John is not assigning blame, Alison is someone, and Liz is bludgeoning. An uncorrected transcript of this episode is available here. Please email your letters of comment to comment@octothorpecast.uk, join our Facebook group, and tag @OctothorpeCast (on X or on Mastodon or on Bluesky or on Instagram) when you post about the show on social media. Content warnings this episode: Sexual assault (Neil Gaiman allegations, at 39:28 to 42:02). Letters of comment Niall HarrisonOn our Hugo win/recusing Andy on MastodonChris GarciaMeg MacDonaldPerianne LurieRenaySandra Bond’s poem On info desk and maps Alan FlemingDoug FauntPeter Sullivan On communications Chris GarciaDuncan MacGregor on Mastodon On WSFS Business Meeting June Young (email, 9 September)Chris Garcia (email, 29 August) Martin Freeman circa 2001Post from Nicholas Whyte on consultative vote DC on MastodonDuncan MacGregor on MastodonRaj on MastodonOur brand is now WSFS Commentators and people like it?Laurie Burchell On Worldcon attendance numbers Tero on Mastodonaoanla on Mastodon Miscellaneous Hugo finalists: Raj on MastodonProgramme: aoanla on MastodonBack to Our Futures We also heard from: Ali Baker Brooks, Angela Rosin, Catherine Pickersgill, Curt Phillips, Damien Warman, Dave Coxon, España Sheriff, Farah Mendlesohn, Fiona Moore, Fran Dowd, Gav Reads, Iain Clark, Jonathan Baddeley, Julie Faith McMurray, Karen Schaffer, Leigh Edmonds, Lilian Edwards, Malcolm Hutchison, Mike Scott, Neil Ottenstein, Phil Dyson, Roseanna Pendlebury, Trish Neil Gaiman File 770Genre GrapevineElise Matthesen on DreamwidthThe GuardianTheremina on Patreon Future Worldcons Seattle 2025 Seattle is having a Poetry HugoSeattle has announced a judged film festival LAcon V looks good Good guests“The LA in 2026 bid received 452 out of 531 votes cast.” Tel Aviv in 2027Brisbane in 2028 The latest episode of FANAC History Zoom is “The secret history of Plokta”, with Steve Davies, Sue Mason, Alison Scott, and Mike ScottPicks John: Alien: RomulusAlison: KAOSLiz: Control Credits Cover art: “We got a lot of letters” by Alison Scott Alt text: A famous photograph of Margaret Hamilton standing beside printed outputs of the code that took the Apollo spacecraft to the Moon, overlaid with the words “Octothorpe 119” and “Our Listeners Write In”. Theme music: “Fanfare for Space” by Kevin MacLeod (CC BY 4.0)

John is savage, Alison hates paper, and Liz likes stationery. An uncorrected transcript of this episode is available here. Please email your letters of comment to comment@octothorpecast.uk, join our Facebook group, and tag @OctothorpeCast (on X or on Mastodon or on Bluesky) when you post about the show on social media. Content warnings this episode: harsh criticism (Publications), racism (Picks) Glasgow wants your feedback on FacebookWorldcon photography Glasgow 2024 photographs on FlickrAndrew Hogg: Noted Fan ArtistAndy Openshaw’s photo on BlueSky Halls 4 and 5 StaplesWOOFIn MemoriamBoris the SpiderJohn’s Swag Communications Join fancon.dev on Discord Picks John: The AcolyteAlison: NimonaLiz: The Case of the Golden Idol Credits Cover art: “Armadillo Pins” by Sara Felix (lettering by Alison Scott) Alt text: Three pins of armadillos flying colourful spaceships are on top of a piece of paper with blobs of glue that look like planets. The lettering “Octothorpe 118” appears above in a similar style to the pins. Theme music: “Fanfare for Space” by Kevin MacLeod (CC BY 4.0)

John liked the entertainment, Alison didn’t queue, and Liz wanted soup. An uncorrected transcript of this episode is available here. Please email your letters of comment to comment@octothorpecast.uk, join our Facebook group, and tag @OctothorpeCast (on X or on Mastodon or on Bluesky) when you post about the show on social media. Content warnings this episode: None Letters of comment Doug FauntRenay We are recusing for at least the 2025 HugosRenay is known for Lady Business and the Hugo Award Spreadsheet of Doom ULTIMAFAX on YouTube: “Allison [sic] looks exactly like she sounds lol. john does not” Fancast recommendations: Stitch and Bitch by KalanadiFANAC Fan History by Joe Siclari and Edie SternHugo, Girl! by Lori, Haley and Amy 🥰 The Godzilla Minus One eligibility extension was voted downQueue entertainment Cardinal CoxThe Quest NPC The Long List of World Science Fiction Conventions (Worldcons)Glasgow 2024 Back to Our Futures Credits Cover art: “Hugo Evolution” by Iain J Clark (arranged by Alison Scott) Alt text: Three photographs dominate the centre of the image. The left-hand photograph is of a prototype Hugo made of rough wood and cardboard; the centre photograph is of a rough-ish wood base and tin foil rocket but with the actual acrylic and etching, and the right-hand photograph is of the finished Hugo Award. Text below the photos reads “protoprototype”, “prototype”, and “2024 Hugo”. Above, the words “Octothorpe 117” appear. Theme music: “Fanfare for Space” by Kevin MacLeod (CC BY 4.0)

John, Alison and Liz have won Hugo Awards. An uncorrected transcript of this episode is available here. Please email your letters of comment to comment@octothorpecast.uk, join our Facebook group, and tag @OctothorpeCast (on X or on Mastodon or on Bluesky) when you post about the show on social media. Content warnings this episode: It’s a live recording! Credits Cover art: “Octothorpe and Others” by Simon Bubb (CC BY-NC 2.0) Alt text: John, Liz and Alison (I know, listener, I know) are looking off to the right holding their Hugo Awards as people take photographs of them on the stage at the SEC Armadillo. Theme music: “Fanfare for Space” by Kevin MacLeod (CC BY 4.0)

John is a busy bee, something’s bugging Alison, and Liz meets a wasp. An uncorrected transcript of this episode is available here. Please email your letters of comment to comment@octothorpecast.uk, join our Facebook group, and tag @OctothorpeCast (on X or on Mastodon or on Bluesky) when you post about the show on social media. Content warnings this episode: Vote rigging and bureaucracy. Glasgow programme Saturday, 11:30: “Table talk: Octothorpe Podcast”Monday, 11:30: “Live Podcast: Octothorpe”John: Friday, 14:30: “Ahsoka: Fusing Clone Wars, Rebels and Heir to the Empire”Monday, 13:00: “Safety Tools for Tabletop Roleplaying Games” Alison: Friday, 10:00: “The Difficult Second Album”Friday, 13:00: “Let’s Create the Glasgow 2024 Fanzine – Kick Off Session”Friday, 17:30: “Pure Dead Brilliant History of Scottish Fanzines”Saturday, 13:00: “The League of Extraordinary Fanzine Covers”Saturday, 20:30: “Fan Funds Auction” Liz: Nothing because she’s saving herself just for you, listeners 💜 Glasgow Discord Access is through the members’ portal 377 votes have been disqualified from the Hugo Awards due to ballot stuffing File 770’s report The Business Meeting agenda has been published Chris Garcia’s in-depth dive into the agenda is at Claims Department #74Nicholas Whyte’s thoughts are on From the Heart of EuropeIn the order we discussed them: The “don’t do that Dave” resolutions (C1, 3–4): we are in favourChanges to the Business Meeting (D9, F14–15): we are in favour of D9 and F14, and against F15Independent film Hugo Award categories (E7): we are against ratification Consultative vote on the indie film category Extended eligibility for movies (D1–7): We are in favour of Conann, Lovely, Dark and Deep, Mars Express, Tiger Stripes, and Mollie and Max in the FutureWe oppose The Boy and the Heron and Godzilla Minus One The Boy and the Heron: released 8 December on 2,325 screens, made $35mn in 2023Godzilla Minus One: released 1 December on 2,622 screens, made $45mn in 2023Poor Things: released 8 December on 2,300 screens, made $10mn in 2023 Changes to the Hugo Awards (D10, F5–9, F11): we are in favour of D10 and F5 (with tweaks), we are against F6–8, and we are a bit nuanced (sorry) on F9 and F11 WSFA Glasgow has ~8,400 WSFS members, WSFS membership is £45, so 5% is ~£18k Censure resolutions and apology resolutions (D11–14, F16): we are in favour of making it clear that WSFS does not condone what happened in Chengdu Here are links to the text of the two redacted resolutions D11 Statement of Values for Transparency and Fair TreatmentD12 Chengdu Censure (the middle of the three on this page) WSFS memberships and whatnot (F1–2): we oppose consideration, but we are broadly in favour of the conceptsWSFS marks (F3–4): we are in favour c.f. our discussion of Kevin Standlee’s foot in his mouth on Episode 103 Software Advisory Committee (F10): we oppose considerationSite selection changes (F12–13): we oppose consideration, and also oppose F12, and we think F13 might need a committeeA grab bag (F17–20): we oppose consideration Some of this stuff matters but it shouldn’t get debated this year Ratifications: We didn’t think that all of them were worth discussing, so you can assume we’re in favour/ambivalent of the ones we don’t discuss (unless we forgot one that’s very heinous)Bid committee contact details (E5): we are in favourVoter contact details (E6): we are againstIndependent film Hugo Award categories (E7): we are against (but we discussed this above)Fancast compensation (E9): we are nuanced, we don’t want professionals to be in Fancast, but we’re not sure what this amendment does that helpsEligibility (E10) and ASFiC (E12): we are in favour of the Worldcon becoming more international, but we are against these ratifications specifically Credits Cover art: “All the Popcorn” by Alison Scott Alt text: A giant stripy purple bucket of popcorn on a cinema screen says “Octothorpe 115 WSFS Special”, and John, Alison and Liz sit in the audience, silhouetted in the style of Mystery Science Theatre 3000. John is saying “We’re gonna need a bigger box of popcorn.” Theme music: “Fanfare for Space” by Kevin MacLeod (CC BY 4.0)

John, Alison, and Liz discuss what they’re voting for in the Hugo Awards. An uncorrected transcript of this episode is available here. Please email your letters of comment to comment@octothorpecast.uk, join our Facebook group, and tag @OctothorpeCast (on X or on Mastodon or on Bluesky) when you post about the show on social media. Content warnings this episode: Letters of comment Ali Baker BrooksBridget BradshawChris GarciaColette ReapDuncan MacGregorEdward MorlundFarah MendlesohnMike ScottRaj Fantasy Book Swap Alison Scott, Marianne Dreams and Tamarind and the Star of Ishta”More funny than Thomas Hardy”: John Coxon, Rebecca‘s World and Flora & Ulysses Hugo Awards: NovellaNoveletteShort story ”Gathered in Translation” by Ken Liu“Disconnected Tales: Contrasting Ken Liu’s Original and Translated Works” by Stephanie Gao SeriesGraphic Story or ComicBest Related WorkBest Dramatic Presentation (Long Form)Best Dramatic Presentation (Short Form)Fan Categories The Midnight Pals that made Liz laugh Picks John: Star Wars: Jedi: SurvivorAlison: Cinco Paus by Michael BroughLiz: No pick Credits Cover art: “Worldcon Community Group Bingo Card” by Alison Scott Alt text: ”Octothorpe 114” is at the top, and the word ”Octothorpe” is written on a series of lottery balls. Below that, a bingo card, and below that, the words ”Worldcon Community Group Bingo Card". The items on the card are as follows: Can I convert pounds to Scottish money?Does anyone have any opinions on…?Do you know my Scottish cousin?This list is too long to read so can someone…Is the programme out yet?Can I swim in the Clyde?Can I visit Stonehenge for the day?Asks question answered in PR5Does Glasgow Zoo have live haggis?Volunteering is the best way to have funWhat’s with all the armadillos?Shouldn’t the subway be a Digital Orange now?Free!Is the con organising an aurora viewing?Is it too late to get on the programme?Will Nessie be doing a signing?Mention of Glasgow, EnglandCan anyone go to the Hugo Awards?Why don’t we do this the way we did in 1956?Can I fly from Glasgow to Edinburgh?Will there be any authors there?Can I bring my Emotional Support Moose?Are tartan and/or kilts compulsory?What I reckon…Mention of deep-fried Mars Bar Theme music: “Fanfare for Space” by Kevin MacLeod (CC BY 4.0)

John is doing Discord, Liz is doing programme, and Alison isn’t working on the Worldcon. An uncorrected transcript of this episode is available here. Please email your letters of comment to comment@octothorpecast.uk, join our Facebook group, and tag @OctothorpeCast (on X or on Mastodon or on Bluesky) when you post about the show on social media. Content warnings this episode: None Letters of comment Karen Schaffer Peach and bourbon pie Chris GarciaPeter SullivanKat KourbetiFacebook Farah MendlesohnMike Scott The Great Paladin Hunt by Mike Brunton Malcolm HutchisonJonny Baddeley Glasgow 2024 Glasgow 2024 Worldcon Community Group on FacebookCerebus Humble BundleReviews by Tom Ewing Why is Alison collecting a big pile of con badges? The Streisand Effect (I know I got it slightly wrong in the episode!) Awards 2024 Locus Award winners2024 Nebula Award winners Antipodes Brisbane in 2028 File 770 report (with details of their socials/mailing list)Worldcon 1939Minneapolis in 2073: Progress Report 11Torched by Alissa Walker Continuity 2024 The 2024 New Zealand NatConJohn spent ages assuming that the above was just the online portal, but it is in fact the convention websiteThere is some backstory on this at SFFANZ Picks John: Alan Wake 2 Saga Anderson’s sweaterI didn’t mention it on the podcast at all and it’s just for you, the show note reader, but I was watching this sketch when I was waiting for Alison and Liz this morning: ”Beavis and Butt-Head” from SNL Alison: Animal WellLiz: Will Anderson’s YouTube channel about Scrabble Credits Cover art: “Massive Lizard” by Alison Scott Alt text: Three stick figures run from Godzilla, who is depicted in the style of Godzilla Minus One. The words “Octothorpe 113” used to be at the top of the art, but Godzilla has knocked off the letters “O C T O”, is holding “H”, and is trying to eat “T”. Theme music: “Fanfare for Space” by Kevin MacLeod (CC BY 4.0)

John was gaming, Alison was dancing, and Liz was batty. An uncorrected transcript of this episode is available here. Please email your letters of comment to comment@octothorpecast.uk, join our Facebook group, or tag @OctothorpeCast (on X or on Mastodon or on Bluesky) when you post about the show on social media. Content warnings this episode: Wealth privilege (chapter 3) Letters of comment Chris GarciaCurt Phillips Starter Villain review David Ian SalterErsatz CulturePeter SullivanSandra Bond Levitation (Eastercon 2024) Post-convention report FunCon Alan Fleming’s report UK Games ExpoGlasgow 2024 (Worldcon 2024) Site selection is open for Worldcon 2026Brisbane has (re-)announced their bid for Worldcon 2028 Picks John: The Beast Spoilery interview with George MacKay Alison: Baldur’s Gate 3Liz: Godzilla Minus One (Netflix) Credits Cover art: “That Octothorpe Series” by España Sheriff Alt text: John, Alison and Liz stand in the transporter on a Constitution-class Federation starship. They are mid-transportation, made of sparkles instead of fully fleshed out. The words “Octothorpe 112” appear beneath them. Theme music: “Fanfare for Space” by Kevin MacLeod (CC BY 4.0)

John, Alison, and Liz read the 2024 Hugo Award finalists for Best Novel. An uncorrected transcript of this episode is available here. Please email your letters of comment to comment@octothorpecast.uk, and tag @OctothorpeCast (on X or on Mastodon or on Bluesky) when you post about the show on social media. Content warnings this episode: Rape and murder during a brief discussion of historically accurate piracy in Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi, discussion of billionaires during Starter Villain John’s rankings: Some Desperate GloryTranslation StateSaint of Bright DoorsWitch KingAdventures of Amina al-SirafiStarter VillainAlison’s rankings: Saint of Bright DoorsSome Desperate GloryTranslation StateWitch KingAdventures of Amina al-SirafiStarter VillainLiz’s rankings: Some Desperate GlorySaint of Bright DoorsTranslation StateAdventures of Amina al-SirafiWitch KingStarter VillainConsensus: Some Desperate GlorySaint of Bright DoorsTranslation StateWitch KingAdventures of Amina al-SirafiStarter VillainCredits Cover art: “Favourite Reading Positions” by Sue Mason Alt text: John is in the bottom-left, sitting in a chair, wearing a blue shirt and purple trousers, holding a can, and reading an ebook. Alison is in the upper-middle, lying down upside down, wearing a purple shirt and stripy trousers, and reading an ebook. Liz is in the bottom-right, wearing a pink shirt with green trousers, holding a mug of a hot beverage, and reading a physical book. They are surrounded by floating beer bottles, books, the Moon, a mug with a moose on it, and two cats. The text “Octothorpe 111” and “Hugo Novels 2024” appears to the top and the bottom of the image. Theme music: “Fanfare for Space” by Kevin MacLeod (CC BY 4.0)

John is a professor, Alison doesn’t have a bucket list, and Liz is the country’s foremost fan historian. An uncorrected transcript of this episode is available here. Please email your letters of comment to comment@octothorpecast.uk, and tag @OctothorpeCast (on X or on Mastodon or on Bluesky) when you post about the show on social media. Content warnings this episode: More wealth privilege (chapter 2) Letters of comment Bridget BradshawChristopher J GarciaFarah MendlesohnJonathan CowieJonny BaddeleyKin-Ming LooiSandra BondTammy Coxen Awards Babel wins “Best Translated Work” at the 2024 Xingyun AwardsClarke Award finalists John: 0, Alison: 1, Liz: 3The winner will be announced on 24 July 2024 Nebula Awards2023 Nebula AwardsLocus Awards Glasgow 2024 The Hugo Packet is now availableJoel’s Whisky Zoom is hosting a tour of the Clydeside Distillery on 9 August at 7pm Picks John: Sunderland Shorts Film Festival Soulmate, Beautiful Things, Ensouled, Finger Food, Bisected, Own Home?, R1CO, The First Time I Never Met YouWes Anderson’s short adaptations of Roald Dahl Alison: Aurora Liz’s view on auroras Liz: A Man on the Moon by Andrew Chaikin [paper, ebook, audiobook, Amazon] Credits Cover art: “Explain 2233” by Alison Scott Alt text: Three photographs of the night sky, labelled Newcastle, Bangkok, and “Quite near London” (the labels were written by a Londoner, which is why it doesn’t just say “London”). Text above reads “Octothorpe 110” and below reads “Local Aurora Snapshots”. The Newcastle and London images show photographs of aurora with some minor bits of vegetation intruding; the Bangkok picture shows a skyline of buildings underneath a thunderstorm. Theme music: “Fanfare for Space” by Kevin MacLeod (CC BY 4.0)

John is middle, Alison is even sadder, and Liz is sorry. An uncorrected transcript of this episode is available here. Please email your letters of comment to comment@octothorpecast.uk, and tag @OctothorpeCast (on X or on Mastodon or on Bluesky) when you post about the show on social media. Content warnings this episode: Discussion of access issues (chapter 2), wealth privilege (chapter 6) Letters of comment Abigail NussbaumAli Baker BrooksAndrew January The Eastercon members’ portal Caroline MullanDCFarah Mendlesohn Critical Friends 8 Jacob HolderMark PlummerMeg MacDonald Doc Weir award Dave Langford receives the trophy Alt text: Dave Langford triumphantly lofts a blue Bag for Life from Tesco, which we are expected to believe contains the Doc Weir trophy. He is standing in front of a house. GUFF The results Chengdu 2023 “The Pidu district of Chengdu announces a 10-year science fiction plan” Glasgow 2024 Town Hall Event: Hugo, Lodestar, and Astounding Awards GlasgowTown Hall Event: Site Selection Glasgow 2024 Eastercon and moneyPicks John: DredgeAlison: Hopeland by Ian McDonald (paper, epub, audiobook, Amazon)Liz: Starling House by Alix E. Harrow (paper, epub, audiobook, Amazon) Credits Cover art: “Voyagers” by Ulrika O’Brien Alt text: The background is a starry, lightning-filled square in blues, purples, and yellows. Atop that, there is a spaceship, somewhat like a rocket, with engines coming out of the sides. There are yellow lights shining from it, and a ladder reaches up to a central archway. John, Alison and Liz are depicted as silhouettes, regarding it with wonder. Their shadows stretch off the canvas, and they look faintly alien or futuristic in a hard-to-define manner. Theme music: “Fanfare for Space” by Kevin MacLeod (CC BY 4.0)

John is ignorant, Alison is first, and Liz is a trendsetter. An uncorrected transcript of this episode is available here. Please email your letters of comment to comment@octothorpecast.uk, and tag @OctothorpeCast (on X or on Mastodon or on Bluesky) when you post about the show on social media. Content warnings this episode: COVID (chapter 8). Letters of comment Andy OpenshawChris Garcia Maundy Thursday DC’s locMeg MacDonaldNuala on Bluesky: sorry!Raj recommends pizza crunch Mono Raj on Mastodon Track Changes Eastercon 2024 Telford Telford International CentreKFC Catchup Members’ areaCatchup will be closing at the end of April Dealers’ room Beyond Cataclysm COVID No reported cases, as far as we are aware Picks John: Thunder Road: VendettaAlison: Fallout (the TV series)Liz: Stardew Valley Credits Cover art: “Vibrant Food Culture” by Alison Scott Alt text: A drawing of a blackboard with text that reads: “Octothorpe 108 guide to Glasgow street food.” A picture of a deep fried pizza with glasses is next to text reading ’The “Coxon” pizza crunch’, a picture of three pakora with glasses next to ‘The “Scott” haggis pakora’, and a picture of a deep fried Mars bar next to ‘The “Batty” deep fried Mars bar”. Stars also adorn the backboard, and bottles of red and brown sauce are in the bottom-left-hand corner. Theme music: “Fanfare for Space” by Kevin MacLeod (CC BY 4.0)

John, Alison, and Nicholas are live from Levitation! A transcript of this episode is available here. Please email your letters of comment to comment@octothorpecast.uk and tag @OctothorpeCast (on X or on Mastodon or on Bluesky) when you post about the show on social media. Content warnings this episode: None Thank you very much to our stunt Liz, Nicholas Whyte! Nicholas’ blog, From the Heart of Europe April Fool’s Day The rocket in all its glory! The Hugo Awards Hugo Award finalistsThe announcement videoThank you to everyone who nominated us!Congratulations to the other Fancast finalists: The Coode Street PodcastHugos TherePublishing Rodeo科幻Fans布玛 (Science Fiction Fans Buma)Worldbuilding for Masochists The first Town Hall will be on 20 April 2024 Tickets available on EventbriteThe stream will be available on YouTube Three Black HalflingsTammy Coxen The Glasgow GimletTammy’s TastingsTammy’s podcast, My Tiny Bottles Bigolas Dickolas Gallifrey OneBSFA Join their Discord! Picks John: Garth Marenghi’s Darkplace (Channel 4) Our cosplay Alison: Eastercon catch-upNicholas: The Black ArchiveDavid Whitaker in an Exciting Adventure with Television by Simon Guerrier Credits Cover art: “Octothorpe at Levitation” by Sue Dawson Alt text: John, Alison, and Nicholas Whyte stand in front of a projection of the Octothorpe podcast and behind a panel table. Each of them wears a convention badge, and Nicholas holds the Glasgow Landing Zone Rocket. Nicholas is looking at the camera, while John and Alison are not quite as good at this. The table they stand behind holds beers, coffees, convention newsletters, phone batteries, microphones, and table tents. Theme music: “Fanfare for Space” by Kevin MacLeod (CC BY 4.0)

John used to be an undergraduate, Alison has been keeping a list, and can Liz be a stunt Liz? A transcript of this episode is available here. Please email your letters of comment to comment@octothorpecast.uk and tag @OctothorpeCast (on X or on Mastodon or on Bluesky) when you post about the show on social media. Content warnings this episode: Death (Deb Geisler, chapter 3) and gambling (Hugo Awards, chapter 7; Alison’s pick, chapter 8). Letters of comment Chris GarciaMike Glyer Transcripts Bob MorrellColin MurtaghWe also heard from Jonny Baddeley, Alex Holden, Farah Mendlesohn, and Ang Rosin Deb Geisler File 770 Eastercon Programme Octothorpe Live is at 13:00 on Monday! GamesNewsletter Please come help, post in the Discord if you’d like to volunteer! GUFF Vote here! Doc WeirBSFA Awards Awards Nebula Award finalists Android Press GamesThe Bread Must Rise Hugo Award betting markets Liz has decided not to put her referral link here because the people who run the website might be a bit too Silicon Valley-y Hugo, Girl! un-recuse Picks John: Airecon Overs: The Cricket Card Game Alison: The 2023 Eastercon souvenir book Balatro Liz: “No CGI is really just INVISIBLE CGI” on YouTube Todd Vaziri on X, BlueSky, Mastodon Credits Cover art: “Podcasting Is Magic” by Alison Scott Alt text: Three ponies in the style of My Little Pony adorn the cover. The left-hand one is orange, and has a six-sided die as a cutie mark. The central one is teal, and has a rainbow Apple logo for a cutie mark. The right-hand one is blue, and has a Hugo Award for a cutie mark. They look like they are having a nice time. The words “My Little Octothorpe 106” appear at the top, and the words “Podcasting Is Magic” appear at the bottom. Theme music: “Fanfare for Space” by Kevin MacLeod (CC BY 4.0)

John watches movies, Alison walks on the Moon, and Liz has special bonds. Please email your letters of comment to comment@octothorpecast.uk, check out our subtitles/transcripts, and tag @OctothorpeCast (on X or on Mastodon or on Bluesky) when you post about the show on social media. Content warnings this episode: Censorship, in the form of more Hugo Award controversy Letters of comment Ang RosinAndy OpenshawChris Garcia Zodiac Speaking ErsatzCulture and RajEspaña Sheriff Brighton 1987 Martin EasterbrookTammy CoxenSandra Bond Keep an eye out for Poetry Slum!Click here to see the cover Nicholas Jackson on BlueskyHarry Payne on Bluesky BSFA Awards shortlistHugo Awards The 2023 Hugo Awards: A Report on Censorship and Exclusion by Chris M Barkley and Jason SanfordCharting the Cliff: An Investigation Into the 2023 Hugo Nomination Statistics by Camestros Felapton and Heather Rose JonesMore on Other Chinese Hugo Nominations, based on “Charting the Cliff” by PrograftRecent updates from the MPC/WIPJourney Planet #79 Picks John: Monolith dir. Matt VeselyAlison: MoonwalkersLiz: FRIENDSHIP Credits Cover art: Liz’s Bedtime Reading by Alison Scott Alt text: A famous photograph of Margaret Hamilton standing beside printed outputs of the code that took the Apollo spacecraft to the Moon, overlaid with the words “Octothorpe 105” and “Liz has finished reading the latest Hugo Award exposés”. Theme music: “Fanfare for Space” by Kevin MacLeod (CC BY 4.0)

John, Alison and Liz discuss what SF they enjoyed from 2023. Please email your letters of comment to comment@octothorpecast.uk, check out our subtitles/transcripts, and tag @OctothorpeCast (on X or on Mastodon or on Bluesky) when you post about the show on social media. Content warnings this episode: None Fanzine The Ancillary Review of BooksIDEANerds of a Feather Fan Artist Alison ScottEspaña Sheriff Fan Writer Camestros FelaptonPaul WeimerSandra Bond Fancast Going Rogue Game/Interactive Work Video games Baldur’s Gate 3Chants of SennaarDredgeThe Legend of Zelda: Tears of the KingdomStar Wars Jedi: Survivor Tabletop games ApiaryEarthborne RangersMoonStar Wars: The Deckbuilding GameINELIGIBLE: Hegemony Galactic Starcruiser Adrian Hon’s write-upCass Morris’s write-up Best Dramatic Presentation (Short Form) Blue-Eyed Samurai (Netflix)Doctor Who (BBC iPlayer, Disney+)For All Mankind (Apple TV+)Foundation (Apple TV+)The Last of Us (Now)The Mandalorian (Disney+)Poker Face (Now)Silo (Apple TV+)Star Trek: Lower Decks (Paramount+)Star Trek: Strange New Worlds (Paramount+)The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar (Netflix) Best Dramatic Presentation (Long Form) Asteroid City (Now Cinema)Barbie (rent or buy)Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves (Paramount+)Ghosts, series 5 (BBC iPlayer)Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (Disney+)The Marvels (Disney+)Nimona (Netflix)Polite Society (Now Cinema)Poor Things (rent or buy)Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (Now Cinema) Best Related Work 50 Years of Text Games by Aaron A Reed Silverwolf A City on Mars by Kelly and Zach WeinersmithAll These Worlds: Reviews and Essays by Niall HarrisonA Traveller in Time: The Critical Practice of Maureen Kincaid Speller, ed. Nina Allan Best Graphic Story Moon Knight, volume 9 by Jed MacKay, Alessandro Cappuccio, and Rachelle RosenbergWhy Don’t You Love Me? by Paul B Rainey Best Series Dune by Frank Herbert, Brian Herbert and Kevin J AndersonElric by Michael MoorcockImperial Radch by Ann LeckieThe Final Architecture by Adrian TchaikovskyThe Tyrant Philosophers by Adrian Tchaikovsky Best Short Fiction “Spring Woods Spring” by B Pladek“The Year Without Sunshine” by Naomi KritzerFind stories to read at Rocket Stack Rank Best Novella A Theory of Haunting by Sarah MonetteWalking Practice by Dolki Min“On the English Approach to the Study of History” by E Saxey Best Semiprozine GiganotasaurusStrange Horizons wot, no https?! Best Novel Bridge by Lauren BeukesThe Saint of Bright Doors by Vajra ChandrasekeraThe Reformatory by Tananarive DueOur Share of Night by Mariana EnriquezTitanium Noir by Nick HarkawayOrbital by Samantha HarveyIn Ascension by Martin MacInnesHopeland by Ian McDonaldJulia by Sandra NewmanHim by Geoff RymanCahokia Jazz by Francis SpuffordCity of Last Chances and The House of Open Wounds by Adrian TchaikovskySome Desperate Glory by Emily TeshThe Year in Review 2023 by Graham Sleight Credits Cover art: “Favourite Reading Positions” by Sue Mason Alt text: John is in the bottom-left, sitting in a chair, wearing a blue shirt and purple trousers, holding a can, and reading an ebook. Alison is in the upper-middle, lying down upside down, wearing a purple shirt and stripy trousers, and reading an ebook. Liz is in the bottom-right, wearing a pink shirt with green trousers, holding a mug of a hot beverage, and reading a physical book. They are surrounded by floating beer bottles, books, the Moon, a mug with a moose on it, and two cats. The word “Octothorpe” appears in scattered letters around the artwork, against a pinky-purple background. Theme music: “Fanfare for Space” by Kevin MacLeod (CC BY 4.0)

John is a year behind, Alison is opening nominations, and Liz is Elizabeth (!). Please email your letters of comment to comment@octothorpecast.uk, check out our subtitles/transcripts, and tag @OctothorpeCast (on X or on Mastodon or on Bluesky) when you post about the show on social media. Content warnings this episode: Israel/Palestine war (Montreal in 2027 segment), serial killers (John’s pick) Letters of comment Ali Baker BrooksChris GarciaDCKevin AndersonMark PlummerMartin EasterbrookMike GlyerRajAlison’s fan art page BSFA longlistFan funds TAFF AnnouncementBallot EFFGUFF Montreal in 2027 Tel Aviv in 2027 Christopher Priest 2005 Guest of Honour speech Hugo Awards Trademarks WIP announcementMike Dunford on Bluesky Chris Barkley’s interview of Dave McCarty Transcript A possibly smoking gun File 770 commentScreencap of post from Chinese socialsMachine translation Tammy Coxen argues Worldcon will die because of lack of volunteers Picks John: How to Find Zodiac by Jarett Kobek (Amazon) Los Angeles Magazine article Alison: Fantasy Map Maker Alison’s map Liz: North Woods by Daniel Mason (hardback, ebook, audiobook, Amazon) Credits Cover art: “Hugo Regalia Shop” by Alison Scott Alt text: The words “Octothorpe 103 Hugo Regalia Shop” appear above a selection of costumes. There are small depictions of a clown, a pirate, a panda and a banana above full-length depictions of a member of the Catholic church (with Hugos on their mitre and crosier), a gangster (labelled “boss”, holding a Hugo), Zaphod Beeblebrox (holding three Hugos) and Jesus (with a crown of thorns but made with Hugos). Theme music: “Fanfare for Space” by Kevin MacLeod (CC BY 4.0)

John, Alison and Liz respond to a letter of comment from Tobes. Please email your letters of comment to comment@octothorpecast.uk, check out our subtitles/transcripts, and tag @OctothorpeCast (on X, Mastodon or Bluesky) when you post about the show on social media. Content warnings this episode: Chinese censorship (discussion of the Hugo Awards), Jim Crow Florida (Liz’s pick), general socioeconomic inequality (John’s pick) Glasgow 2024’s hotel bookings are openLetters of comment Alex IngramBill HigginsChris GarciaColin MurtaghJersey GryphonKaren SchafferRajTobes Valois Hugo Awards controversy File 770’s roundupSome recent writing on these topics: Abigail NussbaumCora BuhlertGenre Grapevine Ada Palmer on censorshipReaction from Chinese fans A reaction from Zimozi NatsucoCheck out Ersatz Culture’s feeds for more information on Chinese reactions (Bluesky, Mastodon) Dave McCarty His apologyA link to his Facebook The Useful Idiot It’s not Lenin, it’s a Western term originating in the 1940s and 1950s Worldcon Intellectual Property statement about resignations, censures, and reprimandsGlasgow 2024’s Hugo nominations post Picks John: The Kitchen, dir. Daniel Kaluuya and Kibwe TavaresAlison: Dangerous Space, designed by Jason Greeno and Jason TagmireLiz: The Reformatory by Tananarive Due (paperback, ebook, Amazon) Credits Cover art: “Scooby Gang” by Alison Scott Alt text: Scooby, Velma and Daphne unmask the panda from last week’s cover art, and the person wearing the panda suit looks a lot like Dave McCarty. They say “It was old Mister McCarty all along!” and he says “And I would have gotten away with it too if it hadn’t been for you meddling Hugo finalists!” He is tied up with rope. The words “Octothorpe! 102” appear at the top of the image. Theme music: “Fanfare for Space” by Kevin MacLeod (CC BY 4.0)

John is self-promoting, Alison ”doesn’t have COVID”, and Liz is distracting. Please email your letters of comment to comment@octothorpecast.uk, check out our subtitles/transcripts, and tag @OctothorpeCast (on X or on Mastodon or on Bluesky) when you post about the show on social media. Content warnings this episode: large power and age differentials in sexual relationships (John’s pick) Letters of comment Chris GarciaNiall Harrison Adam Roberts on romantasyA website called “pudding.cool” Geri SullivanBridget BradshawTrishEM says congratulationsDave Mansfield Upcoming conventions which aren’t Worldcon Triple Time!, the 34th filk convention (2–4 February 2024, Buxton)Picocon 41 (23 March, London)Gallifrey One (16–18 February 2024, Los Angeles, USA)Levitation 2024, the Eastercon (29 March 2024–1 April 2024, Telford)FunCon (31 May–2 June 2024, Buxton)Glasgow 2024, the Worldcon (8–12 August 2024, Glasgow) Three Black HalflingsHotel bookings open on 22 January 2024 Novacon (8–10 November 2024, Buxton) Send us your Hugo recs while there is a chance we might read/watch them and mention themChina Miéville and Keanu Reeves are collaboratingPicks John: Poor Things Exhibition of costumes at the Barbican Alison: Why Don’t You Love Me? by Paul B. Rainey (hardback, ebook, Amazon)Liz: Chants of Sennaar (PS4, Steam, Switch, Xbox) Relevant Penny ArcadeCracking the Cryptic play Chants of Sennaar Credits Cover art: “Glasgow Hotel Board Game” by Alison Scott Alt text: A board reminiscent of a well-known board game about property trading. There are three purple properties (Campanile, Village, Moxy), each of which has one hotel. There are two teal properties (Crowne Plaza, Marriott), a replacement for “In Jail” called “In WSFS”, a Statue square featuring a man on horseback with a traffic cone on his head, and a square called Telephone Kiosk with a depiction of a police box. In the middle of the board, the words “Octothorpe Episode 101”. Each property has asterisks for the rent and the words “Rates coming very soon but not quite soon enough for this cover” appear at the bottom. Theme music: “Fanfare for Space” by Kevin MacLeod (CC BY 4.0)

John, Alison and Liz receive a telegram. Please email your letters of comment to comment@octothorpecast.uk, check out our subtitles/transcripts, and tag @OctothorpeCast (on X or on Mastodon or on Bluesky) when you post about the show on social media. Content warnings this episode: None Letters of comment Chris GarciaIrwin HirshRaj on Mastodon (1, 2) Hugo voting statsMoon Knight Warren Ellis and Declan Shalvey’s run Warren Ellis’ predatory behaviour Article at the time of the original storySoManyOfUsArticle from the year after Jed MacKay and Alessandro Cappuccio’s runMoon Knight: Age of Anubis: A Marvel: Multiverse Missions Adventure Gamebook Want an invite to the Discord? Hit John up! - Glasgow 2024 announces Tanya DePass as special guest Picks John: The Spear Cuts Through Water by Simon Jiminez [paperback, Amazon]Alison: The Coral Bones by EJ Swift [paperback, ebook, Amazon] Late-breaking news of a new paperback from Jo Fletcher Books Liz: Some Desperate Glory by Emily Tesh [paperback, ebook, audiobook, Amazon] Festive gaming corner John: EXIT: The Game: Advent Calendar: The Silent StormFinal Girl: North Pole NightmareHerd MentalityLegendary: MarvelMonikersPaleoSCOUT Alison: Schotten TottenZuuliPandemic: IberiaThe MindBohnanzaTerraforming Mars FryxGames’ CEO posted transphobia and racism Liz: Hated by Emily and Andrew Credits Cover art: “Telegram from the Queen” by Alison Scott with telegram by Claire Brialey Alt text: A telegram lies with a golden thread bookmark on a plush purple surface. It has two pieces of Weetabix above text which reads “I am so pleased to know that you are celebrating your one hundredth episode in January 2024. I send my congratulations and best wishes to you on such a special occasion. Claire R (of Croydon).” The words “Octothorpe 100” are at the top in golden lettering. Theme music: “Fanfare for Space” by Kevin MacLeod (CC BY 4.0)