The Sword and Laser

#330 - Best Jade Plans

03 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

The Tor vs. Library saga continues, we're pumped for the World Fantasy Award nominees, and the serendipity of reading a book about the place you are a...

#329 - Mad Love for Dog

20 Jul 2018

Contributed by Lukas

We're excited about new monsters and solarpunk but mostly we're excited about Mortal Engines! Except for all the murder. Hosted on Acast. See acast.co...

#328 - SUPERCOMBO TEAMUP!

05 Jul 2018

Contributed by Lukas

We team up with Mallory and Brea from Reading Glasses for a supercollaboration with reading advice, emails, and discussion of Mortal Engines. Hosted o...

#327 - Real Housewives of the Aegean

21 Jun 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Why we think Amazon may have been cribbing off us, the reality TV connection to ancient Greece, and the raging 2X audiobook debate speeds along. Host...

#326 - Slow Down, Readers!

14 Jun 2018

Contributed by Lukas

A database of all the stories, Stranger Things enters the tie-in book world, a debate about speed-listening, and what Veronica REALLY thinks about Zeu...

#325 - Mythology Ideology

31 May 2018

Contributed by Lukas

We're very excited about the Expanse coming back and Gail Carriger's plans and that the "What are we drinking" segment got a good review! Plus the dif...

#324 - Brian McClellan Knows When to Deus that Ex Machina

17 May 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Brian McClellan joins us to talk about his latest book, Wrath of Empire (second book in the Gods of Blood and Powder series). Plus we find out why he ...

#323 - Demon Mythology

10 May 2018

Contributed by Lukas

So many awards! Locus, Scribe, Parsec, oh my! Plus why we think maybe it's OK to read the 21 books you shouldn't read, and we kick off Tanith Lee's am...

#322 - Analysis Paralysis

26 Apr 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever walked into a book store and just froze? Us too. We'll talk you through it. Plus we announced the May book pick and Tanith Lee fans will...

#321 - What is Camp? Baby Don't Yurt Me

13 Apr 2018

Contributed by Lukas

We are SO excited to be nominated for the Hugos! Thank you! Also the return of the Expanse and why Amazon will spend $1 billion on a Middle Earth show...

#320 - We are Sword (We are Laser)

30 Mar 2018

Contributed by Lukas

The March tournament was so much fun, and in the end we'll read We Are Legion (We Are Bob) which is an appropriately fun book. We also talk about oth...

#319 - An Unkindness of Blurbs

15 Mar 2018

Contributed by Lukas

More Pratchett TV coming, and more Rothfuss books?  Plus more deep discussion about an Unkindness of Ghosts, including why blurbs may lead you astray...

#318 - I Wanna Know What Love Is

02 Mar 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Tom tries to convince Veronica to fight hate, but A Wrinkle In Time has her questioning love's power. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more ...

#317 - Crew Goals

16 Feb 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Hey the Hugo nominations are open and you can vote for us! Also Firefly is coming back as books. And the Hugo nominations are open and you can vote f...

#316 - Why'd Ya Do It, Ernie?

01 Feb 2018

Contributed by Lukas

We share our memories and thoughts on the passing of Ursula K. Leguin. We also talk about how silly it is to think anybody but George R. R. Martin tru...

#315 - Philip K Dick Move

19 Jan 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Goodbye Shannara, hello The Blade Itself TV show? Also Moby Dick and Philip K Dick have different problems, and what the monster in Frankenstein might...

#314 - Not-So-Young Frankenstein

04 Jan 2018

Contributed by Lukas

It's a whole new year of books, and we have some suggestions! Plus the science behind Westeros and the amazing 200-year-old Mary Shelley. Hosted on Ac...

#313 - No Bones to Pick

21 Dec 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Ready Player One may have a sequel, The Witcher TV show has a show runner, and we have no bones to pick with California Bones. Hosted on Acast. See ac...

#312 - Eating Bones for Fun and Magic

08 Dec 2017

Contributed by Lukas

#312 - Eating Bones for Fun and Magic by Tom Merritt and Veronica Belmont Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#311 - Science Fiction Triggers Clickbait Headline

30 Nov 2017

Contributed by Lukas

This week we have a lot to say about wine, some to say about Amazon's Lord of the Rings series and loads to say as we wrap up Connie Willis' Doomsday ...

#310 - Apocalypse 1870

10 Nov 2017

Contributed by Lukas

OMG. Patrick Rothfuss is best buds with Lin-Manuel Miranda and they're doing a TV prequel to Kingkiller Chronicles, while Felicia Day plays Poppy the ...

#309 - League of Extraordinary Ladies

26 Oct 2017

Contributed by Lukas

We’re happy for Chuck Wendig and sad for the passing of Roy Dotrice and Julian May. And we’re also debating whether side conversations are a good ...

#308 - A Decade of Us

12 Oct 2017

Contributed by Lukas

That’s right, Sword and Laser has been picking and reading books for 10 years and we’re not even close to stopping. This week we discuss why you d...

#307 - Annihilation is the new Arrival

28 Sep 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Good Omens looks good, Annihilation looks great, our last thoughts on Helliconia Spring, and why we’re reading about monsters in October. Hosted on...

#306 - Indentured Robotude w/ Annalee Newitz

19 Sep 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Annalee Newitz joins us on the show to talk about her new novel Autonomous. We discuss indentured robot servitude, the archaeological digs she's diggi...

#305 - Major in Martin Studies!

14 Sep 2017

Contributed by Lukas

The Martin Studies International Network will help you study Westeros better, Scott Lynch gives hope for the next Locke Lamora book and sadly, we lose...

#304 - Westeros for SciFi Fans

31 Aug 2017

Contributed by Lukas

We say goodbye to Brian W. Aldiss by reading one of his books. We respect Terry Pratchett's Steamroller wishes. And why Hey Jude is not an anachronism...

#303 - Smooth Roberator

17 Aug 2017

Contributed by Lukas

All the best books are being adapted into TV shows and movies including Good Omens, The City and the City, Dawn, and The Fifth Season! Plus we dive in...

#302 - Why the Robots Need Us

10 Aug 2017

Contributed by Lukas

We talk with author Daniel H. Wilson about his book, Clockwork Dynasty and why we might not need to fear the robots. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/pr...

#301 - Long Days and Pleasant Nights

03 Aug 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Hot Pie has a bakery! Ready Player One has a trailer! The Rook has a TV show! This episode has a final word on butterscotch! And the man in black has ...

#300 - Don't Pee in the Gene Pool

20 Jul 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Hey kids, Nnedi Okorafor has an HBO show coming, EW and Tor have LOADS of book recommendations and we love the world created by Ursula K. Le Guin. Hos...

#299 - NK Jemisin Says FanFic Makes Good Practice

13 Jul 2017

Contributed by Lukas

It's windy but in among the breeze, N.K. Jemisin shares wisdom about writing, characters and wrapping up the Broken Earth Trilogy. Plus she accidental...

#298 - Don't Get Eaten By a Bear

06 Jul 2017

Contributed by Lukas

George R. R. Martin has even more money coming his way, public domain books clean up nice, we love the Locus Award winners, and why Veronica is not al...

#297 - Haint a Plot Hole if You Ask Me

22 Jun 2017

Contributed by Lukas

New Game of Thrones Trailer! AHHHHH! Levar Burton reading stories on a new podcast! AHHHH! Haint plot hole in the Hum and the Shiver-- ahhhhh— maybe...

#296 - A Talk with James S. A. Corey

15 Jun 2017

Contributed by Lukas

We talk to Ty Franck and Daniel Abraham, the authors that make up James S. A. Corey, about coffee, distilled and fermented beverages and making The Ex...

#295 - Don't Put Spiders on Your Head

08 Jun 2017

Contributed by Lukas

The Hugo nominees are out and we love them all, we kick off the Hum and the Shiver with music, and a spider that looks like a sorting hat. Hosted on A...

#294 - Live at BayCon with Whiskey!

31 May 2017

Contributed by Lukas

We are excited about the winner of this year's Nebula, the finalists in the Locus awards, and so many TV shows coming from our favorite books. Plus, w...

#293 - Post-apocalyptic Protopia (w/ Cory Doctorow)

17 May 2017

Contributed by Lukas

We chat with author Cory Doctorow about his new novel Walkaway, which is post-apocalyptic, but not dystopian. It's also DRM-free! Hosted on Acast. See...

#292 - Cozy Space Opera

11 May 2017

Contributed by Lukas

We've got more of Game of Thrones TV coming, the Arthur C. Clarke Award nominees, and our thoughts on why The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet is the ...

#291 - Falling Backwards into Screenwriting Success

04 May 2017

Contributed by Lukas

We talk with M. R. Carey about his new book The Boy on the Bridge, and how The Girl with All the Gifts became a movie! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/...

#290 - Let’s Get Stuck in Fantasyland!

27 Apr 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Neil Gaiman makes sure the American Gods TV show is prepared for the sequel he hasn’t even written yet, why the Invisible Library doesn’t need to ...

#289 - Love Letter to the Solar System

21 Apr 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Matthew Isaac Sobin tells how his desire to write a beautiful story about the solar system, and how the aggressive encouragement of a friend led to th...

#288 - Slow Readers Unite!

13 Apr 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Hugo Nominees are in! The African Speculative Fiction Society nominees are in! People pressuring you to read 200 books a year are in. But us slow read...

#287 - You Do Like Your Alternate Londons

30 Mar 2017

Contributed by Lukas

A SciFi book is mysteriously returned after 35 years,  at the same time a billionaire suddenly invests in brain implants and a skull begins to talk. ...

#286 - Secrets of a Powder Mage

23 Mar 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Author Brian McClellan talks with us about his new entry point into the Powder Mage universe, Sins of Empire, why there's no wrong order to reading hi...

#285 - Why You Should Like Bad Characters

15 Mar 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Sometimes a character does stuff you hate. And that’s OK! We explain why. Plus: great space opera, women writer picks, and some guy named Tom wrote...

#284 - Living Fen’s Dream

09 Mar 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Brittany Curran, who plays Fen on The Magicians, talks about how her childhood love of C.S. Lewis has turned into a modern-day trip to Fillory. Plus, ...

#283 - The Madness Begins

02 Mar 2017

Contributed by Lukas

The Nebula Award Nominees are out, the Gateway is in and we’re glad we traveled The Salt Roads. But most of all we’re geared up for the March Madn...

#282 - Where The Salt Roads Lead

16 Feb 2017

Contributed by Lukas

We check in on our reading of The Salt Roads by Nalo Hopkinson, get some hints on the progress of the next Kingkiller Chronicle, and find another way ...

#281 - Worldbuilding Through Pinterest

07 Feb 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Bradley Beaulieu is on the show to talk about the second book in “The Song of the Shattered Sands” series called “With Blood Upon the Sand” co...

#280 - Good Omens for 2018

02 Feb 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Neil Gaiman is running a new TV show and we're excited! Plus the Arrival folks are making a Larry Niven short story into a show, and indie bookstores ...

#279 - Myke Cole, Man Hunter

23 Jan 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Person hunter, really! He's an equal-opportunity ass-kicker. Author and fighter of crimes, Myke Cole, tells us how he got involved in the new CBS show...

#278 - Don’t Trust Turkey Data

19 Jan 2017

Contributed by Lukas

A hot new approach to a fantasy trilogy, the real drama of rocket scientists involves cake, and why you can’t trust turkeys to rigorously use data t...

#277 - January No-Beer Problem

06 Jan 2017

Contributed by Lukas

We commend Terry Brooks' foresight, possibly convince Veronica to watch the Man in the High Castle some more, and give you important information to ge...

#276 - By Hook or by Rook

22 Dec 2016

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

#275 - Get Hip With the Rook

08 Dec 2016

Contributed by Lukas

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.http://swor...

#274 - Wrap Up of Futuristic Violence and Fancy Suits by David Wong

01 Dec 2016

Contributed by Lukas

We wrap up our thoughts on the cartoon violence and snappy dialog of David Wong's dissertation on lawlessness in Tabula Rasa. We think we know what it...

#273 - Han Solo’s Big Sister

23 Nov 2016

Contributed by Lukas

We are optimistic for Dune, excited for The Expanse, and hopeful for Stranger in a Strange Land. But we’re certain of what we want Emilia Clarke to ...

#272 - Best Cats and Dogs of SciFi

10 Nov 2016

Contributed by Lukas

We congratulate Brandon Sanderson and the World Fantasy Award winners and try to calibrate the futuristic violence for you. The fancy suits calibrate ...

#271 - Awkward Jinni Conversations

27 Oct 2016

Contributed by Lukas

We discover that some people's names just don't work as awards. We're excited about a site full of fictional timelines. And we ponder troubling jinni ...

#270 - Be a Cat Burglar for Good!

13 Oct 2016

Contributed by Lukas

We don't want you to steal cats (not even books, really), just to take home the exhibit from the Museum of Science Fiction. We'll explain! Plus, you m...

#269 - Artisanal Analog Tree-Sourced Reading Material

29 Sep 2016

Contributed by Lukas

We look for authors who satisfy like Scalzi, find out how dirty the new dirty editions of The Magicians are and discuss an ethical question regarding ...

#268 - "Underrated" is Not a Dirty Word

15 Sep 2016

Contributed by Lukas

We praise the underrated and print books, and we get into the dog-eat-dog world of Fire Upon the Deep! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more...

#267 - We Pick the Best Wizard School

31 Aug 2016

Contributed by Lukas

The Hugos are in, for 2016 and 1941! And although the Thorn of Emberlain is delayed, we understand. We also pick our favorite wizard school and wrap u...

#266 - Are You Reading Too Much?

17 Aug 2016

Contributed by Lukas

This week we dive into our (non-spoilery) thoughts on the Witcher and get excited about a movie based on Ted Chiang's story and a TV series based on G...

#265 - Zombies and LARPers: The Nerdist Inkshares Winners!

11 Aug 2016

Contributed by Lukas

We talk with Dave Barrett, author of Inkshares book It's All Fun and Games and Zac Linville author of Inkshares book Welcome to Deadland. One has zomb...

#264 - Will the Real Witcher Please Stand Up

04 Aug 2016

Contributed by Lukas

We have an excellent conversation about great character names and revel in the news of rising print book sales. But the big question is, which Witcher...

#263 - When to Judge a Book by its Cover

27 Jul 2016

Contributed by Lukas

We're excited about American Gods. We have mixed feelings about Time Traders. And we definitely understand why you might have to judge a book by its c...

#262 - G. Derek Adams Breaks The Rules, And You Win!

12 Jul 2016

Contributed by Lukas

G. Derek Adams, author of Asteroid Made of Dragons, knows his title is over the top. He meant it that way, and it's part of the genius of his stories....

261 #261 - The Restaurant At The End Of The Barnes & Noble

06 Jul 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Looks like your old bookstore is getting into fancy dinners, plus the rise of book-based card games and how Time Traders proves you live in the wrong ...

#260 - Why Young Adult Is For Everyone W Fran Wilde

29 Jun 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Fran Wilde talks to us about Updraft, how she was inspired to create the bone city, and why she doesn't mind the young adult label but it doesn't alwa...

#259 - The Adventures Of The Giant Space Hedgehog

22 Jun 2016

Contributed by Lukas

American Gods nails the casting, John W. Campbell Award nails the nominees, and we nail the true origin of the world of Updraft as we wrap up this mon...

#258 - When To Worry About The Singularity W Ramez Naam!

15 Jun 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Ramez Naam talks about his Nexus trilogy, nanotechnology, and when to worry about AI getting too smart! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for mor...

#257 - Shakespeare Was A Genre Writer

07 Jun 2016

Contributed by Lukas

You may be surprised to learn Gillian Anderson's role in American Gods. You may be surprised that China did not previously have official SciFi awards....

#256 - Interview With Hardcore Game Of Thrones

02 Jun 2016

Contributed by Lukas

We talk with Jason Greene and Alex Berg from Hardcore Game of Thrones, a show that tells the history of Westeros in the style of Dan Carlin's Hardcore...

#255 - Just The One Planet

25 May 2016

Contributed by Lukas

We are excited for a new space opera from John Scalzi, not new but awesome Nebula Award winners, and we get teary-eyed over an A.I. as we wrap up Kim ...

#254 - Wheel Of Boobies

11 May 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Wheel of Time is getting a TV series and Veronica has one thing (well, more than one thing) that she expects to see. Would that make it the "boob tube...

#253 - A Tale Of Two Styles

27 Apr 2016

Contributed by Lukas

The Hugos are out! We leave the drama to the side for this one and celebrate the novel nominees. But we didn't waste the drama... we just saved it for...

#252 - Andrew Mayne's Magical Writing Secrets

19 Apr 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Magician and TV star Andrew Mayne has managed to become a successful published author. How? Not magic. Well some magic. But magic isn’t required. Pl...

#251 - How Veronica Tamed Tyrion

13 Apr 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Statistics dub Tyrion the main character of George R. R. Martin’s A Storm of Swords and Veronica got to talk to him! Well, she talked to Peter Dinkl...

#250 - Ken Liu Explains Why Silkpunk Is Not What You Think

05 Apr 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Ken Liu, author of The Grace of Kings tells us about the inspiration for his worlds, his domain name, how translation has helped him as a writer, and ...

#249 - Secrets Of All The Birds In The Sky W Charlie Jane Anders

30 Mar 2016

Contributed by Lukas

We’re joined by Charlie Jane Anders to wrap up her book, All the Birds in the Sky. Did you know Kevin has a secret history? What anime inspired Erne...

#248 - The Truth About Vampires w/ Jim McDoniel

22 Mar 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Jim McDoniel, author of An Unattractive Vampire, is not only the second author to get published in the Sword and Laser collection, he’s also a truth...

#247 - Parents Just Weren't Understood

16 Mar 2016

Contributed by Lukas

We're checking in on All The Birds in The Sky by Charlie Jane Anders and why some people were put off by Patrica and Laurence's parents. Trust us, so ...

#246 - The 34 Rules Of Robotics With J - F Dubeau

09 Mar 2016

Contributed by Lukas

We chat with J-F Dubeau, author of The Life Engineered, first book in the Sword and Laser Inkshares collection. Find out whether the thousand year old...

#245 - Terry Pratchett Helps Us Feel Better

02 Mar 2016

Contributed by Lukas

We're very excited about the debut of our first Sword and Laser Inkshares collection book, The Life Engineered by JF Dubeau. We're a little bummed tha...

#244 - It's OK To Like Junk Fiction Sometimes

16 Feb 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Sometimes some people just want a story you can take your brain off and enjoy. If that's not you, keep your rain off my cotton candy. Also an awesome ...

#243 - Hugo Nominations Are Open!

03 Feb 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Yes you can nominate your favorite novels, short stories, TV scripts and— oh look, fancasts! We also discuss the line between inspiration and approp...

#242 - The Animal In Our Collection

20 Jan 2016

Contributed by Lukas

We congratulate the winners of our Inkshares contest and name the book that will be joining our Sword and Laser collection. Plus, why you shouldn’t ...

#241 - A.I. Animal Flesh Carvers

13 Jan 2016

Contributed by Lukas

We talk to three of the leaders in the Inkshares Sword and Laser collection contest. From animal people to lonely AI to epic flesh carvers have they g...

#240 - Wish We Were There

06 Jan 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Over the break, we took a little time out of vacation to talk about our holiday reads, from ancient history to Chewbacca. Sigh. No Star Wars spoilers ...

#239 - King Arthur Is A Mary Sue

23 Dec 2015

Contributed by Lukas

We wrap up our thoughts about Arrows of the Queen by Mercedes Lackey. And we discuss why calling a character a “Mary Sue” has become meaningless a...

#238 - W.E.B. Dubois' 1908 GoT Reference

09 Dec 2015

Contributed by Lukas

A newly-discovered short story from W.E.B. Dubois called “The Princess Steel” seems to anticipate elements of Game of Thrones and Doctor Who. Plus...

#237 - Charles E. Gannon And Big Idea Books

01 Dec 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Author Chuck Gannon joins us on the show this week to talk about his most recent work in the Caine Riordan series (Raising Caine), as well as helping ...

#236 - Time Travel Is Frustrating

25 Nov 2015

Contributed by Lukas

We wrap up what people thought about Time and Again by Jack Finney. Some loved the imagery, some got bored, and some thought he was just too hard on N...

#235 - The Practical Effects Of Mallory O'Meara

19 Nov 2015

Contributed by Lukas

We interview Mallory O'Meara, producer and screenwriter for Dark Dunes Productions, about Yamasong: March of the Hallows, a movie about an automated g...

#234 - We Think We Know How Game Of Thrones Ends

11 Nov 2015

Contributed by Lukas

George R R Martin will only say that Game of Thrones will end in a bittersweet way. We’re pretty sure we know what that means. Also Chinese Nebula A...

233: Publishing Inside And Out, With Jaym Gates (Con-Volution 2015)

04 Nov 2015

Contributed by Lukas

At Con-Volution 2015 we sat down with author/podcaster/publicist Jaym Gates and talked about her unique perspective on publishing from within and with...

S&L Podcast - #232 - Is This Book A Traitor To Its Genre?

28 Oct 2015

Contributed by Lukas

We wrap up our October book pick, The Traitor Baru Cormorant. Some people find the hero less than heroic. Some people find the genre less than fantasy...

S&L Podcast - #231 - Can An Author Spoil Herself

21 Oct 2015

Contributed by Lukas

We have a delightful conversation with Catherynne M. Valente about decopunk, book awards, and why she fears spoiling herself about her own stories whi...