348. Rachel Hartman (a.k.a. The Ingenious Noblewoman): Tess of the Road
https://media.blubrry.com/skiffyandfanty/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/archive.org/download/SandFEpisode348RachelHartmanTessOfTheRoad/Sandf–Episode348–RachelHartmanTessOfTheRoad.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Android | iHeartRadio | Podchaser | Podcast Index | Email | TuneIn | Deezer | RSSBoots, La Mancha, and family dynamics, oh my! Rachel Hartman, author of the Seraphina Duology, joins Jen and Elizabeth to tell us all about the newest book in the world of Seraphina, Tess of the Road! They discuss everything from how stories define us, portrayals of consent (or lack thereof) in YA, how to balance trauma with hope, the invented language of the Quigutl, and so much more. This interview does contain some spoilers, but none which would ruin your enjoyment of either the Seraphina Duology or Tess of the Road. Bonus: Jen gets her mind blown. We hope you enjoy the episode!
Signal Boost #34 — Rati Mehrotra (Markswoman) and Marlee Jane Ward (Orphancorp Series)
https://media.blubrry.com/skiffyandfanty/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/archive.org/download/SandFSignalBoost34MehrotraWard/Sandf–SignalBoost34–MehrotraWard.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 to Rati Mehrotra about her debut novel, Markswoman. They explore how Mehrotra’s own background inspired the world, why she decided to write it as a post-apocalyptic novel, what inspires her writing, and a few hints about what is coming next in the Asiana duology. Then Elizabeth is joined by Marlee Jane Ward, award winning author of Welcome to Orphancore and its sequel, Psynode, and current candidate of the Down Under Fan Fund! They discuss Marlee Jane’s breakout hit, Welcome to Orphancore, what she’s working on now, her experience attending Kij Johnson’s writing workshop, and why she’s excited to be the DUFF candidate. We hope you enjoy the episode!
Signal Boost #33 — Marko Kloos (Points of Impact) and Cody Sisco (Resonant Earth Series)
https://media.blubrry.com/skiffyandfanty/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/archive.org/download/SandFSignalBoost33KloosSisco/Sandf–SignalBoost33–KloosSisco.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Android | iHeartRadio | Podchaser | Podcast Index | Email | TuneIn | Deezer | RSSIn today’s episode of Signal Boost, Paul talks to Marko Kloos about his military SF series, Frontlines, and more specifically about the sixth and “final” book in the series, Points of Impact. Marko shares how he tried to play with the typical military SF tropes, how his military service inspired the series, and a little about his new series that should be out later this year. Then Cody Sisco, author of the Resonant Earth series, joins Elizabeth (in her very first solo interview!), to talk about what inspired the Resonant Earth series, some of the reasons for making it an alternate history, and the process to write and release the first book, Broken Mirrors, including what motivated him to do self-publishing, an anthology that he’s publishing, and more! We hope you enjoy the episode!
346. Myke Cole (a.k.a. Sergeant Tibbs): The Armored Saint
https://media.blubrry.com/skiffyandfanty/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/archive.org/download/SandFEpisode346MykeColeTheArmoredSaint/Sandf–Episode346–MykeColeTheArmoredSaint.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadMecha, the Nascent Church, and invented fears, oh my! Myke Cole, one of our most frequent guests over the years, joins Paul and Shaun to talk about his new fantasy novel, The Armored Saint. Over the course of the interview, Myke discusses what it meant to him to write and publish this book that allowed him, as a military SFF writer, to prove that he’s a “Writer” with a capital “W”, the challenge of writing in a voice that is the exact opposite of his own, and some of the influences on his Mecha. Bonus: We all learn how to properly pronounce Heloise. We hope you enjoy the episode!
Helen Lowe’s Month of Joy: From the Color Blue to “The End”
“These I have loved: White plates and cups, clean-gleaming, Ringed with blue lines; and feathery, faery dust; Wet roofs, beneath the lamp-light; the strong crust Of friendly bread; and many-tasting food; Rainbows; and the blue bitter smoke of wood…” ~ from The Great Lover, Rupert Brooke, 1887-1915 This excerpt from Rupert Brooke’s poem, The Great Lover, captures how seemingly small things can encompass joy. I recognize many if not all of the items contained in The Great Lover—from “the cool kindliness of sheets” to “blue-massing clouds”—but of course I have a list of my own…
Month of Joy: A Few Candidates by Mike Reeves-McMillan
Thanks, Skiffy and Fanty, for asking what brings me joy — because now I’m thinking about that, and that’s a good thing. Especially in these times. There are a few candidates. Erin, my spouse of nearly 19 years. Marrying her still ranks as the best decision I ever made, and I’m still astonished sometimes that someone so amazing would choose me. Being married to someone with a chronic illness isn’t all joy, certainly; it can be tough. But I knew that was the deal going in, and going through the tough times together makes the joy stand out more against the background.
