheresJohn can do one, Alison don’t like cricket, and Liz will never get to bed.
Please email your letters of comment to comment@octothorpecast.uk and tag @OctothorpeCast (on Twitter or on Mastodon) when you post about the show on social media.
Content warnings this episode: Poor working conditions (chapter 2), COVID (chapter 3)
Letters of comment
Abigail Nussbaum
Chris Garcia
Chengdu is a shower
Hugo Award delay
Venue under construction
COVID Round-up
New recommendation: 5 air changes per hour (ACH)
The Lancet COVID-19 Commission Task Force on Safe Work, Safe School, and Safe Travel
HSE ha...
2023-06-2248 min
Octothorpe85: Super Smart or Completely the OppositeJohn is at a convention, Alison is in a cottage, and Liz is not at a festival.
Please email your letters of comment to comment@octothorpecast.uk and tag @OctothorpeCast (on Twitter or on Mastodon) when you post about the show on social media.
Content warnings this episode: COVID (chapter 1)
Letters of comment
Tammy Coxen
Alex Holden
Dave Mansfield
Chris Garcia
Perrianne Lurie
Abigail Nussbaum
Chris Garcia
Randy Smith
Chris Garcia
Cheese
Satellite 8
Jim Shull
Picks:
John: All These Worlds: Reviews and Essays by Niall Harrison
Alison: Shining Girls (Apple TV+)
Liz: Striking Out
...
2023-06-0851 min
Octothorpe84: I Do Not Like to Be Delighted on Every PageJohn, Alison and Liz read A Face Like Glass by Frances Hardinge.
Please email your letters of comment to comment@octothorpecast.uk and tag @OctothorpeCast (on Twitter or on Mastodon) when you post about the show on social media.
Content warnings this episode: Spoilers for the book
Credits
Cover art: “Little Baby Cheeses” by Alison Scott
Alt text: Three cheeses sit on a shelf. The first cheese is thinking “FACE #1: CHEEZY GRIN”. The second is thinking “FACE #2: LONG SUFFERING ARTIST”. The third is thinking “FACE #3: FIVE EXPRESSIONS? YOU WERE LUCKY. YOU SHOULD TRY BEING CHEESE.” The w...
2023-05-2532 min
Octothorpe83: EfffffffffJohn would like more drawers, Alison uses the floor, and Liz is okay with shelves.
Please email your letters of comment to comment@octothorpecast.uk and tag @OctothorpeCast (on Twitter or on Mastodon) when you post about the show on social media.
Content warnings this episode: COVID (chapter 4)
Letters of comment
Chris Garcia
España Sheriff
Joe Manganiello’s D&D series
Esther MacCallum-Stewart
Farah Mendlesohn
Fran Dowd
James Shields
Andrew January’s GitHub issue
Jonny Baddeley
Raj
Chengdu is a shower
Sunny spells this week
Fan Funds
TAFF: Congratulations to Sandra Bond, who will...
2023-05-1153 min
Octothorpe82: Metatextual DinosaursJohn, Alison and Liz talk about their Hugo Award nominations.
Please email your letters of comment to comment@octothorpecast.uk and tag @OctothorpeCast (on Twitter or on Mastodon) when you post about the show on social media.
Content warnings this episode: None
Letters of comment will be coming next week!
Giant Hugo spreadsheet
Fancast
Hugo, Girl!
Fan Artist
Iain J Clark
España Sheriff
Sue Mason
Alison Scott
Sara Felix
Dramatic Presentation (Long Form): - The TV shows are in Episode 77’s show notes - Don’t Worry Darling - The Astral Pole - Every...
2023-04-2758 min
Octothorpe81: It Wasn’t an Interjection From the Room, It Was My FaceAlison, Liz, John and Alison are live from Conversation!
Please email your letters of comment to comment@octothorpecast.uk and tag @OctothorpeCast (on Twitter or on Mastodon) when you post about the show on social media.
Content warnings this episode: COVID
Eastercon 2025: Reconnect
Funcon 1
Picks:
John: Adrian Tchaikovsky
Alison: Plague
Liz: Nocebo (Netflix)
Credits
Cover art: “Conversation” by Sue Mason
Alt text: The dragon and robot from Conversation’s logo, either side of a shield depicting two rockets with a moose head above it and a sleeping black cat below it. Text reads “Octothorpe 81: Live fro...
2023-04-1337 min
Octothorpe80: Four Constituent BlobsJohn is jetlagged, Alison is working, and Liz is under pressure.
Please email your letters of comment to comment@octothorpecast.uk and tag @OctothorpeCast (on Twitter or on Mastodon) when you post about the show on social media.
Content warnings this episode: Eating octopus (chapter 1), N*zism (chapter 8)
Letters of comment
Mark Plummer
Nicholas Whyte
Ian Hillman
They Called Us Enemy (Forbidden Planet, Amazon)
Gwen Frazer
Briardene Books
Karen Schaffer
Chengdu is a shower
Their website is back!
Picks:
John: Digger by Ursula Vernon (read online, Kickstarter)
Alison: The Eastercon programme (not quite yet...
2023-03-3044 min
Octothorpe79: You Get to Be a Little CatJohn wants new gloves, Alison is foreshadowing, and Liz scrolls past spiders.
Please email your letters of comment to comment@octothorpecast.uk and tag @OctothorpeCast (on Twitter or on Mastodon) when you post about the show on social media.
Content warnings this episode: Spiders (chapter 6)
Letters of comment
Raj
Bridget Bradshaw
Chris Garcia
Bigbug (Netflix)
OSS 117 (Amazon)
Brice de Nice (Hoopla)
Lori Anderson
Curt Phillips
Chengdu is a shower (but not as bad as the BBC)
They have opened Hugo nominations
Conversions for Chinese language nominees: “A factor of 1.6 will be used when converting fr...
2023-03-1637 min
Octothorpe78: Sqrrl GrrlJohn is chuckling, Alison is conversing, and Liz is critical.
Please email your letters of comment to comment@octothorpecast.uk and tag @OctothorpeCast (on Twitter or on Mastodon) when you post about the show on social media.
Content warnings this episode: Immigration (chapter 2), COVID (chapter 3)
Letters of comment
Ang Rosin
Dave Coxon
Raj
Chris Garcia
Fempire by Honora Talbot
Lost Beyond the Stars by Kayla Arend
Bean Feasa by Daniel Butler
AlieNation by Ray Raghavan
I XXXX My Sex Doll by Fay Beck
Chengdu is a shower
PR1
The USA says “reconsider travel”, which is l...
2023-03-0245 min
Octothorpe77: Slightly Less Troglodyte-y Than YouJohn has trauma, Alison has poetry and Liz hasn’t got Paramount+.
Please email your letters of comment to comment@octothorpecast.uk and tag @OctothorpeCast (on Twitter or on Mastodon) when you post about the show on social media.
Content warnings this episode: None
Letters of comment
Raj on Mastodon
Hugo, Girl! on Twitter
Whisper.cpp
Chris Garcia
Chengdu is a shower
Dave McCarty on Hugos
Since we recorded, people are reporting seeing emails about Hugo voting – they seem to be landing in spam folders. John posted more info on Mastodon.
Hugo handicapping
The Hugo...
2023-02-1751 min
Octothorpe76: Does It Matter What We Think?John is watching movies, Alison is making games, and Liz isn’t picky.
Please email your letters of comment to comment@octothorpecast.uk and tag @OctothorpeCast (on Twitter or on The Wandering Shop) when you post about the show on social media.
Content warnings this episode: China (chapter 2), death of a parent (chapter 4)
Letters of comment
Claire Brialey
Tammy Coxen
Chris Garcia
Journey Planet on Chinese Science Fiction and Space
Irwin Hirsh
Chengdu is a shower
Tip of the hat to File 770 for some sterling reporting on this
Chengdu Worldcon changes dates, site
Mockups ap...
2023-02-0248 min
Octothorpe75: Optimus Prime But for BooksJohn wants to play, Alison has met lots of authors, and Liz is a womble.
Please email your letters of comment to comment@octothorpecast.uk and tag @OctothorpeCast (on wandering.shop) when you post about the show on social media.
Content warnings this episode: Capitalism (chapter 3), China (chapter 4)
Letters of comment
Sandra Bond
Lilian Edwards
Chris “The Legend” Garcia
Duncan MacGregor
Dave Mansfield
Curt Phillips
Kevin Standlee
Raj on Twitter
Magazines
The Locus fundraiser is well over target
Amazon are stopping doing Kindle Periodical magazine subscriptions
Interesting numbers on subscribers/supporters from Michael Damien Thom...
2023-01-1953 min
Octothorpe74: Great CthulhuJohn and Alison read a poem by Sandra Bond.
Credits
Cover art: The Great Cthulhu and John Coxon by Alison Scott
Alt text: Liz and Alison (dressed in their Sunday best) take John (dressed in Star Wars cosplay but with short trousers) to see Cthulhu, depicted in a cage at the zoo.
Theme music: “Fanfare for Space” by Kevin MacLeod (CC BY 4.0)
2023-01-0503 min
Octothorpe73: A Magic Cave Full of GamesJohn is going to Sweden, Alison is going to Australia, and Liz isn’t moving back to Europe.
Please email your letters of comment to comment@octothorpecast.uk and tag @OctothorpeCast (on wandering.shop) when you post about the show on social media.
Content warnings this episode: Capitalism (chapter 1)
Letters of comment
Phil Dyson
Chris Garcia
There Has Always Been Locus
Perrianne Lurie
Mike Scott
Duncan MacGregor
Raj on Twitter
Graphs!
European Fan Fund (EFF)
European Fan Fund rules
European Fan Fund announcement
TAFF race in 2023 now open - GUFF stuff
Smofcon goes to Pr...
2022-12-2245 min
Octothorpe72: I’m Not a Fan in the Way John IsJohn isn’t gambling, Alison isn’t reading, and Liz doesn’t care.
Please email your letters of comment to comment@octothorpecast.uk and tag @OctothorpeCast when you post about the show on social media.
Content warnings this episode: Capitalism (chapter 3)
Letters of comment
DC
Mark Plummer
Karen Schaffer
Curt Phillips
Christopher J Garcia
Hugo, Girl!
Duncan MacGregor
Beneath Ceaseless Skies recuses from the Hugo Awards
Locus is crowd funding
Picks:
John: Andor (Disney+)
Alison: Andor (Disney+)
Liz: Andor (Disney+)
With a 70s-style intro sequence
Credits
Cover art: Ictithirpe by Alison Scott
Alt text: The te...
2022-12-0854 min
Octothorpe71: Just Nearly Froze to DeathJohn is on the Holodeck, Alison is in the past, and Liz is at school.
Please email your letters of comment to comment@octothorpecast.uk and tag @OctothorpeCast when you post about the show on social media.
Content warnings this episode: COVID-19 (chapter 5)
Letters of comment
Chris Garcia
Jonny Baddeley
Farah Mendlesohn
Peter Sullivan
Raj
Locus fundraiser
Novacon
Satellite 8
Picks:
John: Star Wars Trek: The Next Generation
Alison: Genre Fiction: The Roaring Years by Peter Nicholls
Liz: The Golden Enclaves by Naomi Novik
Credits
Cover art: Cat Detectives by Alison Scott
Alt text: John...
2022-11-2441 min
Octothorpe70: OhJohn is logging in, Alison is getting emails, and Liz is collecting Pokémon.
Please email your letters of comment to comment@octothorpecast.uk and tag @OctothorpeCast when you post about the show on social media.
Content warnings this episode: War in Ukraine (chapter 5)
Letters of comment
Chris Garcia
Esther MacCallum-Stewart
Mark Plummer
Nicholas Whyte
Karen Schaffer
Peter Sullivan
Raj
Arthur C Clarke Award winners
First Nations Travel Fund
World Fantasy Con will be in Birmingham in 2025
Chengdu Worldcon
Picks:
John: Moon Knight vol. 9 (Marvel Unlimited) and Werewolf By Night (Disney+)
Alison: Swimming in t...
2022-11-1044 min
Octothorpe69: Hugo ThunderdomeJohn is Chris Garcia, Alison is Chris Garcia, and Liz is Chris Garcia.
Please email your letters of comment to comment@octothorpecast.uk and tag @OctothorpeCast when you post about the show on social media.
Content warnings this episode: None
Hugo statistics by Nicholas Whyte and Kat Jones
E Pluribus Hugo
It was up for reratification at Chicon 8
Nicholas Whyte wrote about EPH in 2015
Credits
Cover art: What If…? by Alison Scott
Alt text: Three figures with long brown hair and brown bears are central in the image. They look eerily like Chris Garcia. Th...
2022-10-2751 min
Octothorpe68: It Made John LaughJohn is clever, Alison has lost her composure, and Liz is confused by WSFS.
Please email your letters of comment to comment@octothorpecast.uk and tag @OctothorpeCast when you post about the show on social media.
Content warnings this episode: None
Letters of comment
Kev McVeigh (on Octothorpe 63)
Burntcoat by Sarah Hall (epub, hardback, audiobook, Amazon)
Congratulations to Raj for catching up!
[Do not listen from the beginning – John]
[It is also okay to skip episodes – Alison]
Mark Plummer
Chris Garcia
Farah Mendlesohn
British Fantasy Society Awards
Maureen Kincaid Speller
Tribute on Strange Horizons
Glas...
2022-10-1352 min
Octothorpe67: Straight Back to Star WarsJohn has hairspray, Alison has a tiara, and Liz has a necklace.
Please email your letters of comment to comment@octothorpecast.uk and tag @OctothorpeCast when you post about the show on social media.
Content warnings this episode: Falling out of boats (chapter 8)
Letters of comment
Chris Garcia
Facebook, Twitter, assorted other mentions
Conventions
Chicon 8
Dragon Con
Pemmi-con
Gen Con
Chicago
Morse Museum of American Art (not in Chicago)
Chicago Architecture Foundation Center River Cruise aboard Chicago’s First Lady
Art Institute of Chicago
Hugo Award statistics
Picks:
Alison: Phantom Peak
Liz: The Founders tr...
2022-09-301h 11
Octothorpe66: Thank You, StevenJohn is in the fanzine lounge, Alison is under a bison hat, and Liz is good, thank you.
Please email your letters of comment to comment@octothorpecast.uk and tag @OctothorpeCast when you post about the show on social media.
Content warnings this episode: None
We talked to the following people!
Fia Karlsson, TAFF delegate
Lynelle Howell, Facilities Division Head for CoNZealand
Chuck Serface, Hugo Award finalist for Journey Planet
Ric Bretschneider, co-host of Fanboy Planet
Perry Middlemiss, past Worldcon chair and co-host of Two Chairs Talking
James Bacon, past Worldcon chair and Hugo...
2022-09-1537 min
Octothorpe65: Action Castle 2John is a computer; Alison and Liz are talking to him very slowly.
Please email your letters of comment to comment@octothorpecast.uk and tag @OctothorpeCast when you post about the show on social media.
Buy the Parsely Games PDF
Alison had an ear worm
Credits
Cover art: “Maps” by Alison Scott and Liz Batty
Alt text: Two hand drawn maps of the world described by the game, in handwriting, one on an iPad and one on paper. They are atop a purple square which says “Octothorpe 65”.
Theme music: “Fanfare for Space” by Kevin MacLeod (CC BY 4.0)
2022-09-0140 min
Octothorpe64: Best Commemorative PlateJohn is crying, Alison is lounging, and Liz is crocheting.
Please email your letters of comment to comment@octothorpecast.uk and tag @OctothorpeCast when you post about the show on social media.
Content warnings this episode: climate change, death, abuse (chapter 3)
Letters of comment
Ang Rosin
Caroline Mullan
Mark Plummer
Galactic Journey
Kev Smith’s TAFF report
John’s TAFF report
Bill Higgins
Chris Garcia
Raj
Hotel eggs
Our Hugo Award ballots
The Brialey Competence Threshold
The list of finalists (we’re not going to write them all out here!)
Worldcon schedules
The following are us...
2022-08-1844 min
Octothorpe63: Nonsense DivideJohn has a button, Alison has a venue, and Liz once saw a computer that had been in Chris’s car.
Please email your letters of comment to comment@octothorpecast.uk and tag @OctothorpeCast when you post about the show on social media.
Content warnings this episode: COVID (chapter 2), death at a young age (chapter 6).
Letters of comment
Chris Garcia
Roman Orszanski
Paul Weimer
Bridget Bradshaw
FantasyCon
It was cancelled
They had sold 200 memberships, but needed 400 and were £24k short
It was uncancelled
You can join the new iteration here
Arthur C Clarke Awards
The...
2022-08-0443 min
Octothorpe62: Do You Want to Talk About Lesbians?John has superpowers, Alison is an alien in a human suit, and Liz likes cats.
Please email your letters of comment to octothorpecast@gmail.com and tag @OctothorpeCast when you post about the show on social media.
Content warnings this episode: being stranded in space (chapter 1); sexism (chapter 2); Hell and murder (chapter 5).
No letters of comment this week, normal service resumes next week!
Books in the order they were discussed
Project Hail Mary, by Andy Weir
A Master of Djinn, by P. Djèlí Clark
The Galaxy, and the Ground Within, by Becky Chambers
Sh...
2022-07-211h 26
Octothorpe61: That Little Voice in Your HeadJohn has a hat on, Alison is taking the baton, and Liz twirls.
Please email your letters of comment to octothorpecast@gmail.com and tag @OctothorpeCast when you post about the show on social media.
Content warnings this episode: COVID-19 (chapter 2)
Letters of comment
Chris Garcia
The Drink Tank
Sci-Fi Short of the Week
DUST
Andrew January
Roman Orszanski
Duncan McGregor and cDave on Twitter
Raj sent a nice message on Twitter as well
Fran Dowd
Celluloid Screams
Fear2000
Sheffield DocFest
The Festival of Fantastic Films
Farah Mendlesohn
Science Fiction Research Association
Octothorpe COVID...
2022-07-0746 min
Octothorpe60: Different Types of TediumJohn is going to brunch, Alison watched a film, and Liz is critical.
Please email your letters of comment to octothorpecast@gmail.com and tag @OctothorpeCast when you post about the show on social media.
Content warnings this episode: None
Letters of comment
Kevin Standlee and Tammy Coxen
Bridget Bradshaw
Chris Garcia
Unofficial Hugo Book Club on Twitter sent us a graph
Catherine Crockett
Transcripts on eFanzines
Subtitles on Podbean - Jonathan Cowie asked “What special Hugo would we introduce if we were in charge at Glasgow?”
Alison: Best Transcript
Liz: Best Non-Fiction/Best Crit...
2022-06-2347 min
Octothorpe59: ChickensJohn is roast beef, Alison is pickled onion, and Liz is flamin’ hot.
Please email your letters of comment to octothorpecast@gmail.com and tag @OctothorpeCast when you post about the show on social media.
Content warnings this episode: COVID (chapter 3)
Letters of comment
Artwork: Dave Coxon
Podcasts for tedium: Jonny Baddeley, Ali Baker Brooks, Virginia Preston
Convention data: Chris Garcia, Lilian Edwards
Worldcons: Malcolm Hutchison, Gillian Polack
Picks:
Raybearer is getting the Netflix treatment
Abigail Nussbaum’s essay on Everything Everywhere All at Once
Ali Baker Brooks: Athena Scalzi’s review of a Britis...
2022-06-0946 min
Octothorpe58: Oh No! Really? PancakesJohn has a paper cut, Alison feels seen, and Liz is cheating on her homework.
Please email your letters of comment to octothorpecast@gmail.com and tag @OctothorpeCast when you post about the show on social media.
Content warnings this episode: racism and sexism (chapter 6)
Letters of comment
Phil Dyson
Chris Garcia
Bradley Harris
“I listened to some of your Octothorpe podcast which was cool in general just because I like to hear the British styles of speech. Also I agree with John that Detroit-style pizza is very good. I too have some food re...
2022-05-2659 min
Octothorpe57: Back Bacon is BestJohn is a muppet bilby, Alison is actively drinking, and Liz MURDERS OWLS.
Please email your letters of comment to octothorpecast@gmail.com and tag @OctothorpeCast when you post about the show on social media.
Content warnings this episode: COVID (chapter 3), animal hunting (chapter 7)
Letters of comment
Malcolm Hutchison: ‘Listening to the sound John makes at start of this episode made me visualise John as a Muppet (in a good way)’
Chris Garcia
Roman Orszanski
Jersey Gryphon: ‘The Hello Internet podcast did a vinyl edition episode before jumping the shark and doing a 4–5 minute wax cyli...
2022-05-1254 min
Octothorpe56: Sorry, Am I Supposed to Be Recording ThisJohn, Alison, and Liz are live from Reclamation, the 2022 Eastercon!
Please email your letters of comment to octothorpecast@gmail.com and tag @OctothorpeCast when you post about the show on social media.
Content warnings this episode: None
Conversation 2023
Levitation 2024
Nicholas Whyte’s blog, From the Heart of Europe
No merchandise (yet)
This Never Happened
John’s Untappd check-in
Taste of Mold
Victoria Line moquette sofa
Picks
Liz: The Midnight Bargain by C. L. Polk (paperback, epub, audiobook, Amazon)
John: A Snake Falls to Earth by Darcie Little Badger (hardback, epub, audiobook, Amazon)
Credits
Cover art...
2022-04-2849 min
Octothorpe55: Beatboxing ChampagneJohn is a Hugo Award finalist, Alison is a Hugo Award winner, and Liz’s mum got a folk award once.
Please email your letters of comment to octothorpecast@gmail.com and tag @OctothorpeCast when you post about the show on social media.
Content warnings this episode: classism (chapter 2)
Hugo Awards
We are a finalist for Best Fancast
We are SO EXCITED
John and Alison are almost certainly going to Chicon 8 (Liz is a “maybe”)
We will be thrilled to lose to any of the other finalists (especially Hugo, Girl!)
Letters of comment:
Ali Baker
...
2022-04-1446 min
Octothorpe54: Embrace the SweatJohn is dancing, Alison is listening, and Liz is Batman.
Please email your letters of comment to octothorpecast@gmail.com and tag @OctothorpeCast when you post about the show on social media.
Content warnings this episode: COVID (chapter 1), war and human rights (chapter 2)
Letters of comment:
Chris Garcia
Everyone liked Sue’s art and everyone wants John to get better soon
Liz saw a cat
Jonny Baddeley is giving John his old Netrunner stuff
Jonny Baddeley has questions about discos in COVID times
Lori really liked Six Wakes and is going to try to co...
2022-03-3151 min
Octothorpe53: It Was John’s IdeaJohn has COVID, Alison wanted to do a podcast, and Liz had no better offers.
Please email your letters of comment to octothorpecast@gmail.com and tag @OctothorpeCast when you post about the show on social media.
Content warnings this episode: None
Find a text version of our answers to Cora’s questions here!
Cover art: Sue Mason
Theme music: Fanfare for Space by Kevin MacLeod (CC BY 4.0)
2022-03-1713 min
Octothorpe52: Who’s Robert Picardo?John, Alison and Liz have been nominated for a BSFA Award! (Also, Liz is on holiday, naturally.)
Please email your letters of comment to octothorpecast@gmail.com and tag @OctothorpeCast when you post about the show on social media.
Content warnings this episode: None
Letters of comment
Chris Garcia
The Flying Fantastical Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore
Peter Sullivan
Chris for TAFF
Kin-Ming Looi
Duncan MacGregor
Lori Anderson
Hugo deadline is March 15th
We recommended some things on Cora Buhlert’s blog
Tears of the Anaren by C. W. Longbottom
Eastercon: What do you wa...
2022-03-0357 min
Octothorpe51: Make TAFF a Four-Way TieJohn is a spoilsport, Alison is promoting and Liz might come to Eastercon.
Please email your letters of comment to octothorpecast@gmail.com and tag @OctothorpeCast when you post about the show on social media.
Content warnings this episode: COVID-19 (chapter 2), Spider-Man: No Way Home casting spoilers (chapter 6)
Letters of comment
Chris Garcia
Ali Baker
Mark Plummer
TAFF ebooks
Geri Sullivan
TAFF administrators’ FAQ
COVID-19
Reclamation are requiring vaccination for all attendees
Hotel bookings are open, and the booking code has gone out to members
Podcast corner:
The Incomparable Gameshow
The Incomparable #600
Become the Te...
2022-02-1756 minOctothorpe50: This is How Boxing Championships WorkJohn is exchanging, Alison is rekindling her sensawunda, and Liz is watching the builders.
Please email your letters of comment to octothorpecast@gmail.com and tag @OctothorpeCast when you post about the show on social media.
We are fifty! That’s kind of unbelievable.
Letters of comment
Bill Burns
Dave Coxon
You can follow us on:
BoardGameGeek (John, Alison)
Goodreads (John, Alison, Liz)
Letterboxd (John, Alison)
Untappd (John, Alison, Liz)
What’s our favourite beer style?
Chris Garcia
Peter Sullivan on Twitter
Podcast corner:
Liz has been listening to the Caribbean SF Podcast
Brandon O’Brien Can Yo...
2022-02-0359 minOctothorpe49: Not Sufficiently SassyJohn is demanding, Alison joined a Discord, and Liz knows a lot about the WSFS Constitution.
Please email your letters of comment to octothorpecast@gmail.com and tag @OctothorpeCast when you post about the show on social media.
Content warnings this episode: Genocide and war (chapter 1), racism and capitalism (chapter 2), sexism (chapter 5)
Letters of comment
Liquid of comment from This Never Happens (Cornish branch)
Jonathan Baddeley: “Tedious NPC” would make a great badge ribbon
Ali Baker
Dave Coxon
Chris Garcia
Kat Tanaka Okopnik says Nice is not bidding for 2026
Crying movies
Fran Dowd: Platoon
Farah...
2022-01-2046 minOctothorpe48: The Things You Nominate Are All Extremely UnpopularJohn and Alison are watching cutting-edge TV, and Liz is hungry.
Please email your letters of comment to octothorpecast@gmail.com and tag @OctothorpeCast when you post about the show on social media.
Content warnings this episode: genocide (chapter 2); war and defence contracting (chapter 4)
Letters of comment
Farah Mendlesohn asks “but what did you think of DisCon III?”
Doug Faunt asks about the opening ceremony’s Christmas music
Flick asks why we didn’t mention the Xinjiang region
UK House of Commons motion
Tahir Hamut Izgil writing at The Atlantic
We’re sorry to Ira Alexan...
2022-01-0646 minOctothorpe47: Authors Eating JohnJohn is sleepy, Alison is talking to Chinese fans, and Liz went to the Hugos.
Please email your letters of comment to octothorpecast@gmail.com and tag @OctothorpeCast when you post about the show on social media.
Content warnings this episode: COVID-19 (chapter 2); racism (chapter 3); foreign policy and sexism (chapter 4)
Letters of comment
Farah and Fran talking about masking at Novacon
A big discussion about BSFA
You can get by just NOT TELLING THE BSFA your address (DON’T TRY THAT WITH THE WORLDCON)
Chris Garcia
Site selection at DisCon III
Chengdu in 2023 won
Fi...
2021-12-2348 minOctothorpe46: Is My Head Extremely Solid, Or WhatJohn is afraid, Alison is in Portugal, and Liz is an absolute unit.
Please email your letters of comment to octothorpecast@gmail.com and tag @OctothorpeCast when you post about the show on social media.
Content warnings this episode: COVID-19 (chapters 1 and 2, but particularly chapter 2)
Thanks to Stow Shirts for sponsoring this week's episode! Use code OCTOTHORPE for a 10% discount.
No letters of comment this week, we will do them next week!
Smofcon Europe
COVID round-up
World Fantasy Convention
The person who got COVID Tweeted
Novacon
Alan Bellingham
Tony Cullen
Dave Lally
...
2021-12-0957 minOctothorpe45: A Fistful of DonglesJohn, Alison, and guest Marguerite Smith are live from Novacon 50!
Please email your letters of comment to octothorpecast@gmail.com and tag @OctothorpeCast when you post about the show on social media.
Content warnings this episode: women’s body shapes (we are very positive about all body shapes but we wanted to let y’all know we touch on it)
Novacon
Worldcon
DisCon III
Glasgow in 2024
Dublin in 2029
Picks
John: Voting in the Hugo Awards because he’s insufferably smug about having done the reading
Alison: Daangerous Visions: A Faanfiction Faanthology, 1939–2009
Marguerite:
A book by Josep...
2021-11-2551 minOctothorpe44: Quite a Lot of Big ButsJohn might hire a camper van, Alison might wee twice before bed, and Liz might not plot enough graphs.
Please email your letters of comment to octothorpecast@gmail.com and tag @OctothorpeCast when you post about the show on social media.
Content warnings this episode: COVID-19 (chapter 4), sexism (chapter 5)
We’re doing Octothorpe Live at Novacon at 1pm on Sunday!
Letters of comment
Carved turnip
Eastercon
Reclamation has a hotel
Tasha Suri is their new Guest of Honour
Zen Cho has sadly had to step down
Eastercon in a post-coronavirus world
There was a th...
2021-11-1159 minOctothorpe43: Clip That Out, JohnJohn is critically bereft, Alison made a mistake, and Liz is carving papayas.
Please email your letters of comment to octothorpecast@gmail.com and tag @OctothorpeCast when you post about the show on social media.
Content warnings this episode: COVID-19 (chapter 4) and problematic behaviour such as racism, sexism, and abuse (chapter 6).
This episode is sponsored by Stow Shirts. Use promo code OCTOTHORPE for 10% off!
We’re doing Octothorpe Live at Novacon at 1pm on Sunday!
Letters of comment
Facebook: Ali Baker, Dave Mansfield, Ang Rosin
Bridget Bradshaw
Chris Garcia
Papaya carving
COVID policy roundup
Smofcon Eu...
2021-10-2855 minOctothorpe42: I‘m Up for Running ControlconJohn used to have a different face, Alison is going to Smofcon, and Liz is in disguise.
Please email your letters of comment to octothorpecast@gmail.com and tag @OctothorpeCast when you post about the show on social media.
Content warnings this episode: COVID-19 discussion (chapter 2)
We’re doing Octothorpe Live at Novacon on 1pm at Sunday!
Letters of comment
COVID: Jonathan Baddeley, Ali Baker, Bill Burns, Chris Garcia, Ang Rosin
Dragonmeet’s COVID policy
High-school movie round-up: people on Facebook, Bridget Bradshaw, Farah Mendlesohn
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Election
The Faculty
Romy and Mich...
2021-10-1456 min