#509 - New Achievement!

#537 - Roman Fantasy is Romantasy?

Jul 4, 202648 minSummary

In this episode of The Sword and Laser, hosts Veronica Belmont and Tom Merritt catch up on their recent reads and audience feedback while navigating the complexities of genre discussions. The conversation opens with a casual check-in regarding their current culinary experiments and recent reading discoveries. The hosts delve into the Quick Burns segment, featuring a variety of literary news. They discuss the highly anticipated new work by China Miéville titled The Rouse, the return of the legendary genre magazine Starlog, and the announcement of the 2026 Le Guin Prize for Fiction shortlist. Additionally, they touch upon the somber news regarding the closure of Subterranean Press. A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to community feedback, where the hosts address listener thoughts on recent book club selections. They engage in a lively debate about Red Rising, the concept of fridging in fiction, and the ongoing discussion surrounding romantasy. Finally, the pair introduces their July book club pick, A Midnight Pastry Shop Called Hao Tong by Lee An-hwa, exploring the book's unique structure and its atmospheric blend of ghost stories and human connection.

#536 - That's So Ender's Game

Jun 19, 202632 minSummary

In this episode of Sword and Laser, hosts Veronica Belmont and Tom Merritt catch up on their recent reading and personal projects while navigating the latest news in the science fiction and fantasy community. The conversation kicks off with a lighthearted look at herbalism and the creative, albeit slightly precarious, process of making tinctures. The hosts then dive into their signature Quick Burns segment, celebrating an array of award winners, including the Nebula, Stoker, and Ignite awards. They highlight the success of authors like Stephen Graham Jones and discuss the implications of the awards season, including the announcement of finalists for the Arthur Clark and Lambda Literary awards. They also review Goodreads' recent statistical breakdown of popular new books across various genres. The main discussion focuses on their current book club pick, Red Rising by Pierce Brown. The hosts candidly debate the book’s tone, its similarities to other dystopian classics, and the challenges of the audiobook’s high-society performance. Finally, they look ahead to future reads, teasing a potential pivot to cozy, supernatural-infused fantasy for their next selection.

#535 - Slow Wings

Jun 5, 202648 minSummary

In episode #535 of The Sword and Laser, hosts Veronica Belmont and Tom Merritt dive into a variety of topics, beginning with an amusing disagreement over the definition of homemade food. After settling their culinary debate, the hosts transition into the Quick Burns segment, covering industry news such as the early release of "best of" lists for the year 2026, the inclusion of speculative fiction in The Guardian’s list of the greatest novels, and recent award winners like the Gran Prix de l'Imaginaire and the Locus Awards. The conversation also touches on community engagement, including an inspiring exchange about pursuing a career in literary translation and updates on the WorldCon bid process. The latter half of the episode shifts to the book club focus. The hosts introduce their new read, Red Rising by Pierce Brown, while providing their final, spoiler-filled thoughts on their previous pick, Slow Gods by Claire North. They analyze the novel’s experimental narrative style, the themes of mortality and memory, and the complex, transient nature of the relationships depicted within the story.

#514 - The Rebirths of Wesley Chu

Jul 4, 20251h 9mSummary

In episode #514 of The Sword and Laser, hosts Veronica Belmont and Tom Merritt dive into the latest news and updates from the world of science fiction and fantasy. The show features a lively discussion on the industry’s current trends, including the rapid rise of Romantasy and the unconventional marketing strategies employed by major brands, such as a sandwich chain releasing a niche audiobook. The hosts also cover several industry announcements, including the winners of the 2025 Locus Awards, the shortlist for the British Fantasy Awards, and the upcoming film adaptation of Andy Weir’s Project Hail Mary. As part of their book club segment, the hosts kick off their reading of The Devils by Joe Abercrombie, providing a non-spoiler premise that blends historical European power struggles with supernatural elements like werewolves and magic. Throughout the episode, the hosts engage with audience feedback, discussing the challenges of watching TV series at the same pace as a partner and sharing personal anecdotes about their own creative pursuits. The conversation remains lighthearted and focused on their shared love for speculative fiction, setting the stage for an upcoming guest interview with author Wesley Chu.

#513 - A Civil War-burton

Jun 19, 202540 minSummary

In this episode of The Sword and Laser, hosts Veronica Belmont and Tom Merritt dive into a variety of science fiction and fantasy news while continuing their monthly book club discussions. The conversation begins with a casual check-in before moving into the latest industry updates, including the announcement of the 2025 Nebula Award winners and a breakdown of the most-read SFF books of the year so far. The hosts also touch on upcoming media adaptations, such as the third season of Foundation and the latest developments regarding the Ignite Awards and the Ursula K. Le Guin Prize for Fiction. A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to the hosts’ ongoing reading of their current book selection. Without venturing into major spoilers, they discuss the central themes of the story, particularly the concept of having an ancient mentor or passenger living inside one’s mind. The hosts also share an entertaining, behind-the-scenes anecdote regarding their shared passion for the Dungeon Crawler Carl audiobook series, leading to a humorous debate about voice acting and casting possibilities. The episode concludes with a lively listener feedback segment covering diverse topics, from K-pop references to thoughts on the plausibility of secret shadow wars.

#512 - Deep Dish is SciPie

Jun 5, 202531 minSummary

In this episode of The Sword and Laser, hosts Veronica Belmont and Tom Merritt dive into a variety of science fiction and fantasy topics. The conversation kicks off with lighthearted banter about local food favorites before transitioning into the Quick Burns segment. The hosts discuss the buzz surrounding Guillermo del Toro’s upcoming Frankenstein project and share their ongoing thoughts on the Murderbot television adaptation, noting the show’s unique tone. The discussion shifts to exciting industry news, including James Cameron’s collaboration with author Joe Abercrombie to adapt the book The Devils. This news prompts a broader conversation about artificial intelligence, where the hosts explore audience feedback on the role of AI in the workforce, debating its potential for both disruption and evolution in creative fields. Finally, the hosts turn their attention to their upcoming book selection, The Lives of Tao by Wesley Chu. They express their enthusiasm for the novel’s premise and look forward to hosting the author for an in-person interview in an upcoming episode. Throughout the show, the hosts maintain their signature engaging style, balancing deep literary analysis with casual, listener-focused camaraderie.

#511 - Throw Me in the Corpse Hole

May 28, 202547 minSummary

In this episode of The Sword and Laser, hosts Veronica Belmont and Tom Merritt open with casual updates on their personal lives before diving into a variety of science fiction and fantasy news. The conversation covers a range of industry topics, including the posthumous Infinity Award granted to Dune author Frank Herbert, and a detailed look at the current Arthur C. Clarke Award shortlist. A significant portion of the discussion focuses on the evolving landscape of audiobooks, specifically addressing Audible’s move to introduce AI-narrated titles. While acknowledging concerns about the future of professional narrators, the hosts discuss the potential benefits for independent authors and the limitations of AI technology in replicating the nuanced performance of skilled human voice actors. The hosts also share their thoughts on recent media adaptations, noting the cancellation of The Wheel of Time on Amazon and reflecting on their mixed reactions to the second season of The Rings of Power. Finally, the pair transitions into a book club discussion on Mickey7 by Edward Ashton, exploring reader feedback regarding the story’s pacing and philosophical themes before introducing their next book pick, The Lives of Tao by Wesley Chu.

#510 - A New Theseus

May 10, 202536 minSummary

In this episode of The Sword and Laser, hosts Veronica Belmont and Tom Merritt dive into a variety of topics, beginning with their recent experiences at conventions and some updates on their current reading lists. The discussion quickly shifts to the realm of science fiction news, focusing on the recent controversy surrounding the use of AI tools for administrative tasks at a science fiction convention, sparking a thoughtful debate on the role of technology and ethical boundaries within the genre community. The hosts also highlight several upcoming award finalists and share their excitement for future book club selections. The core of the episode is dedicated to an analysis of the book Mickey7. The hosts examine the novel’s philosophical themes, specifically the Ship of Theseus paradox, which questions identity and continuity when parts or memories are replaced over time. They explore how the story handles the concept of expendable characters and whether readers need to find characters likable to remain engaged with a plot-driven science fiction narrative. The conversation rounds out with listener feedback, covering everything from the popularity of audiobooks to the personal nuances of daily life.

#508 - Sexy, Sexy, Mind Palace

Apr 10, 202554 minSummary

In this episode of The Sword and Laser, hosts Veronica Belmont and Tom Merritt celebrate a nostalgic milestone: the twentieth anniversary of the pioneering tech podcast Buzz Out Loud. They reminisce about their early days in podcasting, reflecting on how their professional bond began and how much the media landscape has evolved since 2005. The hosts then transition into lively discussions on current pop culture, including their reactions to the newly released Murderbot trailer and the importance of supporting local libraries. The episode also features a deep dive into the Hugo Award shortlists, where they debate the merits of the selected nominees and discuss their commitment to discovering new authors rather than repeating past choices. Additionally, the hosts touch upon the recent closure of the NaNoWriMo foundation, offering perspective on the future of writing communities. The show wraps up with the recurring Bear Your Sword segment, where they engage with listener feedback regarding regional culinary landmarks like the Mars Cheese Castle and discuss their current reading project, Dungeon Crawler Carl, highlighting the impressive quality of the audiobook performance.

#507 - Book Goblin

Mar 13, 202540 minSummary

In this episode of The Sword and Laser, hosts Veronica Belmont and Tom Merritt dive into a variety of topics, beginning with their usual banter about their recent culinary adventures. The conversation quickly shifts to the podcast's tournament-style book selection process, highlighting the final four contenders: The Art of Prophecy, Dungeon Crawler Carl, Embers of War, and Mickey7. The hosts express their excitement for the upcoming reader-driven selections and discuss the interesting patterns that have emerged in their voting history. The episode also covers several updates from the science fiction and fantasy community, including news about Terry Brooks handing off his Shannara series to author Delilah Dawson, and the acquisition of several classic sci-fi magazines by a new ownership group. A major portion of the discussion is dedicated to the current monthly book read, China Mieville’s The City and the City. The hosts engage in a thoughtful exploration of the novel's concept of "unseeing," analyzing how the narrative serves as a complex metaphor for human psychology, social etiquette, and the ways individuals filter their surroundings, whether due to socioeconomic privilege or everyday cognitive habits.