🔥 Imagine America’s collapse into myth. Today, we’re exploring “Cantos of Arcadia”—my sci-fi project that merges epic story, future-archaeology, and existential dread. This is the story behind the story, the uncharted process of weaving America’s “what if” into a future epic that merges apocalyptic ruin with ancient myth.

Expect discussions on myth, storytelling’s power, and crafting worlds through sound, faith, and speculative history. Whether you’re a sci-fi fan, a storyteller, or just curious, prepare for the resonance between the old and the eerily possible.

⏰ Timestamps:

0:01 – Can a future civilization survive through story? A mythic retelling of a crumbling world 🌍 3:14 – How a composer’s commission and the Akathist prayer inspired a sci-fi novella about American mythology 🎶 12:45 – Translating faith, collapse, and survival into post-apocalyptic legend 🌌 22:30 – The weaving of America’s fractured past into an Arcadian future

Join me as I dive into Shards of Honor, the first book in The Vorkosigan Saga by Lois McMaster Bujold! 🚀💫

From the depths of autocratic heroism to the ideals of speculative fiction, we'll explore it all: grimdark versus high fantasy ⚔️, reflections on repressive political systems 🛡️, and the intrigue of intergalactic escapades 🌌.

If you’ve ever wondered about the possibility of a speculative fiction canon 📚 (yes, I’m serious), you’re in the right place! Stick around as I delve into characters who battle both societal expectations and personal demons, exploring everything from political dilemmas to daring prison escapes in a sci-fi romance setting.

Don’t forget to check out my ongoing journey on The Wood Between Worlds Substack for all things speculative! 🌲✨

https://thewoodbetweentheworlds.substack.com/

Timestamps:

0:00 – 🔥 Intro to The Vorkosigan Saga and a speculative fiction canon 2:15 – 🎬 Why start with Shards of Honor? 5:35 – 💖 Sci-fi romance, plot, and initial impressions 9:25 – 🛡️ What defines heroism in a repressive society? 14:50 – ⚖️ Comparing autocratic and democratic extremes 20:15 – 🌐 Political parallels: Barrayar and our world today 24:05 – 🤝 Characters’ personal journeys and political alliances 28:30 – 📖 Key scenes: Violence, heroism, and implications for honor 35:10 – ⭐ Final thoughts: How fiction shapes our view of reality

Welcome, fellow book lovers and sci-fi enthusiasts! In this video, I have the absolute pleasure of chatting with none other than Adrian Tchaikovsky—an international sensation and the brilliant mind behind Children of Time. This conversation is a treat as we dive into Adrian’s creative journey, his love for speculative fiction, and, of course, how a weird book about giant space spiders launched his entire career!

From his science background to his fascination with spider evolution (yes, really!), Adrian shares how Children of Time almost didn’t see the light of day, but then skyrocketed to success, winning awards and readers' hearts alike. 🕷️ We also explore his thoughts on fantasy vs. sci-fi, why humor makes Grimdark more digestible, and what it’s like writing deeply relatable characters in the most epic of universes.

Whether you’re an arachnophobe or an avid sci-fi reader, this conversation is packed with insights, laughter, and Tchaikovsky’s trademark brilliance. Come along as we talk about writing, world-building, and why you should always root for the spiders. 😉

Timestamps:

0:00 How Giant Spiders Launched Adrian Tchaikovsky’s Career 5:30 Children of Time and Why It Took a Year to Get Noticed 15:00 Fantasy vs. Sci-Fi: Adrian’s Unique Approach 25:20 Humor in Grimdark and What It Adds to Complex Worlds 35:10 Spiders, Evolution, and Writing Non-Human Characters