ClonePod, as we mentioned recently, is a new short fiction podcast that has modeled itself on the successful Escape Pod model. Hosted by middle schoolers the stories are geared towards that audience, filling a niche that has been only rarely serviced. Evidence for their commitment to entertainment comes from their latest two shows which take two tales from two pro-writers with established audiences….
First up is Brian Stableford’s The Poisoned Chalice, which originally appeared in the 2006 anthology Fantasy Gone Wrong. The idea behind which was to take “traditional fantasy premises and color them ironic.”
The Poisoned Chalice
By Brian Stableford; Read by Bruce McDonald
1 |MP3| – Approx. 42 Minutes [UNABRIDGED]
Podcaster: ClonePod
Podcast: February 10th 2008
“WORLD’S EDGE 4 MILES” said the relevant arm of the signpost. At least, that’s what it said now. The 4 replaced a scratched-out 5, which had replaced a scratched-out six, and so on to 10. There had been other numbers before that, but someone had repainted the sign some years ago to make way for a new set….
Sez Jim C. Hines on his blog:
“If you’re looking for something to put you in a goblin mood, head on over to the new Podcasting site ClonePod. My story “Goblin Hunter” is the latest release, showing how Jig met his faithful fire-spider Smudge. “Goblin Hunter” was originally published as “Goblin Hero” in Bash Down the Door And Slice Open the Badguy [an anthology of humorous sword and sorcery). (I named the story and sold it before settling on the title for the second goblin book. So the story has now been renamed.) They’ve got a fun illustration of Ropak the goblin, too.”
Goblin Hunter
By Jim C. Hines; Read by Bruce McDonald
1 |MP3| – Approx. 29 Minutes [UNABRIDGED]
Podcaster: ClonePod
Podcast: February 28th 2008
Jig had muck duty again. His shoulder ached from hauling the muck pot around as he scooped gobs of green sludge into shallow indentations in the stone floor. So far, he had made it through his duties without splashing himself. Even the unlit muck blistered skin in a matter of seconds. When burning, the yellow and green flames were almost impossible to extinguish, which was why the goblins used the stuff in the first place. Unlike most muck-workers, Jig had survived several years with his skin and lungs intact.
Check it out via their podcast feed:
http://www.clonepod.org/feed/
Posted by Jesse Willis
