Reading Rangers #4: The Vor Game by Lois McMaster Bujold

http://media.blubrry.com/skiffyandfanty/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/archive.org/download/ReadingRangers4VorGameByLoisMcMasterBujold/ReadingRangers4–VorGameByLoisMcmasterBujold.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Android | iHeartRadio | Podchaser | Podcast Index | Email | TuneIn | Deezer | RSSHello, Rangers! In this installment of Reading Rangers, Paul, Trish, Kate and special guest, Anne Lyle, tackle the fourth book (internal chronology) of the Vorkosigan Saga — The Vor Game by Lois McMaster Bujold. Kate’s the only new one this time, so the old hats do their best not to spoil anything for her! They discuss Gregor’s responsibilities and the concept of noblesse oblige, the disappointment of the two dimensional femme fatale character, and why the original novella, Weatherman (otherwise known as the first six chapters of The Vor Game), is so good compared to the novel as a whole. They also ponder the very real possibility that George R.R. Martin found quite a bit of inspiration in Miles. Next time, we’ll be discussing Cetaganda. Miles has defeated them once, but will he be able to navigate their world? Find out next time! We hope you enjoy the episode! Note: If you have iTunes and like this show, please give us a review on our iTunes page, or feel free to email us with your thoughts about the show! Here’s the episode (show notes are below):
My Superpower: Aidan Doyle

My Superpower is a regular guest column on the Skiffy and Fanty blog where authors and creators tell us about one weird skill, neat trick, highly specialized cybernetic upgrade, or other superpower they have, and how it helped (or hindered!) their creative process as they built their project. Today we welcome Aidan Doyle. My superpower is reading the air. I taught English in Japan for 4 years and I once heard my students referring to someone who was KY. I learned this meant kuuki yomenai — literally unable to read the air. Unable to read the unspoken messages others are trying to convey. Unable to grasp the context of the situation.
Signal Boost #27: K. Arsenault Rivera (The Tiger's Daughter) and Stacey Berg (Echo Hunter 367 Duology)

http://media.blubrry.com/skiffyandfanty/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/archive.org/download/SandFSignalBoost27K.ArsenaultRiveraStaceyBerg/Sandf–SignalBoost27–K.ArsenaultRiveraStaceyBerg.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Android | iHeartRadio | Podchaser | Podcast Index | Email | TuneIn | Deezer | RSSIn today’s episode of Signal Boost, Jen talks K. Arsenault Rivera about her debut novel, The Tiger’s Daughter. K talks about the narrative structure of the novel, the importance of queer representation, how her Kung Fu film obsession helped her write the action sequences, and gives us a great break down of the important characters. Then Stacey Berg, author of Dissension and Regeneration, joins Paul to tell us about her character driven, post-apocalyptic Echo Hunter 367 Duology, how they were shaped by a very specific scene and what inspired the post-apocalyptic secular society she created. We hope you enjoy the episode! Note: If you have iTunes and like this show, please give us a review on our iTunes page, or feel free to email us with your thoughts about the show! Here’s the episode (show notes are below):
341. NaNoWriMo — A Discussion w/ Cat Rambo, Nicky Drayden, and C.B. Lee

https://media.blubrry.com/skiffyandfanty/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/archive.org/download/SandFEpisode341NaNoWriMo/Sandf–Episode341–Nanowrimo.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Android | iHeartRadio | Podchaser | Podcast Index | Email | TuneIn | Deezer | RSSChaos, crap, and community, oh my! Paul is joined by Elizabeth Fitzgerald, the newest member of the Skiffy and Fanty Team, to talk to the wonderful Cat Rambo, Nicky Drayden, and C.B. Lee about National Novel Writing Month! The group discuss their experiences with NaNoWriMo, including how they first got involved, what processes they use to stay focused on the goal, and how accessible NaNoWriMo is for diverse communities. Make sure you stay to the end for their pep talks! You can do this! We hope you enjoy the episode! Note: If you have iTunes and like this show, please give us a review on our iTunes page, or feel free to email us with your thoughts about the show! Here’s the episode (show notes are below):
#PollMondays: How excited are you for The Last Jedi?

We’re excited about the upcoming Star Wars film, The Last Jedi, and because we’re excited, we have to ask our listeners/readers what they think. So, here’s the poll. Answer wisely!
Signal Boost #26: A Conversation about All the Star Wars

http://media.blubrry.com/skiffyandfanty/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/archive.org/download/SandFSignalBoost26AllTheStarWars/Sandf–SignalBoost26–AllTheStarWars.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Android | iHeartRadio | Podchaser | Podcast Index | Email | TuneIn | Deezer | RSSOn today’s Signal Boosts, Shaun and Jen take a moment to squee about the fact that there are going to be THREE WHOLE NEW STAR WARS MOVIES AND A TV SHOW AND OMG! SQUEEEEEE!!! They’re moderately more coherent than that as they tackle what type of story Rian Johnson might tell. Then Jen moves them into both a squee about the new character, Rose, and a rant about jewelry. And then we get to our subliminal messaging mini-boosts! We hope you enjoy the episode! Note: If you have iTunes and like this show, please give us a review on our iTunes page, or feel free to email us with your thoughts about the show! Here’s the episode (show notes are below):