I just received word from author J.C. Hutchins that coming up on the November 14th chapter of 7th Son Book 2: Deceit, there will be a voice to make every Browncoat on the planet go weak in the knees (and that includes male Browncoats!). Actor Nathan Fillion! For the five or so people who may not know yet, Nathan Fillion is best known for his role as Captain Malcolm Reynolds in the short-lived Firefly television series, and Serenity movie.

"It's an absolute honor to have Nathan on the podcast," Hutchins said. "Folks best know him as a well-grounded hero in a science-fiction epic. 7th Son -- a reality-driven sci-fi thriller -- is a good fit for his cameo. The current listenership of 7th Son will love his 'previously on' reading ... but this provides a terrific reason for new listeners to hop aboard."

Well, you know that this Browncoat AND 7th Son fan will be all ears…

You can grab the feed for the 7th Son Novel with this link:

http://www.jchutchins.net/7thSonPodcast.xml


posted by Dani 9:11 PM -- (0) comments

 


Bill DeSmedt, author of the podiobook Singularity, has recorded the final episode of his podcast, a Question and Answer show, hosted by Paul Fisher. The episode will go live tommorow, Halloween! I've been listening to the novel and have been blown away by the awesomeness. The podiobooks.com ranking has this audiobook rated at 5 out of 5 stars with more than 60 votes! If you like science, Science Fiction, action, and surprises 'round every curve, click on over to Podiobooks.com, sign up and subscribe, you won't be sorry.

posted by Jesse Willis 1:59 PM -- (0) comments

 


The Willamette Radio Workshop is working Halloween! Tuesday October 31st 2006 at 10:30am PST in Portland Oregon KBOO-FM 90.7 will feature two short offerings from WRW...

Through The Turnstile
By Carole Dane
"A post-apocalyptic tale of dark irony and reluctant human contact."

The Outsider
By H.P. Lovecraft (adapted by Joe Medina)
Produced, performed and directed by Sam A. Mowry.

Go to http://www.kboo.fm/listen to stream the broadcast live.

posted byJesse Willis 1:18 PM -- (3) comments

 


Our attentive UK correspondent Roy sez: "You might not have spotted this as it is not in the 'Seventh Dimension' SF slot and as far as I can see does not get the usual BBC7 rebroadcast"

Time Slip
By Wally K. Daly; FULL CAST
1 Part - Approx. 1 Hour [RADIO DRAMA]
BROADCASTER: BBC7
BROADCAST: Sunday October 29th 01:30-02:30 (UK Time)

Roy writes: "This was first broadcast on BBC R4 in May 1983 &, if memory serves correctly that far back, is an amusing comedy in which a man duplicates himself."

The good news, you can still catch this play, though it aired in the early hours this morning, by clicking on over to the LISTEN AGAIN service.

posted byJesse Willis 10:41 AM -- (0) comments

 


BBC7's the 7th Dimension will be airing two readings starting today...

The Recognition
By J.G. Ballard; Read by Michael Maloney
1 Part - [UNABRIDGED?]
BROADCASTER: BBC7
BROADCAST: Saturday at 6pm and 12am (UK Time)
What kind of animals are being exhibited as part of the mysterious circus that rolls into town one Midsummer's Eve? The narrator is drawn to a disturbingly familiar smell surrounding the cages.

The Haunting of Hill House
By Shirley Jackson; Read by Emma Fielding
8 Parts - [ABRIDGED]
BROADCASTER: BBC7
BROADCAST: Weekdays from Monday at 6.45pm and 12.45am (UK Time)
A spine-chilling Gothic Horror tale... Eleanor Vance soon falls under the malevolent spell of Hill House. Will she be able to resist its influence or will the house claim her as yet another victim in its long history of terror and violence?

These will all be avilable via the Listen Again service shortly after they air.

posted byJesse Willis 12:07 PM -- (0) comments

 


Meme Therapy has an interesting post about how Science Fiction impacts a worldview. Two Podiobook speculative fiction authors (and podcasters) answer...

Jack Mangan:

"1. Science Fiction has raised me from early childhood with an awareness of universal interconnectivity, a sensitivity to the complex hyper-connectedness of every action and life, even one as trivial as a prehistoric butterfly’s.

SF’s storylines and themes are usually possessed of titanic
tendencies, often featuring forces that may:

A) wipe out/enslave the entire human species
B) destroy the earth/galaxy/universe
C) permanently alter the fabric of time
D) permanently alter the fabric of reality
E) permanently alter the course of humanity’s physical and social evolution
F) you get the point. Something of great importance to our entire way of life is usually in jeopardy. (Yes, I know that you can cite tons of deeply personal, small-scale SF stories. Congratulations. I’ve written a few myself. Not the point. Let’s move on.)

This is where SF informs a globally/univerally conscious 'Can’t we all get along?' worldview. If an invasion fleet of giant bugs were to swarm the earth tomorrow, I can guarantee that people would focus a lot less on petty, divisive ideologies.

I strive to view situations and conflicts on a personal scale, try not to cause undue stress, strife, or hardship for those around me, to generally bear in mind that even without killer alien hordes, life is difficult enough. Amidst all of the world’s turmoil and unrest, I have encountered a small number of enlightened souls taking action or simply living to enable a sort of global community of acceptance, cooperation, co-existence, and ultimately, an evolution into something greater than ourselves. A civilization that would benefit from but not be ruled by logic. One that is wise and mature enough to handle the awesome responsibility of our singularity-bound technology (let’s not get hung up on the 'S' word). I try to always remain conscious of my place in such a community. If one actually did exist. I don’t know if the Science Fiction portions of my life’s media diet deserve all of the blame for this worldview, but given worlds enough, words enough, and time, I could draw countless direct connections.

Please do not dismiss my worldview as unrealistic Mr. Rogers-esque dogma. I endeavor to entertain no delusions — another characteristic at least partially learned from SF. Our inherited, jumbled human society is most certainly not a cooperative community, worthy of cheery Michael Stipe lyrics. The “street” has consistently found its own uses great and terrible for all techs great and small, including — sadly — jet airliners. This is why the classic, seminal works of Cyberpunk appeal so strongly to me. William Gibson, Bruce Sterling, John Shirley, Neal Stephenson, and their contemporaries presented us with the most unflinching, believable, tangible, frightening, impending future yet (sorry, but I find post-apocalyptic road mutants
almost as far-fetched as Wookies). Cyberpunk stories often involved commonfolk protagonists, often 'high-tech lowlifes', yet still placed them into scenarios to impact all of human civilzation. This is the stuff that forever changed my ideas of what the future, and also of what fiction — across all genres — at its best, bleakest, and most stylish could be.

2. Science Ficton writers think a lot about the past (history is a great, almost-unlimited resource of uncopyrighted plots, characters, and story arcs). And of course, we also think a lot about the future. When the past and future are studied with factual clarity and without the taint of personal agendas, like shoulder-perched angels, these guides will usually influence a 'Can’t we all just get along?' worldview.

3. Science Fiction has encouraged me to be reasonably skeptical of any and all ruling classes and establishments."


Christiana Ellis:

"It’s hard to know how science fiction has changed my worldview, because I can’t remember a time when it wasn’t a part of my life. Science fiction didn’t change my worldview so much as it helped to form my worldview.

I think that a love of science fiction has made me more forward thinking, less attached to any given 'now.' This should not suggest that I have no time for smelling roses in my busy schedule, but rather that I am better able to accept that the rosebush is but a temporary fixture in an ever-changing landscape. When the inevitability of change is not only acknowledged, but embraced, it makes the ephemeral beauty of each moment all the more precious.

Science fiction can also show us our humanity in ways that are impossible for non-genre fiction. Advances in science and technology have been gradually freeing us from many of the more animal necessities, food, shelter, etc. As these things become ever cheaper and easier to obtain, we are able to devote more time to the things that make us more than mere animals. Art, philosophy, all that good stuff.

Science fiction takes that a step further, stripping away all limitations save those of our imaginations. What if free energy existed? What if we were able to change our bodies at will? What if we spread our wings to live among the stars? Will we still have teenage crushes? Sports? Pets? Freed of the limitations imposed by the world around us, we can examine humanity unbound.

Science fiction can present us with a breathtaking view of what our futures might hold. But just as interesting, I think, is what it can show us about who we are today."

For more cool Jack and Christiana talk check out the recent Deadpan podcast where Jack talks to Christiana HERE.

posted by Jesse Willis 10:31 AM -- (0) comments

 


The Sci Phi Show podcast on epistemology and The Outer Limit (a Dimension X episode) has posted!


Subscribe to the show's podcast feed via this link:

http://feeds.feedburner.com/TheSciPhiShow


10:14 AM -- (0) comments

 


The Retrieval Detachment podcast takes its name from the job it does, analyzing Escape Pod (and other Science Fiction podcasts). This is the first EPod fan podcast that I know of. It's really nice to know that there are people as dedicated to short fiction as we are. Who needs another Harry Potter podcast anyway right?

The Detachment seeks to discuss the sci-fi and fantasy behind the stories, whether it’s nanotech, cooking up an immortality potion, or employing zombies as a workforce. The hope is to expand on the concepts presented in the story, and maybe presenting an idea or two that might not have been readily apparent.

Episode 001:|MP3|
The first episode, show hosts discuss the concepts behind the Escape Pod story Nano Comes To Clifford Falls by Nancy Kress.

Episode 002:|MP3|
Discuss the concepts behind the Escape Pod stories Paradox And Greenblatt, Attorneys At Law by Kevin J. Anderson, and I Look Forward To Remembering You by Mur Lafferty.

Subscribe to the show via this feed:

http://podcast.radiocaravan.com/detach.xml

posted by Jesse Willis 9:54 AM -- (0) comments

 




The Small World Podcast’s latest interview is with none other than Mur Lafferty. Well into the Halloween spirit, host Bazooka Joe talks with Mur about the horror-podcast magazine Pseudopod, as well as many other haunting topics. (All right they aren’t really all that haunting. I was just sticking to a theme.)

Subscribe to Small World’s Feed with this link:
http://feeds.feedburner.com/smallworld

Direct link to the interview here.


posted by Dani 8:36 PM -- (1) comments

 


Hey cool! Uncool! It seems that Listen & Live Audiobooks have tried to released a radio dramatization of Paul Levinson's novellette The Chronology Protection Case for FREE as a promotion for their abridged version of his novel The Conciousness Plague (which we reviewed). SpokenNetwork.com has THE FILE available after you sign in (FREE) and make an account (FREE).

The Chronology Protection Case
Based on the novellette by Paul Levinson; Performed by Mark Shanahan
1 WMA File - 38 Minutes 37 Seconds [RADIO DRAMA]
Publisher: Listen & Live Audio
Published: 2003
ISBN: 1593160399

The Chronology Protection Case radio play, a science fiction murder mystery, features Shanahan in the role of Dr. Phil D'Amato, the forensic detective who appears in Levinson's acclaimed novels, "The Silk Code," "The Consciousness Plague" and "The Pixel Eye." When D'Amato is approached by the distraught wife of a missing scientist whose work is embroiled in secrecy, he is plunged into an adventure with a terrifying and powerful force of nature at the heart of a series of mysterious deaths.

The "radio play" of The Chronology Protection Case was adapted by Mark Shanahan with Paul Levinson, based on the novelette by Paul Levinson which first appeared in the pages of Analog Magazine in September, 1995. The script of the radio adaptation was nominated for a prestigious Edgar Allan Poe Award as "Best Play of 2003" by the Mystery Writers of America. It was initially performed live before a studio audience at the Museum of TV & Radio in September of 2002. It was subsequently recorded at CDM Studios in New York City in 2003, featuring a cast of nine actors, with an original sound design and score.

Unfortunately the damn thing doesn't work on my Windows XP OS using my Windows Media Player! If you are going to release something for free to generate a positive buzz you've got to make sure it actually will work. Stupid WMA format.

posted byJesse Willis 10:13 AM -- (4) comments

 



Audiobooks by H.P. Lovecraft, Poe, and others, are 50% off for Halloween listening. On sale at Audible.com through October 31st.

Posted by Moriond 9:58 AM -- (0) comments

 


Airborn
By Kenneth Oppel; Read by a Full Cast
10 CDs - 10.5 hours - [UNABRIDGED]
Publisher: Full Cast Audio
Published: 2006
ISBN: 1933322543

Here's the latest arrival from Full Cast Audio, the premier producer of family-friendly audiobooks:

An incredible swashbuckling adventure, set in a world where great airships ply the skies and there are unknown lands and strange creatures still to be discovered. You’ll love the characters, and the story has the drive and verve of a Saturday morning serial.

Reminiscent of Jules Verne and Edgar Rice Burroughs—with a touch of Robert Louis Stevenson—this is adventure writing at its finest. And with its cast of larger-than-life characters, it was just made for our full cast treatment.

posted by Scott D. Danielson 6:04 AM -- (0) comments

 


Cheater
By Orson Scott Card; Read by Orson Scott Card
MP3 File - 33 minutes - [UNABRIDGED]
Publisher: Orson Scott Card's Intergalactic Medicine Show
Published: 2006
ISBN: None

A new story from the Ender universe, involving Han Tzu. This story is an audio bonus from the current issue of Orson Scott Card's Intergalactic Medicine Show.

posted by Scott D. Danielson 6:03 AM -- (0) comments

 


The Time Traveler Show podcast #9 is out, this one's a "Halloween Special." The featured tale is a short story by the legendary Jack Vance. Entitled When The Five Moons Rise it is read by Sam A Mowry of The Willamett Radio Workshop. When The Five Moons Rise first was first published in the March 1954 issue of "Cosmos Science Fiction and Fantasy Magazine."

Oh and stay tuned to the end of the podcast to hear a special H.G.Wells & Orson Welles duo radio interview from 1940!

When The Five Moons Rise
By Jack Vance; Read by Sam A. Mowry
1 MP3 File - [UNABRIDGED]
Podcaster: October 2006
Podcast: TheTimeTravelerShow.com

To read the complete show notes for podcast #9 click HERE.

Subscribe to the podcast to listen for free:

http://www.timetravelershow.com/shows/feed.xml

posted by Jesse Willis 11:15 PM -- (0) comments

 


Antibodies
By Charles Stross; Read by Jared Doreck and Shondra Marie
1 CD - 54 Minutes 16 Seconds [UNABRIDGED]
Publisher: Infinivox
Published: 2005
ISBN: 1884612474
Themes: / Science Fiction / Singularity / Conspiracy / Artificial Intelligence / Parallel Worlds /

- Click HERE to hear a sample -

"Damn it, Bob, I really had high hopes for this world-line. They seemed to be doing so well for a revelatory Christian-Islamic line, despite the post-Enlightenment mind-set."

The announcement of the solution to the traveling salesman problem heralds the imminent destruction of humanity. No more salesman; no more problem. The story begins when a computer programmer is notified by RSS feed that all NP-complete problems lie in P, and thus computer encryption is forever compromised. Knowing the disaster for what it is, he flees, but with this being such a hard-takeoff he might not make it.

Stross' ideas are hard, cold, pure, and funny, but it is his storytelling - the effectiveness of the complete tale - that elevates his perspective SF ideas into Science Fiction excellence. This is the kind of fiction I love; thought provoking with shrewdly surprisingly but necessary consequences of the premise. Stross goes from alpha to omega faster than you can guess, and in so doing delivers a solid entry into SF's growing dialogue about The Singularity. Antibodies reminded of Isaac Asimov's similarily elegant short story Living Space. Also refreshing is a humourous conspiracy that explains why Microsoft Windows-based computer viruses are so prevalent.

Allan Kaster, who runs the Infinivox wing of Audiotext, has put deep thought into this tale's production. The narrators, Jared Dorek and Shondra Marie, pair up to deliver the action in this first-person perspective masterpiece of SF. Marie reads all the female voices and Dorek all the male. When each speaks the role of the hero and heroine, they do so in an amalgamated accent that is implied by the text. The production is carefully woven with transition music designed to show textual scene transitions and time passing. But it is the story that elevates this audiobook to SFFaudio Essential status. With a running time just shy of one hour you aren't likely to have a more quintissential Strossian experience on audio.

posted by Jesse Willis 12:32 PM -- (0) comments

 


Darker Projects is a collective of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror audio drama projects with a dark edge. I've mentioned this umbrella organization a few times on SFFaudio already, and we are currently working on an extended examination of all the shows they produce. But I just had to post up a little something about the new meta-podcast, they've created. Here is the RSS feed:

http://feeds.feedburner.com/BehindTheScenesAtDarkerProjects

Or download the show direct:

Intro |MP3|
Episode 1 |MP3|

"You might already know that Darker Projects is one of the premiere sources of quality audio fiction on the internet. What you might not know is where a lot of these great ideas come from. This podcast brings you the voices of those responsible for the great content you hear on Darker Projects. Hear interviews from producers, composers, writers and actors. Have a look behind the scenes... at Darker Projects."

posted by Jesse Willis 1:07 PM -- (0) comments

 


BBC7's the 7th Dimension will be airing three outstanding aural delights this coming week...

Doctor Who – The Stones of Venice (an 8th Doctor Adventure)
By Paul Mags; Performed by a Full Cast
BROADCASTER: BBC7
BROADCAST: Sunday at 6pm and midnight (U.K. Time)
This Doctor takes his companion, Charley, on a break. But has he got the right time? Soon they're embroiled in the decadent court of a tired Duke and his search for his beloved wife. The curse of the long since dead Duchess has finally come to pass and the enchanted city of Venice is sinking beneath the canals. Starring Paul McGann as the Doctor and India Fisher as Charley.
This is a Big Finish production!

The Canterville Ghost
By Oscar Wilde; Read by Alistair McGowan
BROADCASTER: BBC7
BROADCAST: Monday to Wednesday at 6:30pm and 12:30am (U.K. Time)
When American Minister, Hiram B. Otis signs the deeds for Canterville Chase he not only buys a piece of English heritage, he also inherits a most troublesome ghost. No sooner have Mr Otis and his family moved into their new home than they come up against this unruly spirit. A battle of wills ensues - the ghost devising ever more elaborate hauntings to oust the interlopers who just refuse to be frightened.
It is the Minister's only daughter, Virginia, who tries to look beyond the ghost's evil ways and understand why he behaves as he does. Characteristic of Wilde's early fairy tales, where innocence and true love triumph over evil, this beautifully crafted story combine’s wry amusement with poignancy.

The Ghost Galexies
By Piers Anthony; Read by Stephen Hogan
BROADCASTER: BBC7
BROADCAST: 6:30pm and 12:30am (U.K. Time)
In the not too distant future, when travelling at light speed is in its infancy, the crew of the spaceship, Meg II, are sent on a mission to discover the fate of their sister ship, Meg I. As they hurtle at mind-bending speeds towards the outer limits of the Milky Way, they are forced to confront the terror of the unknown - what lies beyond the rim of our universe?

These will all be avilable via the Listen Again service shortly after they air.

posted byJesse Willis 3:41 PM -- (0) comments

 



Also at Audible.com, a great deal on the first twelve volumes of Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events! 50% off, to be exact.

posted by Scott D. Danielson 11:43 AM -- (0) comments

 


The first chapter of Peter Pan in Scarlet, the new authorized sequel to J. M. Barrie's classic children's story, is available as a download from the Audible Free Audio RSS feed.



Peter Pan in Scarlet
By Geraldine McCaughrean; Read by Tim Curry
ISBN: 0743564537
6 CDs - 7 hours 16 minutes [UNABRIDGED]
Publisher: Simon and Schuster Audio

Tim Curry reads excerpts from both Peter Pan in Scarlet and Peter Pan in the October 5, 2006 Simon Says Podcast. You can get this episode by iTunes subscription or through the RSS feed or from this mp3 file. A 90-minute dramatized version of the book aired on BBC Radio 4 as described in the October 10, 2006 SFFaudio post.

Author Geraldine McCaughrean spoke about Peter Pan in Scarlet on Eye to Eye with Katie Couric. Podcasts of the October 4, 2006 interview can be downloaded from the CBS News RSS feeds.

Posted by Moriond 5:17 AM -- (0) comments

 


The Sci Phi Show, has an exclusive interview with Hugo and Nebula award winning author Robert J. Sawyer. I got a chance to hear the half-hour interview early and it's a real cracker! Jason and Rob talk about Rob's newest novel, Rollback, the movie 2001: A Space Odyssey, and its relationship to the writing of Golden Fleece. Ever wonder what sciences influence an authors works? Rob expounds on the origins of many of his novels, how he likes to bridge the "grandly cosmic" and the "intimately human." Rob even confides about which is his favorite of his many novels. This is probably the most exciting guest Jason's had on his show, and if you haven't been listening he's had some weighty philosophers on.

Subscribe to the show's podcast feed via this link:

http://feeds.feedburner.com/TheSciPhiShow

11:37 AM -- (0) comments

 


The latest Sonic Society podcast, likely inspired to start the Octobery frights early, is proud to present: Afterhell...

All over the world, civilization has fallen. Cities burn with lunacy and brimstone. Science can't explain it. Faith can't account for it. The human race is under attack from its own shadows, sins, and deepest fears. The survivors face a surreal existence where only the darkest dreams come true. No one is safe. And everyone is on trial.

Donwload the show direct in MP3 format, or subscribe:

http://sonic.libsyn.com/rss

posted by Jesse Willis
12:36 PM -- (0) comments

 


The Sci Phi Show, a podcast dedicated to the philosophy in Science Fiction will be exploring an episode of the old time radio anthology series Dimension X in the next episode. In anticipation the show's host, Jason Rennie, has podcast the episode in question in its entirety...


The Sci Phi Show Minicast #8: Dimension X: "The Outer Limits" |MP3| (27 minutes 20 seconds)

An experimental rocket plane disappears in the middle of its first test flight into space. It carried enough fuel for only ten minutes of flight but ten hours later it buzzes the control tower, appearing out of nowhere. The pilot tells an incredible story of being taken aboard a UFO, but no one believes him.

Subscribe to the show's podcast feed via this link:

http://feeds.feedburner.com/TheSciPhiShow

11:57 AM -- (0) comments

 


Superman Returns
By Marv Wolfman; Read by Scott Brick
8 CDs - 9.5 hours - [UNABRIDGED]
Publisher: Blackstone Audio
Published: 2006
ISBN: 0786145455 (Cassette), 0786171332 (CD), 0786175729 (MP3-CD)
Click here for audio sample.

A review by Jake Black

I loved Superman Returns. I saw the film several times in theaters in both the 3-D and regular versions. It was a tremendous film, and as a die-hard Superman fan (and one who has worked with Smallville and even a Superman Returns book in the UK) I admit a bias. I wanted the movie to succeed. And to me, it did. It was with a similar view that I listened to the Superman Returns audiobook. I wanted it to succeed, and I think it does. It is a very different experience listening to the book than I was anticipating, but that is not necessarily bad.

The audio book is a dramatic reading of the film's novelization by Marv Wolfman. The reading by Scott Brick is well done. Brick's voice is pleasing, adding the right mix of excitement and simple narration, providing a colorful read. I was surprised that there were no sound effects or music to augment the reading, but that doesn’t detract from the quality of the audio book. (This is how much of a geek I am, though, I used a second CD player to play segments of the films soundtrack while I listened to each scene…okay, I didn’t really, but I *did* consider it!)

The great strength of the book is Wolfman's passion for the character. A writer on several DC Comics books over the years, Wolfman has a vast knowledge of the Man of Steel. Utilizing this knowledge, the book ties in to many tellings of the Superman mythos. He does a fine job filling in gaps that better tied the film into the first two Christopher Reeve movies. (This was an unofficial sequel to those films, and Wolfman makes that much more clear.)

Make no mistake, though, a reader looking to relive the movie will find many things different in the novel than the film itself. Based on the script and story by Bryan Singer, Michael Dougherty, and Dan Harris, the book includes several scenes cut from the film, like Kal-El’s trip to Krypton told only through a bump in the movie. A lot of time is told telling that part of the story in the book, and it helps listeners understand better his motivation upon his return to Earth. Also explained more in-depth is the relationship between Martha and Ben Hubbard. It is a wonderful dynamic that I think could have added a lot to the film.

Missing from the book is the story about Jason and his super-parentage. Since it was based on the script, and those portions were not distributed with the script itself, it is understandable why this element would not be included. This is especially the case when one considers the books (including this audio version) were released prior to the film. Even the official merchandise tries to avoid spoilers!

Again, I admit a bias here. I wanted this to succeed. I think all in all it did. I would’ve liked some music on the book, but that is such a minor point, it’s almost not worth mentioning. So let’s pretend I didn’t. If you want to remember the film, and learn a lot more about the characters, this audiobook is a perfect addition your collection. (8 Compact Discs, nearly 10 hours of material.)

Jake Black is a writer based in Utah. Credits include comics, books, magazines, and much more. Visit www.jakeblack.com for more. 11:49 AM -- (1) comments

 


The Rev Up Review , Paul S. Jenkins' terrific Science Fiction review podcast is back from a two month hiatus. It wasn't unproductive time though, Paul was busy, amping his new podcast novel, The Plitone Revisionist, available in two podcast formats:

1. From Podiobooks.com in a story only version.
2. From his new website PaulSJenkins.net, in an expansive edition.

The Rev-Up Review #27 includes mentions of the best new podcast in from the UK Starship Sofa, and the bacchanalian event of our time, Mur Lafferty's live essay from DragonCon 2006 (captured for all time in Michael & Evo's Wingin' It #75). Plus plenty more!

If you've somehow haven't subscribed previously, or like me, had your feedcatcher break in the intervening time use this URL to subscribe:

http://feeds.feedburner.com/revupreview

Great to have you back Paul!

posted by Jesse Willis 2:05 PM -- (0) comments

 


Episode 4 of J. Marcus Xavier's Silent Universe will beam-out this Sunday. I expect you already know that this show is "Interactive," having a "choose your own adventure" element. And that fans can participate directly in the story development process, working with the production team by offering critiques and suggestions in the online forums (and via a new companion podcast). But did you know anything about the man behind the show? I thought not! Here's a bit...

I spotted J. Marcus Xavier, in a flickr photo! That's him seated beside Sheila Unwin from Dragon Page: With Class at the Portable Media Expo. Did you know Xavier is a Christian? Did you know he recently contributed a segment to an interesting Meme Therapy's posting called Science Fiction's Ethical Dilemmas Pt. 1. ...

"With the Silent Universe, I try to strike (an admittedly uncomfortable) middle-ground, in that humans in this future sometimes throw around racial epithets . . . things that people might joke about when they are with friends or family (of their own racial group) but would never say in public. Largely, people in the Silent Universe will not get offended if such comments are voiced; this sometimes throws listeners off, because there’s 'supposed' to be another character who chimes in and says '‘Hey!' or ‘Watch your mouth’ or ‘You’re such a jack-ass' and it never happens. This is not meant to offend, but just to reflect a different kind of sensibility toward racial issues that exists in a future where people still struggle. If it causes a little controversy, but that controversy leads to discussion, then I can live with it."

Intrigued? Get an advanced preview of Episode #4 via this MP3. Or skip that and just subscribe to the FREE version of the podcast:

http://www.silentuniverse.com/silentuniverse.xml

posted by Jesse Willis 1:18 AM -- (2) comments

 


Neil Gaiman speaks about his new collection, Fragile Things, in an interview with Bill Thompson in the October 7 episode of The Bookcast. You can download the mp3 file of this podcast from the RSS feed or from the iTunes podcast listing or from here. The Bookcast mp3 files remain available for download for 90 days after the program. Check the link to Gaiman's home page for an audio excerpt from this work.

posted by Moriond 12:52 AM -- (0) comments

 




iTunes Podcast directory main page has a hunormous ad for Pseudopod up today!

Pseudopod, still only six episodes in, brings you the best FREE short horror in audiobook form. The stories presented are intended to disturb you. They are likely to contain death, graphic violence, explicit sex (including sexual violence), hate crimes, blasphemy, or other themes and images that hook deep into your psyche. It does not provide ratings or content warnings for specific stories. They assume by your listening that you wish to be disturbed for your entertainment. Not that you are disturbed and this will enterain you. If there are any themes that you cannot deal with in fiction, themes that are too strongly personal to you, do not listen. Do not pass go, do not collect $200. Check your lifestyle and dial again.

posted by Jesse Willis 2:04 PM -- (0) comments

 


Road of the Patriarch: The Sellswords Book III
By R.A. Salvatore; Read by David Colacci
11 CDs - 13 hours - [UNABRIDGED]
Publisher: Brilliance Audio
Published: 2006
ISBN: 1423316401






Star Trek: Vulcan's Soul: Exiles
By Josepha Sherman and Susan Shwartz; Read by Richard Poe
9 CDs - 10.5 hours - [UNABRIDGED]
Publisher: Recorded Books
Published: 2006
ISBN: 1419315129





Valley of Silence: Book Three of The Circle Trilogy
By Nora Roberts; Read by Dick Hill
9 CDs - 10 hours - [UNABRIDGED]
Publisher: Brilliance Audio
Published: 2006
ISBN: 1423309200 11:01 AM -- (3) comments

 


Watch your back, keep an eye out for fast moving shuriken and avoid deep shadows because... The Kick-Ass Mystic Ninjas podcast are invading Lankhmar!

KAMN #19: Ill Met In Lankhmar by Fritz Leiber
Here's the description...

"The feature topic for this show is the 1970 fantasy novella, Ill Met in Lankhmar by Fritz Leiber. While chronologically it isn’t the first story featuring Fafhrd and Grey Mouser (that one was “Two Sought Adventure”, published in 1939), it is the first story where they team up and work together. This story also won the Nebula Award in 1970 and the Hugo Award in 1971 for Best Novella."

Download the MP3 HERE.

posted by Jesse 10:22 AM -- (0) comments

 


Roy, our UK correspondent, states that a couple upcoming of shows coming to BBC Radio 4 should be of interest. Both items should be available via the usual 'listen again' facility for 7 days following broadcast too .The first, "The Saturday Play" on BBC Radio 4 this weekend...



Peter Pan In Scarlet
By Geraldine McCaughrean; Full Cast
90 Minutes - [AUDIO DRAMA]
BROADCASTER: BBC Radio 4
BROADCAST: Saturday October 14th: 14:30-16:00 (UK TIME)
"A darker, more frightening, yet entirely sympathetic updating of Barrie's vision of what it is to grow up".
*This was the officially sanctioned sequel dramatised by Nick Warburton.

And on BBC 4's "Afternoon Play"...

When It Rains
By ???; Full Cast
45 Minutes - [AUDIO DRAMA]
BROADCASTER: BBC Radio 4
BROADCAST: Saturday October 20th: 14:15-15:00 (UK TIME)
"A ghost story from the age of steam".

Roy says of the latter.... "[The] Radio Times seems to rate it very highly as 'a genuinely chilling play.'"

posted by Jesse Willis 2:44 PM -- (0) comments

 


We've been talking about audio drama a lot here lately. Personally I like audio drama, and I should point out I like amateur audio drama too. But It doesn't all make me happy. The industry has a number of problems. This post isn't designed to discourage people who want to get into the business, it's your time, you can use it how you want. Heck if you'll make stuff I'll enjoy I actively encourage you! But I do see problems, some that are fixed far easier before you start recording. Here are five problems I see in amateur audio drama...

Problem #1: Too many and too little.
Maybe there are too many people trying to do audio drama. It seems that almost everybody and their friend is making original audio drama. Good for you. A recent visit to a dedicated audio drama blog gave me a list of more than two dozen (!) audio drama troupes with websites. There are more without websites. How sad is that? Methinks it is time to consolidate people! Umbrella organizations seem to help with production schedules and technical know-how. In a group you'll probably find peer feeback feedback will help you keep encouraged, keep you on a schedule and help keep your actors showing up for sessions. Even better as a co-operative you'll benefit from economy of scale in terms of word of mouth.

Problem #2: Its It's called DISTRIBUTION, stupid.
I don't have a handle on the exact extent of the audience for audio drama, and I doubt anyone else does, but I'm going to guess that the audience for some of the amateur productions is not much higher than the number of people involved in making them (if that). Many websites didn't even seem to be aware of the existence of podcasting. And most don't do it. This is a major mistake. If you are one of these people do yourself a favour and buy a copy of Podcasting For Dummies. Podcasting is going to be bigger than television is now and bigger than radio was in it's its heyday. The distribution and infrastructure costs are ridiculously cheap, you only pay big $$ if people LOVE your stuff. If you don't make it easy for people to listen, they won't. If your stuff isn't on the radio, isn't being reviewed by anyone or being syndicated by another podcast your audience isn't just going to come to you. Podcast distribution is the solution! Pendant Productions, Darker Projects and The Sonic Society all podcast, this makes them have an audience FAR bigger than if they didn't. Try it.

Problem # 3: Who the hell are you? And why should I care?
When you name is Llama Escondido or Sheila Whatshername your you're in deep trouble. I'm more likely to be searching for somebody I already know about and love than you and your vague audio drama, it's vague name and your vague writer name. Worse if none of my keywords show up in your indecipherable audio drama description, you're lost. Don't say that your audio drama offers a "unique perspective," or that it consists of "funny adventures" with "new visions" that is just boring. Instead use names, either by licencing name authors fiction or by setting your dramas in places I've heard of "Barsoom" is better than "Planet Y." Specifics are always better, 2052 is better than "the future." Another approach, and Scott's going to love this one, is to do a little Audio Drama Fan Fiction. Some umbrella organizations take this approach. People will find you this way, searches for Star Wars, Firefly, Star Trek are far more common than searches for:

Generic/Abstract Audio Drama Title
Weitten Written by Boring Guy You've Never Heard Of (with a "FULL CAST")

When J. Marcus Xavier started his Silent Universe audio drama series he smartly compared his show to 24 and Battlestar Galactica. He's since dropped the comparison (he still uses "choose-your-own-adventure" in the description) in part, no doubt, because his show is now established and known.

Problem # 4: It ain't all that funny, buddy.
If you haven't already, consider writing "serious" audio drama. Funny is harder to write well. I think the reason people write so much "funny" audio drama might have to do with the worry about whether or not it will be any good. Maybe it is a defensive mechanism on the part of the writer? If it is supposed to be funny and people don't laugh, you can always say to yourself "they just don't have a good sense of humor." If they point out that your plot is derivative, don't say "It is supposed to be. that's what's so funny." Fear of critcism criticism shouldn't be the motivation for a script's direction. Another related issue: Audio dramatists tend to dumb down the science in their "funny" science fiction audio dramas. Just because it is "funny" doesn't mean you can go slack on the science. Red Dwarf was full of ridiculously impossible physics, but they respected the audience, knew the actual tropes of SF and made serious SF ideas a part of the plot. Try that.

Problem #5: Do a reality check. Campy isn't cool.
I'm not saying this to be cruel, I just am getting tired of the obliviousness... one thing that I've heard over and over again is a line that goes something like this: "We're resurrecting Old Time Radio. Millions of people used to be glued to their radios in the 1930s and 1940s. We're going to make it again." I've heard that or variations on that pathetic dream at least a half dozen times in interviews with amateur audio dramatists. I think that's part of the problem, you're taking the 1930s clunky sensibility and expecting it to work in the 21st century. So maybe you did recognize this in the first recording session and so instead of updating the plots and the dialogue, you make it "campy fun." I can only take so much camp, and right now I'm all filled up. I'm betting "campy fun" is about 100 times more fun to make than it is to listen to.

I am without audio drama sin (or virtue), being just a consumer of it, so I feel justified in casting these stones. Am I wrong?

*Typos fixed: (October 14th). Thanks Joe!

posted by Jesse Willis 2:25 PM -- (17) comments

 


Star Trek: Vulcan's Soul: Exodus
By Josepha Sherman and Susan Shwartz; Read by Richard Poe
6 Cassettes - 8.5 hours - [UNABRIDGED]
Publisher: Recorded Books
Published: 2005
ISBN: 141930920X
Themes: / Science Fiction / Star Trek / Vulcans /

I have read the previous works by Josepha Sherman and Susan Shwartz, titled Star Trek: Vulcan's Forge and Star Trek: Vulcan's Heart, and both were excellent. Star Trek: Vulcan's Soul: Exodus is no different. All are excellent meditations on what it means to be Vulcan, and Exodus delves into the planet's history, back to the time of Surak, the Vulcan who guided his race into suppressing their emotions and adhering to logic. The main focus of this novel is a group of Vulcans who are preparing to leave the planet. These people eventually become the Romulans, and their story will continue into the next books, titled Exiles and Epiphany. Plus, a story that takes place in the 24th Century after the Dominion War, where the Romulan homeworlds are threatened by the alien Watraii. Spock and his wife Saavik, as well as centenarian Admirals Uhura and Chekov, assemble a fleet of Federation, Klingon and
Romulan ships, against Starfleet orders, to deal with them. (I guess if McCoy can still be alive to take a tour of the Enterprise-D 100+ years after his first tour as Kirk's chief medical officer, then I guess Uhura and Chekov can still be alive after the Dominion War.)

I also like the addition and update of another Original Series character, The Romulan Commander from "The Enterprise Incident", and I'm pleased to see she's finally been given a name: Charvonek.

The audiobook is read by Richard Poe(who played Gul Evek in several episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, and Voyager). You'd think that his deep, distinctive voice would make it hard to give voice to the women in his story, but he manages admirably. He also does well at giving emotion to the characters, applying just the right anger and sadness, and even adding breathlessness to fight scenes. I can't wait to hear the next book.

Ed. - This audiobook is the first Unabridged Star Trek novel we've come across. Recorded Books has very recently published an Unabridged version of the second book in the series, Star Trek: Vulcan's Soul: Exiles, also read by Richard Poe.

posted by Scott A. 7:47 AM -- (1) comments

 


Dimension X and its successor, X Minus 1, produced some of the most popular and successful science fiction radio drama of the 1950s using classic stories by some of the most famous authors. These episodes are now available at the Internet Archive for download or streaming playback. Get the Dimension X episodes here and the X Minus 1 episodes here.


Find listener recommendations and cool CD cover art for these programs at The OTR Plot Spot.

Dimension X shows are in the public domain, but X Minus 1 episodes are released under the Creative Commons license.



posted by Moriond 12:20 PM -- (2) comments

 


The rediscovery of spoken literature, you gotta love it. Sean Puckett and Dawn Keenan do too. Sean said the idea for Voices In The Dark came to him suddenly one afternoon:

"...imagine when there was no HDTV, no radio, and entertainment was what you and your family did together, and not what you watched together. When the sun went down and everything was candle-lit, familes would gather together and play, sing and read."

Their website name came soon after, and before they could catch their breath, the domain was registered. Dawn Keenan, says...

"My most precious memories of my father are from early childhood, when he would tell us stories and sing songs. Though I only became interested in his passion of Canadian history as an adult, I have had an especial love of folk tales and legends that reaches as far back as I can remember. In high school, I was complimented on my voice by several teachers. I read news at the campus radio station when I was in university and have enjoyed reading aloud and singing with my daughter and son from their earliest days."

One minor annoyance, narrator Sean Puckett doesn't always attribute the titles at the begining of the MP3s. But other than that how can I complain when they provide such wonderous materials as these...

The Shadow Over Innsmouth
By H. P. Lovecraft; Read by Sean Puckett
4 MP3 Files - 24 Minutes 20 Seconds [UNABRIDGED]
SOURCE: Voices In The Dark
CREATED: 2005
|Chapter 1|Chapter 2|Chapter 3|Chapter 4|Chapter 5|
A young man on an architectural and historical tour of New England is drawn to the decaying port town of Innsmouth, Massachusetts.One of Lovecraft's best loved novellas!

The Alchemist
By H. P. Lovecraft; Read by Sean Puckett
1 MP3 File - 24 Minutes 20 Seconds [UNABRIDGED]
SOURCE: Voices In The Dark
CREATED: 2005
The latest decendant of a long line of nobility confronts the six hundred year-old curse that has cut down his forefathers at the age of 32.

The Beast In The Cave
By H. P. Lovecraft; Read by Sean Puckett
1 MP3 File - 17 Minutes 23 Seconds [UNABRIDGED]
SOURCE: Voices In The Dark
CREATED: 2005
The narrator breaks away from his touring party in Mammoth Cave and becomes lost in the darkness.

Memory
By H. P. Lovecraft; Read by Sean Puckett
1 MP3 File - 2 Minutes 25 Seconds [UNABRIDGED]
SOURCE: Voices In The Dark
CREATED: 2005
The Genie that haunts the moonbeams asks the Daemon of the Valley a question.

The Music Of Erich Zann
By H. P. Lovecraft; Read by Sean Puckett
1 MP3 File - 19 Minutes 33 Seconds [UNABRIDGED]
SOURCE: Voices In The Dark
CREATED: 2005
A brief tale of a college student, a lost street in Paris, and a bent, old violist.

The Outsider
By H.P. Lovecraft; Read by Sean Puckett
1 MP3 File - 16 Minutes 29 Seconds [UNABRIDGED]
SOURCE: Voices In The Dark
CREATED: 2005
One of the shorter works ... about which it is not wise to say too much.

The Rats In The Walls
By H.P. Lovecraft; Read by Sean Puckett
1 MP3 File - 43 Minutes 25 Seconds [UNABRIDGED]
SOURCE: Voices In The Dark
CREATED: 2005
An American gentleman takes posession of his ancestral estate in Exham, and learns far more about his family's past than he ever imagined.

The Street
By H.P. Lovecraft; Read by Sean Puckett
1 MP3 File - 14 Minutes 51 Seconds [UNABRIDGED]
SOURCE: Voices In The Dark
CREATED: 2005
Do things and places have a soul?

Other authors and stories of interest over on Voices In The Dark include:

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom by Cory Doctorow
*I've added this one to our Cory Doctorow Author Focus listing.

The Case of Davidson's Eyes by H. G. Wells

The Door in the Wall by H. G. Wells

The Empire of the Ants by H. G. Wells

The Flowering of the Strange Orchid by H. G. Wells

The Magic Shop by H. G. Wells

If you're an aspiring author, narrator or storyteller the folks at Voices In The Dark invite you to contribute! Here's the contact info.

posted by Jesse Willis 10:41 AM -- (0) comments

 


Our U.K. correspondent, Roy, points out that "several interesting items are available free on the old BBC Cult website" and that the site has been "closed for some time now and is no longer supported by the BBC." Among the items there are two audio Doctor Who adventures. Given that they may dispapear at any time click on over soon and enjoy...

Doctor Who: Real Time (A 6th Doctor Adventure)
By Gary Russell; Performed by a FULL CAST
25 Streaming Real Audio Files - Approx. 60 Minutes [AUDIO DRAMA]
WEBCASTER: BBC.co.uk
WEBCAST: 2002





|EPISODE 1 Part 1|EPISODE 1 Part 2|EPISODE 1 Part 3|
|EPISODE 1 Part 4|EPISODE 1 part 5|EPISODE 2 Part 1|
|EPISODE 2 Part 2|EPISODE 2 Part 3|EPISODE 3 Part 1|
|EPISODE 3 Part 2|EPISODE 3 Part 3|EPISODE 3 Part 4|
|EPISODE 4 Part 1|EPISODE 4 Part 2|EPISODE 4 Part 3|
|EPISODE 4 Part 4|EPISODE 4 Part 5|EPISODE 5 Part 1|
|EPISODE 5 Part 2|EPISODE 5 Part 3|EPISODE 5 Part 4|
|EPISODE 6 Part 1|EPISODE 6 Part 2|EPISODE 6 Part 3|
|EPISODE 6 Part 4|

There has been a series of mysterious vanishings on the desert planet Chronos in the 33rd century. Survey teams working for a university seem to have simply vanished amongst the pyramids on the planet. Alongside two other survey teams and an expert on cybernetics, the Doctor and Evelyn learn the deadly truth: that the planet Chronos is being used as a base for one of the Doctor's oldest and deadliest foes — the Cybermen.

An extended version of Doctor Who: Real Time was released on CD by Big Finish Productions. The additional scenes are designed to help the plot along, including an opening scene set inside the TARDIS. Buying it would probably make listening about 10 times easier.

Doctor Who: Shada (An 8th Doctor Adventure)
By Douglas Adams (and Gary Russell); Performed by a FULL CAST
6 Streaming Real Audio Files - 150 Minutes [AUDIO DRAMA]
WEBCASTER: BBC.co.uk
WEBCAST: 2003
|EPISODE 1|EPISODE 2|EPISODE 3|
|EPISODE 4|EPISODE 5|EPISODE 6|

In 2003, the BBC commissioned Big Finish Productions to remake Shada (a famously uncompleted Doctor Who adventure) as an audio play. The result was webcast in six episodic segments, accompanied by limited Flash animation, on the BBC website using illustrations provided by comic strip artist Lee Sullivan. The illustrations are still available, but I've seen them and find they don't add to the story.

For an expanisve list of Doctor Who on audio check out THIS Wikipedia entry. For an even more complete listing check out THIS one!

posted by Jesse Willis 1:44 PM -- (0) comments

 


Great gods! Project Gutenberg has a complete reading of a Robert Sheckley novellete, Bad Medicine! This gem was first published under the Sheckley pseudonym "Finn O’Donnevan" appearing in Galaxy Magazine's July 1956 issue. The name "Finn O'Donnevan" was used because Galaxy already had another short story in that same issue by Sheckley and the magazines worried about such things back then. Bad Medicine is a prototypical Sheckleyian story and that's really saying something. The man wrote more than 400 stories in all! His work is tinged with dark, absurdist humor, and I enjoy the heck out of it. I don't know who does this reading, but its good enough for FREE! You'll love it...

Bad Medicine
By Robert Sheckley; Read by ???
1 MP3 File - 35 Minutes 38 Seconds [UNABRIDGED]
Publisher: Gutenberg.org
Published: 2005
"On May 2, 2103, Elwood Caswell walked rapidly down Broadway with a loaded revolver hidden in his coat pocket. He didn't want to use the weapon, but feared he might anyhow. This was a justifiable assumption, for Caswell was a homicidal maniac."


posted by Jesse Willis 3:07 PM -- (0) comments

 


Sonic Cinema, the people who are bringing you Firefly: Old Wounds have dug deep into their vaults to find some of their earlier projects. Writer Jack Ward's was inspired Buck Rogers and the old pulp era audio dramas.

Downloadable from their website in MP3 is Biff Straker in... Spaceways!


posted by Jesse Willis
12:52 PM -- (0) comments

 


The latest Sonic Society podcast includes one of Crazy Dog Audio Theatre's Diabolic Playhouse segments that was originally broadcast on RTÉ (Ireland National Radio). We've recently been debating the difference in quality between professional and amateur audio drama. Check out this show to see the professionals as The Sonic Society is presenting...


The Silver Tongued Devil
A documentary of poetry, pretension, and possession.

We reviewed this show and the rest of the Diabolic Playhouse series in early 2005, this is what Scott wrote about "The Silver Tongued Devil": "This entire piece is done like a radio documentary, NPR-style, complete with interviews of average people about the 'Silver Tongued Devil'. The actors who did these segments were perfect! If I had listened to this on the radio without knowing that Crazy Dog had done it, I'd have thought it was news. Who is the 'Silver Tongued Devil'? He's an incredibly famous poet from Cork who has the god-like ability to make people swoon with his words. Again, the piece is multi-layered, achieving both hilarity and poignancy."

posted by Jesse Willis
12:04 PM -- (1) comments

 


Christiana Ellis, who I was lucky enough to meet at WorldCon 2006, has now completed her podcast novel Nina Kimberly The Merciless. It is the comedic adventure story of a teenage barbarian princess faced with the task of dispensing with an obnoxious royal suitor. I haven't finished listening yet, I'm still laughing and snorting my way through her topsy turvy adventure world, but it is fair to say that Nina comes off like Robert E. Howard's Conan as channeled through Joss Whedon's Buffy, with an added dash of Arrested Development. Ellis knows how to exploit fantasy's well-trod paths for comic effect. If you'd been waiting for it to complete before starting now you can!

Nina Kimberly The Merciless
By Christiana Ellis; Read by Christiana Ellis
24 Chapters + 1 Question Show - [UNABRIDGED]
Publisher: Podiobooks.com
Completed: September 2006




posted by Jesse Willis 8:40 AM -- (0) comments

 


It looks like George R. R. Martin has been persuaded to join the growing ranks of Random House authors who'll be doing "limited run" podcasts to promote their works. In eight episodes, George will "cover a range of topics from the birth of his acclaimed saga, to his experiences in Hollywood, to 'weir