Speculative worlds. Real conversations.
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This podcast explores worldbuilding in speculative fiction, especially science fiction, fantasy, dystopian fiction and horror. Each episode focuses on one specific story, book, or series and examines how its world works, how it came into being, and how it shapes character and plot.
The conversation is a one-to-one discussion about the creative decisions behind the work. We look at the logic of the world, the pressures it creates, and the way those choices affect what characters can and cannot do. This is not a generic author chat. The aim is to produce a conversation that is genuinely useful to other writers and genuinely interesting to listeners.
The audio podcast is available on major podcast platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and smart speakers such as Amazon Alexa by saying, “Play Richardson’s Rubicon Podcast”. The video version is available on YouTube, embedded on the episode page, and also on Spotify. Guests are encouraged to share their episode once published. While optional, timely sharing does help discovery and helps connect the episode with both new and existing audiences.
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RSSListen to or watch at least one episode before booking. Richardson’s Rubicon is a focused speculative fiction and worldbuilding podcast, not a general author interview show, so you should have a clear feel for the format before requesting a slot.
Please book only if you are the author or writer who will be appearing on the show. Bookings should not be made by an agency, assistant, or other third party. This helps ensure that availability, time zone, and expectations are correct from the outset.
Please book only if you want to focus on one specific book, story, or series.
After booking a provisional slot, you will be asked to answer three short character pressure and worldbuilding questions about the specific work you want to discuss. Your answers are used to assess whether the work is a good fit for the show and whether there is a strong enough basis for a worthwhile conversation.
A provisional booking is a request, not a confirmation. It will only be confirmed once your answers have been received and reviewed, so generic publicity answers are unlikely to be sufficient, and unfortunately not every provisional booking will be approved. Recorded episodes are also subject to review before publication. This includes Fireside Chat +, where if an episode is not published, a full refund will be issued.
Hello, and welcome. Authors you represent are very welcome to take part if the show is a good fit for them.
Please direct them to the podcast first and ask them to listen to an episode before deciding whether to book. If they decide they would like to go ahead, the author should make the booking themselves. This helps ensure that the format is understood, expectations are clear from the outset, and the correct time zone and availability are used.
Richardson’s Rubicon is a focused speculative fiction and worldbuilding podcast rather than a general author interview show, so it is important that the author judges that fit for themselves before booking.
The audio podcast is available on major podcast platforms including Apple Podcasts and Spotify, as well as on smart speakers. The video version is available on YouTube, embedded on each episode page, and also on Spotify.
If you need any clarification, please feel free to email me.
Fireside Chat is always free. Every guest receives a standard promotion package at no charge, consisting of one post per day for four days across Facebook, Threads, and Bluesky, and another post promoting the forum question. This gives each episode a solid run of visibility following publication.
For guests who would like additional reach, Fireside Chat + is available as an optional paid upgrade. This includes three custom short-form reels, published across Instagram, Facebook Reels, and Threads Reels. Reel-based promotion is not included in the standard free package because producing it involves additional time and cost.
The interview itself is always free. Fireside Chat + is simply an optional promotional add-on.
If you choose Fireside Chat + and your interview is confirmed and recorded, the reels package will be published as described. The fee becomes non-refundable only once the interview has been published.
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