Don’t forget, tonight at 10:00PM CBC Radio One, will be airing the BRAND NEW Science Fiction radio drama Birth. Written by Robert J. Sawyer and Michael Lennick and produced by Joe Mahoney. Tune in with your radio or if you are outside of Canada, with your browsers…
HERE
ALSO! You can get a behind the scenes peek, check out some of the photos taken during the recording… HERE
Posted by Jesse Willis
The official website of SF writer Brian W. Aldiss has recently been redesigned, and it now contains a page with some audio discussions and interviews, and an audiobooks page which lists audio versions of his novels. I was surprised to see only two listed!
Posted by Scott D. Danielson
Inside Man
By H.L. Gold; Read by William Mills, Sam Gartner and
Roxanne Mills
1 MP3 File – Approx. 32 Minutes [ABRIDGED]
Publisher: Renaissance E Books / REB Audio
Published: 2005
Themes: / Science Fiction / Humor / Empathy / Telepathy / Psychology / Domesticity /
Why would Lester Shay need anything new to occupy his mind? He is a newlywed of just 3 months! But, when you can’t shut out the pained emotions and feelings of the machines with which you live, even a passionate young bride isn’t quite enough!
First published in the October 1965 issue of Galaxy magazine, the 15th Anniversary issue, Inside Man garner a Nebula nomination for best science fiction short story of the year. But despite the nomination this is, by no means, a classic of the genre. Horace Gold was a far better editor than he was a writer. Despite the caveats this is a well produced multiple voice reading of the exact sort of story that appeared in Galaxy magazine under Gold’s editorial reign. Funny and original. And though hearing the mid-twentieth century values voiced today seem at best rather quaint, this short story still yields an interesting twist. The readers’ voices are clear and this a relatively straightforward and professional production. The highlight for me though is actually the three minute biographical and historical introduction to the story written by Jean Marie Stine. It is always a good idea to place an older story in its context. But I must say the spacey music that accompanies the introduction doesn’t actually improve it. Inside Man is available now as a high quality MP3 through Fictionwise.com.
Posted by Jesse Willis
The Ninth Annual Mark Time Awards for the Best Audio Science Fiction of the Year (for production year 2004) were presented at the CONvergence Science Fiction Convention at the Sheraton Hotel South in Bloomington, MN on July 1st, 2005.
GOLD MARK TIME AWARD
-No Award given-
SILVER MARK TIME AWARD (tie)
“Paradox”
Strange Interludes, Fort Worth, TX
Stephen Couch, writer/producer
“Snowbank”
Icebox Radio Theater, International Falls, MN
Jeffrey Adams, writer/producer
HONORABLE MENTION
“Rod Renegade: Chaos for Hire”
Texas Radio Theatre, Arlington, TX
Shannan and Rich Frohlich, producers
SPECIAL AWARD – BEST ADAPTATION
“The Menace From Earth”
Atlanta Radio Theater Company, Atlanta, GA
William Alan Ritch, producer. Story by Robert Heinlein.
GOLD OGLE AWARD
“Next Years Girl”
Willamette Radio Workshop, Portland, OR
Sam A. Mowry and Cynthia McGean, producers
SILVER OGLE AWARD
-No Award given-
HONORABLE MENTION
“Three Skeleton Key”
One Act Players, San Mateo, CA
Glenn Carlson, producer
SPECIAL AWARD – BEST ADAPTATION
“Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein”
Willamette Radio Workshop, Portland, OR
Sam A. Mowry and Cynthia McGean, producers
Judges for the 2004 Mark Time and Ogle Awards were:
Simon Jones – “Arthur Dent” in The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy
Kris Markman – National Audio Theatre Festivals
Brian Price – Great Northern Audio Theatre
Philip Proctor – The Firesign Theatre
Jerry Stearns – Great Northern Audio Theatre
Congratulations to everyone!
I, for one, have only heard one of these productions – if you are a producer of science fiction, fantasy, or horror audio drama, please consider sending them our way for review on SFFAudio. Click here to contact me for more information.
Posted by Scott D. Danielson
Here’s an interesting article from MSNBC which states that the audio version of the new Harry Potter novel, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince will go on sale on July 16, the same day as the hardcover release, with a record first run of 635,000 copies! That’s an astounding number. A lot of people are getting their first taste of audiobooks through Rowling’s titles.
Jim Dale narrates the unabridged novel, as he did all of the previous novels. This one will run 19 hours and will be released by Listening Library.
It’s also interesting to note that in the UK, the Harry Potter audiobooks are performed by Stephen Fry. A quick check of Amazon.co.uk shows that this book will be, also. I haven’t heard Fry’s narration yet, but would like to (hint, hint, nudge nudge, say no more).
Posted by Scott D. Danielson
Elric of Melniboné
By Michael Moorcock, Read By Jeffrey West and Michael Moorcock
5 CD’s – 5.5 Hour [UNABRIDGED]
Publisher: Audio Realms
Published: 2003
ISBN: 097315960X
Themes: / Fantasy / Epic Fantasy / Magic / War / Gods /
If SFFAudio gave 5-star ratings, then Elric of Melniboné would definitely garner all five. I was so impressed with this audiobook that I wrote and thanked the director.
This audiobook reminded me that I need to be very careful with absolutes. In the past I’ve said that I dislike unabridged audio with music and sound in the background, but here one is that does it so perfectly that I have to amend my statement. The music here was carefully placed, and is an extremely effective soundtrack for the book. It is played at a sound level that was never distracting, yet had the same effect for me as a soundtrack has in a movie – it increased my emotional involvement. The audio sounded as good in the car as it did my headphones.
Elric, whose skin is the color of bleached bones, is the Emperor of Melniboné, but is not without rivals. In his manner, he is not quite what Melnibonéans expect. Though he’s smart and contemplative, the average citizen wants action. The brother of the woman he loves wants to rule, and Elric himself often wonders if Melniboné would be better off without him, but fights to keep the throne all the same.
Michael Moorcock wrote this story in a unique mythic style that makes it truly epic. There were times in the book where it felt like he was talking of the entire world as a whole, and other times when we see things from Elric’s point of view as he deals with gods and demons in scenes of real power.
Jeffrey West did a wonderful job reading this novel. He’s a fine reader, without question, and I can’t help but to think that an epic (though short) piece like this posed some challenges for him. He was first-rate, as was the entire production. This one goes in my permanent collection.
One further note: Michael Moorcock himself reads the introduction, which runs about ten minutes. It is not an “author’s introduction”, but is part of the story.
You can find this audiobook at Audio Realms, and they’ve got a sample you can listen to. (Real Audio required to hear the sample.)
Posted by Scott D. Danielson