S&L Video: Author Spotlight - Alastair Reynolds

This week you’ll learn how Alastair Reynolds went from Cornwall to a doctorate in astronomy, to pushing ice across the vastness of space. How much do current scientific advances influence him? Does he feel a kinship with Mass Effect? What order should you read his darn books in? All these questions and more will be answered.

Download audio here.
Download video here

S&L Podcast - #167 - Spitcoin

We evaluate George R. R. Martin's plans to stay ahead of the HBO show, look forward to spaceships returning to SyFy, congratulate Arthur C. Clarke Award finalists and ponder the disgusting need for spit as a payment method in Richard K. Morgan's "Altered Carbon."

Direct download link here!

QUICK BURNS

FINALISTS: 2014 Arthur C. Clarke Award

People Who Use E-Readers Dive Far Deeper Into Books

Incredible Game of Thrones pop-up book folds out to 3D Westeros map

J.K. Rowling has released History of the Quidditch World Cup online

TV, MOVIES AND VIDEO GAMES

George R.R. Martin knows how to stop 'Game of Thrones' from catching up to his books

Frederik Pohl's dread-coated ateway to get a TV series adaptation

Syfy promises a return to space opera at last, with Ascension

Cosmos with Neil DeGrasse Tyson - who watched it?

BOOK CHECK-IN

Altered Carbon by Richard K. Morgan

First impressions

Payment Methods

Punishment

Our April book pick will be selected by Bryan Benson who backed our Kickstarter. Thanks Bryan. The book is "A Dance of Cloaks" by David Dalglish. -- Thren Felhorn is the greatest assassin of his time. Aaron Felhorn has been groomed since birth to be Thren’s heir. Sent to kill the daughter of a priest, Aaron instead risks his own life to protect her from the wrath of his guild. Assassin or protector; every choice has its consequences.

Bryan also is an author so we're going to make HIS book our official alternate pick. So check out Brand by Bryan Alexander Benson as well! It's a fast-paced, Fantasy action novel with steam-punk tendencies. It is the first book in the Order of Luminan series. We'll have Bryan on for our wrap-up episode at the end of April.

BARE YOUR SWORD

What good would come aliens arriving from another planet?

Recommend a book you think most people haven't heard of

S&L Video: Author Spotlight - Anne Leonard

Anne Leonard's first book JUST came out. Congrats Anne! Moth and Spark is about a Prince who has been chosen to free dragons from bondage to the Empire, but nobody’s exactly sure how he should do it, not even their riders. He meets a doctor’s daughter who discovers she’s a seer. She’s also a commoner, so he really shouldn’t fall for her How do you shine a spotlight on such a young career? It's all in the backstory! Just watch.

Download direct link here!

S&L Video: Author Spotlight - Max Gladstone

It's our author guide to Max Gladstone! If you want an author who knows how to work the financial crisis into epic fantasy and is handy with a sword, Max is your man. We also get the final word on a showdown between him and Scott Lynch. You won't believe who really runs the economy.

S&L Podcast - #164 - Bill Gourgey's POST-Post-Apocalyptic World

We chat with Bill Gourgey, who's Glide Trilogy does not settle for a run-of-the-mill post-apocalyptic world. What happens AFTER the post-apocalyptic dust settles!? We also find out how a tech analyst ends up writing genre novels and poetry. You won't believe his answer! Or maybe you will. You probably will. But you won't know what it is, unless you watch/listen to the show!

Download link here!

Get video versions here. 

S&L Video: Author Spotlight - Hugh Howey

We're back!!! Welcome back to the space castle, everybody! HUGE thanks to our Kickstarter supporters for making this possible. In our first episode of Season 2, we talk to Wool Omnibus author Hugh Howey. Find out how not to get shoved outside and how George R. R. Martin motivated Hugh's career.

We're back!!! Welcome back to the space castle, everybody! HUGE thanks to our Kickstarter supporters for making this possible. In our first episode of Season 2, we talk to Wool Omnibus author Hugh Howey.  Find out how not to get shoved outside, how George R. R. Martin motivated Hugh's career, and his number one editing tip.

Direct MP3 download here.
Subscribe to the YouTube page here!
Or via iTunes!
Other file formats here!

S&L Podcast - #163 - Hugh Howey Hullabaloo

Hugh Howey caused quite a stir with his findings about independent authors, but what does it mean for us readers? We also talk about the Wizard of Earthsea feminism implications and have an exciting election for the March book pick! There is a gavel involved.

Hugh Howey caused quite a stir with his findings about independent authors, but what does it mean for us readers? We also talk about the Wizard of Earthsea feminism implications and have an exciting election for the March book pick! There is a gavel involved.

Direct download here!

WHAT ARE WE DRINKING?

Tom: New Belgium Fat Tire Amber Ale

Veronica: Vina Robles Red Blend

MOTH AND SPARK GIVEAWAY

VIDEO SHOW COMING THURSDAY OMG!!!!!

QUICK BURNS

Hugh Howey's Report

Self-published ebooks: the surprising data from Amazon

Most Amazon bestselling authors aren't making minimum wage

WH Auden told JRR Tolkien to cut the love story from Lord of the Rings

Daemon And Influx Author Daniel Suarez On Why Innovation Has Stalled

CALENDAR

TV, MOVIES AND VIDEO GAMES

Read Them Now, Watch Them Later: Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Adaptation Watch

More on the Redshirts TV Series

What was cut to make the "unfilmable" book Winter's Tale into a movie

BOOK CHECK-IN

A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Leguin

Earthsea and Harry Potter

Women in Earthsea

Among Others and Earthsea

March Pick

BARE YOUR SWORD

A forgotten classic?

Looking for more firearms in "High" Fantasy

EMAIL

Hi Tom & Veronica,

Listening to Gregory A Wilson talk about his daughter's name made me think of my own family. I was named after Jessica Atreides (Dune), putting me in the odd position of being named for a sci-fi character AND having one of the most common girls names of my generation.

I passed the nerd legacy onto my own children as well - my son's middle name is Zaphod (as in Beeblebrox) and my daughter is named Aeryn (after Aeryn Sun from Farscape). Hopefully she won't resent me for it the millionth time she has to spell it out loud for someone.

Love the show,

Jessica

S&L Podcast - #162 - Gregory A. Wilson's Graphic Fallen Angels

We chat with Gregory A. Wilson, author of The Third Sign, about his newest novel Icarus and the graphic novel based on it that he and artist Matt Slay are working on. It's about a being who falls from the sky to save a world from tyranny. We also find out if he named his daughter after one of his own fictional characters.

Direct download here!

Multiple video versions (ogg, MPEG, etc.) from Archive.org.

S&L Podcast - #161 - What Harry Potter Stole from Earthsea

This time around we're kicking off our February book pick, A Wizard of Earthsea, by Ursula K. Le Guin. If you're looking for the first tale a of a boy who attends a school of wizardry, we've got the goods, as well as what Ms. Le Guin, who wrote her book in 1968, thinks of Ms. Rowling. Plus The Clarion Workshop deadline is looming and USC and Intel make one author's world come alive.

This time around we're kicking off our February book pick, A Wizard of Earthsea, by Ursula K. Le Guin. If you're looking for the first tale a of a boy who attends a school of wizardry, we've got the goods, as well as what Ms. Le Guin, who wrote her book in 1968, thinks of Ms. Rowling.

Direct download link here!

WHAT ARE WE DRINKING?    
Tom: Bikini Blonde Lager   
Veronica: 2011 Plantagenet Shiraz Omrah

    
QUICK BURNS    
    
Announcing the instructors for the 2014 Clarion Writers' Workshop    
SF writing competition: a world without the Normal Curve!    
British science fiction book awards lurch towards gender parity    
Intel Leviathan Project    
This interactive chart maps out all the storylines in The Hobbit    
    
 CALENDAR    
    
TV, MOVIES AND VIDEO GAMES    
    
Neil Gaiman's American Gods gets a brand new TV deal    

BOOK KICK-OFF    
    
A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin    
Wikipedia entry for 'A Wizard of Earthsea'    
Ursula K. Le Guin's website    

    
March Poll launched
, vote on what our book should be!

April will be a book picked by our Kickstarter backer Bryan Benson!    
    
BARE YOUR SWORD    
    
What fictional items would you decorate a room with?    
    
Adding "lem" to the dictionary    
    
EMAIL    


Hi Guys,
I listened to TNT for a long time and really enjoyed Tom’s narrative about tech and the tech industry. I just returned to TNT from a short hiatus to discover that Tom is no longer there. It’s only been a couple of episodes but it doesn’t feel the same. I don’t think TNT will be the same without Tom.
Anyway…. I remembered Tom use to mention S&L from time to time on TNT and figured I’d give it a try. I downloaded and listened to my first S&L episode (#160) today and liked what I heard.
I use to submit articles in the TNT’s sub reddit from time to time. Not sure what the official way is to submit for this show but I just read a book I thought was very relevant to discuss you guys had about how Fantasy and Scifi are so tied together and how (as Tom mentioned) it even mixes into Horror sometimes.
I thought this book was really cool for just that reason. It’s got pirates it’s got sudo time travel it’s got monsters. Take a look!

Mike E.

Kevin Singer – The Last Conquistador
    

 

S&L Podcast - #160 - Scully Writes a Book, Ringo is a God

We've got some awesome news about new books from Peter F. Hamilton, Richard Morgan, Joe Abercrombie and Gillian Anderson. Plus we wrap up our January book, The Einstein Intersection.

We've got some awesome news about new books from Peter F. Hamilton, Richard Morgan, Joe Abercrombie and Gillian Anderson. Plus we wrap up our January book, The Einstein Intersection.

Download direct file here!

QUICK BURNS

Cover art for HALF A KING by Joe Abercrombie

Richard Morgan completes THE DARK DEFILES

Peter F. Hamilton update

X-Files' star Gillian Anderson writing sci-fi book series

FINALISTS: 2013 Philip K. Dick Award

CALENDAR

Read down to Feb. 4

TV, MOVIES AND VIDEO GAMES

The first Outlander trailer is all epic battles (with a hint of sex)

First Game of Thrones season 4 trailer shows why Westeros is hell

READ THEM NOW, WATCH THEM LATER: SCIENCE FICTION, FANTASY AND HORROR ADAPTATION WATCH

BOOK CHECK-IN

Best websites that explain the Einstein Intersection

The role of music in Einstein Intersection

Pronouny things

Knowing the genre

February Pick

Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Leguin

BARE YOUR SWORD

The "Party Scene" in classic Sci-FI

EMAIL

---

On your last podcast you talked about the "controversy" of picking a weirder, lesser known title like "The Einstein Intersection" over something more well known, like "Nova." But those weird picks, informed by the personal tastes of you two, are so much more interesting than standard picks that I might come across just by googling "top Delaney novels." The weirder picks you guys do don't always sync up exactly with my tastes, but they're always interesting, and they're often something I never would have had the pleasure of coming across on my own.

I personally am loving the weird beauty of The Einstein intersection, and I thought it a good idea to let you guys know that not everyone hates the decision to sometimes go off the beaten path.

-Rob

ADDENDUMS

Audible is offering Sword & Laser listeners a FREE audiobook , along with a 30­day trial. Go to audiblepodcast.com/swordlaser to take advantage of this special offer!!

S&L Podcast - #159 - Ian Tregillis on Angels, Superpowers, and Deathmatches

We have a chance to chat with the fabulous Ian Tregillis, author of the Milkweed Triptych and Something More Than Night. He alludes to his secret 'Clakkers" project, explains how to make an angel talk like a shamus, and reveals Gretel's secret Reagan baby.

We have a chance to chat with the fabulous Ian Tregillis, author of the Milkweed Triptych and Something More Than Night. He alludes to his secret 'Clakkers" project, explains how to make an angel talk like a shamus, and reveals Gretel's secret Reagan baby.

Ian Tregillis entry at Wikipedia

Download link here!!

You can download videos in multiple formats here

S&L Podcast - #158 - Read a Book, Change Your Brain -- It's Science!

It's our first episode after New Year's and we're still recovering. Thank goodness Neil Gaiman, the Wertzone and Stephen Chow are here to perk us up. Plus we kick off our January book, The Einstein Intersection by Samuel R. Delany. 

Direct download link here!

It's our first episode after New Year's and we're still recovering. Thank goodness Neil Gaiman, the Wertzone and Stephen Chow are here to perk us up. Plus we kick off our January book, The Einstein Intersection by Samuel R. Delany.

S&L Podcast - #157 - Marie Brennan's Fantasy Brings the Science to Fiction

Natural-History-of-Dragons-CROP.jpg

We chat with Marie Brennan about her historical fiction her fictionalized history and all kinds of matters relating to anthropology, ethnography, archaeology and natural history. And dragons. Plus get a peek at how much glee she takes in chopping off hands. That and more insights coming your way in this interview with Marie Brennan.

Direct download link!

We chat with Marie Brennan about her historical fiction her fictionalized history and all kinds of matters relating to anthropology, ethnography, archaeology and natural history. And dragons. Plus get a peek at how much glee she takes in chopping off hands. That and more insights coming your way in this interview with Marie Brennan.

S&L Podcast - #156 - Wrapping Up Dragons!

It’s a no-holds barred episode where Tom and Veronica reveal their most horrible secrets.  Happy Christmas! Also good news from Scott Lynch, slightly bad news from Charles Stross, and the book character you want on your side in a bar fight.    

It's a no-holds barred episode where Tom and Veronica reveal their most horrible secrets. Happy Christmas! Also good news from Scott Lynch, slightly bad news from Charles Stross, and the book character you want on your side in a bar fight.

Direct download link to show!

WHAT ARE WE DRINKING?    
Tom: Talisker 18    
Veronica: 2010 Pali Wine Co. Tower 15 The Jetty    
    
QUICK BURNS    
    
New writer hired to continue 'The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo' book series    
PSA: Why there won't be a third book in the Halting State trilogy    
Scott Lynch on THE THORN OF EMBERLAIN    
New Yorker on Kim Stanley Robinson: "Our Greatest Political Novelist"    
    

CALENDAR
   
TV, MOVIES AND VIDEO GAMES    
    
First Tantalizing Footage from Game of Thrones Season 4!    

BOOK WRAP-UP   
    
A Natural History of Dragons: A Memoir by Lady Trent (but actually by Marie Brennan)    
    
Alt: His Majesty's Dragon by Naomi Novik    
    
Next Book: Einstein Intersection by Samuel R Delany (Damon Knight Grand Master Recipient)    
    
BARE YOUR SWORD    
Reading Goals for 2014    
Improved version of Reading Goals thread    
Favorite Series?    
When in trouble, who'd you want watching your back?    
    
EMAIL    
    
I just wanted to send along a thank you to you guys and the whole sword and laser community. Thanks to the sword and laser hive-mind I was able to pull together the resources I needed to complete my Masters Thesis in History. I defended my thesis today and passed! Sword and laser's book club also provided a much needed respite from the demands of grad school. If anyone's interested I wrote my thesis on the perception of the atomic bomb in American media in the postwar period. And so many people from this group helped me find the works I needed to bolster my research. Thanks again! 

-Bethany 
    
ADDENDUMS    
Borderlands Meetup Jan. 20     


Try these other fine Boing Boing podcasts    

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
 

S&L Podcast - #155 - Why Sam Sykes is for Sharks and the Alliance

We had a really good time chatting with Sam Sykes, author of the Aeon's Gate series. Among other things, we learned what a flying shark is good for, why he left the Horde, what a "stealfie" is, and how Sam keeps his daily threat-making to a minimum. Plus your questions!

We had a really good time chatting with Sam Sykes, author of the Aeon's Gate series. Among other things, we learned what a flying shark is good for, why he left the Horde, what a "stealfie" is, and how Sam keeps his daily threat-making to a minimum. Plus your questions!  Enjoy.

Sam Sykes official website

And just because....

BblGseoCQAA8HtW.jpg

Podcast direct download link!

Get other formats of the video here.

S&L Podcast - #154 - A Natural History of Dragons

It’s a very dragon-filled episode, as we kick off our December pick, A Natural History of Dragons: A Memoir by Lady Trent, actually by Marie Brennan. Also Temeraire. And Paul and Storm steal our idea but we decide we like them anyway. 

It's a very dragon-filled episode, as we kick off our December pick, A Natural History of Dragons: A Memoir by Lady Trent, actually by Marie Brennan. Also Temeraire. And Paul and Storm steal our idea but we decide we like them anyway.


WHAT ARE WE DRINKING?    
Tom: Kilbeggan Irish Whiskey, bitters and a brandied cherry    
Veronica: Hot Toddy with Bulleit Rye

    
QUICK BURNS  
 
    
Samuel R. Delany Named 2013 Damon Knight Grand Master Recipient    
George R.R. Martin shows what happens when dragons go to war    
Paul and Storm do an anthology with everyone you love    
Young adult readers 'prefer printed to ebooks'    
Website Launch: THE APOCALYPSE TRIPTYCH Edited John Joseph Adams and Hugh Howey

CALENDAR 

    
TV, MOVIES AND VIDEO GAMES
    
    
SHANNARA to become a TV series at...MTV?    
The climate of Middle Earth    
First scientific paper to be released in Elvish, Dwarvish and English    
Original Ballantine book cover concept art for J.R.R Tolkien's Lord of the Rings on eBay

   
Book Kick-Off  
 
    
A Natural History of Dragons: A Memoir by Lady Trent (but actually by Marie Brennan)    

Alt pick: His Majesty's Dragon by Naomi Novik    
    
BARE YOUR SWORD    
    
Tom and Veronica, 

I've been listening to the podcast for a few months now and am 
really enjoying it. I've backfilled a good number of the past 
episodes and watched most of the video shows. I listen to a 
fair number of podcasts, but S&L always skips to the front of 
the queue. 

I really like that it is both relaxed and professional at the 
same time. The quick burns are excellent. The show lengths 
are about right. I wouldn't mind if the frequency of episodes 
was a little higher. 

Also, thanks for keeping the language clean. The amount of 
swearing in many podcasts makes me uncomfortable with sharing 
them with my daughters. This is especially lossy when the content 
would be interesting to them. I am aware that the school yard is 
full of colorful speech, but I am trying to promote a more varied 
vocabulary. 

I haven't been able to follow along with any of the book club reads. 
The queue is already too long (and getting longer (curses S&L!)), but 
I still enjoy listening to you talk about the books. 

Originally I hated the theme music, but it is growing on me a little. 

Thanks (or curses) for the heads-up on the information about the 
non-attending member benefits of WorldCon (more things to read). 
I don't understand you S&L was not in the running for a Hugo this 
year. Is it not eligible for some reason? 

Thanks for a wonderful podcast! 

--paul
    
Voicemail from Chris from Maine. Thanks!
    
ADDENDUMS    
    
We are proud members of the Boing Boing Podcast Network   

Borderlands Meetup Jan. 20 

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.

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