S&L Podcast - #153 - Peter V. Brett is the Dark David Hasselhoff of Fantasy

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We talk with Peter V. Brett about his Demon Cycle books, the grim world of dark fantasy, his old HP iPaq and why he's so big in Germany.

Peter V. Brett's website    
About Peter V. Brett on Wikipedia    

To get in on the D&D action at ConFusion and possibly see Myke Cole's head get shaved visit Worldbuilders.org.

And check out the Not Playing Podcast: 002 Die Hard on the Boing Boing Podcast Network!

Direct download link to podcast here!

Get a downloadable version of the video here.

We talk with Peter V. Brett about his Demon Cycle books, the grim world of dark fantasy, his old HP iPaq and why he's so big in Germany. Peter V. Brett's website About Peter V. Brett on Wikipedia To get in on the D&D action at ConFusion and possibly see Myke Cole's head get shaved visit Worldbuilders.org.

S&L Podcast - #152 - Ancillary Justice Wrap-up with Author Ann Leckie

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Two big reasons to cheer on this episode. One, you backed us, you really backed us, and we have 12 glorious episodes of the video Sword and Laser authors guides coming next year. Two, author Ann Leckie joins us to wrap up Ancillary Justice!

WHAT ARE WE DRINKING?    
Tom:    Yorkshire Gold Tea
Veronica:    Water
    
QUICK BURNS    
    
We funded!! Thank you so much to everyone who backed the Season 2 Kickstarter. We’ll send out updates as we get details on things like add-ons and of course shoot dates and post dates for the shows!

Own William Gibson's bomber jacket!    
Neil Gaiman wrote this fairy tale short film about a girl that can fly    
Crowdfunding an sf/f mag for teens    
Singularity & Co. is saving the sci-fi, one pulp novel at a time.     
The Top 101 Science Fiction Adventures   

CALENDAR
       
TV, MOVIES AND VIDEO GAMES    
Guillermo Del Toro's TV series greenlit    
HBO no longer developing AMERICAN GODS    
Adaptation Watch: Robert J. Sawyer’s TRIGGERS Optioned for Film, Sawyer to Write Screenplay    
J.R.R. Tolkien Biopic Being Developed   

    
BOOK KICK-OFF    

A Natural History of Dragons: A Memoir by Lady Trent by Marie Brennan    

BOOK WRAP-UP    

Ancillary Justice by Ann Leckie    
       
EMAIL    
    
Dear Tom and Veronica (and Tom's dogs)

Just dropping a quick line to say that I really enjoyed your Myke Cole interview - Myke came across as a really engaging, gracious and humble guy, and I've downloaded Control Point to Kindle so that I can make a start on Shadow Ops.

Thanks, as always, for Sword and Laser - I'm afraid that I'm struggling a bit with Ancillary Justice this month, but regardless of how I'm getting on with the month's read, the podcast contains so much discussion of Sci-Fi/Fantasy as a whole that it's a must-listen, each week.

All the best from the UK

Ralph aka slowfox
    
ADDENDUMS    

This podcast is brought to you by Audible.com the internet’s leading provider of audiobooks with more than 150,000 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.

This episode is brought to you by Squarespace, the all-in-one platform that makes it fast and easy to create your own professional website or online portfolio. For a free trial and 10% off, go to squarespace.com and use offer code SWORD11.

Download podcast here!

S&L Podcast - #151 - Myke Cole Will Kick Your Ass For Free

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We have the distinct pleasure of chatting with author Myke Cole about his Shadow Ops series, playing D&D with SFF authors and how he took on the challenge of writing from the POV of a 12-year-old-girl. Plus he offers free ass-kickings if you need writing motivation right now. It is NaNoWriMo, after all. 

Staffers Book Review (The link to Justin's blog we promised!)

Podcast download link!

Downloadable versions of video.

S&L Podcast - #149 - Interview with Nicholas Kaufmann

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This week we introduce you to Nicholas Kaufman, author of the new book Dying Is My Business  among many others! We cover questions about writing in an urban-fantasy world, whether self-publishing is worth it, and mispronouncing names (we'll give you one guess who started that topic...).

Nicholas Kaufmann's website 
http://www.nicholaskaufmann.com/

Nicholas Kaufman's Live Journal
http://nick-kaufmann.livejournal.com/

[GUEST POST] Nicholas Kaufmann on Why Some Boxes Should Never Be Opened
http://www.sfsignal.com/archives/2013/10/guest-post-nicholas-kaufmann-on-why-some-boxes-should-never-be-opened/

Download the video here. 

Direct link to podcast!

S&L Podcast - #148 - Kick-off Ancillary Justice by Ann Leckie

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We’re back and our Kickstarter is funded!  Hooray! That means Sword and Laser video episodes will return. And if we make our stretch goal you might get even more! We’re also here to wrap-up Boneshaker by Cherie Priest and Kick-off our November book from NaNoWriMo victor and first-time novelist Ann Leckie, Ancillary Justice.

CALENDAR

BOOK KICK-OFF

Ancillary Justice by Ann Leckie
Inside 'Ancillary Justice': Q&A with Sci-Fi Author Ann Leckie
A Skillfully Composed Space Opera In 'Ancillary Justice'
“Nothing quite clarifies your thoughts like thinking you’re about to die.” Ann Leckie’s Ancillary Justice

BOOK WRAP-UP

Boneshaker (Clockwork Century) by Cherie Priest

Themes: Steampunk & Apathy

What did you think of the ending?

BARE YOUR SWORD

NaNoWriMo 2013 Folder
Divide and Conquer: A NaNoWriMo Alternative

EMAIL

I love the podcast but I have one tiny correction to what Tom said about ebooks and libraries. At least at the library district where I work, we can only lend out one copy of an ebook to one patron at a time. In other words, the ebook works just like a physical book. We have to buy multiple licenses in order for more than one person to check out a particular title. Also, some publishes put a limit on the number of checkouts a title can have. After that limit is hit, we have to buy another copy of the ebook.

Keep up the great work!

Chris

ADDENDUMS

Get Tom's new book 'Lot Beta' at tommerrittbooks.com

Sign-up for Veronica's vampire-unfriendly gift box at quarterly.co.

This podcast is brought to you by Audible.com the internet’s leading provider of audiobooks with more than 150,000 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.

This episode is brought to you by Squarespace, the all-in-one platform that makes it fast and easy to create your own professional website or online portfolio. For a free trial and 10% off, go to squarespace.com and use offer code SWORD10.

 

S&L Podcast - #147 - Interview with Bradley P. Beaulieu

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Bradley P. Bealieu, author of The Lays of Anuskaya,  was nice enough to take some time to chat with us about his books, his blogs and more. He's even a podcaster! We milk for details about his forthcoming book Twelve Kings in Sharakhai and put a few of your questions to him as well. Enjoy!

Bradley P. Bealieu's website Quillings.com

Download direct file here! 

S&L Podcast - #146 - Are you there zombie? It's me, Veronica

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Are ebooks killing reading? Why do zombies exist? What is Veronica drinking? All of these-- SOME of these questions, and more are answered on another thrilling edition of Sword and Laser.  

 WHAT ARE WE DRINKING?

Tom: Sutter Home Chardonnay

Veronica: Wine!

QUICK BURNS

WINNERS: 2013 Aurora Award

R. Scott Bakker completes THE UNHOLY CONSULT

Talking to Jo Fletcher About the British Invasion of U.S. Publishing

Video interview with Scott Lynch

Learn a New Language with this Animated Video Explanation of Elvish, Klingon, Dothraki and Na’vi

How L.A.'s "Last Bookstore" evolved from post-apocalyptic to magical

The Abomination of Ebooks: They Price People Out of Reading

CALENDAR

TV, MOVIES AND VIDEO GAMES

Sleepy Hollow on Fox

BOOK CHECK-IN

Boneshaker (Clockwork Century) by Cherie Priest

Boneshaker a Visual Guide (Spoiler-free Goodreads thread link)

BARE YOUR SWORD

You lost me at "zombies"

Did You Suffer Eighth Grade Syndrome?

Urban Fantasy Where to Start?

EMAIL

So I was just looking for a particular book that was recommended on the S&L video show a while ago. It's actually out of print and there are no e-book or audio versions available. The only copies on ebay were expensive first editions. Since there are no viable options to give money to the author (in this case his estate) or the publisher/rights holder, what are your thoughts on pirating such hard-to-find works (i.e., searching for an unauthorized epub version)? - Eric

ADDENDUMS

Veronica Tuckerizations for Robot Army! A Tuckerization is when an author writes the name of a person into their story. Only 2 Veronica Tuckerizations are available. They're priced at $100 a pop, but that gets you the Tuckerization as well as a copy of the anthology ebook. Back the Kickstarter!

Tom has a new book

[GUEST POST] Tom Merritt on His Science Fiction Retelling of King Arthur

This podcast is brought to you by Audible.com the internet’s leading provider of audiobooks with more than 150,000 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.

This episode is brought to you by Squarespace, the all-in-one platform that makes it fast and easy to create your own professional website or online portfolio. For a free trial and 10% off, go to squarespace.com and use offer code SWORD10.

Direct download link!

S&L Podcast - #145 - Hangout with Rob Reid

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It's been a year since we interviewed Rob Reid and so much has changed.  The price of his book has changed! His species has changed! Well, no. He's still human.  But his book did become 99 cents.  He explains why he loves this, and the mystery of the OTHER Rob Reid.  It's spoooooooky.

Year Zero by Rob Reid

YEAR ZERO EBOOK (BRIEFLY) AT 99¢ – AND THOUGHTS ON FREE VS. CHEAP VS. PRICEY

Download direct link to podcast!

Get a video download here. 

S&L Podcast - #144 - Kick-off Boneshaker by Cherie Priest

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Find out why Veronica liked a laser book better than Tom. Who's Hugo-award winning short story is becoming a TV show? And get an early NaNoWriMo pep talk.

WHAT ARE WE DRINKING?

Tom: 2012 Ande's Crossing Malbec

Veronica: 2007 St. Supéry Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon

QUICK BURNS

Charlie Jane Anders’ “Six Months, Three Days” Coming to NBC

A New Grant to Encourage Science Fiction Writing from Diverse Worlds

Must reads of October

STAR WARS READS DAY RETURNS OCTOBER 5, 2013

Random House Launches Flipboard Magazines Curated by Margaret Atwood and for George R.R. Martin Fans

CALENDAR

Read down to October 15

BOOK KICK OFF

Boneshaker (Clockwork Century) by Cherie Priest

Authors guide to Cherie Priest

WRAP UP

The Demolished Man by Alfred Bester

Tech that should be there but is not.

Finished it. Loved it. Mmmm pulpy goodness.

Old Man Mose

BARE YOUR SWORD

NaNoWriMo 2013 is a month away!

Robin Hobb working on new ‘Fitz & Fool’

EMAIL

"Speaking of Inter Library Loan (ILL), I also was one of those kids who lived at their library. I used to use ILL to get books from all over. At one time, there was a fee hike, where ILL was going from free to $1. As a kid with just a paper route, there was no way I was going to be able to afford the new fees. I spent a few hours one afternoon filling out forms for ILL, to submit them the day before the pricing went into effect. The head librarian wanted to disallow this seeming abuse of the system, but the other librarians stuck up for me. These books trickled in for me for over a year, it was glorious.

Rob"

ADDENDUMS

HELP FUND MY ROBOT ARMY!!! & Other Improbable Kickstarters

This podcast is brought to you by Audible.com the internet’s leading provider of audiobooks with more than 150,000 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 also by Squarespace, the all-in-one platform that makes it fast and easy to create your own professional website or online portfolio. For a free trial and 10% off, go to squarespace.com and use offer code SWORD10.

Direct download here! 

S&L Podcast - #143 - Interview with Robyn Schneider

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We got chance to hang out (literally, Google hangout) with Robyn Schneider, author of many fine books, on top of many other talents! Find out her hidden secrets then go pick up her new book, The Beginning of Everything. Unless you're British. Then you'll need to look for Severed Heads, Broken Hearts.  She'll explain it all in the show.

As an added bonus, you can watch the video version of the interview at our new YouTube channel, or download the video version here.

Direct audio link here! 

 

 

S&L Podcast - #142 - Sexy wizard bear

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We're back in our normal locale and format and we even get a visit by a sexy wizard bear! You can't miss this episode.  Especially if you have opinions about Alfred Bester's The Demolished Man. 

WHAT ARE WE DRINKING?

Tom: Hendricks & Tonic with a slice of cucumber
Veronica: 2011 Hangtime Cellars Pinot Noir California

QUICK BURNS

It's Neil Gaiman's sexy wizard scene in the new Riverside audiobook!
No, seriously: Oyster comes pretty close to being a Netflix for ebooks
RIP Ann Crispin, Who Fought for the Writers
Frederik Pohl, Science Fiction Master Who Vaporized Utopias, Dies at 93
WINNERS: 2013 Hugo Awards
2013 Parsec Awards Winners & Finalists

CALENDAR

TV, MOVIES AND VIDEO GAMES

J.K. Rowling is writing a new movie in the Harry Potter-verse
‘Iron Man’ Writers Enter Sci-Fi Mystery TV Project for Alcon, ‘The Expanse’
Ron Howard confirms The Dark Tower is still in the works

BOOK CHECK-IN

The Demolished Man by Alfred Bester
Do you find Reich shallow?
Imagined slang that is then actually used
Is it still SciFi if there is ESP?
Utopia or Not?

BARE YOUR SWORD

Tamahome
The show title  should have been 'R. A. Salvamore'. 

YouTube video interview with author Robyn Schneider

New YouTube channel.

Subscribe! Subscribe! Subscribe! Please?

ADDENDUMS

This podcast is brought to you by Audible.com the internet’s leading provider of audiobooks with more than 150,000 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

.

This episode is brought to you by Squarespace, the all-in-one platform that makes it fast and easy to create your own professional website or online portfolio.  For a free trial and  20% off, go to squarespace.com and use offer code SWORD9.

Download podcast here!

S&L Podcast - #141 - R.A. Salvatore some more!

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We've had R.A. Salvatore on the show once or twice , and we're happy to have him back once again to talk about The Companions (The Sundering #1), the upcoming Night of the Hunter, and his Kickstarter for DemonWars: Reformation! He has a lot of swords in the fire, as they say!

Download the file here! 

S&L Podcast - #140 - DragonCon 2013 with Jim Butcher!

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Another year, another wonderful DragonCon! This time we're joined by Jim Butcher, one of our favorite authors (and yours). We discuss his upcoming steampunk series The Cinder Spires, his tips for new authors, and who the best fantasy writer would be to have on your side in a bar fight.

Direct download link here! 

S&L Podcast - #138 - Why Scott Lynch and Neil Gaiman are awesome

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 We give our final views on Ringworld, and Veronica reveals her secret love at the end of the show. Plus we kick off our August pick, the Curse of Chalion. Nothing very shocking there. BUT we DO deliver a Yet-sized serving of news about books becoming movies. Don't sasquatch our dreams. Bigfoot your way into the show now. 

*(editor's note: Tom is no longer allowed to write show descriptions after beer)

WHAT ARE WE DRINKING?

Tom: Fuller's ESB

Veronica: 2011 Hangtime Cellars Pinot Noir California

QUICK BURNS

Sneak Peek: Cover art for Hang Wire by Adam Christopher

Scott Lynch auctioning REPUBLIC OF THIEVES for charity

Cover art for Brandon Sanderon's WORDS OF RADIANCE

One of the world's most popular SF novels finally coming in English

172 Reasons To Read Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror in August 2013 (A GIANT Book Cover Gallery)

CALENDAR

TV, MOVIES AND VIDEO GAMES

Disney wants to turn Artemis Fowl into the new Harry Potter

GAME OF THRONES finds its Mace Tyrell (plus a general series update)

Bridge Of Birds Movie being made by Vispop

David Weber's 'Honorverse' books to be turned into movies

Sandman author Neil Gaiman ventures into gaming with Wayward Manor

BOOK KICK-OFF

The Curse of Chalion by Lois McMaster Bujold

The Curse of Chalion Wikipedia article

Lois McMaster Bujold interview on  Sword and Laser

BOOK WRAP UP

Ringworld by Larry Niven

BARE YOUR SWORD

I have never finished the Dune series due to dislike.

What's so wrong about giving up on a book?

EMAIL

New comment from Francisco on S&L Podcast - #137 - A rasher of Abercrombie.

On race and genre novels:
I know that Pratchett has his characters (in the City Watch novels) reference the problems of policing in a muli-vital society.
Here's a question for you:
If you assume that race is not going to be an issue in the future do you mention it?

ADDENDUMS

This podcast is brought to you by Audible.com the internet’s leading provider of audiobooks with more than 100,000 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.  

This episode is brought to you by Squarespace, the all-in-one platform that makes it fast and easy to create your own professional website or online portfolio.  For a free trial and 10% off, go to squarespace.com and use offer code SWORD8.

Direct download link!

S&L Podcast - #137 - A rasher of Abercrombie

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The Iron Throne, by Marc Simonetti.

The Iron Throne, by Marc Simonetti.

It's a day filled with George Martin's real iron throne and Joe Abercrombie's new empires.  Plus Veronica reveals the August book pick!

WHAT ARE WE DRINKING?

Tom: Slurm

Veronica: Romulan Ale

QUICK BURNS

Amazon launches graphic novel imprint, with George R.R. Martin among first authors

George R.R. Martin: This is what the Iron Throne REALLY looks like

George R.R. Martin smashes up a guitar; Neil Gaiman approves

Trailer for debut novel TERRA features some famous faces

Book Trailer: MADDADDAM by Margaret Atwood

A glimpse of a FIRST LAW world map

Joe Abercrombie sells new fantasy series to HarperCollins Voyager

J.K. Rowling quietly published a crime novel—all the way back in April

Your Semi-Obligatory Reminder Regarding Hugo Voting

CALENDAR

Patrick Rothfuss’ Kingkiller Chronicles books are getting a TV show!

BOOK CHECK-IN

Ringworld by Larry Niven

This so much fun

"What the Tanj?!" 

Redshirts by John Scalzi

Redshirts and Among Others

Wrap up Ringworld and Redshirts August 6.

August book pick!

The Curse of Chalion by Lois McMaster Bujold

BARE YOUR SWORD

Great First Lines

How much should an author consider race?

ADDENDUMS

This podcast is brought to you by Audible.com the internet’s leading provider of audiobooks with more than 100,000 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. 

This episode is brought to you by Squarespace, the all-in-one platform that makes it fast and easy to create your own professional website or online portfolio.  For a free trial and 10% off, go to squarespace.com and use offer code SWORD7.

Direct download link for this episode!

S&L Podcast - #136 - Nerdtacular 2013!

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We record an episode live in front of an audience of awesome folks from at Nerdtacular 2013.  Since we're still just getting into Ringworld, we save more substantive discussion of that for later this month and talk about what else we're reading.  get ready to enlarge your reading lists because we had some amazing suggestions from the audience! 

S&L Podcast - #135 - Wrap-up Among Others, Kick-off Ringworld

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Tom blows Veronica's mind, she implies dirty things, I imply them back and we all look forward to Ringworld.  It's like going to camp.

WHAT ARE WE DRINKING?

Tom: Murphy's Irish Stout

Veronica: Hendry Ranch Pinot Gris

QUICK BURNS

Science Fiction and Fantasy Author Richard Matheson Dead At 87

2013 Science Fiction Hall of Fame Inductees

WINNERS: 2013 Locus Awards

Your First Look at the Epic Fantasy Novel Everybody's Raving About

Neil Gaiman's 'Sandman' prequel launching October 30th, first image and plot details emerge

Online Voting is Open for The 2013 Hugo Award and John W. Campbell Award

Why Big Publishers Think Genre Fiction Like Sci-Fi Is the Future of E-Books

Pop Culture References You Probably Didn’t Know Were Created by Science Fiction Writers

CALENDAR

TV, MOVIES AND VIDEO GAMES

William Shakespeare's Star Wars: exclusive excerpt

OUTLANDER TV series greenlit

BOOK KICK-OFF

Kick-off Ringworld by Larry Niven

Ringworld Wikipedia article

Larry Niven Wikipedia Article

Official Larry Niven site

The Guide to Larry Niven's Ringworld

Interactive guide to Ringworld (includes a kind of Google Maps for the Ring)

Don't forget : 'Ringworld' miniseries in the works at Syfy

Alternate Pick - Redshirts by John Scalzi

BOOK WRAP-UP

Wrap-up Among Others by Jo Walton

Anyone else get this through Interlibrary loan? - Erik

Who Died? - Paulo

Magic In the book - Nathan

The books! All those books! - Rob

Novels mentioned in Among Others

ADDENDUMS 

This podcast is brought to you by Audible.com the internet’s leading provider of audiobooks with more than 100,000 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 by: Squarespace, the all-in-one platform that makes it fast and easy to create a professional  website, blog, portfolio, or online store.  For a free trial and 10% off your first purchase on new accounts, go to Squarespace.com, and use offer code SWORD7.

Direct download link for the show here!

S&L Podcast - #134 - Interview with Gene Wolfe

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Sketch of Gene Wolfe by Murray Ewing

Sketch of Gene Wolfe by Murray Ewing

Were you expecting a wrap-up episode for Among Others? Sorry kids, Veronica decided to go on vacation, and all you get is this lousy interview with legendary author Gene Wolfe. Just kidding, the interview is awesome. 

We'll be back next week with our wrap-up and kick-off for the July pick!  Hope you voted!

Download the direct link for this episode! 

S&L Podcast - #132 - Get out the vote!

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It's a record pronunciation day for Veronica but then Tom gets picky about the space-time continuum. Also, new sponsor! And July book vote!  Yay!

Among Others by Jo Walton
Aaron whiteboard video about 'Among Others'
A 1982 Video Interview with Isaac Asimov, Harlan Ellison and Gene Wolfe Wherein They Discuss the Label “Science Fiction” 

BARE YOUR SWORD

Book Vote for Jul ends June 23

EMAIL

Hi, Veronica! Hi, Tom!

This article is not conclusive or very scientific but it makes us think about why we do lem some books and the guilt that comes with it:

Why Leaving a Book Half-Read Is So Hard (by Heidi Mitchell).

Maybe you can share the link with your listeners or use it as a starting point for a discussion on the topic. These are just suggestions, of course.

I hope everything is well with you guys and that you'll have news about the return of the video show soon.

Bye!

ADDENDUMS

This podcast is brought to you by Audible.com the internet’s leading provider of audiobooks with more than 100,000 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 by Squarespace, the all-in-one platform that makes it fast and easy to create a professional  website, blog, portfolio, or online store.  For a free trial and 10% off your first purchase on new accounts, go to Squarespace.com, and use offer code SWORD6.

Direct download link!