Podcast Directory

Episodes

In episode 100 of the SF Signal Podcast, Patrick Hester offers up part three in our special three-part podcast on Sword and Sorcery moderated by editor, author and publicist Jaym Gates.

In episode 99 of the SF Signal Podcast, Patrick Hester sits down to chat with author Elizabeth Moon.

In episode 98 of the SF Signal Podcast, Patrick Hester offers up part two of a special three-part podcast on Sword and Sorcery moderated by editor, author and publicist Jaym Gates. (See also: Part 1.)

In episode 97 of the SF Signal Podcast, Patrick Hester sits down to chat with author and editor Maurice Broaddus.

In episode 96 of the SF Signal Podcast, Patrick Hester offers up part one in a special three-part podcast on Sword and Sorcery moderated by editor, author and publicist Jaym Gates.

In episode 95 of the SF Signal Podcast, Patrick Hester sits down to chat with author, editor and now publisher John Joseph Adams!

From JohnJosephAdams.com: John Joseph Adams - called "the reigning king of the anthology world" by Barnes & Noble.com - is the bestselling editor of many anthologies, such as Brave New Worlds, Wastelands, The Living Dead, The Living Dead 2, By Blood We Live, Federations, The Improbable Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, and The Way of the Wizard. In 2011, he was a finalist for two Hugo Awards and two World Fantasy Awards. He is also the editor of Fantasy Magazine and Lightspeed Magazine, and is the co-host of io9's The Geek's Guide to the Galaxy podcast. Find him on Twitter @JohnJosephAdams.

In episode 92 of the SF Signal Podcast, Patrick Hester asks our irregulars to weigh in on: International Authors!

Based on a recent Mind Meld post on SFSignal.com: Being a U.S. based blog (and podcast) we tend to focus on things American and/or British (basically - English language stuff). But there's a whole wide world of SF out there that we don't normally cover.

Who are your favorite International Authors and why?

In episode 93 of the SF Signal Podcast, Patrick Hester and Fred Kiesche chat with author, artist and podcaster Howard Tayler, creator of the Schlock Mercenary webcomic.

From SchlockMercenary.com: Howard Tayler is the writer and illustrator behind Schlock Mercenary, the Hugo-nominated science fiction comic strip. Howard is also featured on the Parsec award-winning "Writing Excuses" podcast, a weekly 'cast for genre-fiction writers. Howard's artwork is featured in XDM X-Treme Dungeon Mastery, a role-playing supplement by Tracy and Curtis Hickman.

Howard's most recently published work is Schlock Mercenary: Resident Mad Scientist.

In episode 92 of the SF Signal Podcast, Patrick Hester asks our irregulars to weigh in on: Young Adult Fiction!

YA Fiction is taking the publishing world by storm but it's not just for Young Adults - people of all ages are enjoying what YA has to offer. Are you one of them?
What are some examples of genre YA you've enjoyed reading?Is YA getting too dark?Is YA not dominated by dark stories?Is YA a bubble waiting to burst as some new thing takes the publishing world by storm?

In episode 91 of the SF Signal Podcast, Patrick Hester chats with author Sam Sykes, whose Aeons' Gate series includes (so far) Tome of the Undergates and Black Halo.

In episode 90 of the SF Signal Podcast, Patrick Hester asks our irregulars to weigh in on: Time Travel!

Time travel has been a popular part of Science Fiction for over a hundred years. H.G. Wells used it for The Time Machine in 1895. Mark Twain used it for his novel, A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court. Heinlein, Lewis, Jones, Bradbury, Asimov, Ellison, Butler, Tutrtledove ad Willis have all written stories that involved time travel in some form. Star Trek did it, so did Quantum Leap and The Time Tunnel, and Voyagers!

In episode 89 of the SF Signal Podcast, Patrick Hester asks our irregulars to call in and answer the question: What is your favorite Halloween themed story, novel, comic book, TV show (episode) or movie?

Did your answer make the list? Click through to find out!

In episode 88 of the SF Signal Podcast, Patrick Hester chats with author Erin Hoffman, whose new book Sword of Fire and Sea: The Chaos Knight, Book One, is out from PYR.

In episode 87 of the SF Signal Podcast, Patrick Hester asks our irregulars to call in and answer the question: Do you like to be scared?

In episode 86 of the SF Signal Podcast, Patrick Hester asks our irregulars to offer up their thoughts on: Dark Fantasy.

In episode 85 of the SF Signal Podcast, Patrick Hester chats with Jennifer Brozek, award winning editor and author. Winner of the 2009 Australian Shadows Award for edited publication, Jennifer has edited seven anthologies with more on the way. Author of In a Gilded Light and The Little Finance Book That Could, she has more than thirty-five published short stories, and is an assistant editor for the Apex Book Company.

In episode 84 of the SF Signal Podcast, Patrick Hester asks our irregulars to offer up their thoughts on: Horror in Science Fiction and Fantasy.

October is upon us and in many countries, that means HALLOWEEN! So this month, we are going to be doing panels with a Halloween theme - the first one is: Horror in Science Fiction and Fantasy.

In episode 83 of the SF Signal Podcast, Patrick Hester chats with Gabrielle Harbowy and Ed Greenwood, co-editors of When The Hero Comes Home, an anthology out from Dragon Moon Press.

In episode 82 of the SF Signal Podcast, Patrick Hester asks our irregulars: What are the essential Science Fiction Films every fan should see?

From Le Voyage dans la Lune, created by Georges Méliès in 1902, to this Summer's Cowboys and Aliens, science fiction has been a staple of the film industry for over a century now. Which scifi films are you personal favorites, which have set the bar for every film that followed, and which should every scifi fan see at least once?

Bonus: Which are the worst, and why?

In episode 81 of the SF Signal Podcast, Patrick Hester chats with author Philip Athans.

In episode 80 of the SF Signal Podcast, Patrick Hester asks our irregulars to chat about Near-Future Science Fiction.

In episode 79 of the SF Signal Podcast, Patrick Hester chats with multi-award winning author, Ian McDonald.

In episode 78 of the SF Signal Podcast, Patrick Hester asks our irregulars to chat about Visions of the Future.

In episode 77 of the SF Signal Podcast, Patrick Hester chats with the editor of Angry Robot Books, Lee A. Harris.

In episode 76 of the SF Signal Podcast, Patrick Hester chats with Brent Weeks. His Best-Selling Novel, The Black Prism, is now available in paperback. Brent also shares some exclusive information and details appearances and conventions he will be attending through the end of the year.

In episode 75 of the SF Signal Podcast, Patrick Hester asks our panelists to chat about Novellas: Do you read novellas? What are some examples of novellas you have enjoyed and why? What makes a good novella in your mind? Where do you find novellas (bookstores, websites, magazines, podcasts)?

In episode 74 of the SF Signal Podcast, Patrick Hester chats with Lauren Beukes. She has two books out right now from Angry Robot: Moxyland and Zoo City, which won the 2011 Arthur C. Clarke Award, was short-listed for the 2010 BSFA Award for best novel, and has been nominated for the World Fantasy award for best novel.

In episode 73 of the SF Signal Podcast, Patrick Hester chats with The Science Comedian Brian Malow.

In episode 72 of the SF Signal Podcast, Patrick Hester asks our irregulars: What themes are under-explored in Science Fiction and Fantasy?

In episode 71 of the SF Signal Podcast, Patrick Hester chats with multi-award winning author William Gibson.

In episode 70 of the SF Signal Podcast, Patrick Hester asks our irregulars: Do you listen to podcasts? Which ones, and do you listen to fiction podcasts?

In episode 69 of the SF Signal Podcast, Patrick Hester and John Denardo chat with multi-award winning editor and reviewer Gary K. Wolfe.

In episode 68 of the SF Signal Podcast, Patrick Hester asks our irregulars who attended ReaderCon to give us the highlights from the convention.

In episode 67 of the SF Signal Podcast, Patrick Hester chats with multi-award winning editor and author Ellen Kushner whose Welcome To Bordertown anthology, is currently in bookstores.

In episode 64 of the SF Signal Podcast, Patrick Hester and the panel discuss: 2011 is half over - which books, movies and tv shows lived up to the hype and are noteworthy and which have missed the mark? What did you love, what did you hate and why?

In episode 63 of the SF Signal Podcast, Patrick Hester sits down with Andrew P. Mayer, Author of The Falling Machine: The Society of Steam Book One published by PYR.

In episode 62 of the SF Signal Podcast, Patrick Hester sits down with Laura Resnick, author of the Esther Diamond series published by DAW.

In episode 61 of the SF Signal Podcast, Patrick Hester asks the panel: Science Fiction Role Playing Games - what have you played, what do you like, what do you hate?

This episode features our Summer of Scifi Trivia Contest Question!

In episode 60 of the SF Signal Podcast, we welcome guest interviewer Lou Anders, who sits down with David Goyer and Michael Cassutt to talk about their new book - Heaven's Shadow!

In episode 59 of the SF Signal Podcast, Patrick Hester asks the panel: What Scifi Series/novel would you like to see get the HBO, 10 episodes per book, treatment?

In episode 58 of the SF Signal Podcast, Patrick Hester sits down with Stina Leicht, author of the novel Of Blood and Honey.

In episode 57 of the SF Signal Podcast, Patrick Hester asks the panel: What's your favorite historical science fiction or fantasy story/novel?

In episode 56 of the SF Signal Podcast, Patrick Hester sits down with author and editor Holly Black.

In episode 55 of the SF Signal Podcast, Patrick Hester asks the panel: What's your favorite alien invasion story?

In episode 54 of the SF Signal Podcast, Patrick Hester sits down with TOR author Peter Orullian.

In episode 53 of the SF Signal Podcast, Patrick Hester asks the pane about the 2011 Hugo Finalists for Best Novel: What on the list have you read, what haven't you read - what surprised you on this list and was there anything you thought should've made the final cut but didn't?

In episode 52 of the SF Signal Podcast, Patrick Hester and John DeNardo sit down with award winning editor Jonathan Strahan.

In episode 51 of the SF Signal Podcast, Patrick Hester asks the panel:

Q: What is the Best Space Opera Series in Science Fiction?

In episode 49 of the SF Signal Podcast, Patrick Hester sits down with M.D. Lachlan, author of Wolfsangel, available from PYR in the US and Gollancz in the UK.

In episode 49 of the SF Signal Podcast, Patrick Hester asks the panel:

Q: What SF/F books should be in every fan's library?

In episode 48 of the SF Signal Podcast, Patrick Hester sits down with Howard A. Jones, author of The Desert of Souls and Managing Editor of Black Gate magazine.

In episode 47 of the SF Signal Podcast, Patrick Hester asks our panel of contributors:

Q: What was the last SF/F book or story you read that blew your mind?

In episode 46 of the SF Signal Podcast, Patrick Hester talks books, pen-names, red or green chile and Babylon 5 with author Daniel Abraham.

In episode 45 of the SF Signal Podcast, Patrick Hester and the of SF Signal Irregulars discuss HBO's new show, Game of Thrones.

In episode 44 of the SF Signal Podcast, Patrick Hester and John DeNardo talk with Mikio Kaku, theoretical physicist, best-selling author, co-founder of string field theory (a branch of string theory), and popularizer of science.

In episode 43 of the SF Signal Podcast, Patrick Hester and SF Signal contributors discuss Doctor Who.

In episode 42 of the SF Signal Podcast, Patrick Hester interviews award-winning author E.E. Knight.

In episode 41 of the SF Signal Podcast, Patrick Hester asks the panel about: The $0.99 eBook.

The Interwebz are abuzz with talk of the $0.99 eBook. Indie Author Amanda Hocking is making a splash selling her books for $0.99.
Author/Editor Cat Valente has weighed in. Kevin Kelly did some math on it.
Zoe Winters talked to AllIndiePublishing.com about it. Neil Clarke asked people to weigh in on what they're willing to pay. and our friend Tobias Buckell did an experiment about it.

So the questions to the panel were:
Is the $0.99 price point for eBooks too low?Should there be tiered pricing for short stories, novellas and full length novels?Is the prediction that the $0.99 eBook will become the norm in less than 5 years way off the mark?What's the sweet spot price for eBooks?

In episode 40 of the SF Signal Podcast, Patrick Hester & John Ottinger sit down to chat with science fiction & fantasy author Paul S. Kemp!

In episode 39 of the SF Signal Podcast, Patrick Hester asks the SF Signal panel:

Q: Do you read comic books?

Listen in and see what they had to say...

In episode 38 of the SF Signal Podcast, Patrick Hester & Karen Burnham sit down to chat with science fiction & fantasy author Tim Pratt!

In episode 37 of the SF Signal Podcast, Patrick Hester asks the panel:

Q: Which 3 female authors had the same impact on science fiction as the "big three": Isaac Asimov, Arthur C. Clark and Robert A. Heinlein?

In episode 36 of the SF Signal Podcast, Patrick Hester & John DeNardo sit down to chat with prolific science fiction & fantasy author Paul Di Filippo!

In episode 35 of the SF Signal Podcast, Patrick Hester asks the panel of irregulars:

Q: Are the works of Robert Heinlein relevant for science fiction fans and authors today? Are his works dated? Is he simply a relic from a bygone era best left on the shelf collecting dust?

In episode 34 of the SF Signal Podcast, Patrick Hester, Jeff Patterson & John DeNardo sit down to chat with Hugo award winning author Kristine Kathryn Rusch!

In episode 33 of the SF Signal Podcast, Patrick Hester asks the panel of irregulars:

Q: Is the stand alone novel dead?Can an author survive writing stand alone novels today?Is the blockbuster/series model unsustainable in today's publishing market?

In episode 32 of the SF Signal Podcast, Patrick Hester and John Ottinger sit down to chat with author Peter V. Brett.

Brett has written The Warded Man and its sequel, The Desert Spear and is working on the third installment in the Demon Cycle series, as well as on the Red Sonja comic for Dynamite Comics.

In episode 31 of the SF Signal Podcast, Patrick Hester asks the SF Signal Irregulars to weigh in on Fringe and explain:

Why I don't watch Fringe

Fringe is a science fiction series that features: alternate realities, time travel, genetic experimentation, the technological singularity and transhumanist experiments - but you still aren't watching? Why?

Episode 30 of the SF Signal Podcast features the 2nd of our new, monthly mega-panels. We've invited some very special guests to weigh in on the state of the brick and mortar bookstores in the wake of the Borders bankruptcy and their scheduled closings of 200 stores nationwide.

Additionally, we ask:Is the emerging ebook market the final death toll to the local bookstore?As more people adopt ereaders, what can booksellers do to encourage traffic into book stores to purchase physical copies?Our virtual convention panel includes:
Author Cat ValenteBorderlands Bookstore owner Alan BeattsAuthor/Publisher Chris RobersonPublisher Allison BakerPatrick Hester (Moderator)

In episode 29 of the SF Signal Podcast, Fred Kiesche, Lisa Paitz Spindler, John DeNardo and Patrick Hester answer this question:

Why do fantasy novels & stories seem to appeal to a broader audience versus science fiction stories?

Later, John DeNardo and Patrick Hester interview Tobias Buckell.

In episode 28 of the SF Signal Podcast, Fred Kiesche and Patrick Hester sit down to chat with legendary science fiction and fantasy author, David Drake! Drake has a long and storied career with dozens of novels, multiple short stories, collections, anthologies and collaborations.

In episode 27 of the SF Signal Podcast, Patrick Hester, Jeff Patterson and Karen Burnham sit down to chat about politics in Science Fiction and Fantasy:

Q: Has Science Fiction and Fantasy gotten more or less political in the past few decades? Has functional anarchy and corporate super-cultures replaced the empires and federations of the past?

Later, Karen Burnham sits down to chat with Darryl Gregory, author of:
The Devil's AlphabetPandemoniumRaising Stony Mayhall...and many more.

In episode 26 of the SF Signal Podcast, we have something very special for you. We've given our regular panelists the night off so they can recharge and refresh and have asked some very special guests to convene and discuss the future and impact of eBook Publishing:Is the quickly rising eBook market going to save the publishing industry or further erode an already dwindling market?Is the printed book dead?Is eBook publishing good for authors in the long run?What about piracy?How will the (impending?) death of Borders affect publishing?

Our virtual convention panel includes:Mike ResnickSue LangeLou AndersJohn PicacioJohn DeNardo (Moderator)Patrick Hester (Moderator)

In episode 25 of the SF Signal Podcast, Patrick Hester asks the SF Signal gang:

Q: Should books with controversial or offensive content be changed to make them more palatable to the public?

A revised version of Huckleberry Finn will be released next month that replaces all 219 instances of the racially charged "N-word" with the word "slave." Is this acceptable? Who gets to decide what is and isn't offensive? Are we standing on the precipice of a slippery slope where the freedom of speech is trumped by public sentiment?

Later, Patrick Hester & John DeNardo sit down to chat with S. Andrew Swann, author of Forests of the Night, Emperors of the Twilight, Specters of the Dawn, Profiteer, Partisan, Revolutionary, Raven, God's Dice, The Flesh, the Blood, & the Fire, Teek, Fearful Symmetries, Zimmerman's Algorithm, The Omega Game, Dragons of the Cuyahoga, The Moreau Omnibus, Stranger Inside, The Hostile Takeover Trilogy, Broken Crescent, Dwarves of Whiskey Island, Blood & Rust, Prophets, Dragons & Dwarves, Wolfbreed, Heretics, and Wolf's Cross.

Book covers have come a long way. In some cases they are more creative, more descriptive, more detailed than ever before. But they're also trippier, minimalist and in some cases, unhelpful. Are we seeing a new golden age of book covers or are we slipping into a dark age where the artist is replaced by the typographer laying out the title on a blank canvas?

In episode 24 of the SF Signal Podcast, Patrick Hester asks the SF Signal gang:

Q: Can you judge a book by its cover?

Later, Patrick Hester sits down to chat with Philippa Ballantine, author of Weaver's Web, Chasing the Bard, Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences, Weather Child, Digital Magic and Geist.

In episode 23 of the SF Signal Podcast, Patrick Hester asks the SF Signal contributors & irregulars:

Is social media good for the book industry, publishing and authors?

With Twitter and Facebook, publisher, author and fan are more connected than ever before. Is this instant communication good for everyone or has it become a distraction? Are the days of the anonymous author gone forever?

Later, Karen Burnham sits down to talk with Gail Carriger, author of Soulless, Changeless, Blameless & Heartless.

In episode 22 of the SF Signal Podcast, Patrick Hester asks SF Signal contributors:

Q: How have the events of the last decade shaped speculative fiction?

9/11, the war on terror, Katrina, the wars in Iraq & Afghanistan, the Economy, the shifting American political landscape, the Patriot Act, end of the Space Shuttle program, rejection of NASA's budget & plans for future manned space exploration (I know I'm being all American in my highlights but you can fill in the blanks) - How have these and other events across the globe shaped genre fiction this decade and what will we see moving forward?

Later, Patrick Hester & John DeNardo sit down to talk with Gregory Benford & George Zebrowski, co-editors of Sentinels: In Honor of Arthur C. Clarke.

In episode 21 of the SF Signal Podcast Patrick Hester asks:

Q: Which new author published in 2010 stands out in your mind?

Everyone has to start somewhere - which genre author published this year stands out as a bright and shining star destined to go on to great things?

Later, Patrick Hester & John DeNardo sit down to talk with prolific science fiction and fantasy author Bud Sparhawk.

In episode 20 of the SF Signal Podcast, Patrick Hester asks the SF Signal panel:

Q: Everyone had to start somewhere - What was your gateway genre novel? Did you ever read it again? Did it still have that same magic as the first time?

In this episode of the SF Signal Podcast, we talk about: Our favorite books read in 2010.

This is not necessarily books that were published, mind you, but books we consumed in 2010.

In the 18th episode of the SF Signal Podcast, Patrick Hester asks the SF Signal contributors & irregulars:

Why are your favorite Science Fiction stories so hard to adapt to film and television?

Jeff Patterson, Fred Kiesche, Lisa Paitz Spindler & John Anealio all share their thoughts.

Later, Patrick Hester & John DeNardo sit down to chat with Vonda N. McIntyre about BookViewCafe.com, her long and illustrious career and that time she gave Lt. Sulu a first name.

In the 17th episode of the SF Signal Podcast, Patrick Hester asks the SF Signal contributors & irregulars to call in for a Thanksgiving special, asking them:

Q: What are you thankful for this year? What genre fiction (novels, stories, tv shows, movies) came out this year that you're thankful for?

Jeff Patterson, Fred Kiesche, John Anealio, Andrew Liptak, Derek Johnson, Lisa Paitz Spindler, Larry Ketchersid, John Ottinger, Jessica Strider and Matthew Sanborn Smith all share what they are thankful for this year.

Later, Patrick Hester sits down to chat with Graham Hancock, author of Fingerprints of the Gods, Underworld, Supernatural and the new science fiction novel Entangled.

In the 16th episode of the SF Signal Podcast, Patrick Hester is joined by Jeff Patterson, Jay Garmon, Fred Kiesche (who totally phones it in...) & John DeNardo to discuss:

A Holiday Gift Guide for the SciFi Geek/Nerd in your family!

Have a SciFi fan / nerd / geek in the family? Have no idea what to get em this holiday season? Don't fret - we're here to help! We've assembled the greatest minds SF Signal can put together on a late Wednesday evening to offer up suggestions for the perfect gift to get the SciFi nerd in your life -- even if it's you. From the Life Size Replica of Han Solo frozen in Carbonite to the Michael Moorcock's Doctor Who novel, we've got something for you...

Later, Patrick Hester sits down to chat with Nebula Award winning author Pam Sargent to discuss her career as an author and her novels from Cloned Lives to Farseed to Women of Wonder.

In the 15th episode of the SF Signal Podcast, Patrick Hester is joined by Karen Burnham, John DeNardo & John Anealio to discuss:

The 2010 World Fantasy Convention!

The four of us recap our experiences and adventures at the 2010 World Fantasy Convention.

Later, Jeff Patterson, Andrew Liptak & Patrick Hester sit down to chat with Kevin J. Anderson, author of the Terra Incognita books, several volumes set in the Dune universe, the Saga of the Seven Suns & several Star Wars novels, to name just a few of his projects.

In the 14th episode of the SF Signal Podcast, Patrick Hester, Jeff Patterson, Karen Burnham, and John DeNardo discuss the fact that...

The Zombie apocalypse is upon us!

From Rigor Amortis to The Living Dead 2 to Zombie Storm Troopers - Zombies are seemingly everywhere these days. What are your favorite Zombie books, movies or comics and why? Are Zombies the new, up and coming undead stars? Who's dying to see The Walking Dead debut on AMC?

Later, John DeNardo & Jay Garmon sit down to chat with Paul Levinson, PHD, Science Fiction author with titles like The Silk Code, Borrowed Tides, The Consciousness Plague & The Plot to Save Socrates.

In the thirteenth episode of the SF Signal Podcast, Patrick Hester is joined by Fred Kiesche, John DeNardo, Lisa Paitz Spindler, Jeff Patterson, Jay Garmon & Matthew Sanborn Smith to discuss:

Q: What are the best genre TV shows on the air right now and why should we be watching them?

Caprica, Stargate: Universe, Fringe, Clone Wars...what we're watching and why should you should be watching them too.

Later, Patrick Hester , JP Frantz, John Anealio & John DeNardo sit down to chat with Joseph Mallozzi, Executive Producer of Stargate: Universe.

In the twelfth episode of the SF Signal Podcast, Patrick Hester is joined by Fred Kiesche, John DeNardo, Larry Ketchersid, John Anealio, Jeff Patterson & Jay Garmon to discuss genre series:

Q: At what point does a genre series go on so long that they really wear out their welcome? How much is too much? How little is to little? Is there just no pleasing the fans? What series do you ant to see be over already and what series would you like to see expanded?

In the eleventh episode of the SF Signal Podcast, Patrick Hester is joined by Fred Kiesche, John DeNardo & Karen Burnham to discuss:

SF Books (and Authors) That (Who) Will Stand The Test of Time

Did you ever read an old science fiction book that felt dated? Maybe the predictions were way off base, or maybe or they were a reflection of the times in which they were written. Yet some books are considered timeless classics, which makes one wonder which of today's books will fall into that category.

Q: Which science fiction book first published within in the last 10 years will be considered a classic?

As we discuss this topic, we expand upon it, taking a look at what characteristics define a 'classic' and which authors, independent of any single book, will become 'timeless' in their own right.

In the tenth episode of the SF Signal Podcast, Patrick Hester is joined by Jeff Patterson, Fred Kiesche, John Anealio and John DeNardo to answer this question:

Q: Are the days of the white hat hero and the goatee wearing villain in SF&F gone forever?

In the ninth episode of the SF Signal Podcast, Patrick Hester is joined by Jeff Patterson, Matthew Sanborn Smith, Jay Garmon and John DeNardo to discuss:

What is the role of sex in science fiction?

Authors Philip José Farmer, Robert Heinlein and Ursula K. Le Guin, to name just a few, have all had sex and sexuality in their stories in one way or another. Science fiction and fantasy is full of examples of blurred gender roles, cross-species sex, virtual sex - are these legitimate points to move the story forward or are they simply there to sensationalize the prose? What are some examples of sex in science fiction that, good or bad, still stick in your mind? What are some examples where you felt it was completely out of place?

Later, Patrick Hester sits down to chat with New York Times bestselling author Brent Weeks. His Night Angel Trilogy consists of The Way of Shadows, Shadow's Edge and Beyond the Shadows. His new series, Lightbringer, has launched with the new novel: The Black Prism.

In the eighth episode of the Sf Signal Podcast, Patrick Hester is joined by Lisa Paitz Spindler, Matthew Sanborn Smith and John DeNardo to discuss the future of science fiction: Are the epic space operas waning in favor of the condensed, character driven heroes story? Has our future, as author William Gibson recently commented in a recent interview, "lost the capital F" of our childhood? Is what we think of as "traditional science fiction", a thing of the past rather than the future?

Later, Patrick Hester & John DeNardo sit down to chat with Maurice Broaddus, author of King Maker (October 2010 from Angry Robot Books) & Jerry Gordon, author of City of Refuge. Maurice and Jerry are co-editors of Dark Faith from Apex Books.

Links:Lisa Paitz SpindlerMatthew Sanborn SmithMaurice BroaddusJerry GordonKing MakerDark FaithCity of RefugeAngry Robot BooksApex BooksPodcast features original music by John Anealio.

In the seventh episode of the SF Signal Podcast, Patrick Hester is joined by John Anealio, John DeNardo, Jeff Patterson, Matthew Sanborn Smith and Andrew Liptak to discuss the lack of space-themed novels in the Hugo best novel category, despite the release of such novels as C.J. Cherryh's Regenesis (sequel to a best novel winner, no less), Alastair Reynolds' House of Suns, and Peter F. Hamilton's Temporal Void: Does it mean anything that space seemed to play no role in this years Hugo Best Novel category? Does it mean anything in the long term? Do Hugo votes actually gauge the state of the genre? Or do they just indicate which books were marketed best? Have daily exoplanet discoveries jaded fandom? Is it the space programs questionable future? Or is it changes in the readers themselves?

Later, Patrick, John D. and Tim Zinsky sit down to chat with futurist, novelist and technology professional Brenda Cooper to talk about science fiction, technology, collaborative writing, writing groups and the rise of Skynet...

In the sixth episode of the SF Signal podcast, Patrick Hester is joined by birthday boy Jeff Patterson, John Anealio, and Andrew Liptak to discuss genres in science fiction and fantasy; how is a genre defined, where does a book fit in - what makes The Wind Up Girl science fiction? Our panel gives us their answers and we want yours as well - leave comments!

Later, Patrick Hester sits down with Amelia Beamer, editor, reviewer, and photographer for Locus: The Magazine of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Field and author of The Loving Dead to discuss zombies, conventions, photography, Clarion, writing & the publishing industry.

In the fifth episode of the SF Signal podcast, Patrick Hester is joined by John Anealio, Jay Garmon, Karen Burnham, JP Frantz and Matt Sanborn Smith to discuss the science fiction equivalent of Sword & Sorcery.

Later, Patrick Hester sits down with Karen Burnham who talks about blogging at SF Signal and writing reviews. She also reveals her upcoming, previously-unannounced, super-secret project.

In the fourth episode of the SF Signal podcast, Patrick Hester is joined by John Anealio, Scott Shaffer, John DeNardo, Jeff Patterson, and Andrew Liptak to discuss the announcement that Star Wars is coming to Blu-Ray.

Later, Patrick Hester, John Anealio & John DeNardo sit down with podcaster and author Mur Lafferty to discuss podcasting, writing, Escape Pod and life in general.

In the third episode of the SF Signal podcast, John Anealio fills in for an ill Patrick Hester, taking over moderation duties. He is joined by Jay Garmon, Lisa Paitz Spindler & John DeNardo to discuss media tie-in novels.

Later, John Anealio & John DeNardo sit down with PYR author Jon Sprunk to discuss his latest novel, Shadow's Son.

In the second episode of the SF Signal podcast, Patrick Hester, John DeNardo, John Anealio, Andrew Liptak and Jeff Patterson discuss the new slate of genre shows being offered up by the SyFy channel and the controversy one show has created.

Later, Patrick Hester, John DeNardo and Tim Zinsky, sit down with Alex award winning science fiction and fantasy author, A. Lee Martinez.

This episode also introduces the original music SF Signal podcast theme written and performed by John Anealio.

In this inaugural episode of The SF Signal Podcast, Patrick Hester, John DeNardo, JP Frantz, John Anealio and Karen Burnham discuss the new exclusivity deal between Kindle and a host of authors represented by Literary Agent Andrew Wylie and how this could affect eBook sales and purchases of genre titles if similar deals become the norm.

Later, John DeNardo and JP Frantz, sit down with Lou Anders, editorial Director of Pyr books, to chat about his recent projects and anthologies.

Enjoy! (And thanks to Trent Ditto for the logo work. Thanks, Trent!)