The Writer and the Critic

Apr 26 2024 109 ep. 87 mins 215
The Writer and the Critic Podcast artwork

A monthly podcast devoted mostly to speculative fiction books, reviews and the odd bit of idle gossip. Hosted by Kirstyn McDermott and Ian Mond.

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Episode 105: The Glutton | Days of Innocence and Wonder

Apr 26 2024 75 mins  
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 th

A short and somewhat sad message to our listeners

Mar 03 2024 2 mins  
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.

Episode 104: The Haunting of Hill House | A Haunting on the Hill

Feb 16 2024 67 mins  
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 b

Episode 103: After the Forest | I Am Homeless if This is Not My Home

Nov 17 2023 87 mins  
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 Afte

Episode 102: The Broken Shore | Slow Horses

Oct 20 2023 65 mins  
The books up for discussion this month are The Broken Shore by Peter Temple and Slow Horses by Mick Herron.

Episode 101: The Living Sea of Waking Dreams | The Saint of Bright Doors

Sep 15 2023 76 mins  
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 s

Episode 100: The Book of Accidents | Conquest

Aug 18 2023 63 mins  
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 Al

Episode 99: The Trees Grew Because I Bled There | Everything Ravaged, Everything Burned

May 19 2023 63 mins  
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

Episode 98: The Terraformers | Sing, Nightingale

Apr 14 2023 77 mins  
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 spo

Episode 97: LOTE | Animal Life

Mar 17 2023 73 mins  
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, Nightinga