Author Discussion: Diana Wynne Jones

By P G Bell, Caleb Woodbridge, Anna Bell and Claire Fayers

Posted on October 23, 2012

Join us for a spirited discussion of one of our favourite fantasy authors – the late, great Diana Wynne Jones!

Author of Howl’s Moving Castle, Archer’s Goon and the Chrestomanci series, among many others, Diana was described by Neil Gaiman as “…the best writer of magic there is, for readers of any age.” But, after so much success, why isn’t she a household name? What is her place in today’s crowded YA fiction market? And just how much of her difficult childhood is evident in her stories? Our panel of intrepid fantasy fans set out to answer these and other questions on their whistle-stop tour of her life and works.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:19:38 — 72.9MB)

Harry Potter – From Page to Screen and Beyond

By Sarah Burrow and Suzie Nockles

Posted on May 19, 2012

We’ve been promising you this for ages, and here it is at last – an in-depth discussion of the boy wizard.

Our resident expert Sarah Burrow is joined by special guest Suzie Nockles (last heard in our Hunger Games episode) to assess the sprawling universe that is the Harry Potter phenomenon.

Just what made J.K. Rowling’s books so successful and did their big screen adaptations actually improve on them? Could the Pottermore website have yet more surprises in store for fans? Hogwarts may have conquered Florida’s theme parks but will it fare as well in Japan? And was Dumbledore gay just because J.K. Rowling says he was?

All this and more, in the latest Impossible Podcast!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 55:24 — 50.7MB)

Points of Who #5 – Harry Potter Set Tour

By Sarah Burrow, Caleb Woodbridge and P G Bell

Posted on April 28, 2012

Join Caleb Woodbridge, Sarah Burrow and P.G. Bell as they deliver our monthly round-up of news, rumours and feedback.

It’s been another busy month. With Doctor Who filming on both sides of the Atlantic, we discuss the on-set pics and wonder how long we can avoid the major spoiler that leaked out this week. (Don’t worry – we give nothing away).

JK Rowling, creator of Harry Potter, announced the title of her new adult crime novel – The Casual Vacancy. We wonder what it all means and take a detour into Pottermore, the official home of the Harry Potter e-books.

And while we’re on the subject of the boy wizard, Sarah got to preview The Making of Harry Potter set tour in London recently, and gives us her expert verdict. You’ll find a few pics of her adventures after the jump below, or visit our Facebook page to see the whole album.

All this and more in the latest Points of Who!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 28:43 — 26.3MB)

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