News, Reviews, and Commentary on all forms of science fiction, fantasy, and horror audio. Audiobooks, audio drama, podcasts; we discuss all of it here. Mystery, crime, and noir audio are also fair game.
Happy birthday to us! It’s SFFaudio’s third birthday today and we’re celebrating with cake. Want a piece? I sure hope it’s chocolate. That’d be nice, but secretly I’m looking forward to all the cool birthday presents more, let’s hope they’re all unabridged this year!
Thanks so much to all the SFFaudio contributors and readers! We actually could have done it without you, but what fun would that have been?
Though too modest to toot his own horn himself my co-editor and very dear friend Scott D. Danielson has made his very first professional sale and I think it is very newsworthy, even though it hasn’t yet been adapted to audio (yet)! Scott sold his first ever short story to none other than the new online magazine Orson Scott Card’s InterGalactic Medicine Show!
Adrift
By Scott D. Danielson
Publisher: Orson Scott Card’s InterGalactic Medicine Show – Issue 2
Published: March 2006
“He was floating in dark space, stars all around. Then he noticed a dark patch of space, as if a dark hole had opened. The hole grew larger and larger, the stars disappearing, until he realized that he was looking at another ship. An immense, completely dark craft approached.”
The print edition of Adrift appears today in issue #2 (that’s the March 2006 issue). This also happens to be the same issue as Middle Woman (the story I REVIEWED back on March 1st – which was a story read by SFFaudio reviewer Mary Robinette Kowal). Adrift has a setting not unlike that of the H.P. Lovecraft Cthulhu Mythos, but is also influenced by the likes of Anne McCaffrey and William Gibson, if you can imagine that. Scott’s prose is polished, shiny, poignant – had I known he had it in him I’d have been way too intimidated to email him all those years ago – this guy’s a natural writer, talented quick and full of great ideas. Now as to the inspiration, were I to guess, I’d say Scott was inspired to write Adrift in particular for two main reasons:
1. Besides running SFFaudio Scott is working on another big site. His personal blog, SFFreader has primarily been a project in which he reads and comments on ALL of the Hugo and Nebula award winning short stories, novellas and novellettes. This neo-Hurculean task has already vastly deepened his already substantial knowledge of SF&F in the short form.
2. Additionally, a few months ago Scott and I had some discussions about what makes an SF story resonate with one person and not with another. When I asked Scott in a private skype conversation to “name a favorite Science Fiction story”, he named The Star by Arthur C. Clarke – a very good story but one that didn’t resonate with me the way it resonates with him. He then asked me to name one of mine and I named The Cold Equations by Tom Godwin – a story Scott hadn’t read at that time. Scott got a hold of a copy of The Cold Equations, read it and felt the same way I had about The Star. There was a distinct gap between the two tales as well as a gap between our two feelings about the stories. In my estimation, the gap was the difference between a meaningful universe and a meaningless universe. I think Scott agreed, because in my view Adrift bridges the gap between The Cold Equations and The Star quite effectively. Now I ask you is this mere coincidence? Or is it meaningful to you?
Do yourself a favour and find out, Issue #2 of Orson Scott Card’s InterGalactic Medicine Show is only $2.50 USD and is available now!
In conjunction with the next Kick-Ass Mystic Ninjas Podcast (set to be recorded this coming weekend) we’re giving you the complete and total rundown of every Dune related audiotape and audio CD that we know of, it is a very long list and it continues to grow.
The Original Dune Books by Frank Herbert:
There are six original Dune novels by Frank Herbert, all of which have been produced in UNABRIDGED editions. The first novel has been released three times, with three different readers. All subsequent novels in the original six book series have been released only once and are now out of print and very costly to purchase.
Dune
By Frank Herbert; Read by George Guidall
16 Casettes – 24 Hours [UNABRIDGED]
Publisher: Recorded Books LLC
Published: 1998
ISBN: 0788763334
[CLICK HERE FOR OUR REVIEW]
Arguably the best reading of Dune ever recorded. George Guidall is a master narrator.
Dune
By Frank Herbert; Read by Scott Brick
18 Cassettes or 22 CDs – Approx. 27 Hours [UNABRIDGED]
Publisher: Books on Tape Inc.
Published: 2002
ISBN: 0736689591 (cassettes), 0736692401 (CDs)
The original masterwork as performed by Scott Brick, an excellent reader. This edition also includes the complete appendices and the “Terminology of the Imperium” sections. This edition also won the AudioFile Magazine Earphones Award.
Dune
By Frank Herbert; Read by Connor O’Brien
13 Cassettes – 19.5 Hours [UNABRIDGED]
Publisher: Books on Tape Inc.
Published: 1997
ISBN: 073663763X
This is the earlier Books On Tape edition, Connor O’Brien’s performance is probably the least popular of the three UNABRIDGED audio editions of Dune released so far. This is out of print and very hard to find.
Dune Messiah
By Frank Herbert; Read by Connor O’Brien
6 Cassettes – Approx. 9 Hours [UNABRIDGED]
Publisher: Books on Tape Inc.
Published: 1997
ISBN: 0736640185
The immediate sequel to Dune. This is out of print and very hard to find.
Children Of Dune
By Frank Herbert; Read by Connor O’Brien
? Cassettes – ? Hours [UNABRIDGED]
Publisher: Books on Tape Inc.
Published: 1997
ISBN: 0736640193
Third book in the original Dune sequence. This is out of print and very hard to find.
God Emperor Of Dune
By Frank Herbert; Read by Connor O’Brien
10 Cassettes – Approx. 15 Hours [UNABRIDGED]
Publisher: Books on Tape Inc.
Published: 1998
ISBN: 0736644229
Fourth book in the original Dune series. This is out of print and very hard to find.
Heretics Of Dune
By Frank Herbert; Read by John Edwardson
14 Cassettes – Approx. 21 Hours [UNABRIDGED]
Publisher: Books on Tape Inc.
Published: 1998
ISBN: 0736654534
Book five in the original Dune series. This is out of print and very hard to find.
Chapterhouse: Dune
By Frank Herbert; Read by John Edwardson
? Cassettes – ? Hours [UNABRIDGED]
Publisher: Books on Tape Inc.
Published: 1998
ISBN: 0736643443
The last of the original Dune books written by Frank Herbert. This is out of print and very hard to find.
The Brian Herbert/Kevin J. Anderson “Prelude To Dune” Books:
A series of three novels set in the years leading up to the momentous events of Dune. These were the first new Dune books since Chapterhouse: Dune.
Dune: House Atredies
By Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson; Read by Tim Curry
? Cassettes – [ABRIDGED]
Publisher: Random House Audio
Published: 1999
ISBN: 0553526650
The first of the three prequel novels by Frank Herbert’s son Brian and SF author Kevin J. Anderson.
Dune: House Harkonnen
By Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson; Read by Tim Curry
? Cassettes – [ABRIDGED]
Publisher: Random House Audio
Published: 2000
ISBN: 0553526669
The second of the three prequel novels.
Dune: House Corrino
By Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson; Read by Tim Curry
? Cassettes – [ABRIDGED]
Publisher: Random House Audio
Published: 2001
ISBN: 0553526677
The third of the three prequel novels.
The Brian Herbert/Kevin J. Anderson “Legends of Dune” Books:
The LEGENDS OF DUNE trilogy details the saga preceding the Dune prequels. Set well before the events of the Original Dune series.
Dune: The Butlerian Jihad,
By Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson; Read by Scott Brick
14 Cassettes or 20 CDs – 22 Hours [UNABRIDGED]
Publisher: Audio Renaissance
Published: 2002
ISBN: 1559277548 (Cassettes), 1559277556 (CDs)
First of the “Legends Of Dune” trilogy.
Dune: The Machine Crusade
By Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson; Read by Scott Brick
16 Cassettes or 22 CDs – 22 Hours [UNABRIDGED]
Publisher: Audio Renaissance
Published: 2003
ISBN: 1559279443 (Cassettes), 1559279451 (CDs)
Second in the “Legends Of Dune” trilogy.
Dune: The Battle of Corrin
By Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson: Read by Scott Brick
16 Cassettes or 22 CDs – 25 Hours [UNABRIDGED]
Publisher: Audio Renaissance
Published: 2004
ISBN: 1593974248 (Cassettes), 1593974256 (CDs)
Third and concluding book in the “Legends Of Dune” trilogy.
Both cassette and CD editions feature an interview with Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson.
The Brian Herbert/Kevin J. Anderson Sequel Novels:
Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson have recently announced plans to write and release two Dune sequel novels. The first of which will be set after Chapterhouse Dune. Here are the details as we know them…
Hunters of Dune
By Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson; Read by ????
20 CDs – 24.5 Hours [UNABRIDGED]
Publisher: Audio Renaissance
Published: (ANNOUNCED FORTHCOMING – Tuesday, August 22, 2006)
ISBN: 1593979754
Sandworms Of Dune
By Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson; Read by ???
Publisher: Audio Renaissance ???
Published: Tentatively scheduled for publication in 2007
ISBN: ???
Dune Audio Extras:
In addition to those “extras” listed below there have been several music soundtrack releases and kids movie-tie in releases related to the David Lynch Dune film and the two Sci-Fi Channel Dune miniseries.
Dune: An Interview with Frank Herbert and David Lynch
1 Cassette – 1 Hour [INTERVIEW]
ISBN: 0681308958
Date Published: 1983
Published by Waldentapes
[CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL REVIEW]
This is long out of print and very hard to find.
The Road To Dune
By Frank Herbert, Brian Herbert, and Kevin J. Anderson; Read by Scott Brick
8 Cassettes or 12 CDs – 14 hours [UNABRIDGED]
Publisher: Audio Renaissance
Published: September 2005
ISBN: 1593978235 (Cassettes), 159397776X (CDs)
[CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL REVIEW]
An intriguing collection of Dune “extras” that should please any fan of Frank Herbert. It includes:
-A short novel Spice Planet by Frank Herbert (a prototype of the original Dune)
-Deleted Scenes and Alternate endings from Dune and Dune Messiah.
-Letters and notes from Frank Herbert from the time when he was trying to get Dune published.
-Four short stories by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson:
1. “Whisper of Caladan Seas”
2. “Hunting Harkonnens”
3. “Whipping Mek”
4. “Faces of a Martyr”
Sandworms of Dune
By Frank Herbert; Read by Frank Herbert
1 LP – 41 Minutes 10 Seconds [UNABRIDGED EXPERPTS]
Publisher: Caedmon Audio
Published: 1978
Product #: TC 1565
This is long out of print and very hard to find.
Dune: The Banquet Scene
By Frank Herbert; Read by Frank Herbert
1 LP – 53 Minutes 34 Seconds [UNABRIDGED EXPERPTS]
Publisher: Caedmon Audio
Published: 1979
Product #: TC 1555
This is long out of print and very hard to find.
The Battles of Dune
By Frank Herbert; Read by Frank Herbert
1 LP – 62 Minutes 20 Seconds [UNABRIDGED EXPERPTS]
Publisher: Caedmon Audio
Published: 1979
Product #: TC 1601
This was re-released on a single cassette in 1994 by Harper Audio.
The Truths of Dune: Fear is the Mind Killer
By Frank Herbert; Read by Frank Herbert
1 LP – 45 Minutes 1 Seconds [UNABRIDGED EXPERPTS]
Publisher: Caedmon Audio
Published: 1979
Product #: TC 1616
This was re-released on a single cassette in 1994 by Harper Audio.
The Dune Collection
By Frank Herbert; Read by Frank Herbert
4 Cassettes – Approx. 3 Hours 22 Minutes [UNABRIDGED EXERPTS]
Publisher: Harper Audio (Caedmon Audio)
Published: 1994
ISBN: 1559949570
This is a collection of four late-1970s LPs reissued in one package. Each key excerpt is melded with connective text written by Frank Herbert specifically for these recordings. The LPs were titled: Dune: The Banquet Scene, Sandworms Of Dune, The Battles Of Dune and The Truths of Dune: Fear Is The Mind Killer.
Matthew Wayne Zelznick, the hottest new voice in long form podcast fiction, has polished off his first project, his novel Brave Men Run – A Novel Of The Soverign Era. In what is becoming a new tradition for podcast novels Matt promises to do a Q&A podcast. He’s also promised a short story that tells part of the Brave Men Run story from another character’s point of view in an upcoming podcast. Cool!
These are the kinds of bonus features that make the podiobooks format better than most audiobooks. You can text your questions or MP3 your questions to Matt at his email address: [email protected]. Matt says he will answer every question recieved between now and March 11th 2006.
James Patrick Kelly has just completed podcasting all 16 chapters his new novel Burn. Apparently the publisher of the dead-tree version, Tachyon Publications, has informed him that about 2/3 of the first printing have already sold. So that means you can still head on over THERE and buy a hardcopy if you hurry. Also, Jim will be accepting questions via email about Burn, for an upcoming special podcast Q&A, try to get the questions in over the next week or so. You can email him at [email protected] and he’s said questions in MP3 format are cool too.
So what’s next? Good news, starting soon, Jim will be releasing his recently Nebula nominated novellette, Men Are Trouble (which first appeared in Asimov’s (Jun04). Keen!
Voices: New Media Fiction is the first podiobook anthology, the brainchild of podcast legend Mur Lafferty. Chock full of spec-fic goodness this is a new collection of previously podcast fiction. When completed there will be stories from Jared Axelrod of The Voice Of Free Planet X, Patrick McLean of The Seanachai, Paul S. Jenkins of The Rev-Up Review, James Patrick Kelly of Free Reads, Jason Erik Lundberg of Lies and Little Deaths and J.R. Blackwell of 365 Tommorows, as well as the ubiquitous Cory Doctorow, and another 10 more!
The official Podiobooks.com announcement reads as follows:
“Milestone! We’re very happy to announce the release of Voices: New Media Fiction. Voices is edited by Mur Lafferty, and is only available from Podiobooks.com. It is also our 30th book
Voices: New Media Fiction brings together the pioneer short fiction podcasters. Experimenting from putting short-short fiction to novellas over their podcasts, these writers were the first to test the new medium for storytelling. Some wrote specifically for podcasts, some read previously published fiction, and some read entirely new stories. Some listeners asked if they could get just the stories in audio form, and that request brought about this podiobook. Cory Doctorow tells us a story about a post-apocalyptic government run by sysadmins and James Patrick Kelly narrates a story of a strange reconciliation. We’ve collected 18 stories for you, the first short fiction to go out over podcast, and look forward to bringing you more.”
Stories already available from the collection include:
Wolf in the Park
By Patrick McLean
A man is hunted – or is it haunted – by a monstrous wolf.
Barry Koleman, Hero
By Mur Lafferty
Barry grows up a bitter man, denied the superpowers that are his birthright.
The Journey of Jonathan Cave
By Paul S. Jenkins
Jonathan awakens from stasis to discover he’s on the last journey of his life.
Pandas Just Want to be Dogs
By Jared Axlerod
A man discusses desires and extinction with a panda.
Anda’s Game
By Cory Doctorow
A young girl realizes there’s more to her online gameplaying than just looting and leveling.