Fan-created machinima movie recreates 7th Son battle
February 29, 2008
Dig this wicked cool machinima video created by Montie G, a dedicated 7th Son fan. This recreates the scrappy fight sequence between Father Thomas and a Devlin solider during the climactic events seen in 7th Son, Book Three: Destruction.
Friends, it doesn’t get any cooler than this. Thanks to Montie G for such an ass-kickin’, creative contribution to the 7th Son experience!
J.C. Hutchins to attend BarCampOrlando, April 6
February 29, 2008
It’s official, 7th Son fans: I’ll be attending BarCampOrlando’s “Media Day” on April 6, and — if there’s interest — will likely host a presentation on podcast fiction. I’ve been craving to attend a BarCamp since I became a podcaster, and am looking forward to the event.
What is BarCampOrlando? It is a community building event which happens twice a year to brings together people from different backgrounds to share and learn from each other. There will be people who know Java, .NET, Ruby, PHP, and other technologies coming together for Dev Day (April 5), and there will be people who know film, music, photography, graphic design, podcasting, and even other New Media coming together for Media Day (April 6).
If you want to learn more about BarCampOrlando — or want to register to attend — visit the event’s site for more information. Hope to see you there!
–J.C.
Recent interviews in the podosphere
February 29, 2008
While I’ve been fortunate to interview many amazing personalities in the social media scene for my UltraCreatives Interview Series, I also enjoy appearing as the interviewee on other podcasts. This week, two excellent podcasters released episodes featuring me on their programs.
I had a great discussion with Chris Moody for the season opener of his PodioMedia Chat podcast. The interview is filled with 7th Son spoilers (be careful, 7th Son newcomers!), and lots of hints of things I have planned for 2008. Find the episode here.
I also had a great interview with Tee Morris on his Survival Guide to Writing Fantasy podcast. Tee and I discussed the creative challenges a writer faces after concluding a large project like 7th Son, and a lot more. Find the episode here.
Both shows feature high-quality content in every episode. Be sure to check them out!
–J.C.
UltraCreatives Interview #6: Seth Harwood
February 27, 2008
This week, crime noir author Seth Harwood joins host J.C. Hutchins for an in-depth, energetic UltraCreatives interview about his debut novel Jack Wakes Up, and its upcoming print release.
Seth chats about his writing career, how he came to love the crime fiction genre, how his profession as an English teacher influences his writing (and vice versa), and more. It’s a fun, forthcoming interview by one of the biggest names in podcast fiction. There’s plenty to learn here for aspiring writers and fans of great, gritty fiction.
Find Seth Harwood on the ‘net:
- SethHarwood.com
- JackWakesUp.com
- Jack Wakes Up on Amazon (Remember: purchase on March 16, “Palms Sunday”)
Promos:
UltraCreatives Interview #5: Jason Calacanis
February 21, 2008
This week on UltraCreatives, J.C. interviews entrepreneur Jason Calacanis, CEO of Mahalo.com, the world’s first human-powered search engine.
During the chat, Jason explains the creative and business philosophies powering Mahalo.com, the creativity an entrepreneur needs to succeed, his personal drive (and the life experiences that defined it), and more. The interview is enlightening for aspiring entrepreneurs, or people pursuing any creative endeavor.
Links mentioned in this interview:
In addition, J.C. mentions the Blogger & Podcaster magazine cover story featuring him and fellow podcast novelists Scott Sigler and Mur Lafferty. Find the online version of the article (written by “The Bitterest Pill” host Dan Klass) at the Blogger & Podcaster website.
For newcomers to JCHutchins.net, welcome! Learn how to subscribe to J.C.’s 7th Son podcast novel thriller trilogy by visiting the Podcasting Primer page. For more info about 7th Son and its awesome fans, view this Summer 2007 media kit PDF.
J.C. Hutchins and Scott Sigler featured on the cover of Blogger & Podcaster magazine
February 19, 2008
I am honored to report that podcast novelist Scott Sigler and I are the subjects of the February/March cover story for Podcaster & Blogger magazine. The article, titled “Fiction 2.0,” was written by Dan Klass of “The Bitterest Pill” fame. Podcast novelist Mur Lafferty was also featured in the story. You can read it at the magazine’s website.
I have never read a journalistic article that so brilliantly and eloquently captures the “vision” that podcast novelists share, why we do what we do, and the passion we have for our work, the podcasting medium, and our audiences. Klass’ reporting is world-class, and his writing matches — and in many cases, trumps — any magazine cover feature you’d find on newsstands today. I am flattered by the coverage, and am honored to be recognized as a vanguard in this blossoming genre of podcasting.
If you’ve read the article and are visiting JCH.net for the first time, thank you for your interest in my work. Feel free to explore the site, and experience the 100+ images, desktop wallpapers, photographs, music, and more … all inspired by 7th Son, all created by fans. Please visit my Podcasting Primer page to easily subscribe to the 7th Son audiobook trilogy.
For existing fans of 7S, you’ll be delighted to know that the Blogger & Podcaster article reveals the details of my next podfiction project — titled 7th Son: Obisidan — which will debut in May. I’ll give more details on Obsidian in a future blog post.
My thanks go out to writer Dan Klass, editor Shelly Brisbin and the Blogger & Podcaster team for covering podcast fiction, and for so superbly capturing my love for my craft, and my listeners.
Tantalizing hints of new 7S project in SciFiDimensions podcast
February 19, 2008
Last week, I chatted with John C. Snider, editor of SF online magazine SciFiDimensions.com, for his site’s new podcast. I had a great time — John is an excellent interviewer — and in addition to doing my best to attract new listeners to 7th Son by promoting the trilogy, I also dropped a few delicious details about the new 7S project to be released in May. I even hinted at dangerous things to come in my secret CODE PHANTOM novel project. You can’t miss this interview, folks!
If you’re a fan of sci-fi, subscribe to John’s podcast … and be sure to check out his online magazine, too! Excellent stuff!
–J.C.
7th Son web widget goes LIVE!
February 16, 2008
Beloved 7th Son listeners: Do you have a blog, MySpace or Facebook page? Howzabout a Blogger, LiveJournal, Friendster or Freewebs site? If you do — and I know you do — feast your peepers on that lovely web widget on the right. While you’re at it, click the audio “play” button. Heee! Instant 7th Son gratification!
We all know that the trilogy has concluded, but that doesn’t mean I’m not questing for new listeners … especially since a new 7th Son fiction project will debut this May. That’s right, folks. More 7S goodness is coming, and I need you to help prepare the uninitiated masses by getting them listening to the trilogy now.
Will you help? It’s easy-peasy to lend a hand. Simply click the “share” button on the pretty little widget, pick your social media site of choice, and post! Alternately, you can paste the magic URL code into a blog entry or sidebar widget of your blogging platform (like I did). Heck, you can even e-mail it to a buddy! The fillout forms are teeny tiny right now, so if you’re having a problem typing in your deets, let me know. I’ll make the widget wider.
In the meantime, help me spread the 7th Son word far and wide — and prepare yourself for May 2008, when I debut the new series titled, 7TH SON, BOOK…
Heh. Cliffhangered again.
Evangelize, my beautiful listeners! Evangelize!
RIP New 7th Son Logo (Feb 15, 6:44 PM — Feb 15, 7:45 PM)
February 16, 2008
7th Son listeners know that I love to experiment with my storytelling, marketing and darned-near everything else I do for my podcast and website. I’m wired to surprise my audience with things that are familiar … but off-plumb enough to be delightful.
I often concoct these experiments on the fly, unilaterally release them into the wild, and see what sticks. In the interest of connecting with the community (and knowing that many creative minds are usually better than one), I’ve pulled back the “curtain” a bit in recent weeks, and invited 7th Son fans to chime in on some creative decisions. I did that last night, and received some intriguing results.
Months ago, I crafted a new logo for the 7th Son experience. I wanted something different and dynamic — something that implied danger, action and excitement (things the 7th Son trilogy is well-known for). I spent several days crafting it, and last night, finally posted it on the homepage here at JCH.net. I asked my Twitter followers if it was “hot or not.”
About 75 percent of respondents liked it. The rest, vociferously, did not. I found myself in a fascinating conundrum.
7th Son is my novel. I wanted a new logo. My informal poll suggested that most folks dug the new design. But the minority was large (and vocal) enough for me to take pause and listen. An hour later, I pulled the plug. We’re back to the status quo.
What have I learned from this? Three things. First: Community rocks. It’s flattering and humbling to know that so many 7th Son listeners care enough to chime in on these ideas, offer their creative perspective, and make suggestions. Second: If you open the floor for discussion, expect it, listen to it — and prepare to make tough choices, should the community split on the issue, or vote against your personal point of view.
And third: Consider strongly what you open up for debate. If you’re convinced in your heart that a certain creative course should be taken, take it. Run with your gut, and be willing to live with the consequences.
I’ll never know if the resistance I encountered with the new logo was legitimate disdain, or the natural reluctance to embrace something new — after all, living things crave stability, and change disrupts that. I’m not dedicating brain cycles to it; I asked for opinions, the people spoke, and it’s done and done.
And so, I present to you the very short-lived “2.0″ logo for the 7th Son trilogy. It was either a bad design, or ahead of its time. But it certainly taught me a great bit about community, the power of crowds, and the unabashed love 7th Son fans have for the podcast. As always, I’m amazed and humbled by that.
–J.C.
Audio Promo: UltraCreatives Interview Series
February 12, 2008
Here’s a quick-n-dirty promo I whipped up to evangelize the UltraCreatives Interview Series. If you’re feeling generous, please download and post in your podcasts, blogs, MySpace pages … you name it. Folks who aren’t wired into the social network/media scene are welcome to email the MP3 to friends!
Thanks for spreading the word!
–J.C.
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