Veronica Belmont and Tom Merritt

Contact Veronica
youtube.com/theswordandlaser
@swordandlaser
facebook.com/swordandlaser

About

The Sword and Laser (S&L) is a science fiction and fantasy-themed book club, video show and podcast, started by Veronica Belmont and Tom Merritt. The main goal of the club is to build a strong online community of sci-fi / fantasy buffs, and to discuss and enjoy books of both genres.

Location

San Francisco, CA, USA

Following1 Creators

S&L Podcast - #229 - Taylor Swift is a Fremen
October 1, 2015 03:36:05
S&L Podcast - #229 - Taylor Swift Is A Fremen by swordandlaser
SoundCloud
https://soundcloud.com/swordandlaser/sl-podcast-229-taylor-swift-is-a-fremen
We wrap up A Canticle for Leibowitz and explore all its science and religion feels. Also we welcome a new Expanse series cover, a new Gaiman baby and we discover why Taylor Swift IS the Kwisatz Had...
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S&L Podcast - #229 - Taylor Swift is a Fremen

We wrap up A Canticle for Leibowitz and explore all its science and religion feels. Also we welcome a new Expanse series cover, a new Gaiman baby and we discover why Taylor Swift IS the Kwisatz Haderach.


http://swordandlaser.com/home/2015/9/29/sl-podcast-229-taylor-swift-is-a-fremen

Veronica Belmont and Tom Merritt

October 1, 2015 03:36:05

Jude Sturman Feels like an over reaction regarding the Patreon only vote. Keep on keepin' on!

October 2, 2015 16:17:19 · Reply

Patron-only book vote!
September 23, 2015 20:23:14
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For Patrons Only

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Veronica Belmont and Tom Merritt

September 23, 2015 20:23:14

S&L Podcast - #228 - Is Present Tense for Baby Brains?
September 17, 2015 03:59:28
S&L Podcast - #228 - Is Present Tense For Baby Brains? by swordandlaser
SoundCloud
https://soundcloud.com/swordandlaser/sl-podcast-228-is-present-tense-for-baby-brains
This week, things really go nuts when Veronica realizes that she likes Tom's book pick more than Tom does, which causes Tom to question everything he has ever known. Meanwhile, over on Goodreads, T...
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S&L Podcast - #228 - Is Present Tense for Baby Brains?

This week, things really go nuts when Veronica realizes that she likes Tom's book pick more than Tom does, which causes Tom to question everything he has ever known. Meanwhile, over on Goodreads, Thane questions whether present tense is the bane of genre fiction! Hmmm...


http://swordandlaser.com/home/2015/9/15/sl-podcast-227-is-present-tense-for-baby-brains


Remember to send in your Patreon pre-rolls to be on the show! [email protected] or 415-7-SWORD-6

Veronica Belmont and Tom Merritt

September 17, 2015 03:59:28

September Silliness
September 16, 2015 01:46:06
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Veronica Belmont and Tom Merritt

September 16, 2015 01:46:06

S&L Podcast - #227 - Cherie Priest and the Caverns of Inspiration
September 10, 2015 06:04:23
S&L Podcast - #227 - Cherie Priest And The Caverns Of Inspiration by swordandlaser
SoundCloud
https://soundcloud.com/swordandlaser/sl-podcast-227-cherie-priest-and-the-caverns-of-inspiration
This weekend at DragonCon 2015 in Atlanta, we had the great fortune of chatting with Cherie Priest for an hour in front a live audience of Sword & Laser enthusiasts! Listen in to hear Cherie's rise...
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S&L Podcast - #227 - Cherie Priest and the Caverns of Inspiration

This weekend at DragonCon 2015 in Atlanta, we had the great fortune of chatting with Cherie Priest for an hour in front a live audience of Sword & Laser enthusiasts! Listen in to hear Cherie's rise from goth to glorious, the proper way to distinguish steampunk from goth, and why Lizzie Borden is not who you thought.


http://swordandlaser.com/home/2015/9/9/sl-podcast-227-cherie-priests-caverns-of-inspiration


P.S. Thanks to Andy for our first user-submitted Patreon pre-roll! Remember, you can send yours in to [email protected] or at (415) 7SWORD6

Veronica Belmont and Tom Merritt

September 10, 2015 06:04:23

Be part of the show!
September 8, 2015 20:35:48
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Be part of the show!

Hey Patrons! 


You know how in the beginning of the show I do a little ad for our Patreon? We'd like to take that to the next level with help from YOU!


If you listen to Tom's other show, DTNS, you know that his Patrons record fun intros for him, encouraging other listeners to contribute to his Patreon. We want to do the same thing for Sword & Laser, and it's totally easy:


Either record yourself and email it to us to [email protected];

OR

Call (415) 779-6736 or (415) 7SWORD6 and leave us a voicemail recording!


We'd love to hear from you! And, of course, thank you for your support of the show, it means the world to us!


-V

Veronica Belmont and Tom Merritt

September 8, 2015 20:35:48

Tom joins Vaginal Fantasy tonight!
September 1, 2015 15:51:52
Vaginal Fantasy #44: Uprooted
YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=992kGOTKS-E
This is our AUGUST book! Discuss on our forums at goodreads.com/vaginalfantasy!
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Tom joins Vaginal Fantasy tonight!

Join us for a special crossover episode between VF and S&L. We'll be talking more about our mutual book pick, Uprooted! Probably a little more boozy than the wrap-up episode ;)


7pm PT, and this YouTube link will take you to the live stream:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=992kGOTKS-E


https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/17403434-tom-and-veronica-on-vaginal-fantasy-tonight

Veronica Belmont and Tom Merritt

September 1, 2015 15:51:52

Tom narrated a horror story
August 29, 2015 03:21:05
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Veronica Belmont and Tom Merritt

August 29, 2015 03:21:05

S&L Podcast - #226 - Embrace the Manic Pixie Dream Witch
August 27, 2015 05:00:20
S&L Podcast - #226 - Embrace The Manic Pixie Dream Witch by swordandlaser
SoundCloud
https://soundcloud.com/swordandlaser/sl-podcast-226-embrace-the-manic-pixie-dream-witch
We're happy for the Hugos, sad for the last Terry Pratchett novel, and J.R.R. Tolkien has a new book. Plus, we wrap up Uprooted by Naomi Novik and make our peace with a trope.
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S&L Podcast - #226 - Embrace the Manic Pixie Dream Witch

We’re happy for the Hugos, sad for the last Terry Pratchett novel, and J.R.R. Tolkien has a new book. Plus, we wrap up Uprooted by Naomi Novik and make our peace with a trope.


http://swordandlaser.com/home/2015/8/26/sl-podcast-225-embrace-the-manic-pixie-dream-witch

Veronica Belmont and Tom Merritt

August 27, 2015 05:00:20

August Monthly Silliness
August 27, 2015 03:31:47
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Veronica Belmont and Tom Merritt

August 27, 2015 03:31:47

September Book Poll!
August 13, 2015 23:40:04
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Veronica Belmont and Tom Merritt

August 13, 2015 23:40:04

S&L Podcast - #225 - Why You Should Welcome the Robots
August 6, 2015 04:49:43
S&L Podcast - #225 - Why You Should Welcome The Robots by swordandlaser
SoundCloud
https://soundcloud.com/swordandlaser/sl-podcast-225-why-you-should-welcome-the-robots
We chat with J-F Dubeau, author of The Life Engineered about why we should keep calm and build more robots. Also the good news of more Game of Thrones coming to TV thrilled the live audience at Ner...
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S&L Podcast - #225 - Why You Should Welcome the Robots

We chat with J-F Dubeau, author of The Life Engineered about why we should keep calm and build more robots. Also the good news of more Game of Thrones coming to TV thrilled the live audience at Nerdtacular 2015 as did our surprise host-swap! And thanks to Matt Avery of The Tadpool for the album art inspiration ;)


Recorded before a live studio of nerds, and thanks to Jeff Cannata of We Have Concerns for joining in!


http://swordandlaser.com/home/2015/8/5/sl-podcast-225-why-you-should-welcome-the-robots

Veronica Belmont and Tom Merritt

August 6, 2015 04:49:43

S&L Podcast - #224 - Scott Sigler Keeps Us Alive!
July 31, 2015 20:27:20
S&L Podcast - #224 - Scott Sigler Keeps Us Alive! by swordandlaser
SoundCloud
https://soundcloud.com/swordandlaser/sl-podcast-224-scott-sigler-keeps-us-alive
Scott Sigler's Alive is out, and even though he didn't mean it as Young Adult fiction it's turned out that way. And even though he didn't mean it to be Science Fiction, it's turned out that way too...
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S&L Podcast - #224 - Scott Sigler Keeps Us Alive!

http://swordandlaser.com/home/2015/7/24/sl-podcast-224-scott-sigler-explains-why-ya-fiction-can-be-harder-to-write

Veronica Belmont and Tom Merritt

July 31, 2015 20:27:20

Get a "sneak peek" at Scott Sigler's interview!
July 25, 2015 16:07:10
Interview with Scott Sigler for ALIVE
YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DL4KBk1Hydw&feature=youtu.be
Scott Sigler joins us on the show to talk about his new, intense YA novel, ALIVE. http://scottsigler.com/book/alive/
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Get a "sneak peek" at Scott Sigler's interview!

Our interview with Scott Sigler will be going out into the feed on Wednesday, but in case you missed the live recording, you can watch the full, unedited interview right now!

Veronica Belmont and Tom Merritt

July 25, 2015 16:07:10

S&L Podcast - #223 - Why Station Eleven is Horror AND Science Fiction
July 24, 2015 05:26:59
S&L Podcast - #223 - Why Station Eleven Is Horror AND Science Fiction by swordandlaser
SoundCloud
https://soundcloud.com/swordandlaser/sl-podcast-223-why-station-eleven-is-horror-and-science-fiction
This week we congratulate several more authors on TV deals, one author on getting to write more movie books, and another author on having too many potential movie deals. We also come to the conclus...
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S&L Podcast - #223 - Why Station Eleven is Horror AND Science Fiction

http://swordandlaser.com/home/2015/7/23/sl-podcast-223-why-station-eleven-is-horror-and-science-fiction

Veronica Belmont and Tom Merritt

July 24, 2015 05:26:59

View all 4 comments

Paul Logue I love the podcasts! Not many video editions these days though :(

July 24, 2015 13:10:28 · Reply

Veronica Belmont and Tom Merritt I felt like people weren't really watching them?

July 25, 2015 16:11:32 · Reply

Paul Logue Really? Well, I was @@ Looks like just over 1000 views on average. Hopefully we'll see another new one soon? :)

July 25, 2015 16:39:24 · Reply

Joyce Gravino i loved the video versions. i look for them first

August 2, 2015 21:53:57 · Reply

S&L Podcast - #222 - Neil Gaiman Writes All the Things
July 9, 2015 12:47:00
S&L Podcast - #222 - Neil Gaiman Writes All The Things by swordandlaser
SoundCloud
https://soundcloud.com/swordandlaser/sl-podcast-222-neil-gaiman-writes-all-the-things
We have an eyewitness report from the ALA conference in San Francisco, our initial thoughts on Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel, and Neil Gaiman will write some episodes for the American God...
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S&L Podcast - #222 - Neil Gaiman Writes All the Things

We have an eyewitness report from the ALA conference in San Francisco, our initial thoughts on Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel, and Neil Gaiman will write some episodes for the American Gods TV series. Thank American Gods!


http://swordandlaser.com/home/2015/7/7/sl-podcast-222-neil-gaiman-writes-all-the-things

Veronica Belmont and Tom Merritt

July 9, 2015 12:47:00

July Silliness
July 8, 2015 00:49:08
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Veronica Belmont and Tom Merritt

July 8, 2015 00:49:08

June 25, 2015 05:13:47
S&L Podcast - #221 - From Authors To Hollywood Moguls! by swordandlaser
SoundCloud
https://soundcloud.com/swordandlaser/sl-podcast-221-from-authors-to-hollywood-moguls
Ellen DeGeneres is apparently interested in adapting Naomi Novik's Uprooted as a film. But, we all know there's a long road from "interest" to "released." Just ask Neil Gaiman. The good news is Gai...
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http://swordandlaser.com/home/2015/6/24/sl-podcast-221-how-to-go-from-author-to-hollywood-mogul

Veronica Belmont and Tom Merritt

June 25, 2015 05:13:47

Station Eleven
June 24, 2015 03:41:23
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Veronica Belmont and Tom Merritt

June 24, 2015 03:41:23

Pssst Here's who's leading in the July Book Poll
June 21, 2015 15:39:23
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Veronica Belmont and Tom Merritt

June 21, 2015 15:39:23

June 18, 2015 04:33:45
S&L Podcast - #220 - Why The Healer Deserves To Be A Hero by swordandlaser
SoundCloud
https://soundcloud.com/swordandlaser/sl-podcast-220-why-the-healer-deserves-to-be-a-hero
We talk with author Beth Cato, author of The Clockwork Dagger, about why healers are never the hero in genre fiction and how she decided to change that. We also press her for baked brie recipes and...
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Veronica Belmont and Tom Merritt

June 18, 2015 04:33:45

Vote for the July Book!
June 18, 2015 03:05:47
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Veronica Belmont and Tom Merritt

June 18, 2015 03:05:47

June 11, 2015 07:18:06
S&L Podcast - #219 - We Make People Win Nebula Awards. Maybe. by swordandlaser
SoundCloud
https://soundcloud.com/swordandlaser/sl-podcast-219-we-make-people-win-nebula-awards-maybe
First off we now have a 100% record picking Nebula-award winning books for the club. That's 100% of the last two years. So take note Nebula-wanters! Also we're very excited about a new series from ...
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Full post here!

Veronica Belmont and Tom Merritt

June 11, 2015 07:18:06

Michael Coorlim Just discovered your podcast recently, and added it to my standard podcast rotation. Interesting to hear about Michael J Sullivan's kickstarter. Are these campaigns effective for authors? I'm about to release the fifth in a series, and I was thinking about doing a low-goal kickstarter to fund the cover's commission.

June 11, 2015 13:58:11 · Reply

Pssst. Tom's Going to be in Seattle Wednesday June 11
June 7, 2015 19:50:02
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Veronica Belmont and Tom Merritt

June 7, 2015 19:50:02

S&L Podcast - #218 - Why There's No Such Thing as Writer's Block
June 4, 2015 04:37:52
S&L Podcast - #218 - Why There's No Such Thing As Writer's Block by swordandlaser
SoundCloud
https://soundcloud.com/swordandlaser/sl-podcast-218-why-theres-no-such-thing-as-writers-block
Peter Orullian wears many hats. He is an author, musician, and has worked for many years at Microsoft on the XBox team. Today we talk about his series The Vault of Heaven, get the scoop on his all-...
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S&L Podcast - #218 - Why There's No Such Thing as Writer's Block

Peter Orullian wears many hats. He is an author, musician, and has worked for many years at Microsoft on the XBox team. Today we talk about his series The Vault of Heaven, get the scoop on his all-time favorite music, and hear why Peter believes there is no such thing as writer's block.


http://swordandlaser.com/home/2015/6/3/sl-podcast-218-why-theres-no-such-thing-as-writers-block

Veronica Belmont and Tom Merritt

June 4, 2015 04:37:52

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