Sadly, due to a catastrophic technical failure, we have no episode to bring you this month. Please listen to the message to find out more. Next episode, Kirstyn and Ian will be discussing the following the two books: The Glutton by A E Blakemore Days of Innocence and Wonder by Lucy Treloar  There will be an episode. They promise ..read more

Happy new year! On this first episode of The Writer and the Critic for 2024, your hosts Kirstyn McDermott and Ian Mond, begin by with a very brief discussion of recent reads and whether writing a 'young' or an 'old' voice might be more ... ah ... challenging. The books up for dissection this month are The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson [5:10] and A Haunting on the Hill by Elizabeth Hand [39:20]. If you've skipped ahead to avoid spoilers, please come back at 1:02:00 for final remarks - including a surprise anecdote involving Evelyn Waugh! Next episode, the two books on the slab ..read more

On this last and somewhat longer episode of The Writer and the Critic for 2023, your hosts Kirstyn McDermott and Ian Mond, begin by discussing the television adaptation of Slow Horses as well as the new Mike Flanagan series, The Fall of the House of Usher. No prizes for guessing which one Kirstyn did not like and which one she adored. The books up for discussion this month are After the Forest by Kell Woods [13:35] and I am Homeless if This is Not My Home by Lorrie Moor [54:20]. This review by Parul Sehgal of I Am Homeless if This is Not My Home in The New Yorker is highly recommended if you a ..read more

On this episode of The Writer and the Critic, your hosts Kirstyn McDermott and Ian Mond, begin with a brief celebration of Ian winning the William Atheling Jr. Award for his reviews in Locus that meanders into a discussion about the importance of criticism and the dangers of AI. Huzzah for Ian and criticism! Boo hiss for AI! The books up for discussion this month are The Broken Shore by Peter Temple [7:25] and Slow Horses by Mick Herron [33:30]. Mentioned in dispatches and highly recommended are the following television series: Deadloch (2023) The Sandbaggers (1978-1980) If you've skipped ah ..read more

On this episode of The Writer and the Critic, your hosts Kirstyn McDermott and Ian Mond, begin by chatting about cardamon knobs, cygnets and the shenanigans of parkour cats. Seriously. The books up for discussion this month are The Living Sea of Waking Dreams by Richard Flanagan [5:05] and The Saint of Bright Doors by Vajra Chandrasekera [46:00]. If you've skipped ahead to avoid spoilers, please come back at 1:14:10 for final remarks. Next month, the two books on the slab will be: The Broken Shore by Peter Temple Slow Horses by Mick Herron Read ahead and join in the spoilerific fun ..read more

On this episode of The Writer and the Critic, your hosts Kirstyn McDermott and Ian Mond, ruminate briefly upon head colds, snoring and cats. Very briefly. The books up for discussion this month are The Book of Accidents by Chuck Wendig [3:30] and Conquest by Nina Allan [31:25]. Listeners may want to check out the following, as mentioned: Chuck Wendig's blog: Terrible Minds Nina Allan's website: The Spider's House Review of Conquest in Locus by Gary K. Wolfe If you've skipped ahead to avoid spoilers, please come back at 59:25 for final remarks. Next month, the two books on the slab will be ..read more

On this episode of The Writer and the Critic, your hosts Kirstyn McDermott and Ian Mond, discuss such scintillating topics as football, the coronation, bus replacements and overcrowded trains. But not for long, they promise. The books up for discussion this month are The Trees Grew Because I Bled There by Eric LaRocca [7:05] and Everything Ravaged, Everything Burned by Wells Tower [36:30]. Listeners may also wish to head over to Cinema Chords to watch the interview with Erica LaRocca mentioned in this episode. If you've skipped ahead to avoid spoilers, please come back at 1:01:10 for final rem ..read more

On this episode of The Writer and the Critic, your hosts Kirstyn McDermott and Ian Mond, briefly discuss reading slumps and the likelihood that either of them will read the new novel by Bret Easton Ellis. The books up for discussion this month are The Terraformers by Annalee Newitz [5:00] and Sing, Nightingale by Marie Hélène Poitras [45:00]. If you've skipped ahead to avoid spoilers, please come back at 1:13:00 for final remarks. Next month, the two books on the slab will be: Everything Ravaged, Everything Burned by Wells Tower The Trees Grew Because I Bled There by Eric LaRocca Read ahead ..read more

On this episode of The Writer and the Critic, your hosts Kirstyn McDermott and Ian Mond, get straight down to business with minimal waffle. You're welcome. The books up for discussion this month are LOTE by Shola Von Reinhold [3:25] and Animal Life by Auður Ava Ólafsdóttir [44:38]. Next month, the two books on the slab will be: The Terraformers by Annalee Newitz Sing, Nightingale by Marie Hélène Poitras Read ahead and join in the spoilerific fun ..read more

Welcome to 2023! On this first episode for the year your hosts, Kirstyn McDermott and Ian Mond, chat briefly about the Locus Recommended Reading List in which Hard Places gets a mention. Huzzah! The books up for discussion this month are Every Version of You by Grace Chan [6:25] and The Women Could Fly by Megan Giddings [39:05]. For listeners interested in spec fic dealing with the second generation immigrant experience, Ian also recommends Flux by Jinwoo Chong. And Kirstyn has found unbounded delight in a silly little browser add-on, Tabby Cat. Next month, the two books on the slab will be ..read more