SFFaudio

Moving

2007-10-14T06:27:00.000-07:00

TODAY, SFFaudio.com is switching over to WordPress. Our RSS feed subscribers should take note, our new RSS feed is:

http://www.sffaudio.com/?feed=rss2

Thanks for reading!

William Gibson's Burning Chrome to air on BBC7

2007-10-13T14:28:00.000-07:00

BBC7's Yes it is a re-run, but what a re-run it is! The 7th Dimension slot has aired Burning Chrome at least a couple times previously. The first time was way back in 2003. I've heard this Gibson story more than once now, and it is a terrific listen. First published in Omni magazine back in 1982 it tells the story of professional hackers trying to pull off a big heist. One line from this story � "...the street finds its own uses for things" � has become a widely-quoted aphorism.

Burning Chrome
By William Gibson; Read by Adam Sims
2 Parts - [UNABRIDGED]
BROADCASTER: BBC 7 / The 7th Dimension
BROADCAST: Oct. 18th & 19th (Thursday and Friday) @ 6.30pm and 12.30am (UK Time)
Set in the world of cyberspace and computer hacking. Bobby Quine and Automatic Jack are trying to figure out a way of pulling off the one big score that will make them rich. But industrial espionage is a dangerous business, especially when they decide to rip off Chrome, the most ruthless figure in the local mob subsidiary.

posted by Jesse Willis

Adventures in Scifi Publishing interviews Larry Niven

2007-10-13T11:12:00.000-07:00

Adventures in Scifi Publishing has an unexpurgated 40 minute interview with Larry Niven. Have a listen to the |MP3| which was recorded late last month at CONjecture 6 in San Diego,Ca. Larry was Guest of Honor at the con, which had a theme of "Alien Cultures." Cool!

Or subscribe to AiSFP podcast via the feed:

http://scifipublishing.libsyn.com/rss

posted by Jesse Willis

Interviews with Greg Bear, John Moore and Isobel Noble

2007-10-12T12:39:00.000-07:00

Judyth Piazza's The Student Operated Press is a site designed to give aspiring student writers the opportunity to have their work published, no matter their lack of prior experience. Among the content found on TheSOP.org are three interviews with SFF authors:

-An interview with Greg Bear from |MP3| about his recent novel Quantico (read our review of the unabridged audiobook HERE).

-John Moore author of A Fate Worse Than Dragons |MP3|.

-Isobel Noble author of the post-apocalyptic "Ruin" series, the first two books of which are: The Tent City and The City Of Light |MP3|.

posted by Jesse Willis

Beam Me Up podcasts a Jack Mangan tale

2007-10-12T11:25:00.000-07:00

First published in Interzone #202, The Unsolvable Death Trap was nominated for a British Fantasy Award. It is an existential action story with an SF environment and a musical bent. Written by the persiflagerate variety show host, Jack Mangan, who is also responsible for the popular Spherical Tomi podiobook, it is narrated by Beam Me Up's own Paul Cole.

The Unsolvable Death Trap
By Jack Mangan; Read by Paul Cole
|MP3| - [UNABRIDGED]*
Podcaster: Beam Me Up
Podcast: October 6th 2007

*One minor irritation, as this was originally broadcast on American radio there is a bleep-out over some execrative dialogue. Stupid FCC.

posted by Jesse Willis

Review of A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess

2007-10-11T17:54:00.000-07:00

A Clockwork Orange
By Anthony Burgess; Read by Tom Hollander
7 CDs - 8 hours [UNABRIDGED]
Publisher: Caedmon /Harper Audio
Published: 2007
ISBN: 9780061170621
Themes: / Science Fiction / Dystopia / Youth Violence / Mind Control /

Anthony Burgess' classic novel A Clockwork Orange is likely familiar to most science fiction fans through Stanley Kubrick's film version. But the book is itself arguably the best post-Orwell dystopia novel. This new audiobook version, the first unabridged commercial release, captures every enthralling and disturbing word.

Set in a not too distant future the story centers around an anti-hero Alex, a fifteen year old juvenile delinquent, and his rather violent life. Alex and his three droogs (friends) are a small gang, one of many that preys upon this future society. These youth gangs are a very well developed subculture with their own slang called "Nadsat." Alex enjoys his life of cruelty and commits several horrendous crimes early in the story (this is not for the squeamish). Eventually Alex becomes the subject of a government mind-control experiment which raises many questions about the value of free will.

Although the story fails to predict technological advances (word processors, CDs, etc) other parts, such as the "Ludovico Technique" seem even more plausible now. It is a fascinating world due in part to the wonderfully imagined Nadsat. Here the audiobook really impresses. Tom Hollander's thoroughly professional reading of the story brings out the richness of the language and the setting. His performance helps make this one of the best single narrator audiobooks that I have ever heard!

It is an amazing story that both fascinates and repels. One of the best novels of the twentieth century has been given a worthy audiobook translation. It is not quite perfect for those new to the story, however. Anyone who has not read the full version, including the controversial twenty-first chapter, is advised to skip the first two tracks of the audiobook until after they have finished the story. These tracks are the spoiler filled introduction. I am very ambivalent about the inclusion of the twenty-first chapter. I feel the same about this chapter as most Alien/Aliens fans feel about Alien 3, but the inclusion does allow listeners to make up their own minds. Overall this is an A+ production of a great story. And I'm proud to have proved that it is possible to review A Clockwork Orange without overusing Nadsat to prove one's coolness, O my little brothers.

Posted by Dave Tackett

BBC4 website for Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency Radio Drama

2007-10-11T12:40:00.000-07:00

BBC Radio 4 has splashed up a very pretty new website for their new Dirk Gently series of Radio Dramas. Lots of goodies to be found about the production including a video trailer of the series. Also cool, the all in one nature of the site makes listening to the shows super easy, even for folks not habitating on Albion itself.

Check it out HERE.

posted by Jesse Willis

BBC Radio 4 will air Susan Hill's The Man In The Picture

2007-10-11T11:38:00.000-07:00

We all might want to have a listen to the BBC Radio 4 Book At Bedtime slot for next week. They'll be airing a tale in five parts, Monday to Friday October, of a reading of a new ghost story from author Susan Hill. This is the author of The Woman In Black, which became a popular West End play (it is still running there, 18 years after it debuted). Thanks to our eagle eyed U.K. contributor, Roy, for the head's up.

The Man In The Picture
By Susan Hill; Read by Nigel Anthony and Imogen Stubbs
5 Broadcasts - Approx 75 Minutes [ABRIDGED?]
Broadcaster: BBC RADIO 4 / Book At Bedtime
Broadcast: 10:45-11:00pm Monday to Friday October 15th to 19th

This chilling tale centres on a mysterious depiction of masked revellers at theVenice carnival that hangs in the college rooms of an old professor at Cambridge. One cold winter's night, sipping whisky by the fire, the picture's eerie secret is revealed by the ageing don. The dark art of the Venetian scene, instead of imitating life, has the power to entrap it. To stare into the painting is to play dangerously with unseen demons and to become a victim of its macabre beauty...

Also, each of the five parts will be available on the BBC R4 Book At Bedtime page the day after they air.

posted by Jesse Willis

Storypod 3.0 launches: And their was much rejoicing

2007-10-11T10:29:00.000-07:00

Audible.com has just begun their releases of StoryPod 3.0. That's their subscription podcast featuring stories by James Patrick Kelly. On offer are another 13 stories over 13 weeks. Just a few of the stories on offer in this bunch are Jim�s classic Hugo Award-winning novelette, 10 to the 16th to 1, The Best Christmas Ever, a Hugo nominee and Itsy Bitsy Spider which was nominated for both the Hugo and a Nebula!

Get started with the promisingly titled Proof of the Existence of God!

Jim not only narrates each story, he provides insightful commentary for them too. StoryPod 3.0 subscribers will get a new story, delivered automatically, every Friday. Subscribers who are a bit late to the party need not worry, all the previous stories in the 3.0 series will be delivered too.

posted by Jesse Willis

Librivox Audiobook: The Enchanted Castle by E. Nesbit

2007-10-11T10:00:00.000-07:00

Edith Nesbit's classic fantasy novel The Enchanted Castle is a delightful children's story, but one that is likely to have limited appeal for older listeners. Fantasy scholars, however, will find much of interest in it. Here is an author that C. S. Lewis listed as an influence and this is the story of a magic ring that, at first, seems merely an invisibility ring but turns out to be much more. Peter Eastman, the reader of this public domain audiobook, does a better than average job of handling the near impossible task of doing several different children's voices.

The Enchanted Castle
By E. Nesbit; Read by Peter Eastman
12 zipped MP3s or podcast - 7 Hours 14 Minutes [UNABRIDGED]
Publisher: Librivox.org
Published: September 27, 2007
"Three children, forced to remain at school during the holidays, go in search of adventure. What they find is a magic castle straight out of a fairy tale, complete with an enchanted princess at the center of a maze. Or is it? The castle turns out to be just a country estate, and the princess is only the housekeeper�s niece, playing at dressing up. But the magic ring she shows them proves � to her surprise and horror � to really be magic. Soon they are caught in an adventure where statues come alive, lost lovers are reunited, and wishes can be granted � but always for a price. (Summary by Peter Eastman)"

You can get the entire novel in podcast form, via this handy url:

http://librivox.org/bookfeeds/the-enchanted-castle-by-e-nesbit.xml

posted by David Tackett

New Arrivals- Rucker, Bujold, Card, & Moning

2007-10-11T00:00:00.000-07:00

A good week at SFFaudio!

Space Boy
By Orson Scott Card; Read by Stefan Rudnicki
2 CDs -2 Hours [UNABRIDGED]
Publisher: Blackstone Audio
Published: 2007
ISBN: 9781433207648

Is it space travel that children dream of, or merely visiting other worlds? Todd had always set his heart on being an astronaut, but when he meets an alien and travels to another world, he doesn't use a spaceship; he just hangs out in his own back yard.

In Space Boy, Orson Scott Card, author of Ender's Game, takes listeners into a strange and wonderful future, where people from another world regularly visit Earth, usually without being noticed. And when humans travel to their world, they find themselves dangerously weak and powerless, until Todd finds a way to set both worlds to rights.

By turns funny and painful, Space Boy is Card at his best, exploring human nature for the entertainment of readers young and old.

A Civil Campaign
By Lois McMaster Bujold; Read by Grover Gardner
16 CDs - 19 Hours [UNABRIDGED]
Publisher: Blackstone Audio
Published: 2007
ISBN: 9781433207099

Lord Miles Vorkosigan has a problem that all his new power can�t solve: unrequited love for the beautiful Vor widow Ekaterin Vorsoisson. Ekaterin is violently allergic to marriage as a result of her first exposure. But as Miles learned from his late career in galactic covert ops, if a frontal assault won�t do, go to subterfuge.

Miles has a cunning plan, which, of course, has to be worked out in between District succession scandals and plans for the Emperor�s wedding. And if no battle plan survives first contact with the enemy, just imagine what all Miles's friends and relatives can do to his romantic strategy.

Master of Space and Time
By Rudy V. B. Rucker; Read by Scott Grunden
5 CDs - 6 Hours [UNABRIDGED]
Publisher: Blackstone Audio
Published: 2007
ISBN: 9781433207709

Madcap inventor Harry Gerber is hopeless when it comes to surviving in the real world. So he uses his genius to twist the laws of science and create his own tailor-made universe. Assisted by his straight-men co-conspirators, Joe Fletcher and the comely Sondra Tupperware, and powered by gluons�the stuff that holds our very atoms together�Gerber creates a blunzer, enabling him to change the very nature of reality.

From a mirror-image world where sluglike parasites make slaves of humanity, to trees and bushes that grow fries and pork chops, to a rain of fish, Master of Space and Time takes listeners on the ultimate joyride. But once the gluons at the core of Harry's creation run out, disaster looms for Harry and his friends.

High physics and high jinks combine for a wild voyage that blurs the line between science and magic.

Blood Fever
By Karen Marie Moning; Read by Joyce Bean
8 CDs - 9 Hours [UNABRIDGED]
Publisher: Brilliance Audio
Published: 2007
ISBN: 9781423341932

MacKayla Lane�s ordinary life underwent a complete makeover when she landed on Ireland�s shores and was plunged into a world of deadly sorcery and ancient secrets.

In her fight to stay alive, Mac must find the Sinsar Dubh - a million-year-old book of the blackest magic imaginable, which holds the key to power over both the world of the Fae and of Man. Pursued by Fae assassins, surrounded by mysterious figures she knows she cannot trust, Mac finds herself torn between two deadly and irresistible men: V�lane, the insatiable Fae who can turn sensual arousal into an obsession for any woman, and the ever-inscrutable Jericho Barrons, a man as alluring as he is mysterious.

For centuries the shadowy realm of the Fae has coexisted with that of humans. Now the walls between the two are coming down, and Mac is the only thing that stands between them�.

posted by The Time Traveler of the Time Traveler Show

Another NEW RELEASE

2007-10-10T12:20:00.000-07:00

Here's one new Audible exclusive that's really worth signing up for - we've been looking forward to hearing it since it was first announced back in August...

Old Man's War
By John Scalzi; Read by William Dufris
Audible Download - Approx 10 Hours [UNABRIDGED]
Publisher: Audio Rennaissance / Audible.com
Published: October 2007

John Perry did two things on his 75th birthday. First, he visited his wife's grave. Then he joined the army. The good news is that humanity finally made it into interstellar space. The bad news is that planets fit to live on are scarce - and alien races willing to fight us for them are common. So, we fight, to defend Earth and to stake our own claim to planetary real estate. Far from Earth, the war has been going on for decades: brutal, bloody, unyielding. Earth itself is a backwater. The bulk of humanity's resources are in the hands of the Colonial Defense Force. Everybody knows that when you reach retirement age, you can join the CDF. They don't want young people; they want people who carry the knowledge and skills of decades of living. You'll be taken off Earth and never allowed to return. You'll serve two years at the front. And if you survive, you'll be given a generous homestead stake of your own, on one of our hard-won colony planets. John Perry is taking that deal. He has only the vaguest idea of what to expect. Because the actual fight, light-years from home, is far, far harder than he can imagine. And what he will become is far stranger.

posted by Jesse Willis

New Releases

2007-10-10T11:53:00.000-07:00

Available through REB Audio Books and Fictionwise.com:

The Caretaker's Story
Based on the story by Edith Olivier; Dramatized by Bill Mills
1 MP3 File - Approx. 30 Minutes [AUDIO DRAMA]
Publisher: REB Audio Books
Published: October 8, 2007
A grisly tale of supernatural revenge. A terror tale worthy of Lovecraft or Poe written by a remarkable woman author in 1934! A rich English gentleman thinks he has found the perfect caretaker for an isolated cottage near the sea: a veteran sailor with a taste for
solitude. But when he returns to the cottage months later, the gentleman
can find no trace of the caretaker.

Previously released in 2005, first published in 2001, here's a popular young adult audiobook...

The Dark Is Rising Sequence, Book Two: The Dark Is Rising
By Susan Cooper; Read by Alex Jennings
CDs - [UNABRIDGED]
Publisher: Random House Audio
Published: 2007
ISBN: 9780739359730
On the Midwinter Day that is his eleventh birthday, Will Stanton discovers a special gift�he is the last of the Old Ones, immortals dedicated to keeping the world from domination by the forces of evil, the Dark. At once, he is plunged into a quest for the six magical Signs that will one day aid the Old Ones in the final battle between the Dark and the Light. And for the twelve days of Christmas, while the Dark is rising, life for Will is full of wonder, terror, and delight.

There may be a fist-fight over this one when it eventually lands in the SFFaudio mailbox...

Selections From Dreamsongs - Volume One
By George R.R. Martin; Read by various readers
12 CDs - 15 Hours [UNABRIDGED]
Publisher: Random House Audio
Published: October 2007
ISBN: 780739357125
George R. R. Martin delivers a rare treat for readers: a compendium of his shorter works, collected into two stunning volumes, that offers fascinating insight into his journey from young writer to award-winning master. Gathered here in Volume I are the very best of George R. R. Martin�s early works, including never-before-published fan pieces, his Hugo, Nebula, and Bram Stoker awards�winning stories�plus the original novella The Ice Dragon, from which Martin�s New York Times bestselling children�s book of the same title originated. A dazzling array that features extensive author commentary, Dreamsongs, Volume I, is the perfect collection for both Martin devotees and a new generation of fans.

Random House (which owns Books On Tape Inc.) has decided not to release an unabridged CD version of Naomi Novik's latest alternative history/fantasy novel. But there is an abridged "download only" 6 hour version available exclusively through Audible.com (and therefore iTunes). Here's the unabridged version...

Empire Of Ivory
By Naomi Novik; Read by Simon Vance
10 CDs - [UNABRIDGED]
Publisher: Books on Tape
Published: September 2007
4th in the Temeraire series. An abridged "download only" 6 hour version is also exclusively available through Audible.com (and therefore iTunes).

posted by Jesse Willis

Canadia: 2056 Season Two update

2007-10-09T13:24:00.000-07:00

Matt Watts, creator, scripter and actor in the comedic Science Fiction radio series Canadia: 2056 wirtes:

�We recorded the first two episodes of the new season of Canadia last week� It was fun to have the cast together again� Currently, I�m writing the next two episodes, which record at the end of the month. So there.

The plan is to re-air the first season starting in January, then continue on with the new episodes.

And I can finally say that the show will be airing in two timeslots.

Wednesday�s at 11PM and then Friday�s at 11:30AM. It�s Afghanada�s timeslot again� Which I love because it must confuse listeners to tune in one week and hear a seriously dramatic show about Canada�s involvement in the war in Afghanistan, and then the next week hear a retarded show about Canada�s involvement in an outer space war.

Still no update on podcasts� People are working on it. And the CD�s are scheduled to come out� Sometime� Maybe around Christmas. Ho, ho, ho.�

Cool!

P.S. FREE Apocalypse Al!

posted by Jesse Willis

BBC World Service RADIO DRAMA: Aliens From Cyberspace

2007-10-08T14:13:00.000-07:00

BBC World Service's "World Drama" slot currently has an online listenable radio drama specially commissioned for BBC World Service. Here is the description:

"A comedy inspired by incredible - and totally untrue - events. Set in the glamorous world of Hollywood, it deals with the possibilities that the internet now offers in helping people find true love. But have you ever wondered who you were chatting to? Or which planet they might be from."

Aliens From Cyberspace
By Gary Ogin; Performed by a FULL CAST
1 REALAUDIO File - Approx. 60 minutes [RADIO DRAMA]
BROADCASTER: BBC World Service
BROADCAST: October 2007

Cast: Alun Armstrong, Lorelei King and Joanna Riding

Director: Marion Nancarrow

Click HERE to access the RealAudio or WindowsMedia file.

Also, on Sunday October 14th SFFaudio.com will be switching over to WordPress. A technical change that should go off without a hitch and provide more functionality for readers. But, our RSS only subscribers should take note, our new RSS feed will be:

http://www.sffaudio.com/?feed=rss2

posted by Jesse Willis

ARTC Podcast performs Heinlein's Solution Unsatisfactory

2007-10-08T13:48:00.000-07:00

The Atlanta Radio Theater Company has just completed podcasting all three parts of their production of Robert A. Heinlein's Solution Unsatisfactory. Heinlein�s original short story was adapted by Daniel Taylor and the Atlanta Radio Theater Company. This is an archive recording of their 2001 DragonCon performance (we reviewed the studio recorded CD version back in 2004, click HERE to read it).

"Solution Unsatisfactory"
Adapted by Daniel Taylor from the short story by Robert A. Heinlein; Full Cast Production
3 MP3 Files - Approx 70 Minutes [AUDIO DRAMA]
Podcaster: Atlanta Radio Theater Company
Podcast: October 2007
"Solution Unsatisfactory describes an American supersecret project to develop an atomic superweapon that proves vital to the Allied triumph of World War II. �So what,� you say. �That's old news.� And you'd be right, the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945 were the final nails in the coffin of WWII. But what's weird is, Solution Unsatisfactory was published in 1940, a full half decade before the atom bomb was even known to exists by the general public. What's more, Heinlein's story goes on to foresee the coming cold war with the Soviet Union and the concomitant race to arm with atomic weapons. Heinlein's story doesn't actually foretell the same events that happened, but the similarities are pretty eerie."

Download the three parts |Part 1 MP3|Part 2 MP3|Part 3 MP3| or subscribe to the feed:

http://artc.libsyn.com/rss

Also, on Sunday October 14th SFFaudio.com will be switching over to WordPress. A technical change that should go off without a hitch and provide more functionality for readers. But, our RSS only subscribers should take note, our new RSS feed will be:

http://www.sffaudio.com/?feed=rss2

posted by Jesse Willis

Season Four of Robotz of the Company Coming Soon!

2007-10-06T22:04:00.000-07:00

Fall is the time of year for season premieres, and Dream Realm is no exception in that department. Their flagship series Robotz of the Company is about to begin its 4th season of zanyness!

It will kick off at the end of October with their Halloween special Night of the Living Gunk- and you don't want to miss it!

They also have two promos for ya- so you podcasters and radio folk download these links and spread the bot-word on your shows!

Promo 1:
http://media.libsyn.com/media/audioaddict/ROTCS4Promo.mp3

Promo2:
http://media.libsyn.com/media/audioaddict/ROTCS4Promo02.mp3

Each season keeps getting better and better- so if you've never heard the botz before, click the link, take a listen and catch up! You'll be glad you did. :-)

posted by Dani Cutler

New Fan Audio Drama For Buffy Fans

2007-10-06T21:26:00.000-07:00

Yes, it has been awhile since I have jumped in and brought you awesome SFF Audio news- but I have a couple awesome things to tell you about!

The Joss Whedon world has been buzzing with anticipation of the very first Buffy The Vampire Slayer fan audio drama! Today is when the first episode hit everyone's ears!

It's also the second Joss fan audio drama ever created, beginning with Sonic Cinema's Firefly: Old Wounds audio drama. (However, it is not a Sonic Cinema production. There was a little confusion about that.)

One of the writers/producers of this fan audio, and extreme Whedon fan girl Tabitha Smith, had this to say about the upcoming release:

"I'm more then a little bit thrilled that this project is coming to our listeners. With 65 cast members, 35 crew members and 12 episodes, it's been a massive undertaking... but now we're finally ready to release our first episode and I couldn't be prouder of our team!"

I very much enjoyed the first episode, though I will tell you if you have not seen any of the television series, you might be a little lost. I look forward to hearing how the "season between the seasons" progresses!

You can subscribe now, or head to http://buffybetweenthelines.com/ for all sorts of goodies and subscription information!

posted by Dani Cutler

Radio Drama Revival's Month of HORROR AUDIO DRAMA

2007-10-05T15:13:00.000-07:00

The WMPG radio show (and podcast) Radio Drama Revival airs a series of truly terrifying theater throughout October! If you live in the Portland, Maine area turn your FM dial to 90.9/104.1 Thursdays 1PM EST. If not, have a listen to the podcast feed or download the shows manually from the show's website. Host Fred Greenhalgh has packed his Halloween month shows "to the gory brim" with a mountain of haunting tales. The broadcasts culminate in a three-part live radio drama event to be held on "All Hallow's Eve."

The fright fest kicked off earlier this week (October 4th) during WMPG's "Begathon" pledge drive with...

Derelict
Based on a story by William Hope Hodgson
1 |MP3| - [RADIO DRAMA]
Broadcaster & Podcaster: Radio Drama Revival
Broadcast & Podcast: October 4th 2007
Produced by: Mind's Eye Productions
An unsettling tale of a ghost ship found afloat deep in the ocean.

In the coming two weeks:

(Oct 11, Oct 18) will feature an adaptation of Mary Shelley's

Frankenstein
Based on the novel by Mary Shelley
2 Broadcasts - [RADIO DRAMA]
Broadcaster & Podcaster: Radio Drama Revival
Broadcast & Podcast: October 4th 2007
Produced by Quicksilver Radio Theater

October 25th:

If You Take My Hand My Son
By Mort Castle
1 Broadcast - [RADIO DRAMA]

Halloween night (airing between 8:30 and 10PM EST):

The Statement of Randolph Carter
Based on the story by H.P. Lovecraft

God of the Razor
By Joe Lansdale

Dark Passenger
By Frederick Greenhalgh

Keep radio drama revived by subscribing to the podcast's feed:

http://feeds.feedburner.com/RadioDramaRevival

posted by Jesse Willis

Broken Sea Audio UPDATE: Edgar Allen Poe's Raven & a NEW Jonny Quest

2007-10-04T13:29:00.000-07:00

Broken Sea Audio, has started Halloween early with productions both familiar and un. Here's the official line:

�Pride they say comes before The Fall. Well Fall is upon us, and pride we have in abundance. Pride in that since March of this year we have grown from an idea into a thriving audio drama production group. October is now here, and to celebrate this most special month BrokenSea Audio Productions presents a Halloween Season to thrill, disturb shock and entertain. We have dead things, serial killers, murder, monsters, strange visages and poems. We have original works and classics. We have some of the best voice acting talent out there and we have you, our dear listeners� So come with us now� down these stone steps� into the damp nitre infested darkness� there are some audio shows that we would like you to listen to��

And, here are the first few releases...

All Hallows Eve by P.S. Gifford |MP3|

Permanent Beauty by P.S. Gifford |MP3|

Abattoir by P.S. Gifford |MP3|

The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe |MP3|

Also new in the BSAP lineup is...

Jonny Quest - The Audio Drama

Subscribe to it via this feed:

http://brokensea.com/jonnyquest/feed/

posted by Jesse Willis

Review of Princess Academy by Shannon Hale

2007-10-03T17:34:00.000-07:00

Princess Academy
By Shannon Hale; Read by a Full Cast
8 CDs - 8 hours [UNABRIDGED]
Publisher: Full Cast Audio
Published: 2007
ISBN: 1933322772
Themes: / Fantasy / Young Adult / Magic / Culture / Royalty / Boarding School / Economics /

Earlier this year (2007), the unabridged Full Cast Audio production of Shannon Hale's The Goose Girl won an Audie Award for Achievement in Production. Now, Full Cast Audio offers another Shannon Hale novel in a production that may be even better. Princess Academy is a wonderful YA fantasy novel that is a sure bet to enthrall readers (and now listeners) of all ages.

It's become clich� to say that this or that YA novel has wider appeal than their target audience but Shannon Hale's, without question, fit that description. They are appropriate for young listeners (the box says "ages 10 to adult") and at the same time are smart enough and, most importantly, true enough for older readers. This novel is entertaining, but the characters live realistic and difficult lives. Through them, Hale helps us understand that there's nothing more important in life than love.

The main character of the novel is Miri, a fourteen year old girl who is small for her age. She lives in a mountain village, where most of the residents work in the nearby quarry. One day, a herald arrives and announces that priests have determined that the bride of the prince, who lives in a bustling city, will come from the tiny region that Miri lives in, and that all girls 14-18 years old must report to an academy so that they might be educated for the prince's visit one year later, when he will make his choice. The girls are collected and brought to the academy, some of them willingly, and some of them not.

Miri is not happy about it, and her feelings of inadequacy due to the overprotective way her father treats her are compounded and confused by the fact that he does not put up much of a fight to keep her from going. But once she gets to the academy and learns to read, she realizes the benefit and takes full advantage of the experience, which is made all the more difficult by a very hard headmistress. Throughout the story, Miri learns of a magic called "quarryspeak", which is a method of psychic communication that seems to work only between quarry workers while in the quarry. She finds that there's more to it than that, and she finds out there's a lot more to everything else, too.

The Full Cast Audio team has mastered their unique method of unabridged audiobook production. There is no other company that produces audiobooks the way they do it, and every book they come out with is technically better than the last. Actors are used for all the dialogue, and a narrator reads everything else. An 8 hour production like this would lose its appeal if any of the roles were cast with questionable talent, but that's not a problem here. Particularly good were Jo D'Aloisio, the young girl who played Miri, Laura Credidio, the narrator, and Alice Morigi, who played Tutor Olana, the icy headmistress. The entire cast deserves kudos. Skilled acting and directing along with perfect music and editing make this production a wondrous experience. Simply excellent, all around.

posted by Scott D. Danielson

Simply Audiobooks BRICK AND MORTAR store grand opening

2007-10-02T09:48:00.000-07:00

The good folks at SimplyAudiobooks.com tell us that they've got a GRAND OPENING of their first bricks and mortar store in Toronto tomorrow:

The event on Oct 3rd includes a live reading by Robert J. Sawyer who will be reading from his latest novel, Rollback (soon to be a Simply Audiobooks exclusive audiobook). Anyone interested in the GTA (Greater Toronto Area) is invited to come, listen and visit the event at what is actually North America's largest audiobook store! Coffee and snacks offered as well.

Details are as follows:

Simply Audiobooks Grand Opening Event
350 Bay Street, Toronto (Corner of Bay St and Richmond )
12-2 pm; 12:20 pm Live Reading

posted by Jesse Willis

BBC 7 does Doctor Who's eighth doctor Season One

2007-09-30T11:37:00.000-07:00

Doctor Who begins a new round of rebroadcasts on BBC Radio 7's The 7th Dimension this week. All Paul McGann Doctor stories, all back to back, recorded by UK audio drama company Big Finish. These are what Big Finish calls their "New Eight Doctor Adventures Season One". But it is hardly the first series from Big Finish to feature Paul McGann's doctor. What most distinguishes it from previous series stories is a new companion, played by Sheridan Smith. Lucie Miller, as she's called, is described as a "brash northern lass" whos is initially an unwilling passenger in the TARDIS. She has been placed with the Doctor as part of a "Time Lord witness protection programme." This series of six stories was commissioned by BBC 7 from Big Finish. They first began airing in December 2006. This rebroadcast is likely to be followed shortly by "Season Two" of the "New Eight Doctor Adventures."

Already available via the BBC7 'listen again' service:

Doctor Who Blood of the Daleks - Episode 1 of 2
LISTEN NOW - [RADIO DRAMA]
Broadcaster: BBC7 / The 7th Dimension
Broadcast: Thu. Sep. 28th 2007
The Time Lord has plenty to deal with as an intruder appears in the TARDIS and the Daleks prepare to blight a damaged world.

Doctor Who - Blood Of The Daleks - Episode 2 of 2
LISTEN NOW - [RADIO DRAMA]
Broadcaster: BBC7 / The 7th Dimension
Broadcast: Fri. Sep. 29th 2007
Lucie realises the true intentions of their 'saviours'. But could the Doctor really want the same thing as the Daleks?

Airing this week:

Doctor Who - Horror of Glam Rock
Broadcast - [RADIO DRAMA]
Broadcaster: BBC7 / The 7th Dimension
Broadcast: Mon. Oct. 1st @ 18:00-18:50 [Rptd Tue 12.00am]
he Tomorrow Twins are all set to conquer the pop world of 1974. But will their dreams survive an encounter with the Doctor?

Doctor Who - Immortal Beloved
Broadcast - [RADIO DRAMA]
Broadcaster: BBC7 / The 7th Dimension
Broadcast: Tue. Oct. 2nd 18:00-18:50 [Rptd Wed 12.00am]
The Doctor and Lucy arrive in a land of Zeus, Hera, Ganymede and...helicopters? .

Doctor Who - Phobos
Broadcast - [RADIO DRAMA]
Broadcaster: BBC7 / The 7th Dimension
Broadcast: Wed. Oct. 3rd @ 18:00-18:50 [Rptd Thu 12.00am]
For extreme sport nuts, the fear is part of the rush. But the Doctor and Lucie are about to learn the true meaning of 'Phobos'.

Doctor Who - No More Lies
Broadcast - [RADIO DRAMA]
Broadcaster: BBC7 / The 7th Dimension
Broadcast: Thu. Oct. 4th @ 18:00-18:50 [Rptd Fri 12.00am]
The Doctor and Lucie gatecrash a posh party, and get more than they bargained for. Namely vortisaurs and a crumbling spaceship.

Doctor Who - Human Resources - Episode 1 of 2
Broadcast - [RADIO DRAMA]
Broadcaster: BBC7 / The 7th Dimension
Broadcast: Fri. Oct. 5th @ 18:00-18:50 [Rptd Sat 12.00am]
Lucie Miller starts her first day in a new job. Or does she? Is it possible that her time with the Doctor was merely a daydream?

Airing next week:

Doctor Who - Human Resources - Episode 2 of 2
Broadcast - [RADIO DRAMA]
Broadcaster: BBC7 / The 7th Dimension
Broadcast: Mon. Oct. 8th @ 18:00-18:50 [Rptd Sat 12.00am]
Lucie Miller starts her first day in a new job. Or does she? Is it possible that her time with the Doctor was merely a daydream?

posted by Jesse Willis

Weird website: Red-Monday.com

2007-09-27T11:15:00.000-07:00

I was sent a link to a baffling new website. Red-Monday.com. The site is password protected, but I found the password through the page's source code. Type in "gabriel" (minus the quotation marks) and you get access to a countdown sequence and more. I did the math, turns out the countdown ends on November 26th (a Monday). Anybody know the significance of Nov. 26th being a "red" day? Some Russian revolution anniversary maybe?

The reason I mention this on SFFaudio at all is that if you sign up to learn more via email you get a short mp3 file of a cryptic telephone conversation. Could be SFFaudio related.

Other things on the site and in the email lend a biblical flavour to the thing. Maybe they are code-names. Could this be a countdown to the second coming (or third if you're Mormon)? A revelations-esque apocalypse? A terrorist attack? Some major hacking job? Or just a new movie advertizement via viral marketing?

posted by Jesse Willis

Escapepod has David Barr Kirtley story

2007-09-27T09:20:00.000-07:00

Just up from Escapepod

"Meg hadn�t heard from Devon in four months, and she realized that she missed him. So on a whim she tossed her sword and scabbard into the trunk of her car and drove over to campus to visit him." First appeared in Realms of Fantasy, October 2007.

Available in mp3 format here

Subscribe to the podcast feed via this url:

http://escapepod.org/podcast.xml

posted by David Tackett