Phew, so, if you looked at The Wall Street Journal yesterday, you would’ve seen an article about FinalRune Productions and our newest project we’re announcing to the world: the serialization of the novel Open Season by Archer Mayor.

Today we feature this very exciting, on-location recorded audio drama. Yes, the snow you hear is snow!

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Radio Drama Revival – Episode 162

This week we feature the conclusion to Quicksilver Radio Theater’s adaptation of the Sherlock Holmes Tale, The Blue Carbuncle.

Last week we found a precious gem lodged in the gullet of a Christmas goose, which led Sherlock and Watson on a quest to find its owner – the goose that is, not the gem. The goose’s owner was happy with any cooked goose, making the detective duos realize they would need to hit the streets to learn the origin of this mystery foul…

Listen to the conclusion of this fun adventure, plus a bonus, the “Painful Predicament of Sherlock Holmes.”

Enjoy!

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Radio Drama Revival – Episode 153

P.S. – A reminder that Audiofile Magazine and Naxos Audiobooks are still offering three free Sherlock Holmes audiobooks until December 29… So go load up your new iPod with great tales of the detective!

Things have been great lately for audio fans of Agatha Chrystie. Last month I mentioned how Audiofile magazine had a feature on the Queen of Crime, and bubbled in great length about how great the live Agatha Chrystie radio dramas at the International Mystery Writer’s Festival was. Killer!

But now there’s more – Audiofile Magazine, to celebrate Agatha’s birthday, is giving out a free audiobook of the Agatha Chrystie story “The Case of the Missing Will,” through a partnership with Audible and BBC Audiobooks America.

You do need to sign up for a form with Audiofile, but heck, if you aren’t already getting the magazine and their newsletters, what kind of audio fan are you? You’ll also need an Audible account, and the same rules apply.

Audiofile Magazine and Audible are both very audio drama friendly. While their emphasis is obviously on audiobooks, you’ll routinely find reviews for audio plays in Audiofile and there are great audio dramas to download on Audible (the Rocky Coast Radio Theatre, for example, and the 2000x series).

So check it out, while there’s time! The offer is only good until September 20.

Check out their landing page stuffed with great Agatha Chrystie material, or go straight to the download for the free audiobook.

If you’re not on the ZBS newsletter list, well, sign up now, and then, check out some of the latest stuff they’ve put out.

As you recall, we talked to Tom Lopez a few weeks ago about his radio drama/web video hybrid 4 Minute Film Noir.  Several more fun videos have come out, including “The Little Man with the Big Roscoe,” “When Sully Became Sally,” and “Galloway’s.”

Let’s see if I can get one to embed here:

What other fun stuff? There are great pictures of 4 Minute Film Noir behind the scenes, and the fantabulous new show, Ruby 8.  I just picked up the MP3… you’ll find this covered in the “Fred’s Fuze” column soon!

This week we have the huge pleasure of talking to Tom Lopez of the ZBS Foundation on his new effort with the 4-Minute Film Noir, fun videos that take film noir caricatures and blend them with Lopez’s stellar wit, timing, and sense of humor.

We also pick his brain about the experiences at the National Audio Theater Festivals and the joy of recording the natural environment and using it in audio productions.

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Radio Drama Revival – Episode 127

Also, BIG NEWS!!!

I’m proud to announce that one of my own audio drama works, Waiting for a Window, has won the Gold Ogle award. Hooray!

Knowing that this is the same stage that Roger Gregg has won on multiple occasions, I can’t say how honored and awesome it feels to have won the award. Awards aren’t everything, sure, but it’s nice to know that someone other than me actually thinks my stories are worth listening to.

The Ogle is one of the most prestigious (okay, one of the only!) radio drama awards available and has been won by the likes of Crazy Dog Audio Theater, The Willamette Radio Workshop, AM/FM Theater (The Grist Mill), and the Colonial Radio Theater.

I’m actually be headed out to Minneapolis, Minnesota to collect the award on July 2, and that same day you’ll be hearing an encore presentation of “Waiting for a Window” on the show. Rumor has it I’ll also be helping Great Northern Audio Theater put on their annual Mark Time Award live radio show. Details to come.

Today I present part one of the Malleus interview with Alan Stevens of Magic Bullet, audio dramatist, writer, and producer of the Kaldor City and The True History of Faction Paradox audio drama serials. In this installment, Stevens discusses what drew him to audio drama and how Magic Bullet came to be, why he recast the Faction Paradox audio dramas, and what makes sound designer Alistair Lock a genius. Alan has an engaging wit and an interesting approach, and the article is embedded with sound clips from both the Kaldor City and The True History of Faction Paradox serials that illustrate why Magic Bullet is a force to be reckoned with in the British audio drama scene. Don’t pass this one by. 

(You can go directly to Magic Bullet’s website by clicking on their logo above. Further sound clips from The True History of Faction Paradox can be found in my overview of the series here. Part 2 of the interview can be found here.)

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