The Writer and the Critic

Episode 18: 'The Night Circus' and 'When Gravity Fails'

On this episode of The Writer and the Critic, Kirstyn McDermott and Ian Mond spend a little time talking about gender and reading in response to feedback received from one of their lovely listeners. Be warned, there may be some unqualified generalisations scattered about and there is definitely some drawing of disturbing stick figures. Kirstyn apologies for her barely suppressed laughter and also for the fact that listeners cannot see the horrified expressions on Ian's face -- or the disturbing stick figure -- that inspired said laughter. She trusts that listeners can use their imagination. Around the 19:20 mark, the pair turn their attention to Kirstyn's recommended book for the podcast, The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern. This review by Abigail Nussbaum is mentioned, as are the usual spoilers. Discussion of When Gravity Fails by George Alec Effinger begins at 56:25. Again, spoilers. Skip ahead at will. But don't forget to check back in around 1:34:50 for some (very brief) final remarks. Next month, Ian has picked Bad Power by Deborah Biancotti, while Kirstyn has chosen Sea Hearts by Margo Lanagan. Read ahead and join in the fun!

Episode 17: 'Houses Without Doors' and 'Queenpin' (plus 'Hope: A Tragedy')

This month on The Writer and the Critic, Kirstyn McDermott and Ian Mond invite award-winning UK author Robert Shearman to chat about his recent adventures at the Adelaide Writers' Week and the New Zealand International Arts Festival, as well as his ongoing and insanely impressive -- or impressively insane? -- One Hundred Stories project. Hilarity ensues. Highly personal details about Ian's sleeping habits are disclosed. Rob explains why he writes like an uber-caffeinated monkey. Kirstyn edits none of it out. Mwaohahaha. Around the 27:15 mark, the conversation meanders over to Rob's recommended book, Hope: A Tragedy by Shalom Auslander. Despite the fact that it's quite a new book, the trio are relentlessly free and easy with the spoilers, so skip ahead if you'd rather not hear how the book ends. Or begins. Or what happens in the middle. They then move on to discussing the two official podcast books: Houses Without Doors by Peter Straub (beginning at 1:00:30), picked by Kirstyn, and Queenpin by Megan Abbott (1:31:30) which was Ian's recommendation. Yes, it's another looooong episode. You're welcome! Tune back in around the 01:53:45 point for final remarks (and possibly some out-of-tune singing). Next month, Ian has recommended When Gravity Fails by George Alec Effinger while Kirstyn has picked The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern. Read ahead and join in the spoilerific fun! * Vale Paul Haines Paul Haines, a well-known and much-loved member of the Australian spec fic community, passed away on Monday 5th March, 2012. Paul was a generous, funny and all-around amazing human being, as well as being an astonishingly good writer – truly, one of our best. He will be sorely missed by those who knew him and by those who only met him through his words. Paul’s work is dark, disturbing, confronting and, more often than not, piss funny to boot. If you’ve not yet had the pleasure, please track down his collections:

• The Last Days of Kali Yuga (Brimstone Press, 2011)
• Slice of Life (The Mayne Press, 2010)
• Doorways for the Dispossessed (Prime, 2006)

Thank you, Paul. Travel safe.

Episode 16: 'The Silver Wind' and 'The Courier's New Bicycle'

On this episode of The Writer and the Critic, Kirstyn McDermott and Ian Mond proffer a correction from Cheryl Morgan in regards to Hugo Awards eligibility before entangling themselves in more culturally appropriative knots sparked off by some very interesting feedback from Karen Lord. They also announce a list of giveaway novels in order to bribe listeners into recommending original, self-published eBooks for their newly named eBook Extravaganza ... so follow them on Twitter and start recommending! During discussion of The Silver Wind by Nina Allan (beginning at 35:30), Ian mentions this review by Martin Lewis while Kirstyn quotes from this piece by Sofia  Samatar.  The conversation then turns to The Courier's New Bicycle by Kim Westwood at 59:45 wherein this review by Cheryl Morgan is mentioned. Tune back in around the 01:43:00 point for final remarks. Next month, Ian and Kirstyn invite UK author Robert Shearman onto the podcast. (You may remember a discussion of Rob's most excellent story collection, Everyone's Just So So Special, on Episode 12. If you don't remember, go back and listen to it right now!)  Rob has recommended Perfume by Patrick Süskind for everyone to read, while Ian Mond has picked Queenpin by Megan Abbott and Kirstyn has chosen Houses Without Doors by Peter Straub. Read ahead and join in the fun!

Episode 15: 'Redemption in Indigo' and 'Zoo City'

On this episode of The Writer and the Critic, Kirstyn McDermott and Ian Mond announce a New Idea for a future episode of the podcast. They would like to spend an episode reviewing a handful originally self-published eBooks as recommended by their listeners. Whether this ends up being a Good Idea or a Bad Idea will largely depend on listener participation, so get listening and get participating. There may even be prizes involved ... more info on this next month once they work out what potential prizes they actually have to offer! After a discussion about their current (e)reading habits and changes in book buying practices, the duo then move onto talk about the two books chosen for the podcast this month. A lengthy discussion of and around -- and around and around -- Redemption in Indigo by Karen Lord begins at 18:30 with the conversation about  Zoo City by Lauren Beukes starting at 01:07:30. Yes, it's a long podcast this time. That's what happens with books that are interesting, intelligent and inspiring. Tune back in around the 01:57:20 point for final remarks. Next month, Ian has recommended The Silver Wind by Nina Allan while Kirstyn has picked The Courier's New Bicycle by Kim Westwood. Read ahead and join in the fun!

Episode 14: 'The Tiger's Wife' and 'We Need to Talk About Kevin'

In their very last Writer and the Critic podcast for 2011, your hosts Kirstyn McDermott and Ian Mond ramble only briefly before leaping boldly forth into their discussion of the selected novels, both winners of the Orange Prize for Fiction in their respective years. As usual, there are significant plot spoilers for both books, so take heed of the timestamps if you wish to avoid them. Discussion of The Tiger's Wife by Téa Obreht begins at 05:15 and includes references to a review by Philip Hensher at The Telegraph as well as this one by Ruth Fowler at the Huffington Post. At the 35:15 mark, the two then move on to We Need to Talk About Kevin by Lionel Shriver. Kirstyn quotes from this Guardian article by Lionel Shriver and recommends the newly released film starring Tilda Swinton -- but only if you read the book first! If you've skipped ahead, please come back at for final remarks at 01:21:40. Next month -- next year! -- Ian has picked Redemption in Indigo by Karen Lord while Kirstyn has chosen Zoo City by Lauren Beukes. Due to their hectic end of year schedules, neither of them have actually had a chance to read their own recommendations yet so they're each looking forward to finding out what they themselves think . . . Happy New Year!