Welcome, “Weekend Edition” listeners!

npr logoI’m very proud to report that my debut supernatural thriller Personal Effects: Dark Art was covered in today’s episode of National Public Radio’s Weekend Edition Saturday, by reporter David Greene. I’m a superfan of NPR, and a member of my local station (WLRN in Miami), so this an incredible honor.

If you’re a first-time visitor to my site thanks to the story, welcome! Personal Effects: Dark Art has been praised as “a stellar first” by Publisher’s Weekly (starred review), called “cutting-edge experimental fiction … that may herald the future of modern fiction” by Library Journal, and was covered in The Washington Post. Permit me to give you a tour of the Personal Effects-related content here at JCHutchins.net:

  • More info on Personal Effects: Dark Art, and reviews from novelists and filmmakers such as Gore Verbinski, director of Pirates of the Caribbean and The Ring
  • Personal Effects: Sword of Blood, the free groundbreaking podcast-exclusive audionovella prequel to Dark Art
  • Commit Yourself To The Brink, a community-fueled art experiment where fans can become patients in the asylum seen in Personal Effects: Dark Art
  • The groundbreaking “vlurb” video blurb trailers, feauring video endorsements from celeb storytellers such as the creators of Friday the 13th, Final Destination and The Blair Witch Project

I hope you enjoy what you find here at the site. Keep checking back for more, or subscribe to the blog to receive timely announcements and free fiction. Thanks so much for your interest … and if you’d like to support this trailblazing new breed of storytelling, consider ordering a copy of the book.

Welcome to The Brink,

–J.C.

The “Moscow Cat Theater”

This is a beautiful thing.

Hat tip to Laughing Squid.

HEY, EVERYBODY #021: State of the Book #4

heyeverybody_logoWhoops! J.C. accidentally titled this episode 20. Fixed!

Sweet! J.C. delivers another State of the Book address! In this episode, Hutch hooks you up with an update on book sales, and the 4 for 400 for 4,000 campaign.

Highlights also include: J.C.’s explanation of how sales of Personal Effects not only benefits him (the selfish bastard!), but also other new media authors … and you; the sing-songy delivery of a website address, and a reminder about the cool free shit (including THE Sword of Blood) that you can win by spreading the word!

sword_order
Click to download the PDF

The anthem for Hey, Everybody! is “Chip Away” by Jane’s Addition, distributed freely via BitTorrent and the Nine Inch Nails/Jane’s Addiction tour site, Ninja2009.com.

Like what you hear? Please leave a comment, and tell a friend about the show, and about Personal Effects: Dark Art!

HEY, EVERYBODY #020

heyeverybody_logoJ.C. may have been MIA for the last two weeks, but this week he’s delivered two — count ‘em, TWO — Hey Everybody! interview episodes. Here’s the second, featuring social media maven and brilliant roustabout C.C. Chapman.

In the podosphere, C.C. is perhaps best known for his indie music podcast Accident Hash and for his instrumental role in the creation of Mevio’s Podsafe Music Network (now called “music alley”). But but like most ultracreative folk, C.C. has an ever-evolving lineup of killer content and roles in the social media space, such as his marketing podcast Managing the Gray and his role as partner at The Advance Guard.

In this conversation, J.C. and C.C. chat about the changing landscape of social media, communicating effectively in this wild frontier, and more. It’s an illuminating discussion, and by its end, you’ll likely agree with J.C.’s introductory comments when he calls C.C. “The Bruce Lee of social media.”

And remember: We need emotional content.

The anthem for Hey, Everybody! is “Chip Away” by Jane’s Addition, distributed freely via BitTorrent and the Nine Inch Nails/Jane’s Addiction tour site, Ninja2009.com.

Like what you hear? Please leave a comment, and tell a friend about the show!

HEY, EVERYBODY #019

heyeverybody_logoAfter a two-week absence from your earbuds, J.C. is back with a new episode of “Hey Everybody!” — this one featuring a fantastic conversation with Thomas A. Freese. Tom is the creator of the Question Based Selling sales methodology, the #1 sales training method in the United States.

Tom chat about his first book, Secrets of Question Based Selling, and his latest offering, the particularly timely The Complete Guide to Selling Yourself In Today’s Competitive Marketplace. At every turn, J.C. ensures the conversation delivers helpful insights and advice for listeners well beyond the sales profession. There’s some extremely resonant stuff in this interview, folks.

The anthem for Hey, Everybody! is “Chip Away” by Jane’s Addition, distributed freely via BitTorrent and the Nine Inch Nails/Jane’s Addiction tour site, Ninja2009.com.

Like what you hear? Please leave a comment, and tell a friend about the show, and about Personal Effects: Dark Art!

“A Large Predator…” – A Transmedia Promotion Experience

Today, I received yet another mysterious package in the mail … and it might be the coolest one yet. Check out the video for all the details, and be sure to visit FrenziedWaters.com to follow up on the mystery.

This is a must-see, folks. It’s so awesome.

–J.C.

Personal Effects: Dark Art excerpt episode 2

Welcome to the second of two Personal Effects: Dark Art audio excerpt episodes. It is my supreme pleasure to present Chapters 3 and 4.

SYNOPSIS:
Zach Taylor meets Martin Grace, a blind serial killer.

NEW TO J.C.’s FICTION, OR PODCASTING?
I’ve been releasing free audiobooks since 2006; my print novel debut is Personal Effects: Dark Art, in stores now. It’s a novel that combines the traditional novel experience with a multimedia-fueled “out of book” narrative that unfolds via phone, email and websites. Order a copy of Personal Effects: Dark Art today.

Listen to the episode by clicking the “play” button below. Catch up with the story by visiting the Sword of Blood prequel synopsis page. Learn how to subscribe this podcast here.

J.C. on the Typical Mac User Podcast

tmupI recently had the great pleasure to appear on Victor Cajiao’s terrific program, the Typical Mac User Podcast, to chat about Personal Effects: Dark Art, new media, creativity, and how Apple products and software play mission-critical roles in my creative endeavors. Victor, TMUP contributor George Starcher and I had a blast.

Victor has generously provided me the audio from that interview, and I’m delighted to share it with you. I also heartily endorse Victor’s world-class show, and hope that you — regardless of if you’re an Apple fanboy or a hard-core PC user — check it out. And for the photographers in my audience, check out Victor’s stellar Typical Shutterbug Podcast, too!

–J.C.

Behold, the SWORD OF BLOOD

sword_of_blood1J.C. Hutchins and award-winning horror/thriller writer Matt Wallace have teamed up to unleash the coolest promotion in the history of the mothereffin’ multiverse. By evangelizing J.C.’s new novel Personal Effects: Dark Art, you have a shot at winning a unique, priceless sword … THE Sword of Blood.

This is a BATTLE READY, real-deal, no-messing-around REAL sword, from Matt Wallace’s private collection. It is a replica of the sword wielded by Charles V of Spain. In 1519, Charles V was crowned “Roman Emperor”; at that time, no other leader had ruled such an inmense kingdom in human history. The sword’s blade is forged in high carbon stainless steel, and is 40 inches long. It was crafted by Marto, the same company that created swords for the Highlander television series.

But it gets so much cooler. J.C. and Matt will write a flash fiction story, focused on the Sword of Blood … and that story will be written on the blade of the weapon. This story will not appear anywhere else on the planet; it is written for an audience of one — the person who wins the Sword of Blood. And to make this a true Sword of Blood, both J.C. and Matt will sign their names upon the sword in their own blood.

This sword originally cost hundreds of dollars, and is now truly priceless. Only one will be worthy to wield it.

How can you win THE Sword of Blood? Simple.

  • You must have a copy of Personal Effects: Dark Art on hand. (Borrow one from a friend. Order a copy here. If you can’t obtain a copy, play them the videos at my homepage.)
  • You must conduct a “show and tell” of the novel and its transmedia items (IDs, biz cards, documents, etc.) to several family members or co-workers.
  • Simply show off the book, and tell your pals about the novel and its “out of book” transmedia experience.
  • You must pass out copies of the Order Form PDF (found below) to each person you chat with.
  • You can do this in your home, at a friend’s house, or at your workplace.
  • You must document this Show And Tell session with at least one photograph.
  • Email that photo to J.C. at 7thSonNovel.com by July 31.

One worthy participant will be selected at random, and will receive THE Sword of Blood, featuring a flash fiction story written upon its blade and signed by its authors in their blood. This sword ruled the Roman Empire. It is more than worthy of your effort. In fact, the real question is: Are you worthy to possess it?

The contest ends July 31, 2009, so there’s no time to waste. Print out the Order Form PDF for your peeps (found below), and get showing and telling. Be sure to document your efforts, and send at least one photo to J.C. at 7thSonNovel@gmail.com.

sword_order
Click to download the PDF

HEY, EVERYBODY #018

heyeverybody_logoIt’s another terrific interview this week, featuring brilliant storyteller and musician Phil Rossi. The man chats with J.C. about the upcoming print release of his novel Crescent, his new transmedia podcast novel Harvey, the craft of writing, and much more. It’s a red-hot episode!

The anthem for Hey, Everybody! is “Chip Away” by Jane’s Addition, distributed freely via BitTorrent and the Nine Inch Nails/Jane’s Addiction tour site, Ninja2009.com.

Like what you hear? Please leave a comment, and tell a friend about the show, and about Personal Effects: Dark Art!