S&L Podcast - #450 - Where the Wild Nerds Are

We wrap up our thoughts on Six Wakes by Mur Lafferty and Tom tries out his 4-part way of evaluating books to explain why people enjoyed it differently. Plus we kick off our December pick, Elric of Melniboné, encourage you to save Locus Magazine and Veronica is IMPRESSIVE at reading author names now.

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QUICK BURNS

Paul: This Washington Post list is by Charlie Jane Anders, so you know it's worth perusing.

jkb added in BookRiot's 42 OF THE BEST FANTASY NOVELS FROM THE LAST 10 YEARS

Louise: Locus magazine is running an Indiegogo-campaign for funding. Twenty days left.

Mark: Rivers of London: The Roleplaying Game was released this week by Chaosium.

"Some familiar NPC portraits!"

Cham1nade: Robin McKinley has just been announced as 39th SFWA Grand Master:

terpkristin: I don’t remember if I posted this before. BBC is doing a radio play/podcast of The Dark is Rising by Susan Cooper. It will start on 20 December and run for 12 days

CountZeroOr: In translated Japanese Fantasy novels get audiobooks news, the first novel in the "Slayers" series, currently being distributed by J-Novel Club, has received an audiobook release through the usual places (Audible, Kobo, etc.)

Trike: On October 31st, a federal judge ruled against the merging of Penguin Random House and Simon & Schuster, saying that it would “substantially lessen competition” in publishing.

Jan: Amazon has released their list of Best Books of 2022, the 20 best books in the Science Fiction & Fantasy category

BARE YOUR SWORD

Joseph: As far as a source for forthcoming books, may I suggest locusmag.com/forthcomingbooks/

Joanna: This year Locus started doing weekly roundups of new sf/f/h books on Youtube

Also Tor.com does monthly compilations of upcoming books

For long term planning I use www.goodreads.com/new_releases - it gives you a list of books of authors you have on your shelves, so no new discoveries from there, but it definitely helps me to keep up with series. Minor inconvenience is that if you read one book from prolific author he will haunt your list forever, even if you did not like the book very much.

To not get lost with all of this I created an exclusive shelf on Goodreads for all the upcoming books, and when sorted by publication date it gives me a clear view of what to look for in bookstores/libraries/etc. "

My wife Amy Fredericks is the true S&L fan, but I’ve enjoyed listening when she’s behind the wheel, taking us places.

I’ve always had fun coming up with names for things and making logos when I’ve done design. So I wracked my brain thinking of anything that relates to both types of weaponry.

I might think of something better in time, but at the moment I think I have something that at least makes sense.

WIELDERS

Both swords and laser pistols can be wielded, and it’s a concise word. It’s not the sexiest or punchiest sounding word, but maybe it’ll inspire further thought to carry it over the finish line.

And, of course, if you like it, how it stands, I won’t complain!

Thanks guys!

Rob

BOOK OF THE MONTH DISCUSSION

KICK OFF

Elric of Melniboné by Michael Moorcock

Amazon link

Book briefing

Last Thoughts

Six Wakes by Mur Lafferty

Amazon link

Think I kinda hate the opener

Maria and responsibility

Antagonist's motivation *SPOILERS*

ADDENDUMS

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S&L Podcast - #449 - Finding a Leggy Blonde

Veronica forgets what beer she had. Must be a good beer. It was a blonde in a tall can. A leggy blonde perhaps? Also, we have the World Fantasy Award winner AND the SPFBO finalists! Plus our non-spoilery first impressions of Mur Lafferty's Six Wakes.

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WHAT ARE WE DRINKING?

Tom: 2019 St. Francis Caro Santo

Veronica: Drank a beer at dinner - sadly it was not a leggy blonde.

QUICK BURNS

Bamugo and Mark: The winner of NOVEL #WorldFantasyAwards2022 is: The Jasmine Throne by Tasha Suri (Orbit US/Orbit UK)

Mark: Genevieve Cogman, is starting a new series next year, Scarlet, a "thrilling reinvention of The Scarlett Pimpernel with the addition of magic and even more mayhem"

Jan: This Year's Goodreads Choice Awards have started and you can vote for your best fantasy and science fiction books

Steven: The Finalist for SPFBO 8 or Spiff-Bo 8. The ten books chosen by the ten bloggers are

BARE YOUR SWORD

Ideas for fan name

Ian (RebelGeek) - I'm partial to calling us "Laser Swords"

Ken - what about cadre? It fits both gangs in armies for lasers and swords. Or go is an acronym the SLF's sword and laser fence.

Punkinstew - SHIELD backronym - Second Hand Information Ending with Literary Discourse

"Danny: Longtime listener who's never been able to afford to give back but I may have found a way.

Upon hearing the discussion on the last show about a name for the listeners, I love 'Shields' and was inspired to create a logo. Attached is a logo sheet with different variations.

Feel free to use as you'd like, digital, print and apparel.

P.S. How about a page on the website listing upcoming scifi/fantasy book releases? I never know when stuff is coming out."


BOOK OF THE MONTH DISCUSSION

Six Wakes by Mur Lafferty

- Amazon link

Book briefing