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Artwork for Breaking the Glass Slipper: Women in science fiction, fantasy, and horror

Breaking the Glass Slipper: Women in science fiction, fantasy, and horror

Megan Leigh, Charlotte Bond, and Lucy Hounsom
Conventions
The Prince Without Sorrow
Violence
Pacifism
Zombies
British Fantasy Society
Writing Community
Fantasycon
Buddhism
Voyage Of the Damned
Fantasy Literature
Neurodiversity
Witch Hunts
Fantasy Genre
Queer Representation In Literature
Agatha Christie
Grief
Covid-19
One Yellow Eye
Ursula K. Le Guin

Podcast discussing women in science fiction, fantasy, and horror. Hosted by Megan Leigh, Charlotte Bond, and Lucy Hounsom. New episodes every other Thursday.

PublishesMonthlyEpisodes268Founded10 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
FictionSociety & Culture

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Breaking the Glass Slipper: Women in science fiction, fantasy, and horror

Latest Episodes

Something a little bit different this month! Anyone who follows us on social media will be aware that we were completely thrilled and surprised to win the 2025 British Fantasy Award for Best Audio last month. In our somewhat unprepared acceptance spe... more

So, this is a bit of an unusual episode. Normally, we get an author on to discuss their new book. But today we have three authors talking about a brand new non-fiction book they’re part of, and two of them are your hosts! The book in question is Writ... more

For many writers, history can be both an inspiration and a source of plot. No one is going to call a fantasy writer out for “making it up”. With historical fiction, however, you have to be more careful – there are always a bunch of readers out there ... more

Zombies first shambled onto our cinema screens in the 1932 film White Zombie staring Bela Lugosi. Early incarnations involved voodoo reanimation and lacked the whole brain-eating aspect. (There’s a really interesting article by Carnegie Mellon Univer... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Katie Bruce
Writer and events organizer for the British Fantasy Society
British Fantasy Society
Episode: Conventions – with Katie Bruce
Juliet E. McKenna
Fantasy author known for her extensive body of work and contributions to the genre
Episode: Writing the magic – with Juliet E. Mckenna
Sarah Brooks
Author of The Cautious Traveler's Guide to the Wasteland
Episode: Alternate histories – with Sarah Brooks
Leigh Radford
Author of One Yellow Eye, with a background in PR and broadcasting
Episode: Zombies are us – with Leigh Radford
Frances White
Author of Voyage of the Damned, a magical gay murder mystery cruise.
Episode: Big deck energy – with Frances White
Colin Baker
Author of Voyage of the Damned, a magical gay murder mystery cruise.
Episode: Big deck energy – with Frances White
Maithree Wijesekara
Author of "The Prince Without Sorrow"
Episode: Pacifism and principles – with Maithree Wijesekara
Grady Hendrix
Author known for horror novels including "Witchcraft for Wayward Girls"
Episode: Women on trial – with Grady Hendrix

Hosts

Megan Leigh
Host focusing on the intersections of literature and feminist discourse.
Charlotte Bond
Co-host discussing women's representation in speculative fiction and cultural institutions.
Lucy Hounsom
Co-host with a focus on fantasy literature and its sociocultural impact.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 113 ratings
  • Very thought provoking and insightful

    I just started listening to the podcast. Thus far, my favorite episode has been when they had Juliet McKenna on the show. She had a lot of great insight about Arthurian literature. I really enjoyed her thoughts on the portrayal and roles of women in these stories.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Cwamne
    United States3 years ago
  • Best podcast sound bite of 2023

    “It’s Thursday, I’m cold, and I don’t feel like fighting the patriarchy” I am instantly in love with this show. I’ll be listening to every episode 🥰🥰🥰

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    TheMysticalists
    United States3 years ago
  • An intelligent approach

    Literature is an unparalleled way to address, unpack, and bring to light topics that are difficult albeit critical to talk about. Breaking the Glass Slipper explores these topics with an intelligent eye, interesting perspectives, and gut.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Miriam Laundry - Author
    Canada3 years ago
  • Brilliant podcast. Great chats, interesting subjects and top guests. Tell your friends!

    Podchaser
    5
    Emily Inkpen
    4 years ago
  • Great conversations, if not very intersectional

    I have a love/hate relationship with this podcast. The themes are excellent and the conversations and guests are engaging. I love the idea of having a podcast that makes space for feminist discussions in SFF and Horror contexts.

    However, I find myself feeling frustrated that this podcast only seems to understand feminism in the white feminism context. There are only occasional mentions of trans/cis genders, ability/disability themes, diverse sexualities, and racial experiences. Often the guests... more

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    SchoolLibrarian
    United States4 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners praise the engaging conversations and thoughtful critiques regarding women's roles in genre literature.
The dynamic among the hosts and their inviting approach to guests is frequently noted as a strength.
Some critiques mention a need for more inclusive perspectives that account for diverse racial and gender identities in conversations.
Feedback highlights a desire for broader representation and deeper intersectionality in feminist discussions.
Many appreciate the intelligent discussions that tackle complex gender issues in fantasy, science fiction, and horror.

Top Society & Culture Podcasts

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Freakonomics Radio
Freakonomics RadioFreakonomics Radio + Stitcher
Criminal
CriminalVox Media Podcast Network
This American Life
This American LifeThis American Life
I've Had It
I've Had ItJennifer Welch and Angie Sullivan

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Writing the magic – with Juliet E. Mckenna
Q: If you could choose a more modern writer to do an essay on, who would it be and why?
Martha Wells or Kate Elliott, as they both have significant experience and a connection with the current industry and literary landscape.
Writing the magic – with Juliet E. Mckenna
Q: What do you think writers of the past can teach new writers?
They teach enduring lessons and provide a foundational understanding of the genre's evolution, despite the changes in publishing and writing style.
Zombies are us – with Leigh Radford
Q: When I think of traditional zombie stories, I always think of people being chased and having terrible deaths. But there's virtually none of that in your book because as you said, it's set three months after the infected had been rounded up, and things were almost back to normal. I wondered why you chose this time frame rather than a more immediate one?
I never did. I always wanted to start it in the aftermath for lots of different reasons. One, I actually thought it would be funnier because specifically speaking as a Brit, I felt like three months after the outbreak, we would have started to get fed up and finding everything rather tedious about this zombie outbreak.
Alternate histories – with Sarah Brooks
Q: Why would people get on a dangerous train journey, knowing the risks?
They travel for various reasons, including seeking better opportunities or seeking thrills and adventure.
Alternate histories – with Sarah Brooks
Q: What are the challenges of writing an alternative history?
Brooks mentions challenges like narrowing down details to fit into the story without overwhelming the reader.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This podcast explores the vital roles of women in science fiction, fantasy, and horror, highlighting themes of feminism and gender representation. Engaging discussions revolve around key literary figures, historical narratives, and contemporary issues that impact female authors and characters within these genres. The hosts frequently invite notable guests, including authors and industry professionals, to share insights on their works and the evolution of storytelling, making it a valuable resource for anyone interested in feminist literary criticism and genre fiction. The podcast also emphasizes the importance of community and conventions, showcasing a blend of personal experiences and broader societal themes.

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These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:

1. On Purpose with Jay Shetty

How many episodes of this podcast are there?

this podcast launched 10 years ago and published 268 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on this podcast?

Recent guests on this podcast include:

1. Katie Bruce
2. Juliet E. McKenna
3. Sarah Brooks
4. Leigh Radford
5. Frances White
6. Colin Baker
7. Maithree Wijesekara
8. Grady Hendrix

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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