Starship Alexandria
A science fiction and fantasy podcast hosted by authors Emma Newman and Adrian Tchaikovsky, set in a future where humanity sends exploratory spaceships from Earth in a spirit of hope. In each episode, one of the hosts nominates a book, film, or similar creative work, and the other gives a thumbs up or down on whether it should be recommended across the fleet. The show is framed as part of the fictional Starship Alexandria Project, with the hosts acting as far-future counterparts making selections from the ship's library.
Episodes
Episode 17 - Lolly Willowes
For our September 2026 episode of Starship Alexandria Emma puts forward the book Lolly Willowes by Sylvia Townsend Warner for Adrian's consideration. Other talking points: Unspoiler warnings Deniable wizbiz Period writing styles The straitjacket of expectations Burning Bedfordshire Lit and genre Media Mentions: Memoirs of a Survivor, novel by Doris Lessing (and our patrons-only discuss
Episode 16 - Soldier of the Mist
For our August 2026 episode of Starship Alexandria Adrian puts forward the book Soldier of the Mist by Gene Wolfe for Emma's consideration. Other talking points: All Greek to Emma Surprise spider nomenclature Werewolves? There wolves Necromancy LinkedIn Reading and re-reading Wolfe Unreliable narrators and narration perspective The past as a foreign country Memory and amnesia in fiction
Episode 15 - Do You Dream of Terra-Two?
For our July 2026 episode of Starship Alexandria Emma puts forward the book Do you Dream of Terra-Two? by Temi Oh for Adrian's consideration. We talk about spoilers in this, and despite my initial lukewarm thoughts about spoilers for this book, there are definitely some moments that are better raw, so do take this as a note that there's something to be gained by reading ahead of the 'cast. Other
Episode 14 - Piranesi
For our June 2026 episode of Starship Alexandria Adrian puts forward the book Piranesi by Susanna Clarke for Emma's consideration. Other talking points: The State of What the F Is Going On The joy of found document sources The Triangle of Information ™ Two views of the nicest character in fiction Analogues with dementia Shadows on a cave wall Psychic ideating communion(!
Episode 13 - Tales From Outer Suburbia
For our May 2026 episode of Starship Alexandria Emma puts forward the book Tales from Outer Suburbia by Shaun Tan for Adrian's consideration. Other talking points: The difficulty of summarising Somehow avoiding the word "surreal" An emotional model railway trip. Reading around the story Balancing story collections Styles of art Media Mentions: The art of Edward Gorey
Episode 12 - Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves
For our April 2026 episode of Starship Alexandria – and the second in our new season – Adrian puts forward the film: Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves directed by Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley. Other talking points: Wonderful Hugh Grant Rubbish sorcerers A certain ambivalence Dungeons we have Dragonned Save the cat! Everything wrong with Hollywood Remem
Episode 11 - The Demolished Man
For our March 2026 episode of Starship Alexandria – and the first our our new season – Emma puts forward the novel The Demolished Man by Alfred Bester. Other talking points: The perils of returning to past reads Difficult books to summarise Cunning schemes for the perfect murder Psychic earworms Psychotherapy in science fiction Particularly big warts (not) the Time Machi
Episode 10 - A Sword of Bronze and Ashes
For our February 2026 episode of Starship Alexandria, Adrian puts forward the novel A Sword of Bronze and Ashes by Anna Smith Spark for Emma to consider. Other talking points: Potato Guys Getting old as a female fantasy hero Marriage and long term relationships in fantasy fiction Amazing prose styles Being brought up by buccas in a tin mine Levelling up as a reader
Episode 9 - Godzilla Minus One
For our January 2026 episode of Starship Alexandria, Emma puts forward the movie Godzilla Minus One directed by Takashi Yamazaki for Adrian to consider. Other talking points: A monstrous regiment of Godzillas Survivor's Guilt Redemption arcs Found boat family The Unbearable Weightiness of Kaiju Convenient mattress factories Godzilla amplification Media Mention
Day 25 - 2025 Advent Calendar
Merry Christmas! This is the twenty-fifth, and final, episode of the 2025 advent calendar. We share some news, a gift and something that will hopefully make you laugh! If you'd like to support the show, you can become a patron at https://www.patreon.com/c/starshipalexandria/home Emma's latest book: The Vengeance https://geni.us/thevengeance Adrian's most recent book: Starseer's Ruin https://www.
Day 24 - 2025 Advent Calendar
For the Christmas Eve episode of the 2025 Starship Alexandria advent calendar, Adrian shares why Andor is so special for him. If you'd like to support the show, you can become a patron at https://www.patreon.com/c/starshipalexandria/home Emma's latest book: The Vengeance https://geni.us/thevengeance Adrian's most recent book: Starseer's Ruin https://www.warhammer.com/en-GB/shop/hb-starseers-ruin-
Day 23 - 2025 Advent Calendar
For the twenty-third day of the 2025 Starship Alexandria advent calendar, Emma shares her deep love for the show Detectorists. If you'd like to support the show, you can become a patron at https://www.patreon.com/c/starshipalexandria/home Emma's latest book: The Vengeance https://geni.us/thevengeance Adrian's most recent book: Starseer's Ruin https://www.warhammer.com/en-GB/shop/hb-starseers-ruin-
Day 22 - 2025 Advent Calendar
For the twenty-second day of the 2025 Starship Alexandria advent calendar, Adrian makes a bold declaration about the show Farscape. If you'd like to support the show, you can become a patron at https://www.patreon.com/c/starshipalexandria/home Emma's latest book: The Vengeance https://geni.us/thevengeance Adrian's most recent book: Starseer's Ruin https://www.warhammer.com/en-GB/shop/hb-starseers-
Day 21 - 2025 Advent Calendar
For the twenty-first day of the 2025 Starship Alexandria advent calendar, Emma talks about another cosy murder mystery show, this one set in 1920's Melbourne: Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries. If you'd like to support the show, you can become a patron at https://www.patreon.com/c/starshipalexandria/home Emma's latest book: The Vengeance https://geni.us/thevengeance Adrian's most recent book: Starsee
Day 20 - 2025 Advent Calendar
For the twentieth day of the 2025 Starship Alexandria advent calendar, Adrian shares his love of the ultimate low budget british science-fiction show Blake's 7. If you'd like to support the show, you can become a patron at https://www.patreon.com/c/starshipalexandria/home Emma's latest book: The Vengeance https://geni.us/thevengeance Adrian's most recent book: Starseer's Ruin https://www.warhammer
Day 19 - 2025 Advent Calendar
For the nineteenth day of the 2025 Starship Alexandria advent calendar, Emma talks about why Avatar: The Last Airbender (the original animated series!) is such a joy to watch. If you'd like to support the show, you can become a patron at https://www.patreon.com/c/starshipalexandria/home Emma's latest book: The Vengeance https://geni.us/thevengeance Adrian's most recent book: Starseer's Ruin http
Day 18 - 2025 Advent Calendar
For the eighteenth day of the 2025 Starship Alexandria advent calendar, Adrian talks about a show he loves which is impossible to enthuse about without spoilers: The Good Place. If you'd like to support the show, you can become a patron at https://www.patreon.com/c/starshipalexandria/home Emma's latest book: The Vengeance https://geni.us/thevengeance Adrian's most recent book: Starseer's Ruin http
Day 17 - 2025 Advent Calendar
For the seventeenth day of the 2025 Starship Alexandria advent calendar, Emma recommends a TV show that is not for those who want a happy, easy story; The Leftovers. If you'd like to support the show, you can become a patron at https://www.patreon.com/c/starshipalexandria/home Emma's latest book: The Vengeance https://geni.us/thevengeance Adrian's most recent book: Starseer's Ruin https://www.warh
Day 16 - 2025 Advent Calendar
For the sixteenth day of the 2025 Starship Alexandria advent calendar, Adrian recommends another animated show, Arcane. If you'd like to support the show, you can become a patron at https://www.patreon.com/c/starshipalexandria/home Emma's latest book: The Vengeance https://geni.us/thevengeance Adrian's most recent book: Starseer's Ruin https://www.warhammer.com/en-GB/shop/hb-starseers-ruin-eng-2
Day 15 - 2025 Advent Calendar
For the fifteenth day of the 2025 Starship Alexandria advent calendar, Emma explains why she loves The Thick of It. If you'd like to support the show, you can become a patron at https://www.patreon.com/c/starshipalexandria/home Emma's latest book: The Vengeance https://geni.us/thevengeance Adrian's most recent book: Starseer's Ruin https://www.warhammer.com/en-GB/shop/hb-starseers-ruin-eng-2025
Day 14 - 2025 Advent Calendar
For the fourteenth day of the 2025 Starship Alexandria advent calendar, Adrian's love for Black Sails leads into a conversation involving eels, face blindness and the movie Heat. If you'd like to support the show, you can become a patron at https://www.patreon.com/c/starshipalexandria/home Emma's latest book: The Vengeance https://geni.us/thevengeance Adrian's most recent book: Starseer's Ruin h
Day 13 - 2025 Advent Calendar
For the thirteenth day of the 2025 Starship Alexandria advent calendar, it's Emma's turn to talk about an animated series that she loves: Invincible. If you'd like to support the show, you can become a patron at https://www.patreon.com/c/starshipalexandria/home Emma's latest book: The Vengeance https://geni.us/thevengeance Adrian's most recent book: Starseer's Ruin https://www.warhammer.com/en-G
Day 12 - 2025 Advent Calendar
For the twelfth day of the 2025 Starship Alexandria advent calendar, Adrian talks about why he loves the show Green Wing so much (and what the medical professionals in our lives have thought of it). If you'd like to support the show, you can become a patron at https://www.patreon.com/c/starshipalexandria/home Emma's latest book: The Vengeance https://geni.us/thevengeance Adrian's most recent book
Day 11 - 2025 Advent Calendar
For the eleventh day of the 2025 Starship Alexandria advent calendar, Emma sings the praises of The Royle Family and explains why it's so special to her. If you'd like to support the show, you can become a patron at https://www.patreon.com/c/starshipalexandria/home Emma's latest book: The Vengeance https://geni.us/thevengeance Adrian's most recent book: Starseer's Ruin https://www.warhammer.co
Day 10 - 2025 Advent Calendar
For the tenth day of the 2025 Starship Alexandria advent calendar, Adrian talks about What We Do in the Shadows (the TV show that is) and sneaks in a bonus extra TV show recommendation. If you'd like to support the show, you can become a patron at https://www.patreon.com/c/starshipalexandria/home Emma's latest book: The Vengeance https://geni.us/thevengeance Adrian's most recent book: Starseer'
Day 9 - 2025 Advent Calendar
For the ninth day of the 2025 Starship Alexandria advent calendar, Emma talks about a show that is both cosy and horrific. If you'd like to support the show, you can become a patron at https://www.patreon.com/c/starshipalexandria/home Emma's latest book: The Vengeance https://geni.us/thevengeance Adrian's most recent book: Starseer's Ruin https://www.warhammer.com/en-GB/shop/hb-starseers-ruin-en
Day 8 - 2025 Advent Calendar
For the eighth day of the 2025 Starship Alexandria advent calendar, Adrian enthuses about an animated series that people recommended to him because of his novel Alien Clay. If you'd like to support the show, you can become a patron at https://www.patreon.com/c/starshipalexandria/home Emma's latest book: The Vengeance https://geni.us/thevengeance Adrian's most recent book: Starseer's Ruin https:
Day 7 - 2025 Advent Calendar
For the seventh day of the 2025 Starship Alexandria advent calendar, Emma's choice is another show from the 1970's, but a lot less fantastical that the one from yesterday! If you'd like to support the show, you can become a patron at https://www.patreon.com/c/starshipalexandria/home Emma's latest book: The Vengeance https://geni.us/thevengeance Adrian's most recent book: Starseer's Ruin https:/
Day 6 - 2025 Advent Calendar
For the sixth day of the 2025 Starship Alexandria advent calendar, Adrian evokes the drama of a classic SF show from the 1970's. If you'd like to support the show, you can become a patron at https://www.patreon.com/c/starshipalexandria/home Emma's latest book: The Vengeance https://geni.us/thevengeance Adrian's most recent book: Starseer's Ruin https://www.warhammer.com/en-GB/shop/hb-starseers-
Day 5 - 2025 Advent Calendar
For the fifth day of the 2025 Starship Alexandria advent calendar, Emma tries to put into words how much she loves season five of an unusual television show. If you'd like to support the show, you can become a patron at https://www.patreon.com/c/starshipalexandria/home Emma's latest book: The Vengeance https://geni.us/thevengeance Adrian's most recent book: Starseer's Ruin https://www.warhammer.
Day 4 - 2025 Advent Calendar
For the fourth day of the 2025 Starship Alexandria advent calendar, it's Adrian's turn to talk about a favourite space based SF show from the nineties! If you'd like to support the show, you can become a patron at https://www.patreon.com/c/starshipalexandria/home Emma's latest book: The Vengeance https://geni.us/thevengeance Adrian's most recent book: Starseer's Ruin https://www.warhammer.com/e
Day 3 - 2025 Advent Calendar
For the third day of the 2025 Starship Alexandria advent calendar, Emma recommends an Australian TV show called Mr Inbetween. If you'd like to support the show, you can become a patron at https://www.patreon.com/c/starshipalexandria/home Emma's latest book: The Vengeance https://geni.us/thevengeance Adrian's most recent book: Starseer's Ruin https://www.warhammer.com/en-GB/shop/hb-starseers-ruin
Day 2 - 2025 Advent Calendar
For the second day of the 2025 Starship Alexandria advent calendar, Adrian champions the television series Spaced. If you'd like to support the show, you can become a patron at https://www.patreon.com/c/starshipalexandria/home Emma's latest book: The Vengeance https://geni.us/thevengeance Adrian's most recent book: Starseer's Ruin https://www.warhammer.com/en-GB/shop/hb-starseers-ruin-eng-2025
Day 1 - 2025 Advent Calendar
For our first day of the 2025 Starship Alexandria advent calendar, Emma sings the praises of Star Trek: The Next Generation and explains why it's so special to her. If you'd like to support the show, you can become a patron at https://www.patreon.com/c/starshipalexandria/home Emma's latest book: The Vengeance https://geni.us/thevengeance Adrian's most recent book: Starseer's Ruin https://www.wa
Episode 8 - Mythago Wood
For our eighth episode of Starship Alexandria, Adrian puts forward the novel Mythago Wood by Robert Holdstock, for Emma to consider. Our caveat from the episode: "If you have not read this book yet, go and read the book and then listen to this episode, because it really does benefit from not knowing what's going to happen." Other talking points: Pronunciation blues God bless Wikipedia
Episode 7 - The Ministry for the Future
For our seventh episode of Starship Alexandria, Emma puts forward the novel The Ministry for the Future by Kim Stanley Robinson, for Adrian to consider. Other talking points: Wet Bulb Events Nonconformist plot structures The Doyenne of Climate Fiction The balance of hope and despair Asshole billionaires again National stereotypes in spec fic Adrian thinking he's being
Episode 6- Battle Beyond The Stars
For our sixth episode of Starship Alexandria, Adrian puts forward our first film, Battle Beyond the Stars directed by Roger Corman, for Emma to watch and consider. Other talking points: Idiolectic time units Suggestive spaceship design Doing the robot Caiman, of the Lambda Zone Doing a lot of spaceship on a small budget James Horner soundtracks The longevity of practical m
Episode 5 - The Golden Apples of the Sun
For our fifth episode of Starship Alexandra, Emma puts forward the short story collection The Golden Apples of the Sun by Ray Bradbury to read and consider. Other talking points: Stories specifically talked about: A Sound of Thunder, The Foghorn, The Golden Apples of the Sun (short story), The Garbage Collector, The Fruit at the Bottom of the Bowl, I See You Never, Sun and Shadow, The
Episode 4 - Top Ten
For our fourth episode of Starship Alexandra, Adrian puts forward the graphic novels Top Ten volumes 1 and 2 by Moore, Ha and Cannon, for Emma to read and consider. Other talking points: Police procedurals Graphic novel reading-fu Representation of minorities and prejudice The courage of our convictions (or lack of same) Media Mentions: Watchmen, graphic novel, Moore & Gib
Episode 3 - The Lathe of Heaven
For our third episode of Starship Alexandra, Emma puts forward Ursula K le Guin's fascinating SF novel The Lathe of Heaven for Adrian to read and consider. Other talking points: Reality-bending in SF Unusual power relationships Tech billionaire problem solving The perils of having superpowers Inadvertent puns Media Mentions: The Fifth Element, fil
Episode 2 - The Etched City
For our second episode of Starship Alexandria, Adrian puts forward KJ Bishop's weird fantasy novel The Etched City (2004) for Emma to read and consider. Other talking points: A short discussion about spoilers and different thresholds depending on the work being considered The challenges involved with reading and writing secondary world fantasy due to vocabulary Adherence
Episode 1 - The Kraken Wakes
For this very first episode of Starship Alexandria, Emma puts forward John Wyndham's classic SF novel The Kraken Wakes (1953) for Adrian to read and consider (published in the US as Out of the Deeps.) Other media mentions: The War of the Worlds, HG Wells Ellen Ripley (Sigourney Weaver), Aliens franchise, dir. Ridley Scott, James Cameron et al The Quatermass franchise, dir. Vario
