Normally, I break everything up. I’ll record all of the lines for each character in a batch. For example, I’ll record all of Steve’s lines. Then I’ll start over and record all of Uncle Shameless, Zeroth, etc.

I then tend to do the Narrator lines last. I do not read straight out of the book. I adapt everything to document that resembles an audio drama script.

I put all of the sound files for each character into a folder, and when I assemble the episode in GarageBand, I follow the script and drag the files in that I need and edit accordingly.

I did it this, in part, to ‘stay in character’ the whole time. I voice act for multiple characters that a) sound different and b) talk in different styles/mannerisms–I do Steve a bit higher pitched and winy/sarcastic, while I slur and stumble my words with Uncle Shameless.

I decided to give recording ‘live’ a shot after being on a podcasting panel at Penguicon a couple weeks ago. My co-panelist mentioned that she did everything that way. I figured after 24 podcast episodes and 13 episodes of LansingNext, I certainly had the chops to try.

I’m glad I did. The process went very smoothly, and I was able to carry energy all the way through, because I wasn’t starting and stopping along the way. This was probably one of my better recordings, especially when it came to the Narrator lines (which I’m trying to make more ‘energetic’).

The real test will be in the editing. Will this make chopping an episode easier? Most likely. I just hopes it makes it faster. Episode 025, “Pirates!,” will be available on June 2nd at magicofeyri.com.

I’ll do a more in-depth post this week (sometime over the next few days), because i am exhausted.

Some quick hits–

-I recorded a couple of the panels I was on: “Humor in Sci-Fi/Fantasy” with Jim C. Hines and Brian Briggs, and “Adapting Your Novel to a Podcast” with Mary Robinette Kowal.

-I had the pleasure of meeting and chatting for awhile with author and all-around-awesome-person Cherie Priest. Thankfully, I was able to get a copy of her steampunk novel, Boneshaker in the Dealer’s Room (which has been on my “to-read” since it was released) and have her sign it before I left.

-I bought my new favorite tshirt (from David Willis at shortpacked.com).

what a weekend!

Here’s a tentative run down of the panels I’ll be on, as like any convention, my schedule is subject to change. Penguicon is Apr. 30th thru May 2nd.

We Made It to the Oscars!
2009 had an unprecedented number of sci-fi films nominated for Academy Awards. Does this mean sci-fi is going mainstream?

Saturday 11AM
Daniel J. Hogan (m), Doselle Young, Catherine Shaffer

I’m looking forward to this one and it looks like I’m the moderator. It should be a fun chat and hopefully all in good fun. I like that they are listing moderators ahead of time. Since I’m modding this one, I had better come up with some questions or notes ahead of time.

Humor in Sci-Fi and Fantasy
Science Fiction is about Serious Things. Fantasy is about Causes and Quests. Wait, you mean they can be funny too? Puns, jokes, and running gags abound on this panel that pokes fun at works that take themselves a tad too seriously.

Saturday 2PM
Daniel J. Hogan, Jim C. Hines, Brian Briggs (m)

Jim, Brian and I were on this same panel last year and it was a hoot. I’m very much looking forward to this one as well. I think this would be the third time Jim and I have been on a panel focusing on humor in sci-fi and fantasy.

Publicity 101
You have a book coming out and a shoestring to promote it on. What’s an author to do?
Saturday 5PM
Daniel J. Hogan, Cherie Priest, Patrick Rothfuss (m), Brian Briggs

I certainly know a lot about this. The Internet and social media has made it easy and affordable to market yourself and your work.

Adapting a Novel to a Podcast
With our constantly-on-the-go culture, why not make your work even more available (and safe!) for our commuter-based society! Two veterans of aural performance help you get started.
Sunday 9AM
Mary Robinette Kowal, Daniel J. Hogan

I like that I’m described as a veteran of aural performance. That made my day right there. But, I guess with over 20 podcast episodes under my belt, that is an honest description. Heck, how many dozens of character voices have I done? Too many. But I love it. I was on a few panels with Mary last year and I’m looking forward to chatting with her again.

I’m only on four panels this time around (unless something changes) but that’s fine by me. I tend to over do it at some conventions and it’ll be nice to have time to relax (and I don’t have to worry about rushing down there on Friday either). Plus, I’ll have a girlfriend in tow and it wouldn’t be much fun for her if I was on panels all day and night.

I’ve scaled way back on how I do conventions vs. one and especially two years ago. I’m not even bringing any books this time. It is just isn’t cost effective any more and I feel I’m better off burning a bunch of podcast CDs and giving those out. I typically get a few online sales after any convention I’m a guest at, so I’m hoping that trend continues. I’ll confess that I’m always a bit nervous about being on panels with well-known writers and I kind of feel out of place at times, but typically everyone is very friendly and my worries are for not.

I really enjoy conventions. They are a great recharge to the creative batteries and I get to meet folks who have bought my book and/or listen to the podcast in person. Nothing in the world tops a stranger stopping you in a hotel lobby and saying how much they loved your book. Nothing.

Copywhat? Copyrights! Open Source Licensing in Literature – we chat about copyright issues, especially when it comes to Internet.

Show notes and Listen :: Download

Selling Your Soul – Marketing Your Work on a Limited Budget – we chat about marketing your own stuff while trying not to break the bank (features Jim C. Hines and David Crampton)

Show notes and Listen :: Download

Guerrilla Marketing — The Art of Self-Promotion – along the same lines of the panel above, but touches on other marketing ideas (features Michael “FREON” Andaluz).  I found this one via some sort of MP3 grabber site (and was alerted by Google), so I have the audio hosted on my site, as I can’t find an entry for it on any of Rick’s websites.

Download

(all audio recordings are © 2009 Rick Jackson)

Give these a listen and enjoy!  I love being on panels and talking about these subjects.  I’ve certainly learned plenty about promotion over the past few years.

http://magicofeyri.com/2009/09/fantasy-writing-panel-podcast/

The panel featured Jim C. Hines (Goblin Quest series, Stepsister Scheme, Mermaid’s Madness), Phil Kline (Curse of the Kitsune) and myself.  It runs about 49 minutes and is worth a listen–especially when Jim starts talking about his werewolf-muppet story.

The audio quality is not on par with my normal episodes, as I just set up a recorder on the table and let it go, but I did what I could in GarageBand to make it a little better (tried to cut out some of the long pauses too).

Joining me in splendid 64 kps glory are Jim C. Hines and Phil Kline.  I haven’t listened to the audio yet, but I’m sure it turned out just fine (or fine enough for this purpose).

I’m curious how this will turn out and if people will like it or not. This will not be a regular feature, but I know people do enjoy this sort of thing (listening to writers talk about writing)–otherwise no one would ever attend any of the panels I’m on. I keep meaning to record non-podcast stuff to have at the ready if I ever need filler in case I don’t have an episode ready or something comes up (illness, vacation, pirate-ninjas).

Regular transmission of episodes will continue on September 27th.

Starting with the next episode, things really start kicking into high gear, action-wise anyway.  And we’ll meet some new characters too.

Event this Tuesday: I’m going to be part of the Fantasy Author Panel at the Delta Township District Library. Join Jim C. Hines, Phil Kline and myself as we rap about writing fantasy fiction. FREE. 6 PM to 8:30 PM.

We will be signing and selling books afterwards…well, I won’t be selling books, but I’ll be giving out free podcast CDs.  I may only put the first few episodes on there and make them audio CDs instead of .MP3s. We’ll see.

And remember–I’ll be giving out free CDs with (at least) the first three episodes of the podcast. Haven’t decided yet if the CD will be data or audio (.MP3s or not).

Click below to see my finalized schedule.

May 1, 2009 6:00 pm Sci-Fi/Fantasy – The Perception Sarah Hoyt, Daniel Hogan, Jeff DeLuzio, Sarah Monette What is the general perception of genre writing? Pros and cons of Genre writing vs. traditional fiction.

May 2, 2009 11:00 am Can I Be Your Friend? Bringing Authors and Readers Together John Scalzi, Jim C. Hines, Wil Wheaton, Mary Robinette Kowal, Daniel Hogan, Dr. Philip Kaldon Facebook, LiveJournal, WordPress, MySpace, Twitter, website, etc. — SF/F/H authors are encouraged to engage in self-promotion on the web. Some, like John Scalzi and Wil Wheaton make it look easy. But where’s the line on privacy and personal details for the authors? And what about fans bent on making the transition to troll or stalker? No one said this was going to be easy.

May 2, 2009 12:00 pm Self-Publishing – How to Not Get Totally Screwed David Crampton, Wil Wheaton, Daniel Hogan, Rick Jackson, Alex Heberling, Megan Rose Gedris, Michael Marcus, Sarah Zettel Vanity presses are popping up left and right, and a writer/comic artist no longer needs to beg and plead with a publisher to get their work out there. So how to you get your book ready for print? What printers give you the best bang for your buck? How do you get people to notice it? These questions and more addressed.

May 2, 2009 3:00 pm To See a Universe in a Grain of Sand Sarah Hoyt, Dan Hoyt, Elizabeth Bear, Daniel Hogan,Sarah Monette, Sarah Zettel Worldbuilding. How to create your universe.

May 2, 2009 4:00 pm What’s So Funny?! David Crampton, John Scalzi, Jim C. Hines, Dan Hoyt, Daniel Hogan, Brian Briggs Humor in Sci-Fi and Fantasy. Does it work? Why or why not?

May 2, 2009 5:00 pm Copywhat? Copyrights! Open Source Licensing in Literature Elizabeth Bear, Daniel Hogan, Eric Raymond, Rick Jackson What they are, how they work and things to bear in mind when submitting to traditional publishers and e-publishers. Also – what happens to the rights on my e-blog if I want to publish somewhere else?

May 3, 2009 8:00 am National Novel Writing Month David Crampton, Jim C. Hines, Mary Robinette Kowal, Daniel Hogan Every November hordes of would-be writers as well as established pros unite to attempt to produce 50,000 words in one month. Good idea or waste of time? Does it help or hurt writing? What about the pressures of deadlines in general? Does slow and steady win the race, or does the pressure cooker of trying to produce so many words in the last hour really work?

May 3, 2009 9:00 am Book Signing Catherynne M. Valente, John Scalzi, Jim C. Hines, Wil Wheaton, Sarah Hoyt, Dan Hoyt, Elizabeth Bear, Daniel Hogan, Brian Briggs Come meet some of our great authors and get your book signed. There may or may not even be readings done by some of them – how well can you beg?

May 3, 2009 12:00 pm Is Audio the New Print? Wil Wheaton, Steve Eley, Daniel Hogan, Rick Jackson, Rick Stringer There’s an explosion of audiobooks and podcasts out there. Is Audio supplanting print as the medium of choice?

May 3, 2009 1:00 pm Selling Your Soul – Marketing Your Work on a Limited Budget David Crampton, Jim C. Hines, Daniel Hogan, Rick Jackson Websites, freebies, conventions and business cards – plus anything else we can think of! Ways to help market and promote yourself and your product when you’re strapped for cash!

Since I don’t know the days and times yet, I’ll just list them in no particular order (from the penguicon event page):

Can I be your friend? Bringing authors and readers together.
Mary Robinette Kowal
Daniel Hogan
Jim C. Hines
Dr. Philip Kaldon

Facebook, LiveJournal, WordPress, MySpace, Twitter, website, etc. — SF/F/H authors are encouraged to engage in self-promotion on the web. Some, like John Scalzi and Wil Wheaton make it look easy. But where’s the line on privacy and personal details for the authors? And what about fans bent on making the transition to troll or stalker? No one said this was going to be easy.

Copywhat? Copyrights! Open Source Liscensing in Literature.
Eric Raymond
Daniel Hogan
Elizabeth Bear
Rick Jackson
David Crampton

What they are, how they work and things to bear in mind when submitting to traditional publishers and e-publishers. Also – what happens to the rights on my e-blog if I want to publish somewhere else?

Is Audio the New Print?
Rick Jackson
Daniel Hogan

There’s an explosion of audiobooks and podcasts out there. Is Audio supplanting print as the medium of choice?

National Novel Writing Month
Mary Robinette Kowal
Daniel Hogan
Jim C. Hines
David Crampton

Every November hordes of would-be writers as well as established pros unite to attempt to produce 50,000 words in one month. Good idea or waste of time? Does it help or hurt writing? What about the pressures of deadlines in general? Does slow and steady win the race, or does the pressure cooker of trying to produce so many words in the last hour really work?

Sci-Fi/Fantasy – The Perception
Jeff deLuzio
Daniel Hogan

What is the general perception of genre writing? Pro’s and Con’s of Genre writing vs. traditional fiction.

Selling Your Soul – Marketing your work on a limited budget.
Daniel Hogan
Jim C. Hines
Rick Jackson
David Crampton

Websites, freedbies, conventions and business cards – plus anything else we can think of! Ways to help market and promote yourself and your product when you’re strapped for cash!

To See a Universe in a Grain of Sand
Daniel Hogan
Elizabeth Bear
Sarah Zettel
Rick Jackson
David Crampton

Worldbuilding. How to create your universe.

What’s so funny?!
Daniel Hogan
Brian Briggs
Jim C. Hines
David Crampton

Humor in Sci-Fi and Fantasy. Does it work? Why or why not?

Self -Publishing – How to not get totally screwed.
Sarah Zettel
Rick Jackson
Daniel Hogan
Michael Marcus
David Crampton
Megan Rose Gedris
Alex Heberling

Vanity presses are popping up left and right, and a writer/comic artist no logner needs to beg and plead with a publisher to get their work out there. So how to you get your book ready for print? What printers give you the best bang for your buck? How do you get people to notice it? These questions and more addressed.

So, for the moment, I’m on NINE panels. That’s at least nine hours of programming. I actually asked them yesterday to take me off a panel (one about short stories), so originally I had ten hours. Oy. I can handle it tho. I like being on panels. Keep in mind that things could change since the times have not been figured out, that’s why I just signed up for whatever I wanted at first and told them to let me know about any conflicts and I’ll decide what to do at that point.

Looks like I’ll be on a few panels with good ol’ Jim C. Hines (we’ve been on several panels before and even had a signing together once. Check out his new novel, The Stepsister Scheme. I’m not finished with it yet, but I’m enjoying it so far.)

In podcast news, I’ve started working on mixing episode #2. I still haven’t decided when in April I’ll put the first episode yet, but I might wait until mid-April, so I can have something up before Penguicon. Hang in there, loyal listeners.

This is my second year at Penguicon and I am very much looking forward to it.  I had a blast last year, and this year I’ll be hard at work promoting the Magic of Eyri podcast. I will also have copies of the novel version of The Magic of Eyri for sale at my usual special convention price ($20). I don’t know yet if I’ll have a table or anything…I need to look into that, but if I’m on a lot of panels (which is looking like will happen) I wouldn’t be at a table for too long anyway.