Episode 239 of Fast Forward: Contemporary Science Fiction features an interview with author Jane Lindskold. Ms. Lindskold is best known for her fantasy novels, such as her Firekeeper (Wolf) series. She talks with show host Mike Zipser about her latest novel, Five Odd Honors, as well as her hard science fiction work, including stories set in the Honor Harrington universe. Also in this episode: Colleen Cahill reviews the novel Game of Cages by Harry Connolly.
Episode 238 of Fast Forward: Contemporary Science Fiction features an interview with author Brandon Sanderson. Mr. Sanderson talks about his epic new fantasy novel, The Way of Kings. He also tells us about the daunting task of finishing the late Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series - he is completing the last three books of the series, based on approximately 3 million words of notes and chapters left by Mr. Jordan.
Episode 237 of Fast Forward: Contemporary SF features an interview with author Cherie Priest. Ms. Priest discusses her latest novel, Boneshaker, and how she went about creating an alternate history steampunk version of Seattle, complete with air pirates, mad scientists, and hordes of flesh-eating zombies. Ms. Priest also talks about her forthcoming books set in the same world.
Episode 236 of Fast Forward: Contemporary Science Fiction (originally shown in July of 2010) features an interview with author Dom Testa. Mr. Testa is a long time radio host and "closet writer" who has written and published a highly successful young adult science fiction series of books, the Galahad series. In the interview, host Tom Schaad and Mr. Testa talk about writing, characters, the publishing business, and getting young people to think that being smart is cool.
Episode #235 is a Special Edition of Fast Forward: Contemporary Science Fiction. The program features highlights from the Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA) Nebula Awards ceremony. The ceremony was held on May 15, 2010, in Cocoa Beach, Florida. The Nebula Awards are among the most prestigious in science fiction literature. For a list of winners, you can visit
This episode of Fast Forward: Contemporary SF (which originally ran in April 2010) features a new interview with author Mindy Klasky. Ms. Klasky discusses her latest book, When Good Wishes Go Bad, the second novel in her As You Wish series. She also talks with host Mike Zipser about the challenges of a series that changes main characters with each book, and tells us exactly what a dramaturg does.
This episode of Fast Forward:CSF features an interview with author David J. Williams. Mr. Williams talks about The Machinery of Light, the soon-to-be-released final book in his Autumn Rain trilogy. He also discusses aspects of his approach to building his future world and a large "ensemble" cast of characters.
This episode of Fast Forward: Contemporary SF is a little different - the entire show consists of author Jasper Fforde talking about his latest novel, Shades of Grey. Mr. Fforde was in the US for the release of the new book, and gave a very entertaining speech and signed books at Politics and Prose, a bookstore in Washington, DC.
In this episode of Fast Forward: Contemporary Science Fiction, host Mike Zipser has a wide ranging discussion with author and editor Scott Edelman about Mr. Edelman's eclectic career - years working in the Marvel Comics bullpen, editing both print and online magazines, writing science fiction and horror - and zombies. Lots and lots of zombies.
Fast Forward features an interview with author Harry Turtledove, the "Master of Alternate History". Mr Turtledove talks about how he started writing alternate history novels, and how writing alternate history compares to other forms of speculative fiction. This interview was recorded on October 17th, 2009, at the Capclave 2009 science fiction convention.
Most of this episode of Fast Forward was taped on location at Capclave 2009, a regional literary science fiction convention in the Washington, DC area. Our interview is with Capclave's editor guest of honor Sheila Williams. Ms. Williams is the editor of Asimov's Science Fiction, one of the most respected genre periodicals. She talks about how she got into the field of short fiction editing, and what she currently does at the magazine.
Fast Forward features an interview with author Keith Donohue. He talks about the themes of faith and redemption in his second novel, Angels of Destruction. Mr. Donohue also compares the experience of writing the second book with writing his first novel.
This episode of Fast Forward originally ran in September of 2009. It features an interview with author Tom Doyle, who talks about his award winning short fiction, as well as his experience at the acclaimed Clarion Writers' Workshop. Also in this episode: Marianne Petrino reviews the Anime series The Galaxy Railways. Reporting from this year's World Science Fiction Convention, John Pomeranz interviews editor and publisher David Hartwell - revealing Mr. Hartwell's "brighter" side
Mrs. Willis talks about her latest novel, Crosstalk. The book is a romantic comedy, using the trope of telepathy to cause all sorts of havoc in the lives of the main characters. Mrs. Willis also discusses a recent trip to the Space Telescope Science Institute, where she and other science fiction writers got to talk with the team that handles the Hubble telescope data.
Episode #294 of Fast Forward features an interview with award winning author Tim Powers. Mr Powers talks about his approach to conducting research and creating storylines for his novels of secret histories and the supernatural, and reveals the inspiration for some of the elements in his book, Medusa’s Web. He also discusses his early childhood in Buffalo, NY, the creation of the character William Ashbless, and his long friendship with fellow writers James Blaylock and Philip K. Dick.
This is episode #224 of Fast Forward: Contemporary Science Fiction. The episode was originally shown in June, 2009. It features an interview with author Maria V. Snyder, who talks about her latest book, Storm Glass. This novel is the first in a new series set in the same universe as her very popular Study Book series. Also in this episode: Colleen Cahill reviews the L. E. Modesitt, Jr. novel, Imager Marianne Petrino reviews the anime series Gankutsuou: The Count of Monte Cristo A special...
Sarah Beth Durst! Ms. Durst talks about her book, The Queen of Blood. Also in this episode: Book reviewer Steve Cordle reviews two works by Mary Robinette Kowal - Forest of Memory and Ghost Talkers Anime reviewer Marianne Petrino gives the anime film The Boy and The Beas her highest rating - 5 chans.
Episode #278 of Fast Forward: Contemporary Science Fiction features an interview with author Alan Smale. Mr. Smale talks about the publication of his first novel, Clash of Eagles, which is book #1 of a three book series. He discusses his fascination with writing alternate history, and the extensive research he did to create the world in the book. He also talks about his day job as an astronomer for NASA.
Episode #259 of Fast Forward: Contemporary Science Fiction features an interview with Hugo Award winning author Joe Haldeman. Mr. Haldeman talks about his writing and Joe's Place, his long running blog. He also discusses painting, insights gained as a writing teacher, and the political complexities of having a manned space program in contemporary America.
In episode #290 of Fast Forward: Contemporary Science Fiction we interview award winning author Jo Walton. Ms. Walton talks about her latest series of books, the Thessaly trilogy, describing the special challenges of creating a world that has classical gods and magic, as well as sentient robots. She also talks about the opportunities the books gave her to explore issues of morality, equality and responsibility, using the story of the creation and development of a version of Plato's Republic.
In episode 289 of Fast Forward: Contemporary Science Fiction author Kim Stanley Robinson discusses his novels 2312 and Aurora. He talks about his treatment of the themes of serious ecological problems on Earth and humanity attempting to expand across the solar system (and beyond). Mr. Robinson also talks about what his 2016 Robert A. Heinlein award means to him, and offers a brief mention of his next book, New York 2140.
This episode, originally shown in July, 2009, features an interview with award winning (and highly entertaining) author Michael Swanwick. He discusses his new non-fiction work, a biography of the fascinating but under-appreciated author Hope Mirrlees.
Maria V. Snyder talks about her latest book, Storm Glass. This novel is the first in a new series set in the same universe as her very popular Study Book series.
We have three separate interviews - one with award winning author (and musician) Catherine Asaro, one with members of the rock band she is collaborating with, and one with a keyboardist who is helping Catherine take her book-related music on tour to science fiction conventions and book events. There is also a live performance of one of the musical numbers. All of this ties into Catherine's latest book, Diamond Star.