John M. Ford with Victor Raymond - Episode 289 - 3/30/2026

John M. Ford with Victor Raymond - Episode 289 - 3/30/2026

Author: Shane Stacks March 30, 2026 Duration: 1:18:34

The one and only, amazing, science fiction and fantasy writer, game designer, and poet, John M. Ford (aka "Mike") with Dr. Victor Raymond. A very quick Tékumel update. John M. Ford won a prestigious award for a Christmas card. In addition to his novel writing, he also wrote for RPGs, including Traveller, GURPS, Star Trek, Paranoia, and Ghostbusters. Paranoia is a joyful HOOT. John M. Ford's take on Klingons (including linguistics) is excellent and sublime, and it's a shame it's not Star Trek canon. "Realistic" space combat in science fiction. Reading a John M. Ford novel is a very rewarding exercise in inference. Recommendations on where to start in his bibliography. A brief digression into Harlan Ellison. Sweet memories of Mike (and Darklands, too). 

Shane Plays Geek Talk Episode #289 - 3/30/2026

Like what you hear?
Support Shane Plays Geek Talk on Patreon!
https://www.patreon.com/shaneplays

Listen to the Shane Plays Geek Talk podcast on YouTube, SoundCloud, iTunes, Google Play Music, Amazon Music, Podbean and Stitcher (and other fine, fine podcast directories).

Hey, you! Yeah, you! Buy cool stuff, support Shane Plays Geek Talk with these affiliate links!
Humble Bundle
https://www.humblebundle.com?partner=shaneplays
DriveThruRPG.com
https://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse.php?affiliate_id=488512

SHOW NOTES

John M. Ford on Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_M._Ford 

The Disappearance of John M. Ford by Isaac Butler
https://slate.com/culture/2019/11/john-ford-science-fiction-fantasy-books.html 

Bibliography: John M. Ford on the Internet Speculative Fiction Database 
https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/ea.cgi?226


Dungeons and Desktops: The History of Computer Role-Playing Games 2nd Edition
Shane's book! Co-authored with Matt Barton of Matt Chat
https://www.amazon.com/Dungeons-Desktops-History-Computer-Role-Playing/dp/1138574643/

 


There's a particular kind of joy found in diving deep into the worlds and hobbies that capture our imagination, and that's the feeling Shane Plays Geek Talk aims to recreate in every episode. Hosted by Shane Stacks, this podcast feels like a comfortable conversation with a friend who's just as passionate about the intricate lore of a Star Trek episode as they are about the latest indie tabletop game. The discussion naturally spans a wide spectrum-from rolling dice in a Dungeons & Dragons campaign and painting miniatures for a wargame to debating the merits of a new sci-fi novel or a classic Doctor Who serial. What you'll hear isn't just a review show, but a genuine celebration of fandom in all its forms. Shane approaches each topic not as a critic, but as an enthusiastic participant, fostering a space that encourages both long-time enthusiasts and the casually curious. Listening feels like pulling up a chair at a friendly local game shop; the talk is specific, informed, and always driven by a shared affection for these creative corners of culture. Whether your personal geekdom is firmly established or you're just beginning to explore, this podcast offers a welcoming, deep-dive into the stuff that makes hobbies so compelling. It’s a consistent reminder of the community and creativity at the heart of what we love, making each episode a perfect companion for a commute, a painting session, or just some downtime.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Shane Plays Geek Talk
Podcast Episodes
Star Fleet Battles With Bill Barsh - Episode 272 - 12/29/2023 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:18:07
Star Fleet Battles is the Star Trek-based wargame that's been in constant publication since 1979, leading to an expanded range of games and lore known as the Star Fleet Universe. SFB fan, expert, and contributor Bill Bar…
Stan Lee With Comics Creator Tom Scioli - Episode 271 - 11/20/2023 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:54:45
Discover the real Stan Lee (not the public PR persona) and his story in Tom Scioli's amazing I Am Stan biographical graphic novel. Plus: Simple comic book character design versus convoluted and complicated design. Workin…
Zombie Bytes with James T. Wilson - Episode 270 - 10/23/2023 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:19
All-around groovy geek and author Tracy Wilson (aka James T. Wilson) on his indie horror novel Zombie Bytes, also chatting about cool things like his involvement with the Star Wars costuming association the 501st Legion.…
The Legend of Drizzt with Mike Witwer – Episode 268 – 5/30/2023 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:36:54
Author and D&D historian Mike Witwer shares the details on his newest book The Legend of Drizzt Visual Dictionary, which is not only chock full of goodness on everyone's favorite drow but the Forgotten Realms in general…
OSRIC & The OSR with Allan T. Grohe Jr. - Episode 264- 11/30/2022 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:04:41
RPG developer and publisher Allan T. Grohe Jr. (aka "grodog") joins to talk AD&D retroclone OSRIC, the OSR, Black Blade Publishing, John Eric Holmes, and RPG goodness in general. Allan LOVES him some Greyhawk. The skills…