Rephonic
Artwork for The Sword and Laser
Hugo Awards
Kings Of the Wyld
Fantasy
March Madness
Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia Of Faeries
Science Fiction
Goodreads
Shadow Of the Gods
March Madness Tournament
Cordelia's Honor
Sarah J. Maas
Romantasy Genre
Del Taco
Lois Mcmaster Bujold
The Mimicking Of Known Successes
Library At Mount Char
Sci-Fi and Fantasy
Beacon 23
Malka Older
Fourth Wing

Read along with the Sword and Laser book club! From classic science fiction to the latest gritty fantasy, we cover it. Subscribe for book discussions, author interviews, hot releases, and news from the genre fiction world!

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes384Founded18 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
BooksArts

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for The Sword and Laser

Latest Episodes

We revel in the Lammy Awards, follow the tale of root beer, and discuss our first, or most recent, impressions of Interview with the Vampire.

Tom reports from the Matt Dinniman book event in LA, we kick off our Interview with the Vampire read, and share our last spoilery thoughts on The Hexologists and why we think the writing doorway is the strongest one for this book.

#519 - No Stomach for Old Salad by Tom Merritt and Veronica Belmont

#518 - Hugo Bump Yourself by Tom Merritt and Veronica Belmont

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Wesley Chu
Author of The Lives of Tao, a notable figure in the science fiction genre.
Episode: #514 - The Rebirths of Wesley Chu

Hosts

Veronica Belmont
Co-host and active participant in discussions surrounding science fiction and fantasy literature, providing insights and personal anecdotes to engage listeners.
Tom Merritt
Co-host known for engaging discussions on sci-fi and fantasy, as well as a background in technology and media.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 646 ratings
  • Happy Monday’s

    Do you want to have a happy drive to work on a Monday? Listen to this show! Veronica and Tom are my people. Great book picks to fill your TBR list.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    cragslayer
    United States5 months ago
  • What all book clubs aspire to be

    Just love this show with Tom and Veronica! However it is sort of a good news-bad news deal. The bad news is your other book club is not nearly as cool and S

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    El Digit
    United States10 months ago
  • Veronica and Tom are still the best

    Heard since Tekzilla and BuzzOutLoud these guys are the best - even when V works for evil empires like Adobe (formerly freeware PS 0.99) and EA (digesters of creative sources).

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    helloworldsnafu
    Germany10 months ago
  • *in a 60s swing style

    There's a place you can go where the cool kids know

    The best in sword and sorcery can be found

    It’s easy to see it’s the place to be

    If you want to get your rocketship off the ground

    There’s hobbits, goblins, and dragons galore

    Time travel, aliens, robots, and more

    So pick up a book and you’ll get hooked

    There’s something for everyone

    Now maybe your tastes run to dystopian wastes

    Or alternate histories where dogs rule the world

    Perhaps you fancy some necromancy

    Who do the voodoo? Well, you do,... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Usernamewastaken137
    Canada2 years ago
  • Binge listen to travel back in time! Great podcasts, with awesome hosts!

    I’ve been binge listening to all the S&L episodes throughout the pandemic and have finally caught up! It was great fun listening to Tom and Veronica chat about books and sci-fi/fantasy news. Listening to them was therapy during the pandemic, with each episode like a time capsule - made me so nostalgic! Discovered plenty of books and new authors, too!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    keto-newbie
    Canada3 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Fans express gratitude for discovering new authors and books through the show, showcasing its value as a literary resource.
Many reviews mention the positive community aspect, with the hosts encouraging listener participation and feedback.
The podcast is frequently lauded for its insightful recommendations and analyses of science fiction and fantasy literature.
Listeners appreciate the engaging and humorous dynamic between the hosts, enhancing their enjoyment of book discussions.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#83
New Zealand/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#110
Israel/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#145
Norway/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#216
Norway/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#225
New Zealand/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#227
Sweden/Arts/Books

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

#514 - The Rebirths of Wesley Chu
Q: How does Mr. Chu look back on The Lives of Tao since it was his debut? Is it remembered fondly or has he progressed enough as an author that it makes him cringe?
Chu reflects that although he has progressed as a writer and finds some aspects cringey, he fondly remembers it as it reflects a significant part of his journey.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Sword and Laser

What is The Sword and Laser about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The discussions on this platform cover a wide range of topics related to science fiction and fantasy literature, with hosts engaging in vibrant conversations about recent book releases, notable authors, and literary awards. Each episode includes insights on the books chosen for their book club, with an emphasis on inclusivity and featuring diverse voices in the genre. The hosts share personal anecdotes, reader experiences, and engage with their community, creating a sense of connection among avid readers. Notably, humor is interwoven throughout their discussions, making the content both entertaining and informative, appealing to a broad audience of literature enthusiasts.

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How many listeners does The Sword and Laser get?

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How many subscribers and views does The Sword and Laser have?

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Which podcasts are similar to The Sword and Laser?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Sword and Laser:

1. Geek's Guide to the Galaxy - A Science Fiction Podcast
2. The Morning Stream
3. Film Sack
4. Reading Glasses
5. Daily Tech News Show

How many episodes of The Sword and Laser are there?

The Sword and Laser launched 18 years ago and published 384 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Sword and Laser?

Recent guests on The Sword and Laser include:

1. Wesley Chu

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