Heyas, gang. Recently I was asked by the Lovely Emily of the “Cue The Film” podcast to sit in with her and a cast of other characters as they covered the entire Star Wars saga. The films, the games, and the books. Not every book, mind you.. Only the ones written by the brilliant trooper goddess, Karen Traviss. Yeah, I had to bring her up and spread the word. Anyhow, this is true to life, helmet off and hair down discussion about the Galaxy Far Far Away that we all know and love, so do yourself a favor and tune in for a listen.
This is the first of six episodes dedicated to Star Wars, so you’re in for a treat.
One more thing… QT is a very important part of the goings on around here, and she’s been a bit out of sorts lately, so if you could all do me a favor and head over to her blog and give her some MUCH deserved love, I’d be quite grateful. Besides, being nice to QT could just save your life…..seriously.
That’s right, kiddies! It is THAT day! The release day of the Trooper Goddess’ latest story about everyone’s favorite test tube babies, the Republic Commandos! See that picture to the left? Click on it RIGHT NOW to buy your copy of TRUE Star Wars lore. Not that asinine game that everyone’s gushin’ in thier pants about, and no, not the latest foray into theaters. These two subjects seem to be ALL anyone’s talking about, and that’s just plain sad and pathetic. You, my brave citzens have a duty to perform. Blog about Karen and her new book “Star Wars: Order 66 - A Republic Commando Novel”. Seriously. The woman is a real talent and we need more of her in the Star Wars universe, trust me.
So… GO. Do what you’re told.
Safe money is that by the time you’ve read through this post, QT has already devoured this new book.
Well, I think I have everything back in order here at the bunker after my jaunt to D*Con 08 in Atlanta, GA, and I have to say that it was a great trip! I didn’t win the Parsec Award, but so be it. Awards aren’t that important to me, really, so long as the message is getting out to the masses, right? Apparently this is indeed the case, as I met many, many people at the event who had not only heard of me, but were actual fans of what QT and I do around here.
Some highlights of the excursion:
JC Hutchins had zero idea who I was when I first spoke to him. Of course, the exact words spoken were “Here, prick” as I dropped his name plate on the table in front of him during the opening panel of the podcast track. See, JC is an amiable bloke, and rarely has an unkind word to say to people, but I could see the confusion and the tiniest hint of offense in his beady eyes when I dropped that subtle bomb in his lap. Yes, I enjoyed that. After the panel was done I walked up to him and announced who I was, and he literally screamed like a girl at a Frankie Valie concert. That was definately a highlight of the weekend. Once he knew who I was, we had some great discussions about podcast fiction, how I should get off my ass and do some, and I treated him to a sneek peek/listen to an 8 minute long piece of something I’m actually working on in that regard. The man knows what buttons to press to make someone feel like they might actually have a shread of talent in thier bones, so his kind words help shove my stubborn ass into the chair so I can start writing my opus.
What can be said about the amazingly talented Mur Lafferty that hasn’t been said before? She’s a MILF, plain and simple. Seriously. I don’t think anyone gives her enough credit in that area. Sure, everyone waxes on about how bloody brilliant and talented a writer she is, but no one ever comes out and says how hawt she is, so I will. Mur Lafferty is a hawtie. Period. Remember that fantasy you always had about the librarian? Mur blows that skank out of the water in spades. Now that she’s blushing a nice deep crimson, I will say that she is always one of the sweetest women on this rock, and that my previous vow to “kill for Mur Lafferty” still stands strong. Just a capital lady and I adore and respect her immensely. Her baeu is also a great guy, and I think we can all be secure in our envy of the man. They are both superb humans.
Scott Sigler and I had never met nor spoken more then a couple lines of text in emails and such before this event, usually giving each other crap. We’re the two angriest bastards in Podcasting, and normally, I don’t like sharing that hard won title with anyone, but for “Soupbone”, I will make the exception. I’ve been a fan of his work for a while now, especially “The Rookie”, and his “larger then life” personna has always made me chuckle. He was a hoot to hang out and share a few drinks with, and he throws a mean “Pimp and Ho” party, let me tell you. Sadly, I didn’t get a lot of time to really talk to the guy, but I’m glad we finally got to have a face to face time after all this time. And Scott? Shame you never remembered that room number, you dumbass.
Rick and Ann Springer are also wonderfully talented and genuinely nice people and meeting them was a treat to be sure. I have always loved thier show, Variant Frequencies, and I’ve already told you all what a severe honor it was to record a story for them. It was great to chew the fat with two such creative minds about all sorts of topics ranging from Star Wars, Steampunk, and everything else under the sun.
I have known Tee Morris for a few years now, and he’s always a cool cat to hang out with….when he’s not busy whoring himself out for a buck. I mean, honestly, Tee, and please consider the source, but put the propaganda machine down for a bit and relax, man! He’s a DJ-author-promotion machine, this one. It was great to chat and catch up with him, and word is that when BB & and the case of the Pitcher’s Pendant is podcast, he’s got a role tailor made for yours truely, as well as my doing the “story so far” intros for each episode, so I have that to look forward to.
I got to finally meet the Kiwi Goddess, Pip Ballantine at this shindig as well! We talked a bit about New Zealand, since back in the day, I had spent a goodly amount of time there, training for Hoth. Great writer, fun gal and apparently she knows of my weakness. Glitter covered snoobs. Heh. A really cute and cool lady, that one.
I also got to meet some fans, which is always way more important and touching to me, and I even got to see an ABA shirt in the wild! This is the second sighting that I know of, the first being reported to me by Karen Traviss at San Diego ComiCon. Everyone I met and spoke to was awesome, and I can’t wait to do it again next year. That’s right, I’m going to be there next year for certain, so make your plans now.
Also, if anyone has ANY photos of me form the event, I’d love to see them, so be sure to either link them here in the comments, or email them directly to me using the email addy in the sidebar at the right.
Thanks to everyone who gave me kind words about ADPoV and my Obsidian story. Those are the little things that make this whole mission bearable.
Well, kiddies, the shuttle’s about to leave and my happy tuckus is boarding. If you’re planning on being at DragonCon, look me up at the Parsec Awards on Saturday night! I’ll be the one with the dent in his helmet, escorted by two lovely Twi’leks.
I am a lucky trooper, but hey, I deserve no less, right? Damned right.
Anyhow, wish me luck at the Parsec Awards, and hopefully I can bring home the gold…or whatever it is they give away at these things.
Well, news of my nomination for a Parsec award had gotten a unexpectedly enthusiastic response from Command. Apparently, the Empire is sending in Vader’s own troops to this little dustball to enjoy some much earned leave. While most of the Imperial forces will be converging at DragonCon in Atlanta, we do own the whole planet, so some troops are enjoying other destinations as well, such as San Francisco, CA.
I’ll be catching a lift with some the brave soldiers and sailors of the ISD Buckfutter to D*Con, so I’ll see you there!
Well, I’m still feeling pretty good about myself thanks to the overwhelmingly good response to my contribution to 7th Son: Obsidian, and I wanted to thank each and every one of you who have commented on the story I wrote. It was great experience for me, and it has helped put some wind in my sails to start writing a bit more. I have a couple of ideas lurking about in my skull so I’ll get those written down in the days ahead.
The Parsec Awards
As of today, A Different Point of View has been nominated for the 3rd annual Parsec Awards, and I’m honored and thrilled to be nominated. I know that it might seem odd due to my usually sparce release dates, but there are a few segments I’ve released that fall into the required timeline, and since they’ve added the new category “Best Speculative Fiction Comedy / Parody Podcast“, I figure it’s a category custom made for “ADPoV”.
What does this mean? I’m going to DragonCon, kiddies, so lock up the alien babes and stock up on the Imperial Ales. While I’m certain to spend much time with members of the 501st, I’m actually looking more forward to meeting people in the Podcast community who I’ve listened to, worked with, and corrisponded with over the years. Should prove to be a good time indeed. If you’re planning on being at D*Con, send me a line and we’ll try to work out some sort of hook up so you can buy me a drink and tell me how great I am.
Well, on May 31st, 7th Son: Obsidian struck the 7th Son feed and filled the earbuds of many a happy podcast subscriber, including myself. Finally, my 7th Son withdrawls can be sated to some degree, which in this case, is an odd feeling, since J.C.’s not the one writing this collection of short stories in the Universe he created.
The first story was “Miles to go Until I Sleep” by Tee Morris, and it was damned fine stuff, as I’ve come to expect from the self-promoting hack. The story is spread out over two episodes, and imagine my surprise to hear J.C. announce after Tee’s story, that mine was going to be next in the pipe. Obviously, I knew my story was going to be included, but from some reason I just didn’t expect it to be the first “Short-short” out of the gate. Let the nail-biting commence…which led to a lecture on hygene and manners from QT.
Well, late last night, J.C. released my story, which, because I’m a dimwit, is untitled. This is my first shot at ‘real’ short story writing, so cut me some slack, eh? Anyhow, it’s always nice to hear someone wax all lovey about you, but when it’s praise heaped on by an author you respect the crap out of? Yeah… I was smiling, and yeah, I’m proud of what I did as my contribution….
..I am now, anyhow. So far, there have been a few comments and reviews, and thankfully, all good so far. One made me grin to myself though.
Jason Penny wrote: “I have to admit I had some reservations about the idea of a story that places a sandtrooper in the 7th Son universe during the blackout. It sounded funny, but it just didn’t seem right somehow.” He went on to say how much he liked it, so thank you, Jason, but that quoted bit made me chuckle.
You think you had reservations?? The entire concept seemed like something that no one could ever take seriously, and thus, forever earn me a seat at the “Kid’s Table” in the great halls of podcast fiction writers. But… What J.C. wants, J.C. gets. (I think that’s from the book of Matthew 7:42), so I plugged away and the story pretty much wrote itself. After recording it turned out the be exactly 13:05 long. Not on purpose, just luck of the draw. I took it as a good omen and sent it out, and have been pacing ever since.
Two things that are my most favorite about this story? One, the experience of writing something for my friend J.C. Hutchins. Two? The world premiere of the voice of the adorable droid, QT-pi! Yes, you finally get to hear her voice!
That being said, I’m very happy with it, and thankfully, so are many people who listened so far. If you haven’t heard it yet, click on the “Super Secret Code Phantom Special Edition Logo” above. Once you do that, please feel free to come back and leave me a comment. I’d love to hear what you thought.
I hope you enjoy it.
Also… If you have an idea for a title, leave that in my comments as well, and I’ll pick the best one!
On May 31st, podcast UBBER monkey J.C. Hutchins will be releasing the new Anthology Podcast, “7th Son: Obsidian“. For those of you who have no idea who J.C. Hutchins is, or have no clue what 7th Son is (Shame on you!), let me try to sum it up. 7th Soin is a podcast novel written and read by J.C. Hutchins. It is enjoyed by an audience somewhere in the 40,000+ range, and it’s the story of 7 clones out to stop John Alpha, who happens to be the very guy they were cloned from. It’s a modern day thriller with a healthy splash of Sci-Fi mixed in a pinch of some very terrifying prospects.
So, what does this have to do with yours truely? Well, months and months ago I was honored to be asked by J.C. to write a short story for the upcoming Anthology series based in the world of 7th Son. The story has been written, recorded, and it’s in J.C.’s hot little hands, ready to go. If you haven’t subscribed to J.C.’s feed, do so. You won’t regret it, believe me, plus you’ll get to hear my own attempt at yarn spinning as Obsidian roars into life.
Be sure to let me know what you think, and send much love to J.C. for showing me the love as well. I’ll be putting the promo for this ground breaker in the feed as soon as QT can get some technical SNAFUs to go away.
I was recently contacted by Star Wars Fanworks and asked if they could list ADPoV on their website, which is a comprehensive listing of pretty much all the Star Wars podcasts and Audio FanFic out there. Of course, I said yes, because when it comes to propaganda, every little bit helps with spreading the truth.
I will note one thing however… I have picked a few of the featured podcasts, particularly the audio fanfics, and while there is some gold to be mined, there is a LOT of stuff that I think is below average in terms of production and acting. Yes, I know… Nitpicky, sure… But I’ve been having a hard time getting into any of the stories when the voice work is horrid, or the production is also subpar. The story suffers, and you lose audience.
Is Star Wars Fanworks to blame for this? Of course not. They’re simply hosting a list of where to get all these things. No, it’s the producers of these podcasts that need to really put more work into their shows.
I think the saga deserves it, don’t you?
Regardless, go check out Star Wars Fanworks and dig around. You’ll probably find something you enjoy there!
Well, kiddies, the shuttle’s about to leave and my happy tuckus is boarding. If you’re planning on being at DragonCon, look me up at the Parsec Awards on Saturday night! I’ll be the one with the dent in his helmet, escorted by two lovely Twi’leks.
I was recently contacted by