Long Story Short Ep-36: Pathologically Positive, with R.J. Barker

Robin and David are joined by R.J. Barker to discuss his new book MORTEDANT’S PERIL, introducing us to The Trials of Irody Hasp. We also talk poetic railway stations, listening habits, the watching birds, failed rock stars, space cats and taxidermy bears. It’s a highly irregular menagerie of fun. https://britishfantasysociety.org/blog/bfs-podcast-long-story-short/ Are you a member of the British Fantasy Society yet? Join us here: https://britishfantasysociety.org/about-the-bfs/become-a-member/ Find out more about R.J. Barker here: https://www.rjbarker.com Visit David’s website: https://www.davidgreenwriter.com/ And Robin’s: https://robincmduncan.com/ R.J.’s ex-band, SugarValve: https://sugarvalve.bandcamp.com/album/fluoxetine-ep   Time stamps (01:10) R.J. Barker is too hot / Audience of the Dead (02:05) The New Book (Mortedant’s Peril), promo plans (03:35) Introducing Irody Hasp (09:35) Class and regionalilty / publishing expectations (14:15) a creative career / That’s Interesting (c) (19:25) The Interesting Police / angry scary music (26:10) Digressing into poetry / Dave’s first acceptance (29:30) R.J.’s writing process / getting the voice (34:20) Katie Bruce reviews How To Lose a Goblin in Ten Days, by Jessie Sylva (36:00) Series vs stand-alones? (vs novellas, and cats, in space) (41:00) Strange philosophies of Robert Smith / a cavalry charge (47:35) Irody Hasp meets Morrissey / doing a Tchaikovsky (49:40) contractually obligated Fantasycon chat / the con trail (51:25) the best next thing / The Brighton Coincidence (53:20) the struggling musician