SFFaudio

I just turned on these comments, so here goes!

I enjoyed both of the Spock vs Q shows, and I agree that they are specifically tailored for Trekkies. Trekkers? Whatever. I would have liked to have been there live!

I just turned on these comments, so here goes!

I enjoyed both of the Spock vs Q shows, and I agree that they are specifically tailored for Trekkies. Trekkers? Whatever. I would have liked to have been there live!

Here’s another comment for testing purposes…

“Dead as a Doornail” (RECORDED BOOKS) is in the same series as “Dead Until Dark” (PAPERBACK DIGITAL) which was the first book in the series. If its half as good as the original it’d be worth picking up for sure.

That brings up an interesting trend… Recorded Books picks up that series, but drops Kevin J. Anderson’s Saga of the Seven Suns. The fourth volume of that series will be published by Brilliance in July, after the first three were published by RB.

Podcasting is huge and still heard to navigate! Great column Scott.

Terrific review! I’m anxious to compare it to The Curse Of Chalion, which I was very impressed with as well.

I Listened to the entire “book.” It was very well paced and entertaining. Production quality is very well done. The music and sound effects when introduced were balanced well with the speaking.
4 out of 5.

Heard the first entry! Entitled “SOMEONE JUST FOR ME”. Very cool – kind of twilight zone episode and it also kind of reminded me of the Japanese movie RINGU. BTW the whole anthology series is entitled “DEEP NIGHT”.

Nice Find!

I’ve heard the Frankenstein Unbound title. Its is a fair abridgement.

Nice Find!

I’ve heard the Frankenstein Unbound title. Its is a fair abridgement.

Thanks to an wonderful reader we’ve two new images of the titles on this list and a bit more detail. Keep it coming folks!

Ah yes, the old monotone phone conversation tactic. It was used on me in ‘Nam and I think they are using it now at Gitmo. Once the Vietcong made me talk to John Kerry, and his voice . . . I’m sorry, I can’t talk about it yet. I’ve got to go to my happy place.

I like the rocket with the headphones, I’m guessing that hasn’t been done before. Is that battleschool in the background?

Why not? Battle School it is. :)

I finally got a chance to listen to this one! I had a smile tatooed on my face while I listend to Spider spin his SF web. I knew I would be interested to hear this one especially because it is set in and around Vancouver, British Columbia, where I live and it is chock full of local details. But after hearing it, and realizing that most people who don’t live in BC probably couldn’t care less about the setting what I really wanted to talk about is something a lot of listeners/readers might have missed that they should care about. Spider Robinson wrote this novel as an homage to Crime Writers Of America Grandmaster Lawrence Block. Most SF readers probably don’t know who Block is but they should. Block is a prolific and talented author working in the crime genre. In VBD Robinson uses many turns of phrase that are ones Block uses almost unconciously in his many stories. Other giveaways include the theme of a horrificly understandable serial killer and a deep and abiding love of coffee. Robinson has done this sort of thing before – his novel Callahan’s Con was an homage to Block’s contemporary – fellow Crime Writers Of America Grandmaster Donald Westlake and Callahan’s Key was inspired by the writings of Robert A. Heinlein. Another neat feature of Very Bad Deaths is that it contains the only reference in fiction to the philosophical writings of Daniel Dennett that I know of – he also manages to tie Dennett’s concepts into the book’s plot.

Spider is currently “collaborating” with Heinlein on a novel titled Variable Star, I hope Blackstone aquires the audio rights to that one and that they get Spider to Narrate! Oh and a sequel to Very Bad Deaths is also in the works.

I finally got a chance to listen to this one! I had a smile tatooed on my face while I listend to Spider spin his SF web. I knew I would be interested to hear this one especially because it is set in and around Vancouver, British Columbia, where I live and it is chock full of local details. But after hearing it, and realizing that most people who don’t live in BC probably couldn’t care less about the setting what I really wanted to talk about is something a lot of listeners/readers might have missed that they should care about. Spider Robinson wrote this novel as an homage to Crime Writers Of America Grandmaster Lawrence Block. Most SF readers probably don’t know who Block is but they should. Block is a prolific and talented author working in the crime genre. In VBD Robinson uses many turns of phrase that are ones Block uses almost unconciously in his many stories. Other giveaways include the theme of a horrificly understandable serial killer and a deep and abiding love of coffee. Robinson has done this sort of thing before – his novel Callahan’s Con was an homage to Block’s contemporary – fellow Crime Writers Of America Grandmaster Donald Westlake and Callahan’s Key was inspired by the writings of Robert A. Heinlein. Another neat feature of Very Bad Deaths is that it contains the only reference in fiction to the philosophical writings of Daniel Dennett that I know of – he also manages to tie Dennett’s concepts into the book’s plot.

Spider is currently “collaborating” with Heinlein on a novel titled Variable Star, I hope Blackstone aquires the audio rights to that one and that they get Spider to Narrate! Oh and a sequel to Very Bad Deaths is also in the works.

“Revenge” is sweet, best at bedtime. I agree with this review but would add a few thoughts on how to best savor this set of CDs. Try them one a night at bedtime with headphones. In this audio-rich, black environment when Jonathan Davis reads “The Dark is generous,” you can really believe it. Davis has mastered all of the voices so well, including Obi-Wan Kenobi, improving since even his readings of the Jedi Quest series that this is like an extended mind movie. The use of ambient sound and drones enhances the settings considerably and the slow, corruption of Anakin Skywalker dovetailing with his own self-destructive nature brings down the Jedi and the Republic. But not your listening pleasure.

Great interview!

At one point JJA says “I think it might just be a matter of training your brain to process the auditory narrative in an efficient way” in regards to not losing track of a narrative amid distraction.

A friend of mine who doesnt listen to audiobooks at all said he doesn’t listen to them because he is so easily distracted. I told him how many audiobooks I am currently listening to. He couldn’t beleive I have 7 audiobooks all in the process of being read at any given time. I have a cassette player at work, a cd player and a cassette player in my car, a walkman for transition between home and work and for use at the gym, an mp3-CD boombox in the bathroom, and another in the bedroom, and an old fashioned cassette player clock radio, in the kitchen a mini stereo, and even a cassette player in my computer. :)

Great interview!

At one point JJA says “I think it might just be a matter of training your brain to process the auditory narrative in an efficient way” in regards to not losing track of a narrative amid distraction.

A friend of mine who doesnt listen to audiobooks at all said he doesn’t listen to them because he is so easily distracted. I told him how many audiobooks I am currently listening to. He couldn’t beleive I have 7 audiobooks all in the process of being read at any given time. I have a cassette player at work, a cd player and a cassette player in my car, a walkman for transition between home and work and for use at the gym, an mp3-CD boombox in the bathroom, and another in the bedroom, and an old fashioned cassette player clock radio, in the kitchen a mini stereo, and even a cassette player in my computer. :)

Seven at ONCE?
You’re mad I say, MAD!!!!
:)

I fondly remember Alan Maitland’s “Fireside Al” segments from As It Happens. There should be more readings by him out there somewhere. Hope CBC Audio releases them too.

I think Prisoners Of Gravity is my favorite television show. You can take any single episode and reap a wealth of goodness – when PoG aired an episode on Neil Gaiman’s The Sandman I spent the next three years reading it in trade paperback. When an episode on AI featured an interview with Robert J. Sawyer about his first novel Golden Fleece I went out and bought copy and have bought every Robert J. Sawyer book since. I miss it dearly.

Heh. Years ago, when I first started messing with audio, I asked if people were interested in MP3s of interview from the show. I didn’t get much response and never bothered with the idea again.

I could rip large chunks of audio from series, but the earliest I’ll have all the parts to set up my little rig is late December. Right now they’re spread all over the province.

Heh. Years ago, when I first started messing with audio, I asked if people were interested in MP3s of interview from the show. I didn’t get much response and never bothered with the idea again.

I could rip large chunks of audio from series, but the earliest I’ll have all the parts to set up my little rig is late December. Right now they’re spread all over the province.

I’m a big fan of Pat Muphy’s short story Rachel In Love but haven’t found another tale by her that I fully connected with.

The Arbiter Series is great and each episode gets better as you see the characters progress. One correction, not all of the productions they have made at conventions have been turned into CDs yet – only episodes 1 through 4 and 8.

Neil

The Arbiter Series is great and each episode gets better as you see the characters progress. One correction, not all of the productions they have made at conventions have been turned into CDs yet – only episodes 1 through 4 and 8.

Neil

Michael Kramer is one of my favorite male readers, his work in the Books-On-Tape Richard Stark novels is absolutely perfect.

I’ve always thought some kind of mp3 player would be cool to have, but they are kind of spendy and I didn’t think I would use it tons (at my desk I’ve got my computer and in my car I have a CD player — that seems adequate to cover my needs).

Now, though, it seems like an mp3 player would be very practical for holding stuff like this or stories that are too large to fit on a disc I might burn. Is that what you do with broadcasts such as this? Do you have anything thoughts on what to look for in an mp3 player?

I’ve always thought some kind of mp3 player would be cool to have, but they are kind of spendy and I didn’t think I would use it tons (at my desk I’ve got my computer and in my car I have a CD player — that seems adequate to cover my needs).

Now, though, it seems like an mp3 player would be very practical for holding stuff like this or stories that are too large to fit on a disc I might burn. Is that what you do with broadcasts such as this? Do you have anything thoughts on what to look for in an mp3 player?

Dude, thanks for the plug!

-Scott-

Dude, thanks for the plug!

-Scott-

Just listened to it. Excellent! That story will keep me thinking for a while. Love, lust, infidelty, commitment, and all that in a fairytale pre-quel!

Holy markdowns Batman! Tons of great stuff here. Including Robert A. Heinlein’s Stranger In A Strange Land. AWESOME!

Although, this may be the death of cassettes format audiobooks. Goodbye friends. We loved you.

Holy markdowns Batman! Tons of great stuff here. Including Robert A. Heinlein’s Stranger In A Strange Land. AWESOME!

Although, this may be the death of cassettes format audiobooks. Goodbye friends. We loved you.

” . . . it will make you want to go to Hooters for some chili cheese fries.”

???

That’s like saying you go to Disneyland to enjoy the benches and air. :)

” . . . it will make you want to go to Hooters for some chili cheese fries.”

???

That’s like saying you go to Disneyland to enjoy the benches and air. :)

Hey, thanks for the plug, Jesse.

I’ll also recommend one other podcast, my review of Space Truckers.

I hope to do more reviews in the near future.

Also note, if listeners are only interested in the Science Fiction podcasts, you can always view the thing by the SciFi category, and if you want to use a rss reader or podcatcher to just grab the SciFi stuff, you can use the rss url http://overclocked.libsyn.com/rss/SciFi.

Hey, thanks for the plug, Jesse.

I’ll also recommend one other podcast, my review of Space Truckers.

I hope to do more reviews in the near future.

Also note, if listeners are only interested in the Science Fiction podcasts, you can always view the thing by the SciFi category, and if you want to use a rss reader or podcatcher to just grab the SciFi stuff, you can use the rss url http://overclocked.libsyn.com/rss/SciFi.

Hello!

I’m Eileen (aka “e”) from The Public Domain Podcast. Thanks for listing my readings of The Master of the World by Jules Verne! I just thought I’d drop you a note in case you wanted to fill in the ???? with “Eileen” or “e”.

I’m a science fiction and fantasy fan myself so you’ll be sure to see more Verne and other sci fi greats in my line up.

Hello!

I’m Eileen (aka “e”) from The Public Domain Podcast. Thanks for listing my readings of The Master of the World by Jules Verne! I just thought I’d drop you a note in case you wanted to fill in the ???? with “Eileen” or “e”.

I’m a science fiction and fantasy fan myself so you’ll be sure to see more Verne and other sci fi greats in my line up.

Hey, this is Kevin from alienEthOS: The Ethics of Sci-fi. Thanks for the mention! We’ll put that book on our to read list, since neither of us have read it. We’ll give you a shoutout on the show next time. Is there anything you’d like us to say in particular?

Hi Kevin,

I havent read A Case Of Conscience yet either. But certainly will if you guys plan on doing show that talks about it. :D

The description of A Case Of Conscience in The 100 Best Science Fiction Novels book (you can search through it on Amazon.com) makes me think it will be a very appropriate meta-ethical novel for discussion by you and Kade.

I look at good meaty science fiction as being intimately connected to philosophy of nearly every kind: Obviously the philosophy of science, the philosophy of religion, epistemology, ethics, political philosophy, metaphysics and even tangentially to aesthetics.

Looking forward to show 3 and beyond.

Jesse

Hi Kevin,

I havent read A Case Of Conscience yet either. But certainly will if you guys plan on doing show that talks about it. :D

The description of A Case Of Conscience in The 100 Best Science Fiction Novels book (you can search through it on Amazon.com) makes me think it will be a very appropriate meta-ethical novel for discussion by you and Kade.

I look at good meaty science fiction as being intimately connected to philosophy of nearly every kind: Obviously the philosophy of science, the philosophy of religion, epistemology, ethics, political philosophy, metaphysics and even tangentially to aesthetics.

Looking forward to show 3 and beyond.

Jesse

In case anyone else is as illiterate as me, here is an explanation of “deus ex machina”:

http://newark.rutgers.edu/~jlynch/Terms/deusexmachina.html

Very clever, Cory.

In case anyone else is as illiterate as me, here is an explanation of “deus ex machina”:

http://newark.rutgers.edu/~jlynch/Terms/deusexmachina.html

Very clever, Cory.

Awesome review Cory! I too am a fan of good extras on audiobooks. This looks like it may be the definitve edition of Something Wicked.

It really does sound original! What a neat idea.

Nice review Kurt.

The theme of mathematics runs right through science fiction. From The Nine Billion Names Of God forward to the present…

In fact tere is a neat website that talks about MATH FICTION…

http://math.cofc.edu/faculty/kasman/MATHFICT/all.php

I enjoy math fiction myself. But despite this I subscribe to the theory that math is not actually real, that numbers and equations – any symbolic logic system actually – can’t exist in the universe. And hence are only of marginal interest and value to things that are real (like me). So math fiction is in a way just fiction fiction. But wait if its a double falsity maybe that means it is true afterall? But that would only make sense if math were true. And that don’t make no damn sense.

Anyway, here’s a podcasst that supports my position:

http://www.dailyphil.ca/podcast/absurdum-hoffman.mp3

Nice review Kurt.

The theme of mathematics runs right through science fiction. From The Nine Billion Names Of God forward to the present…

In fact tere is a neat website that talks about MATH FICTION…

http://math.cofc.edu/faculty/kasman/MATHFICT/all.php

I enjoy math fiction myself. But despite this I subscribe to the theory that math is not actually real, that numbers and equations – any symbolic logic system actually – can’t exist in the universe. And hence are only of marginal interest and value to things that are real (like me). So math fiction is in a way just fiction fiction. But wait if its a double falsity maybe that means it is true afterall? But that would only make sense if math were true. And that don’t make no damn sense.

Anyway, here’s a podcasst that supports my position:

http://www.dailyphil.ca/podcast/absurdum-hoffman.mp3

Thanks for the kind words, Jesse — I’m so glad you’re enjoying Brave Men Run! Thanks also for the Lulu.com mention — here is the direct link to the paperback edition of the book.

Thanks again!

Thanks for the kind words, Jesse — I’m so glad you’re enjoying Brave Men Run! Thanks also for the Lulu.com mention — here is the direct link to the paperback edition of the book.

Thanks again!

I hadn’t seen this cd. Thanks for brining it to our attention.

You are most welcome Chris. Lovecraft fans should check out your Blog too – lots of good stuff there!

Thanks for listening, and sorry about the p-pops. I was using an old headseat microphone, but I’m now using a much better setup, including a pop filter. My next podcast, “The Right People,” should be up in a few weeks.

Just listened to the first episode.

Production values are excellent. Acting is very good. Writing is playful and direct. It was funny. I liked it. :)

I have two critisisms.

1. There is an inconsitency in the offensiveness. Racial slurs abound but “fuck” is replaced with “frak”. Violence is ok but “fuck” is offensive?

2. The denegration of NPR in the frontispiece disclaimer. It may have been played for comedy rather than serious but being a socialist doesn’t have anything to do with being offended by words. Making fun of censorship would be more apt than making fun of public radio.

Just listened to the first episode.

Production values are excellent. Acting is very good. Writing is playful and direct. It was funny. I liked it. :)

I have two critisisms.

1. There is an inconsitency in the offensiveness. Racial slurs abound but “fuck” is replaced with “frak”. Violence is ok but “fuck” is offensive?

2. The denegration of NPR in the frontispiece disclaimer. It may have been played for comedy rather than serious but being a socialist doesn’t have anything to do with being offended by words. Making fun of censorship would be more apt than making fun of public radio.

Think you mean “Samm” Barnes, Jesse. :-)

Check out http://www.assortednonsense.com for some pics of the recording session.

Joe

Think you mean “Samm” Barnes, Jesse. :-)

Check out http://www.assortednonsense.com for some pics of the recording session.

Joe

Go to my blog!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Go to it by clicking on my name!

Indeed quite a loss to SF. :(

It should also be noted that there is an excellent audio dramatization of OEB’s Bloodchild. It is available on audible.com

“Terran refugees on a foreign planet bear the children of the native inhabitants.”

Adapted for audio by Yuri Rasovsky, with a cast featuring John Coppola, Dylan Kussman, Ann Marie Lee, Christina Pickles, Lynne Thigpen, Ira Burton, and Lorna Raver, and with guitar solos by Fred Koella.

Hosted by award-winning writer and broadcast personality Harlan Ellison.

Jesse

Indeed quite a loss to SF. :(

It should also be noted that there is an excellent audio dramatization of OEB’s Bloodchild. It is available on audible.com

“Terran refugees on a foreign planet bear the children of the native inhabitants.”

Adapted for audio by Yuri Rasovsky, with a cast featuring John Coppola, Dylan Kussman, Ann Marie Lee, Christina Pickles, Lynne Thigpen, Ira Burton, and Lorna Raver, and with guitar solos by Fred Koella.

Hosted by award-winning writer and broadcast personality Harlan Ellison.

Jesse

Your book was the best one i read this year please keep writing because it is nice to read stories from a fellow latter-day saint

Thanks, I hope to hear something soon. I can be reached at bennievirgil@sbcglobal.net

I am humbled by your extremely kind words. :) Thanks so much for posting this!

Following Weblog informs about the scriptwriter Thea von Harbou:

http://medienberatung.blogspot.com

There is also a tillage-possibility for a book about the author.

Following Weblog informs about the scriptwriter Thea von Harbou:

http://medienberatung.blogspot.com

There is also a tillage-possibility for a book about the author.

You’re too kind…

I second that emoticon!

Fascinating stuff. All the important stuff of the 50’s and both the light and dark side of the futuristic projections of the time. Ken Hollings talks about UFO’s, The Shaver’s Mysteries, LSD, Microwaves and the Atom bomb and I’ve only listened to the first two episodes.

Thanks for the pimpage, Jesse! Unfortunately, all I can do is work within the bounds of my contract, which right now says I’m limited to posting seven free chapters.

I should point out that the entire 30-40 pages of appendices from the book are also up on the Infoquake website, and I’m trying to post original, exclusive material up there every month as well.

Hope y’all enjoy.

Thanks for the pimpage, Jesse! Unfortunately, all I can do is work within the bounds of my contract, which right now says I’m limited to posting seven free chapters.

I should point out that the entire 30-40 pages of appendices from the book are also up on the Infoquake website, and I’m trying to post original, exclusive material up there every month as well.

Hope y’all enjoy.

Thanks Jesse, we are actually trying to get the rights to Air Raid. We are big MacLeish fans at the Workshop. Thanks for the review and the kind words, Fall of the City is one of our favorite productions, both the original and our own.

I totally agree! That’s a top-notch audiobook right there, and Harlan was the perfect choice as narrator for that one.

I’m with JJA on this too. I’ve never been what you might call a mighty fan of Bova’s novels but this one stands proudly in my collection and it’s probably mostly because of Ellison – I’d say this is a prime example of a terrific narration elevating a story beyond its textual self.

It’s funny, Harlan has a raspy, nasally voice. He doesn’t sound like a professional voice narrator. And yet he does it magnificently. One quickly becomes attuned to his voice and it does express a lot of emotion to heighten the drama. Bova’s story is strong and the two together create a synergistically rousing tale.

Okay, you were right, it’s really Sara, “Samm” being her nickname.

According to JMS, the character of Al is based on Samm. We’re busy mixing the show today, it’s supposed to be broadcast over the summer.

Joe

Okay, you were right, it’s really Sara, “Samm” being her nickname.

According to JMS, the character of Al is based on Samm. We’re busy mixing the show today, it’s supposed to be broadcast over the summer.

Joe

This sounds like a good idea. It seems a way around the problem. My wife is huge into audio books and we’re planning on getting an iPod here in the near future so that will be helpful. Thanks!

-Froppo
Liger Music
Online Music Stores

This sounds like a good idea. It seems a way around the problem. My wife is huge into audio books and we’re planning on getting an iPod here in the near future so that will be helpful. Thanks!

-Froppo
Liger Music
Online Music Stores

You should, however, do what you have to do to get your hands on AV’s productions of The Time Machine and The Invisible Man. Because they are incredible.

Subscribed! :D

I agree, I started listening to Star Trek audiobooks back when audiobooks were hard to get and mostly abridged. Unabridged titles will renew my interest. I think one kind of Star Trek audiobook that would work, and that has never been tried is a collection of short stories. One other thing to chuck into the mix, – we can, and I am, listening to the Star Trek Defiant fan produced shows from Pendant Productions (see the link on the online audio page).

Wow, it is great to have so much being produced. However . . . how can I say this nicely? . . . some of the amateur readers make me appreciate professional ones all the more.

I’m in the middle of listening to these. They are surprisingly interesting! Thanks for posting them Jesse.

I can get past the reading being amateurish if it is a good story. I have more trouble with novels read by multiple readers who are amateurs though. But then again, these are 100% free. ;)

Nice review TT. BTW, an unabridged version of The Incredible Shrinking Man was also available from Books On Tape at one time. It was bundled with the Matheson novel that most respect… I Am Legend. I suspect that it will be adapted for unabridged audio again if the recent rumblings about another movie version of it comes to pass. That’ll be cool!

Dang that guy is cute. Can I get his phone number?

That is awesome- I have made so many friends through podcasting!

Are you in Arizona Jesse? If not, then I am a bad bad addict because I haven’t even met Evo in person yet!

Happy late birthday!!!!! Looks like it was a blast!

Dani

That is awesome- I have made so many friends through podcasting!

Are you in Arizona Jesse? If not, then I am a bad bad addict because I haven’t even met Evo in person yet!

Happy late birthday!!!!! Looks like it was a blast!

Dani

I just listened to this and, as a huge Firefly fan, I can say “not bad”!

I admit, though, that I don’t quite understand the whole fanfic phenomenon. Obviously, the folks who made this audio drama have some talent in both the writing department and the production department – why not funnel their inspiration into something original and legal?

I just listened to this and, as a huge Firefly fan, I can say “not bad”!

I admit, though, that I don’t quite understand the whole fanfic phenomenon. Obviously, the folks who made this audio drama have some talent in both the writing department and the production department – why not funnel their inspiration into something original and legal?

I liked it too, some of the acting wasn’t flawless. I too am a big fan of the series.

BTW it is legal, just so long as they don’t use it for commerical purposes.

Fanfic is a pretty strange phenomenon,but itleads to some very cool things. The August Dereleth SOLAR PONS stories for example.

I liked it too, some of the acting wasn’t flawless. I too am a big fan of the series.

BTW it is legal, just so long as they don’t use it for commerical purposes.

Fanfic is a pretty strange phenomenon,but itleads to some very cool things. The August Dereleth SOLAR PONS stories for example.

I disagree, Jesse. How can fanfic possibly NOT be copyright infringement? I’m certain that there’s nothing in copyright law that says I can use characters from my favorite TV show in any way I want as long as I am not making money. Of course, I’m no legal expert, but I don’t see why fanfic would be treated any differently than other fiction. I think fanfic is something that is tolerated by studios and publishing houses because, hey, these are fans of their work. Why alienate them?

Hi Folks!
Thanks so much for starting the discussion, and thanks for the comments.
I’m Jack Ward and I wrote the first episode you just heard. I also played Simon (as best I could) and directed the project.
Let me give you my thoughts.
1. Scott said “Why not funnel their inspiration into something original and legal?”
– Well Scott, as said in the Interview with Danielle Cutler on the podcast of the show, this IS a departure for us.
If you go to http://www.soniccinema.ca you’ll see all of our stuff with the exception of FFOW is original works.
We’re in the middle of actually producing a 15 week series that will be heard on XM Satellite Radio called “The Dead Line”. It’s a suspense series in the Hitchcockian (I think I’m seeing the genesis of a new word here) tradition.
We’re also doing a fantasy western that you’d be interested in for next June. Also original. In fact, we’ve got a schedule filled with no less than 25 original series we are planning currently. All our series will be 15 episodes in length and could be continuing or anthology based- and are everything from suspense, horror, mystery, comedy, drama, science fiction, fantasy and just plain adventure.
I’m thrilled to write stories of all shapes and sizes.
I’ve never written a full fan fiction before. This was a summer project that we thought might be fun and get people thinking about all the great stories that haven’t been done yet in Firefly.
It’s not done for a dime of profit. It’s done strictly to get people to think about getting FF back, and certainly to let people who may not have heard of us before know what we sound like.

Jesse… We are painfully aware that the acting isn’t flawless. It’s something we’re always struggling with… perhaps the biggest issue that’s always burning on Andrew Dorfman’s and my mind is how we can get the acting better and better.
Part of doing Old Wounds for us meant in letting some people who want to act with us but have never had the experience, learn some of their chops on this project.
We feel that for the most part we have done a pretty decent job.
You’ll find Andrew Dorfman’s amazing SFX abilities and the original sound track a staple in our Sonic Cinema stuff.
And if you like the style of writing, we’re planning to put up some of our old shows Andrew and I produced a couple years ago to give folks a taste of where we were and where we’re headed.

We play in Joss Whedon’s playground here with this series, and we’re very happy to have the opportunity.
But we also think that our main diet is going to be the stories, and the characters we create from our own imaginations.
Check us out… and give us feedback.. LOTS of feedback.
I follow the JMS example of wanting to get people involved in seeing the stories grow and mature.
If folks like a certain series…I’ll make more.
If a certain series doesn’t resonate, I’ll go to something else.
It’s all about telling good stories and find more folks out there who love this stuff. :)
Thanks again… and keep listening. There’s five more episodes to go. Just wait till you see who we discover Book is!
;)
Jack

Hi Folks!
Thanks so much for starting the discussion, and thanks for the comments.
I’m Jack Ward and I wrote the first episode you just heard. I also played Simon (as best I could) and directed the project.
Let me give you my thoughts.
1. Scott said “Why not funnel their inspiration into something original and legal?”
– Well Scott, as said in the Interview with Danielle Cutler on the podcast of the show, this IS a departure for us.
If you go to http://www.soniccinema.ca you’ll see all of our stuff with the exception of FFOW is original works.
We’re in the middle of actually producing a 15 week series that will be heard on XM Satellite Radio called “The Dead Line”. It’s a suspense series in the Hitchcockian (I think I’m seeing the genesis of a new word here) tradition.
We’re also doing a fantasy western that you’d be interested in for next June. Also original. In fact, we’ve got a schedule filled with no less than 25 original series we are planning currently. All our series will be 15 episodes in length and could be continuing or anthology based- and are everything from suspense, horror, mystery, comedy, drama, science fiction, fantasy and just plain adventure.
I’m thrilled to write stories of all shapes and sizes.
I’ve never written a full fan fiction before. This was a summer project that we thought might be fun and get people thinking about all the great stories that haven’t been done yet in Firefly.
It’s not done for a dime of profit. It’s done strictly to get people to think about getting FF back, and certainly to let people who may not have heard of us before know what we sound like.

Jesse… We are painfully aware that the acting isn’t flawless. It’s something we’re always struggling with… perhaps the biggest issue that’s always burning on Andrew Dorfman’s and my mind is how we can get the acting better and better.
Part of doing Old Wounds for us meant in letting some people who want to act with us but have never had the experience, learn some of their chops on this project.
We feel that for the most part we have done a pretty decent job.
You’ll find Andrew Dorfman’s amazing SFX abilities and the original sound track a staple in our Sonic Cinema stuff.
And if you like the style of writing, we’re planning to put up some of our old shows Andrew and I produced a couple years ago to give folks a taste of where we were and where we’re headed.

We play in Joss Whedon’s playground here with this series, and we’re very happy to have the opportunity.
But we also think that our main diet is going to be the stories, and the characters we create from our own imaginations.
Check us out… and give us feedback.. LOTS of feedback.
I follow the JMS example of wanting to get people involved in seeing the stories grow and mature.
If folks like a certain series…I’ll make more.
If a certain series doesn’t resonate, I’ll go to something else.
It’s all about telling good stories and find more folks out there who love this stuff. :)
Thanks again… and keep listening. There’s five more episodes to go. Just wait till you see who we discover Book is!
;)
Jack

Scott, you asked: “How can fanfic possibly NOT be copyright infringement?”

I’m not a lawyer, so of course my legal opinions should carry no weight unless my argument is used successfully to get some poor fanfic producer off the hook in a suit. As far as I am aware that test has not come. So here’s my answer: “When you aren’t sued it isn’t illegal.” Yes, Firefly is a copyrighted work, as are virtually all fanfic works. But the test of the legality of fanfic comes not from whether or not the law declares it as such in similar specific cases, but rather whether one is sued or not over particular cases. Copyright law is a big civil law stick that is there to be used to prevent the commerical theft of a copyholder’s property rights when the copyright holder wants to use it. If they don’t use it (or don’t want to use it) to speak of it being illegal is equivilent to saying that touching a stranger’s hand without specific permission is assault and so should never be done. I don’t want to live in that world – so if that is the world I’m in I’m outta here. If we were talking about criminal law I think we’d agree that fanfic was all but officially decriminalized. Lets looks at the facts: Fanfic is 100% legal to possess and it is about 99.9% legal (that is it is generally unprosecuted) to produce. You can also distribute it for non-commerical consumption unless you get a threatinging letter. More info on the illegality/legality of fanfic can be found here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legal_issues_with_fan_fiction

Jack, and the rest of the Sonic Cinema crew:

Up with Firefly: Old Wounds!

Up with The Dead Line and WAVEFRONT too!

Scott, you asked: “How can fanfic possibly NOT be copyright infringement?”

I’m not a lawyer, so of course my legal opinions should carry no weight unless my argument is used successfully to get some poor fanfic producer off the hook in a suit. As far as I am aware that test has not come. So here’s my answer: “When you aren’t sued it isn’t illegal.” Yes, Firefly is a copyrighted work, as are virtually all fanfic works. But the test of the legality of fanfic comes not from whether or not the law declares it as such in similar specific cases, but rather whether one is sued or not over particular cases. Copyright law is a big civil law stick that is there to be used to prevent the commerical theft of a copyholder’s property rights when the copyright holder wants to use it. If they don’t use it (or don’t want to use it) to speak of it being illegal is equivilent to saying that touching a stranger’s hand without specific permission is assault and so should never be done. I don’t want to live in that world – so if that is the world I’m in I’m outta here. If we were talking about criminal law I think we’d agree that fanfic was all but officially decriminalized. Lets looks at the facts: Fanfic is 100% legal to possess and it is about 99.9% legal (that is it is generally unprosecuted) to produce. You can also distribute it for non-commerical consumption unless you get a threatinging letter. More info on the illegality/legality of fanfic can be found here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legal_issues_with_fan_fiction

Jack, and the rest of the Sonic Cinema crew:

Up with Firefly: Old Wounds!

Up with The Dead Line and WAVEFRONT too!

Listened to all the available episodes so far. This show is really, really, really good. The acting is excellent, the writing is well thought out and the soundscape is very cool. Add in that it’s pretty funny and this one’s a keeper! Thanks Dani!

Lot’s of people claim to be writers… J.C. Hutchins is the real deal- giving us one of the best potboiler thrillers in years.
Podcast or hard copy. You’d do well to treat yourself to Descent and get a glimpse in the world of the clones.

Who knows… maybe some day we’ll see him do an audio drama treatment.
We can only hope!
Jack Ward
The Sonic Society
http://www.sonicsociety.org

Lot’s of people claim to be writers… J.C. Hutchins is the real deal- giving us one of the best potboiler thrillers in years.
Podcast or hard copy. You’d do well to treat yourself to Descent and get a glimpse in the world of the clones.

Who knows… maybe some day we’ll see him do an audio drama treatment.
We can only hope!
Jack Ward
The Sonic Society
http://www.sonicsociety.org

I agree… I listen to Second Shift while working and can’t get enough… I almost wish I had found it a year down the road so I’d have a whole season to listen to all at once! Now I look forward to release dates. ^_^

I really hope these guys succeed, but I fear that by not paying attention to the details, they’ll lose too many of their potential audience. I also hope they are open to feedback. I sent them an email explaining why I’d found their registration process difficult, and they didn’t seem to get it. After they didn’t like a comment I made in another emaik, I got a sarcastic response.

They had information on the site that the second edition would be out in July, and even in late August there was nothing to say what was happening. Any casual visitor would assume the site was dead, and maybe not come back to check.
After they’d sent out an email saying that the second edition was live, they still didn’t update the homepage for a while.
On their homepage they have an audio file, which plays by default, which is very annoying, especially if you happen to be listening to something else at the time.
They are clear trying very hard to find ways of attracting subscriptions for money, or people to download. Yet, on the homepage, there are links to an RSS feed for any podcatcher, and the link just doesn’t work. There’s nothing there. The download through itunes is in m4a format, which just isn’t going to work on lots of mp3 players.
For the first edition they used a bit rate for the mp3s of 160kbps, which is just not necessary, creating files that are far larger than they need to be.

If you’re after as many ears as possible, these are the sort of details that need to be fixed.

I really hope these guys succeed, but I fear that by not paying attention to the details, they’ll lose too many of their potential audience. I also hope they are open to feedback. I sent them an email explaining why I’d found their registration process difficult, and they didn’t seem to get it. After they didn’t like a comment I made in another emaik, I got a sarcastic response.

They had information on the site that the second edition would be out in July, and even in late August there was nothing to say what was happening. Any casual visitor would assume the site was dead, and maybe not come back to check.
After they’d sent out an email saying that the second edition was live, they still didn’t update the homepage for a while.
On their homepage they have an audio file, which plays by default, which is very annoying, especially if you happen to be listening to something else at the time.
They are clear trying very hard to find ways of attracting subscriptions for money, or people to download. Yet, on the homepage, there are links to an RSS feed for any podcatcher, and the link just doesn’t work. There’s nothing there. The download through itunes is in m4a format, which just isn’t going to work on lots of mp3 players.
For the first edition they used a bit rate for the mp3s of 160kbps, which is just not necessary, creating files that are far larger than they need to be.

If you’re after as many ears as possible, these are the sort of details that need to be fixed.

Nick, you’ve clearly thought this through and I think the points you make are all valid.

Upon closer inspection the files distributed through their free podcast are indeed as you said not MP3s (that surprised me), they are showing up as AAC files in my iTunes podcasts folder. As you say, they are probably enclosed AACs (M4As as you said). I will change the post to reflect that detail.

Though extremely pretty the MechMuse website IS harder to navigate than I’d like too. Also, the RSS link IS currently broken as well. All valid points.

Despite all these problems I’m extremely enthusiastic about MechMuse because of its astonishingly high quality of content. If MechMuse can get past these birthing difficulties I’d expect there to be nothing but praise headed MechMuse’s way in the months to come.

Nick, you’ve clearly thought this through and I think the points you make are all valid.

Upon closer inspection the files distributed through their free podcast are indeed as you said not MP3s (that surprised me), they are showing up as AAC files in my iTunes podcasts folder. As you say, they are probably enclosed AACs (M4As as you said). I will change the post to reflect that detail.

Though extremely pretty the MechMuse website IS harder to navigate than I’d like too. Also, the RSS link IS currently broken as well. All valid points.

Despite all these problems I’m extremely enthusiastic about MechMuse because of its astonishingly high quality of content. If MechMuse can get past these birthing difficulties I’d expect there to be nothing but praise headed MechMuse’s way in the months to come.

That’d bhe an interesting audio drama actually, consider, all those clones could be played by one talented voice actor. The dramatic scene of the president being shot in the morning sunlight by a 4 year ol — I can metnally picture (or rather hear) it now. Somebody should suggest this to Hutch!

Couple of things:

I had to look it up: “Jeesh” is Orson Scott Card’s Enderverse word meaning “posse” or “clique.”

Question for ya. Achilles was pronounced Ah-sheel in some of the other audiobooks in this series. Does that happen in this audiobook too?

Couple of things:

I had to look it up: “Jeesh” is Orson Scott Card’s Enderverse word meaning “posse” or “clique.”

Question for ya. Achilles was pronounced Ah-sheel in some of the other audiobooks in this series. Does that happen in this audiobook too?

Thanks for pulling together some of the history of this work. I have just posted some comments about the movie related to the whole issue of fear on my blog in case you are interested.

I found the ideas in V For Vendetta to be extremely powerful. Fear is a fundamental emotion, and the ideas V had about fear are extremely compelling. I don’t know if they are true in real life, but in terms of narrative they are damn true! Good on ya Wally.

And it was an excellent interview- they are the two best people to talk to! But I know this from experience. :-)

Dani

And it was an excellent interview- they are the two best people to talk to! But I know this from experience. :-)

Dani

Thank you! I appreciate the link, and the feling is mutual.You rule!

Hector

Thank you! I appreciate the link, and the feling is mutual.You rule!

Hector

Ted Chiang is one of the genre’s finest writers. He’s got a short story collection (not on audio) out called “Stories of Your Life and Others” which contains nearly everything he’s published. I can’t recommend it highly enough.

And this recording of “Understand” (a story that is in that collection I mentioned) is first-rate.

Ted Chiang is one of the genre’s finest writers. He’s got a short story collection (not on audio) out called “Stories of Your Life and Others” which contains nearly everything he’s published. I can’t recommend it highly enough.

And this recording of “Understand” (a story that is in that collection I mentioned) is first-rate.

Yeah! Crazy Dog!!!!

Hi Scott,

I don’t disagree with you. I’ve only been exposed to a few audio dramas in podcast form, so I can’t speak to the level of quality on the field right now.

But I have listened to just about every podcast novel (it’s OK to call them a podiobook, I won’t sue) on the menu. Granted, some of them do sound “amateurish” and more than one sound downright awful. While the barrier to entry of creating quality audio is most certainly coming down, not everyone takes the time to get it right.

And I think that’s a shame, because there is no reason why user generated content needs can’t meet the same level of the pro studios. There exists a stigma beyond your “free must be of lower quality” which is even worse. It’s the “you can’t possibly do as well on your own as you can do with pro-grade equipment and personnel” attitude of which I speak. But it’s not true. You can find that person with a great voice and a gift for reading. They exist. You can buy a great mic and build your own noise-free recording studio in your basement. It’s been done. You can be a rabid fan of high quality audio post production and edit like a pro with the computer you own an a couple hundred bucks in software. It happens all the time.

But when that all does come together, then I think it’s quite acceptable to stack those shining stars up against the pro audio books. I’ve heard more than one more-than-free audio book recorded that sets my skin a-crawlin’ and much of what I’ve heard from the podiobook world is on par with the most average of audio books. Simultaneously, I’ve heard free podiobooks which I think are worthy of going up against the best $60 audio book.

Maybe we’ll change the old saying to “don’t judge an audio book by its price tag” in the future?

Hi Scott,

I don’t disagree with you. I’ve only been exposed to a few audio dramas in podcast form, so I can’t speak to the level of quality on the field right now.

But I have listened to just about every podcast novel (it’s OK to call them a podiobook, I won’t sue) on the menu. Granted, some of them do sound “amateurish” and more than one sound downright awful. While the barrier to entry of creating quality audio is most certainly coming down, not everyone takes the time to get it right.

And I think that’s a shame, because there is no reason why user generated content needs can’t meet the same level of the pro studios. There exists a stigma beyond your “free must be of lower quality” which is even worse. It’s the “you can’t possibly do as well on your own as you can do with pro-grade equipment and personnel” attitude of which I speak. But it’s not true. You can find that person with a great voice and a gift for reading. They exist. You can buy a great mic and build your own noise-free recording studio in your basement. It’s been done. You can be a rabid fan of high quality audio post production and edit like a pro with the computer you own an a couple hundred bucks in software. It happens all the time.

But when that all does come together, then I think it’s quite acceptable to stack those shining stars up against the pro audio books. I’ve heard more than one more-than-free audio book recorded that sets my skin a-crawlin’ and much of what I’ve heard from the podiobook world is on par with the most average of audio books. Simultaneously, I’ve heard free podiobooks which I think are worthy of going up against the best $60 audio book.

Maybe we’ll change the old saying to “don’t judge an audio book by its price tag” in the future?

You raise some very interesting issues here my friend.

When I suggested Pendant Productions was one of “two rivals in my affection [as] best audio drama umbrella group” I was saying, as umbrella groups go, Pendant is in my mind, one of two rivals for top spot. An umbrella group like, as in an organization that represents and supports separate smaller bodies with common interests. One person doesn’t run all the shows, even though a promintent figure, he or she, may help produce many or all of the shows. What I’m saying is, these two groups, and I’ll just say which two…

Pendant Productions

http://www.pendantaudio.com

Darker Projects

http://www.darkerprojects.com

are the two most reliable in terms of entertainment. There are others, to be sure, but these stand out in my mind as being THE top two (of the moment).

That isn’t to say nobody has done audio drama better. My god, NO, there have been STUNNING efforts by the BBC, the CBC and even the Bradbury 13. Programs from these giants, which are not umbrella audio drama groups BTW, typically stand head and shoulders above Darker Projects and Pendant’s Productions.

As to the double standard of excellence in commentary and review, I think you are correct. Firefly Old Wounds is not Firefly the former, has amateur actors. The latter had Joss Whedon. Almost enough said. The guys at Sonic Cinema know this. They know they aren’t going to achieve Firefly with Firefly: Old Wounds. Damn it, they shouldn’t be expected to! Amateur actors bring less to the stage (pun intended). As I’m sure you are aware Scott, amateur productions have their place. We don’t insist that Summer Stock actors be on the same level as National Theater actors. And yet we can enjoy and look forward to an amateur production of Romeo And Juliet in either venue. Especially when we consider those people up there on the stage cool. I think the Darker Projects people, wheoever they are, are cool. I’ve barely communicated with the guy executive producing at Pendant and I think he’s cool. He and his people are doing cool work, for love and sharing it. I like that, and you know what, it probably makes me like it more than it deserves. But if I am genuinely enjoying it as much as I am, how can I bring it down by saying… This is only my opinion. I can’t. I WON’T, my opinion is valuable damn it! ;)

LOL!

One point I think needs making too. Most audio drama is free anyway, or the equivilent of free, The Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy was given away (on the radio). Dirk Maggs’ productions are available for purchase, but they are ususally given away on the radio first.

Now here’s the rub, I couldn’t possibly call even half of the audio drama’s I’ve heard on the radio “excellent”! There are crappily written, badly paced, badly acted and hideously unfunny audio dramas that were done as professional productions, it’s just that there are MORE of them in podcasting. The barrier to production is lower, in some sense, and higher in others.

Nobody at Darker Projects is doing audio drama to get rich. And yet many of the audio dramas that appear on BBC Radio are by actors who don’t have any interest in “the work,” it is a job, something they do to pay the rent. For me it all starts with story. If the story is compelling, the acting is less important. With Fan Fiction, like Pendant’s numerous superhero series or Darker Project’s Star Trek series, the story is bootstrapped, we already know the formula, the writers of the fan fic audio drama have the possibility of acheiving Star Trek like quality. And let me tell you sometimes they exceed the original by a wide margin. I cried my way through most of Star Trek Voyager. I havent’ done that with the audio fan fic.

You suggest that people like Dirk Maggs, Roger Gregg, and Yuri Rasovsky are making quality, and I agree. But is it always 10 times better than the best of the amateurs? I think not.

As for a single standard of excellence in reviews, I’m not sure how objective we can be. Rating each aspect of a production, story, acting, production, doesn’t seem like it’d be capable of encapsulating the feeling I get when I hear a excellent (if amateur) production.

You said “If a piece of amateur audio drama garners a great review, it ought to compare favorably with a professional piece of audio drama that also got a great review.” I agree with this. I just happen to think there is a hell-of-a-lot of good work being done by a select group of amateurs.

As for podcast novels. I am in complete agreement. Thus far, of the podiobooks I’ve reviewed, there hasn’t been a single podcast novel that even compared with Robert A. Heinlein’s The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress, or William Gibson’s Neuromancer. But few regular audiobooks get such high praise.

The thing of it is, right now I’m listening to a contender for best Podiobook I’ve ever heard, and thus far it is better than a signifcant number of regular audiobooks I’ve heard this year. It remains to be seen if I will feel that way when I finish it, but right now, I’m eager to hear each instalment, laughing out loud at the funny parts and marvelling at the diamond hardness of the Hard SF. I’m loving it.

Anybody have a problem with that? ;)