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The Coode Street Podcast

Jonathan Strahan & Gary K. Wolfe
Science Fiction
Fantasy
Books
Climate Change
Ursula K. Le Guin
Literature
Science Fiction Publishing
Michael Swanwick
Speculative Fiction
Written On the Dark
Book Publishing
Tachyon Publications
Historical Fiction
Horror
Patricia Mckillip
The Dispossessed
Book Collecting
Adrian Tchaikovsky
The Universe Box
New Releases

Discussion and digression on science fiction and fantasy with Gary K. Wolfe and Jonathan Strahan.

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes735Founded16 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
BooksArtsVisual Arts

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Latest Episodes

It's been far too long since one of our favorite guests, Garth Nix, has visited us on Coode Street, but with the forthcoming publication of his adult science fiction novel, Massif, it’s a great opportunity to catch up with one of the world’s leading ... more

Time certainly flies. Although it has been nearly four years since we last chatted with Alix E. Harrow, she has quickly become one of our very favourite guests. This week we are delighted to welcome her back. Her novel The Everlasting is currently no... more

Can you believe a storyteller? Ray Bradbury was a consummate storyteller who, in the introduction to his 1950 short story collection The Martian Chronicles, offered a possible origin story for the work.

He had, he recalled, been 24 years of age when... more

In this week’s episode, we sort of turn the tables on Jonathan to discuss the art of assembling anthologies, and in particular no fewer than four books he has coming out over the next few months: Revolution in the Heart: Stories Inspired by Ursula K.... more

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Recent Guests

Alix E. Harrow
Author of The Everlasting, The Slantwise Histories (upcoming)
Episode: Episode 728: Alix E. Harrow and The Slantwise Histories
Kelly Link
Author
Episode: Episode 727: Ray Bradbury's Million Year Picnic (with Jeffrey Ford and Kelly Link)
Amal El-Mohtar
Author and writer discussing her collection Seasons of Glass and Iron and related work
Episode: Episode 725: Amal El-Mohtar and the Seasons of Glass and Iron
Molly Tanzer
Author of And Side by Side They Wander and Jirel of Joiry project
Author, CL Moore estate collaborator
Episode: Episode 723: Molly Tanzer and the Nature of Art
Jeffrey Ford
Writer, celebrated author of Pandemonium Waltz
Episode: Episode 722: Jeffrey Ford's Pandemonium Waltz
Michael Swanwick
Author and renowned figure in science fiction
Tachyon Publications
Episode: Episode 718: Michael Swanwick and The Universe Box
Alexandra Pierce
Book reviewer and contributor to discussions on science fiction and fantasy.
Episode: Episode 714: The Year in Books with James Bradley, Ian Mond, and Alex Pierce
E. J. Swift
Author and novelist, known for her science fiction and fantasy works
Author
Episode: Episode 713: The Coode Street Advent Calendar 2025 - Day 25 - E. J. Swift
Ursula Vernon
A prolific author and illustrator known for her works in fantasy and children's literature.
Episode: Episode 712: The Coode Street Advent Calendar 2025 - Day 24 - Ursula Vernon

Hosts

Jonathan Strahan
Co-host with Gary K. Wolfe; long-time editor and organizer of SF/F discussions; prolific within the genre.
Gary K. Wolfe
Co-host; respected critic and editor with deep roots in science fiction history and analysis.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 118 ratings
  • It’s fine

    This is one of the best SFF podcasts out there, more’s the pity. After 650+ eps the audio is still awful. Sincerely. Every third episode is a re-hash of awards, canon lists, and categories - and whether these matter (though assuredly, to a reader they do not)

    I enjoy it about 70% of the time, I like the hosts, and I continue to hope that it will improve someday soon.

    Honestly, how many podcasts do you record before you turn off your phone’s ringer?

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    rossimetals
    United States2 years ago
  • Deeply informative, enriching listen

    Strahan and Wolfe know their stuff, and it shows in this detailed exploration of the futuristic and fantastical. Every episode so far has delivered in spades, and I’ve already learned a ton about my preferred genre (space opera). Their interviews make me feel like I’m sitting right there with them, talking with some of the industry’s greatest talent.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    OBGreen
    United States2 years ago
  • Excellent and fun

    The great place for eccentric and fun rambles on SF

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    SimonFletcher
    New Zealand3 years ago
  • Awesome Podcast!!!

    Jonathan & Gary, hosts of The Coode Street Podcast, highlights all books, arts, visual arts 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
    roweereyes
    Philippines5 years ago
  • Wide and deep perspectives on the field

    Love this podcast. I’ve been a SF/F reader for most of my life (and more recently an attempted writer) and have been really enjoying getting a deeper perspective on the field and its history from Jonathan and Gary. They have a lot of good interviews with great guests, but honestly I like the ones with just the two of them talking the best.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Will_36
    United States5 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Some critiques note audio quality and a preference for more varied guests or fewer recurring topics.
The show is considered essential listening for genre insiders, with strong interviews and critical discussions.
Listeners praise the hosts' depth and mastery of SF/F history and industry knowledge.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#65
Italy/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#101
Italy/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#107
Israel/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#138
Denmark/Arts/Books

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Episode 728: Alix E. Harrow and The Slantwise Histories
Q: What does it mean to tell the truth slant in your fiction, and how do you balance honesty with literary invention?
Truth slant means using fictional devices to evoke genuine human experience, with lies or imagination serving as tools to reveal deeper truths about life and culture.
Episode 728: Alix E. Harrow and The Slantwise Histories
Q: How has your sense of place, particularly Appalachia and Kentucky, influenced your storytelling across both short fiction and novels?
Her background informs character, mood, and setting, and she continually weaves regional memory into broader human experiences, while acknowledging the complexity and potential political critiques of regional representation.
Episode 728: Alix E. Harrow and The Slantwise Histories
Q: You mentioned Six Deaths of the Saint as a training wheels version for The Everlasting; in what ways did that shape the main ideas and tone you pursued later?
Six Deaths served as a controlled environment to test worldbuilding and tone before tackling Everlasting; it helped her craft quasi-medieval fantasy and set the stage for deeper, more mature narration.
Episode 725: Amal El-Mohtar and the Seasons of Glass and Iron
Q: When did you start writing yourself?
Amal explains she began writing at seven years old, inspired by poetry in the family and the idea that writing could be a meaningful, responsible form of self-expression.
Episode 723: Molly Tanzer and the Nature of Art
Q: Do you feel the same way if the destinations of the marbles are flipped, with knockoffs going to Britain and the originals returning to Greece?
She notes that such a flip would be an intriguing legal and cultural twist but emphasizes that the core question is about whether reproductions can fulfill the same cultural and emotional needs as originals and how audiences would respond to that shift.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Coode Street Podcast

What is The Coode Street Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A long-running conversation-driven show that explores science fiction and fantasy through hosts Gary K. Wolfe and Jonathan Strahan, featuring in-depth author interviews, editorial insights, and discussions on genre history, publishing, and storytelling craft. Episodes frequently center on notable works, author journeys, and industry dynamics, with guests ranging from acclaimed writers to reviewers and editors. The format blends rigorous critique with personal reading histories, delivering thoughtful analysis, behind-the-scenes publishing topics, and lively dialogue that appeals to genre insiders and passionate fans alike.

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Which podcasts are similar to The Coode Street Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Coode Street Podcast:

1. Octothorpe
2. A Meal of Thorns
3. On the Media
4. Radio Atlantic
5. Throughline

How many episodes of The Coode Street Podcast are there?

The Coode Street Podcast launched 16 years ago and published 735 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 The Coode Street Podcast?

Recent guests on The Coode Street Podcast include:

1. Alix E. Harrow
2. Kelly Link
3. Amal El-Mohtar
4. Molly Tanzer
5. Jeffrey Ford
6. Michael Swanwick
7. Alexandra Pierce
8. E. J. Swift

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