The Writer and the Critic

Ah, dear listeners. Due to the increasingly difficult demands of their increasingly busy lives, Kirstyn McDermott and Ian Mond regretfully announce that this will be the final episode of The Writer and the Critic. Forever. Probably. Definitely, yes definitely. Alas. On this very last episode, your hosts begin with a quick recap of the infamous lost episode of March 2024, wherein they discussed two novels they both very much enjoyed, A Helping Hand by Celia Dale and Monsters by Emerald Fennell. There are no real spoilers in this brief discussion, although there is some moaning and gnashing of teeth in regards to technological mishaps. Not that they bear any grudges. Oh no, not at all. Your hosts then turn their attention the two novels they unsuspectingly selected as the very last to be discussed on this podcast. Ever. Probably. Definitely! The books up on the slab are The Glutton by A E Blakemore [15:00] and Days of Innocence and Wonder by Lucy Treloar [42:10]. If you've skipped ahead to avoid spoilers, please come back at 1:10:25 for some final - FINAL! -remarks. Kirstyn and Ian would like to thank all their listeners over the years, both long term fans and those who dropped by from time to time to dip their toes. They would especially like to thank their wonderful Patreon patrons whose generosity covered all the bills - you are beloved!  The Writer and the Critic will remain archived at Podbean for the foreseeable future, and whenever this changes the details of its new digs will be posted here. Kirstyn and Ian would also like to recommend a handful of bookish podcasts you might like to check out, if you haven't already come across them: Backlisted The Garret Let the Cat In Bohemiana The Coode Street Podcast If you would like to keep in touch, you can find your miscreant hosts in various places online: Kirstyn McDermott https://kirstynmcdermott.com BlueSky: @fearofemeralds.bsky.social Ian Mond https://mondyboy.com/ BlueSky: @mondyboy74.bsky.social As a far wiser and funnier writer and critic once said, so long and thanks for all the fish!

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.

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 will be: A Helping Hand by Celia Dale Monsters by Emerald Fennell Read ahead and join in the spoilerific fun!

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 are able to access it. If you've skipped ahead to avoid spoilers, please come back at 1:21:55 for final remarks. Next episode will be February 2024 and the two books on the slab will be: The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson A Haunting on the Hill by Elizabeth Hand Read ahead and join in the spoilerific fun!

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 ahead to avoid spoilers, please come back at 1:04:25 for final remarks. Next month, the two books on the slab will be: After the Forest by Kell Woods I am Homeless if This is Not My Home by Lorrie Moore Read ahead and join in the spoilerific fun!

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!

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: The Living Sea of Waking Dreams by Richard Flanagan The Saint of Bright Doors by Vajra Chandrasekra Read ahead and join in the spoilerific fun!

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 remarks. Next month, the two books on the slab will be: The Book of Accidents by Chuck Wendig Conquest by Nina Allan Read ahead and join in the spoilerific fun!  

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 and join in the spoilerific fun!

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!

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: LOTE by Shola Von Reinhold Animal Life by Auður Ava Ólafsdóttir Read ahead and join in the spoilerific fun!

On this final episode of The Writer and the Critic for 2022 your hosts, Kirstyn McDermott and Ian Mond, spend a few minutes musing over the missing of podcasts, the breaking of awards, and the end of time as we know it. The books up for discussion this month are January Fifteenth by Rachel Swirsky [9:30] and Patricia Wants to Cuddle by Samantha Allen [39:00]. The interview with Samantha Allen that was mentioned in this episode can be read here. The fabulously sartorial Jules Mond can be found on Instagram @seemeswoon. And for listeners curious to know what Ian's beautiful William Atheling Jr Award for Criticism or Review actually looks like, here it is complete with box: Kirstyn promises to mail it to him before the end of the year. Maybe. If you've skipped ahead to avoid spoilers, please come back at 109:10 for final remarks. The first episode of 2023 will be uploaded in February 2023 and the two books on the slab will be: Every Version of You by Grace Chan The Women Could Fly by Megan Giddings Read ahead and join in the spoilerific fun!  

On this episode of The Writer and the Critic your hosts, Kirstyn McDermott and Ian Mond, spend a few minutes discussing the work of Peter Straub, who sadly passed away this month. Listeners might like to revisit Episode 17 in which Kirstyn and Ian, along with special guest Rob Shearman, discuss Straub's marvelously unsettling collection, Houses Without Doors. The books up for discussion this month are Helpmeet by Naben Ruthnum [10:25] and Our Wives Under the Sea by Julia Armfield [34:00]. Kirstyn also highly recommends The Ghost Sequences by A.C. Wise from her new favourite small press, Undertow Publications. If you've skipped ahead to avoid spoilers, please come back at 108:20 for final remarks. Next month, the two books on the slab will be: January Fifteenth by Rachel Swirsky Patricia Wants to Cuddle by Samantha Allen Read ahead and join in the spoilerific fun!

On this episode of The Writer and the Critic your hosts, Kirstyn McDermott and Ian Mond, spend a few minutes discussing the aftermath of COVID-19 by which Kirstyn was unfortunately struck down last month. She is not happy about it. The books up for discussion this month are Such a Pretty Smile by Kristi Demeester [4:10] and Checkout 19 by Claire-Louise Bennett [29:25]. Ian also heartily recommends Pond by Claire-Louise Bennett and Berg by Ann Quin. Congratulations are due to Ian as well for his recent nomination for the William Atheling Jr Award for Criticism or Review! And a gracious reminder that Kirstyn's new collection, Hard Places, is available now from Trepidatio Publishing. If you've skipped ahead to avoid spoilers, please come back at 104:40 for final remarks. Next month, the two books on the slab will be: Helpmeet by Naben Ruthnum Our Wives Under the Sea by Julia Armfield Read ahead and join in the spoilerific fun!

On this episode of The Writer and the Critic your hosts, Kirstyn McDermott and Ian Mond, first take some time to shamelessly plug Kirstyn's forthcoming collection of short fiction, Hard Places, out soon through Trepidatio Publishing. The books up for discussion this month are Dance Move by Wendy Erskine [9:55] and Ariadne, I Love You by J. Ashley-Smith [36:05]. Listeners may also want to check out other books by the same authors, including Sweet Home by Erskine and The Attic Tragedy by Ashley-Smith. The two interviews with J. Ashley-Smith mentioned on the podcast can be found at Tomes and Tales and paulsemel.com. If you've skipped ahead to avoid spoilers, please come back at 102:05 for final remarks, including an unexpected and possibly ill-advised foray into Top Gun. Next month, the two books on the slab will be: Checkout 19 by Claire-Louise Bennett Such a Pretty Smile by Kristi Demeester Read ahead and join in the spoilerific fun!

On this episode of The Writer and the Critic your hosts, Kirstyn McDermott and Ian Mond,  quickly dispense with a (mostly) non-political intro and general discussion of post-apocalyptic narratives. The books up for discussion this month are Manhunt by Gretchen Felker-Martin [5:25] and And Then I Woke Up by Malcolm Devlin [44:40]. This excellent review of Manhunt by Lee Mandelo was mentioned in the podcast, and these two by Liam McBain and Christ are also well worth a read. For listeners who would like to know what Lucy, the High-Flying Cat of Interruption, looks like, here she is in her bed atop the bookcase: If you've skipped ahead to avoid spoilers, please come back at 108:40 for brief final remarks. Next month, the two books on the slab will be: Dance Move by Wendy Erskine Ariadne, I Love You by J. Ashley-Smith Read ahead and join in the spoilerific fun!

On this episode of The Writer and the Critic your hosts, Kirstyn McDermott and Ian Mond,  are tired and cranky but still manage to preamble only briefly in the murk of COVID-19 and bad segues before getting to the point of it all. They think. The books up for discussion this month are two novels: Devotion by Hannah Kent [5:20] and The School for Good Mothers by Jessamine Chan [35:20]. The review of The School for Good Mothers that Kirstyn mentioned was this one by Ilana Masad in The Washington Post. If you've skipped ahead to avoid spoilers, please come back at 109:30 for brief final remarks. Next month, the two books on the slab will be: Manhunt by Gretchen Felker-Martin And Then I Woke Up by Malcolm Devlin Read ahead and join in the spoilerific fun!

On this episode of The Writer and the Critic your hosts, Kirstyn McDermott and Ian Mond, dispense with lengthy preambles and get pretty much straight into it. The books being discussed this month are two collections of short fiction: I Would Haunt You if I Could by Seán Padraic Birnie [2:10] and Shit Cassandra Saw by Gwen E. Kirby [28:50]. For those listeners who enjoyed the Seán Padraic Birnie collection, Kirstyn would also like to draw your attention to a recent short story of his, "Funny Faces" over at The Dark. If you've skipped ahead to avoid spoilers, please come back at 48:50 for a minor rant about novels vs collection plus brief final remarks. Next month, the two books up on the slab will be: The School for Good Mothers by Jessamine Chan Devotion by Hannah Kent Read ahead and join in the spoilerific fun!

On this episode of The Writer and the Critic your hosts, Kirstyn McDermott and Ian Mond, begin by discussing the state of the world, farts in jars and a possible niche side project involving uncontrollable sobbing. The books being flensed this month are The Wych Elm by Tana French [5:10] and My Phantoms by Gwendoline Riley [37:15]. Ian would also like to make sure you know about the new short story that Kirstyn has had published in The Dark. You're welcome. If you've skipped ahead to avoid spoilers, please come back at 1:04:25 for brief final remarks. Next month, the two books up on the slab will be: Shit Cassandra Saw by Gwen E. Kirby I Would Haunt You if I Could by Seán Padraic Birnie Read ahead and join in the spoilerific fun!

On this first episode of The Writer and the Critic for 2022, your hosts, Kirstyn McDermott and Ian Mond, begin with an exciting announcement: Kirstyn will have some actual books being published this year! She's a writer again! Huzzah! Ahem. The books up for discussion this month are When We Cease to Understand the World by Benjamin Labatut [6:08] and A Ghost in the Throat by Doireann Ní Ghríofal [52:35]. If you've skipped ahead to avoid spoilers, please come back at 1:18:15 for final remarks including a discussion about just what we mean when we say "novel" and why we might need to find some new words to describe long-form fiction. Some helpful links for things mentioned in this episode: Burnt Sugar and the Never Afters series by Kirstyn McDermott available from Brain Jar Press You Tube: Doireann Ní Ghríofa introduces A Ghost in the Throat Next month, the two books up on the slab will be: The Wych Elm by Tana French My Phantoms by Gwendoline Riley Read ahead and join in the spoilerific fun!

On this final episode of The Writer and the Critic for 2021, your hosts, Kirstyn McDermott and Ian Mond discuss birthdays, Halloween and Jewish Stuff before moving on to wax lyrical about this month's books: Little Eve by Catriona Ward [6:35] and Light Perpetual by Francis Spufford [36:35]. If you've skipped ahead to avoid spoilers, please come back at 1:16:45 for final remarks. Next episode - in February 2022! - the two books up on the slab will be: When We Cease to Understand the World by Benjamin Labatut A Ghost in the Throat by Doireann Ní Ghríofa Read ahead and join in the spoilerific fun!  

On this episode of The Writer and the Critic, your hosts, Kirstyn McDermott and Ian Mond have a mercifully brief and borderline hysterical conversation on the state of COVID before jumping a discussion of this month's books: The Cost of Living: A Working Autobiography by Deborah Levy [3:45] and Dissolve by Nikki Gemmell [29:50]. If you've skipped ahead to avoid spoilers, please come back at 58:15 for final remarks, including a minor rant on the subject of book annotations/defacement. Next month, the two books up on the slab will be: Little Eve by Catriona Ward Light Perpetual by Francis Spufford Read ahead and join in the spoilerific fun!

Hello dear listeners! Before the recording of Episode 84, Kirstyn and Ian had a chat about the strange alternative present that has taken up residence during COVID. It didn't quite fit into the episode itself so they though they'd upload it as an extra surprise this month. Hope you enjoy!  

On this episode of The Writer and the Critic, your hosts, Kirstyn McDermott and Ian Mond briefly discuss the usual COVID guff before jumping into this month's books: The Employees by Olga Ravn [4:20] and Everyone Knows Your Mother is a Witch by Rivka Galchen [37:55]. The visual artists referenced during are Lea Guldditte Hestelund and Patricia Piccinini. If you've skipped ahead to avoid spoilers, please come back at 1:22:50 for final remarks. Next month, the two books up on the slab will be: Dissolve by Nikki Gemmell The Cost of Living: A Working Autobiography by Deborah Levy Read ahead and join in the spoilerific fun!

On this episode of The Writer and the Critic, your hosts, Kirstyn McDermott and Ian Mond indulge in some thankfully brief maudlin meanderings around the current state of the pandemic before turning to the books up for discussion: All the Fabulous Beasts by Priya Sharma [9:10] and Cat Person and other stories by Kristen Roupenian [34:00]. The article “Cat Person” and Me by Alexis Nowicki is recommended for those interested further background reading. If you've skipped ahead to avoid spoilers, please come back at 1:24:30 for final remarks. Next month, the two books up on the slab will be: Everyone Knows Your Mother is a Witch by Rivka Galchen The Employees by Olga Ravn Read ahead and join in the spoilerific fun!

On this episode of The Writer and the Critic your hosts, Kirstyn McDermott and Ian Mond waste no time in diving straight into their discussion of The Animals in That Country by Laura Jean McKay [3:20] and Sorrowland by Rivers Solomon [47:50]. Also recommended is the novella The Deep by Rivers Solomon, Daveed Diggs, William Hutson & Jonathan Snipes, which Ian reviewed for Locus. If you've skipped ahead to avoid spoilers, please come back at 1:23:10 for final remarks. Next month, the two books up on the slab will be: All the Fabulous Beasts by Priya Sharma You Know You Want This: Cat Person and other stories by Kristen Roupenian Read ahead and join in the spoilerific fun!

On this episode of The Writer and the Critic your hosts, Kirstyn McDermott and Ian Mond indulge briefly in some COVID commiseration before beginning into their discussion of The Space Between Worlds by Micaiah Johnson [4:30] and Mrs Death Misses Death by Salena Godden [39:10].   If you've skipped ahead to avoid spoilers, please come back at 1:17:00 for final remarks. Next month, the two books up on the slab will be: The Animals in That Country by Laura Jean McKay Sorrowland by Rivers Solomon Read ahead and join in the spoilerific fun!

On this episode of The Writer and the Critic your hosts, Kirstyn McDermott and Ian Mond spend some time on brief tangents regarding awards (good) and coffee (not so much) before launching into their discussion of Memorial by Bryan Washington [7:30] and The Mermaid of Black Conch by Monique Roffey [40:00]. If you've skipped ahead to avoid spoilers, please come back at 1:18:15 for final remarks - including the exciting conclusion to last episode's exciting cliffhanger: Has Ian Finished All the Murmuring Bones and Did He Like it? Next month, the two books up on the slab will be: The Space Between Worlds by Micaiah Johnson Mrs Death Misses Death by Salena Godden Read ahead and join in the spoilerific fun! P.S. Our apologies for the poor sound quality on this episode. Due to unnoticed mic issues, for once Ian sounds better than Kirstyn - a fact about which he is undoubtedly delighted.

On this episode of The Writer and the Critic your hosts, Kirstyn McDermott and Ian Mond, discuss All the Murmuring Bones by Angela Slatter [10:40] and Smart Ovens for Lonely People by Elizabeth Tan [47:05]. If you've skipped ahead to avoid spoilers, please come back at 1:12:15 for brief final remarks. Next month, the two books up on the slab will be: Memorial by Bryan Washington The Mermaid of Black Conch by Monique Roffey Read ahead and join in the spoilerific fun!

On this episode of The Writer and the Critic your hosts, Kirstyn McDermott and Ian Mond, discuss Mammoth by Chris Flynn [3:05] and Boy Swallows Universe by Trent Dalton [29:00]. If you've skipped ahead to avoid spoilers, please come back at 1:07:50 for brief final remarks. Next month, the two books up on the slab will be: All the Murmuring Bones by Angela Slatter Smart Ovens for Lonely People by Elizabeth Tan Read ahead and join in the spoilerific fun!

On this episode of The Writer and the Critic your hosts, Kirstyn McDermott and Ian Mond, discuss Finna by Nino Cipri [3:45] and The Wandering by Intan Paramaditha [30:25]. If you enjoy these two books, you might like to check out the collections by the same authors: Homesick by Cipri and Apple and Knife by Paramaditha. If you've skipped ahead to avoid spoilers, please come back at 1:13:45 for brief final remarks. Next month, the two books up on the slab will be: Mammoth by Chris Flynn Boy Swallows Universe by Trent Dalton Read ahead and join in the spoilerific fun!  

On this very special episode of The Writer and the Critic your hosts, Kirstyn McDermott and Ian Mond, are joined by the most erudite and entertaining Lisa L. Hannett, author of Blue Grass Symphony, Lament for the Afterlife and the recently published collection Songs for Dark Seasons.  The three of them jump straight into their discussion of two books by Maria Dahvana Headley, Beowulf: A New Translation and The Mere Wife [47:20]. Grab a tasty beverage ... this is going to take some time. You might also want to the check out the following links for further exploration: Beowulf as translated by Seamus Heaney The Beowulf episode of the Backlisted podcast A marathon reading of Beowulf by an all star cast - new chapters daily from 1 to 25 December 2020. If you've skipped ahead to avoid spoilers, please come back at 1:31:00 for brief final remarks. This is the last episode for the year ... hope the door hits you on the arse on the way out, 2020. For the first episode of 2021, airing in February, Kirstyn and Ian will be turning their attention to: Finna by Nino Cipri The Wandering by Intan Paramaditha Read ahead and join in the spoilerific fun!

On this episode of The Writer and the Critic your hosts, Kirstyn McDermott and Ian Mond, discuss Growing Things and Other Stories by Paul Tremblay [6:15] and Let's Play White by Chesya Burke [32:10]. As promised, for listeners who would like to keep tabs on the Montague Street bridge, you can find updates here. And Ian once again highly recommends the Backlisted podcast. He's not getting kickbacks, we swear! If you've skipped ahead to avoid spoilers, please come back at 1:10:45 for brief final remarks. Next month, The Writer and the Critic is delighted to welcome back Lisa L. Hannett, special guest and speculative fiction author extraordinaire! Lisa, Kirstyn and Ian will be turning their critical attention to: The Mere Wife by Maria Dahvana Headley Beowulf: A New Translation by Maria Dahvana Headley Read ahead and join in the spoilerific fun!

On this episode of The Writer and the Critic your hosts, Kirstyn McDermott and Ian Mond, discuss Folk by Zoe Gilbert [4:15] and The Liar's Dictionary by Eley Williams [30:20]. This review by Benjamin Meyers in The Guardian is mentioned during the discussion of Folk, and Ian also highly recommends Eley Williams' short story collection, Attrib. and Other Stories. If you've skipped ahead to avoid spoilers, please come back at 1:02:10 for brief final remarks. Next month, the two books up on the slab will be: Growing Things and Other Stories by Paul Tremblay Let's Play White by Chesya Burke Read ahead and join in the spoilerific fun!

On this episode of The Writer and the Critic your hosts, Kirstyn McDermott and Ian Mond, discuss Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia [2:20] and The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones [26:50]. For those wanting to add to their reading lists, Ian highly recommends the Republic of Consciousness Prize for Small Presses as a means of finding books and authors outside the mass market that you might not otherwise come across. If you've skipped ahead to avoid spoilers, please come back at 1:02:15 for brief final remarks. Next month, the two books up on the slab will be: The Liar's Dictionary by Eley Williams Folk by Zoe Gilbert Read ahead and join in the spoilerific fun!

On this episode of The Writer and the Critic your hosts, Kirstyn McDermott and Ian Mond, discuss Weather by Jenny Offill [3:30] and Hold by Kirsten Tranter [30:20]. Ian and Kirstyn both thoroughly recommend a visit to Obligatory Note of Hope, mentioned during the discussion, for readers wanting to engage further in some of the issues raised by Jenny Offill. If you've skipped ahead to avoid spoilers, please come back at 1:02:40 for brief final remarks. Next month, the two books up on the slab will be: The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia Read ahead and join in the spoilerific fun!

On this episode of The Writer and the Critic your hosts, Kirstyn McDermott and Ian Mond, discuss Flight Behavior by Barbara Kingsolver [3:55] and The Overstory by Richard Powers [31:45]. This fine essay "Our Root Problem: The Overstory by Richard Powers" by Jason Childs, mentioned during the discussion, is also well worth a read. If you've skipped ahead to avoid spoilers, please come back at 1:19:25 for brief final remarks. Next month, the two books up on the slab will be: Hold by Kirsten Tranter Weather by Jenny Offill Read ahead and join in the spoilerific fun!

On this episode of The Writer and the Critic your hosts, Kirstyn McDermott and Ian Mond, discuss Skin by Kathe Koja [5:30] and The Minotaur Takes a Cigarette Break by Steven Sherrill [38:25]. If you've skipped ahead to avoid spoilers, please come back at 1:14:00 for brief final remarks. Next month, the two books up on the slab will be: Flight Behavior by Barbara Kingsolver The Overstory by Richard Powers Read ahead and join in the spoilerific fun!

Surprise! Perhaps against the judgement of their better selves, Kirstyn McDermott and Ian Mond are back with a special Skype-assisted episode of The Writer and the Critic. From their self-isolated COVID-19 bunkers*, they reconvene to chat about some of the things that have made them happy since the last episode aired back in December 2017. Or, indeed, are making them happy right now.   Here's the list of links in order of discussion: 1. The Migration by Helen Marshall (recommended by Kirstyn) 2. Some Good News YouTube channel (recommended by Ian) 3. Mothers Grimm by Danielle Wood (Kirstyn) 4. Victorian Premier Dan Andrews on Twitter and Facebook (Ian) 5. Eye in the Sky (Kirstyn) 6. The Good Place (Kirstyn) 7. Science Vs podcast (Ian) 8. The Allusionist podcast (Kirstyn) 9. The Memory Palace podcast (Kirstyn) 10. Backlisted podcast (Ian) 11. Phoebe Judge reading classic mystery stories on the Criminal podcast (Kirstyn) 12. The Mere Wife by Maria Dahvana Headley (Kirstyn) 13. We All Hear Stories in the Dark by Robert Shearman (Ian) 14. "10 Minutes with ..." series on the Coode Street Podcast Will there be another episode of The Writer and the Critic? Kirstyn and Ian are not sure! It depends on how bored and lonely they get! Or how many people send them feedback that does not include death threats! But they want you to know that they love you and miss you and hope you are all keeping safe and healthy in these strange and difficult times.   * Comfortable suburban loungerooms

On this very last episode* of The Writer and the Critic your hosts, Kirstyn McDermott and Ian Mond waste no time with maudlin sentiment! The books up for discussion this month are two debut novels by the same author: How to Bee by Bren MacDibble [9:00] and In the Dark Spaces by Cally Black [40:30]. How is this possible? Listen and find out! Listeners might also like to check out this interview with Cally Black on ABC Radio for more insights. If you've skipped ahead to avoid spoilers, please come back at 1:09:40 for brief final remarks, including the following recommendations to get your ongoing literary fix: The Hysterical Hamster review blog by Ian Mond Backlisted podcast by John Mitchinson and Andy Miller (whose voice, apparently, sounds like molten chocolate lava) Kirstyn and Ian would like to thank all of their listeners over the past seven years, as well as the guests who have given generously of their time to appear on various episodes. And a special thank you to those who have been able to support The Writer and the Critic on Patreon - you have helped make poscasting life a little easier!        * maybe not the very last.

On this episode of The Writer and the Critic your hosts, Kirstyn McDermott and Ian Mond, start off with a brief but somewhat sad announcement before moving straight into a discussion of this month's books: Confessions by Kanae Minato [4:45] and White Tears by Hari Kunzru [42:00]. If you've skipped ahead to avoid spoilers, please come back at 1:17:10 for brief final remarks. The books up for discussion next month's are two debut novels: How to Bee by Bren MacDibble In the Dark Spaces by Cally Black Read ahead and join in the spoilerific fun!

On this episode of The Writer and the Critic your hosts, Kirstyn McDermott and Ian Mond, begin with an admission: Ian was wrong! He got the shortlist for the Man Booker Prize wrong! He got the longlist for the National Book Award wrong! What is he even doing talking about literature at all? Nevertheless, the two books on the slab this month remain The Fisherman by John Langan [9:00] and By Light We Knew Our Names by Anne Valente [42:25]. If you've skipped ahead to avoid spoilers, please come back at 1:12:25 for brief final remarks. The books up for discussion next month's are two horror/dark novels: White Tears by Hari Kunzru Confessions by Kanae Minato Read ahead and join in the spoilerific fun!

This month on The Writer and the Critic your hosts, Kirstyn McDermott and Ian Mond, begin by announcing the two patron-voted books which will be featured in the upcoming Patron's Choice episode in September. There is also some discussion of the recently announced Man Booker longlist because IAN WAS RIGHT and both the novels featured THIS month are on the list! Those novel are of course The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead [11:30] and Exit West by Mohsin Hamid [1:01:00]. For readers interested in spec-fic-skewed novels in a similar vein, Ian highly recommends the following: Lovecraft Country by Matt Ruff The Good Lord Bird by James McBride The Fractured Europe Sequence by Dave Hutchinson If you've skipped ahead to avoid spoilers, please come back at 1:47:40 for brief final remarks. The books up for discussion on next month's Patron's Choice episode are: The Fisherman by John Langan By Light We Knew Our Names by Anne Valente Read ahead and join in the spoilerific fun!

On this episode of The Writer and the Critic your hosts, Kirstyn McDermott and Ian Mond, announce the list of nominated books for the upcoming Patron's Choice episode in September. If you're a Patron with voting rights, get thee to the Patreon website to access the poll and choose which book you'd like them to discuss. The two books on the slab this month are two Finnish novels, City of Woven Streets by Emmi Itäranta [13:40] and Maresi by Maria Turtschaninoff [43:35]. There is some relatively spoiler-free discussion about the similarities between the two beginning at [7:30]. For those listeners who would like to follow up on some things mentioned in the podcast: Brit Mandelo's review of Maresi on Tor.com Julia Gillard's Misogyny Speech on YouTube If you've skipped ahead to avoid spoilers, please come back at 1:24:45 for brief final remarks. The books up for discussion next month are: Exit West by Mohsin Hamid The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead Read ahead and join in the spoilerific fun!

On this episode of The Writer and the Critic your hosts, Kirstyn McDermott and Ian Mond, begin with a brief chat about the recent Continuum 13 convention and highly recommend their listeners check out the fabulous Guest of Honour speeches which are now available for viewing online: Likhain's Continuum 13 Guest of Honour Speech Seanan McGuire's Continuum 13 Guest of Honour Hour They then move on to discuss the two featured books for this month: Hurricane Heels by Isabel Yap [7:10] and Lauriat: A Filipino-Chinese Speculative Fiction Anthology edited by Charles Tan [41:40]. Listeners might also like to read the following related articles/interviews: Hurricane Heels: How It Happened by Isabel Yap Diversity Beyond Borders: A Conversation with Charles Tan If you've skipped ahead to avoid spoilers, please come back at 1:27:45 for final remarks. Also, the annual Patron's Choice episode is coming up in a couple of months, so please check out the Patreon website to see if you are eligible to nominate books for The Writer and the Critic to discuss. Next month, Kirstyn and Ian will be looking at two Finnish novels: Maresi by Maria Turtschaninoff     City of Woven Streets by Emmi Itäranta Read ahead and join in the spoilerific fun!  

On this episode of The Writer and the Critic your hosts, Kirstyn McDermott and Ian Mond, begin by talking about the recent Aurealis Awards - in particular the categories of Best Horror Novel and Best Fantasy Novel, the winners of which have been chosen for this month's discussion. The full list of Aurealis Award winners can be found on the official website. The novels for this episode are: Nevernight by Jay Kristoff (Best Fantasy Novel) [22:00] and The Grief Hole by Kaaron Warren (Best Horror Novel) [57:30]. If you've skipped ahead to avoid spoilers, please come back at 1:33:30 for final remarks. Next month, Ian and Kirstyn are reading short fiction again with an anthology and a collection of interconnected stories: Lauriat: A Filipino-Chinese Speculative Fiction Anthology edited by Charles Tan Hurricane Heels by Isabel Yap Read ahead and join in the spoilerific fun!  

On this episode of The Writer and the Critic your hosts, Kirstyn McDermott and Ian Mond, are looking at two Australian speculative fiction novels. But first, they would like to congratulate all winners of the Aurealis Awards and also thank people for nominating this podcast for a Ditmar Award. So much bookish love! After a brief discussion of awards -- very brief, they promise! -- they turn to the books at hand: Crossroads of Canopy by Thoraiya Dyer [8:10] and The Swan Book by Alexis Wright [53:40].   If you've skipped ahead to avoid spoilers, please come back at 1:38:00 for final remarks. Next month, Ian and Kirstyn have chosen two recent Aurealis Award winners to discuss: Nevernight by Jay Kristoff (Best Fantasy Novel) The Grief Hole by Kaaron Warren (Best Horror Novel) Read ahead and join in the spoilerific fun!  

On this episode of The Writer and the Critic your hosts, Kirstyn McDermott and Ian Mond, discuss the two chosen novels pretty much concurrently. Lagoon by Nnedi Okorafor and Rosewater by Tade Thompson are both alien invasion novel set in Nigeria and the conversation around them begins at 3:20. Please note, due to some technical difficulties there were a couple of audio dropouts mid-discussion ... Kirstyn and Ian blame the aliens! If you've skipped ahead to avoid spoilers, please come back at 1:13:45 for some brief final remarks, including a recommendation to check out SavidgeReads on YouTube. Simon Savidge is smart, funny and delightfully bookish! Next month, the two books up for discussion will be: The Swan Book by Alexis Wright Crossroads of Canopy by Thoraiya Dyer Read ahead and join in the spoilerific fun!  

This month on The Writer and the Critic your hosts, Kirstyn McDermott and Ian Mond, plunge straight into discussing the two chosen books, Jagannath by Karin Tidbeck [2:50] and The Core of the Sun by Johanna Sinisalo [47:00]. If you've skipped ahead to avoid spoilers, please come back at 1:32:10 for some brief final remarks, including an impromptu lesson about gaslighting. The two books up for discussion on the next episode are: Rosewater by Tade Thompson Lagoon by Nnedi Okorafor Read ahead and join in the spoilerific fun!

This month on The Writer and the Critic your hosts, Kirstyn McDermott and Ian Mond, plunge straight into discussing two short story collections, Bødy by Asa Nonami [2:30] and Ghost Summer: Stories by Tananarive Due [48:15]. If you've skipped ahead to avoid spoilers, please come back at 1:33:00 for some brief final remarks. The two books up for discussion on the next episode are: The Core of the Sun by Johanna Sinisalo Jagannath by Karin Tidbeck Read ahead and join in the spoilerific fun!

This month on The Writer and the Critic your hosts, Kirstyn McDermott and Ian Mond, plunge straight into discussing two short story collections, Get in Trouble by Kelly Link [1:30] and What Is Not Yours Is Not Yours by Helen Oyeyemi [40:10].  Listeners might like to check out the following links mentioned during the podcast: Get in Trouble reviewed by David Ulin in the Los Angeles Times What is Not Yours is Not Yours reviewed by Nina Allan in Strange Horizons What is Not Yours is Not Yours reviewed by Kate Clanchy in the Guardian If you've skipped ahead to avoid spoilers, please come back at 1:33:30 for final remarks. Up for discussion on the next episode - which will be the first episode of 2017! - are two more  short story collections: Bødy by Asa Nonami Ghost Summer: Stories by Tananarive Due Read ahead and join in the spoilerific fun!