We are re-joined by returning heroine Alexandra Beaumont, auther of new fantasy novel 'Dissonance of Birdsong'. We chat about how her new novel has been influenced by folklore and by her experiences of Cornwall.

• New novel 'Dissonance of Birdsong'
• Influence of folklore
• Landscape and environment of Cornwall
• Tropes and trends in fantasy
• Tips for generating creative ideas

You can buy 'Dissonance of Birdsong' and her other fantasy novel 'Testament of the Stars' here

Follow Alexandra Beaumont on X here @ABeaumontWriter

RIP Terence Davies, one of our favourite filmmakers, who died this week. No guests on this episode, just Andy talking about what he loves about Terence Davies' films. Davies' was one of the best ever at using film to explore themes of memory and the passage of time. His magic-realist style has been a big influence and one of the reasons we set up the DreamSwarm platform to begin with. This is a 15-minute chat about his autobiographical films.

Introduction to Terence Davies and his magic-realist films

Non-linear associational structures

Breaking the link between sound and images

Memories altered by the act of filmmaking narration

Where to get started with Terence Davies' films

'In comes I, Old Father Christmas...'

We love the pageantry of the Christmas period. For our festive Christmas special we are joined by Sem from the Wantage Mummers group.

We learn all about the traditions of English mummers plays which take place over the Christmas period.

• History of Mummers plays
• The Old Father Christmas character
• Links with other folk art forms

You can learn more about the Wantage Mummers group and other societies here

https://www.wantagemummers.org.uk/