The Sword and Laser Podcast

Episodes

• S&L Video - #04 - Interview with Ernest Cline & our Hyperion wrap-up!

  5/25/2012

  Download

  Duration: Not Available

  Author and screenwriter Ernest Cline joins us today to talk about Ready Player One, and we wrap up our May pick, Hyperion! Learn more about our guest and book pick! Ernest Cline: http://www.ernestcline.com/ Ernie on Twitter: twitter.com/erniecline Ready Player One: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9969571-ready-player-one Hyperion: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/77566.Hyperion Show Notes: SCOTT LYNCH - THE BASTARDS AND THE KNIVES TO BE PUBLISHED, SUMMARY AND COVER ART REVEALED StarShipSofa Online Narrators Workshop KICKSTARTER: “The Lathe of Heaven” Theater Project Nominate a Podcast John W. Campbell Memorial Award Finalists  Video Review by Dr. P:     YouTube Direct Link: http://youtu.be/7FkioqeLtyg

• S&L Video - Neal Stephenson & The Mongoliad authors

  5/18/2012

  Download

  Duration: Not Available

    Tom and Veronica sat down with 6 of the 7 authors of the Mongoliad, including Erik Bear, Joseph Brassey, E.D deBirmingham, Cooper Moo, Neal Stephenson, and Mark Teppo.    Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_pkRAEPGOs    

• S&L Video - Lev Grossman - Bonus interview

  5/17/2012

  Download

  Duration: Not Available

  We've used our remedial magic to convince The Magicians author to stick around for a few more questions! Link: http://youtu.be/ACZrPD8KII0

•    
  S&L Podcast - #100 - We're Old!

  5/15/2012

  Download

  Duration: Not Available

  It's our 100th episode and we're having a party.  But some of you are not having a party with our book pick. Well, you can just Farcast out of here! Kidding! It's OK if you Lem it. Borges tells you why. WHAT ARE WE DRINKING? Tom: Maker's Mark Veronica: Cupcake Vineyards Red Velvet  100 Episodes! Here's what we used to sound like. QUICK BURNS Finally, Harry Potter Is Touching Down on Amazon’s Kindle  Brush up on your Game of Thrones history with these animated shorts  Fantasy Novels That Will Restore Your Faith in Humanity  Jack Williamson on what the future meant in the era of scientifiction  A New Translation of The One Russian Science Fiction Novel You Absolutely Must Read Parsec Awards  CALENDAR BARE YOUR SWORD Penny Arcade on China Mieville  How do you take your audiobooks?  TV, MOVIES AND VIDEO GAMES Fox, Ridley Scott nab film rights to self-published sci-fi series  BOOK CHECK-IN Hyperion by Dan Simmons  Where do we stand on the June book? Hyperion... LEMMED!  Other Dan Simmons work  2013 Hyperion Movie  EMAIL Hey Tom & Veronica! I just found out about you guys, and Geek & Sundry, in general. I'm super stoked: to hear Gaimen and Dick being thrown out there brings warm fuzzies to my book-lovin' heart. I enjoy what (be it your personality and literary smarts) and who (the authors!) your bring to the table. Can't wait for the next installment. As for a dragon name, how about "Gelf"?  A gelf can be a elven creature (sword); a genetically enhanced life form (laser); or can be anything you want it to be (in our line of business, imagination is everything). See Urban Dictionary for more details. A-a-a-nd, for bonus points, it was a Gelfling that merged the Skexis and urRu into one awesome whole- just like you guys have have brought the sword and laser communities together and the yet-to-be-named dragon seems to be half traditional dragon and half... MechaGodzilla. =)  Anyway, you rock. Sincerely, Aaron ADDENDUMS NAME! THAT! DRAGON!  Secret Identity  This podcast is brought to you by Audible.com the internet’s leading provider of audiobooks with more than 100,000 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. 

• Guess the dragon's name!

  5/14/2012

  Download

  Duration: Not Available

    Loading...

• S&L Video - #03 - Interview with Lev Grossman & our Hyperion kick-off!

  5/11/2012

  Download

  Duration: Not Available

  Celebrated author and book critic Lev Grossman answers your questions about The Magicians, and we kick off our brand new "laser" pick, Hyperion by Dan Simmons! Learn more about our guest and book pick! Lev Grossman: http://levgrossman.com/blog/Lev on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/leverusThe Magicians: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6101718-the-magiciansHyperion: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/77566.HyperionShow Notes:Best Served Cold Limited5 Scientific Explanations for Game of Thrones‘ Messed-Up SeasonsTor unveil the final cover art for A MEMORY OF LIGHTThe Most Messed Up Book About Robot Consciousness Ever"The Testament of Jessie Lamb" by Jane RogersVideo Review by Matt!

• S&L Video - Saladin Ahmed - Bonus interview

  5/3/2012

  Download

  Duration: Not Available

  We ask author Saladin Ahmed more viewer questions. Plus he describes his new book and how he became a DM for Joe Abercrombie!

• The S&L Wiki is now live!

  5/2/2012

  Download

  Duration: Not Available

    Good news, everyone! The Sword and Laser Wiki is live! As with most wikis, this is open for anyone to edit, and a lot of work has already been done on the book list and glossary page, but chime in if there's anything else you'd like to add! Also, did you see the amazing art Scott Johnson made for us for Nerdtacular '12? He's the best, as we'll be there recording a live audio show!  

•    
  S&L Podcast - #99 - The Game of Sword Picks

  5/1/2012

  Download

  Duration: Not Available

  It's an epic struggle... With The Magicians finally given our last words, and Hyperion by Dan Simmons kicked off, attention turns to the June "sword" pick. But while Veronica struggles with her penchant for democracy and her desire for supreme power, she comes up against one sobering fact: In the game of sword picks, you win or you read Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell. WHAT ARE WE DRINKING? Tom: 2009 Château Haut-Sorillon Veronica: St. george Absinthe Verte QUICK BURNS Neal Stephenson on Science Fiction, Building Towers 20 Kilometers High ... and Insurance Sci-fi author sues Ubisoft over Assassin's Creed copyright infringement Macmillan’s Tor/Forge goes DRM-free IO9 listing the top 100 albums sff fans should listen to  10 Untranslatable Words (And When You’ll Want to Use Them)  CALENDAR  BARE YOUR SWORD Other Polarizing Books  Author Promo (Share Your Stuff!) > Help, please, oh gods of science What Else Are You Reading? > Any fans of tie-in fiction?  TV, MOVIES AND VIDEO GAMES Warner Bros. releases 'Casablanca,' 'Ben-Hur,' and other scripts as enhanced ebooks BOOK WRAP-UP  The Magicians by Lev Grossman  Last thoughts! We will have Mr. Grossman on the next video episode of Sword and Laser so submit your questions on GoodReads. Next book will be Hyperion by Dan Simmons  Won the Hugo in 1989 - First book of the Hyperion Cantos (which some people may get bugged by because it definitely leads into a series) From Wikipedia: It's what is called a Frame Story - A frame story (also frame tale, frame narrative, etc.) is a literary technique that sometimes serves as a companion piece to a story within a story, whereby an introductory or main narrative is presented, at least in part, for the purpose of setting the stage either for a more emphasized second narrative or for a set of shorter stories. The frame story leads readers from a first story into another, smaller one (or several ones) within it. Mimics the canterbury Tales in many ways.  Stories are told on a pilgrimage. Hyperion is in development for a 2013 release (definitely subject to change since it hasn't started production yet). According to a 2008 io9 report the writer Trevor Sands will simplify Hyperion and mash it up with the sequel Fall of Hyperion http://io9.com/375998/dan-simmons-hyperion-books-will-be-smooshed-together-into-one-movie And we're working on the June Pick. EMAIL / VOICEMAILS --- First, I love the show. I'm a fellow podcaster over at Guys Can Read. We do book reviews and interviews with authors like R. A. Salvatore and Daniel H. Wilson.  Also, I thought your listeners would be interested in my book launch into space! Here is the video. If you need any other media information just let me know.  Hope you guys enjoy! Kevin --- ADDENDUMS This podcast is brought to you by Audible.com the internet’s leading provider of audiobooks with more than 100,000 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 Video - #02 - The Magicians Wrap-Up and Interview with Saladin Ahmed!

  4/27/2012

  Download

  Duration: Not Available

    This week, we're wrapping up "The Magicians" by Lev Grossman (but don't despair if you haven't finished yet!) and we also speak with author Saladin Ahmed, finalist for the Nebula and Campbell awards and author of "Throne fo the Crescent Moon." Learn more about our guest and book pick! Saladin Ahmed: http://www.saladinahmed.com Saladin on Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/saladinahmed The Magicians: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6101718-the-magicians Show Notes: Neal Stephenson has a hard time talking about swordplay, in the Mongoliad trailer Which fictional character shares your birthday? What is "used book smell?" Aurora Nominations Novellas, Unbound! Video Review from Charles!       

• Solve this puzzle for a secret look at Mira Grant’s BLACKOUT

  4/25/2012

  Download

  Duration: Not Available

  Yesterday, io9 published an excerpt of Mira Grant's Blackout, the final book in her Newsflesh trilogy. Today, an intrepid Newsie hacked into the CDC computer system and liberated another file. For this one, though, you'll have to do a little digging... Below is a puzzle whose answer reveals one of the five codes you'll need to access the second, top-secret document. Rumor has it that you should be hanging around these other blogs to gather the other four: Rose-Owls and Pumpkin Girls (The Journal of Seanan McGuire) The Mary Sue SF Signal Fantasy Café Once you've gathered all five codes, you can access the encrypted document at the Orbit Books site. WARNING: Massive spoilers for Feed and Deadline ahead! Blackout will be available May 22nd. Let us know where you would hole up during a zombie apocalypse in the comments below, and you will be entered to win the Newsflesh triology (Feed, Deadline, Blackout)! Open to participants in the US, Canada, and the UK. Winner will be randomly selected on May 2nd!  

• S&L Video - Scott Sigler - Bonus interview

  4/19/2012

  Download

  Duration: Not Available

  We ask author Scott Sigler more questions than could fit in the main episode. Plus he tries to guess the name of the dragon.     Subscribe to Geek and Sundry.    

•    
  S&L Podcast - #98 - Stop Saying Lady Cave!

  4/17/2012

  Download

  Duration: Not Available

  If you thought the audio podcast would get shorter because of our video show, you were not right. We have almost a full hour of discussion about why we like dark fantasy, what makes C.S. Lewis so cool, and the ups, downs, ins, and outs of Quentin Coldwater and The Magicians. Also Veronica keeps saying "lady cave" because she thinks it's funny.  It's funny. WHAT ARE WE DRINKING? What We're Drinking" segment needs an S&L name  Tom: Racer 5 IPA  Veronica: 2009 Mandolin Cabernet Sauvignon  QUICK BURNS New cover art: Abercrombie, Sanderson, Banks, Sapkowski  Publisher hails CS Lewis 'space trilogy' e-book debut Writing advice from C.S. Lewis was both adorable and concise  The Year’s Best Science Fiction and Fantasy Books for Libertarians  Over 2/3 of U.S. libraries offer e-books; 28% lend e-readers  Cover art and blurb for Peter F. Hamilton's GREAT NORTH ROAD CALENDAR BARE YOUR SWORD FAQ - A Sword and Laser Primer for New Members  Lev Grossman says what fantasy is about  Send us videos!  TV, MOVIES AND VIDEO GAMES Full episode list for Season 2 of GAME OF THRONES  GAME OF THRONES renewed for a third season  BOOK CHECK-IN The Magicians by Lev Grossman  Meta-mockery of the fantasy genre?  Courage of your convictions when referencing other books?  A Case of Loose Ends?  EMAIL Hello Tom & Veronica, i've just watched the first video version of Sword & Laser on Youtube, and i totally loved it! I have a small question you guys can hopefully help me out with. I've recently sold my tablet (the poor thing was collection dust on the shelf), but now i'm finding myself getting back into e-books. I could read them on my smartphone, but the small screen makes me want to turn it off after a few minutes. Reading them on the computer works sometimes, but my concentration levels aren't as high as i hoped, i usually find myself surfing the web withint 10-15 minutes. Audiobooks may be a solution, and i am currently listening to one, narrated by your first guest Scott Sigler. However, i was hoping to somehow combine this with reading e-books. Any tips on how to make it easier to read e)books for an hour at a time without reinvesting in a tablet or any other devices would be appreciated! Love the show, your dragon definitely needs some patting :) Sincerely, JP ADDENDUMS This podcast is brought to you by Audible.com the internet’s leading provider of audiobooks with more than 100,000 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 Video - #01 - We Kick-off The Magicians!

  4/13/2012

  Download

  Duration: Not Available

  It's here, it's really here! After months of hard work (and dealing with dragon negotiations) we've finally launched the video show! Check it out below: Huge thanks to Scott Sigler for being on the first episode, and hopefully many of you have already started reading The Magicians by Lev Grossman.  Show Notes: Game of Thrones companion book - The Wertzone The Hugo Award Nominees Harry Potter e-books! - CNET Pheonix Pick giving away 10 free e-books - SFSignal The Kindle is opening up the world to new SFF authors - io9.com    

•    
  S&L Podcast - #97 - Oh Man, We're Near 100!

  4/3/2012

  Download

  Duration: Not Available

  We realise right off the top of the show that we need to start planning for our 100th episode.  Soon!  We also figure out why SciFi is sometimes better than reality and dish what we thought of The Hunger Games movie. Also: GAME OF THRONES!!! WHAT ARE WE DRINKING? Tom: 2011 Viñedos Errázuriz Ovalle Merlot/Malbec Panilonco Reserve Viñedos Marchigüe Veronica: 2006 Bruno Rocca Barbaresco QUICK BURNS Expecto Patronum! Harry Potter is now an e-book  On sci-fi and technology  Could the Amazon Kindle Revitalize Science Fiction?  John Hodgman and Rob Reid talk Year Zero, Aliens, and the RIAA  CALENDAR BARE YOUR SWORD What books would you recommend to someone scared of the Genre? What do you do when reading? TV, MOVIES AND VIDEO GAMES HBO releases extended GoT world map  Here there be White Walkers in stylized Game of Thrones maps  GAME OF THRONES companion book announced  BOOK CHECK-IN The Magicians by Lev Grossman