Episode 1: 'Deathless' and 'The Book Thief'

Welcome to the thrilling first episode of The Writer and Critic, a monthly podcast dealing with news, books reviews and the odd bit of idle gossip. After 10 minutes of rambling where your hosts Ian Mond (he would be the critic) and Kirstyn McDermott (she would be the writer) talk about the podcasts that have inspired them (and Ian mention his ego, while Kirstyn forgets something important), the podcast then gets down to some news. This months news items include the the Elizabeth Moon controversy (cue groans from Kirstyn) and when authors go bad. Ian brings up this blog post by Martin Lewis which argues that genre review and critical blogging on the web needs to be better. Then we get to the actual core of the podcast (it only takes about thirty minutes). Kirstyn recommended that Ian read The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, while Ian recommended that Kirstyn read Deathless by Catherynne M. Valente (due for publication in April 2011). Much interesting conversation ensues. We hope you enjoy this first episode.  It's a bit raw around the edges, and Ian could have done more research (naughty Ian), but here it is in all its raw, unedited and rambly glory! In the next episode, due mid-December, Ian and Kirstyn will talk about Feed by Mira Grant and The Red Tree by Caitlin R. Kiernan.