The tool is not the content : I Should Be Writing inspired me to finally put down my thoughts on the Podcasting Upheaval of 2010. I will say that what follows isn’t anger or frustration at one individual. This is my opinion as I personally view it. I don’t claim it to be right or wrong. Keep that in mind. If anyone feels like they want to comment on this post, go right ahead. But if this turns into a shouting match, shout amongst yourselves, I’ll be eating popcorn while working with those who take what is said for what it is and use it (because that is what writers do, they take criticism and turn it into magic shiny things of brilliance). Oh, and said shouting match participants will have their comments deleted. As a ref once said, “Let’s get it on!”
Nonconformity is one of those hidden gems not discussed much as a motive for podcasting fiction. It is implied that the product can’t be put into a nifty little box. “This is horror. This is science fiction.” And the ways podcasted novels have evolved into full cast productions can be considered logical, amazing, and a wonderful use of the tools given. Why are authors choosing to turn the written word into audio drama? Engage the listener (and potential customer) by creating a richer experience. Hutch is breaking away from the mold and I applaud him for doing so because the world needs more misfits. (Side note: You should read the latest newsletter I received from Chris Brogan; it expands on this not fitting in thing in better detail)
We all create worlds in our own ways and while there is a growing urge to focus on the self, (How can I get a better bang for my buck? Do I switch to producing some free content and have listeners pay for the rest? etc), there isn’t that sense of raising the bar. If we want to make podcasting a truly lasting part of the written culture like movies/tv/video games etc, we have to become more tightly knit. As it stands, this body is wriggling on the floor at moments, observing individual parts flex their muscles, running hard with fast starts out the gate, dazzling the crowds occasionally (Amazon sales rankings anyone?), but that well-oiled machine vibe isn’t present. Sure, a lot of us focus on our individual projects and encourage each other on Twitter FB etc, but there is more to support than retweets, promoting content, and buying books. We have discussions on forums and some people will chat on skype … what about conference calls so authors can bounce ideas back and forth? The skeletal framework is in need of some old fashioned physical conditioning. We should be willing to branch out and have podcasting as part of the whole … go into more uses of YouTube. (We like web series like The Guild. Surely, there can be web series based on the podcasted written content.) We like comics … figure out how to get more works done as graphic novels.
There are two glaring excuses looming over it all: “We don’t have the time,” and “We tried that before.” You get what you put in when it comes to creativity and I’m as guilty as anyone in not including more people of different backgrounds into my projects. But if we feel we don’t have the time, stop writing, stop creating, say you are done and move on; a “Poor pity me” cynic is worth cutting off. If we have tried that before, we wouldn’t be in the spot we find ourselves in; filled with doubt, debating over how to play the hand we are dealt, and feeding into the fear of failure.
The only way to break the cycle in my view is to stop being a reactionary community and start being a truly proactive one; this means quality over quantity, embracing all forms of entertainment to keep the listeners we have and attract new ones who may in turn buy our work, and also tap into markets that aren’t embraced much at all save for strictly best-selling books. (I am specifically meaning braille books in this case.) Audio is great but what 99% of you take for granted is the fact that there is a large community of patrons just waiting to get fiction and read it. Braille is a dying breed thanks to technology, but I feel that it still has it’s place. I personally wouldn’t have been introduced to a little book series about Harry Potter if I hadn’t gotten my hands on a copy from a braille publisher. There are many options open to us. Let’s stop looking at door numbers 1,2, and 3 and open them all. What do you say?
9
Jul
The day has arrived for you to by Phil Rossi’s book. Info about Crescent is in a previous blog post as well as comments from Scott Sigler and J.C. Hutchins. Click here to rush the Amazon Charts!
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Watch Phil Rossi’s coverage here at the link below!
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/crescent-amazon-com-chart-rushdownload two can play that game
Crescent Book Launch Promo (right click, download, and experience.)
About Crescent
“Crescent is the last stop at the intergalactic crossroads of gritty sci-fi and pucker-inducing horror.” –Scott Sigler, New York Times bestselling author of Contagious
“Crescent is the ultimate sci-fi / horror mashup. It’s a wicked blend of the claustrophobia seen in Ridley Scott’s Alien, and the viral demonology of Carpenter’s Prince Of Darkness with the hard-drinkin’ bad attitude of Battlestar Galactica added for good measure. The future has never been so frightening. Phil Rossi brings it.” –J.C. Hutchins, author of Personal Effects: Dark Art and 7th Son: Descent
“Phil Rossi has crafted a space station tale with sex, horror, and vibrant attention to tech and human detail. Evocatively served, highly recommended.” —Paul Levinson, author of The Plot to Save Socrates
Summary:
Darkness has inspired fear since mankind first watched the sun go down. Bad things hide in the dark feral beasts with mouths full of razors waiting for
a taste of flesh. But now, the darkness is stirring with a life of its own. Crescent Station is the last bastion of civilization, floating in the cold, outer systems where colonized space gives way to the sparser settlements of the Frontier. Like the boom towns of distant Earth’s Old American West, Crescent Station is a gateway to power, wealth, and opportunity for anyone who isn’t afraid to get his or her hands dirty. But deep within the station’s bowels, in Crescent’s darkest and most secret places, an ancient evil is awakening and hungry, and it threatens the very fabric of space and time. Will the residents of Crescent Station find a way to stop it before the terror drives them insane? Or is it already too late?
Tomorrow is the Amazon rush, and Astral Audio Productions wants you to be a part of history. July 9, 2009 is when you can buy the book. Watch the trailer below, and come back tomorrow when I will give you the link to hit the charts!
So the day we have been waiting for has arrived. You can head to your local book outlet and purchase a copy of a book that’s “… not just a book; it’s an experience.” Still not amped up? Then check this out.
So go for it and buy yourself several copies of Personel Effects: Dark Art.
21
May
I found this fascinating quote today (via C.C Chapman) since it highlights what we mentioned in a previous post:
I was fortunate enough to get an advance copy of Personal Effects: Dark Art which will hit store shelves in a couple of weeks. While I love my Kindle, it is books like this that insure that printed books are never going to go away. You’ll have to pick up a copy to see what I mean, but the whole style and printing is as much a part of the story as the written words are. Trust me and order a copy today.Personal Effects: Dark Art, May 2009
You should read the whole article.
17
Aug
This is the first of many updates you will recieve in our effort to keep you up to date with the latest goings on in Astral Audio Productions. We are shooting for 3-5 a week, and Astral Audio Extra episodes will be released on weekends as a sort of round up. Then once or twice a month (depending on how fast they can be produced), Astral Audio Experience episodes will be submitted for your listening pleasure. Read more
Sleep takes no prisoners; this fan and fellow writer ended up asaulted by the sandman. No Singapore canes were involved I promise. (Kudos to those who get that reference.) The Case of the Pitcher’s Pendant: A Billibub Baddings Mystery is ranked number 66 overall. Number 2 in Science Fiction and Fantasy> Fantasy. Digital magic is ranked at number 76 overall. #1 in Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy >
Fantasy > Magic & Wizards and #1 in
Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Fantasy > Contemporary. Awesome work people. Keep it up; the day is far from over!
August 9th update. They peaked at 48 and 58 respectively and are now still in the good standing as far as the genre rankings go. We are definitely calling yesterday’s run a success; we want people to keep buying books. The longer they get exposure; the better things will look in the publisher’s eyes. Great work so far Pip and Tee; you have done it!
This episode, we feature four tracks by G Tom Mac from his most recent album. He is the guy who wrote and performed “Cry Little Sister” from the 1987 vampire flick, Lost Boys. He has given Astral Audio Productions permission to use the lyrics of that song as a plot device in Astral Audio Experience. What do we have planned? I won’t say. He might even help with the writing process so we do his song justice. You’ll just have to stay tuned to find out what we have in store eh? Click the cover to visit his official website, and send him a note telling him that you came after hearing about him through us.
- Album Cover
Script 6 of Astral Audio Experience: Episode 6 has been given to the cast. And as of this writing, we have several lines submitted. Auditions for several roles are up for grabs; most of them are recurring. You have three weeks to get them in. Send them to auditions(at)astralaudio.net. Here are the roles.
Assassin: (male; adult.)
Lines
(stammering)
I-I know.
(hurriedly)
Oh, it’s good. It’s good. I neutralized the target.
I’m exhausted. The show lasted longer than I thought it would. He kept talking and thanking people and ..
(voice fading in)… a perfect shot; he went down, and I left through the studio window. That’s all she wrote.
Yes. The man who calls himself the “Astral Guardian” is dead.
The body? I didn’t retrieve it. I’m an assassin; not a morgue-dwelling coroner.
(nervously)Well, I was given the location and layout of the radio station, plus Magnus Porter’s work schedule. Hitting him at his home would have been easier and safer, but your people didn’t have anything on that, or any routes he took to work. So the only place to take him was at the radio station–and not just at the station, mind you, but in the studio itself.
Oh yeah. Getting in there was tricky, but I managed it. Found a hiding place in the studio where no one could see me, not even the guy behind the mike. Waited for the early afternoon show, when the target would be there, he calls himself the “Astral Guardian”–
(snickers)The best time to strike was at the end of the show. You know, all went well, now everyone can rest easy while they switch to the network news. So he finishes–finally–and just when he’s about to sign off–boom! One shot takes him in the back; one shot takes out the window behind me, and I’m out on a zip-line and away.
Of course. That’s why you hired me. Besides, when doing this kind of work, you have to get to your target unseen, strike, then get out fast.
What is–
(in agony)My arm!! You’ve–
The assassin screams, and we hear a savage tearing sound.(struggling through the pain)What is this?
(terrified)I shot him! I saw him hit the floor! Don’t … don’t kill–
(drawn out in pain)But Maaaster! Oh God! Oh God! God, please, no!
Servant 1: (male.)
Lines
You…are late.
The Master doesn’t like to be kept waiting. –And you should know better than to bring weapons in past that door. Hand them over.
(clears throat)
(sarcastic)
Thank you. Come.
I presume you have a good report.
(thinking)
The expression on your face tells me otherwise. You are frightened; frightened of what the Master will do if you have failed.
(incredulous)
Oh really. Well, if you succeeded, then why the pale look on your face?
(sighs)
If you say so. Still, the master will not take your story at face value; I can guarantee that. He’s hell-bent on this Astral Guardian business.
(pauses)
But if you have done your job, then you have no worries.
He has arrived, Master.
But Master…
(cackles)
Yes, yes.
Master?
Servant 2: (male or female.)
Lines
Master?
soldier 1: (male or female.)
Lines
(some distance away)
Launcher ready!
Target hit confirmed!
Aye, sir.
Soldier 2: (male or female.)
Lines
(even further away)
Roger! Launcher ready!
Target hit!
Looks like it was dead center as we drew it up, Sir!
Aye, sir.
With the major stuff out of the way, there is more news. This Friday, August 8, 2008, marks the release of two books. Tee Morris, and Philippa Ballantine want you to buy them starting at 8:00 AM Pacific time on Amazon. As a bonus, you can download the free pdf versions in this post.
http://www.chasingthebard.com/dm/digital_magic_freepdf.pdf
http://teemorris.com/BB-PitchersPendant.pdf
Further details will be announced on Friday; including links to the Amazon.com links for each book.
Music in this podcast was provided by Ariel Publicity. Leave feedback at 206-338-2138.