The Sword and Laser discussion

Were you expecting a wrap-up episode for Among Others? Sorry kids, Veronica decided to go on vacation, and all you get is this lousy interview with legendary author Gene Wolfe. Just kidding, the interview is awesome.

We'll be back next week with our wrap-up and kick-off for the July pick! Hope you voted!

http://swordandlaser.com/home/2013/6/...

Gene Wolfe?! What next, Robert A. Heinlein?

I'm getting a "failed: server error" message when I try to download the podcast, and when I try to play it: "Unable to access audio stream."

Michal wrote: "I'm getting a "failed: server error" message when I try to download the podcast, and when I try to play it: "Unable to access audio stream.""

Same here. See what happens when Veronica takes off?
We must complain to management. Or tech support? Now all I can think about is Tom Cruise running through a building yelling "Tech Support" with Good Vibrations playing in the background.

http://youtu.be/Rd2PBCgjB8c

It's working just fine for me. Everybody having this issue? Just some people? What's up?

Tamahome wrote: "Gene Wolfe?! What next, Robert A. Heinlein?"

It's not Heinlein, but how about Gene Wolfe talking with Isaac Asimov and Harlan Ellison? http://youtu.be/RZvcKB9vQO0

Also, Pringles defy the second law of thermodynamics and self-organize?! We must eat them all before they gain self-awareness.

Tom wrote: "It's working just fine for me. Everybody having this issue? Just some people? What's up?"

Worked for me on Windows(streaming & download), iPad(streaming), and downloaded fine from iTunes.

Tom wrote: "It's working just fine for me. Everybody having this issue? Just some people? What's up?"

It's working for me now just fine.
Thank you Tech Support :)

I used magic!

Tom wrote: "I used magic!"

Don't lie, you called Veronica...

Edited to add: Thanks for the interview.

Well OK I used magic to call veronica but still....

Listened to the podcast. Great interview! (I do love how Wolfe rambles; he might go off-topic, but he always rambles about such interesting things).

HOWEVER

There is one bit where Wolfe specifically says "please edit this out" or some such when talking about Procter & Gamble, and it's still in the podcast! Might want to correct that, unless he retracted that comment post-recording.

Thank you for asking my question, I enjoyed listening to the interview.

You guys have really spoiled us with episodes every week. I'm going to be a sad panda when we go back to every other week.

OK, I *just* finished listening to the podcast ('twas amazing), and towards the end, Mr. Wolfe mentions his (and his wife's) medical issues. Is there any way to contribute? I mean, the man is a F'in Grand Master?!? (200-300 short stories) and he has medical/financial problems? Please (!?!) tell me there's somewhere that I can contribute. No one should have to deal with this at his age.

P.S. Veronica & Josh: Thank you SO much for this interview, it was definitely a treat!

The Sword & Laser Interview Quick Guide on Foil & Phaser, located under the menu heading Writers Resources, now has listings of every interview ever done on Sword & Laser, both in audio and video, sorted by guest. If you're looking for a talk with specific writer, you no longer have to comb through pages of podcast archives. All the links are on one page. Check out some of the great interviews you might have missed.

Another good interview.

I loved that every question answered veered off on so many different tangents.

Usually this annoys me but the tangents were so interesting.

Sean wrote: "The Sword & Laser Interview Quick Guide on Foil & Phaser, located under the menu heading Writers Resources, now has listings of every interview ever done on Sword & Laser, both in audio and video, ..."

There is also a constantly updated list of all the interviews on Tom & Veronica's S&L Wiki Sword and Laser Wiki

Tassie Dave wrote: "There is also a constantly updated list of all the interviews on Tom & Veronica's S&L Wiki Sword and Laser Wiki."

Now you tell me. It's all right though. The list on our site can still help draw new people to the Sword & Laser group, and that's always a good thing. Thanks for pointing it out. Now I can add the other links they have there as well. Hodor.

You forgot to edit a bit out for him.

The guy sounds like a legend, and it was so lovely the way he spoke of his care for his wife.

The pringles story was awesome too. They'd make an awesome evil empire in a sci-fi book, they stand up on their own accord wtf!

I was so excited to interview him, one of my all-time favorite authors (I was actually nervous, Veronica helped counsel calmness :) ). And yes, very tangent-y, but in a good way. I'm glad you all enjoyed hearing it!

Patti wrote: "OK, I *just* finished listening to the podcast ('twas amazing), and towards the end, Mr. Wolfe mentions his (and his wife's) medical issues. Is there any way to contribute? I mean, the man is a F'in Grand Master?!? (200-300 short stories) and he has medical/financial problems? Please (!?!) tell me there's somewhere that I can contribute. No one should have to deal with this at his age.

P.S. Veronica & Josh: Thank you SO much for this interview, it was definitely a treat! ."

Yes, the stuff about his wife was heart-breaking, but also heart-warming in the way he and now his fellow writers are supporting her . If I understood correctly, the normal editor's and writers' fees for the upcoming Shadows of the New Sun: Stories in Honor of Gene Wolfe were instead contributed to Wolfe to help cover some of the costs of her nursing home care - and I imagine buying (pre-ordering a this point) a copy would be a way to contribute, too.

Ack, forgot to edit that bit out. Little late now.

I finally got to listen to this today. It was a great interview, though admittedly a little sad/touching. Wolfe has a background I'd never have guessed. I think Sword and Citadel may have moved up a bit in my queue.

Another nice interview, Josh and Veronica. Thank you for taking the time to conduct so many.

I think Mr. Wolfe's revelation of his wife's medical bills, while heartbreaking, also serves as a warning to aspiring writers who think they can get rich as an author. I've read several statements made by successful authors such as Stephen King and Dan Simmons who say only a couple hundred writers earn enough to make a living at it and just a handful, King and Simmons included, became wealthy as a result of their work. Writing is hard work, even for those who make it look easy. I hope the anthology is successful enough to offer Mr. Wolfe some relief.

I finally got the chance to listen to this podcast on Friday. Wolfe was a little more rambling at times than usual and I think the editing could have been a little better, but any chance to listen to an interview with my all-time favorite author is cherished. The news about his wife and financial difficulties is heart-breaking though. Thank you, Veronica and Josh.

I'd like to especially thank you for asking my question about the Latro series. It wasn't exactly the answer I was hoping for, but maybe Mr. Wolfe will write us another Latro book if enough people ask for one. :-)

Jerry Pournelle has said nice and interesting things about Bob Heinlein several times on TWiT. Think there may be some stories in his Triangulation interviews.