S&L Podcast - #389 - Embracing the Challenge

/

In this episode, it's tricky to put the World in WorldCon, alternate history first contact, and Tom is really excited about next month's pick. Plus, we wrap up our ultimately satisfying read of Black Leopard, Red Wolf.

Download directly here!

QUICK BURNS

Mark: 2020 World Fantasy Awards finalists announced.
Nominated for Best Novel are:
Queen of the Conquered by Kacen Callender
The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow
The Raven Tower by Ann Leckie
Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir
The Memory Police by Yōko Ogawa

Ruth: Controversy over site selection for future WorldCons.
Members are currently voting on the site for WorldCon 2022, and the options are either Chicago, Illinois, or Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Leaving aside the security concerns about the US (WorldCon 2021 is set for Washington, DC, which could potentially be... interesting), concerns have been raised about Kingdom’s repressive laws around eg atheism, alcohol, women’s rights, and homosexuality.
UK grimdark fantasy author Anna Smith Spark is organising a letter of complaint to the WorldCon committee via her social media.
There are also some concerns about the bids for 2023, especially as Nice, France has just dropped out of the running, leaving the options as Memphis, Tennessee... or Chengdu, China (yes the same Chengdu where the US consulate has just closed).
Personally, I’m looking forward to the 2024 WorldCon, which will probably be in Glasgow, UK... or possibly Glasgow, Republic of Scotland. I’ll just have to hope that they don’t institute strict border controls to keep the English out.

Tamahome: Neil Gaiman's full cast Sandman audiodrama is out. He's the narrator too. I believe Dirk Maggs has directed many audiodramas for Alien, X-Files, Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, etc.

Mark: Pandemic resurgence of mass market paperbacks? Read Cory Doctorow's interesting tweet thread on bookselling past and present...The NY Times article linked in the thread: How to Sell Books in 2020: Put Them Near the Toilet Paper

Mark: Losing Gravity is Kameron Hurley's next book, scheduled for publication in 2021.
The pitch: Killing Eve meets Die Hard, in space!"

Jan: Video Essayist and Media Critic Lindsay Ellis' debut novel Axiom's End has been released early on July 20. The Science Fiction novel is described as an ""alternate history first contact adventure"" and has collected quite a number of blurb praise, for example:

Axiom's End is somehow deeply aware of not just what it is to be human, but what it is to be any intelligent species. It's as real as any first-contact story I have ever read. Wonderfully plotted and paced, the adventure never lets up, and neither does the insight. --Hank Green

So much fun. Lindsay Ellis's experience as one of our sharpest cultural observers gives Axiom's End an edge of realism that makes it both cutting and compelling. Close encounters have a whole new look.--John Scalzi "

Jan: Uhhhm... oh, and "Cursed" - the retelling of Arthurian Legend from the point of view of Nimue, the Lady of the Lake - has dropped on Netflix. (TOM note: It is based ont eh book by Tom Wheeler and illustrated by Frank Miller)
Unfortunately the series has received so far only average to mixed reviews with a score of 57/100 on Metacritic and 6.18/10 on Rotten Tomatoes as of this posting.
The Critical Consensus quote on Rotten Tomatoes is: ""Cursed's first season isn't as subversive as its source material, but strong plotting and a heroic performance from Katherine Langford make for an enjoyable escape.

BARE YOUR SWORD

Prof Chris @themythofpsyche
Check out this amazing interview from @SamMaggs on @swordandlaser podcast this week! So much fun to hear more about her process. And it was super sweet that she gave my psych consulting a shout out on one of my favorite pods! Thanks, Sam!

BOOK OF THE MONTH DISCUSSION

Announce August Pick
Elysium by Jennifer Marie Brissett
Elysium book briefing

WRAP UP (SPOILERY)
Black Leopard, Red Wolf by Marlon James

BLRW: Number of characters

BLRW: What do you expect from the sequel?

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