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
Romantasy Genre
Sarah J. Maas
Lois Mcmaster Bujold
Malka Older
Beacon 23
Sci-Fi and Fantasy
Library At Mount Char
The Mimicking Of Known Successes
George R. R. Martin
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!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes393Founded18 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ArtsBooks

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Artwork for The Sword and Laser

Latest Episodes

Veronica's sick but she soldiers on and we review the final four of the March tournament. Plus our non-spoiler check in on Automatic Noodle. Also, we talk about our favorite noodles.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A voter's guide to our March Madness tournament. How to define genres. Your favorite Sci-Fi/Fantasy quotes. And we wrap up our thoughts on Someplace to Be Flying by Charles de Lint.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's time for our March book tournament! Nominations are open. Also, Veronica and Tom have shocking revelations about books they have NOT read. Also, why is Tom having a hard time with this month's pick?

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for mo... more

Andrew Heaton from the Political Orphanage stops by to talk about "I'm Starting to Worry About This Black Box of Doom" by Jason Pargin. Also, Veronica drinks in reverse. You'll understand if you listen.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for mo... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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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 known for her engaging discussions and connections in the literary community, featuring both expertise in speculative fiction and a relatable persona that resonates with listeners.
Tom Merritt
Co-host with a wealth of knowledge in science fiction and technology, he brings a lighthearted yet informative approach, often sharing personal anecdotes that endear him to the audience.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 648 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 States10 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 Statesa year 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
    Germanya year 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
    Canada3 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
    Canada4 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners value the hosts' expertise and personal anecdotes, enhancing the overall listening experience.
Listeners appreciate the engaging banter and warmth between the hosts, creating a community feel.
The discussions on diverse book selections and insights into literary trends are widely praised.
The podcast is recognized for its positive atmosphere that fosters a supportive community around reading.
Many enjoy the mix of food discussions intertwined with book themes, finding it a unique touch.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#173
Norway/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#177
New Zealand/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#193
Philippines/Arts/Books

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

#524 - 4 Stars: Clean, Not Cozy!
Q: So what are you like, Delma?
Just talking about different cocktail options for a floating hotel with various dishes.
#524 - 4 Stars: Clean, Not Cozy!
Q: Have you watched Pluribus?
No, it's on my list.
#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
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About The Sword and Laser

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

Focuses on a vibrant book club atmosphere that emphasizes discussions of both classic and contemporary science fiction and fantasy literature. Episodes often feature engaging banter between the hosts, who bring a mix of personal anecdotes and insights into the genre, making it appealing for a wide range of listeners. Notably, the content not only includes book discussions but also touches on literary trends, noteworthy author highlights, and the interplay between food and literature, creating a unique listening experience that combines entertainment with insightful commentary on reading and fandom culture.

Where can I find podcast stats for The Sword and Laser?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for The Sword and Laser. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to The Sword and Laser and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does The Sword and Laser get?

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What are the audience demographics for The Sword and Laser?

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

To see how many followers or subscribers The Sword and Laser has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to The Sword and Laser?

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

1. Behind the Bastards
2. Blank Check with Griffin & David
3. The Vergecast
4. You're Wrong About
5. Welcome to Night Vale

How many episodes of The Sword and Laser are there?

The Sword and Laser launched 18 years ago and published 393 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The Sword and Laser?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for The Sword and Laser?

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What guests have appeared on The Sword and Laser?

Recent guests on The Sword and Laser include:

1. Wesley Chu

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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