Geek's Guide to the Galaxy - A Science Fiction Podcast

Tom Gerencer joins us to discuss the book The Top of the Volcano: The Award-Winning Stories of Harlan Ellison, which contains 11 stories not included in Harlan Ellison’s Greatest Hits.Stories discussed: A Boy and His Dog (1:39), The Region Between (37:12), Basilisk (48:29), Adrift Just Off the Islets of Langerhans: Latitude 38° 54' N, Longitude 77° 00' 13" W (53:57), Croatoan (1:05:55), Count the Clock that Tells the Time (1:16:45), With Virgil Oddum at the East Pole (1:32:30), Soft Monkey (1:41:43), The Function of Dream Sleep (1:47:38), The Man Who Rowed Christopher Columbus Ashore (2:01:01), The Human Operators (2:11:50). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mercurio D. Rivera joins us to discuss the first nine stories in the short story collection The Best of Larry Niven, edited by Jonathan Strahan.Stories discussed: "Becalmed in Hell" (5:10), "Bordered in Black" (17:54), "Neutron Star" (26:35), "The Soft Weapon" (38:16), "The Jigsaw Man" (56:27), "The Deadlier Weapon" (1:02:55), "All the Myriad Ways" (1:08:16), "Not Long Before the End" (1:19:48), "Man of Steel, Woman of Kleenex" (1:28:01). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Andrea Kail, Matthew Kressel, and Rajan Khanna join us to discuss Season 1 of the HBO series Dune: Prophecy, a prequel set 10,000 years before the events of Frank Herbert’s Dune. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

James Wynn and Craig Brewer, hosts of the ReReading Wolfe podcast, join us to discuss Gene Wolfe’s classic novel The Urth of the New Sun, a sequel to The Book of the New Sun. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Andrea Kail, Matthew Kressel, and Tom Gerencer join us to discuss the science fiction noir movies Dark City, Strange Days, The Thirteenth Floor, Looker, and Alphaville.Time stamps: Dark City (3:25), Strange Days (28:55), The Thirteenth Floor (48:19), Looker (1:00:43), Alphaville (1:16:19). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tom Gerencer joins us to discuss the second half of the new short story collection Harlan Ellison’s Greatest Hits, edited by J. Michael Straczynski.Stories discussed: "On the Downhill Side" (2:34), "Paladin of the Lost Hour" (12:00), "The Beast That Shouted Love at the Heart of the World" (30:08), "I'm Looking for Kadak" (39:10), "How Interesting: A Tiny Man" (48:42), "Djinn, No Chaser" (59:36), "How's the Nightlife on Cissalda?" (1:09:06), "From A to Z, in the Chocolate Alphabet" (1:17:32), "Eidolons" (1:26:13), "All the Lies that are My Life" (1:32:36). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Philip Gelatt, a talented writer and director known for his horror films and acclaimed sci-fi works, shares his insights on crafting stories in challenging genres. He delves into the complexities of making 'The Europa Report,' discussing the balance of scientific accuracy with engaging narratives. Gelatt also highlights the innovative animation techniques used in 'The Spine of Night' and reflects on his passion for dark themes. The conversation touches on his creative roots, influences from horror legends, and the evolving landscape of storytelling in Hollywood.

J.T. Petty joins us to discuss serving as executive producer on the new Amazon series Secret Level, a collection of animated shorts set in the worlds of popular video games. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tom Gerencer, author of the upcoming novel The Magic Ski Mountain, joins to explore Harlan Ellison’s Greatest Hits. They discuss the complex legacy of Ellison and his impactful dystopian narratives, connecting them to contemporary issues of surveillance. The duo examines the emotional depth and chilling themes of artificial intelligence in Ellison's work. Gerencer also shares insights on writing while naked and the whimsical approach behind his children's book, inspired by ski adventures. Tune in for a lively discourse on storytelling's power!

James Wynn and Craig Brewer, co-hosts of the Rereading Wolfe podcast, delve into the depths of Gene Wolfe’s The Fifth Head of Cerberus. They explore themes of identity, colonialism, and the impact of shapeshifting aliens. The conversation reveals the complex character dynamics and the narrative structure that challenges traditional storytelling. They discuss the novella's significance in Wolfe's literary evolution, as well as theories surrounding cloning and deception. Listeners gain insights into Wolfe's intricate style and ongoing literary debates.