Flame Tree Myth & Fiction

This episode celebrates the release of our new anthology, Africanfuturism Short Stories and offers a sneak peek into our African Myths & Tales collection as well. One story imagines the beginning of life, while the other imagines life beginning again after environmental collapse. In a way, this episode, Dawn, shows that endings and beginnings are often part of the same story.

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‘Like Stars Daring to Shine...

How often do you feel as though you're sailing into the unknown? Filled with hope, anticipation, nerves or even fear? Today's episode explores the emotional highs and lows of change and discovery. Both of our stories follow ships setting out on extraordinary voyages in search of new beginnings, only for those hopeful dreams to take a much darker turn.

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‘Ghost Ships of Alnitak’ by Alexander Hay, read by Nath...

We’re reading two stories from one of our most highly anticipated books of 2026, Folklore Horror Short Stories. Tales of whispering woods, gloom, primeval mysteries and terrifying omens all bound together in one comprehensive volume. This one was sourced in part from open submissions and the rest was curated by our editorial team to deliver an overview of some of the best classic short stories within the genre. We’ve go...

We’ve been sitting on this conversation for a while, but now feels like the perfect time to share it. Olivia sat down with one of our most celebrated authors at World Fantasy Con, Catherine Cavendish, to talk about all things gothic horror—and with her newest novel, Ghosts of Chanterlands, out next month, there’s no better moment to dive in.

Cat is a prolific writer of supernatural, ghostly, and gothic suspense nov...

Revenge is a dish best served cold. But why do people say that? Is it because revenge is more satisfying after you've had time to savour the anticipation? Because the best plans take time to hatch? Or perhaps because the greatest revenge is the one that catches its victim completely by surprise. Whatever the reason, today's stories serve revenge on a silver platter, lavishly garnished with betrayal, jealousy and dark retribution.

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Today we’re entering the mind’s eye, a place manipulated by recollection, imagination and fear. Somewhere that speaks to versions of the truth rather than cold hard facts. It’s time to put on your detective hats and decide what to believe and what to dismiss as falsehood. 

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‘The Follies’ by Martine Bailey, read by Nathan Chatelier (06.30). From Guilty Secrets, a collection created in collab...

We’re exploring stories that use nature, and the fruits it bears, as a way of marking time. Whether working in harmony with humanity or standing in opposition to it, the natural world provides a powerful narrative tool, helping authors shape themes, track change, and deepen meaning within the short story format. In today’s episode you can look forward to heroes, villains, natural wonders and of course a slice of retribu...

In our June Podcast Special, Olivia interviews Shilpa Varma, Flame Tree’s Writer in Residence and author of the Blood in the Battlements series! Contained within is a discussion of the series, Shilpa’s other work and her upcoming projects. We’ve also got her reading of ‘Bubban-bu’, the second episode in Blood in the Battlements, for the episode. 

Blood in the Battlements is a 7-part horror series a...

In this episode we’re entering otherworldly dimensions, where the rules of time no longer apply. Spaces where characters can escape the consequences of reality. Are you ready to get lost with them?

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‘The Last Night Market’ by Bella Chacha (02.47), read by Ruhthie Durang. In this story an irresistible bait is offered up, something sweet to hide the burn of a fate unimaginably sour. From Dreams Divine. ...

The idea of artificial intelligence isn’t new. Long before modern computers existed, writers and philosophers were already imagining worlds where machines might rival, reflect, or even replace humanity. Those stories endure because they’re rarely just about technology itself - they’re about us, too. 

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'The Journey Home' by Ruth Knafo Setton (05.10), read by Nathan Chatelier. In a near-future world, art...

Romantic Fantasy and all of its glorious tropes return to The Myth & Fiction Podcast! Today’s episode turns to tales of old fashioned chivalry, court intrigue and quests of honor all in the name of love. Prepare to hear the clash of swords, tension both spoken and unspoken as well as the unrelenting call of destiny. 

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‘The Thornblade’s Promise’ by Laura Shenton (05.25), read by Ruhthie ...

Content Warning: This episode contains discussion of childbirth and loss.

Welcome back, we’re so glad you’re here for Season 3 of The Myth & Fiction Podcast! 

This episode focuses on two female figures standing on the threshold of death. Grief is given shape in both stories, posing questions as to how we process the tragedy of mortality. 

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‘The Wyrd Sister’ by D.L. Stille (05.40), read by ...

This week, Olivia sits down with two brilliant authors, Eugen Bacon and Cheryl S. Ntumy, to explore The Sauútiverse. If you caught our Sauúti Terrors episode a few weeks ago, you’ve already had a glimpse into the universe they helped build, but this time, we go deeper. Together, they unpack the imagination, themes, and creative vision behind their richly layered Afrofuturist universe.

To learn more about The Sauútiverse pick u...

If you joined us a couple of weeks ago for our episode featuring A Breath of Time, then you’ll already have had a glimpse into our brand-new Romantic Fantasy anthology series. And as promised, this time we’re turning to its fiery, ferocious, and, of course, romantic counterpart, Of Love & Dragons.  In this episode, we bring you two captivating stories set against sweeping oceanic backdrops, where love and trans...

Life, deconstructed. The saying we’re all the same underneath, is it referring to blood and bone or something less tangible? A distinctly human essence perhaps or the concept of a soul? Today’s stories broadly look at creation but more importantly at what commonality connects us all together.

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‘Solar-Powered Buddies’ by Akis Linardos (03.09), read by Amanda Benzecry. From our Robots Past and Fut...

Part of the launch for our brand new Romantic Fantasy series, this episode features ‘A Breath of Time’, a collection which pits love and lovers against the greatest adversary of all: time. 

Flame Tree’s Romantic Fantasy books are a captivating blend of our signature Gothic Fantasy collections with the passion and magic of Romantasy. This series is made up of stories selected from open submissions. As with our ...

This week’s episode dives into Sauúti Terrors, a bold new dark science fiction collection from African and African diaspora writers. Set within the groundbreaking Sauútiverse, the anthology brings together chilling and thought-provoking short stories. 

Last month, editor and contributor Eugen Bacon visited London from Australia as part of a book tour alongside fellow editors Cheryl S. Ntumy and Stephen Embleton. While she...

February's podcast guest is none other than legend of the horror genre, Ramsey Campbell. Bea finds him at World Fantasy Con 2025 in Brighton to discuss his novel, An Echo of Children, which offers a terrifying glimpse into the practice of exorcising children. An illuminating conversation in which Ramsey reflects on 60 years in the genre and how he continues to find inspiration, refine his craft and unsettle his readers six decades ...

Content Warning: This episode containsdistressing descriptions of childbirth and loss.

Full disclosure, today’s two stories share little more than the word “bride.” One takes you down a shadowy, unsettling path; the other is delightfully quirky and unfailingly sweet. They’re less companion pieces and more contrasting tales but if there’s a thread that binds them, it’s this, love has a way of bloom...