How did Brent Weeks get from Montana to writing novels on napkins to becoming the bestselling author of the Lightbringer Series? We'll ask him about that, find out his favorite word and whether he still has those napkins.
Wes Chu has had many interesting (and varied) careers, but we're happy that he's focused on the fascinating tales of Tao. In this Google hangout, we talk about the upcoming finale to the series, where he's taking the story next, and answer your questions!
Chuck Wendig has a reputation for cursing. He also has a reputation for being a badass writer of amazing characters in inventive situations, across novels, comics and movies. He also invented cornpunk. Oh wait, he ALSO writes one of the best guides for writers ever made. But what is his favorite word? Well, now you'll just have to watch for that, and to see how many times our editor has to use the bleep button. Spoiler: he uses it more on the hosts than the guest.
This week you’ll learn how Alastair Reynolds went from Cornwall to a doctorate in astronomy, to pushing ice across the vastness of space. How much do current scientific advances influence him? Does he feel a kinship with Mass Effect? What order should you read his darn books in? All these questions and more will be answered.
Download audio here.
Download video here.
We had a lovely time chatting with Brian McClellan, author of the Powder Mage trilogy. He answers a lot of questions about including history in novels, snorting gunpowder, smoking old-timey pipes while listening to flute music, and making cakes for Sam Sykes.
Have you been ignoring short stories? You’re missing out! And Rachel Swirsky is one of the best authors to prove it. Find out how this award-winning author and podcaster got into writing and poetry too!
Download video here.
Sorry for the late podcast, everyone! I took a nasty tumble this week and broke my foot and wrist, so everything kind of shut down for a bit! But we're back, and so is Adam Christopher! We talk about the recently released Hang Wire, and upcoming The Burning Dark!
Anne Leonard's first book JUST came out. Congrats Anne! Moth and Spark is about a Prince who has been chosen to free dragons from bondage to the Empire, but nobody’s exactly sure how he should do it, not even their riders. He meets a doctor’s daughter who discovers she’s a seer. She’s also a commoner, so he really shouldn’t fall for her How do you shine a spotlight on such a young career? It's all in the backstory! Just watch.
It's our author guide to Max Gladstone! If you want an author who knows how to work the financial crisis into epic fantasy and is handy with a sword, Max is your man. We also get the final word on a showdown between him and Scott Lynch. You won't believe who really runs the economy.
We chat with Bill Gourgey, who's Glide Trilogy does not settle for a run-of-the-mill post-apocalyptic world. What happens AFTER the post-apocalyptic dust settles!? We also find out how a tech analyst ends up writing genre novels and poetry. You won't believe his answer! Or maybe you will. You probably will. But you won't know what it is, unless you watch/listen to the show!
Get video versions here.
We're back!!! Welcome back to the space castle, everybody! HUGE thanks to our Kickstarter supporters for making this possible. In our first episode of Season 2, we talk to Wool Omnibus author Hugh Howey. Find out how not to get shoved outside and how George R. R. Martin motivated Hugh's career.
We're back!!! Welcome back to the space castle, everybody! HUGE thanks to our Kickstarter supporters for making this possible. In our first episode of Season 2, we talk to Wool Omnibus author Hugh Howey. Find out how not to get shoved outside, how George R. R. Martin motivated Hugh's career, and his number one editing tip.
Direct MP3 download here.
Subscribe to the YouTube page here!
Or via iTunes!
Other file formats here!
We chat with Gregory A. Wilson, author of The Third Sign, about his newest novel Icarus and the graphic novel based on it that he and artist Matt Slay are working on. It's about a being who falls from the sky to save a world from tyranny. We also find out if he named his daughter after one of his own fictional characters.
Multiple video versions (ogg, MPEG, etc.) from Archive.org.
We have a chance to chat with the fabulous Ian Tregillis, author of the Milkweed Triptych and Something More Than Night. He alludes to his secret 'Clakkers" project, explains how to make an angel talk like a shamus, and reveals Gretel's secret Reagan baby.
We have a chance to chat with the fabulous Ian Tregillis, author of the Milkweed Triptych and Something More Than Night. He alludes to his secret 'Clakkers" project, explains how to make an angel talk like a shamus, and reveals Gretel's secret Reagan baby.
Ian Tregillis entry at Wikipedia
You can download videos in multiple formats here.
We chat with Marie Brennan about her historical fiction her fictionalized history and all kinds of matters relating to anthropology, ethnography, archaeology and natural history. And dragons. Plus get a peek at how much glee she takes in chopping off hands. That and more insights coming your way in this interview with Marie Brennan.
We chat with Marie Brennan about her historical fiction her fictionalized history and all kinds of matters relating to anthropology, ethnography, archaeology and natural history. And dragons. Plus get a peek at how much glee she takes in chopping off hands. That and more insights coming your way in this interview with Marie Brennan.
We had a really good time chatting with Sam Sykes, author of the Aeon's Gate series. Among other things, we learned what a flying shark is good for, why he left the Horde, what a "stealfie" is, and how Sam keeps his daily threat-making to a minimum. Plus your questions!
We had a really good time chatting with Sam Sykes, author of the Aeon's Gate series. Among other things, we learned what a flying shark is good for, why he left the Horde, what a "stealfie" is, and how Sam keeps his daily threat-making to a minimum. Plus your questions! Enjoy.
And just because....
Get other formats of the video here.
We talk with Peter V. Brett about his Demon Cycle books, the grim world of dark fantasy, his old HP iPaq and why he's so big in Germany.
Peter V. Brett's website
About Peter V. Brett on Wikipedia
To get in on the D&D action at ConFusion and possibly see Myke Cole's head get shaved visit Worldbuilders.org.
And check out the Not Playing Podcast: 002 Die Hard on the Boing Boing Podcast Network!
Direct download link to podcast here!
Get a downloadable version of the video here.
We talk with Peter V. Brett about his Demon Cycle books, the grim world of dark fantasy, his old HP iPaq and why he's so big in Germany. Peter V. Brett's website About Peter V. Brett on Wikipedia To get in on the D&D action at ConFusion and possibly see Myke Cole's head get shaved visit Worldbuilders.org.
Two big reasons to cheer on this episode. One, you backed us, you really backed us, and we have 12 glorious episodes of the video Sword and Laser authors guides coming next year. Two, author Ann Leckie joins us to wrap up Ancillary Justice!
WHAT ARE WE DRINKING?
Tom: Yorkshire Gold Tea
Veronica: Water
QUICK BURNS
We funded!! Thank you so much to everyone who backed the Season 2 Kickstarter. We’ll send out updates as we get details on things like add-ons and of course shoot dates and post dates for the shows!
Own William Gibson's bomber jacket!
Neil Gaiman wrote this fairy tale short film about a girl that can fly
Crowdfunding an sf/f mag for teens
Singularity & Co. is saving the sci-fi, one pulp novel at a time.
The Top 101 Science Fiction Adventures
CALENDAR
TV, MOVIES AND VIDEO GAMES
Guillermo Del Toro's TV series greenlit
HBO no longer developing AMERICAN GODS
Adaptation Watch: Robert J. Sawyer’s TRIGGERS Optioned for Film, Sawyer to Write Screenplay
J.R.R. Tolkien Biopic Being Developed
BOOK KICK-OFF
A Natural History of Dragons: A Memoir by Lady Trent by Marie Brennan
BOOK WRAP-UP
Ancillary Justice by Ann Leckie
EMAIL
Dear Tom and Veronica (and Tom's dogs)
Just dropping a quick line to say that I really enjoyed your Myke Cole interview - Myke came across as a really engaging, gracious and humble guy, and I've downloaded Control Point to Kindle so that I can make a start on Shadow Ops.
Thanks, as always, for Sword and Laser - I'm afraid that I'm struggling a bit with Ancillary Justice this month, but regardless of how I'm getting on with the month's read, the podcast contains so much discussion of Sci-Fi/Fantasy as a whole that it's a must-listen, each week.
All the best from the UK
Ralph aka slowfox
ADDENDUMS
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We have the distinct pleasure of chatting with author Myke Cole about his Shadow Ops series, playing D&D with SFF authors and how he took on the challenge of writing from the POV of a 12-year-old-girl. Plus he offers free ass-kickings if you need writing motivation right now. It is NaNoWriMo, after all.
Staffers Book Review (The link to Justin's blog we promised!)
This week we introduce you to Nicholas Kaufman, author of the new book Dying Is My Business among many others! We cover questions about writing in an urban-fantasy world, whether self-publishing is worth it, and mispronouncing names (we'll give you one guess who started that topic...).
Nicholas Kaufmann's website
http://www.nicholaskaufmann.com/
Nicholas Kaufman's Live Journal
http://nick-kaufmann.livejournal.com/
[GUEST POST] Nicholas Kaufmann on Why Some Boxes Should Never Be Opened
http://www.sfsignal.com/archives/2013/10/guest-post-nicholas-kaufmann-on-why-some-boxes-should-never-be-opened/
Download the video here.
Bradley P. Bealieu, author of The Lays of Anuskaya, was nice enough to take some time to chat with us about his books, his blogs and more. He's even a podcaster! We milk for details about his forthcoming book Twelve Kings in Sharakhai and put a few of your questions to him as well. Enjoy!
Bradley P. Bealieu's website Quillings.com
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