S&L Podcast - #276 - By Hook or by Rook

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We discuss whether the central plot device (the hook!) of the Rook is a cliche or clever. Plus, how to find the best stories in SciFi and Fantasy and help authors get exposure at the same time.

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WHAT ARE WE DRINKING?    
Tom: Irish Egg Nog    (Carolan's Irish Creme, Bulleit Bourbon, Coffee, Nutmeg)
Veronica: Red blend    
    
QUICK BURNS
    
Full trailer for The Expanse Season 2, with a new premiere date (a week earlier). Season 2 of The Expanse premieres on February 1, 2017 on Syfy.
    
Louie: Cover reveal for book #7 in The Expanse series, Persepolis Rising
    
Kenley: For the first time, Wired magazine's is all fiction written by science fiction authors. January 2017 issue. "15 fantastic tales from an uncertain future."  Available now for digital subscribers. Probably on the newsstand soon. Hat tip to Tassie Dave for the link
    
Ten of 2016's most notable African science fiction and fantasy stories
    
Shad: The first draft of Brandon Sanderson's Oathbringer (Stormlight #3) is done and set for a November 2017 release date.
    
BARE YOUR SWORD
    
2016 Year in Review

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Hi Tom and Veronica

You asked on episode 275 for us to write in with what we will be reading over the holidays. I'm most excited to read A Closed and Common Orbit by Becky Chambers, which I ordered from the UK. I wanted the pretty cover and to read it before March! I loved the first book (A Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet) so much. And I will also read The Rook.

Happy Holidays!
Jenny Colvin (@readingenvy)

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BOOK OF THE MONTH DISCUSSION    
    
January Pick: Three Body Problem by Cixin Liu
    
The Rook by Daniel O'Malley    
    
Story setup: Clever or cliched?
    
TR: Easter eggs - no plot spoilers
    
ADDENDUMS    
    
Our show is currently entirely funded by our patrons. Thank you to all the folks who back our show and if you would like to support the show that way head to patreon.com/swordandlaser
    
You can also support the show by buying books through our links! Find links to the books we talk about and some of our favorites at swordandlaser.com/picks
    
    
    

S&L Podcast - #275 - Get Hip With the Rook

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We kick off our December book, the Rook by Daniel O’Malley and we are so excited for Lin-Manuel Miranda to team up with Patrick Rothfuss.

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WHAT ARE WE DRINKING?    
Tom: Bowmore 15-year Islay Scotch
Veronica: Water    
    
QUICK BURNS
    
Sandra: Lin-Manuel Miranda will be the creative producer for Patrick Rothfuss’ The Kingkiller Chronicle adaptions!
    
Sandra: Here's a handy list of almost every SFF adaption that's coming to TV and film, via Tor. 
    
Silvana: There will be 8 or 9 more Dunk and Egg stories, said GRRM recently in an interview in Mexico. 
Full interview here (fast forward to 3rd minute). He also recommends people to read books from Daniel Abraham, Patrick Rothfuss, Scott Lynch and Robin Hobb. And of course Tolkien and Vance. Lots of interesting questions and answers in there.
    
Alex: Found via tor.com; an interview with Brandon Sanderson at He talks about several things (writing characters, writing different genres, and more writing). But the best part for me is that the next stormlight is almost done.
And Julio adds: The first draft is 99% done, to be precise. In his website he has progress bars for his many projects.     
    
Aaron: Ann and Jeff Vandermeer have announced The Big Book of Classic Fantasy.   
    
terpkristin: Peter Vaughan, Maester Aemon in HBO's GoT, has passed away at the age of 93. 
Silvana: RIP Ron Glass
    
BOOK OF THE MONTH DISCUSSION    
    
The Rook by Daniel O'Malley
Book briefing for The Rook
    
Tassie Dave: This book has been on my radar for a few years. I hope it lives up to the wait. This is also our first ever Aussie S&L book :-) and only our 3rd ever book by a Southern Hemisphere born author (We had an alternate pick by Kiwi Adam Christopher in 2012) and Tolkien (The Hobbit) was born in South Africa. It is also the 100th book we've read for S&L (91 official picks and 9 alternates).

ADDENDUMS    
    
Our show is currently entirely funded by our patrons. Thank you to all the folks who back our show and if you would like to support the show that way head to patreon.com/swordandlaser

Welcome to new patron Keith Olson and thanks to Robin Hill who raised their pledge!   
    
You can also support the show by buying books through our links! Find links to the books we talk about and some of our favorites at swordandlaser.com/picks