Jared AxelrodWriter of Adventure

oing my best to recover from Balticon in a timely fashion. You wouldn’t think being constantly surrounded by wonderful friends would be draining, but it is. That level of sublime happiness can only be maintained for so long, before it all falls down again. I clearly need to borrow someone’s endorphins if I am to make it through the week.

A full Balticon post turned out to be far too massive, so I’ll just focus on the launch here, and catch up on everything else as I go.

In a weekend full of big news, my personal share—which I’ve been hinting at, off an on, for the past month—is that in the fall of 2011, an original graphic novel by myself and my good friend Steve Walker will be published by Tor, entitled “The Battle of Blood & Ink: A Fable of the Flying City.”

Yes, I know. The title does indeed sound familiar.

The Fables of the Flying City podcast is a prequel to the GN, delving a little deeper in the histories of the characters and the world. You don’t need to listen to the podcast to know what’s going on in the GN, but it will give you a nice aura of smugness when you read it. And that, I believe, is priceless.

Plus, they’re crackin’ great stories, both on their own or together. And who doesn’t like good stories?

The launch itself went without a hitch. JR Blackwell, Russell Collins and Jennifer Rodgers were dressed in their finest, serving tea and chocolate rugulach, while my cousin-in-law Richard Strosahl handed out tickets for the prizes. The effect was less like a podcast reading and more like salon, where everyone was simultaneously relaxed and engaged. You can hear the whole thing, unedited, on the first episode of the podcast.

There’s a portion in it where I, with the help of Christiana Ellis, her teacup and the amazing model plane and figures built by Skott Stotland demonstrate what exactly our heroes have to do on their first training run. Its something that doesn’t come across as well in audio, but if it helps, here’s a picture of the model:

Skott does such amazing work.

The launch went off better than I could have imagined. I couldn’t have done it without the tireless help of Jennifer, Russell, Richard and JR. One of the audience members asked me where I purchased such classy minions. I responded that such helpful individuals like these could not be bought. Only earned.

The audio from the launch was posted Sunday as Episode 1: The Business Scars. Episode 2: When Angels Leave, went up yesterday. Expect regular updates every Wednesday from here on out.

riday
JR Blackwell Reading
10pm,  Pimlico

-Pick up suit from dry cleaning
-Make sure JR’s raygun is loaded

aturday

Fables of the Flying City Launch
2pm,  Chesapeake

-Print out Episode 1 to read
-Buy tea and cakes
-Pick up toys–ahem, models from Skott
-Print posters
-Prepare prizes
-Get sword and goggles back from Curio Theatre
- Decide on proper phrasing for Super Secret Awesome Announcement. Is “life changing” too much, in this context? I don’t think so…

New Media Sci-Fi/Fantasy Prom
11pm, the Derby

-Make mask
-Attach shoggoth
-Decide on pants.

unday

Jared Axelrod Reading
12:30 pm, Pimlico

- Decide on pieces to read. I’m having trouble with this. Please leave any suggestion you have in the comments.

The TRUTH About The Universe (don’t believe anything we say) Panel
2 pm, Cheasapeake

-Practice lying authoritatively. I so don’t need any practice with that.

Girls Rules Live!
4 pm, Cheasapeake

- Prepare for the awesomeness that will be JR, Mur Lafferty, Christiana Ellis, Vivid Muse and Phillippa Ballantine all on the same panel. I can’t wait to be in the audience for this one.

onday

What’s Steamy in New Media Panel
11 am, Derby
- Decide on whether or not the leather jacket is too outré. Perhaps I should stick to the bright blue floor-length overcoat…
- Contact whoever is moderating this panel
-Oh, wait. That’s me, isn’t it? I’m moderating this panel. I should come up with discussion points.
-Come up with discussion points.

 ….T minus 3

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.

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…