Archive - August, 2008

OBSIDIAN: Episode 23 “Voices From the Darkness” VIDEO

August 28, 2008 in All Posts, Fiction with 0 Comments

7th Son: OBSIDIAN - Voices From the DarknessWelcome to the fifth “Voices From The Darkness” video episode — a series of video stories created by 7th Son fans. This one, titled Obsidian: Blackout, was created by 7th Son fans based in Australia. How did these Aussies portray life in the U.S. during the two-week OBSIDIAN blackout? You’ll have to watch, to admire their creativity.

Obsidian: Blackout
Starring Matt Brooks, Holly Barker & Nic Barker
With support from Lachlan Brooks, Kathryn Brooks & Robert Mitchell

Excellent stuff, guys. Thanks so much for playing in my universe, from a half-world away.

OBSIDIAN: Episode 23 "Voices From the Darkness" VIDEO [ 6:30 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

OBSIDIAN Episode 22: “Voices From the Darkness”

August 27, 2008 in All Posts, Fiction with 1 Comment

7th Son: OBSIDIAN - Voices From the DarknessWelcome to the fifth audio episode of “Voices From The Darkness,” a set of stories set during 7th Son: OBSIDIAN blackout. Voices From The Darkness is a series that is entirely created by you, and people just like you: 7S fans from across the globe.

I’ve been amazed by these contributions, and the experiment in fiction that they represent. Ultimately, VFTD reveals, at least to me, that a creator of a fictional world can successfully open up his universe for not just other authors — which is what OBSIDIAN’s short stories do — but to fans, and receive world-class, world-building, universe-enhancing entertainment from them. VFTD is remarkable in that it proves that the membrane between audience and author isn’t just flexible, it’s downright breakable, and that the roles can be reversed in a way that everybody benefits.

I’m delighted to be a spectator for the OBSIDIAN experience — for these episodes specifically — and I’m proud of what you have created here. And so, let’s turn the lights off, and once again dive into the calls from the blackout. Behold, the world that you and your fellow fans have created: a world where, when the power fails, chaos reigns…

–J.C.

Note: I will post contributors’ names and links in this entry next week, after return from Dragon*Con. Thanks for your patience!

OBSIDIAN Episode 22: "Voices From the Darkness" [ 9:42 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

J.C.’s Dragon*Con schedule

August 27, 2008 in All Posts, Announcements with 0 Comments

DragonCon logoFrom tomorrow until next Tuesday morning, I’ll be hanging with 7th Son fans, knocking back booze with fellow podcasters, making new friends, and waiting patiently for elevators at Dragon*Con in Atlanta! This’ll be my third year attending the convention. It’s always a blast.

Continuing my tradition of being overextended and running myself ragged at the con (I always vow to “dial back” my commitments, but it never seems to work out that way), I’ve got lots of adventures-in-the-making this year. If you’re attending the con and want to meet me — because I most certainly want to meet you — here’s a list of the scheduled events I’ll definietly be attending.

Pimps and Hos Party II
Last year, I co-hosted this event with Scott Sigler. It was a night of mayhem and hella good times. This year, I’m content to bow out on hosting duties, but will be in attendance. I promise no pimp threads, but I will cut a rug with ya, if you ask!
Time: Friday night, in the Hyatt hotel (room TDB)

I Should Be Writing Episode 100 Celebration LIVE!
Award winning author and podcaster Mur Lafferty brings her I Should be Writing show to Dragon*Con to celebrate its 100th episode. Mur recently told me she might ask authors to help with the show, so I’ll be there to watch and assist, if needed.
Time: Sat 10:00 am

The Third Annual Parsec Awards
Join us for the Third Annual Parsec Awards hosted by some your favorite podcasters. The Parsec Award is available for Sci-fi & Fantasy Original Content, Speculative Fiction and a variety of other categories dealing with the new frontiers of Portable Media. My novel 7th Son, Book Three: Destruction has been nominated for a Parsec in the Long Form Fiction catergory.
Time: Sat 7:00 pm

Books & Blackwell Party
Meet authors Tee Morris and Pip Ballantine, and multi-talented artist J.R. Blackwell at this book launch, art show and costume party.
Time: After the Parsecs, in the Hyatt (room TBD)

The Art of Writing for Audio
Learn how to adapt your written work into a podcast or podiobook from the award winning folks who make it happen, and find out the special tricks of the trade podcasters use to make their podcast novel stand out. I’m a panelist.
Time: Sun 10:00 am

Babbling Writers
Come along and listen as writers discuss what it’s like to podcast about the subject that is nearest and dearest to them — fiction writing. They should be writing, but instead they’re talking about it. I’m a babbling panelist.
Time: Sun 7:00 pm

Podcast Peer Awards Ceremony
The Second Annual Podcast Peer Awards Ceremony celebrating podcasters nominated by their bretheren, hosted by Dave Hitt, LIVE at Dragon*Con. I will be accepting my awards for Best Podcast Novel (for 7th Son, Book Three) and Best Arts/Entertainment Podcast (for UltraCreatives).
Time: Sun 10:00 pm

Podcasting Into the Future
Where is podcasting going, where is it taking us? A look at the possible future of podcasting and how we can make sure to not be left behind. Look at the new technology and upcoming innovations. I’m a panelist.
Time: Mon 11:30 am

Talk Back to the Podcasters!
Are you a rabid fan of podcasting or even a certain podcaster? Come go all “fan boy” on the podcasters.  No question is off limits. I’m a panelist. (And yes, there are mos def questions that are off-limits.)
Time: Mon 1:00 pm

Can’t wait to see you there!

–J.C.

OBSIDIAN: Epsiode 21

August 26, 2008 in All Posts, Fiction with 2 Comments

7th Son: OBSIDIAN logoThis OBSIDIAN episode features a comedic skit from musician and podcaster George Hrab and writer and podcaster Soccergirl. These artists are dangerously smart and talented, and it’s an honor to have them appear here in the OBSIDIAN podcast.

About George Hrab: Multi-instrumentalist, singer, songwriter, producer and composer George Hrab has written and produced five independent CDs; published one book; performed for President Clinton; shared the stage with countless numbers of musicians and acts; and is the de facto President for Life of The Geologic Orchestra. He also does a mean solo acoustic show. Dude’s got charisma.

George also produces a weekly podcast called “The Geologic Podcast,” which has been nominated for a 2008 Parsec Award for Best “Infotainment” Cast.

About Soccergirl: One of the first podcasters ever, Soccergirl has written, starred in and produced nearly 300 episodes of her popular audio and video podcast, “Soccergirl, Incorporated,” reaching an audience of up to 80,000 worldwide. The show features free thinking moxie, the pluck of the ages and satirical social commentary via an eclectic mix of experimental fiction (much of it science-y), original music (including freestyle rhymes), fake news, interviews, the lusty interpretation of cartoon classics and comedic improvisation. She’s switchblade brilliant.

Learn more about George’s work at GeologicRecords.net, and find Soccergirl’s podcast and blog at SoccergirlIncorporated.com.

PROMO:

OBSIDIAN: Epsiode 21 [ 14:17 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Why 7th Son fans rock my effing socks

August 26, 2008 in All Posts, Gratitude with 1 Comment

Words cannot describe how awesome 7th Son listener Helljack is. From a recent blog post:

“I’ve mentioned J.C. Hutchins a couple of times in the past. His three-fucking-book atomic bomb of a tale 7th Son is something that vaults the line well past genius. If you have never tuned into single retinal-dilating, heart-stammering, brain-crushing chapter…then you, my friend, must either have an inner ear condition that inhibits your enjoyment of audio bliss or a serious desire to live your life to only half its enjoyment capabilities. Heh…yeah, it’s that good…”

I bet Stephen King himself doesn’t get such killer write-ups from readers. Helljack, you and every other 7th Son fan out there rock my little world.

–J.C.

THE 3RD WAVE GIVEAWAY!

August 25, 2008 in All Posts with 6 Comments

The 3RD WAVE GIVEAWAY has CONCLUDED. Thanks for your support, and expect a blog post about its success soon!

EEK! Due to the INCREDIBLE response, J.C. has to close The 3RD WAVE GIVEAWAY at 8pm EST, lest he go bankrupt filling these orders. But until then, the rules below still stand!

Please ignore Amazon.com’s foolish “Out of Stock” message. There are plenty of books to be purchased. Ignore the “Out of Stock” message, I say!

To celebrate today’s release of Mur Lafferty’s Playing For Keeps at Amazon.com, I’m hosting a promotion to drive sales of the book during the second half of the day. It’s the 3RD WAVE GIVEAWAY.

PFK CoverHere’s how it works: If you purchase TWO COPIES of Playing For Keeps today (Aug. 25) AFTER 5 PM EST (sales before this time don’t count, sorry), I’ll send you a 3rd copy absolutely free. UPDATE: This will be autographed to YOU by Mur Lafferty herself!

That’s right. I’ve got ten copies here, just itchin’ to be distributed.

If you purchase THREE COPIES of Playing For Keeps today after 5 p.m. EST, I’ll throw in that autographed copy of PFK and a copy of Matthew Wayne Selznick’s Brave Men Run, also absolutely free. UPDATE: This will be autographed to YOU by Matt himself!

If you purchase FOUR COPIES of Playing For Keeps today after 5 p.m. EST, you’ll get that autographed copy of PFK, one copy of Brave Men Run … and a copy of Tee Morris’ The Case of the Pitcher’s Pendant and Phillipa Ballantine’s Digital Magic absolutely free. UPDATE: These will be autographed to YOU by Tee and Pip!

If you purchase FIVE COPIES of Playing For Keeps today after 5 p.m. EST, you’ll get all that … and a hardcover copy of Scott Sigler’s bestseller, Infected. UPDATE: This will be autographed to YOU by Scott himself!

If you purchase SIX COPIES of Playing For Keeps today after 5 p.m. EST, you’ll get all that … plus an autographed copy of Expert Podcasting Practices for Dummies, signed by co-author Evo Terra. UPDATE: My only autographed copy of Podcast Practices… has been claimed! In lieu of that, I’m giving away autographed copies of Matt Wallace’s The Next Fix, signed to YOU by Matt Wallace himself!

Are you in? Do you have the cash to spare to support a new media author and help propel her book from the Top 20 to the Top 10 overall at Amazon.com? If you get generous, so do I — with free books! You can give ‘em away to friends, or keep ‘em for yourself.

All you gotta do is buy the books (the rules are clearly explained above) and send me an email of your compliance to 7thSonNovel@gmail.com. Your deadline is midnight, West Coast Time … today.

Remember to ignore Amazon.com’s foolish “Out of Stock” message. There are plenty of books to be purchased. Ignore the “Out of Stock” message, I say!

Drive Playing For Keeps up the Amazon charts even further — and get free swag for your support. Sales made only after 5pm EST count for this promotion. Get buying … and email me afterward! You’ll score free books!

–J.C.

OBSIDIAN: Episode 20

August 25, 2008 in All Posts, Fiction with 3 Comments

7th Son: OBSIDIAN logoThe black … is back.

Today marks the debut of the second half of 7th Son: OBSIDIAN, and it’s a frickin’ doozy thanks to this week’s powerhouse author. (If you’re dying to know why OBSIDIAN was on hiatus, listen to the intro of the most recent UltraCreatives interview with author/podcaster Mur Lafferty.)

Meet Matt Wallace. He’s as tall as a tree and as dangerous as Killdozer — because Everyone Knows a Machine Cannot Kill. Except the Machine. Ferociously talented, Matt is a Parsec Award-winning author — whose short story Delve is nominated for a 2008 Parsec for short story — and is best known in the podcasting community for The Failed Cities Monologues and countless contributions to the exceptional short story podcast, Variant Frequencies.

Matt is also a screenwriter, and is currently working on several short- and long-form fiction projects. His short story anthology The Next Fix, published by APEX Publications, is currently available for purchase. Try Amazon.com. It will make your head explode.

This week, Matt Wallace brings us Receiver. In addition to being a perfect representation of his gritty, kick-you-in-the-balls, tear-out-your-jugular prose, Receiver is also the first full-length short story that Matt Wallace has read in podcasting. The audio was produced by Rick Stringer, creator of the Variant Frequencies podcast. Learn more about Matt’s work at Matt-Wallace.net, and find Variant Frequencies at VariantFrequencies.com.

PROMOS:

OBSIDIAN: Episode 20 [ 45:00 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

FREE E-BOOK: “Playing For Keeps” + new short story

August 22, 2008 in All Posts, Announcements with 0 Comments

Playing For Keeps coverIt doesn’t get any cooler than this, folks. To celebrate the upcoming mainstream print release of her superhero novel Playing for Keeps on Aug. 25, author and podcaster Mur Lafferty has released the full text of the novel — and a never-before-seen short story called Parasite Awakens — as a free PDF download.

The PDF also features original comic book cover-style artwork by Jared Axelrod, Natalie Metzger and me, and was assembled by Paul Fischer and Martha Holloway.

Podcast subscribers should automatically receive a dowload of this PDF to thier podcatchers. Folks can also manually download the file, below.

I’ve been promoting Mur’s work here on the site and in the podcast feed for a week now, and there’s a reason for that: it’s worthy of all the attention. Playing For Keeps both celebrates and satirizes the superhero comics genre. Defying expectations, Mur’s novel is an awesome exploration of heroism, the life of an underdog, and the corruption of power.

It’s pretty damned funny, too.

Here’s a synopsis of Playing For Keeps, from publisher Swarm Press:

The shining metropolis of Seventh City is the birthplace of super powers. The First Wave heroes are jerks, but they have the best gifts: flight, super strength, telepathy, genius, fire. The Third Wavers are stuck with the leftovers: the ability to instantly make someone sober, the power to smell the past, the grace to carry a tray and never drop its contents, the power to produce high-powered excrement blasts, absolute control. over elevators.

Bar owner Keepsie Branson is a Third Waver with a power that prevents anything in her possession from being stolen. Keepsie and her friends just aren’t powerful enough to make a difference. at least that’s what they’ve always been told.

But when the villain Doodad slips Keepsie a mysterious metal sphere, the Third Wavers become caught in the middle of a battle between the egotistical heroes and the manipulative villains. As Seventh City begins to melt down, it’s hard to tell the good guys from the bad, and even harder to tell who may become the true heroes.

It’s great stuff, so check out the free PDF, and please be sure to support Mur Lafferty’s rush on the Amazon.com charts on Aug. 25 by purchasing a copy of Playing For Keeps!

–J.C.

FREE E-BOOK: "Playing For Keeps" + new short story Download

BONUS: “Gestalt” short story by J.C. Hutchins

August 20, 2008 in All Posts, Fiction with 1 Comment

Stories of the Third Wave logoAs reported in my recent UltraCreatives interview with author and podcaster Mur Lafferty, Mur recently reactivated the Playing for Keeps “Stories of the Third Wave” fan podcast to promote the novel’s Author Sanctioned™ release date of August 25 at Amazon.com.

This anthology of fan-created content is astounding in scope; Mur told UltraCreatives listeners that she’d received so many stories for “…Third Wave,” she’s resorting to a daily release schedule just to keep up. How cool is that?

Even cooler (at least for me) is that Mur invited me aboard to write a short story set in her Playing for Keeps universe. I was flattered by her offer and concocted Gestalt, my contribution to the project. It was also a blast to get back in front of the mic and reading my own fiction again.

Longtime listeners of the 7th Son podcast know that 7S was originally conceived as a superhero story … but since I was (and to a degree, still am) convinced that believable superhero tales are extremely hard to tell in prose fiction, I abandoned that concept for a more realistic narrative. As I wrote Gestalt, I set to prove myself wrong — and I think I did just that. Your reaction as a reader may prove differently, but I’m very proud of this little story, and I hope I did Mur Lafferty’s universe justice with it.

If you’ve never heard the Playing for Keeps podiobook or the “Stories of the Third Wave” podcast, but like what you hear here, be sure to visit PlayingForKeepsNovel.com to subscribe to both projects.

And please help support Mur Lafferty’s work as she rushes the Amazon charts on August 25. Here’s a link to the book’s product page at Amazon.com — but please be a part of the community effort and wait to purchase Playing for Keeps on the 25th.

Stay super.

–J.C.

BONUS: "Gestalt" short story by J.C. Hutchins [ 27:32 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Ultracreatives Interview #17: Mur Lafferty

August 19, 2008 in All Posts, Other with 1 Comment

Playing For Keeps coverAfter an unexpected — and shame on him, unnannounced — micro-hiatus, J.C. Hutchins is back with a new UltraCreatives interview. This episode features the triumphant return of author and podcaster Mur Lafferty.

There have been some tremendous developments in Mur’s career since she last appeared on the show back in February. J.C. and Mur discuss her novel Playing for Keeps, and how it was recently purchased by indie publisher Swarm Press for mainstream release. Mur also chats about the reactivation of her “Stories of the Third Wave” podcast, her ambition to rush the Amazon.com charts on August 25 and much more. It’s a fun, fascinating interview.

Find Mur Lafferty on the World Wide Everywhere:

In the intro to this episode, J.C. also explains just where the hell he’s been for the past three weeks, what commitments have kept him from releasing 7th Son: OBSIDIAN content, and when that content will return to the feed. (Hint: It’s goddamned soon.)

As promised, here are links to some important sites (including MINE, J.C.’s new pop culture blog project) and some writing he’s done in recent weeks.

Ultracreatives Interview #17: Mur Lafferty [ 54:00 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
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