Folklore, Speculative Fiction & Independent Publishing with Nathaniel Spain

In this episode, Megan speaks with Nathaniel Spain, writer, designer and publishing professional based in Tyne and Wear, and editor of independent micro press Carnyx Press, which he launched in 2025.

Nathaniel talks about wearing multiple hats as editor, designer, illustrator and typesetter, and why he’s drawn to speculative fiction—from folklore and mythology to metaphor-rich stories that let us explore contemporary issues and sensitive subjects at a slight remove.

They discuss Oaths and Offerings, Carnyx Press’s first anthology of northern folklore, touch on the physical craft of beautiful books (from paper choices to cover design), and explore how Nathaniel balances indie publishing with his work in marketing and special editions at Hachette UK. He also explains why Carnyx Press explicitly rejects the use of generative AI, and what’s at stake for writers, readers and the future of publishing.

Mentioned in this episode

• Carnyx Press – Nathaniel’s independent micro press publishing speculative short fiction anthologies.
• Oaths and Offerings – A folklore-inspired anthology exploring nature, community, prejudice, climate change and belonging in northern settings.
• Cosmic Horror - The third anthology from Carnyx Press is open for submissions from 1st October to 30th November 2026.
• Ursula K. Le Guin – The Dispossessed – A speculative novel that contrasts different political systems through twin worlds.
• Lally Macbeth – The Lost Folk – A non-fiction work examining the richness of folklore. 

Host Credits 

Hosted and edited by Megan Dawson (SYP North Podcast Officer)

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Twitter: @SYP_UK
Website: https://thesyp.org.uk

If you have any questions about this episode or wish to partake in the show, drop us a line at podcast.syp@gmail.com