Delayed Omens - The S&L Podcast #52

Well it looks like our book wrapup may be delayed a tad, but it's OK.  We have it under control.  And we even have an idea for the next bok already.  So just give Veronica a break will you?  Oh.  You were.  Thanks for that.

QUICK BURNS

Science fiction writers, editors, critics and publishers talk the future of publishing

Book releases:

1/31/2011 The Alchemist by P. Bacigalupi

2/1/2011 License to Ensorcell by Katherine Kerr

2/1/2011 Son of Heaven by David Wingrove

1 February (special edition), 3 March (standard) - A former city broker ekes out a rural existence in a post-economic collapse Devon before encountering an expanding Chinese techno-empire. The first in the twenty-volume re-release of Wingrove’s Chung Kuo serie

2/4/2011 The Sea Watch by Adrian Tchaikovsky

Tor UK: 4 February- The sixth volume of Tchaikovsky’s Shadows of the Apt series once again sees Collegium under threat from outside forces, but this time the Wasps are not the enemy. Major betrayals and shocks are promised as the series moves into its second half

2/7/2011 Deep State by Walter Jon Williams

2/21 UK (3/1 US) The Crippled God by Steven Erikson

Bantam Books (UK): 21 February

Tor US: 1 March

The Malazan Book of the Fallen reaches its conclusion (more or less – six more books in two trilogies are on their way) in its tenth volume. The Bonehunters confront the Forkrul Assail in distant Kolanse with the fate of the Crippled God and the world itself at stake. Expect a divisive ending of Lost proportions.

3/1/2011 The Wise Man’s Fear by Patrick Rothfuss

Gollancz (UK): 1 March

DAW (USA): 1 March

The first the ‘Big Missing Three’ SFF books of the last few years to make it to print, the bookshelf-destroying sequel to the giga-selling Name of the Wind is picking up some mixed advanced reviews (great writing, glacial pace, pretty much the same as the first one) but will no doubt be a great success.

BARE YOUR SWORD - feedback from the audience

How much was Pratchett and how much was Gaiman

2010 Philip K. Dick Award Nominees Announced

BOOK CHECK-IN

Good Omens - Why Veronica hasn't finished.

Shadow & Claw: The First Half of 'The Book of the New Sun' (Book of the Long Sun)

Dragon*Con

Who should we get at Dragon*Con? Guest list is here.

EMAILS:

Hi Tom And Veronica

Love the show. Especially for introducing me to Terry Pratchett & Neil Gaiman. I think if C.S. Lewis & Douglas Adams wrote a book together, It would be similar to this book.

That's about as high a praise as I can give it. I've gotten another Pratchett (Unseen Academicals) to immediately plow through. I only hope Pratchett & Gaiman individually are half as good as Gaichett(?) or Pratman(?). My vote is for Pratman.

Thanks again,

Ken

***

Hey guys, I love your show and listen to it in massive chunks when I need to get through a long design project. I just listened to the podcasts where Veronica says, several times it seems, that Anne Rice is no longer “born again” and has renounced “that whole lifestyle”. I wanted to comment (“well actually”) that she is still a believer in the divinity of the man known as Jesus, she simply made a statement divorcing herself from American right-wing politics. Outside of the political arena, she remains the same lady with the same beliefs.

I only write because it could be interpreted from the comments on the show that she changed her beliefs and that this could influence the book. While that is still possible, it’s less likely when her comments are taken in context.

Thanks for doing the show. You guys not only fill a need but do it with top quality.

-Brandon

***

Every time I listen to your podcast I think to myself "I wonder why

they chose 'barrier sword' as the title of the feedback section?"" It

wasn't until I read the show notes for the latest podcast this morning

(and about 3 seconds of dissonance) that I realized my mistake. Oops.

Good choice on the real title, much better than the one I made up in

my head =).

Thanks for the book club.

--John

ADDENDUMS

This podcast is brought to you by Audible.com the internet’s leading provider of audiobooks with more than 75,000 downloadable titles across all types of literature, including fiction, non-fiction and periodicals.   For a free audiobook of your choice, go to audiblepodcast.com/sword.

Visit our partner Sticker Fu.  Use the code Sword1 and get 10% off the stickers!

Delayed Omens - The S&L Podcast #52

Almost the end of the world (as we know it) - The S&L Podcast #51

We're almost to the end of the world in Gaiman and Pratchett's Good Omens, but Veronica's not quite done yet so we just give some less spoilery evaluations of the book so far and we'll wrap it up next week. We also are trying to make room in our wallets and on our bookshelves for some excellent new SciFi and Fantasy hitting store shelves in the next couple weeks. Joe Abercrombie! Yay!

QUICK BURNS
Gene Wolfe talks dystopian futures, and the chances of star-drive in our lifetime
Among Others: extraordinary, magic story of science fiction as a toolkit for taking apart the world

BOOK RELEASES: 

1/25/2011 While Mortals Sleep: Unpublished short fiction of Kurt Vonnegut - The 16 previously unpublished short stories of this collection, taken from the beginning of Vonnegut's career, show a young author already grappling with themes and ideas that would define his work for decades to come. (Kindle)

1/27/2011 The Heroes by Joe Abercrombie (in the UK - US doesn't get it until 2/7) Union commander Lord Marshal Kroy coordinates the fight with the aid of a motley group of incompetent, self-important officers. The strangely sympathetic Col. Bremer dan Gorst is officially a royal observer who nurses a burning desire to kill or be killed. Leading a much smaller army against the Union is Black Dow, whose grip on the throne of the Northmen is tenuous and based on fear and brutality. (Kindle) 

1/31/2011 The Alchemist by P. Bacigalupi - The first foray into fantasy from Hugo winner Bacigalupi (The Windup Girl) is one of two novellas (the other by Tobias S. Buckell) set in a world where using magic has terrible consequences. Jeoz is a destitute alchemist living in Khaim, a city literally being strangled to death by bramble, a "wormy malevolence" that expands its thorny vines every time someone uses magic. 

2/3/2011 License to Ensorcell by Katherine Kerr - a psychic agent and her Israeli sidekick tracking down a werewolf-murdering serial killer in San Francisco. (Kindle) 

2/7/2011 Deep State by Walter Jon Williams (Kindle) - The sequel to This is Not a Game, about where alternate reality games and real life cross and meet.

Joe Abercrombie appearing in England 1/27 at Forbidden Planet in London from 6 PM, and January 29 at Forbidden PLanet in Bristol from 1 PM AD 

BARE YOUR SWORD

4004 BC (possible minor spoilers) 

Too many characters? 

What horseman would you be? 

Library Closures 

BOOK CHECK-IN

Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman

This podcast is brought to you by Audible.com the internet’s leading provider of audiobooks with more than 75,000 downloadable titles across all types of literature, including fiction, non-fiction and periodicals.   For a free audiobook of your choice, go to audiblepodcast.com/sword.

The Alchemist and the Executioness  from Audible.

Almost the end of the world (as we know it) - The S&L Podcast #51

Good Omens for 2011 - The S&L Podcast #50

It's our 50th episode!  We celebrate with a high-energy episode, looking at all the best books of the past decade and kicking off our new pick for January.

QUICK BURNS   
   
January 15 - Modern Times 2.0 by Michael Moorcock comes out   
January 18 - Home Fires by Gene Wolfe,    
A few cons coming up Mid-January   
   
BARE YOUR SWORD - feedback from the audience   
   
Tor's poll - best sff books of the decade   
   
Reading Goals for 2011   
   
BOOK KICK-OFF / WRAP-UP

Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett   

Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett   from Audible

It won the poll!

You see, there was a bit of a mixup when the Antichrist was born, due in part to the machinations of Crowley, who did not so much fall as saunter downwards, and in part to the mysterious ways as manifested in the form of a part-time rare book dealer, an angel named Aziraphale. Like top agents everywhere, they've long had more in common with each other than the sides they represent, or the conflict they are nominally engaged in. The only person who knows how it will all end is Agnes Nutter, a witch whose prophecies all come true, if one can only manage to decipher them. The minor characters along the way (Famine makes an appearance as diet crazes, no-calorie food and anorexia epidemics) are as much fun as the story as a whole, which adds up to one of those rare books which is enormous fun to read the first time, and the second time, and the third time...    
More on Wikipedia   

What else we're reading   

Veronica - Quicksilver by Neal Stephenson from the Baroque Cycle   
Tom - Dark Tower II: The Drawing of the Three  by Stephen King
   
Emails:   

On your latest podcast Veronica mentioned that she enjoyed the Millennium series a lot.

Today the New Yorker had a nice article on the appeal of the series:

Also the website from the publisher for the series in well designed and quite informative (currently >45 mil. sold). It contains pictures of all the locations used in the books.

Great podcast !

Best,
Paul

***

This was definitely a good podcast-- even with the sound issues (It happens to the best of us.).

Tom Merritt made a number of good points about the trappings of copyright law. However, I think that it is important to note that even famous authors found it hard to make a living because so many people were ""stealing"" his work. This is why he made so many personal appearances, which may have acerbated his untimely death.

Derivative works can be fine, but as a writer I would like to have control of what people do to my works and characters.

Thanks again for a well done episode.

JB

***

  
ADDENDUMS   

This podcast is brought to you by Audible.com the internet’s leading provider of audiobooks with more than 75,000 downloadable titles across all types of literature and featuring audio versions of many New York Times Best Sellers. For listeners of this podcast, Audible is offering a free audiobook, to give you a chance to try out their service. For a free audiobook of your choice go to audiblepodcast.com/sword.
   
Partner Sticker Fu.  Use the code Sword1 and get 10% off the stickers at stickerfu.com.   
 

Good Omens for 2011 - The S&L Podcast #50

2010, you were a good year - The S&L Podcast #49

We wrap up How to Live in a Science Fictional Universe by Charles Yu, but there's so much more!  We look back on all the books from this year, both our book pics and your favorites you read.  we also look ahead to the most anticipated books of 2011. It's our year-end spectacular.  Break out your favorite sparkling beverage and enjoy.

   
BARE YOUR SWORD - feedback from the audience   
SF&F Books to be released on 2011   
   
Best book of the year. 2010 edition   
   
Year in Review   
--Books we read--   
Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom by Cory Doctrow   
The Windup Girl by Paolo Bacigalupi   
Bitter Seeds by Ian Tregellis  
World War Z: An oral history of the zombie war by Max Brooks 
The Moon is a Harsh Mistress by Robert Heinlein   
The Once and Future King by T. H. White   
The Princess Bride by William Goldman   
How to Live Safely in a Science Fictional Universe: A Novel by Charles Yu    
   
   
Book Wrapup   
How to Live Safely in a Science Fictional Universe: A Novel by Charles Yu   
     
Tom wrapped up - The Name of the Wind   
Veronica has started the Baroque Cycle   
   
Next Book?   
Altered Carbon by Richard Morgan   
A Fire Upon the Deep by Vernor Vinge   
Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman   
Revelation Space by Alastair Reynolds   

VOTE HERE!!!!

This podcast is brought to you by Audible.com the internet’s leading provider of audiobooks with more than 75,000 downloadable titles across all types of literature, including fiction, non-fiction and periodicals.   For a free audiobook of your choice, go to audiblepodcast.com/sword.

2010, you were a good year - The S&L Podcast #49

Science fictional survival guide - The S&L Podcast #48

UPDATE: Sorry if you only got the flash file in your RSS feed, we've since updated the blog entry to include the MP3 link! Here it is if it doesn't push out automatically.

This week we officially kick off How to Live Safely in a Science Fictional Universe: A Novel by Charles Yu, even if half of us are halfway through it. That's got to be some kind of asymptote. We also discuss a little Terry Pratchett, a dash of Joe Abercrombie and a helping of Patrick Rothfuss.

 

QUICK BURNS    
    
Greg Bear, Others Cry Foul on Project Gutenberg Copyright Call 
    
The December Adventure: io9's Guide To The Month's Science Fiction Awesomeness!   
    
    
BARE YOUR SWORD - feedback from the audience    
    
The Thread in Which We Suggest Books for Future Consideration   
    
Similarities With Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy   
    
Two Word Review(s?) no spoiler   
       
Book Kickoff/Wrapup    
    
Wired review of How to Live Safely in a Science Fictional Universe: A Novel by Charles Yu     
    
    
Tom is also reading The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss. Veronica just read some Terry Pratchett and both finished Joe Abercrombie's The Last Argument of Kings.

EMAILS:  
 
Hi Veronica & Tom,
I was very excited when my friend told me about your show. I'd been looking for a podcast about written science fiction and had started to despair. (We are, of course, awash in those discussing movies and TV, but as science fiction goes, that's a different animal altogether. So when my friend Chris told me about you, I was very happy, and so far, you have not disappointed.

That said, I'm sure you get all kinds of book suggestions, but I just have to throw my 2¢ in here. Brandon Sanderson's Mistborn trilogy is an amazing set of books. His descriptions are precise and vivid, his characters are involving, and his plotting is stunningly intricate. I got to the end and was shocked looking at how well he had planned the whole thing, and how tiny things that have been present from the start become of amazing significance in unexpected ways.

Since you've already had Mr. Sanderson on for an interview, I thought you might be receptive to this suggestion. I hope you pick this one soon, and if not . . . well, I'll probably still keep listening anyway.

Shawn Smith
a.k.a. Zaklog the Great

______________

    
About a month ago I found http://www.fictfact.com/ , see print screen below.  It tracks the series you are reading.  Once you mark the books in the series you have read or are following it sets up a list for the next book in the series.  If will show a list of the books that will be released soon.  They will email you if a book is added to a series you are following.  You can sort your Next Books in any order you prefer.  One other interesting thing, you can view your friends books if they use fictfact as well.  They just need to have a public profile.
 
I like it and I think you will too.
 
Thanks,
 
Craig, a S&L fan
    
ADDENDUMS    

This podcast is brought to you by Audible.com the internet’s leading provider of audiobooks with more than 75,000 downloadable titles across all types of literature and featuring audio versions of many New York Times Best Sellers. For listeners of this podcast, Audible is offering a free audiobook, to give you a chance to try out their service.
For a free audiobook of your choice go to audiblepodcast.com/sword. 
   
Partner Sticker Fu.  Use the code Sword1 and get 10% off the stickers.

Science fictional survival guide - The S&L Podcast #48

No more Arthur! - The S&L Podcast #47

Giveaway for The Once and Future King books! Post to the thread to win.

    
QUICK BURNS    
    
Did Harry Potter Really Steal All These Story Ideas?   
    
Worst book ever to win a Hugo   
    
Pulitzer Prize-Winning Novelist Tells the Tale of the World’s First Computer   
    
    
BARE YOUR SWORD - feedback from the audience    
    
What makes Arthur so great?   
    
Alternate History   
     
  
BOOK KICKOFF / WRAPUP   
    
We wrap up The Once and Future King and The Princess Bride .
    
Next book! - How to Live Safely in a Science Fictional Universe: A Novel by Charles Yu   
    

EMAILS

  
Just listened to Episode #46 where it was asked at what point is there good books to start off to get into Discworld. I too have been wondering how to get into reading Terry Prachett's books, so I did a little search and found this post from the Guys and Gals at BoingBoing. http://boingboing.net/2007/09/30/pratchetts-discworld.html#. Thought you might like it if someone has not already suggested it.

Thanks for all the hours of shows! Love everything you both do.

Chris

--------
    
Just listened to episode 46 and heard you pondering about where to start in the Discworld series. Well as someone who has absorbed the entire works of Terry Pratchett (TP) I would advise you not to worry about it and just jump into the series where ever you feel like.

The Discworld novels do not occur in chronological order with one underlining storyline.  Each book is its own individual story which just occurs within the Discworld universe. Characters constantly re-appear throughout the series however each book focus on one main character, therefore never encountering any of the characters before will not hinder your enjoyment.

However the Tiffany Aching books are aimed at younger audience than the rest of the discworld series, which results in the books having a different feel. Therefore I would recommend you to check out some of TP’s other works such as Guards, Guards, Interesting Times, Witches Abroad or Going postal to get a true feeling for the series.

YoYo

--------

Terry Pratchetts Author's Note in ""Lords and Ladies"":

By and large, most Discworld books have stood by themselves, as complete books. It helps to have read them in some kind of order, but it's not essential. This one is different. I can't ignore the history of what has gone before. [...]

So Pratchett has always tried to write the books Discworld books is such a manner that you can pick it up wherever you'd like. You might enjoy a couple of references and inside jokes if yu've read the whole series, but you shouldn't let it stop you if you're new to Pratchett. Especially not when it comes to the Tiffany Aching series.

In all fairness it is possible to group together ""series"" within the Discworld series that you might like to read in order. So that the handful of books starring Captain Vimes of the City guard would be more rewarding to read in their proper order, but it's entirely unimportant whether you read these before or after the books about the Lancre Witches. The Tiffany Aching books constitutes such a saga.

Martin
    
Thanks also to Gavin, Curt and Rob who wrote in about Pratchett orders as well! Kate also posted this helpful chart in the forums.

ADDENDUMS    

This podcast is brought to you by Audible.com the internet’s leading provider of audiobooks with more than 75,000 downloadable titles across all types of literature and featuring audio versions of many New York Times Best Sellers. For listeners of this podcast, Audible is offering a free audiobook, to give you a chance to try out their service.  For a free audiobook of your choice go to audiblepodcast.com/sword.

Our pick: METAtropolis: Cascadia

   
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No more Arthur! - The S&L Podcast #47

An ill-made crush - The S&L Podcast #46

This week we make our confessions about SteamPunk, ask a question about Terry Pratchett, and further explore The Once and Future King. Who does T. H. White hate more?  Women or the Irish?

QUICK BURNS   
   
Steampunk short stories in the style of classic steampunk tales   
   
Terry Pratchett's young witch comes of age at last   
   
Where did science fiction come from? A primer on the pulps.   
   
November SciFi Calendar from io9   
   
Sherlock Returning Autumn 2011   
   
Fan-made Ender's Game Trailer   
       
   
BARE YOUR SWORD - feedback from the audience   
   
Arthurian References in Other Books   
   
Amazon's Top SF&F Novels of 2010   
   
Charlie Stross: "Die, Steampunk! Die!"   
   
BOOK CHECK-IN
   
What are some of the main differences we've noticed between Mists of Avalon and The Once and Future King?
   
Does TH White hate women? What about the Irish?  And Irish women?
   
EMAILS:   

Tom& Veronica,

Just started listening & rather enjoying the show. Still catching up on a few back episodes to get the feel of things and somewhat shockingly found you scoring easy laughs at the expense of my nation's heritage ... yes, I'm Australian.

GREAT WORK!! Love a little mongrel on my podcasters.

Great content on the sci-fi and fantasy genre(s), too.

Thanks guys!

Charlie C
   
 

ADDENDUMS    
    
Partner Sticker Fu.  Use the code Sword1 and get 10% off the stickers at stickerfu.com

This podcast is brought to you by Audible.com the internet’s leading provider of audiobooks with more than 75,000 downloadable titles across all types of literature and featuring audio versions of many New York Times Best Sellers. For listeners of this podcast, Audible is offering a free audiobook, to give you a chance to try out their service.  For a free audiobook of your choice go to audiblepodcast.com/sword.

An ill-made crush - The S&L Podcast #46

Oh, King Pellinore - The S&L Podcast #45

We've got some scoops on how we feel halfway into The Once and Future King.  Some thoughts on the Princess Bride as the book relates to the movie, and a few hints on how to tell if you're living in a science fiction book or not.

QUICK BURNS    
    
Sci-Fi Writer Iain Banks Talks Surface Detail’s Hell, Creationist Heresy   
    
Pink Noise: hard-sf novella about the strange battles of the posthuman   
    
Science fiction from around the world, every week   
   
    
BARE YOUR SWORD - feedback from the audience    
    
Masterpiece Mystery! - new Sherlock Holmes   
    
Walking Dead on amc next sunday at 10   
    
King Pellinore   
    
    
EMAILS
    
I don't know if you have read it or not, Tom, but one of the best (and most plausible) series on your Arthurian theme is The Camulod Chronicles by Jack Whyte, starting with The Skystone and continuing for 8 more books.  It starts with Arthur's and Merlin's grandfathers who are Roman soldiers that decide to stay behind as the Roman armies withdraw back to Italy.  I think you must have read them after listening to episode 44, as you partially describe the premise.  I just thought that this series deserved a mention as one of the best re-tellings of the legend.

-Rodger 

---   
"I found this enjoyable, hope you do too!

Justin"   

ADDENDUMS    
    
Partner Sticker Fu.  Use the code Sword1 and get 10% off the stickers at stickerfu.com. 

This podcast is brought to you by Audible.com the internet’s leading provider of audiobooks with more than 75,000 downloadable titles across all types of literature and featuring audio versions of many New York Times Best Sellers. For listeners of this podcast, Audible is offering a free audiobook, to give you a chance to try out their service.  For a free audiobook of your choice go to audiblepodcast.com/sword. 

Oh, King Pellinore - The S&L Podcast #45

You know, for kids! - The S&L Podcast #44

We check in on our progress in The Once and Future King and The Princess Bride as well as deliver some exciting news on new releases and books being made into movies. (psst. One is a P. K. Dick book, so Tom's excited).

QUICK BURNS   
   
The ultimate guide to October's science fiction awesomeness!
   
Highly recommended: New Ted Chiang novella "The Lifecycle of Software Objects"   
   
The Making Of Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back
   
Pratchett's I Shall Wear Midnight, sentimental and fun book about a witch among enemies   
   
BARE YOUR SWORD - feedback from the audience   
   
Am I the only one who thinks this book is overrated?   
   
Anachronisms
   
How much Arthurian legend have you read before?   
     
   
Emails:
 
Hi Tom
Thought you might get excited about this.
 
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2010/oct/07/ridley-scott-sci-fi-philip-k-dick-bbc-drama
 
Appols if you habe rec'd it a hundred times. If it doesn't come out in the US I will DVD it for you.
 
Chris

----------------

Where can I get a t-shirt featuring your AWESOME logo?

Thanks in advance for your reply!

Peace,
John

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS

This podcast is brought to you by Audible.com the internet’s leading provider of audiobooks with more than 75,000 downloadable titles across all types of literature, including fiction, non-fiction and periodicals.   For a free audiobook of your choice, go to audiblepodcast.com/sword.

We suggested: The Sword and The Stone by T. H. White

Our partner Sticker Fu!  Use the code Sword1 and get 10% off the stickers at http://www.stickerfu.com/   
   

You know, for kids! - The S&L Podcast #44

The Once and Future Books- The S&L Podcast #43

It's hot in the Bay Area so we have to keep this episode short before Veronica melts.  And a good thing too or she might have kept adding books! We not only kick off T.H. White's The Once and Future King but Veronica adds a second book as well.

QUICK BURNS   
   
Terry Pratchett makes his own magic sword with meteoric iron   
   
Politics of storytelling with China Mieville   
   
Five scientists tell us about the most accurate science fiction in their fields   
   

BARE YOUR SWORD - feedback from the audience   
   
What books make you - want to toss it across the room   
   
Wheel of Time Book 13 is coming soon   
   
Book Trailers (and Trailer Books)   
   

Book Kickoff

  
The Once and Future King - T. H. White    It was first published in 1958 and is mostly a composite of earlier works written in a period between 1938 and 1941. More from Wikipedia.

Second pick - The Princess Bride    by William Goldman
   
Emails:   
   
Scott   

Love the podcast and the book discussions!  After hearing one of you mention it on one of Leo Laporte's shows I have gotten back into reading and really enjoy the new kindle also.  I've read a few of the previous books, World War Z and Bitter seeds, and they were really good.  I'll suggest Boneshaker by Cherie Preist.  The story is quite good.  I don't have a suggestion for a more "sword" focused book so I await the options as there will likely be a few good suggestions.  Keep up the great work!
   
ADDENDUMS   
   
Partner Sticker Fu.  Use the code Sword1 and get 10% off the stickers at www.stickerfu.com.  
       

    

The Once and Future Books- The S&L Podcast #43

Veronica gets spoiled - The S&L Podcast #42

Well folks it's wrap-up time for The Moon is Harsh Mistress and... sadly... Veronica hasn't finished.  But we wrap up anyway and Tom makes a shocking revelation that lets Veronica off the hook.  And he finished Moon, so it's not that.

QUICK BURNS        
        
New ‘Game of Thrones’ teaser (video)   
        
Why a universe-hopping entrepreneur may be your next big hero       
        
William Gibson reveals a "secret experiment" in his Bridge Trilogy, and ponders A.I.      

Gibson dropped some hints about a little stealth tie-in to Zero History  that's going to happen on Twitter soon. Let's just say that you should keep an eye on the Twitter accounts @gaydolphin1 and @gaydolphin2 - those of you who've read the novel know what those accounts are related to.
       
BARE YOUR SWORD - feedback from the audience        
        
Why did he die? (SPOILERS)
        
Human Judgment vs. Machines
        
The City & The City is a missed opportunity (SPOILERS)   
        
BOOK WRAP-UP      
        
The Moon is a Harsh Mistress

Veronica still has not finished, she's prepared for her flogging. Tom's thoughts?    

NEW BOOK

We're taking suggestions from Classic Fantasy on Goodreads then we'll put it up to a vote.  
        
EMAILS      
        
Hi Veronica, Tom
I will try and keep it pithy but I get "wordy" sometimes. :) I asked
the question at dragon con if future podcasts could contain a 5 minute
segment looking back at classic epic fantasy of the 70s and 80s when
readers were starving for good reads. I was thinking of producing my
own podcast on this subject but you guys have built a nice listener
base so you can do more with this than I.

In October, Stephen R. Donaldson will be releasing his newest novel,
"Against All Things Ending", the third book in a four book series that
completes the tale of Thomas Covenant he began in 1977 with the book
"Lord Foul's Bane". In the 70s & 80s Donaldson sold over 40 million
copies and was second only to Tollkien at one time. These books are
GOLD.

Another retro author with an impending release is Katherine Kurtz, who
will soon release the third book of her "Chylde Morgan" trilogy. This
is also a tale that began back in the 70s.

These two great authors have been overshadowed by Jordan and Martin
but are easily their equals or better. Please put these on your
reading list and introduce this generation's readers to some classic
epic fantasy.

If I can be of any assistance in the production of this segment please
don't hesitate to let me know.

Regards,
Roman Thompson 

************

Veronica and Tom,
A late addition, but just finished reading Accelerando by Charles Stross. The Earth and the inner planets are completely deconstructed and rebuilt into data storage and processing power for the digital needs of the human race. So, voluntary, resource savvy, non-Armageddon style Earth recycling.

Regards,
Peter Hourigan

The following is an excerpt from the Wikipedia page.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Accelerando_(novel)

Plot concepts
In Accelerando, the planets of the solar system are dismantled to form a Matrioshka brain, a vast computational device inhabited by minds inconceivably more complex than naturally evolved intelligences such as human beings. This proves to be a normal stage in the life cycle of an inhabited solar system; the galaxies are filled with Matrioshka brains, communicating via wormhole networks. Lesser intelligences may live unmolested around brown dwarf stars.
 

************ 

I just listened to #40. I highly recommend Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell in the audio version. I got this at my library and it was very good. Don't give up on the somewhat boring beginning, it's a superb story.
 
Thanks for the great podcasts!
 
Peggy Poellot

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This podcast is brought to you by Audible.com the internet’s leading provider of audiobooks with more than 75,000 downloadable titles across all types of literature, including fiction, non-fiction and periodicals.   For a free audiobook of your choice, go to audiblepodcast.com/sword.

We suggested:

The City and The City, by China Mieville, read by John Lee

Zero History, by William Gibson Narrated by Robertson Dean

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Veronica gets spoiled - The S&L Podcast #42

Dragon*Con with David Gerrold - The S&L Podcast #41

Another year, another Dragon*Con come and gone! Thanks to everyone who came out to the live show at the Hilton in Atlanta, we had a total blast. A very special "thank you" goes out to our wonderful guest, author David Gerrold (who famously wrote The Trouble with Tribbles for the original Trek). So please enjoy this extra long episode, and stay tuned for the video version coming soon!

QUICK BURNS
Hugo Award Winners 

2010 Parsec Award Winners

The ultimate guide to September's science fiction awesomeness!

Open DOORWAYS with George R.R. Martin

Neal Stephenson Unveils His Digital Novel Platform

INTERVIEW
Bio: David Gerrold - a winner of the Hugo Award and the Nebula Award - is the author of dozens of novels, including Jumping Off the Planet, Bouncing Off the Moon, The Man Who Folded Himself, When Harlie was One, and the The War Against the Chtorr series.

A prolific screenwriter as well as a novelist - he wrote the hugely popular The Trouble with Tribbles episode for the original Star Trek television series.
Reccomendations:

Jumping off the Planet

The Martian Child

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Dragon*Con with David Gerrold - The S&L Podcast #41

Dragon*Con plans unveiled - The S&L Podcast #040

So we announce the details on our LIVE Sword and Laser recording (yes live recording, I know) on Sunday September 5 at 4 PM, as well as our Sword and Laser meetup! (details below). We also bring news of time travel, murderous novel characters, and HUGE novels worth the tackling.

QUICK BURNS    
    
Unwritten 2: pulse-pounding graphic novel shows the grim and selfish ways that people use stories   
    
China Miéville explains theology, magic, and why JJ Abrams hates you   
    
Interview with zombie books author Max Brooks   
    
Escaping the time machine in Charles Yu's "How To Live Safely In A Science Fictional Universe"   
    
Heinlein memoir: LEARNING CURVE - the secret history of science fiction   
    
This podcast is brought to you by Audible.com the internet’s leading provider of audiobooks with more than 75,000 downloadable titles across all types of literature and featuring audio versions of many New York Times Best Sellers. For listeners of this podcast, Audible is offering a free audiobook, to give you a chance to try out their service. For a free audiobook of your choice go to audiblepodcast.com/sword.  
Tom recommends The Dark Tower by Stephen King    

BARE YOUR SWORD - feedback from the audience    
    
2005 Movie script for TMHM   
    
What Else Are You Reading? August 2010 Edition   
    
Mighty Tomes You Plan to Read... eventually   
    
   
EMAIL: 

Greetings Veronica and Tom,
 
Imagine my surprise during the most recent episode's discussion of great television and literary crossovers when you failed to mention what has to be the single greatest crossover event in literary history:
 
Planet X by Michael Jan Friedman, featuring the crew of Jean-Luc Picard's USS Enterprise and Professor Xavier's mighty mutants, the X-Men.
 
A case of fan fiction gone legit?
 
Thanks for the show. I enjoy it a great deal.
 
Cheers,
Beth

DRAGON*CON!

Sword and Laser will record in front of a live studio audience at 4 PM Sunday, September 5 at the International North – Hyatt.   Joining us will be special guest David Gerrold. The entire Dragon*Con podcasting track can be found here.
    
We'll also be tagging along for the TWiT meetup at 6 PM at the Sun Dial Restaurant and Bar Saturday September 4.  T-shirts and pens galore! 

RSVP on the Goodreads event page!
    
Don't forget our Partner Sticker Fu.  Use the code Sword1 and get 10% off thir awesomely geeky stickers! 

Dragon*Con plans unveiled - The S&L Podcast #040

Heinlein fans are a harsh mistress - The S&L Podcast #039

We're halfway through The Moon is a Harsh Mistress, but we have some non-spoilery insights to share from ourselves and the book club discussions on Goodreads. We also talk about some of our favorite SciFi crossovers and this whole crazy new world of eBooks, audio books and 'enhanced' eBooks.

QUICK BURNS
   
The dystopian novel that's turning China upside down   
   
Simon & Schuster Look To ‘Enhanced’ E-Books Beyond Apps    
   
The 11 greatest, craziest sci-fi crossovers in television history   
   
Summer science fiction explosion: The io9 guide to August  
   

BARE YOUR SWORD - feedback from the audience   
   
Heinlein is a weak-minded, adolescent authoritarian   
   
Turing Method - A defintion of self awareness   
   
Do Audiobooks count as reading?   


ADDENDUMS   

This podcast is brought to you by Audible.com the internet’s leading provider of audiobooks with more than 75,000 downloadable titles across all types of literature, including fiction, non-fiction and periodicals.   For a free audiobook of your choice, go to audiblepodcast.com/sword.

   
Check out our Partner Sticker Fu.  Use the code Sword1 and get 10% off stickers.
    

Heinlein fans are a harsh mistress - The S&L Podcast #039

Handwritten for your enjoyment - The S&L Podcast #038

Just an overview of some news and few discussions from the Goodreads forums this week, including the H.G. Wells story competition that banned science fiction and required everything to be handwritten. HUH?!

QUICK BURNS - News 
   
Veronica and Tom's ComiCon adventures!   
   
Words to live by: advice from 34 science fiction/fantasy authors   
   
H.G. Wells short story contest bans science fiction, and gets no entries   
   
Best selling SciFi on Amazon right now - Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury   
   
Best selling fantasy on Amazon right now Sookie Stackhouse the 8-copy boxed set   
   
Also preorders of Towers of Midnight (Wheel of Time) is number 4 overall best SciFi Fantasy (comes out November 2)   
   

RELEASE THE KRAKEN! -- or some books

"The Terminal State (Avery Cates) [Mass Market Paperback] -  Jeff Somers "    7/27/2010

Diane Duane - Omnitopia Dawn: Omnitopia #1 [Hardcover]    8/3/2010
   
Sheri S. Tepper - The Water's Rising    8/31/2010
   
Brandon Sanderson - The Way of Kings     8/31/2010

AD

This podcast is brought to you by Audible.com the internet’s leading provider of audiobooks with more than 75,000 downloadable titles across all types of literature, including fiction, non-fiction and periodicals. 
For a free audiobook of your choice, go to audiblepodcast.com/sword. 

Veronica's reading "Time Traveller's Wife By Audrey Niffenegger
Narrated by William Hope and Laurel Lefkow"
   

BARE YOUR SWORD - feedback from the audience   
   
A model of self sufficiency   
   
Missing Words   
   
Quotations - add your favorites   
   
Game Books   
   
   
BOOK CHECK-IN   

The Moon is a Harsh Mistress - Robert Heinlein   
   

EMAIL:   
 
Hello Veronica and Tom,
A pleasure to listen to you! I follow both of you on your respective sites(a Twit fanatic and a Patrick Norton wannabe Winking smile emoticon), and just recently found Sword and Laser due to an off the cuff remark from Tom on TNT. I was an avid reader of books long before there were computers, so imagine my excitement when I heard you discussing old friends! I have never sent a fan mail/response to anyone before so forgive me if I ramble a bit.

Thanks for all the suggestions Glenn!   
   

ADDENDUMS   

Use the code Sword1 and get 10% off the stickers at Sticker Fu  
    

Handwritten for your enjoyment - The S&L Podcast #038

The Moon is a Harsh Mistress (kickoff) – The S&L Podcast #037

It's a catch-up episode with some cool news from the world of the past predicting the world of the future, as well as some data on why eBooks might take you longer to read.  And we kick off the new book club pick, The Moon is  Harsh Mistress by Robert Heinlein.

QUICK BURNS
   
Earliest utopian novel by an American woman: 300 Years Hence, 1836   
   
Reading E-Books Takes Longer Than Reading Paper Books   
   
Gateways: Tribute to Fred Pohl with stories by Bear, Benford, Brin, Bova, Gaiman, Harrison, Haldeman and me!   
   
RELEASE THE KRAKEN -- or some books
   
The Unit by Tery DeHart - July 14
Scott Pilgrim's Finest Hour - B.L. O'Malley July 20
Star Wars: The Old Republic Fatal Alliance - Sean Williams - July 20
The Reluctant Mage - Karen Miller - July 28
   
BARE YOUR SWORD - feedback from the audience   
   
SDCC -- Who's In?   
   
TMHM: Action! Adventure! Exciting Debate!   
   
Searching for Spy-fi  

Book Kickoff  

The Moon is  Harsh Mistress - Robert Heinlein  (wikipedia article) 
   
Notes on the upcoming monster-sized authorized Heinlein biography   
   
EMAILS
   
Hi Veronica and Tom!
 
I just wanted to add yet another to the growing group of people that Veronica has introduced to the Temeraire series.  I just finished the first one and absolutely loved it.  Can't wait to read the next one!  As a note of interest, I downloaded the Kindle app for my iPhone just so that I could download His Majesty's Dragon from the Kindle store.  I don't have an eReader (yet), and am not completely sold on the Kindle, but I really enjoyed reading this book on my phone.
 
Thanks so much for the great podcast!
 
Jennifer   
 
   
ADDENDUMS   

This podcast is brought to you by Audible.com the internet’s leading provider of audiobooks with more than 75,000 downloadable titles across all types of literature, including fiction, non-fiction and periodicals. 
For a free audiobook of your choice, go to audiblepodcast.com/sword.

   
Partner Sticker Fu.  Use the code Sword1 and get 10% off the stickers. 

The Moon is a Harsh Mistress (kickoff) – The S&L Podcast #037

Anthropomorphic cat detective! – The S&L Podcast #036

This week we round up a lot of news and discussions ranging from the release of the Kraken book, to what Jane Goodall reads at the beach. Plus we begin the quest to pick our next book.

QUICK BURNS

The Darkest Lie by Gena Showalter currently top-selling scifi/fantasy on Amazon     
    
Out this week: Kraken by China Mieville  
    
Scientists recommend their favorite beach reading   
    
Octavia Butler, Roger Zelazny, and Richard Matheson inducted into the Science Fiction Hall of Fame   
    
Blacksad: hardboiled detective fiction about anthropomorphic animals (no, really)    l
    
BARE YOUR SWORD - feedback from the audience    
    
Spoilery: The Moralities and (Necessary?) Evils of the Redeker Plan   
    
Realpolitik and the Zombie Menace   
    
Modern profanity breaks fantasy immersion??   
    
Book Kickoff soon. Look for the poll on the website.    
We'll be making the poll soon, so give us your ideas before we make up our minds and get set in our ways!  Even if it's just an author or a type of novel.     
    
Emails:

Hey Veronica and Tom,

First, let me say I'm liking the greater frequency of S&L. Hope to see more.

Add me to the tally of people Veronica has introduced to Temeraire. I recently finished Victory of Eagles; it's an amazing series and I look forward to more.

Game of Thrones on HBO. Here's the thing about the Ice and Fire books. They are incredible books, however I had to stop reading after the 3rd one because it literally depressed me. If the HBO series is near as good, I doubt I'll be able to watch it, which is too bad.

Also, I vote for a video version of S&L on TWiT.tv

Anyway, cheers and thanks for the great book-lovers podcast.

Simon
    
    
    
ADDENDUMS    
    
Thanks to our partner Sticker Fu.  Use the code Sword1 and get 10% off the stickers!

Anthropomorphic cat detective! – The S&L Podcast #036

Give zombies a chance – The S&L Podcast #035

A brief episode this week just to gush about the new Game of Thrones trailer on HBO and get us all squared away on reading World War Z, plus a few alternates if you just don't think you like zombies.  But come on, all we are saying is give zombies a chance.

QUICK BURNS - unrelated news of the week
   
Haven  promo gives us a glimpse of new Stephen King on TV   
   
Interactive guide to Larry Niven's Ringworld is the next best thing to going there   
   
   
BARE YOUR SWORD - feedback from the audience   
   
Game of Thrones Teaser   
   
The Wise Man's Fear by Patrick Rothfuss has a pub date!   
   
Zombies They Are a Changin'   
   
Book Kickoff   
   
World War Z by Max Brooks   
        
Emails:

I have just started listening to S&L (had to get a Tom fix after he left BOL). I am a bit late on this discussion but, on the topic of books where Earth is destroyed, in the Death Gate Cycle novels the Earth is ""sundered"" and used to make four new worlds (plus a small gateway world and a living prison world) each based on one of the four elements. That's about as destroyed as you can get.

I was also wondering whether either of you have read Neal Stephenson's first novel ""The Big U"" which has fantastical elements (although it would be more accurately described as satire than fantasy or scifi). This is actually my favorite of his novels because it does not take itself at all seriously.
I do love your show.

-Leif from Oakland

   
Don't forget Sticker Fu.  Use the code Sword1 and get 10% off the stickers at www.stickerfu.com.   
   


Give zombies a chance – The S&L Podcast #035

No Zombies before bedtime – The S&L Podcast #034

In this episode we learn that some people hate Zombies, some are well prepared for them, and some people get very distrubed if they read zombe stories before bedtime. Of course it's not all zombies.  Sometimes it's para-narratives. And occasionally the Roman Empire. But isn't it always?

Neal Stephenson, Greg Bear and friends launch The Mongoliad: a shared universe that could only live on the Web   
    
Neal Stephenson's "Diamond Age" turning into miniseries for SyFy   
    
Effinger's WHEN GRAVITY FAILS: super-noir cyberpunk Middle East   
    
Great moments in alternate history: the non-fall of the Roman empire  
    
BARE YOUR SWORD - feedback from the audience    
    
What Else Are You Reading June 2010 Edition  
    
What is your zombie apocalypse contingency plan?   
    
Our next book will be: World War Z: An oral history of the zombie war by Max Brooks
   
Emails:    
You asked about stories where the Earth was destroyed…
Beastmaster by Andre Norton
Not actually destroyed in the book but dealing with the aftermath. That’s close isn’t it?
She was awesome!

Ross 

***

Somebody has probably mentioned this but in 'When Worlds Collide', by George Pal, the Earth is destroyed due to an impact with another planet. Happily, there is another planet that arrives at the same time, and some people move there.
kent

***

This podcast is brought to you by Audible.com, the internet’s leading provider of audiobooks with more than 75,000 downloadable titles across all types of literature and featuring audio versions of many New York Times Best Sellers. For listeners of this podcast, Audible is offering a free audiobook, to give you a chance to try out their service. For a free audiobook of your choice go to audiblepodcast.com/sword.

New partner Sticker Fu.  Use the code Sword1 and get 10% off the stickers at www.stickerfu.com

No Zombies before bedtime – The S&L Podcast #034

Interview with Bitter Seeds author Ian Tregillis – The S&L Podcast #033

This week, we wrap up Bitter Seeds by Ian Tregillis with our opinions, your opinions, and Ian Tregillis's opinions. (Yes, he's on the show for an interview). We also look at June SciFi/Fantasy events thanks to IO9. June is pretty danged busy!

BARE YOUR SWORD - feedback from the audience    
    
Bitter Seeds  > *Spoilers* Final thoughts?   
    
Bitter Seeds  > Your superpower?    

This podcast is brought to you by Audible.com the internet’s leading provider of audiobooks with more than 75,000 downloadable titles across all types of literature and featuring audio versions of many New York Times Best Sellers. For listeners of this podcast, Audible is offering a free audiobook, to give you a chance to try out their service. For a free audiobook of your choice go to audiblepodcast.com/sword.
        
Audible Recommendation:        
Martian Time-Slip and The Golden Man by Philip K. Dick    
        
        
Don't forget our partner Sticker Fu.  Use the code Sword1 and get 10% off the stickers at www.stickerfu.com.    

Interview with Bitter Seeds author Ian Tregillis – The S&L Podcast #033