Slices of fiction, slices of sports, and slices of sports entertainment, co-hosted by #1 New York Times bestselling author Scott Sigler and audiobooks narrator AB Kovacs. We give fun, high-level explanations of sportsball stuff, breaking down the plot points and storylines of riveting athletic drama. Season 1: SLAY 1Season 2: BOOD IS REDSeason 3: SLAY 2Season 4: DEATH IS BLACKSeason 5: SLAY 3Season 6: MIX TAPE VOL. 1Current season: SLICES
Let’s talk audiobook narration! Scott learned voice acting as he went, as a means to get his fiction out into the world. ARealGirl Herself learned in acting school and as a professional actor, and recently has been learning to direct herself as she records. Quite a bit goes into narrating an audiobook. It requires acting skills, professional recording equipment, vocal stamina, and audio editing…
Douglas Sandstorm, a football fan, posted on social media about eating breakfast next to JJ Watt in a Greenwich Village diner, saying he chose to give the footballer his privacy. Watt ended up seeing that tweet and replying with “Are you still in the area?” and showed up to share a beer with Sandstorm. Such a graceful nod to his fans, which is no surprise from Watt, is known for being a nice guy.…
This week, the Horror Writers Association, of which Scott is a member, published a pro-AI screed from one of their then-current Trustees. It instantly generated reactions from writers of all sorts and also resulted in almost immediate disciplinary action from HWA. Scott & A discuss the instant feedback from writers, as well as the HWA. Scott & A will be at Dragon*Con in Atlanta, GA, as well this…
Summertime, and the living is … well, if you’re at a convention, it’s probably sweaty. Fun, but sweaty. Scott and A chat about Scott’s participation in Imaginarium in Louisville, KY earlier in July, and also the big daddy of them all, San Diego Comic Con, which just wrapped last Sunday. Scott & A will be at Dragon*Con in Atlanta, GA, as well this year! Come out and see us over Labor Day Weekend! —…
Prolific action bestseller Nicholas Sansbury Smith recently reclaimed the rights to his Extinction Cycle series. With new covers and new content, he’s ready to relaunch the property. But what is the story behind those rights? Who had them? Why did NSS want to move on, and how did he get those rights back? As indie writers sell their properties to bigger houses, this issue will pop up more and…
Scott’s Galactic Football League series has expanded from five books to nine books, but that’s old news. What’s the new news? GFL Book VII, currently untitled, has been completed! Scott submitted the final draft last week, and it’s currently in production. First step is a copy edit, and the whole process can take up to six more months, but we’re this much closer to the next installment for…
When Random House published Infected back in 2007, Scott’s lifelong dreams of being published by one of the big-time publishing houses came true. But on the very first day of the book tour, the radio tour? Disaster strikes in the form of … checks notes … cookies? One never knows how their dreams come true, or even if they do. But one also never expects puke buckets to be involved. — Slices is…
Researchers from Mass General Brigham and Harvard Medical School published what is now the largest study of former NFL players ever conducted. They looked at nearly twenty thousand players who appeared in at least one NFL game between 1960 and 2019. The data is sobering: former NFL players were about four times more likely to die from neurodegenerative diseases than the general population. And…
The World Cup already felt like the biggest sporting event on the planet. Then this year, they expanded from 32 teams to 48. More countries involved, sixty percent bigger than the last tournament, and the advertising budget to go with it. If it wasn’t broken, why did they meddle with success? Scott and A take a look at the pros and cons of this expansion. — Slices is created by Scott Sigler and A…
The WNBA is trying to crack down on excessive physical play. And somehow, everyone is upset about it. So has the WNBA actually changed the rules? Nope, The league simply told officials to enforce certain rules more consistently, especially around excessive contact and freedom of movement. We chat about the rule, the problem, and why everyone’s still upset. — Slices is created by Scott Sigler and A…
The 2026 World Cup in North America introduced mandatory Hydration Breaks every 20-ish minutes. Fans are big mad that soccer is now “played in quarters,” and the players get a chance to be coached during these mandatory breaks. But … the field of play is much more humid and also hotter than these players (and their fans) are used to, so FIFA stepped in to protect the players. OR DID THEY? Scott…
The 2026 World Cup features Virtual Assistant Referees, or “VAR.” Some fans love it, some fans hate it. Sometimes based on whether their team benefits from the call. We do a deeper dive specifically into how the computer-assisted officiating has changed the 2026 World Cup, and how folks feel about it. — Slices is created by Scott Sigler and A B Kovacs — Produced by Steve Riekeberg — Production…
The 2026 World Cup features Virtual Assistant Referees, or “VAR.” Some fans love it, some fans hate it. Sometimes based on whether their team benefits from the call. So “AI Refs” also raise the ire of sports fans around the world, just like their human counterparts. Scott and A dive into “computer-assisted refereeing” and what it means for sports and sports fans around the world. — Slices is…
When Aethon Books bought SLAY Book I, they wanted more story. More story! Well, they got a couple of girthons put right in their eye. How y’all like me now! SLAY co-author Rob Otto joins us to talk about the process of taking a 108,000-word podcast novel to 160,000 words for the full book release. What did we add? What did we cut? How did we do it? We'll answer those questions and more, along with…
The New York Knickerbockers just won the NBA championship for the first time in 53 years. We talk about how the city came together for a joyous celebration. And one co-host of this cast followed the Knicks as a kid but fell off her fandom due to life and stuff. What’s it like when the team you knew in your youth wins it all? We discuss! — Slices is created by Scott Sigler and A B Kovacs — Produced…
Scott and A celebrate what fans are calling “The Great Soccer Sleepover”—millions of visitors sharing songs, stories, and unforgettable adventures across the continent. Social media is overflowing with visitors marveling at Waffle House at 2 a.m., Buc-ee’s the size of a small nation, free drink refills, and the sheer wonder of American tailgating. There are tales of Scots descending on Boston in…
Accidents happen. Some are worse than others. For a creative, a total computer crash is not great—especially when under a heavy deadline. Scott & A talk about how we dealt with it during the final weeks of Scott’s active deadline for SLAY. What plans and procedures did we already have in place that let us keep writing? What did we miss that hurt us? What should you do to protect your priceless…
In-depth questions about Sigler books, favorite character, hardest character to write, and some thoughts on my reading likes as a reader rather than as a writer. — Slices is created by Scott Sigler and A B Kovacs — Produced by Steve Riekeberg — Production Assistance by Allie Press — Copyright 2026 by Empty Set Entertainment Questions that matter As in, how does the GoDaddy Promo Code CJCFOSSIG3…
This week Empty Set had a quite unexpected visitor. Even more strange? He didn’t even ask for a cracker. — Slices is created by Scott Sigler and A B Kovacs — Produced by Steve Riekeberg — Production Assistance by Allie Press — Copyright 2026 by Empty Set Entertainment A cracker, a cracker, a cracker!The GoDaddy Promo Code CJCFOSSIG3 gets you 99% off your first year of a 3-year domain. Don’t wait…
Scott and A chat about the evolution of the podcast, and Scott answers a batch of Siglerverse questions. — Slices is created by Scott Sigler and A B Kovacs — Produced by Steve Riekeberg — Production Assistance by Allie Press — Copyright 2026 by Empty Set Entertainment Let’s talk about blogging, shall we? We’ve been happily blogging for years now, but if you have not and want to start, consider…
This episode provides updates about two of Scott’s books coming out this year, WARPATH and SLAY. — Slices is created by Scott Sigler and A B Kovacs — Produced by Steve Riekeberg — Production Assistance by Allie Press — Copyright 2026 by Empty Set Entertainment Wait until you see the beasts by the river! Man-o-man, the things you’ll do when you use the GoDaddy Promo Code CJCFOSSIG3. Not gonna lie,…
Andrew Givler is a YouTube sensation and the author of the progression fantasy novel IRONBOUND, which Scott recently read. Awesome story. With the second book in the series out now, Scott had Andrew on for a chit-chat about his work. — Slices is created by Scott Sigler and A B Kovacs — Produced by Steve Riekeberg — Production Assistance by Allie Press — Copyright 2026 by Empty Set Entertainment I…
When the new golf start-up LIV appeared on the scene in 2022, it really upended the very polished and traditional golf world. A smaller course, teams, and even theme music. This is really a story about what happens when a hundred-year-old institution collides with unlimited money. At least for a while. Scott & A chat about the changes and what’s next. — Slices is created by Scott Sigler and A B…
On this episode, we look at the recent NFL Collusion scandal, where the NFL Players Association filed a grievance, basically saying: “Hey, we think owners are quietly working together to limit guaranteed contracts.” So did NFL owners secretly agree not to pay players? The careful answer is: The arbitrator reportedly found the league encouraged owners to reduce guaranteed contracts… …but ruled…
Forty-four years into her life, twenty-two years into horse training, eight years after going out on her own, and 152 years in the making, Cherie DeVaux became the first female trainer to win the Kentucky Derby! Scott & A chat about this year’s historic race at Churchill Downs. — Slices is created by Scott Sigler and A B Kovacs — Produced by Steve Riekeberg — Production Assistance by Allie Press —…
The Miami Grand Prix comes to Dolphin Stadium this weekend. More correctly, to the Grand Prix course built in the stadium’s parking lot. Joining the ranks of the great F1 race cities, Miami is growing F1 fandom in the United States, and no better way to learn than watching! Star-studded parties, speeds up to 230 miles per hour, and all the glamour of Miami. What’s not to like? — Slices is created…
This weekend, high stakes, big money & hundreds of race fans descend on Churchill Downs in Louisville for the 2026 Kentucky Derby. So much surrounding a two-minute race: high society rubbing elbows with professional gamblers. Twenty young horses racing to win, jockeys and teams hoping for a shot at immortality. And that’s to say nothing of the hats. — Slices is created by Scott Sigler and A B…
The 2026 NFL Draft has come and gone. We discussed Chaos Night and the Draft itself in the last episode. Today, we recap a few highlights for us. Draft Night is a culmination of a lifetime’s worth of work, and the start of the rest of it. Congrats to the 2026 NFL Rookie Class! — Slices is created by Scott Sigler and A B Kovacs — Produced by Steve Riekeberg — Production Assistance by Allie Press —…
We’ve been getting feedback asking about our shift in content for this feed. As in: “Hey! Where’s my damn stories?” In this episode, I give answers. You want the truth? You can’t handle the truth! The truth is, I have so many books due in 2026, 2027, and even 2028 that weekly storytelling is off the table for now. Listen in, folks! There’s so much info in this twenty-minute episode. By the end of…
Join hosts Scott and ARealGirl Herself as they pull back the curtain on one of the most theatrical nights in television: the NFL Draft. If you’ve ever felt like the draft was a "members-only" club where you didn't know the password, this episode is for you. We’re stripping away the jargon to explain the fundamental mechanics of how teams actually select players and why a bunch of people in suits…
The term "Chaos Night" isn't just hyperbole—it’s the moment months of mock drafts collide with the cold, unpredictable reality of NFL war rooms. With Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza locked in at No. 1, the calm ends the second his name is called. Because there is only one "sure-thing" QB this year, the desperation in Pittsburgh is reaching a boiling point. Whether you've been following every trade or…
Is anyone else terrified? We are. For the first time ever, autonomous robots beat humans at humanity’s signature ability—long-distance endurance running. Bi-pedal buckets of bolts bested people at the Beijing E-Town Robot Half Marathon. Can the robopocalypse be far behind? Listen in to see why this milestone is far more than the sum of the robotic parts. Slices is created by Scott Sigler and A B…
The turnaround story of the Detroit Pistons is epic. From losing over sixty games two years and sitting in last place to becoming the No. 1 seed in the East playoffs this year. Scott & A chat about what changed for the Pistons, and where they go from here. And A shares her favorite underdog-to-top-dog movie while we celebrate this glow up! Slices is created by Scott Sigler and A B Kovacs Produced…
Every year, before the actual draft, sports pundits and fans engage in “mock drafts,” where they envision where 260-ish players might land on any of the NFL’s 32 teams. The American Football tradition is fun—and a little bit weird. Okay… It’s a lot weird. Who will be joining Taylor’s fiancé’s team this year? Listen in, even if you think you know All Too Well.😉 Scott Sigler Slices is created by…
The NBA Play-In Tournament begins today, April 14, 2026. Scott and ARealGirl Herself explain this confusing event that has added even more drama to the already dramatic NBA playoffs. And hey, what is “tanking?” Why are NBA franchises accused of intentionally sabotaging their seasons? We strive to explain! And we share an awesome movie that combines basketball, playoffs, and tanking. Slices is…
The PGA Masters Tournament is this weekend, and we have things to say about golf and entertainment! If you’re not in Augusta for the Masters, let us entertain you! Deep Cuts is created by Scott Sigler and A B Kovacs Produced by Steve Riekeberg Production Assistance by Allie Press Copyright 2026 by Empty Set Entertainment The green jacket of discounts is GoDaddy Promo Code CJCFOSSIG, which saves…
Nineteen years ago, on April 1st, Scott took the Amazon charts by storm and never looked back. Almost two decades of making cool stuff for cool people. Come celebrate with us! Deep Cuts is created by Scott Sigler and A B Kovacs Produced by Steve Riekeberg Production Assistance by Allie Press Copyright 2026 by Empty Set Entertainment Time to celebrate with the GoDaddy Promo Code CJCFOSSIG. Nothing…
Yes, the Scott Sigler podcast might be the world’s longest-running consistently weekly podcast. You wanna get nuts? Let's get nuts! Recaps, reflections, reverberations, and even a couple of regrets from two decades of hotness. Get yer drank on, Junkies, because it's time for Tuaca! Deep Cuts is created by Scott Sigler and A B Kovacs Produced by Steve Riekeberg Production Assistance by Allie Press…
Scott and A admire Gennings Dunker’s glorious red mane before A dips out, and Scott schools us on the First Four, and everyone enjoys Any Given Sunday as is ordained! Deep Cuts is created by Scott Sigler and A B Kovacs Produced by Steve Riekeberg Production Assistance by Allie Press Copyright 2026 by Empty Set Entertainment Gracious goodness, what’s happening? I can, right this moment, snag…
In the black of a rainy night, the Stonehewer and an army of hungry day diggers attack Stonehold, retaliating against Lord Hilantra’s troops. He breached the walls, commanded the night-stalking diggers to kill everyone inside save for one man in particular—Warden Bismarten, who ordered the Stonehewer’s family murdered. Dovokar and two other soldiers are all who remain to fight with Bismarten in…
Scott and A take a look at how hockey, romance books, and cable TV collide to create Heated Rivalry. (Mild spoilers for general concepts of the show and the books, and for Season 1, Episode 1 of the Crave TV show.) Deep Cuts is created by Scott Sigler and A B Kovacs Produced by Steve Riekeberg Production Assistance by Allie Press Copyright 2026 by Empty Set Entertainment Honestly, I prefer peanut…
Lord Hilentra is expanding his territory into the foothills of the Broken Spine mountains. His garrison at the new village of Stonehold has laid waste to villages populated by Tandrites, a culture that has mined these foothills for generations. Hilentra relies on Bismarten, the Warden of Stonehold, to lead his troops against these small villages. One of Bismarten’s men, Dovokar, was unable to…
The Scott Sigler Slices livestream turns six this year, and it’s high time we make some adjustments to give Scott time to do his actual job of writing stories we all crave. Find out what changes are afoot and what you can expect from Empty Set! Deep Cuts is created by Scott Sigler and A B Kovacs Produced by Steve Riekeberg Production Assistance by Allie Press Copyright 2026 by Empty Set…
Backstory—the story stuff happens before the stuff that happens in the story. How much do authors need to make a great tale? Do you need a fully fleshed-out world before you write the first sentence, or can you wing it? Scott Sigler and ARealGirl Herself discuss. Deep Cuts is created by Scott Sigler and A B Kovacs Produced by Steve Riekeberg Production Assistance by Allie Press Copyright 2026 by…
Lord Hilentra’s frontier garrison at Stonehold had already earned its reputation. But the peaceful Tandrites would not just roll over and die. A dark figure known as the Stonehewer has fought back, attacking Cayoncrest, one of Hilentra’s new settlements, slaughtering most of its population. The Stonehewer attacked, climbing over the wall and opening the gate. Dozens of day diggers rushed in,…
As the saying goes, it’s all about location, location, location. So how does an author pick the perfect location for the tale being told? Dunno, but we ask Scott how he picks his locations! Deep Cuts is created by Scott Sigler and A B Kovacs Produced by Steve Riekeberg Production Assistance by Allie Press Copyright 2026 by Empty Set Entertainment Got a shiny new idea and need a 3-year new domain?…
In a dark place on a medieval frontier, the powers that be are displacing those who have lived there for centuries. Brutal expansion that fuels an inevitable resistance. Payback delivered in the cold and wet, so far from help it might as well be an island surrounded by an impassible ocean. Because justice is variable, depending on when you live, how you live, and how others may or may not judge…
The Siglerverse is full of terrific twosomes, and this week, in honor of Valentine’s Day, we talk about a few of them! Deep Cuts is created by Scott Sigler and A B Kovacs Produced by Steve Riekeberg Production Assistance by Allie Press Copyright 2026 by Empty Set Entertainment I missed half-price candy day, but did save ninety-nine percent off the first year of a three year new domain using…
Simon Gardner’s life has collapsed into two obsessions: Patty, the woman who left him. And Jack, the musician he’s spent a decade researching. That research went into Simon’s book, Spellbound, about the life, times, and legend of Wailin’ Jack Laurent, the shock-rock pioneer whose song “You’re Under My Spell” made him infamous—and whose rumored voodoo past refuses to stay buried. After acquiring…
CRYPT: VOIDSTRIKE has been out a week! Let’s give away CRYPT merch and read early reviews! Ain’t no party like a Warthogs party in its second week! Deep Cuts is created by Scott Sigler and A B Kovacs Produced by Steve Riekeberg Production Assistance by Allie Press Copyright 2026 by Empty Set Entertainment I got ninety-nine percent off my 1st year of a three year domain, and a lady knows that’s…