The Sword & Laser Anthology

We've been talking about it for years, but now it's actually going to be a real thing! That's right, we're officially announcing the Sword & Laser Anthology!

We'll be starting open submissions in March, but here's what you need to know:

1. We're looking for unpublished, new material.

2. Genres: science fiction, fantasy, and everything in between.

3. Word count preferably between 1500-7500 (though more or less will not disqualify you).

DON'T SEND US ANYTHING YET! We won't even LOOK at it until we announce the open call. Just start thinking about what you'd like to submit. We wanted to give you some warning, but you'll have time, we promise!

GOOD LUCK and GOOD WRITING!

S&L Video - "The Dirty Streets of Heaven" Wrap-Up

Turkey has been gobbled, NaNoWriMo is drawing to a close, and that means its time to wrap-up Tad Williams' The Dirty Streets of Heaven and check in with the discussions happening over on GoodReads. 

More about our November pick, The Dirty Streets of Heaven: 
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13542846-the-dirty-streets-of-heaven

Discussion Threads: 

Gift Giving in the Digital Age: http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/1079513-gifting-in-the-digital-age
DRM Free E-Books: http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/1087195-copyright-free-published-books and https://www.smashwords.com

S&L Podcast - #115 - Ghallu everyone!

On this episode we breakdown the Tolkien estate case against Warner Brothers, debate the origins of the Ghallu, and even figure out the January book pick! Also Tom has a Snow Day.  But it's not what you think. It's BETTER!

WHAT ARE WE DRINKING?
 
QUICK BURNS
 
Happy Birthday to Michael Stackpole!
 
 
BARE YOUR SWORD
 
 
TV, MOVIES AND VIDEO GAMES
 
 
BOOK CHECK-IN
 
Dirty Streets wrap-up this Friday - The Hobbit Kick-Off Dec. 7
 
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 - #115 - Ghallu everyone!

S&L Podcast - #114 - World-builder porn

It's a fun show this time.  No, seriously, you should try to listen. We talk with Dave GrossLead Writer at Overhaul Games, and James L. Sutter a co-creator of the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game and the Fiction Editor for Paizo Publishing. They share some great insights on the relationship of role-playing games to fantasy novels as well as just about the craft of writing itself. Also Veronica peer pressures Tom into drinking.



WHAT ARE WE DRINKING?
Tom: Racer 5 IPA 
Veronica: 2009 Pirie South Tasmania Pinot Noir
 
QUICK BURNS
How to Get Signed and Personalized Scalzi Books for the Holidays, 2012

Who would win in a fight between Tolkien characters and Game of Thrones characters? George R.R. Martin weighs in

Fake William Gibson novels, tweeted

Philip Pullman's Grimm's Fairytales 

BARE YOUR SWORD
Is this indicative of Tad Williams' work?
 
CALENDAR
 
INTERVIEW
Dave GrossLead Writer at Overhaul Games, developers of Baldur’s Gate: Enhanced Edition. and James L. Sutter a co-creator of the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game and the Fiction Editor for Paizo Publishing.

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.  

ADDENDUMS

 

S&L Podcast - #114 - World-builder porn

S&L Video #15 - Author Guide to Robin Hobb!

 

We sit down with Robin Hobb to discuss her penchant for pen names, what's she currently working on, and her epic trilogies, or are they a nonology? dodecology? We're not sure either, but regardless, enjoy!

More about our guest, Robin Hobb:
On the Web: http://robinhobb.com/
On Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/25307.Robin_Hobb
On Twitter: https://twitter.com/robinhobb

More on Megan Lindholm: 
On the Web: http://www.meganlindholm.com/
On GoodReads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/53255.Megan_Lindholm

More on The Inheritance: http://robinhobb.com/novels/the-inheritance/

Hobb's Works: 

The Farseer Trilogy: 
Assassin's Apperentice:http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/45107.Assassin_s_Apprentice
Royal Assassin: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/68487.Royal_AssassinAssassin's Quest: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/45112.Assassin_s_Quest

The Tawny Man Trilogy:
Fool's Errand: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/68488.Fool_s_Errand
Golden Fool: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/45109.Golden_Fool Fool's Fate:http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/45108.Fool_s_Fate

The Liveship Traders Trilogy:
Ship of Magic: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/45100.Ship_of_Magic
The Mad Ship: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/45101.The_Mad_Ship
Ship of Destiny: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/45102.Ship_of_Destiny

The Soldier Son Trilogy:
Shaman's Crossing: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/45110.Shaman_s_Crossing
Forest Mage: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/45106.Forest_Mage Renegade's Magic: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1593623.Renegade_s_Magic

The Rain Wild Chronicles: 
The Dragon Keeper: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4703450-the-dragon-keeper
Dragon Haven: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7011403-dragon-haven
City of Dragons: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11801463-city-of-dragons

Whiteboard Introduction to Robin Hobb by Aaron: http://youtu.be/PWvGdRcXQJ4

S&L Podcast - #113 - Almost amazing

This week we get a review of the Cloud Atlas movie, a sneak peek at the Dirty Streets of Heaven and a debate about Denny's.


 
WHAT WE'RE DRINKING
Tom: 2010 Peachy Canyon Zinfandel Incredible Red 
Veronica: Unicorn tears
 
QUICK BURNS
JRR Tolkien letter reveals poor sales of The Hobbit
 
The Hobbit’s Second Breakfast being served at Denny’s is something that is happening
 
Neal Stephenson talks REAMDE with lawyers, security experts
 
CALENDAR
 
BARE YOUR SWORD
Cloud Atlas movie
 
BOOK CHECK-IN
Tom also finishing Isles of the Forsaken by Carolyn Ives Gilman 
Veronica finished Furies of Calderon (Codex Alera, Book 1) by Jim Butcher.
 
EMAIL

Hey guys,
I love your show.  Can't wait for the Robin Hobb interview.  Will that be on the youtube webcast and the audio podcast?  I read Liveship, Tawny Man, Farseer, and the new Rain Wilds series.  I had to Lem the Soldier Son....it was way too slow and a little boring....I didn't like the protagonist at all.  

Anyway, I am really writing today about the email below.  You guys are going to be in the money for all of the books you have bought from Amazon.  I have had a Kindle for around 3 years and I am always disappointed about the pricing.  The electronic version of a book should ALWAYS be less then the hardback/paperback but that is not always so.  

It looks like some publishers are finally trying to put an end of the extreme pricing.
What do you think?

Is the Youtube podcast ever going to go to Itunes as a videocast?  I am not always in front of my computer / smart TV so it would be great if my IPod could play the video cast.  You guys look great on a 55"" HD TV by the way.

My author interview wishlist:  Scott Lynch, Gentlemen Bastards...Brent Weeks, Lightbringer.....Peter V. Brett, Demon War....
Thanks,
Craig from PA

Dear Kindle Customer,
We have good news. You are entitled to a credit for some of your past e-book purchases as a result of legal settlements between several major e-book publishers and the Attorneys General of most U.S. states and territories, including yours. You do not need to do anything to receive this credit. We will contact you when the credit is applied to your Amazon.com account if the Court approves the settlements in February 2013.
Hachette, Harper Collins, and Simon & Schuster have settled an antitrust lawsuit about e-book prices. Under the proposed settlements, the publishers will provide funds for a credit that will be applied directly to your Amazon.com account. If the Court approves the settlements, the account credit will appear automatically and can be used to purchase Kindle books or print books. While we will not know the amount of your credit until the Court approves the settlements, the Attorneys General estimate that it will range from $0.30 to $1.32 for every eligible Kindle book that you purchased between April 2010 and May 2012. Alternatively, you may request a check in the amount of your credit by following the instructions included in the formal notice of the settlements, set forth below. You can learn more about the settlements here:
www.amazon.com/help/agencyebooksettlements
In addition to the account credit, the settlements impose limitations on the publishers’ ability to set e-book prices. We think these settlements are a big win for customers and look forward to lowering prices on more Kindle books in the future.
Thank you for being a Kindle customer.
The Amazon Kindle Team
 
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 - #113 - Almost amazing

S&L Podcast - #112 - Interview with G. Willow Wilson!

Today we show you just why the audio podcast is different and more REAL than anything else you listen to. Then we calm down, sober up, time travel, and have a fascinating interview with G. Willow Wilson. Turns out, she is awesome.  Find out why!
 
WHAT ARE WE DRINKING?

 
QUICK BURNS



 
 
 
 
INTERVIEW

 
 
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 - #112 - Interview with G. Willow Wilson!

S&L Video - #13B - 'Cloud Atlas' Kick-off

 

With a movie adaptation coming to theatres on October 26th, we kick-off David Mitchell's Cloud Atlas, check in with the folks over on Goodreads, and giggle like schoolboys at the titles of a few of Tom's favorite pieces of pulp fiction! 

More about our October Pick, David Mitchell's Cloud Atlas: 
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/49628.Cloud_Atlas

Discussion Threads:
http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/972592-renegade-read-for-august-september...
http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/999082-post-your-pulp-gems
http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/993638-serialised-novels-what-do-you-think

Railsea review by David: http://youtu.be/fV17ak0C0_8

Check out the Calendar for upcoming interviews and book picks:http://swordandlaser.com/calendar

S&L Podcast - #111 - Shhh! Science fiction is tired

Is science fiction exhauasted?  It has a had a hard century's work.  We'll examine that, invite you to read some banned books, and smell Veronica's feet. Don't let that last one put you off. We also kick off Cloud Atlas.

WHAT ARE WE DRINKING?

Tom: Racer 5 
Veronica: Fridge was empty
 
QUICK BURNS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BARE YOUR SWORD

 
 
BOOK CHECK-IN

Cloud Atlas Kick-off video coming at the end of this week
 
Great resource for Cloud Atlas 

EMAIL

I have always been an avid reader but not a fantasy/sci-fi reader until I started to listen to your audio podcast, I came by the way of Buzz Out Loud.  Listening to ya'll talk about the Game of Thrones so much made me decide I had to give a shot, well I started reading them in July and am over half way through the 5th book now we are also watching the HBO series.  I wanted to thank you for introducing me to such a great series that I otherwise would have missed and to send you some pictures that I think of every time the talk about the old gods in the weirwood trees.  http://www.flickr.com/photos/82006512@N00/8037943720/in/photostream/ These pictures are from Orr Park in Montevallo, Alabama were a local artist by the name of Tingle has been carving in the deadwood trees since at least 1993.  Just had to share these pics with ya'll.
Love the show,
Laura Boggs
Montevallo, Alabama
100_1893

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 - #111 - Shhh! Science fiction is tired

S&L Video - #13 - Author Guide to Cherie Priest!

We sit down with Cherie Priest, the author of 'Boneshaker' and all around steampunk extraordinaire, to talk the new direction her writing is taking, why she loves steampunk, and learn a little about a family legend passed down from her "feuding hillbilly" ancestors.

More about our guest, Cherie Priest!

Webpage: http://www.cheriepriest.com/
On Twitter: http://twitter.com/cmpriest
On Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/221253.Cherie_Priest

S&L Podcast - #110 - Interview with Anton Strout!

It's a virtual bachelorette party of SciFi and Fantasy discussion today, with a chat about how SciFi can be interesting if it follows the laws of physics, and an interview with author Anton Strout.

WHAT ARE WE DRINKING?
Tom: Kona Big Wave Golden Ale
Veronica: Fruity vodka drink with Passion Fruit and stuff

QUICK BURNS
The full story of the Targaryen Conquest in A SONG OF ICE AND FIRE
Sneak peek at graphic novel of Wrinkle in Time
William Gibson on Twitter, Antique Watches and Internet Obsessions
William Gibson on Why Sci-Fi Writers Are (Thankfully) Almost Always Wrong
William Gibson on Punk Rock, Internet Memes, and ‘Gangnam Style’
William Gibson on the io9 show
Neal Stephenson on the Hieroglyph Project
Neal Stephenson on Predictions and Surprises 
How to Write a Killer Space Adventure Without Breaking the Speed of Light 

CALENDAR

Interview with Anton Strout

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 a free audiobook of your choice go to audiblepodcast.com/sword

 

S&L Podcast - #110 - Interview with Anton Strout