The Sword and Laser discussion
Introduction and welcome thread!
Hi Kathryn,welcome to the S&L group.

I'm Wil.
I decided to give GoodReads a try, primarily for the catalogging service, but finally began using it when I listened to Sword and Laser podcasts. I am one of those people Tom doesn't like that can devour three books in a week. GoodReads solves the problem of searching for more books.
I have also been itching to write review to both crystalize the ideas for myself and share thoughts.
Though I may not always read the group pick, I'm excited to engage with the Sword and Laser community.

My debut novel will be available on Smashwords and Amazon November 29th. It's a quirky urban fantasy called The Complete Guide to Being Evil, and it's about a young, impetuous mage named Kalara who gets in trouble with a local necromancer. And instead of leaving town, laying low for a while, or trying to appease him, she makes a deal with a devil, to gain more power and win her little magi war.
If this sounds interesting to you, here are a few links to other places you can find me on the webs:
https://www.facebook.com/laurastephen...
https://twitter.com/LauraSFantasy
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/2...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdpVan...

Wil wrote: "Hi,
I'm Wil.
I decided to give GoodReads a try, primarily for the catalogging service, but finally began using it when I listened to Sword and Laser podcasts. I am one of those people Tom doesn'..."
Hi Wil,welcome to the S&L group.
I'm Wil.
I decided to give GoodReads a try, primarily for the catalogging service, but finally began using it when I listened to Sword and Laser podcasts. I am one of those people Tom doesn'..."
Hi Wil,welcome to the S&L group.
Laura wrote: "Hi! I'm an avid reader of all fantasy, as well as an author of fantasy (only urban so far). I'm married with two kids, have a tattoo in Greek on my shoulder, and I have the sweetest tooth that ther..."
Hi Laura,welcome to the S&L group.
Hi Laura,welcome to the S&L group.

I read science fiction for the most part. While I enjoy fantasy (as well as fantasy masquerading as science fiction!), there's nothing I like more than reading a long, intricate science fiction novel that not only has a good story and interesting characters, but respects the laws of nature and creates a believable future that *could* happen. My favorite author is Alastair Reynolds, hands down!
I've followed Sword and Laser through Geekandsundry for about a year. So, now that I've started using my goodreads account I thought this might be a place of interest.
Hi Andreas,welcome to the S&L group.

I'm Viola. I became a fan of fantasy at age 14-15 when I more or less devoured the Story of Belgariad by David Eddings. I've been a sci-fi and anime fan for much longer as I watched an anime series called Starzinger when I was 5. Currently I’m reading way too much urban fantasy because the fantasy genre seems overrun by dark and grim stories. I’m more interested in watching sci-fi series than reading them. And this is pretty much everything you need to know.

I'm Viola. I became a fan of fantasy at age 14-15 when I more or less devoured the Story of Belgariad by David Eddings. I've been a sci-fi and anime fan for much longer as I watched an anime se..."
Welcome!
Hi Viola,welcome to the S&L group.
Have you read The Malloreon, Vol. 1: Guardians of the West, King of the Murgos, Demon Lord of Karanda,The Malloreon, Vol. 2: Sorceress of Darshiva, The Seeress of Kell?
Have you read The Malloreon, Vol. 1: Guardians of the West, King of the Murgos, Demon Lord of Karanda,The Malloreon, Vol. 2: Sorceress of Darshiva, The Seeress of Kell?

Have you read The Malloreon, Vol. 1: Guardians of the West, King of the Murgos, Demon Lord of Karanda,The Malloreon, Vol. 2: Sorceress of Darshiva, The Seeress of..."
Yes, I read them after I had finished the Belgariad. I also read the books about Sparhawk.

Hi Leo,welcome to the S&L group.

My favorite author would be Pratchett, Gaiman and Gould, but i'm always looking to widen my horizon.
I'm coming to sword and laser after following the geek and sundry webcast and i do look forward to the podcast as well. hope everyone is having a nice day.
Hi Emma,welcome to the S&L group.
Thank you,and I hope you have a good day as well.
Thank you,and I hope you have a good day as well.
Hi Sarah,welcome to the S&L group.

I have been reading for as long as I can remember - the first book I read on my own was called "My puppy is born" when I was 2 and to this day I still want a puppy named Sausage.
I will read anything and there are a lot of books I took a chance on that I really enjoyed. My favorite genres are SciFi and Fantasy though so I am really excited to follow along with this group.
Hi Jillian,welcome to the S&L group.

I'm the type who reads books when she can and listens to them when she can't. Usually when I'm leveling on some video game that requires only cursory attention.

I love Fantasy & Sci-fi and actually just published my first novel, "End of the Beginning"... which, yes, has swords, lasers... and superpowers (which, are equally deserving of some attention in any sci-fi/fantasy board - whether of mutant, metaphysical, magical or other origin). Can't wait to get to know some people on this thread. Talk to you then.
Hi Alexa,welcome to the S&L group.
Hi Zan,welcome to the S&L group.
Hi Jon,welcome to the S&L group.

My name is James and I'm from Northern Ireland. I recently started listening to your podcasts and I think they are brilliant.
I'm currently in the process of reading the Mistborn trilogy and I'm loving it. Currently I find myself mostly reading fantasy books but I wanna find some good sci-fi as well.
Looking forward to talking to you all and reading alongside with your monthly books

I'm a master's student in astrophysics with far too little time for non-thesis related reading, a great shame, as it has been one of my favourite pass times since I was a kid.
I've mostly read sci-fi and my favourite authors include Arthus C. Clarke and H.G. Wells. However, I'm also fond of fantasy and classic mysteries. I hope this group can give me a bit of inspiration to prioritise my leisure reading more.
Hi James,welcome to the S&L group.
Hi Penny,welcome to the S&L group.

I'm an SF&F fan and convention goer. I read widely, and I enjoy both the sword and the laser side of things. I am also a published author with two SF books out currently, Naero's Run and Naero's Gambit.
Right now I'm reading Skirmishes by Kristine Kathryn Rusch, and then Boneshaker by Cherie Priest. Looking forward to joining the discussion with fen of like mind.
Cheers,
Mason

I'm Giacomo, a PhD student in physics, definitely more of a sword than laser book addict.
Among my favorites (I could probably list authors all night long, but I think it's better to just mention a few), Terry Goodkind, Jaqueline Carey, Karen Miller and, to honor my laser part, Dan Simmons.
I'm halfway through the Mistborn trilogy (great stuff by the way), and looking forward to Bram Stoker's Dracula when I'm done (unless I find something I absolutely MUST read right away in this group!).
Hi Mason,welcome to the S&L group.
Hi Giacomo,welcome to the S&L group.


I'm Scott, a mechanical engineer living in Colorado. I read more sword than laser, but will read just about anything.
Currently finished Cloud Atlas, and working up my gumption to start Infinite Jest.
Favorite Authors are: Neil Gaiman, Brandon Sanderson, Robert Jordon, Orson Scott Card, Patrick Rothfuss, Shakespeare...
Hi Rob,welcome to the S&L group.
Hi Scott,welcome to the S&L group.



Hello! My name is Diann T. Read and I am an author. I am currently working on a new series of YA books with the first of my 7th Shaman books to be released in February 2014. It is titled "Running from the Gods". My mentors include David Farland and Orson Scott Card.


I'm Inigo. My name is actually Jon but I go by Inigo as I picked up the nickname from my love of the Princess Bride and have gone by that nickname for a couple of decades now lol.
I'm new here but have been reading fantasy my whole life. I've been on goodreads a while but this is my first venture into the groups. I was hoping to find some discussions on some trends I've been seeing in stories the last few years...some things I like (like the optimism and sheer fun of Harry Potter) and some things i've foundn quite disturbing (such as how people are eating up the Hunger Games...which I find downright appalling).
Anyway, just wanted to check in first and say hello. I look forward to hearing/reading a lot of your thoughts on things.

Question I'd like to through out there: There is a book I was reading some review of. I thought I'd mention it incase anyway knows it.
It's about a god/spirit of a place (tree or lake) who was either killed, or wakes as a mortal woman or man. She/he must regain their powers to protect the people living around the place (tree or lake).
I think it was written by a minority author. (Non-white, maybe non-male.) Does anyone recognize that?
Hi Tyler,Jason,Diann,Holli,Inigo,and Shawn welcome to the S&L group.

Hi Beth,you're more than welcome here at the S&L group.
Books mentioned in this topic
Ghosts of the Scattered Kingdoms (other topics)The Sword of Shannara (other topics)
Shadow & Claw (other topics)
A Canticle for Leibowitz (other topics)
A Canticle for Leibowitz (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Wade Garret (other topics)Gene Wolfe (other topics)
John Scalzi (other topics)
Richelle Mead (other topics)
Brandon Sanderson (other topics)
More...
I'm Kathryn, a new book lover. My heart definitely lies with fantasy, though I am still fresh blood to the genre. I love how it can make you escape to a world and place you would never have dreamed possible.
I am hoping to make a few friends on here so please do not hesitate to adding me as a friend :)
Look forward to getting to know you all!