The Worldbuilder’s Tavern
A podcast in which three nerds read sci-fi and fantasy novels, talk about their worldbuilding, and then guide you through building magic systems, monsters, spaceships, and more for your own stories.
Whether you're constructing your next novel, RPG setting, or just love speculative fiction, pull up a chair at the tavern!
A podcast in which three nerds read sci-fi and fantasy novels, talk about their worldbuilding, and then guide you through building magic systems, monsters, spaceships, and more for your own stories.
Whether you're constructing your next novel, RPG setting, or just love speculative fiction, pull up a chair at the tavern!
Episodes
Jan 7, 2026
4.1 A Natural History of Dragons
Jan 7, 2026
Jan 7, 2026
51 min
Join us for a chat about the writing and worldbuilding in the fantasy novel, A Natural History of Dragons by Marie Brennan. We discuss dragons as the topic of academic study, worldbuilding inspired by Victorian England, and memoir-style novels.
Visit the Tavern: Website | Discord | TikTok | Bookshop
Support us and get bonus episodes by joining our Patreon
Next month’s novel: Lucky Day by Chuck Tingle (Disclosure: we are a Bookshop.org affiliate, so if you purchase through these links, we will earn a small commission AND you will support an indie bookstore!)
Intro and outro music: "The Tavern" by Michael Ghelfi
Jan 7, 2026
51 min
Jul 23, 2025
3.22 Post-Apocalyptic: The Last of Us
Jul 23, 2025
Jul 23, 2025
44 min
In this episode, we're talking about writing and worldbuilding in the post-apocalyptic with zombies TV show (based on the video game series of the same name), The Last of Us.
Proprietor's Pick: The Girl with All the Gifts by M.R. Carey (Disclosure: we are a Bookshop.org affiliate, so if you purchase through these links, we will earn a small commission AND you will support an indie bookstore!)
Intro and outro music: "The Tavern" by Michael Ghelfi
Visit the Tavern: Website | Discord | TikTok
Listen to our Worldbuilding Workshop bonus episodes by joining our Patreon
Support Haneen's family in Gaza
Jul 23, 2025
44 min
Jul 9, 2025
3.21 Paranormal Romance: Twilight
Jul 9, 2025
Jul 9, 2025
54 min
In this episode, we're talking about writing and worldbuilding in the paranormal romance novel Twilight by Stephanie Meyer.Proprietor's Pick: Immortal Dark by Tigest Girma (Disclosure: we are a Bookshop.org affiliate, so if you purchase through these links, we will earn a small commission AND you will support an indie bookstore!) Intro and outro music: "The Tavern" by Michael GhelfiVisit the Tavern: Website | Discord | TikTok Listen to our Worldbuilding Workshop bonus episodes by joining our PatreonSupport Haneen's family in Gaza
Jul 9, 2025
54 min
Jun 25, 2025
Jun 25, 2025
40 min
In this episode, we're talking about the writing and worldbuilding in the children's fantasy (with vikings) movie How to Train Your Dragon.Proprietor's Pick: Impossible Creatures by Katherine Rundell (Disclosure: we are a Bookshop.org affiliate, so if you purchase through these links, we will earn a small commission AND you will support an indie bookstore!) Intro and outro music: "The Tavern" by Michael GhelfiVisit the Tavern: Website | Discord | TikTok Listen to our Worldbuilding Workshop bonus episodes by joining our PatreonSupport Haneen's family in Gaza
Jun 25, 2025
40 min
Jun 11, 2025
3.19 Urban Fantasy: Jade City
Jun 11, 2025
Jun 11, 2025
44 min
In this episode, we're talking about the writing and worldbuilding in the urban fantasy novel Jade City by Fonda Lee. (Disclosure: we are a Bookshop.org affiliate, so if you purchase through these links, we will earn a small commission AND you will support an indie bookstore!)Proprietor's Pick: The Sword of Kaigen by M.L. Wang Intro and outro music: "The Tavern" by Michael GhelfiVisit the Tavern: Website | Discord | TikTok Listen to our Worldbuilding Workshop bonus episodes by joining our PatreonSupport Haneen's family in Gaza
Jun 11, 2025
44 min
May 28, 2025
3.18 Children’s Sci-Fi: Animorphs
May 28, 2025
May 28, 2025
48 min
In this episode, we're talking about the writing and worldbuilding in the sci-fi alien invasion series Animorphs by K.A. Applegate.Proprietor's Pick: Ice Wolves by Amie Kaufman (Disclosure: we are a Bookshop.org affiliate, so if you purchase through these links, we will earn a small commission AND you will support an indie bookstore!)Intro and outro music: "The Tavern" by Michael GhelfiVisit the Tavern: Website | Discord | TikTok Listen to our Worldbuilding Workshop bonus episodes by joining our PatreonSupport Haneen's family in Gaza
May 28, 2025
48 min
May 14, 2025
3.17 Fantasy Heist: The Lies of Locke Lamora
May 14, 2025
May 14, 2025
46 min
In this episode, we're talking about the writing and worldbuilding in the fantasy novel The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch.Proprietor's Pick: Foundryside by Robert Jackson Bennett (Disclosure: we are a Bookshop.org affiliate, so if you purchase through these links, we will earn a small commission AND you will support an indie bookstore!)Intro and outro music: "The Tavern" by Michael GhelfiVisit the Tavern: Website | Discord | TikTok Listen to our Worldbuilding Workshop bonus episodes by joining our PatreonSupport Haneen's family in Gaza
May 14, 2025
46 min
Apr 30, 2025
3.16 Gothic Romance: Crimson Peak
Apr 30, 2025
Apr 30, 2025
39 min
In this episode, we're talking about the writing and worldbuilding in the gothic romance movie Crimson Peak.Proprietor's Pick: The Dark Window by Rachel Gillig (Disclosure: we are a Bookshop.org affiliate, so if you purchase through these links, we will earn a small commission AND you will support an indie bookstore!)Intro and outro music: "The Tavern" by Michael GhelfiVisit the Tavern: Website | Discord | TikTok Listen to our Worldbuilding Workshop bonus episodes by joining our PatreonSupport Haneen's family in Gaza
Apr 30, 2025
39 min
Apr 16, 2025
3.15 LitRPG: Dungeon Crawler Carl
Apr 16, 2025
Apr 16, 2025
39 min
In this episode, we're talking about the writing and worldbuilding in the sci-fi/LitRPG novel Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman. (Disclosure: we are a Bookshop.org affiliate, so if you purchase through these links, we will earn a small commission AND you will support an indie bookstore!)Proprietor's Pick: The Wandering Inn by pirateabaIntro and outro music: "The Tavern" by Michael GhelfiVisit the Tavern: Website | Discord | TikTokListen to our Worldbuilding Workshop bonus episodes by joining our PatreonSupport Haneen's family in Gaza
Apr 16, 2025
39 min
Apr 2, 2025
3.14 Sci-Fi Procedural: Fringe
Apr 2, 2025
Apr 2, 2025
43 min
In this episode, we're talking about the writing and worldbuilding in the science fiction TV show Fringe.Proprietor's Pick: Recursion by Blake Crouch (Disclosure: we are a Bookshop.org affiliate, so if you purchase through these links, we will earn a small commission AND you will support an indie bookstore!)Intro and outro music: "The Tavern" by Michael GhelfiVisit the Tavern: Website | Discord | TikTokListen to our Worldbuilding Workshop bonus episodes by joining our PatreonSupport Haneen's family in Gaza
Apr 2, 2025
43 min








