First review of The SFFaudio Podcast – in the blue spotlight

SFFaudio News

AzureScapeThe first external review of our SFFaudio Podcast is available for your education and exhaltation! Penned Seth Wilson, an SFF audio connoisseur of the blind kind, on a blog called AzureScape.net, it’s full of high praise for me (and tangentially for Scott too – though that’s got to be a highly secondary issue). He also rated me us at 5 stars on iTunes, natch.

Thanks Seth, you have great taste!

And, be sure to check out Seth’s review of the audiobook version of Neal Stephenson’s Anathem over on AzureScape too!

Posted by Jesse Willis

“Re-Animator” in a “Conan” situation

SFFaudio News

io9 a science fiction blogThe io9 blog has a story related to our Broken Sea vs. CPI stories |LINK 1|Link 2| we’ve been running. A corp named Re-Animator LLC has sent a Cease and Desist order, and claimed trademark protection on, the word “Re-Animator” and “is fighting comic book companies from publishing anything having to do with the term.” Re-Animator LLC trademarked the word in 2005. Which is several years after the first two Re-Animator movies were released and nearly 90 years since it was first written by H.P. Lovecraft.

[via Lost Carcosa]

Posted by Jesse Willis

The Xmas Files – an audio drama parody

SFFaudio News

The X-Mas FilesGeorge Plumley wrote in to tell us about one of his older projects:

I’m a huge fan of audio drama and that led me to produce some of my own years ago. One of the projects was The Xmas Files. I originally brought it out on cassette when the X-Files was just a young pup, but now have it online:

http://www.xmasfiles.com

It was one of my earliest forays into digital production – done on an Atari using the original Cubase audio program (the thing fit on a single floppy disk)… ok, so that’s dating things a bit, eh? Another interesting fact about the production is that I recorded it when I lived in Vancouver and most of the actors appeared in bit roles on the X-Files (the lead, Michael Dobson, is also a major voice actor in the Anime field).

I had a copy of this show back years ago, on cassette, back when audio drama was hard to find. I probably got it during X-Files mania, either during or shortly after the first season of The X-Files aired.

Posted by Jesse Willis

Jeffrey A. Carver halts SUNBORN audiobook

SFFaudio News

Sunborn by Jeffrey A. CarverIn an effort to promote his upcoming novel, Sunborn, author Jeffrey A. Carver had been recording the novel for podcast. But, due to difficulties with equipment, and the frustrations of the task he has now abandoned the project. The first installment of his attempt is still available for listening |MP3|

I’m not someone who’s likely to say “don’t record your novel” but in this case I can see why Carver stopped. When recording interferes with writing time, and your recording isn’t done in a smooth and efficient manner, you’d be crazy to do it.

Another issue, one that Carver doesn’t cite, is that authors don’t always make the best readers. A trained actor can bring a whole new dimension to the text. Carver’s reading isn’t bad, it just isn’t good.

Another issue I’m thinking about: Releasing the 4th book in the series 1st isn’t the best idea. When the first three haven’t been released to audio yet, you’re betting that the audience for the 4th book will be able to step in – and get it. Better, would be to promote a new book is to release an older book, ideally the first in the series. This will get your audience whetted, and more likely to pick up later books in paperbook versions.

Posted by Jesse Willis

SFSignal’s MIND MELD – Favorite Sub-Genre of Science Fiction

SFFaudio News

SFSignal.comSFSignal.com‘s John DeNardo has posted up their latest “Mind Meld” in which a cross section of SF’s semi-celebrities give their answers to a pointed question about SF. This time the question is:

What’s Your Favorite Sub-Genre of Science Fiction and/or Fantasy?

Read the entire post HERE, it includes my own answer (which I think is pretty darn good) as well as some other decent (if not as awesome) ones. I am da vinner!

Posted by Jesse Willis

Tor.com review of Swords Against Deviltry by Fritz Leiber

SFFaudio News

Tor.comNoted editor, blogger and cool guy John Joseph Adams has posted a lengthy essay on Audible Frontiers’ new Lankhmar audiobooks, particularity Fritz Leiber’s Swords Against Deviltry), over on Tor.com:

“…So it was with great anticipation that I started listening. But man, I forgot how boring and long that first story is.”

Go read the entire post HERE.

Posted by Jesse Willis