Andy Parry from Sci-Fi Around the World joins me for a Seth’s Picks episode about Blindness, by Nobel-winner Jose Saramago. The book was originally published in Portuguese, which made Andy the perfect guest due to his international SF project. It’s a tough read for content reasons, including violence and sexual violence, but it’s one of … Continue reading "Blindness, by José Saramago (feat. Andy Parry)"
Nov 01, 2024•1 hr 1 min
“Is this gonna be another stand-up fight, sir, or another bug hunt?” Well, neither really. It’s an October surprise! We’ve got Aliens, Colonial Marines, and four people who love the 1986 movie Aliens. Joining me for the discussion are my sister Megan Cutter, former guest / fellow podcaster Mandy Self, and fellow Portland-area podcaster Luke … Continue reading "Bonus: Aliens (1986 movie) discussion panel"
Oct 17, 2024•1 hr 55 min
This time it’s another Zoomed Out episode, focusing on Jules Verne, who despite Seth’s unforgiveable ignorance, was a French author who wrote in French. For this discussion, Emmanuel Dubois and Haley Zapal join to talk about a few of Verne’s better known works, and Emmanuel gives us a few ideas for future reading. Ways to … Continue reading "Zoomed Out: Jules Verne, with Emmanuel Dubois and Haley Zapal"...
Oct 01, 2024•1 hr 7 min
Amy Salley from Hugo, Girl!, joins me for a Seth’s picks episode about a book I’ve been wanting to read for years. It’s not science fiction, but it is award-winning, specifically a Pulitzer winner. It’s also in contention for Best Book I’ve Ever Read. We’ll return to normal SFF content in the next episode. But if … Continue reading "Lonesome Dove, by Larry McMurtry (feat. Amy Salley from Hugo, Girl!)"...
Sep 01, 2024•1 hr 19 min
This time it’s another Zoomed Out episode, focusing on Speculative Fiction in Translation (SFT), with guest Rachel Cordasco. Below I’ve captured some of her recommendations. There are some light spoilers in the episode, but nothing that should detract from your enjoyment of these books and authors. Notes & Links: Ways to support the podcast: Buy … Continue reading "Zoomed Out: Speculative Fiction In Translation, with Rachel Cordasco"...
Aug 01, 2024•1 hr 7 min
I’ve been listening to Joe’s podcast (the Poscast) and reading his books for years, and I’d originally reached out to him, hoping to get him on to discuss Brittle Innings, a Hugo-nominee but also a baseball book. Unfortunately, he didn’t have the bandwidth for extracurricular reading, but he had time to do a podcast with … Continue reading "Why We Love Baseball (and Football), with Joe Posnanski"
Jul 15, 2024•57 min
Returning guest Paul Williams joins me for a discussion of the 2001 winner of the World Fantasy Award, Declare, by Paul Williams. Secret history, espionage, and fantasy all wrapped into one terrific novel. Spoiler talk starts at 15:03 Notes & Links: Ways to support the podcast: Buy Me a Book/Coffee!: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/sethheasled Support Me on Patreon!: https://www.patreon.com/hugospodcast Pick … Continue reading "Declare, by Tim Powers (feat. Paul Williams)"...
Jul 01, 2024•1 hr
Legend says he’s still reading lists of books to this day. JW Wartick has read all of the Hugo-winning novels, but he’s also read all the Nebula winners, and all the Hugo-nominated novels. To say he’s a voracious reader is to vastly understate the case. But he’s also my friend, and I asked him to … Continue reading "“Other people walk their dog, and I walk my book,” a conversation with JW Wartick"...
Jun 14, 2024•1 hr
Damo Mac Choiligh joins me for a deep look at Scottish SF author Iain M. Banks. Some reading recommendations and notes (not all of these are mentioned in the discussion): Banks 101: The Culture Series: Other SF: Mainstream Fiction: Themes: Advanced Banks: Weird Fiction: The Culture Series: Other SF: Links: https://www.facebook.com/groups/130411676997908
Jun 01, 2024•1 hr 33 min
Mandy Self joins me once again to discuss A Wrinkle in Time, by Madeline L’Engle. This is a “Seth’s Picks” episode, but it’s also an award-winner, having won the Newberry Award in 1963. We get into spoilers about 15 minutes in. Mandy’s links:https://twitter.com/Brown_Ajahhttps://twitter.com/MandymoniumPod “Ticky Tacky little boxes” referenced by Mandy: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Boxes Ways to support the … Continue reading "A Wrinkle in Time, by Madeline L’Engle (feat. Mandy Self)"...
May 01, 2024•1 hr 10 min
My little sister Katie joins me for an informal discussion of her favorite subgenre, Urban Fantasy. This isn’t perhaps as scholarly as previous Zoomed Out episodes, just an off-the-cuff discussion with my sister. Sorry for the doggies’ panting that occasionally shows up in the background. The dogs love Katie and couldn’t stop snuggling up to … Continue reading "Zoomed Out: Urban Fantasy, with Katie Heasley"...
Apr 01, 2024•59 min
With the sad news of Vernor Vinge’s recent passing, I decided (at Olav’s prompting) to host a short-notice discussion panel about Vinge’s work. This podcast has previously covered his three Hugo-winning novels, but we go a bit deeper here, giving some other recommendations for Vinge reading. I’m mostly just here to facilitate, and more than … Continue reading "Vernor Vinge Tribute episode"
Mar 27, 2024•1 hr 5 min
Lori from Hugo, Girl!, and Juan (frequent bonus episode guest) join Peter and me to discuss our picks for the 2024 Oscars.
Mar 08, 2024•1 hr 28 min
Update!: We covered Project Hail Mary (movie) on Take Me To Your Reader in March 2026, so be sure to check out the episode: https://pavementpodcast.com/archives/podcast/project-hail-mary-by-andy-weir-with-guest-peter-kuskie Peter Kuskie, son of my co-host Colin from TMTYR (and brother of my theme music composer), and also childhood friend of my son, joins me in person for a discussion … Continue reading "Project Hail Mary, by Andy Weir (feat. Peter Kuskie)"...
Mar 01, 2024•1 hr 13 min
It’s been almost exactly a year since multiple-time guest of the podcast, Michael Gabriel, finished the World Marathon Challenge (Seven Days, Seven Marathons on Seven Continents), and I asked him to chat with me about the whole experience. it’s not science fiction related, but I just like to chat with interesting people, so this is … Continue reading "“Oh, I have a new limp now!”, a conversation about the World Marathon Challenge with Michael Gabriel"...
Feb 13, 2024•1 hr 20 min
This is a “Seth’s picks” episode of the podcast, still Science Fiction related this time, with the classic 1959 nuclear war novel Alas, Babylon. Joining me for the podcast is returning guest Mitch Wagner. I noticed there are some pops and crackles on Mitch’s audio, and I did my best to clear them up, but … Continue reading "Alas, Babylon, by Pat Frank (feat. Mitch Wagner)"
Feb 01, 2024•59 min
Ethan asked to do a favorite movies of 2023 episode with me. Since we recorded, we’ve both started watching stuff for our Oscars episode, so there’s definitely stuff we’d have done differently if we recorded today. Our Letterboxd profiles: https://letterboxd.com/sethheasley/ https://letterboxd.com/bevold/ Ethan’s List: 10. The Killer 9. Barbie 8. Creed 3 7. Mission: Impossible: Dead … Continue reading "Bonus: Favorite 2023 Movies (with Ethan Heasley)"...
Jan 29, 2024•42 min
Dr. Audrey Isabel Taylor joins me for a look at the work of Patricia A. McKillip. Time codes included for the major sections, as well as two mini-discussions of McKillip’s World Fantasy Award winners. Checking those off the list! A transcript is available for this episode. Intro to Audrey Taylor (02:22) Intro to McKillip (07:53) … Continue reading "Zoomed Out: Patricia A. McKillip, with Dr. Audrey Taylor"...
Jan 01, 2024•59 min
In the first of hopefully many Subgenre Spotlights, Bob Morrell joins me for a discussion on Pandemic Fiction. Who doesn’t want to think about pandemics? Trigger warning for anyone who isn’t ready to talk about pandemics. Here we focus mostly on COVID-19 but also there’s substantial discussion of AIDS, so be warned. Links & Notes: … Continue reading "Zoomed Out: Pandemic Fiction, with Bob Morrell"
Dec 01, 2023•1 hr 31 min
Seth is joined by Darryl Cunningham, author of these tremendously interesting Graphic Nonfiction Titles: Darryl’s Links:https://myriadeditions.com/creator/darryl-cunningham//https://www.patreon.com/acmedarrylhttps://twitter.com/AcmeDarrylhttps://bsky.app/profile/acmedarryl.bsky.social
Nov 10, 2023•43 min
Seth is joined by Sarah Elkins to discuss the 1998 Nebula Award winner for Best Novel, The Moon and the Sun, by Vonda McIntyre. Just a more or less typical episode. Financially support this podcast (and others by Seth): Patreon (ongoing support): https://www.patreon.com/hugospodcast Buy Me a Coffee (one-time or ongoing): https://www.buymeacoffee.com/sethheasled Time Codes: Start – … Continue reading "The Moon and the Sun, by Vonda McIntyre (feat. Sarah Elkins)"...
Nov 01, 2023•1 hr 16 min
Juan Sanmiguel, Sarah Elkins, Ivor Watkins, and Lacey Jane Wolfe join me for a discussion of the major nominees in the fiction categories. We don’t cover them exhaustively, just touching on the titles we enjoyed.
Oct 14, 2023•1 hr 8 min
Alec Nevala-Lee, author of the stellar biographies Astounding and Inventor of the Future joins me for a discussion on Isaac Asimov, the author and his work. All discussions of the works mentioned stay fairly spoiler-lite. Asimov 101: Advanced Asimov: Alec’s Links:
Oct 01, 2023•1 hr
In the first episode of Hugos There 2.0, Seth is joined by returning guest Emmanuel Dubois to discuss The Planet of the Apes, by Pierre Boulle, the 1963 novel (originally written in French) that spawned a major film franchise. Emmanuel’s links: https://twitter.com/manu_photo https://twitter.com/lafayettepod Notes/Mentions: https://www.lafayettepodcast.com/1969630/13073537-de-gaulle-jfk-and-the-new-world-order-with-sean-j-mclaughlin Micromégas, by Voltaire
Sep 01, 2023•1 hr 13 min
I collected questions thru my Hugos There Future Survey, and this is the episode in which I answer them! My recording setup: Links: https://www.thehugoawards.org/the-voting-system/Lady Business Hugo Award Sheet of Doom!: https://bit.ly/hugoaward2023https://nebulas.sfwa.org/
Aug 01, 2023•46 min
Hugos There 1.0 is in the bank, so what’s next for this space? Seth goes into his thought process about what comes next, along with some feedback from listeners on what they’d like to see, laying out what he’ll do for Hugos There 2.0. Time codes: Here’s the Mondo List: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1s6JbgvwCB3ptr2cDZWWaEHvbc-BEmC5Y5avdf2kaLqQ/
Jul 16, 2023•29 min
Hey all, a fun announcement: This podcast is a finalist for the 2023 Hugo Award for Best Fancast! Woo! My buddy Colin jumped on a quick call with me since he was the one who noticed the nominations were announced. Thanks to everyone who nominated, and congrats and best of luck to the other nominees! … Continue reading "Shortlisted!"
Jul 03, 2023•9 min
Ann and Alice from the Hugo and Nebula Readership Podcast join me for a discussion of the 1981 winner of the Hugo Award for Best Novel, Joan Vinge’s The Snow Queen, which is a better book than The Wanderer, thank the Lady. The next episode you’ll see in the feed is my “What’s Next?” episode, … Continue reading "HT#78: The Snow Queen, by Joan D. Vinge (feat. The Hugo and Nebula Readership Podcast)"...
Jul 01, 2023•1 hr 7 min
Seth is joined by Brian Collins to discuss the 1965 Hugo winner, Fritz Leiber’s The Wanderer. Start – 15:00 Intro through “Why this book?” 15:01 – 28:08 Non-Spoiler discussion 28:09 – end Spoiler discussion Take my Future of the Podcast survey! https://forms.gle/ycoyiAEv5CEjXHXE6 Brians’s links: Website: https://sffremembrance.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/bdcollins_1995 Mastodon: @bdcollins@wandering.shop Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/Atlas_Nebula/ Notes & Mentions: … Continue read...
Jun 01, 2023•1 hr 6 min
Seth is joined by Andy Parry, creator of the SciFi Around the World blog and podcast to talk about how he came up with the idea for the project, and how it’s going so far. He also administers a fun Hugo-based quiz to Seth. Links & Notes: Blog: https://scifiaroundtheworld.blogspot.com/ Books mentioned: The Three Body Problem, … Continue reading "SciFi Around the World, with Andy Parry"
May 16, 2023•29 min