Cakes & Ale Episode 33: An Interview with Daniel M. Bensen

In this episode we chat with author Daniel M. Bensen about his new speculative biology novel Interchange.

In this sequel to 2019’s Junction, a group of humans attempt to travel across the many biomes of the alien planet beyond the wormhole on Earth. Daniel discusses how his worldbuilding process leant itself to creating the geography and biology of multiple planets spilling into and evolving on a single shared world. We also talk about writing and publishing in lockdown and his recent co-authored comic book First Knife from Image Comics.

Interchange, and it’s prequel Junction, are out now from Flame Tree Press.


Direct download: Episode 33: Daniel Bensen

You can find out more about Daniel and his work on his website, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Goodreads.

If you enjoy our podcast, please subscribe to the Time for Cakes and Ale podcast, leave us a review, and let us know what you think by getting in touch on Twitter, Facebook and here on the website. We’d love to hear from you!

Homebrew: Episode 8

Welcome to Time for Cakes and Ale’s ‘Homebrew’, our new podcast covering life under lockdown.

In this episode we chat with Nigel Twumasi, co-founder of British Manga brand Mayamada. Nigel tells us about how their social gaming Gamepad events have evolved and the challenges of adapting their business model to an online-only format.

Mayamada’s latest Kickstarer for ‘Serious – Through the Fog’ is live until 5 October and can be found HERE. And check out their Story x Story podcast.


Direct download: Homebrew 8

If you enjoy our podcast, please subscribe to the Time for Cakes and Ale podcast, leave us a review, and let us know what you think by getting in touch on Twitter, Facebook and here on the website. We’d love to hear from you!

Cakes & Ale Episode 32: Unconventional Conventions

With the pandemic interrupting the 2020 convention calendar, we discuss its impact on different events. We ask how it may not only affect the con-going experience, but also could lead to longer term changes, which could in fact have a positive effect on content, attendance, accessibilty and representation. But how can con-runners embrace the opportunites of new technology whilst maintaining longstanding elements of physical cons that content creators rely on?

Let us know what you think about conventions and what you would like to see in the future. Is the move to virtual content permanent? How do you keep the spirit of a convention alive?


Direct download: Episode 32: Unconventional Conventions

If you enjoy our podcast, please subscribe to the Time for Cakes and Ale podcast, leave us a review, and let us know what you think by getting in touch on Twitter, Facebook and here on the website. We’d love to hear from you!

Homebrew: Episode 7

Welcome to Time for Cakes and Ale’s ‘Homebrew’, our new podcast covering life under lockdown.

In this episode we chat with Kev from the band Flames of the Lizard Birds about writing and recording music under lockdown, and the challenges that are being faced by both bands and venues as the live music scene is put on hold.

You can check out Flames of the Lizard Birds on Bandcamp, their YouTube channel and their Facebook page, and the episode ends with one of their recent tracks, Get My Persona.

For those who remember Digitizer, Mr Biffo’s Found Footage can be watched here!


Direct download: Homebrew 7

If you enjoy our podcast, please subscribe to the Time for Cakes and Ale podcast, leave us a review, and let us know what you think by getting in touch on Twitter, Facebook and here on the website. We’d love to hear from you!

Homebrew: Episode 6

Welcome to Time for Cakes and Ale’s ‘Homebrew’, our new podcast covering life under lockdown.

In this episode we chat with Eurovision superfan Dudepoints about the 2020 contest that never was, and how the ESC fandom has responded to the lockdown with online events to keep the spirit alive such as Eurovision Again and streamed live performances from artists.  Surie’s incredible piano rendition of Hard Rock Hallelujah is unexpected and beautiful.

You can check out the Dudepoints blog for more tales of national finals, Eurovision memes and their own personal chart rundown of the 41 songs from this year.

The Dude’s YouTube playlist of 2020 songs is here so grab a glass of whatever you choose and enjoy the ride!


Direct download: Homebrew 6

If you enjoy our podcast, please subscribe to the Time for Cakes and Ale podcast, leave us a review, and let us know what you think by getting in touch on Twitter, Facebook and here on the website. We’d love to hear from you!

Homebrew: Episode 5

Welcome to Time for Cakes and Ale’s ‘Homebrew’, our new podcast covering life under lockdown.

In this episode we chat with podcaster Carl Sweeney about his adventures on The X-Cast and The Movie Palace podcasts, and the #XCastQuarantine watchalong which is running through the classic 90s TV series The X-Files during the lockdown.


Direct download: Homebrew 5

If you enjoy our podcast, please subscribe to the Time for Cakes and Ale podcast, leave us a review, and let us know what you think by getting in touch on Twitter, Facebook and here on the website. We’d love to hear from you!

Homebrew: Episode 4

Welcome to Time for Cakes and Ale’s ‘Homebrew’, our new podcast covering life under lockdown.

In this episode we chat with author Chris Beckett about writing at a time when reality is stranger than fiction. Chris is best known for his Clarke Award-winning Dark Eden trilogy. Chris has recently been posting a selection of short stories from throughout his career along the theme of ‘isolation’ to read for free on his website – the whole collection can be read  here.


Direct download: Homebrew 4

If you enjoy our podcast, please subscribe to the Time for Cakes and Ale podcast, leave us a review, and let us know what you think by getting in touch on Twitter, Facebook and here on the website. We’d love to hear from you!

Homebrew: Episode 3

Welcome to Time for Cakes and Ale’s ‘Homebrew’, our new podcast covering life under lockdown.

In this episode we chat with Tony Black from the We Made This pop culture podcast network about podcasting, social media watch-along events, and how the lockdown is changing the way fandoms interact.


Direct download: Homebrew 3

If you enjoy our podcast, please subscribe to the Time for Cakes and Ale podcast, leave us a review, and let us know what you think by getting in touch on Twitter, Facebook and here on the website. We’d love to hear from you!

Homebrew: Episode 2

Welcome to Time for Cakes and Ale’s ‘Homebrew’, our new podcast covering life under lockdown.

In this episode we chat with Andrew James from Square Enix about what he’s playing right now, what games people should be checking out, and how the lockdown is affecting the video games industry.


Direct download: Homebrew 2: Andrew James on Video Games

If you enjoy our podcast, please subscribe to the Time for Cakes and Ale podcast, leave us a review, and let us know what you think by getting in touch on Twitter, Facebook and here on the website. We’d love to hear from you!

Homebrew: Episode 1

Welcome to Time for Cakes and Ale’s ‘Homebrew’, our new podcast covering life under lockdown.

In this introductory episode we talk about what this new series will feature: conversations with folk from a wide range of industries who are interested in sharing their hobbies and interests, talking about how their work and lives are changing, and recommending new titles for people to explore from the worlds of publishing, gaming, comics, film and TV. Our goal is to provide a feeling of what people are getting up to during this strange time, and hopefully pique your interest if you are looking for something new to engage in.


Direct download: Homebrew 1: Introducing Homebrew!

If you enjoy our podcast, please subscribe to the Time for Cakes and Ale podcast, leave us a review, and let us know what you think by getting in touch on Twitter, Facebook and here on the website. We’d love to hear from you!