We try to explain Audible’s new plans, decide if Pinocchio is fantasy (especially if Mussolini is involved), and wrap-up our thoughts on Elysium by Jennifer Marie Brissett.

The Hugos are here! And we’ve read a bunch of them. Also, some thoughts on what should or should not be in the genre canon. Should there even be a canon? Or should we shoot it out of a cannon? Also our early, non-spoilery thoughts on Elysium.

We chat with Dennis E. Taylor about the Bobiverse, and what we can expect when we return to it in the new book Heaven’s River.

In this episode, it’s tricky to put the World in WorldCon, alternate history first contact, and Tom is really excited about next month’s pick. Plus, we wrap up our ultimately satisfying read of Black Leopard, Red Wolf.

We talk with Sam Maggs about her new novel Unstoppable Wasp: Built on Hope, and about writing different stories in different platforms, from video games to comics to novels.

The first rule of Short Story Club, SFF with a smile, and how to get the most out of Black Leopard, Red Wolf.

We talk with L. E. Modesitt Jr, the bestselling author of two science fiction series and four fantasy series, who has published more than seventy novels. His latest book, Quantum Shadows is described as blending science fiction, myth, and legend in an adventure that pits old gods and new against one another in a far-future world.

We address the harassment accusations against authors, discover that the July pick could be classified as horror (to Veronica’s horror), and have a whole lot of good TV coming based on a whole lot of good books.

Tom starts throwing money at Becky Chambers and Veronica defends her rose quartz. Plus, new Star Wars short stories coming and lots of great tie-in novels up for Scribe awards! Also our first impressions of A Memory Called Empire by Arkady Martine.

Congrats to the Locus Nominees and Nebula winners! We’ve read a bunch of those but there are some great new picks to be discovered too. Everybody wins! Plus long-time Sword and Laser listener TerpKristin joins us to wrap up Magician: Apprentice.