The Sword and Laser discussion

It's our author guide to Max Gladstone! If you want an author who knows how to work the financial crisis into epic fantasy and is handy with a sword, Max is your man. We also get the final word on a showdown between him and Scott Lynch. You won't believe who really runs the economy.

http://swordandlaser.com/home/2014/2/...

One of the things I enjoy about the S&L videos and podcasts is being introduced to authors I've not yet read. Back in the day I got that from my Locus subscription, but I let that lapse a long time ago.

Aaron's whiteboard comment about the common advice of creative writing professors everywhere, 'Write what you know', reminded me of something Joe Haldeman once said (and I'm paraphrasing here): 'The cliché 'write what you know' is a poor adage which explains the perennial presence of so many mediocre novels about English professors contemplating adultery.'

Two final things: (a) Agree that Roger Zelazny's Lord of Light is a top-shelf novel and (b)Loved the small cat painting to the right on Max's mantel. Reminded me of the kind of art I often saw at a gallery in Durham, NC called 'Outsiders', until the owner relocated to Vermont. [Insert sad face here]

Hah, found the Haldeman quote: https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/3033...

Did you fence with them?

Great author who likes the Zelanzy's Lord of Light is going to make me read his stuff and having Aaron doing white boards again...to awesome...

I kept thinking Max would make a good Harry Dresden for some reason...weird..

I'm so glad you guys are enjoying these. They were hella fun to make.
I can't recommend the Craft novels enough. Really excellent balance of snarky courtroom humor and Big Ideas fantasy. Reminiscent of Sanderson's better work.

Great interview.

So sitting here watching this, it feels like you've done things a lot of people would consider interview sins. You talked a great deal about Sherlock, and about fencing, and about emergent consciousness.

But I walked away with a great feel for the author, and the kind if fiction he's writing. I'm downloading his first in the series. The bits about cities and personalities especially convinced me. And if the interview had just mostly focused on his books and/or writing, I probably wouldn't be doing that right now.

You guys are really killing it, is what I'm trying to say. These video shows are really, really great.

Also PSA three parts dead is on sale for only 2.99 on kindle!

Do I have the video feed URL correct? This one isn't showing up in my video feed. I could go to YouTube, I guess, but just wondering...

Did anyone catch the books Max listed as his favorites of all time? I missed the first two and would like to check them out. Thanks!

terpkristin wrote: "Do I have the video feed URL correct? This one isn't showing up in my video feed. I could go to YouTube, I guess, but just wondering..."

Yeas that was totally my fault. I lapsed on posting the link in the video feed. Did it this morning so you should get it now. Apologies. I will not forget this Thursday. I will not forget this Thursday. I will not forget this Thursday. I will not forget this Thursday. I will not forget this Thursday. I will not forget this Thursday.

No worries, Tom. I was just making sure it wasn't operator error on my end. :)

So, I guess after watching this, I really need to add Zelazny's Lord of Light to my every-growing list of books I "should" read. With him recommending The Hero and the Crown, which I totally agree with him on how amazing it is, I can tell the guy's got good taste!

It's a great novel, one I've read more than once (though not recently). Look forward to hearing what you think of it. :)

I tried to read Lord of Light, but it was too confusing so lost my attention. I think I need an annotated version of the book!

Lord of Light is my all time favorite but it is a confusing book that starts towards the middle and then goes back to the beginning. I still get something new out of it even reading it for the 20th time...

Great episode. Another instance where I had no idea who this author was and now I want to read his stuff. Yay for S&L.

terpkristin wrote: "So, I guess after watching this, I really need to add Zelazny's Lord of Light to my every-growing list of books I "should" read. With him recommending [book:The Hero and the Crown|773..."

I have it on my pile for sometime this year.