Interview with Joe Abercrombie - The S&L Podcast #56

Photo by Lou AbercrombieWe have the pleasure of talking with Joe Abercrombie, author of The First Law trilogy and his most recent book, set in the same world, The Heroes. We also delve into the darker nature of fantasy these days, how that thieving leech Tolkien stole all of Joe's ideas and then time traveled backwards to make them look like his own, and we take some questions from Twitter.

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. On Audible now: The Heroes by Joe Abercrombie.

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

Interview with Joe Abercrombie - The S&L Podcast #56

Dancing for joy about dragons - The S&L Podcast #55

Yes my friends, we heard A Dance with Dragons by George R. R. Martin got a release date of July 12!  So we get very excited about that as well as sharing a little insight into the scents of Westeros and the Dothraki Highlands. Plus a report from the Patrick Rothfuss signing!

QUICK BURNS

A Dance with Dragons will be released July 12!!!

More GAME OF THRONES TV goodness

The Game of Thrones scent pack

Violet Blue's photo gallery

Rothfuss pledges to buy Firefly from Fox and give it away

Report from the SF in SF event with Patrick Rothfuss and Gail Carriger

LotR Rewritten From a Mordor Perspective

Shadowmarch by Tad Williams

CALENDAR

3/15/2011
The Gravity Pilot by M. M. Buckner
3/22/2011
Black Halo by Sam Sykes
Kings of the North by Elizabeth Moon
3/29/2011
Embedded by Dan Abnett
The Land of Painted Caves by Jean M. Auel
Tiassa by Steven Brust
Deathless by Catherynne M. Valente

BARE YOUR SWORD - feedback from the audience

Jim Butcher posted sample chaper from Ghost

Father Inire's Fish (reference spoiler, Shadow, ch 20)

BOOK Check-in The Shadow of the Torturer Shadow & Claw: The First Half of 'The Book of the New Sun' (Book of the Long Sun)

EMAIL:

Just listened to your podcast # 53 Shadow and Claw.

There was some discussion about whether middle earth was our world previously. And Veronica was fairly adamant about it not being our world.

A few things I have always heard. First off in The Hobbit in the very beginning Tolkien pretty much said that Hobbits were still around and that they used their ""Magic"" to escape being seen by us ""dumb clumsy humans"

Also I had always heard that Tolkien was upset about England not having it's own mythology and that is why he wrote the Silmarillion.

Just some thoughts I had about that. Wondered what you guys thought.

Thanks,
David Mitchell

---

Hi.
I'm a first time listener from Korea and really enjoyed the last two episodes. I always wanted to find a podcast that contains the information about SFF books. Most of the SF podcasts deal with mostly flims or games. It's really good to have a show like sword and laser=)

Since I'm from Korea, the numbers of SFF authors I know are very limited. But I got to know some authors thanks to your show.

It's quite hard for me to get copies of books cuz most of the books haven't even been translated into Korean(except for the universially famous books like Harry Poter or Lord of the Ring series). So the only chance I've got is to get the e-book copy from the internet. The reason I brought up this matter is that it might be good to have an episode about classic SFF books you can get free on the internet(Project Gutenberg and stuff). You put some of your favourite classic novels in the episode. It would be great!=)

Anyway I really like listening to your show and keep up the good work!

Much Love, Bini

Help Bini out at this thread

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. On Audible now: The Wise Man's Fear by Patrick Rothfuss

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

Dancing for joy about dragons - The S&L Podcast #55

Interview with Patrick Rothfuss - The S&L Podcast #54

Patrick Rothfuss

We have the distinct pleasure of interviewing Patrick Rothfuss, author of The Name of the Wind and the forthcoming A Wise Man's Fear, which hits bookshelves March 1. We find out that the four corners of civilization had some tabletop roots, we determine Jim Butcher is a cylon who consorts with dark powers and reveal that Patrick has written a first pass at the ending of the Kingkiller Chronicle. But don't get selfish. He and George R. R. Martin are on the same team after all. He promises it shouldn't take horribly long to finish, but even if it does, we're certain it's worth the wait.

QUICK BURNS

GOOD OMENS coming to television

A Doctor Who writer breathes new life into the "magical detective" novel

Another great map of Westeros

Locus List of the best genre fiction of 2010 - a cheat sheet for Hugo nominators

An Invitation to Westeros - new video for game of thrones

INTERVIEW

Patrick Rothfuss

From Wikipedia - Patrick James Rothfuss (born June 6, 1973) is an American fantasy writer and college lecturer. He is the author of the projected three-volume series The Kingkiller Chronicle, which was rejected by several publishing companies before the first book of the series, The Name of the Wind, was published in 2007 by DAW/Penguin, which went on to receive critical acclaim and become a New York Times best seller.

The Kingkiller Chronicle

The Name of the Wind (April 2007)

The Wise Man's Fear (March 2011)

The Doors of Stone (working title)

Books Patrick mentioned he has been reading or is looking forward to:

The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms, Book 1 (The Inheritance Trilogy) By N.K. Jemisin

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Ghost Story (Dresden Files, No. 13) by Jim Butcher

ADDENDUMS

Sword and Laser 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.

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

Interview with Patrick Rothfuss - The S&L Podcast #54

Shadow and Claw - The S&L Podcast #53

All is good this episode as we wrap up Good Omens, kick off the Book fo the New Sun, and learn how to properly pronounce Neil Gaiman. Plus Josh Lawrence joins us to share his knowledge of Gene Wolfe.

QUICK BURNS

RIP Margaret John

Joe Abercrombie's new novel, The Heroes, has debuted at #3 on The Sunday Times bestseller list in the UK

SONG OF ICE AND FIRE comic on the way

io9 guide to February's scifi/fantasy

Boston Science Fiction Film Festival Feb. 11-21

2/7/2011 (US) The Heroes by Joe Abercrombie

2/7/2011 Deep State by Walter Jon Williams

2/8/2011(2/17 on Kindle) The Bitter seed of Magic by Suzanne McLeod - unless Genny can find a way to break the fertility curse afflicting London's fae, she knows this is just the lull before the magical storm. Then a faeling - a teenage girl - is fished out of the River Thames, dead and bound with magic, and Genny is called into investigate. As she digs through the clues, her search takes a sinister and dangerous turn, exposing age-old secrets that might be better left buried.

2/8/2011 The Scar-Crow Men by M. Chadbourne The year is 1593. The London of Elizabeth I is in the terrible grip of the Black Death. As thousands die from the plague and the queen hides behind the walls of her palace, English spies are being murdered across the city. The killer's next target: Will Swyfte.5

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

Bantam Books (UK): 21 February

Tor US: 1 March

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

Gollancz (UK): 1 March

DAW (USA): 1 March

Patrick Rothfuss ON TOUR!! "San Francisco March 3rd, SF in SF Reading Series

BARE YOUR SWORD - feedback from the audience

Ever read a book where you *hated* the hero/protagonist?

We Forgive You, Veronica...

BOOK WRAP-UP

Good Omens

So, that ending...

Subversion of religious idioms.

Light entertainment - the Aziraphale and Crowley show

Could have done without Newt and Anatahema. (V would spare Shadwell for the accent)

Didn't like Adam? Why? Was he supposed to be likable?

Would you reccomend it?

BOOK KICK-OFF

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

The Shadow of the Torturer: The Book of the New Sun, Book (audiobook)

Other resources

Lexicon Urthus: A Dictionary for the Urth Cycle

invaluable, but somewhat spoilery

GURPS New Sun

roleplaying campaign sourcebook based on the books, for the GURPS RPG system

mega-spoilery

Big influence on New Sun:

Jack Vance's The Dying Earth

WolfeWiki

Where to find Josh Lawrence:

Bite Club podcast

Two Song Shot

EMAILS:

Hello Veronica and Tom,

This is totally unrelated to books but I was so excited when Veronica said she had been to a Get Up Kids show. I grew up in Kansas City and remember going to one of their first shows at a local all ages club in KC when I was in high school and their, at the time, last show at the Granada in Lawrence years later. They are still one of my favorite bands and listening to them always makes me homesick. Thanks for that extra moment of fun during the show, which was also great fun on the book-related information front.

I always enjoy the podcast, thanks for all the great work!

Cheers,

Beth

***

Hi Tom and Veronica

Longtime listener, avid forum poster... but you may have missed someone's comment about how to correctly pronounce Gaiman so I thought I'd send it again.

From his mouth directly!

http://www.teachingbooks.net/pronounce.cgi?aid=1433

GAYman. GAYman. Not GUYman.

Hehe. I just thought we should do our living authors justice, particularly when you are growing in popularity. Who knows, maybe he would one day want to stop by for a quick interview. But only if you say his name properly!!

Cheers,

Jenny

***

Hey S&L,

I thought you might be interested to know that Terry Pratchett's next

novel, Snuff, has been given a date! The book is coming out on October

13, 2011 (http://themorporkian.com/news/snuff-gets-a-release-date/)

and there is also what looks like a blurb for the book in the linked

piece.

Also, after hearing your discussion on whether Pratchett or Gaimen

came up with Pollution, the horseman of the apocalypse, I wondered if

you'd heard of Ronnie? Ronnie stars in The Thief of Time, and is ""The

Fifth Horseman of the Apocalypse, who retired before they became

famous.""

Love the show.

English John from England

ADDENDUMS

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

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. 

Shadow and Claw - The S&L Podcast #53

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    
    
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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 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

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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 Sword and The Stone by T. H. White

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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   
   
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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

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 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