114: Tastemaker Batty

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 Brooks
  • Bridget Bradshaw
  • Chris Garcia
  • Colette Reap
  • Duncan MacGregor
  • Edward Morlund
  • Farah Mendlesohn
  • Mike Scott
  • Raj
    • 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:
  • Novella
  • Novelette
  • Short story
    • ”Gathered in Translation” by Ken Liu
    • “Disconnected Tales: Contrasting Ken Liu’s Original and Translated Works” by Stephanie Gao
  • Series
  • Graphic Story or Comic
  • Best Related Work
  • Best Dramatic Presentation (Long Form)
  • Best Dramatic Presentation (Short Form)
  • Fan Categories
    • The Midnight Pals that made Liz laugh
• Picks
  • John: Star Wars: Jedi: Survivor
  • Alison: Cinco Paus by Michael Brough
  • Liz: 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 PR5
      • Does Glasgow Zoo have live haggis?
      • Volunteering is the best way to have fun
      • What’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, England
      • Can 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)