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

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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. 

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

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

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The S&L Wiki is now live!

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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

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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

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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

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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 Podcast - #99 - The Game of Sword Picks

S&L Video - #02 - The Magicians Wrap-Up and Interview with Saladin Ahmed!

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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
What is "used book smell?"
Aurora Nominations
Novellas, Unbound!

 

 

 

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

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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 Podcast - #98 - Stop Saying Lady Cave!

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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 Podcast - #98 - Stop Saying Lady Cave!

S&L Video - #01 - We Kick-off The Magicians!

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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!

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S&L Podcast - #96 - Interview with Scott Lynch

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We're psyched to interview Scott Lynch, who, spoiler alert, is the Scott who gets welcomed in the new member hellos too! Plus we delve into the Ender's Game controversy and pick good audio books for road trips.

WHAT ARE WE DRINKING?
Tom: Water 
Veronica: 2006 Bruno Rocca Barbaresco 

QUICK BURNS
Teacher Suspended For Reading Ender's Game To Students
How does 1Q84 stack up to Haruki Murakami’s classic novels? 
Science Fiction and Fantasy Book Series That Started Out as Trilogies 
EXPANSE Book III given a title 

CALENDAR

BARE YOUR SWORD

The Lies of Locke Lamora > Boing Boing's List of Vagabonds 
Time for a road trip! (No, we don't mean we're going on tour) 

TV, MOVIES AND VIDEO GAMES
Twilight slashfic takes Hollywood 

INTERVIEW
Scott Lynch
The Lies of Locke Lamora (Gentleman Bastard, #1) by Scott Lynch

BOOK PICK
Help pick our May book (It's a laser)

EMAIL
Hey there! I am an assistant librarian at Parman Library here in San Antonio, TX. I was wondering, since you guys have quite the following, if you could have an option on your site or goodreads site where people can submit their book groups/social clubs for others to search for.  For instance, I have a science fiction book group at our library called Escape the Earth! and if it were listed on your site, which gets a lot of traffic from SF fans, it would bring my community closer together in our nerdom. Just a thought… Been enjoying the podcast!
 
Tyler D. Lutz
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Hey Tom and Veronica.
Congrats on the video show, I'd actually always hoped we'd see a video show (though I always imagined it would have been a TWiT.TV show).
Anyway I have a couple of thoughts.
1. You mentioned the video show needing to be pretty strictly PG. Do you feel this is going to have a real impact on the book choices?
2. What's going to happen with Game of Thrones TV discussion? I'd really like you to think about doing a separate small 10-15 minute audioshow after each episode and drop them in the podcast feed. 
Anyway really looking forward to the video show.
Jason (Australia).
--- 

I know you cant talk about it on sword and laser because of your sponsor but I think people should know about
http://librivox.org/
It is a website that is trying to record all public domain books into audio books and then publish them on the web under creative commons.  People can volunteer to read books or chapters and upload them back to the site.  They are all surprising well done and although not on the same level as paid versions.  They are very easy to listen to, unlike computer synthesized voices.
I first heard about from the roku channel on the nowhere man's privet channel page
http://thenowhereman.com/roku/
I would love to know what you think about it
Thanks
-Andrew 

NEW MEMBER HELLOS
Jonathan, Paul, Courtney, Mike, Josh, Scott, Micha, Tyler, Brooke, Yento, G Willow Wilson, Brandon, Carleen, Leslie, Amber, Travis, Kelly, Hagar, Vicki,Terry, Quinton, Dan, Josh, Gally, Mike, Rachel, Phil, Cameron, Ryan, Chase, JC, Frank, Mike, Louie, Cy, Nick, Jon, Trevor, Sean, Damian, Hunter, Gary, Sam, Jacob, Hai, Tony, Phillip, Eric, TK, Will, CF, Jason, ob1spyker, Semora (see-more-ah), Luis, Tracey, Mimsey, Sara, Paul, John

S&L Podcast - #96 - Interview with Scott Lynch

S&L Podcast - #95 - Have You Seen This Direwolf?

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We're all giddy about our new video show at Geek and Sundry, but we promise there's more to the episode than just that.  Though if you have questions about what the video show means, hopefully loads of them are answered right off the top of the show. We also dig into Lies of Locke Lamora (though we don't wrap it up quite yet) and help save SciFi. Literally.

WHAT ARE WE DRINKING?

Tom: 2008 Ravenswood Cabernet Sauvignon Vintners Blend 

Veronica: 2005 Phenom Merlot 

QUICK BURNS

That online book club you like is adding a YouTube show to it's lineup

Sword & Laser coming to video! 

The Drowned Cities by Paolo Bacigalupi has a free Kindle preview up 

Have you seen this Direwolf? Arya Stark’s Lost Dog Poster 

Singularity & Co. - Save the SciFI! 

CALENDAR

BARE YOUR SWORD

"The Magicians" discussion leader? 

Yes we know what the next book will be - and yes we know it's not a laser, but the book after that will be and we need your help picking it! 

If made into a movie, who would you cast? 

Who Scott Lynch would cast 

TV, MOVIES AND VIDEO GAMES

Finally a real Prometheus trailer and not just a teaser!

John Carter 

BOOK CHECK-IN

The Lies of Locke Lamora (Gentleman Bastard, #1) by Scott Lynch  

SF Signal is doing Lies of Locke Lamora too! 

The Lies of Locke Lamora > A Protagonist in Need of a Want? 

The Lies of Locke Lamora > Why isn't there a map? 

EMAIL

I had the honor of getting to see Tom and Veronica at the WonderCon signing this Saturday. Tom gave me a shirt and I thought it was just an XL when he gave it to me, but was elated to see it was an XXXL when I checked it later. I'm so used to free giveaways being so small on me and most people overlook us big boys. I'm a big fan of all that you and I can't thank you enough. 

Literally a Big Fan,

Mike P.

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Tom and Veronica, 

I'm very excited about your video podcast, and all teh geek and sundry goodness coming. But I have one concern: Is there a 'what we're drinking' section? If there is no drinking to begin the show, it can't really be an S&L podcast, can it? 

Keep up the good work.

JOE

NEW MEMBER HELLOS

Aroha, Dana, Mitchbert, Christopher, Aaron, Troadon, Louann, Megan, Count, Zach, Jason, Leesa, Ivy, Tyson, John, Brandi, Caroline, Steven, Lily, Adam, John, Craig, Chris, Jamie, Mae, Alan, Robby, Casey, Brendan

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 Podcast - #95 - Have You Seen This Direwolf?

S&L Podcast - #94 - Can't Keep A Good Map Down

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We talk about some cool SciFi maps from the US to Westeros tonight.  Plus, the Syrah may get to our hosts, but they think they know both why we like heroes, and when it's OK to hate an author's politics but like his story. we also are continually impressed with Terry Pratchett.

WHAT ARE WE DRINKING?

Tom: 2010 La Granja Syrah 

Veronica: Pasa Robles Syrah from a Zeppelin!

QUICK BURNS

The most complete ASoIaF World Map yet 

A map of the United States, drawn in the style of Lord of the Rings 

Info on Guy Gavriel Kay's new novel 

The Worst Science Fiction Novel of the 19th Century 

Legendary French artist Moebius, the man who made The Abyss, Alien, and Tron even weirder, is dead at 73

CALENDAR

BARE YOUR SWORD

Are Generation X scifi/fantasy fans fixated on the Chosen One?

Political Views of Authors 

TV, MOVIES AND VIDEO GAMES

GAME OF THRONES Season 2 episode title update 

Yet another GAME OF THRONES trailer 

Pottermore departing beta from platform nine (and three quarters) in April

Mass Effect as good science fiction 

BOOK CHECK-IN

"The Lies of Locke Lamora (Gentleman Bastard, #1) by Scott Lynch"

EMAIL

Hey guys,

I'm very pleased you're currently reading The Lies of Locke Lamora.  I read it about a year ago and immediately followed up with the awesome sequel ""Red Seas Under Red Skies"".  It was that book that got me more into the Fantasy genre and as I explored online I found your podcast.  I saw this recent post on Scott Lynch's blog regarding some of his early development of the Gentlemen Bastard series and thought it would be interesting to mention on the show:

http://scott-lynch.livejournal.com/271036.html

I found this post particularly interesting as I will be taking part in this years NaNoWriMo, inspired by your attempts last year, and I plan on making extensive notes beforehand.

Keep up the good work.

Matt

---

Hi, this is Chris from Poland again. I wanted to mention that the Discworld Reading Order Guide that I maintain and which you mentioned once on the podcast has been updated to version 2.1 and is available on the Discworld Fanatics website. Since you sometimes mention Pratchett, your listeners might want to take a look at the new Guide.

Cheers,

Chris.

---

NEW MEMBER HELLOS

Amy, David, Clarissa, Jesse, Todd, Rob, Chris, Ewan, Jenni, Don, Andrew, Jake, Bradford, Jerry, Binarybookworm, Luke, Billy, Steven, Diego, Jedidiah, Martin, Andrew, Stuart, Christos

ADDENDUMS

We'll be at WonderCon next weekend, panel at 2pm with Felicia Day, Wil Wheaton and more! Room 204

S&L Podcast - #94 - Can't Keep A Good Map Down

S&L Podcast - #93 - Interview with Andrew Mayne

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We chat with author and magician Andrew Mayne.  And we mean he's actually amagician, not just magical with stories, although also that. Plus we talk about the best ways to sign Kindle books.

WHAT ARE WE DRINKING?

Tom: 2008 Red Diamond Winery Shiraz 

Veronica: 2012 Agua

QUICK BURNS

New Terry Pratchett novel given a title 

Brandon Sanderson plans 36-volume fantasy series 

Michael Whelan to paint the final WHEEL OF TIME cover 

Rudy Rucker's new imprint launches with his complete short stories 

2 Science Publishers Delve Into Science Fiction 

Science fiction writers irked with Amazon.com, redirect links to other booksellers

CALENDAR  

INTERVIEW

Books by Andrew Mayne

BARE YOUR SWORD

How do I get my kindle signed?

Female SciFi Leads 

TV, MOVIES AND VIDEO GAMES

Latest GAME OF THRONES S2 trailer 

GAME OF THRONES S2 trailer: Seven Devils 

New LEGEND OF KORRA trailer 

New BATTLESTAR GALACTICA pilot completed 

BOOK CHECK-IN

The Lies of Locke Lamora (Gentleman Bastard, #1)by Scott Lynch

Purchase The Lies of Locke Lamora  

EMAIL

Hi, this is Chris from Poland again from the ""No, I fixed it!"" debacle :-P. I'm now all caught up with the podcast. I just graduated from English Studies at the University of Warsaw. I thought I'd send you guys my MA Theis, as it deals with the cyberpunk fiction of William Gibson and Neal Stephenson (the novels "Neuromancer", "Snow Crash" and "The Diamond Age").

The Thesis explores the themes of innocence and individualism in American fiction and cyberpunk in particular. Check it out if you're ever bored enough to start reading an academic paper ;-).

Cheers, Chris.

NEW MEMBER HELLOS

Irene, Paul, Princess Nenji, Jessica-star, David, Tasha, Jani, Ray, Jukka, Penny, Nick, Jill, Joey, Rob, Justin, Jonny, Laura, Vicky, Joel, Kyle, Steve, Dan, Benjamin, Chad, Stuart, Paige, Jordy, Michael, Christine, RK, Adam, Sergio, Jim, Tim, Virgil, Timi, Sil-in-thar, Richard, Steve, Theresa, Gloria, Caribeth, Jamie, Maike, Paul, Jim, Josh, Joe, John, Joey, Zev871, Silvan, Jason, She'Nundi, Skaw, Steve, Brent, Theodore, Matt, Adrian, Christopher, Charlotte, Jared, Jon, Kam, Penny, Cian (key-in), Dexter, Aarón, Julia, Adam

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 Podcast - #93 - Interview with Andrew Mayne

We need help!!!

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Hey folks! 

So Tom and I are looking for someone in the community to lend a helping hand around the farm. We'd like to hire (YES, HIRE) a production assistant to help us with guest booking, asset gathering, event coordination, and other tasks. 

We need someone who is extremely detail oriented, available around eight hours a week, and obviously has a love of science fiction and fantasy! 

You don't need to be local to SF, though it would be easier if you were in a timezone that lent itself well to collaboration. 

Please email us at feedback@swordandlaser.com with the subject line "Production assistant." This will be a paying gig, though we cannot shower you in gold (sorry). 

Serious inquiries only, and don't fret if we don't get back to you immediately! 

THANKS!!!