PODCAST · arts
The Writer and The Critic
by Kirstyn McDermott and Ian Mond
A monthly podcast devoted mostly to speculative fiction books, reviews and the odd bit of idle gossip. Hosted by Kirstyn McDermott and Ian Mond.
Episodes
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Episode 105: The Glutton | Days of Innocence and Wonder
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…
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A short and somewhat sad message to our listeners
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...
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Episode 104: The Haunting of Hill House | A Haunting on the Hill
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…
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Episode 103: After the Forest | I Am Homeless if This is Not My Home
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...
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Episode 102: The Broken Shore | Slow Horses
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…
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Episode 101: The Living Sea of Waking Dreams | The Saint of Bright Doors
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...
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Episode 100: The Book of Accidents | Conquest
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...
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Episode 99: The Trees Grew Because I Bled There | Everything Ravaged, Everything Burned
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...
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Episode 98: The Terraformers | Sing, Nightingale
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…
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Episode 97: LOTE | Animal Life
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…
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Episode 96: Every Version of You | The Women Could Fly
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…
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Episode 95: January Fifteenth | Patricia Wants to Cuddle
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…
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Episode 94: Helpmeet | Our Wives Under the Sea
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...
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Episode 93: Such a Pretty Smile | Checkout 19
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...
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Episode 92: Dance Move | Ariadne, I Love You
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...
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Episode 91: Manhunt | And Then I Woke Up
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...
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Episode 90: Devotion | The School for Good Mothers
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:...
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Episode 89: I Would Haunt You if I Could | Shit Cassandra Saw
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...
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Episode 88: The Wych Elm | My Phantoms
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...
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Episode 87: When We Cease to Understand the World | A Ghost in the Throat
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...
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Episode 86: Little Eve | Light Perpetual
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...
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Episode 85: The Cost of Living | Dissolve
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...
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Episode 84.5: EXTRA
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!
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Episode 84: The Employees | Everyone Knows Your Mother is a Witch
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...
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Episode 83: All the Fabulous Beasts | Cat Person and Other Stories
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...
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Episode 82: The Animals in That Country | Sorrowland
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...
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Episode 81: The Space Between Worlds | Mrs Death Misses Death
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...
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Episode 80: Memorial | The Mermaid of Black Conch
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...
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Episode 79: All the Murmuring Bones | Smart Ovens for Lonely People
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...
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Episode 78: Mammoth | Boy Swallows Universe
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…
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Episode 77: Finna | The Wandering
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…
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Episode 76: Beowulf | The Mere Wife
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...
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Episode 75: Growing Things | Let's Play White
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…
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Episode 74: Folk | The Liar's Dictionary
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...
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Episode 73: Mexican Gothic | The Only Good Indians
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...
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Episode 72: Weather | Hold
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…
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Episode 71: Flight Behavior | The Overstory
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...
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Episode 70: Skin | The Minotaur Takes a Cigarette Break
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…
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Episode 69: Quarantine Edition
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…
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Episode 68: How to Bee | In the Dark Spaces
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…
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Episode 67: Confessions | White Tears
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…
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Episode 66: The Fisherman | By Light We Knew Our Names
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?...
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Episode 65: The Underground Railroad | Exit West
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…
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Episode 64: The City of Woven Streets | Maresi
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…
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Episode 63: Hurricane Heels | Lauriat
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...
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Episode 62: Nevernight | The Grief Hole
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…
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Episode 61: Crossroads of Canopy | The Swan Book
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...
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Episode 60: Lagoon | Rosewater
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....
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Episode 59: Jagannath | The Core of the Sun
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…
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Episode 58: Bødy | Ghost Summer: Stories
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…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
A monthly podcast devoted mostly to speculative fiction books, reviews and the odd bit of idle gossip. Hosted by Kirstyn McDermott and Ian Mond.
HOSTED BY
Kirstyn McDermott and Ian Mond
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does The Writer and The Critic have?
The Writer and The Critic currently has 109 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is The Writer and The Critic about?
A monthly podcast devoted mostly to speculative fiction books, reviews and the odd bit of idle gossip. Hosted by Kirstyn McDermott and Ian Mond.
How often does The Writer and The Critic release new episodes?
The Writer and The Critic publishes regularly with 109 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to The Writer and The Critic?
You can listen to The Writer and The Critic on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts The Writer and The Critic?
The Writer and The Critic is created and hosted by Kirstyn McDermott and Ian Mond.
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