Jared AxelrodWriter of Adventure

Way back at Balticon 44, Dr. John Cmar, and I revealed the truth, using slides created by Laura Burns and JR Blackwell. And now, through the power of Chooch Shubert, we bring the Truth About The Universe to you!

From the official Balticon Program:

JR Blackwell, Laura Burns, John Cmar and Jared Axelrod present both historical misinformation and lies they made up on the fly in this discussion about the nature of the universe. From the smallest microbe to the biggest gas giant, learn how things aren’t–but could be–presented by a panel of experts. Just, don’t believe anything they say. Moderator: Arioch Morningstar.

The Truth About The Universe was performed live at Balticon 44. Slides were created by Laura Burns and J.R. Blackwell;. The dialog was improvised on the spot by John Cmar, Jared Axelrod, and Arioch Morningstar. Music, editing, introduction and mulptile formatting by Chooch Schubert

Special thanks to Paul Fischer and the Baltimore Science Fiction Society

The following alternative download formats are available on Archive.org:

• Full resolution mpeg2 [302 MB] version
• Compressed mpeg4 [46.6 mb] suitable for Apple iDevices – it can be added to podcast feeds
• Open Ogg Theora [43.7] format that can be played on most Linux systems as well as other OSes if they have the codecs loaded
• Chooch also split it in half and uploaded them to YouTube (they have a 15 minute limit per video) for people that are more comfortable with YouTube streaming/embedding (Part 1, Part 2)

Spread the Truth About the Universe!

es, despite my previous assertions that I will not be at the Steampunk World’s Fair, they have recently invited me to give a reading. And if you are me, you cannot pass up an opportunity to give a reading inside a  “Library of Lost Literature.”

I am told that is merely a small reading lounge s right off the main hotel lobby, sponsored by Weird Tales. But I am preferring to let my imagination run wild a bit.

I will be there at 12 noon on Sunday, reading a bit of what I will be reading at the Fables of the Flying City Launch at Balticon. So if you’re chompin’ at the bit to see what this podcast will be all about, that there’s the place to get a sneak peak.

I will also be reading from things that I will not be reading at the Launch. So there’s that, too.

While JR and I will probably be not as well-dressed as we were  in the above picture taken at the Mütter Ball (Curio Theatre still has my good stuff), I’ll do my best to look the part. What does some one wear to give a reading in a “Library of Lost Literature,” at noon on a Sunday? The good cufflinks, obviously…

And for those keeping score: Countdown to Launch: T minus 12

pring is once more upon us, inviting us all to lay back, gaze longingly at our loved ones, and remark how pleasant everything is (even when it is not) It is a time of rebirth. We’ve had our chance to regroup, to start over. Now is the time to show what we’ve done with this new chance life has given us.

The flowers are out, man. Nature’s done her part. What are you doing with your spring?

Well, I’ve got a couple books out. So that’s something.

Matthew Wayne Selznick’s “Sovereign Era” started with his seminal novel Brave Men Run, (why, yes, I did do the cover for that, how sweet of you to remember) and continues on in The Sovereign Era: Year One. Matt was kind enough to let me, J. R. Blackwell, P. G. Holyfield, J. C. Hutchins, Mur Lafferty, Nathan Lowell  and Matt Wallace play around in his sandbox, crafting new stories in the Sovereign Era world. Matt’s is a “Sovereign Era” a little bit  X-Men, a little bit Breakfast Club. My story, Can’t Get There From Here, is perhaps more John Sayles than John Hughes, but it’s got unconventional superpowers and charm to spare. If you ever wanted to know what it might be like to have psychic connection to machines in rural North Carolina, that there’s your story.

The other stories are great, too. But then, with an author list like the one above, you knew that.

Also recently released is Podthology: The Pod Complex, from the fine folks over at Dragon Moon Press. Like The Sovereign Era: Year One, this anthology is an embarrassment of riches, consisting of stories by Scott Sigler, Tee Morris, Phil Rossi, and a host of other podcasting luminaries. I’ve got two stories in this bad boy, What The Damned Owe and The Curse of the Forward-Thinking Gentleman. Damned is amusing meditation on demons and taxes, and Curse has the distinction of being my first steampunk story in print. Which is nice to be finally able to say.

Both anthologies now have a snug place on the sidebar. Feel free to click’n'buy.

But the real blossoms of Spring happen at the end of May. You know what I’m talking about: Balticon! Lots of fantastic stuff happening at Balticon this year: I’ve got two panels–one about the current steampunk trends running through new media, and another where I intend to lie about THE TRUTH–and a reading. But the jewel of the schedule is as follows:

Tea On The Flying City

A Launch Event for Jared Axelrod’s New Podcast, “Fables of the Flying City”

Saturday, May 29, 2:00pm Chesapeake

Join “Aliens You Will Meet” & “Voice of Free Planet X” creator Jared Axelrod as he launches his new steampunk adventure podcast, “Fables of the Flying City.” Learn how Ashe, a young woman from the streets of the flying city of Amperstam learns what it takes to be a member of the Aerial Guard. The first episode will be read, live! Tea will be served! Prizes will be won! YOU could be in the story!

That’s right. I am returning to podcasting. And with my triumphant return comes a fantastic bit of news that I will not spoil here, but rather wait until it the Live Launch itself, where it can be presented in the fullness of time. Suffice to say, it is both awesome and life-changing.

As for the launch event itself, it is going to be a not-to-be-missed spectacle, in the thundering tradition of my Aliens You Will Meet live shows (though there will be no puppets…this time). I’ll be posting teasers of what you can expect from the podcast and the launch itself all month until the con. Because this is not something you want to miss.

Spring has arrived. And I’ve only just begun to bloom.

From the Camden County College-Blackwood Graphic Novel Panel. Still waiting on the full audio, but here’s a great clip of video taken by Laverne Mann, where I talk about the limitations of serial fiction. You may need to turn your volume up.

She’s got a couple more videos here.

I’ll be at Camden County College today as part of a panel about comics and their relationship to literature and pop culture. I’ll be there as the creator voice among the other panelists of librarians, collectors, and professors.

Luckily, as anyone who has spent any time at all with me knows, I can talk a lot about comics.

“Comic Books, Manga, Graphic Novels & Pop Culture: A Panel Discussion”
 Room 101 (”The Forum”), Madison Connector Building
 Camden County College, Blackwood Campus
Thursday, March 11th @ 6 PM
A panel discussion on the changing role of comic books and graphic novels, particularly in pop culture. Impact of manga and anime will also likely be a topic of discussion, as will comic book movies, TV shows and other adaptations. Role of comics in literacy will also come up. The panel will be opened to questions from the audience as well.

Directions are provided here (If you go to the website, make sure you use the directions for the Blackwood Campus, not the Camden or Cherry Hill campuses.) You can also find a map of the campus - with buildings marked - linked here. If those links don’t work, head to www.camdencc.edu and look for the Locations link, then follow it to the Blackwood campus. Directions, address info and campus maps with buildings helpfully marked are all found there.

I have been told the previous panels were recorded, so if this one follows suit I’ll post it for those who can’t make it.

PhilCon ‘09 is this weekend. And you know I’m ready for it.

My schedule for the con is as follows:

Sat 12:00 PM in Plaza II (Two): STEAMPUNK FOR SIMPLETONS

[Panelists: Jared Axelrod (mod), Matt Black, Nikki Cohen, Christine Norris, Jeff Mach]

Ladies and Gentlemen of stern and noble character are invited to participate in a salon whereupon we shall discuss the genre and lifestyle known to the rabble as “steampunk”.  What is it, where did it come from, and what is with those brass goggles

Sat 4:00 PM in Plaza III (Three) PULPED!

[Panelists: Michael J. Walsh (mod), C.J. Henderson, Jared Axelrod, James Daniel Ross, Eric Avedissian]

What do we mean by pulp fiction? Is it a synonym for trash or does it represent a vigorous type of popular fiction that continues to appeal? If someone calls your book “”pulp”", is that an insult or a compliment

Sun 1:00 PM in Plaza V (Five) EAT RIGHT, EXERCISE, DIE ANYWAY… HEALTHY LIVING FOR FANS

[Panelists: James Prego (mod), Alyce Wilson, Jared Axelrod]

In general, fans tend to be a rather… sedentary… group.  What simple things can we do to improve our health and life a better life

Sun 2:00 PM in Executive Suite 823 MICROFICTION: THE NEXT BIG THING?

[Panelists: Nathan Lilly (mod), Michael Swanwick, Ef Deal, Dina Leacock, Jared Axelrod]

A number of magazines have opened dedicated to the art of the quick-fic. Pros and cons of flash fiction (under 1,000 words), nanofiction (under 40 words), and Twitter fiction (under 140 characters)

Hope to see you there.

Balticon, one of the best conventions on the Eastern seaboard,  doth approach. While I have trimmed my con-going schedule this year, Balticon was a jewel I could not cast aside. “But Jared,” you might ask, “What can you possibly do at a convention with a shattered ankle?” Due to the magic of a loaner wheelchair (thanks, Skott), I will be all over the con, as you can see:

 Live! Escape Pod - Sat 10am 
Steve Eley’s pulling out all the stops for this one, with a full cast reading of Rogue Farm by Balticon’s Guest of Honor Charlie Stross. I’m not going to crow about it before Steve does, but I will say this: I play a farmer. You’re excited now, aren’t you?

Doing It Daily - Sat 1pm
I’m teaming up with the lovely and talented JR Blackwell, Billy Fynn of Geek Radio Daily, and the ever-awesome Christiana Ellis (you do listen to Shallow Thoughts, right?) to talk about the agony and ecstasy of daily projects. Considering how funny the other three people are on this panel, I’ll probably just end up laughing through most of it. So, I’ll have a good time.

Live! Aliens You Will Meet- Sat 3pm
Are you prepared for…INTERGALACTIC IDOL, the reality competition that scours the galaxy to find new solo musical talent? ‘Cause it’s coming to Balticon, kiddies! With George Hrab representing Earth, we may be a shoe-in for that II crown! But who knows what other aliens will compete? Featuring new puppets created by JR and myself and new music by AYWM composer Russell Collins!

Live! Mr. Adventure - Sat 10pm
Bringing more Golden-Age two-fisted adventure than you can shake a stick at, the Mr. Adventure crew never cease to amaze me with their balls-to-wall Balticon scripts. No one takes advantage of the sheer level of talent available at Batlicon like Mr. Adventure, and I’m sure this year will be no exception.

Podcasting and Music  - Sun noon
I’ll be joining Dave Slusher, Phil Rossi, and Chris Lester to talk about…podcasting and music.  Kinda what it says on the tin, there. Should be a hoot.

Kraken’s Jersey - Sun 8pm
Ah, the legendary year-long Kraken’s Quest.  I’ve been asked to host this look back on the one of the most epic pranks in podcasting history, something I could not possibly say no to. Will all be revealed?  Will Tee Morris get his jersey back?  Or is this just another tease?  Only way to find out is to be there!

Now, the only question remains: Should I shave my head and be Professor X while I’m there? Being Jimmy Stewart in REAR WINDOW was also brought up. That does mean I could attend the con in my pajamas…