Fiction

OBSIDIAN: Episode 11 VIDEO /  by J.C. Hutchins

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This week's OBSIDIAN short-short is slightly different -- which perfectly matches the sensibilities of its creator, the incomparable Soccergirl. For nearly as long as there's been podcasting, Soccergirl has been there, defying expectations and conventions ... and telling tales on her terms, normalcy be damned.

New media performance artist, skeptic, atheist, author, musician, (and super-spy, J.C. is convinced of it) and 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.

Soccergirl has also appeared on Sirius satellite radio, television and terrestrial radio, and in various print publications including The New York Times and Wired Magazine. Soccergirl wrote, directed and starred in "The Soccergirl Second," a theatrical adaptation of her show (performed at The Brick Theater in New York City) and has just completed an absolutely brilliant book of short fiction and essays, forthcoming from Mevio Press.

If you enjoyed this small peek into the genius that is the "Soccergirl, Incorporated" experience, please visit SG's website at SoccergirlIncorporated.com, send her an appreciative email, and check out her other work. (Photo by Chris Marquant.)

Coming up next on 7th Son: OBSIDIAN: J.C. takes us out of the blackout for another UltraCreatives interview with J.R. Blackwell, and then we dive back in with audio and video "Voices From the Darkness" episodes.

Feedback about OBSIDIAN is welcome and appreciated! Send J.C. an email, leave a comment below, or call the Clone Line at 206-984-2566 (CLONE).

OBSIDIAN Episode 10 /  by J.C. Hutchins

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This week's OBSIDIAN showcase short story, titled A Rose By Any Other Name, is written and narrated by award-winning author and podcaster Mur Lafferty. Ride shotgun with young heroine Rose, as she learns a secret about her name ... and must face unfathomable odds during the OBSIDIAN blackout. If you enjoy Mur's tale, please send a few gracious words her way. Her contact information can be found at her website, Murverse.com.

J.C. covers some fun, if familiar, ground in his "talky talk" segments, including:

  • The popular John Alpha for President election campaign
  • 7th Son: Runner, J.C.'s new serialized mobile phone text story, which is rolling out now. Find details here and here.

Coming up next on 7th Son: OBSIDIAN: A priceless video short-short by Soccergirl. A new UltraCreatives interview with J.R. Blackwell will drop after that, and we'll close out the week with more audio and video "Voices From the Darkness" OBSIDIAN episodes!

PROMOS:

Feedback about OBSIDIAN is welcome and appreciated! Send J.C. an email, leave a comment below, or call the Clone Line at 206-984-2566 (CLONE).

Cellphone-centric story "7th Son: Runner" is live! /  by J.C. Hutchins

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The first installment of J.C. Hutchins' serialized "cellphone-centric" text story 7th Son: Runner is now available for download! Runner is the first story of its kind from a podcast novelist: the tale isn't available in print or audio ... but is available for reading on your mobile phone. (Folks who do not have a mobile phone -- or have one, with no data plan -- fret not: the story is available for you, as well. More on this in a moment.) As with all stories in the 7th Son experience, you can enjoy Runner for free.

7th Son: Runner chronicles the story of James DeFalco, assistant director of the 7th Son facility. DeFalco was a small supporting character in 7th Son, Book One: Descent -- but here, he takes center stage. Astute 7th Son fans may recall DeFalco, and Book One's facility-wide evacuation that sent all "nonessential" 7th Son personnel topside until the John Alpha crisis had passed. DeFalco was one such employee, and Runner reveals much more about this nigh-anonymous doctor ... and the 7th Son legacy ... than you could have ever imagined.

This is the first time anyone, anywhere, can actually read J.C. Hutchins' fiction.

Runner was written for, and is intended to be read on, cell phone screens. Users must have mobile Web access to download and read the Runner .txt files as they are released. But that doesn't mean folks who don't have a data plan (or a cell phone, for that matter) can't enjoy the story. J.C. has made certain that anyone with Internet access can download this serialized text.

Visit this page to learn how to sign up to receive SMS "text blast" announcements when future Runner installments are released. If you're just now learning about Runner, you won't be able to receive the FIRST text blast -- that's already been sent into the wild -- but you can receive the next blast by signing up today.

All readers -- including those who sign up now, folks who do not have a data plan, or folks who are have a mobile carrier not supported by Myxer (the service J.C. is using to release this story), don't worry: you can find the URLs linking to Runner's episodes in the "cell phone" graphic found at J.C.'s Myxer Artist page.

The story's just started, so sign up -- and get ready to run. By the time Runner concludes, the 7th Son universe will never be the same ...

OBSIDIAN: Episode 9 "Voices From the Darkness" VIDEO /  by J.C. Hutchins

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It's the second video "Voices From the Darkness" episode, and this one's terrific. All contributions seen in this vidcast were created by 7th Son fans from across the globe.

Behold the 7th Son universe during the blackout, as witnessed by its victims ... and captured for all the world to see.

Contributions by:

Coming up next on 7th Son: OBSIDIAN: A brief Clone Line episode, and then a short story by novelist Mur Lafferty.

OBSIDIAN: Episode 8 "Voices From the Darkness" /  by J.C. Hutchins

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Welcome to the second audio episode of "Voices From the Darkness." This week's presentation features only one recording, but it's a chiller. It's the OBSIDIAN blackout, as seen through the eyes of ham radio operators across the nation. Sometimes it's not the news you see that's horrifying ... it's the news you hear. This week's masterpiece of audio, complete with authentic slang, created by 7th Son fan Mark Smith.

If you want to contribute to future episodes of “Voices from the Darkness,” time is growing short. You have until July 7, 2008 to call the National Blackout Emergency Hotline at 206-222-9158 and leave a message as if you are a victim in this blackout. Remember: J.C. is not looking for traditional short stories — your call must adhere to the conceit that the blackout is real, and you are experiencing it now.

Coming up next on 7th Son: OBSIDIAN: The second episode of the video installment of "Voices From the Darkness."

Feedback about OBSIDIAN is welcome and appreciated! Send J.C. an email, leave a comment below, or call the Clone Line at 206-984-2566 (CLONE).

OBSIDIAN: Episode 7 /  by J.C. Hutchins

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This week's 7th Son: OBSIDIAN short-short is by Evo Terra, an innovator in the podcasting community. While some know him for his former co-host duties on such shows as "Dragon Page Cover to Cover" and "Wingin' It," Evo is best-known for one of the most significant and innovative creations in podcasting, Podiobooks.com. Evo is the man who coined the term "podiobooks," and was instrumental in assembling the team of founders for the Podiobooks.com service. He is also the co-author of Podcasting for Dummies and Expert Podcasting Practices for Dummies, and blogs at his site, FunAnymore.com.

Coming up next on 7th Son: OBSIDIAN: Another amazing "Voices From the Darkness" audio episode, in which we learn all about the world of the blackout ... from a ham radio operator's perspective.

PROMOS:

Feedback about OBSIDIAN is welcome and appreciated! Send J.C. an email, leave a comment below, or call the Clone Line at 206-984-2566 (CLONE).

OBSIDIAN: Episode 6 /  by J.C. Hutchins

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Week Two of 7th Son: OBSIDIAN content begins in earnest with He Sees In Shadows, a short story written by New York Times bestselling novelist Michael A. Stackpole. The OBSIDIAN blackout is in full swing in this episode, and a special breed of madman is on the loose, out there, in the darkness. But who is more insane: the hunter ... or the man hunting him? If you enjoyed Mike's story, be sure to check out his other work -- and send him an email -- at StormWolf.com.

J.C. covers some important announcements in this episode's "talky talk" intro and outro, including:

  • An update on John Alpha's presidential campaign
  • Information about the OBSIDIAN "Voices From the Darkness" episodes, and how you can contribute. Call 206-222-9158 to leave your audio mark in the 7th Son universe, or record video footage and email it to J.C. Click here for submission guidelines. Deadline for this content is July 7, 2008.
  • Find "sneak peek" video footage from "Voices From the Darkness" contributors at J.C.'s YouTube channel. (More will be released soon!)
  • Information about 7th Son: Runner, J.C.'s serialized "cell phone-centric" text story that will debut next week. Click here to learn how to obtain this OBSIDIAN text-only story!

Coming up next on 7th Son: OBSIDIAN: a short-short story by Evo Terra. After that, more "Voices From The Darkness" episodes, quite possibly a brief Clone Line episode, and next week's short story, written by Mur Lafferty...

PROMOS:

Feedback about OBSIDIAN is welcome and appreciated! Send J.C. an email, leave a comment below, or call the Clone Line at 206-984-2566 (CLONE).

OBSIDIAN: Episode 5 "Voices From the Darkness" VIDEO /  by J.C. Hutchins

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This episode marks the debut of the video series of "Voices From the Darkness." All contributions seen in this and future video "Voices" episodes were created by 7th Son fans from across the globe. What you'll see in the weeks ahead are brief glimpses into what the world of the 7th Son trilogy became during the blackout. This is first project of its kind in podcast fiction.

Witness the OBSIDIAN blackout victims' stories ... captured for all the world to see.

Contributions by:

Coming up next on 7th Son: OBSIDIAN: A blood-chilling short story by New York Times bestselling novelist Michael A. Stackpole.

OBSIDIAN: Episode 4 “Voices From the Darkness” /  by J.C. Hutchins

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Welcome to the debut of "Voices From the Darkness," a series of very special 7th Son: OBSIDIAN episodes created by 7th Son fans across the world. In this weekly series, you'll hear recordings from victims of the nationwide blackout described in OBSIDIAN ... created by people just like you. This is a first-ever in podcast fiction, and J.C. is thrilled to have such brilliant contributions to roll out in these episodes.

Turn out the lights and listen to what your friends and fellow fans have created. America has become a very dangerous place indeed.

FANS FEATURED IN THIS EPISODE:

Your orders for today: Check out the amazing "The Command Line" podcast by Thomas "Command Line" Gideon, and give a shoutout of appreciation to OBSIDIAN producer Shawn Bishop!

Do you want to contribute to future episodes of "Voices from the Darkness?" J.C. would love to have you play in his world. Call the National Blackout Emergency Hotline at 206-222-9158 and leave a message for him as if you are a victim in this blackout. J.C. isn't looking for traditional short stories -- your call must adhere to the conceit that the blackout is real, and you are experiencing it now.

Coming up next on 7th Son: OBSIDIAN: The first episode of the video installment of "Voices From the Darkness!"

Feedback about OBSIDIAN is welcome and appreciated! Send J.C. an email, leave a comment below, or call the Clone Line at 206-984-2566 (CLONE).

OBSIDIAN: Episode 3 /  by J.C. Hutchins

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The third episode of J.C. Hutchins' 7th Son: OBSIDIAN features a universe-blurring tale of violence and hope by Imperial stormtrooper TD-0013, from the "A Different Point of View" podcast. How can a Star Wars stormtrooper appear in the 7th Son saga? Listen to find out...

TD-0013's "A Different Point of View" is a must-listen collection of essays told from a loyal stormtrooper's perspective. Learn more about TD's work -- and send him an appreciative email -- at www.ADPOV.net. This November, TD is participating in a walk across the Arizona desert to raise money for Multiple Sclerosis research. Click the banner below to learn more!

Coming up next on 7th Son: OBSIDIAN: The debut of "Voices from the Darkness," collections of fan-created audio content that chronicle the OBSIDIAN blackout as seen by its victims!

PROMOS:

Feedback about OBSIDIAN is welcome and appreciated! Send J.C. an email, leave a comment below, or call the Clone Line at 206-984-2566 (CLONE).

OBSIDIAN: Episode 2 /  by J.C. Hutchins

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Welcome to the second episode of 7th Son: OBSIDIAN -- and the second part of Tee Morris' excellent short story, Miles To Go Before I Sleep. In this episode, Miles To Go's hero, Ron, is more desperate than ever to head home ... but what awaits him when he gets there? If you enjoyed Tee's OBSIDIAN story, be sure to check out his work at TeeMorris.com, and send him an appreciative email.

J.C. Hutchins promotes several items of interest in the "talky-talk" intro and outro chatter for this episode, including:

  • An upcoming Ministry of Propaganda mission from Natasha
  • JOHN ALPHA FOR PRESIDENT! Visit JohnAlphaForPresident.com to receive your free bumper sticker, and support 7th Son with this fun viral marketing experiment
  • 7th Son fan Cactusnic's UK bike ride to benefit the Alzheimer's Society
  • Snag the full version of "Birthright" -- and 15 other songs -- for free at FixtOnline.com/FreeDownloads

Coming next on 7th Son: OBSIDIAN: A story by Imperial Stormtrooper TD-0013, from the A Different Point Of View podcast. If only George Lucas could write such compelling 'trooper tales...

PROMOS:

Feedback about OBSIDIAN is welcome and appreciated! Send J.C. an email, leave a comment below, or call the Clone Line at 206-984-2566 (CLONE).

OBSIDIAN: Episode 1 /  by J.C. Hutchins

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Welcome to the debut episode of J.C. Hutchins' 7th Son: OBSIDIAN, the world's first podcast short story anthology based in an existing fictional universe. The universe is, of course, Hutchins' 7th Son Podcast Novel Trilogy.

Nearly 100 people have contributed to the OBSIDIAN experience. Tales from bestselling novelists, A-List podcast storytellers and 7th Son fans from around the globe will be featured in this anthology over the next 10 weeks. At least three episodes of content will be released each week, so prepare for full immersion into the OBSIDIAN blackout experience.

In the weeks ahead, you'll hear stories from these podcast entertainers: Michael A. Stackpole, Scott Sigler, Mur Lafferty, Matt Wallace, Mark Yoshimoto Nemcoff, Christiana Ellis, Evo Terra, Dan Klass, Wichita Rutherford, TD-0013, George Hrab, Soccergirl, and the cast of The Radio Adventures of Dr. Floyd.

Today's episode features the first half of the short story Miles To Go Before I Sleep, written and narrated by Tee Morris. Learn more about Tee's work -- and send him an appreciative email! -- at TeeMorris.com.

There's huge news in J.C.'s "talky talk" intro and outro segments, including:

  • The big reveal about J.C.'s next novel, affectionately nicknamed CODE PHANTOM
  • The world premiere of Celldweller's instrumental version of "Birthright"
  • How you can download a full album of Celldweller songs -- including the full version of "Birthright" -- for free at FixtOnline.com/FreeDownloads
  • J.C.'s appearance on producer Shawn Bishop's podcast, Behind The Lines #14
  • The debut of J.C.'s text story, 7th Son: Runner, available as a mobile phone exclusive

Feedback about OBSIDIAN is welcome and appreciated! Send J.C. an email, leave a comment below, or call the Clone Line at 206-984-2566 (CLONE).

"Blackout" in iPod-friendly format /  by J.C. Hutchins

7th Son: OBSIDIAN is coming ... but the blackout is already HERE. Call the number in the video below and submit your story of horror and survival. Email your friends this blog post link, encourage them to call and share their “blackout experience!” (Recordings will be played in May, in the OBSIDIAN audio anthology, which chronicles the blackout.)

Learn how to spread the meme by reading yesterday's post.

Blackout /  by J.C. Hutchins

THE NATIONWIDE BLACKOUT IS NOW ... the violence and chaos are HERE ... and YOU are a victim. Call the number in the video below and submit your story of horror and survival! Email your friends this blog post link, encourage them to call and share their "blackout experience!" 7th Son: OBSIDIAN is coming.... (Recordings will be played in May, in the OBSIDIAN audio anthology, which chronicles the blackout.)

Podcasters and bloggers: Feel free to post this video in your feed for download to your readers'/listeners' RSS reader/podcatcher. Here are the details:

  • Share the video in your blog by using the embed link found in the YouTube video
  • For download/enclosure -- file URL: http://media.libsyn.com/media/jchutchins/blackout_m4v.m4v
  • For download/enclosure -- file size: 8460157
  • For download/enclosure -- file duration: 1:49

Please spread the "blackout virus" far and wide ... and be sure to send J.C. an email, bragging about your evangelism!

Blackout victim performed by Michael Bekemeyer

BOOK FOUR: Chapter 1 /  by J.C. Hutchins

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EPISODE INTRO BY: C.C. Chapman of Accident Hash and Managing the Gray

SYNOPSIS: The next chapter in the 7th Son saga begins. John Smith, one of the survivors of the Project 7th Son, is haunted by headaches, nightmares ... and something worse. His only recourse is to contact his brother, Jack.

But Jack is experiencing identical physical and psychological symptoms -- and the duo is forced to seek out an unlikely ally.

PROMOS:

No, really. You've been cliffhangered.

"7th Son" Anthems: Revisited /  by J.C. Hutchins

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In the final episode of 7th Son, Book Three: Destruction, listeners were treated to a mixed audio montage of the anthems heard in the 7th Son trilogy. Fans of the series requested a stand-alone version of that experience, and now J.C. Hutchins can release it into the wild.

This audio was brilliantly mixed by Destruction's producer, Shawn Bishop, and features these songs:

  • "Afraid This Time" by Celldweller (Intro)
  • "Purple" by Ethic (Book One: Descent anthem)
  • "Switchback" by Celldweller (Book Two: Deceit anthem)
  • "Symbiont" by Celldweller (Book Three: Destruction anthem)

Enjoy!

"7th Son: Destruction" Blooper Reel /  by J.C. Hutchins

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Fans of 7th Son, Book Three: Destruction may remember a brilliant audio recording that first saw light back in December 2007, when author J.C. Hutchins chatted with Destruction's producer, Shawn Bishop.

In that Q&A episode, Shawn presented a masterfully-mixed, hilarious "blooper reel" of a flummoxed -- and very foul-mouthed -- Hutchins as he tried to read various parts of the novel. Hutchins' readings may be very good indeed in the 7th Son audiobooks ... but there's many a mis-speak between mic and final mixdown.

Listeners requested a stand-alone audio file of this blooper reel, and -- after receiving permission from Celldweller to release the file into the wild (Celldweller provides the "soundtrack" for the experience) -- they can now listen to it in all its snarky glory. Be warned: four-letter words abound.

MOP Audio Dispatch: Operation LOL7thSon /  by J.C. Hutchins

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UPDATE: This MOP mission-content has concluded. Please visit the LOL7thSon gallery here to view the final LOL7thSon gallery. If you wish to create your own LOL7thSon image, send it to Natasha at the email address below.

Another ambitious mission awaits you! Natasha, voice of the 7th Son Ministry of Propaganda, commands you to participate in MOP mission #5, code-named "Operation LOL7thSon."

Complete this mission, and you'll land your name on the coveted Agents of the Ministry page. Plus, FIVE lucky winners will take home MOP capitalist swag.

Link to the mission page is here. Transmission ends.

7th Son Ministry Of Propaganda ~ Domination Through Replication ~

SPECIAL EPISODE: J.C. and David Moldawer /  by J.C. Hutchins

EPISODE INTRO BY: Leslie Michael Orchard, of DecafBad

In this episode, J.C. Hutchins chats with David Moldawer, an associate editor at St. Martin's Press. Moldawer will be editing the print edition of 7th Son: Descent, as well as J.C.'s currently-secret "Code Phantom" novel project. Both books will be released in 2009.

The duo discuss some details about the 7th Son print release, dish about Code Phantom (tantalizing morsels abound!) ... and opera. It's a must-listen!

Also must-listens are Moldawer's podcasts, mentioned in the episode: Moldawer in the Morning, The Kick-Ass Mystic Ninjas and The New York Times Essential Knowledge podcast.