Alchemy... from Effigy Press

Shocking Results

Join Tim and LeeAnna for Alchemy... the podcast from Effigy Press that dives into the delightful chaos of life. Whether you're a fiction writer working on refining your craft or just someone who enjoys watching the world spin off-kilter and needs fresh material for your next cocktail party, we've got you covered. Today, we take a closer look at the audacious and bold choices made by Charles Sargeant Jagger and Lionel Pearson in their design of the Royal Artillery Memorial in London, which honors the 49,076 soldiers of the Royal Artillery who perished in World War I. Writers, prepare to expand your creative horizons. Non-writers, stick around—this conversation is bound to spark something fascinating.
Of course, as with all our podcasts, we’ve shielded you from the onslaught of ads for comfy bras you’d never wear if someone paid you. You’re welcome—because we care about your dignity (and your complete lack of interest in undergarment marketing). And if one somehow slips in, I swear we didn’t put it there. Just blame it on the algorithm’s questionable taste in, well, everything.
LinksLink to Royal Artillery Memorial here.Read The Snark’s review of this podcast here.Writers’ prompts for this podcast are here.Submission page for Effigy Press here.Effigy Press here.
Intro music: brighter days by Oliver Massahttps://uppbeat.io/t/oliver-massa/brighter-daysLicense code: S4QNBRVN0S5MTNW4
Other music:  Beautiful Deep by Matt Stewart Evanshttps://uppbeat.io/t/matt-stewart-evans/beautiful-deepLicense code: OVYLQEAX0M6FAQOW
Outro music: nightdrive by mood-maze https://uppbeat.io/t/mood-maze/nightdrive. License code: OGGKCMVJLUMOBW5P

The Wild Ride of Unexpected History

Join Tim and LeeAnna for Alchemy... the podcast from Effigy Press that dives into the delightful mess of life. Whether you're a fiction writer refining your craft, or just someone who enjoys watching the world spin wildly and needs fresh fodder for your next cocktail conversation, we’ve got you covered. Today, we’re taking a detour into the unpredictable terrain of unexpected history—because when you think you know what’s coming, the world hands you a surprise. Writers, get ready to break the mold. Non-writers, stick around anyway—it’s going to get intriguing.
Of course, as with all our podcasts, we’ve saved you from the soul-crushing bombardment of ads for window replacement services you’ll never need. You’re welcome—because we care about your time (and your home’s perfectly functional windows). And if you hear one, I swear we didn’t let it sneak in. Blame it on the rogue ad bots.
LinksDeus ex Machine image here.
Read The Snark’s review of this podcast here.
Writers’ prompts for this podcast are here.
Submission page for Effigy Press here.
Effigy Press here.
Intro music: brighter days by Oliver Massa - License code: S4QNBRVN0S5MTNW4https://uppbeat.io/t/oliver-massa/brighter-daysOutro music: nightdrive by mood-maze - License code: OGGKCMVJLUMOBW5Phttps://uppbeat.io/t/mood-maze/nightdrive.  Or, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-NZsJWoGZ9A

The Man Who Just Wouldn't Quit

In this Alchemy Short n’ Sweet episode, Tim and LeeAnna zip through the extraordinary story of Paul von Hindenburg. Writers, get ready to think about characters who simply don’t give up, or history that just won’t leave these poor souls alone. Non-writers, stay tuned anyway—for one of the most extraordinary life stories. It’s a tiny little parcel of inspiration, just for you.
Of course, as with all our podcasts, we’ve spared you the frantic, borderline desperate ads for mugs, t-shirts, and hats that we’re totally not trying to sell you (because we don’t have any). You’re welcome—because we care about your wardrobe (and your bank account). And if one of those ads manages to slip through, I swear we didn’t put it there. Just blame it on the algorithm’s overwhelming urge to make us all ‘merch moguls.’
LinksPaul von Hindenburg here.Read The Snark’s review of this podcast here.Writers’ prompts for this podcast are here.Submission page for Effigy Press here.Effigy Press here.
Intro music: brighter days by Oliver Massa - License code: S4QNBRVN0S5MTNW4https://uppbeat.io/t/oliver-massa/brighter-daysOutro music: nightdrive by mood-maze - License code: OGGKCMVJLUMOBW5Phttps://uppbeat.io/t/mood-maze/nightdrive.  Or, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-NZsJWoGZ9A

The Most Amazing Face... Ever!

Join Tim and LeeAnna for Alchemy... the podcast from Effigy Press that embraces the delightful chaos of life. Whether you’re a fiction writer looking to refine your craft, or just someone who enjoys watching the world spin and needs fresh conversation material for your next cocktail party, we’ve got you covered. Today, our podcasters explore bold creative concepts for writers, using a sculptural work by Isamu Noguchi as a jumping-off point. Writers, get ready to think outside the box. Non-writers, stay tuned anyway—it’s bound to get fascinating.
Of course, as with all our podcasts, we’ve spared you the mind-numbing torture of ads for subscription services that send you books nobody actually wants to read. You’re welcome—because we care about your literary dignity (and your free time). And if there’s any such ad, I swear we didn’t put it there. Just blame the algorithm, not us.
LinksNoguchi’s Face to be seen from Mars here.The Cydonia face on Mars here.Read The Snark’s review of this podcast here.Writers’ prompts for this podcast are here.Submission page for Effigy Press here.Effigy Press here.
Intro music: brighter days by Oliver Massa - License code: S4QNBRVN0S5MTNW4https://uppbeat.io/t/oliver-massa/brighter-daysOutro music: nightdrive by mood-maze - License code: OGGKCMVJLUMOBW5Phttps://uppbeat.io/t/mood-maze/nightdrive.  Or, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-NZsJWoGZ9A

Dover Beach... or Dover Bitch?

Join Tim and LeeAnna for Alchemy... the podcast from Effigy Press that’s all about diving into the glorious mess of life. Whether you’re a fiction writer looking to hone your characters and plot, or just someone who enjoys watching the world tumble into chaos and needs some juicy conversation fodder for your next cocktail party, we’ve got you covered. Today’s episode gets literary as our podcasters tackle the intertextual tug-of-war between Matthew Arnold’s Dover Beach and Anthony Hecht’s Dover Bitch—a 100-year gap where Hecht takes a sharp, mocking jab at Arnold’s melancholy classic. Writers, hold on tight. Non-writers, stick around anyway—this one's going to get interesting.
Of course, as with all our podcasts, we’ve spared you the nightmare of ads for those ‘make your own dinner’ subscription services that flood your doorstep with so many boxes, you could open a warehouse. You’re welcome—because we care about your kitchen (and your sanity). And if one of those ads sneaks through, I swear we didn’t sign off on it. Just blame it on the algorithm’s love of making you cancel after two weeks of pretending you have the energy to cook a pot roast.
Links
Dover Beach here.Dover Bitch here.Matthew Arnold here.Read The Snark’s review of this podcast here.Writers’ prompts for this podcast are here.Submission page for Effigy Press here.Effigy Press here.
Intro music: brighter days by Oliver Massa - License code: S4QNBRVN0S5MTNW4https://uppbeat.io/t/oliver-massa/brighter-daysOutro music: nightdrive by mood-maze - License code: OGGKCMVJLUMOBW5Phttps://uppbeat.io/t/mood-maze/nightdrive.  Or, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-NZsJWoGZ9A
 

Betrayal!

Join Tim and LeeAnna for Alchemy... the podcast from Effigy Press where we embrace the delightful chaos of life. Whether you’re a fiction writer stuck in the trenches of your craft, or just someone who enjoys watching the world implode while looking for juicy material to ruin your next cocktail party, we’ve got you covered.
Today, our podcasters revel in the glories of betrayal—because what’s more fun than watching people screw each other over in the name of self-interest? Writers, get ready to think outside the box. Non-writers, hang on—you won’t want to miss this train wreck.
Of course, as with all our podcasts, we’ve spared you the pleasure of ads for those magical medical magnets you’re supposed to wear to cure everything from joint pain to ‘bad vibes.’ You’re welcome—because we care about your critical thinking (and your total lack of desire to wear overpriced refrigerator magnets on your body). And if one manages to sneak in, I swear we didn’t endorse it. Blame the algorithm’s questionable love for pseudo-science.
LinksRead The Snark’s review of this podcast here.Writers’ prompts for this podcast are here.Submission page for Effigy Press here.Effigy Press here.
Intro music: brighter days by Oliver Massa - License code: S4QNBRVN0S5MTNW4https://uppbeat.io/t/oliver-massa/brighter-daysOutro music: nightdrive by mood-maze - License code: OGGKCMVJLUMOBW5Phttps://uppbeat.io/t/mood-maze/nightdrive.  Or, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-NZsJWoGZ9A

The backstory to "O Holy Night"

Join Tim and LeeAnna for a big warm welcome to Alchemy... the podcast from Effigy Press for anyone who’s ever looked at the chaos, confusion, and delightful mess of the world and thought, 'Yeah, I need to get in on that.' Whether you're a fiction writer trying to wrangle the madness into something resembling a plot, or just someone who enjoys watching the world spin off its axis, we’ve got you covered.
We’ll dive into the wonders of human nature, the delightful absurdity of life, and how you can turn all that glorious confusion into compelling stories—though honestly, we’re mostly here for the trainwrecks. Writers, buckle up. Non-writers, stay tuned anyway. It’s bound to get weird.
And in this podcast we also dive into the unexpected origin story of O Holy Night.
We’re keeping it ad-free—because let’s face it, no one needs another endless rant about probiotic shakes that ‘transform your gut health.’ Trust us, your stomach doesn’t need that kind of pressure. You’re welcome for the peace and quiet. And if there are any ads, I swear we didn’t put them there.
LinksRead The Snark’s review of this podcast here.Writers’ prompts for this podcast are here.Submission page for Effigy Press here.Effigy Press here.NPR: Terri Gross with Jon Batiste here. Start at 11 mins, 25 seconds
Intro music: brighter days by Oliver Massa - License code: S4QNBRVN0S5MTNW4https://uppbeat.io/t/oliver-massa/brighter-daysOutro music: nightdrive by mood-maze - License code: OGGKCMVJLUMOBW5Phttps://uppbeat.io/t/mood-maze/nightdrive.  Or, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-NZsJWoGZ9A