What is Digg?Sponsored by Activision
Introducing DJ Hero Game view!
djhero.com - Scratch and mix 102 songs in 93 original mixes from today's hottest artists. Available Now.
71 Comments
- Surefoot, on 10/12/2007, -1/+22"podcast novels is eliteist snob for audiobook ,which has been around for quite some time."
You got it ass-backwards.
Audio books are for the writers that got their lucky breaks with the publishing companies and already have their books in print. Podiobooks are a way for regular joes to get their break via independent distribution and get their work out to the masses, bypassing old school publishing.
It's the same concept as indie music artist bypassing the major record labels and pushing their own music. The single to noise ratio is so bad that so many talented writers will never get their break via the old school channels.
Scott Sigler now has two books in print as a direct result of his podiobook efforts. JC will hopefully be getting the same break he deserves. Others will follow. - japarsons, on 10/12/2007, -1/+14Read 7th Son by J.C. Hutchins. (And if you have some spare time, you can check out Sigler's stuff too.)
The nice part about about podcast novels (besides the fact that they are free) is that they offer more than a print novel can. Once you listen to that first chapter, you become part of a movement.
Join the movement. - RichardBronosky, on 10/12/2007, -0/+117th Son is probably the coolest thing I've discovered on the Internet. I'm not a Science Fiction fan, but this podcast had me hooked immediately. I love these books.
- antoni, on 10/12/2007, -1/+11I hate it how this article has been put under the "Apple" category of Digg.
- murry537, on 10/12/2007, -2/+12This was a great article! I already subscribe to all three of those authors podiobooks and they are top notch. These guys are reallly shaking up the way that traditional fiction is published and I'm happy to support it.
- shadownight, on 10/12/2007, -0/+9That's so true. I'm not a sci-fi fan either, but I was instantly hooked onto 7th Son and Scott Sigler's books.
- bpende, on 10/12/2007, -0/+7JC Hutchins and Sigler rock (sorry, Natasha). The author of this article makes the point, and rightly so, that "More often then not, authors record their own books, and they record them well. The voice talent on most podiobooks is remarkable, and with the occasional sound effect, it creates an immersive experience." Heck yeah. Listen for free, buy the hardcopies when they come out, and feed the need for good SciFi...
Full Disclosure: I listen to these guys, I buy their books, I enjoy myself... they don't give me a dime,,, although I do have a t-shirt autographed by Sigler. - ultimate_ed, on 10/12/2007, -0/+6For those who have been saying that podiobooks are just old time audiobooks by another name really have no idea what a podiobook really is. But go ahead, continue keeping posting your elitist ignorance.
Podiobooks are definitely a great way to discover new authors that big media have so far not yet deigned worthy. And it is amazing how much great stuff they have missed out on. Sure, not all of them are the greatest voice actors. But if your going to get hung up on that and try to completely dismantle the efforts of people who are putting their creative energy out to share, then you probably never will get the concept. - Maxisalope, on 10/12/2007, -0/+6An old buddy of mine, now living in Hong Kong, talked to me about 7th Son a year ago or so, and I tried it because I felt bad for him (he was complaining because the story and the plot were so great but he didn't have anybody he knew to who he could talk about the book). Frankly, I tried thinking I would hate it, but I did try. And I got instantly hooked. And when I caught up with the author (when you're at the point you have to wait a week for a chapter). I subscribed to some "just in case" books. Ones I could listen to while I waited. What pleases ne the most, is you get the feeling of the story directly from the author, no interpretation, no censorship!
Here I am a year later, subscribed to 20 books at Podiobooks.com and some more with Itunes and other pocasters. Hoping for traffic and even taking longer roads so I can listen to the whole chapter before getting home. My girlfriend thinks I'm crazy, sitting in my truck, parked in the driveway and waiting for the end of the chapter before getting out of the truck. I think she thinks I'm avoiding her!
My motto is:
"Don't be afraid to subscribe, it's free. If you don't like the book, you can always unsubsribe."
Try it, it's really addictive and it doesn't harm anyone! - inactive, on 10/12/2007, -2/+8I'm 83 years young as they say and I listen to podcasts all the time. I might be old but I taught myself how to use a computer, yes it's a mac. Anyhow, just wanted to say I really enjoy most podcasts and especially enjoy listening to podcast books as my eyes aren't as they once were. The podcasts reminds me of the days when we'd sit around carving pumpkins, mostly off-season as the seasons were shorter back then. Anyhow, as we'd carve we'd tell stories to one another and I guess you could call those carvecasts. Sometimes we didn't feel like carving pumpkins as we were sick with whatnot in which case we'd eat an onion and suck on a 5 cent piece afterwards.
- zaren, on 10/12/2007, -0/+6I've been trying to stay away from 7th Son - I've heard a lot of good stuff about it, but I already subscribe to too many podcasts :p But since we're on the topic of podiobooks, I'd like to recommend How To Disappear Completely by Mike Bartlett - http://podiobooks.com/podiobooks/book.php?ID=44&link=search_title / http://www.kilbeysalmon.com - "Part film noir detective story, part fantasy adventure, part East End gangster tale", to lift the author's description. A bit slow going at the start, but very good stuff once you stick out the first few chapters.
- DougO, on 10/12/2007, -0/+6@ benitojuarez
Dude, you SO don't get the point. The appeal of Podiobooks is their serialized nature, getting an episode each week - as Scott Sigler says, you can't buy it in stores and you can't peak at the ending. Listening to the installments week by week is completely different to listening to an entire novel whenever you want: the suspense of waiting for the next installment is unbearable. In any event, you get double your money back if you don't like it!
In my opinion, Sigler rules this space, with JC Hutchins a close second. Mark Archer's Pocket and Pendant was good too. - WiredPig, on 10/12/2007, -1/+6The trend is quality over content... but you get BOTH with a podcast novel. The production value that Scott and JC put into their works makes them shine. Unlike a movie or reading a book, with the podcast you get to hear it how the author intended it. Not as a producer, director or you think it is. I was hooked on EarthCore from chapter one, same for 7th Son book one (and two).
- halleyscomet, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4@Rozza
I'd never even HEARD of 7th son before this article. - MacParrot, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4Man, what a couple of whiners. If you don't like the title, call it something else. Who cares if it's podiobooks, or podcasting, or netradio, or blogbooks, or the fifth son of the purple monster? The point is that a lot of good books from relative unknowns are getting out.
Some may not be your thing (like indie music released the same way), but at least it's getting out for the masses where no one would have heard of it before. Releasing the chains of publishing houses (much like the music industry) is a good thing as artists can now have more control over the medium they have created.
I'm going to give 7th son a listen, but I also enjoyed the "Failed Cities Monolog" at Variant Frequencies.com - Gazaar, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3This is the FIRST podiobook I've ever listened to, and have checked out other podiobooks since.
7th Son is an exhilarating, cliffhangering, thrill ride. It had me from the very first time I heard an advertisement for it on a different pod-cast. Since that time I have personally introduced about 25-30 people, not just to JC and his fictional world, but also to the world of podiobooks, and also pod-casting.
Thanks JC! - cactusnic, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3I love these guys. The books are fantastic but the podcasts take it to a new level with the delivery these guys provide. Sigler abuses his listeners in a high energy WWE type of way whilst JC Hutchins nuzzles up to his fans and makes them feel all important and appreciated. Both have superb voice acting skills too. I am a recent subscriber to Mike Bennett and am loving it so far.
- smthng, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3J. C. Hutchin's and Scott Sigler both rock! Another thing that differentiates most podiobooks from audiobooks is that audiobooks generally are read by someone other than the author (and he or she may not do the reading the justice it deserves). Podiobooks/Podcasts are generally read by the author so they KNOW exactly what they were thinking when they wrote and they can bring that out in the performance. Also, most Podiobooks/Podcasts have the author spouting off their thoughts and feelings after the chapter reading. It's pretty cool to get to know what the author is thinking about when he wrote or performed a section. Finally, being a fan of a podcast/podiobook means that you are directly involved... I'd be willing to bet that both Scott and J.C. wouldn't have anywhere near the following that they have if the listeners didn't help spread the word and get others hooked. This is viral marketing come true, baby!
- trekkie, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3Sigler doesn't do it for me, but I really enjoy Mr. Hutchins work over any of the podio book style podcasts I've found so far. I tried to get through infection I think it was and it was just not doing it for me from Sigler.
The one funny thing about Mr. Hutchins is that his reading style reminds me of a Law and Order episode where a serial killer ennunciated his T's in the middle of the words and JC does that when he says Writ - TEN with an accentuation on the TEN every time.
Great stuff, - Soldan, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3I think this rocks..
I personally would rather read a book than listen to one...but I know a few folks that are vision and touch impaired via nerve damage..so audio is the only option.
in a pinch MS reader does a good job with its text to speech if you find good voices - halitech, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3I've been a listener of JC's since about halfway through book 1 and I've been faithful since. There is something about listening to JC tell a story, I can almost close my eyes and imagine him sitting in an old rocking chair, blanket around his shoulders and a group of young kids sitting around his feet, hanging on every word. There are writers and story tellers and then there are people like JC Hutchins and Scott Sigler who make you feel like you are part of the story.
If you haven't heard any of their work, go to podiobooks.com and listen, you won't be sorry, I promise. - Rozza, on 10/12/2007, -3/+5i know ill probably get dugg down, but i wonder how many people who voted for this DONT listen to 7th son. oh well
- ottergal, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2I listen to both of these guys and I have to say that I am thrilled with their work AND the entire podiobook concept. It's an incredible way to get great, new fiction that otherwise you may not have ever seen.
Check it out! See if you get hooked... betcha will. - Shadowhawk22, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2In the Service of Samurai seems like a cool book. Awesome that it is free... The link to the website podiobooks.com is found on this article, where many great free pod-books can be found.
- skankyBacon, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2I like the concept of these, but the fact that these people are not professional voiceover actors becomes apparent VERY quickly. I downloaded a couple but the voices were so unpleasant I couldn't finish.
- Boaet, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2I Love 7th son. This was my first podiobook and I have been hooked ever since. It is great to see it get the recognition it deserves! J.C really knows how to engage the reader and make him part of the story. Well worth your time.
- Andrea2s1, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2I am in awe of 7th Son and similar successful podiobooks. I came across them while doing research for my "audio drama", Second Shift.
Something we have talked about during our first season (cheap plug -- which you can hear for free at secondshiftpodcast.com - /cheap plug) is why that form of storytelling has taken off audio dramas have not. You'd think that stories in the style of radio in the 1930s would translate very well to the iPod generation... I'm not talking about re-releasing old content.
For instance, could Ancestor work as an audio drama (instead of a podiobook)? - gobleugirl, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2I listen to podcasts at work. My job is primarily data entry, and listening to something else helps me stay focused on the work. Having hours of free content to listen to has been invaluable. Also, I like finding wierd stuff that not everybody has heard of or listened to. Starting to get more podiobooks into the Mix. 7th Son, and Mur Lafferty's "Heaven," which is cute.
- NeMeSiS187, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2I got into podiobooks a while back and I LOVE them! I like a lot of Mark Yoshimoto Nemcoff's stuff and now I've really gotten into Scott Sigler's "Rookie." Definitely the best way to pass the time. I recommend "The Rookie" to anyone who likes sci-fi and sports!
- stattek, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2I hadn't heard of it till reading this, though I did listen to Earthcore and it was excellent. I will by giving 7th Son a listen now, considering all the positive responses.
- scottsigler, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2That Seth Harwood is a hard-workin' man! Yeah, he's sanctioned. And not in that "he's sanctioned" way which means we're going to have someone put a bullet in his head, either - it's the good kind of sanctioned.
- Dcphillips18, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2Sigler was responsible for my introduction into this podiobook thing. Since than I have discovered not only great work of a serial nature but have had the opportunity to listen to a ton of short story authors at Escape pod and Pseudopod. Shows like these have quickly replaced music as the reason I sync my ipod in the morning. Giving creators a voice is a trend on the net and it's great to see guys like J.C. and Scott able to reach a fan base not tapped by mainstream publishing. I can't wait to see the 7th son trilogy on my shelf and on bookshelves at my local store. Keep up the good work guys.
- themikebennett, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2I like Seth Harwood's stuff, J.C.'s, Scott's and Myke Bartlett's. Oh, and I'm rather partial to 'One Among the Sleepless' too: Sex, death and noisy neighbors? I should co-co.
- acidsun, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2great for long commutes
- hiPpymIck, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2i like the portrayal of the Feral Twins in failed cities
planet retcon is good light humor
ps most of these podcasts are in the Digg podcast section
(which has 15 categories)
dont forget to Digg them! - sethharwood, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2Great to see lots of you on here getting into the podcast novels! Head on over and check out Jack Wakes Up, if you haven't already. It's a crime/noir thriller set in San Francisco that has drugs, violence, sex, you name it. Officially sanctioned and supported by both Sigler and Hutchins!! (Just ask them!) It's at www.sethharwood.com and at podiobooks.
- patsfan456, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2Another good podiobook is Brave Men Run. It's kind of like a X-Men 80's thing.
- spiffytech, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2the Secret World Chronicle is good too. It's a kind of alternate-history story where a bunch of superheroes came into existence during World War II, and allied together under the leadership of Nikila Tesla's nephew. Then, sixty years later, a bunch of uber-nazis attacked the world.
http://secretworldchronicle.com - VeganG, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2Yeah, I'm gonna go out on a limb here and say that you REALLY don't get it. Browser bookmark? WTF? That wouldn't even work.
- lowky, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2I enjoy listening to all of the novels. I found Scott Sigler through Escape Pod, which if your not aware is a weekly short story Sci-Fi podcast. They mentioned Scott's podcast novels. Through Scott I checked out J.C. Hutchins 7th Son. When I had caught up with all of those I started cruising podiobooks.com for new material to listen to, which is where I found One Among the Sleepless. I can't recommend these stories enough. They have all provided me with hours of entertainment, especially useful, as I use the bus system to get to and from work.
- zaphodbblx, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2I'm so addicted to these podio books.....
- oeneanus, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1I think these people deserve way more respect than they're getting
- themikebennett, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Hey, I neglected to mention Mark Yoshimoto Nemcoff, but that's only because he's not at podiobooks. For the record, I digg M.Y.Nemcoff too: he's cinema for the ears. Oh, by the way, did I mention One Among the Sleepless? I did? Oh.
- smcwinter, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Seth Harwood's podcast-only novel Jack Wakes Up kicks it. But it's not just novels that are out there. Harwood also is podcasting his short story collection A Long Way from Disney. And check out Steven J. McDermott's podcast of his short story collection Winter of Different Directions. You can find it at www.stevenmcdermott.com/winter/winterpodcast.html and coming soon to podiobooks.
- laetus, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1You really have to check out One Among the Sleepless. I really dig this novel and it provides a perspective that you just cannot get by listening to many of the American style novels out there. Plus Mike Bennet really has voices down!
- MrBabyMan, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2Another resource for free audiobooks is Librivox.org . All Librivox's audiobooks are free, 'cause they're all public domain, with Librivox users performing the recordings. Check it out.
- jcoreyc, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1I've been listening to Scott Sigler for over a year and have really enjoyed all of his books. Personally I liked Ancestor the most of his completed works. J.C. Hutchins has been great also.
- sethharwood, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1One Among the Sleepless by Mike Bennett: awesome podcast novel. Totally sanctioned.
- fourthof5, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1One of the really interesting aspects of the podcast novel is that often they are a hybrid of audio play and novel reading. That is they have both narration and sound effects (along with other character voices). Moreover it is a great way for up and coming authors to promote their work to a world wide audience.
- sliderfarb1, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1I've really been loving Jack Wakes Up by Seth Harwood:
http://jackwakesup.com -
Show 51 - 71 of 71 discussions
© Digg Inc. 2009
— Content created and posted by Digg users is