Podcast Authors Blowing Up During The Late 2000′s
There are several sci-fi podcast authors I have followed since 2006 when I first discovered the wonders of podcasting. It’s been amazing watching them develop their craft into this new medium and explode in popularity over the years. Among the writers I’ve closely followed there are two that stand out: J.C. Hutchins and Scott Sigler. During 2005, Sigler was one of the true pioneers in releasing novels via the podcast medium and he has since used it as a spring board to being published in print books. Hutchins’s 7th Son trilogy came along soon after Sigler had demonstrated how quickly a fan base could grow while releasing not chapters, but episodes of a story. While these two were seeing their following rise into thousands upon thousands of listeners, there were dozens of other aspiring authors finding creative ways to release their novels also. Eventually Podiobook.com was created and became a store in which podcast authors could release their audiobooks for free (or for donations if the reader felt that what they had heard was good). Both Sigler and J.C. Hutchins finally hit it big in 2008 when they both announced that they had been signed to major publishing house deals. Sigler had already published some of his podcasted novels through a smaller press in 2007, but it was awesome to see his novel Infected actually published as a hardbound book in late 2008. During 2009, both authors released two novels each. It’s been great to see their novels on the same shelves as some of my favorite authors in bookstores across the U.S.
Scott Sigler has taken things one step further in the publishing game by releasing his podcast novel The Rookie on his own. Of course I had to order a copy when it came out and I was really amazed at the quality of this book.
More than likely if you’ve listened to podcasts for any appreciable amount of time then you knew just about everything I’ve written above. However, if you’re new to the podcast community then by all means right after you’ve checked out the latest Legion of Lethargic Super-Geeks podcast episode, then check out one of the following podcast authors: Matt Wallace, Mur Lafferty, Matthew Wayne Selznick, Mark Jeffrey, or of course Scott Sigler or J.C. Hutchins. I believe these are truly some of the authors of the future. And of course you can find their stories as both podiobooks and now as paper books too.
January 4th, 2010 at 6:43 am
Thanks so much for the shout-out, man! You’ve put me in some terrific company in this post. That photo of 7th Son looks positively sexy!
January 4th, 2010 at 8:38 am
Thanks for posting and pimping the work of the podcast fiction community. That last picture really made it hit home for me — we are shaking things up. That stack of books is just the tip of the tidal wave about to crest down and swamp Big Publishing.
January 4th, 2010 at 9:36 am
Truly the publishing industry paradigm shift that has been a long time coming. It must be incredible to ride the crest of that wave. Congratulations to all of the great trailblazers. I’ve been a fan of most of these authors for years already and I never cease to be amazed. Keep up the great work!
James Keeling – SynapticJam
January 4th, 2010 at 1:36 pm
Yes, it has been a glorious ride and I’ve been amazed at how many podioauthors have been able to make it in print. Philippa Ballantine now has a major print deal. Tee Morris and Jon Armstrong are both doing well too. I think Scott is absolutely correct when he says that giving your content away for free is the future of the publishing industry.
January 4th, 2010 at 3:53 pm
Thanks so much for your nod to authors who podcast their work as a way to build audience and drive sales for print and other formats!
When I put out “Brave Men Run — A Novel of the Sovereign Era” in September of 2005, it was the first book ever to have an initial simultaneous release in print, e-book and podcast forms.
Did I know what I was doing? A little. Did I know if it would work? Nope… but like the other authors you mention and many more, I believed (and believe!) that the audience will decide what hits and what doesn’t, so long as you give them the chance.
That’s why I give away for free at least one version of everything I do — because I believe in my work, and I have faith that the audience will compensate artists who create great art.
So far, so good!
Thanks again,
Matt
January 4th, 2010 at 10:42 pm
Thanks for commenting J.C., Scott, James, Arioch, and Matt! I know I’ve left out soooo many amazing authors from this list such as Phil Rossi and Christiana Ellis among the other authors mentioned in the comments.
February 6th, 2010 at 10:19 am
Thanks so much for shining a spotlight on the podcast/fiction community. These people possess a staggering amount of virtuosity, creativity and vision. They are, in fact, my heroes.
all best,
Donna