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New Books in Science Fiction

New Books Network
Science Fiction
Climate Change
Andor
Alien Earth
Star Wars
The Other Valley
Philosophy
Speculative Fiction
The People Of the Ruins
Cassian Andor
Dystopia
Scott Alexander Howard
My Heart Is Human
Star Trek
Octavia E. Butler
Boy Cavalier
Feminism
Odile Ozan
World War I
Rebellion

This podcast is a channel on the New Books Network. The New Books Network is an academic audio library dedicated to public education. In each episode you will hear scholars discuss their recently published research with another expert in their field. Discover our 150+ channels and browse our 28,000+ episodes on our website: ⁠newbooksnetwork.com⁠ Subscribe to our free weekly Substack newsletter to ... more

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Artwork for New Books in Science Fiction

Latest Episodes

The essential biography of the influential and beloved filmmaker George Lucas.

On May 25, 1977, a problem-plagued, budget-straining independent science-fiction film opened in a mere thirty-two American movie theaters. Conceived, written, and directe... more

In this episode, the editors and managing editor of Science Fiction Studies offer an inside look at the journal, discussing its place in the field and revisiting notable articles that have contributed to the study of science fiction. Science Ficti... more

Well, that’s about it for the story of planet Earth, poor Earth, reduced to not much more than a piece of burnt coal. But, as Deb Olin Unferth shows in her latest electrifying novel, life and love persist, even in the most unexpected, inhospitable pl... more

With thanks to “forever” plastics, the earth has reverted to sand and dust. Dylan has been raised by her scientist mother, in a pod under the sea, and longs to escape the loneliness of being confined. The only friend she ever had was a pen pal from M... more

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Recent Guests

Brian J. Jones
Biographer of Washington Irving, Dr. Seuss and Jim Henson; author of George Lucas, A Life
Author, George Lucas, A Life
Episode: Brian Jay Jones, "George Lucas: A Life" (Little, Brown and Company, 2016)
Deb Olin Unferth
Author of Earth 7
Graywolf Press
Episode: Deb Olin Unferth, "Earth 7" (Graywolf Press 2026)
Christina Lord
Associate Professor of French at the University of North Carolina Wilmington; scholar of French and Francophone Studies and Science Fiction Studies
University of North Carolina Wilmington
Episode: Christina Lord, "Reimagining the Human in Contemporary French Science Fiction" (Liverpool UP, 2023)
Keith Cooper
Author of Amazing Worlds of Science Fiction and Science Fact
Reaktion (publisher)
Episode: Keith Cooper, "Amazing Worlds of Science Fiction and Science Fact" (Reaktion, 2025)
Alexander B. Joy
Scholar and expert on Flaxman Low; discusses the MIT Press reissue
Independent scholar / Academic expert on Victorian-era science fiction
Episode: E. and H. Heron, "Flaxman Low: Occult Detective" (MIT Press, 2026)
Liz Webber
Professor of Instruction of Chinese and Research Professor at University of Rochester, specializing in Chinese Literature and translation.
University of Rochester
Episode: Wu Jianren, "New Story of the Stone: An Early Chinese Science Fiction Novel" (Columbia UP, 2025)
Kim Stanley Robinson
A leading science fiction novelist and voice in climate fiction.
Episode: 154 Planetary Boundaries are Non-Negotiable: Kim Stanley Robinson
Elizabeth Miller
Professor of English and Chair of Gender, Sexuality and Women's Studies, and scholar of environmental literature.
Episode: 154 Planetary Boundaries are Non-Negotiable: Kim Stanley Robinson
Christy Climenhage
Author of The Midnight Project, an anticipated science fiction thriller.
Wolsak & Wynn
Episode: Christy Climenhage, "The Midnight Project" (Wolsak & Wynn, 2025)

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 59 ratings
  • A New Favorite

    Rob Wolf takes on all things sci-fi in this great interview podcast that highlights some of the best the genre has to offer-as well as some up-and-comers. Wolf’s questions are targeted and insightful, demonstrating that he has not just read the books he’s discussing, but has engaged with them and is genuinely interested to expand his understanding of the author’s intent. Any author should be so blessed as to have such an engaged reader. This care that he has for the books he platforms makes me w... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    OBGreen
    United States2 years ago
  • Great show!

    Marshall, host of the podcast, highlights all aspects of new reads and more in this can’t miss podcast! The host and expert guests offer insightful advice and information that is helpful to anyone that listens!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    malfoxley
    United States5 years ago
  • My favorite book podcast!

    As witness to my love of this new book, science fiction/ fantasy podcast, of which I am a new listener, I have bought 5 books, put one previously purchased book on the top of my TBR stack and I have completed only 8 episodes starting back in 2011! The interviewers are knowledgeable, informed and well-read in the genre and ask questions that really engage the author. Great insights to the featured books and I enjoy hearing the authors talk about their craft and their excitement about this genre.... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    7dogs7
    United States5 years ago
  • Another shill

    Could not keep politics out of a science fiction interview. Deleted

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    TheMatrix
    United States6 years ago
  • Fantastic Interview Show

    This show's approach to interviews with authors about their influences and craft is fantastic. The interviews really dig into the work, the author's approach, the world of science fiction, etc. That makes for a show that feels more like a Lipton-style craft and life conversation than a simple PR-centered conversations. Those are the interviews I tune back into because I actually feel like I've learned something new and interesting.

    So if you love SF literature and you really want to hear author... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Arconna
    United States6 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Episodes are consistently well-produced with a strong emphasis on scholarly context.
Listeners praise deep, engaging conversations and thoughtful questions that bring out craft and research insights.
Guests are described as knowledgeable and well-prepared, making the discussions valuable for both fans and practitioners.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Brian Jay Jones, "George Lucas: A Life" (Little, Brown and Company, 2016)
Q: What was the dynamic with Coppola and how did it influence Lucas's career trajectory?
Coppola mentored Lucas, pushing him to develop as a writer and director, warned him against over-reliance on craft without narrative substance, and helped Lucas understand how to balance artistry with business—lessons that Lucas later applied to build his own companies and control his productions.
Brian Jay Jones, "George Lucas: A Life" (Little, Brown and Company, 2016)
Q: So talk about his time at USC. What did he learn there? Who he met there? And how formative that was?
He discovered a talent for editing and technical storytelling, formed a tight-knit circle with peers like Walter Murch and John Milius, and learned to push beyond classroom limits, driven by Coppola's insistence that he master writing as well as editing.
Deb Olin Unferth, "Earth 7" (Graywolf Press 2026)
Q: What was your impetus for writing Earth 7?
Deb describes starting from her reading about climate-change responses and 'techno-band-aids' like carbon capture and reefs built by robots, which spurred a nervous, funny imagining of a world where humans try to fix the planet but also confront the oddities and absurdities of those attempts.
Christina Lord, "Reimagining the Human in Contemporary French Science Fiction" (Liverpool UP, 2023)
Q: So could you start by telling us about the genesis of this project?
Dr. Lord describes how the project grew from her PhD work, sparked by a humanities seminar on post-humanism that broadened her approach to French SF and led to a book-length exploration of non-human encounters across literature and film.
Keith Cooper, "Amazing Worlds of Science Fiction and Science Fact" (Reaktion, 2025)
Q: What are some of the most well-researched fictional worlds you discuss, and why are they compelling from a science standpoint?
He highlights The Left Hand of Darkness (Gethen) and Dune (Arrakis) as exemplary for their scientifically informed climate and planetary evolution, with Gethen's ice coverage and Arrakis's desert hydrology as models of thoughtful worldbuilding.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About New Books in Science Fiction

What is New Books in Science Fiction about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This series centers on in-depth conversations with authors, scholars, translators, and science writers about recently published works in science fiction, fantasy, and related media. Episodes typically combine close readings of a book or topic with context from literary theory, science, and culture, often exploring craft, world-building, and the relationship between speculative fiction and real-world science. Guests range from novelists and translators to professors and editors, yielding discussions that are at once accessible to general readers and informative for more specialized audiences. A recurring strength is the thoughtful, interdisciplinary approach: hosts push for clarity on complex ideas, while guests illuminate craft, research pr... more

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Which podcasts are similar to New Books in Science Fiction?

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1. Sean Carroll's Mindscape: Science, Society, Philosophy, Culture, Arts, and Ideas
2. Science Friday
3. StarTalk Radio
4. Pod Save America
5. The Daily

How many episodes of New Books in Science Fiction are there?

New Books in Science Fiction launched 14 years ago and published 269 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 New Books in Science Fiction?

Recent guests on New Books in Science Fiction include:

1. Brian J. Jones
2. Deb Olin Unferth
3. Christina Lord
4. Keith Cooper
5. Alexander B. Joy
6. Liz Webber
7. Kim Stanley Robinson
8. Elizabeth Miller

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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