Podcast by Mal Bernhardt
09 March 2026
In the final episode of this season, Mal will take a second visit to the Buffyverse with 'Cursed' by Mel Odom. This is a crossover tie-in between Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel.
In this episode, I'll be wondering whether I actually watched Season 5 of Buffy because I didn't know about Spike and Buffy's relationship. I'll be thinking about how important outlines are when planning a tie-in. Plus, I'll be addressing whether something so far into two different series can be an entry point to either. I might mention Angel and Spike's love life, but I avoid (I hope!) getting dragged into the fan discussion of who should be with Buffy.
Content warning: It's worth knowing that I use the word Romani throughout the episode, but the novel does not use that term when talking about the Romani community. "Gypsy" is used a great deal in the novel, as it was in the TV show. Over the last 20 years, the use of this word, its impact on the community and its connotations have been widely discussed, this happens with language all the time as times change. I am just reflecting that change in choosing the term 'Romani'. I'm not making a judgement on Odom or the Buffyverse's use of "Gypsy" 22 years ago, as I'm 100% certain that is the term I would've used back then.
Email: outoforderbookclub@outlook.com
Useful links and sources:
Clarke - The Strict Maze of Media Tie-In Novels (2009)
Hills -Torchwood's trans-transmedia: Media tie-ins and brand 'fanagement' (2012)
Williamson - Spike, sex and subtext: Intertextual portrayals of the sympathetic vampire on cult television (2005): This and the article below really introduced me to the importance and popularity of Spike's tortuous love life which began with Druscilla and is a touchstone in this novel.
Mukherjea - My Vampire Boyfriend: Postfeminism, "Perfect" Masculinity, and the Contemporary Appeal of Paranormal Romance (2011): Spike and Angel are not referred to a lot in this article, but it is a great read for putting these characters in the context of popular 'vampire boyfriends'.
Govert - Slayers: A Buffyverse Story and the Delicate Art of Tie-In Media (2023)
Interview with Mel Odom - Reading and Writing podcast: The interview that has the set which I describe as a 'cluttered Between Two Ferns', but like the podcast below it is an interesting listen for aspiring writers.
Interview with Mel Odom - Writing Out Loud: A fun, quick podcast which is interesting for anyone who is an aspiring writer or just interested in tie-ins.
Fantastic Fiction - Mel Odom Book list
Angel - Buffyverse Wiki: This was useful in getting some context for the vast amount of tie-ins in the Buffyverse!
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54:46
02 March 2026
In the penultimate episode of this season we'll be making the first of two visits to the Buffyverse with 'Coyote Moon' by John Vornholt. The Buffyverse has remained popular since the TV series finished in the the early '00s with multiple tie-ins, novelisatons and audio dramas, so we'll certainly be (lightly) touching on 'What makes something canon in the Buffyverse?'
In addition, we'll think about whether it's easier to write tie-in for a first season in comparison to others, and how Buffy and this novel focus on the outsider status of everyone involved in the narrative. Plus, there will be the usual Out of Order Book club elements, with the clearest answer yet about whether this can standalone and whether this could be an entry point to the TV series.
Although next week's final episode is also in the Buffyverse, you shouldn't worry. Rest assured, this episode can standalone!
Email: outoforderbookclub@outlook.com
Useful links and sources:
Interview between Hans Persson and John Vornholt: It looks at little odd, but it is an easy to read dialogue with some genuine insights into being a tie-in author.
We Hate Movies 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1992)' (2019): I've listened to 'We Hate Movies' for years, so I admit I have some bias here. However, this has four people with four different perspectives on Buffy the film and the TV series, plus it is very funny.
Hannah Flint's How tainted is Buffy the Vampire Slayer, 25 years on (2022): A very interesting article that revisits Buffy in the 21st century.
Amy-Chinn and Williamson - The vampire Spike in text and fandom: Unsettling oppositions in Buffy the Vampire Slayer (2005): This will be coming back in the next episode, but a genuinely interesting (overview) article about the cultural impact of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
Shaun Duke's Fan Fic vs. Tie-In Fiction: A Framework (2023)
M.J. Clarke - The Strict Maze of Media Tie-In Novels (2009)
Matt Hills -Torchwood's trans-transmedia: Media tie-ins and brand 'fanagement' (2012)
IFASA Speaker - John Vornholt (2012): I didn't mention this in the episode, as I didn't use it. However, this is an engaging presentation by the author himself.
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23 February 2026
In this episode, Mal will be going back to the '90s to revisit one of her first real TV addictions ('The X-Files') with 'Whirlwind' by Charles Grant. In this episode, there will be a distinction made between fans and real 'X-Philes', and a related discussion on whether the TV show itself was contradictory putting the TV show and fans at odds with each other. The episode will address the questions this throws up, such as - What does a tie-in writer do if the TV show is contradictory? How does a writer deal with a 'will they/won't they' couple? What's the big theme in the TV show and is it echoed in this novel? In addition, there'll be a quick definition of 'Quiet Horror' and whether The X-Files and their tie-ins are a perfect fit for that genre.
Content Warning: There is one extract which is a little gross when Mulder and Scully are looking at photos of mutilated cattle and a little swearing (unconnected!)
Email: outoforderbookclub@outlook.com
Useful links and interesting sources:
M.J. Clarke - The Strict Maze of Media Tie-In Novels (2009)
Matt Hills -Torchwood's trans-transmedia: Media tie-ins and brand 'fanagement' (2012)
Paula Cappa and Quiet Horror (2016): This provided a useful definition of quiet horror and background into how Charles Grant was a champion of it..
Ryan Coogler update on his X-Files reboot (Collider, 2026)
Neil Snowdon - Dancing with Shadows: The Charles L. Grant Blogathon (2016): One of the key sites I discovered that showed me the impact of Grant on other authors
Mikel J. Koven's chapter on The X-Files (2010)
Douglas Kellner's The X-Files and the Aesthetics and Politics of Postmodern Pop (1999)
Christine A. Wooley's Visible Fandom: Reading The X-Files through X-Philes (2002)
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16 February 2026
In the sixth episode of our TV tie-ins mini-season, Mal, with contributions from a 'Resident Expert' (i.e. her Mum), takes a look at a 60 year old novel - The Man From U.N.C.L.E. by Michael Avallone. This was written in the 1960s, at a time when tie-in authors couldn't immerse themselves in the world of the TV show because they probably had to watch it once a week at the same time the rest of the population did. Does that mean that the novels were a mass of contradictions and discrepancies? Join me for an episode that takes a look at the challenges faced by tie-in authors in the 60s, as well as a (not long enough!) look at the author Michael Avallone the "Fast typewriter in the East".
A special thanks should go out to Lee Goldberg who shared the book 'Tied In: The Business, History and Craft of Media Tie-In Writing' with me. He edited this book of essays and the one by David Spencer about tie-in writing in the 50s, 60s and 70s was so useful in this episode.
Content Warning: As this book is a spy thriller from the 60s, women aren't depicted or described in the most comfortable way. In addition, I talk briefly about how one of the female characters is threatened with sexual assault and I read examples of some of Avallone's famously bad writing (not from The Man from U.N.C.L.E., I should add!). I take a moment to warn listeners, so when we get to that point feel free to skip 10 minutes.
Email: outoforderbookclub@outlook.com
Useful Links and Sources:
manfromuncle.org: This contains an interview with Jon Heitland and the Kathleen Crighton introduction to the TV show which I use in the episode. The site itself is dense with information, but is absolutely worth your time.
Morgan Richter: This contains a warm and fun breakdown of The A-Team episode which reunited David McCallam and Robert Vaughn.
Tied in: This book is edited by Lee Goldberg. The essay by David Spencer about working as a tie-in writer in the 50s through to the 70s was both fascinating and invaluable in this episode.
Michael Avallone's obituary in The Independent: Written by Jack Adrian, this is unlike any obit I've ever read for an author!
Thrilling Stories article about Michael Avallone: This contained really useful context and, more importantly, enthusiasm for the stories behind Michael Avallone's work.
Gun in Cheek: Bill Pronzini's first book about 'alternative classics' was helpful in showing the range of 'bad writers' there are out there, and how enjoyable they are.
Son of Gun in Cheek: The second book by Bill Pronzini contains the chapter on Michael Avallone, which I quote from at length.
Reading this Life: Descend into Paperback hell - Michael Avallone's Satan Sleuth series: A quick and fun run through of this series from the 21st century perspective.
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09 February 2026
In this episode, I'll be taking a look at a novel where I know nothing/nada/nowt about the TV show, so this should be interesting! The novel is 'Darkness on the Edge of Town' by Adam Christopher, and the TV series is 'Stranger Things'.
Can you understand a tie-in novel when you haven't seen one episode of the TV series? Can it work as a standalone novel and/or an entry point to the TV series? What, if any, are the differences between this novel and the ones we've already looked at? On top of all that, we're revisiting an author that appeared in the first season (episode 4), so feel free to go and listen to that before you dive in here!
Email: outoforderbookclub@outlook.com
Useful links and sources:
Stranger Things Books Penguin Random House site
M.J. Clarke - The Strict Maze of Media Tie-In Novels
Matt Hills -Torchwood's trans-transmedia: Media tie-ins and brand 'fanagement'
The Psychgeist of Pop Culture: Stranger Things - Edited by Anton Roberts
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50:06
02 February 2026
In the fourth episode of this season, we're taking a look at 'Mr. Monk and the Blue Flu' by Lee Goldberg from the TV series 'Monk'.
This is the first episode where the author of the novel has also written for the TV series, and I'll be using this novel to look at key ideas about fidelity and linearity in tie-in novels. In addition, I'll certainly be asking the usual Out of Order Book Club questions about whether this can standalone not only from the TV series but also the novel series as well. Personally speaking, this last point is quite difficult to answer!
Email: outoforderbookclub@outlook.com
Social Media: Since recording this podcast, I have deactivated my Bluesky account so I am less distracted and a wee bit more productive. This means at the moment, despite what I say in the podcast, you can't find me and follow me on Bluesky. Hopefully, I'll be back there some day!
Useful links and helpful sources:
M.J. Clarke - The Strict Maze of Media Tie-In Novels (2009)
Matt Hills -Torchwood's trans-transmedia: Media tie-ins and brand 'fanagement' (2012)
Shaun Duke - Fan Fiction vs. Tie-in Fiction: A Framework (2023)
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