Prelude To A Scream Podcast

Episode 07 of Prelude To A Scream features my short story "Distractions" which originally appeared in the World Fantasy Con 2001 CD-Rom edited by Nancy Kilpatrick. The story was reprinted in my book ONE HAND SCREAMING in 2004.
"Distractions" tells the story of a frustrated writer's attempt to deal with distractions by taking the advice from a popular self-help book a little too far. After the story I talk a little bit about the genesis of the tale.
Not only can you listen to this story in audio format for free, but you can also download it for free from Shortcovers.com to enjoy on the portable device of your choice.
Links:

• Kevin MacLeod - the brilliant composer behind the mood music used in this podcast.
• The Writing Show - wonderfully inspirational podcast for writers with years of great content. If, for some reason, you like the sound of my voice or hearing about my writing, there's a series of "Reality Show" episodes following me as I work on my novel A Canadian Werewolf In New York right here.
• Mark's Website
• Mark's Blog
• One Hand Screaming (site with samples) (Chapters/Indigo) (Amazon)
• I Should Be Writing Podcast - because this story is ABOUT a frustrated writer who really "should be writing" I thought I should include a link to the awesome I Should Be Writing podcast by Mur Lafferty.
  

Download MP3 by right-clicking here.

Immediately after recording Episode 05, I recorded Episode 06 of Prelude to a Scream. (I was off work for a few days after all and had a tiny bit of time on my hands) I thought I'd wait a few weeks to release it, though, which worked out well, because my schedule at work since early June has been hectic at best) -- I've already started recording episode 07 and am hoping to be able to keep up a schedule of monthly podcasts and including full stories within each post. Let's see if I can keep up that schedule, particularly given my track record on getting out new podcasts.
This episode features my short story "Nervous Twitching" which was originally published in NorthWords magazine in the Fall of 1996 along with commentary about the writing of the story. "Nervous Twitching" was reprinted in my book ONE HAND SCREAMING, which is a collection of some of my previously published fiction and poetry.
Unlike the "cute" snowman story in Episode 05, this one's a bit more graphic and adult in nature and content. There's blood, a beheading and a surrealistic disturbing scene. So be warned before you listen. Not necessarily for younger ears or queasy stomachs.
But for those with less sensitive ears and stomachs, I hope you enjoy Nervous Twitching . . .
Links:

• Kevin MacLeod - the brilliant composer behind the mood music used in this podcast.
• The Writing Show - wonderfully inspirational podcast for writers with years of great content. If, for some reason, you like the sound of my voice or hearing about my writing, there's a series of "Reality Show" episodes following me as I work on my novel A Canadian Werewolf In New York right here.
• Mark's Website
• Mark's Blog
• One Hand Screaming (site with samples) (Chapters/Indigo) (Amazon)
  

Download MP3 by right-clicking here.

Listen to the first five posts from my online serial thriller "I, Death" and then details about the source and inspiration behind this tale. Also included is a peek at the original short story that inspired the blog thriller. (And if you like the first five posts, you can read the rest of the story for free at http://this-mortal-coil.blogspot.com)


DOWNLOAD MP3 BY RIGHT CLICKING HERE






Music provided by Kevin MacLeod

After long last I've finally returned to posting a new episode. I kept putting off putting up a new one partially because things have been crazy busy, but mostly because I was trying so darned hard to get it right. I eventually realized that recording and re-recording wasn't going to solve the problem. But getting off my butt, recording then releasing without worrying about every single little audio hiccup and "uh" that I mutter would likely resolve things.
So, unpolished, recorded quickly this morning, then uploaded shortly after, here is Episode Five of Prelude to a Scream.
This episode features my short story "That Old Silk Hat They Found" which was originally published in Strange Wonderland Issue #1 (March 1997) along with commentary about the writing of the story.
Links to things I mention in the podcast.

• Kevin MacLeod - the brilliant composer behind the mood music used in this podcast.
• The Writing Show - wonderfully inspirational podcast. If you want to hear more of me (and my wonderful procrastination, there's a series of "Reality Show" episodes following me as I work on my novel A Canadian Werewolf In New York right here.
• Mark's Website
• Mark's Blog
• One Hand Screaming (site with samples) (Chapters/Indigo) (Amazon)
  

Download MP3 by right clicking here

Episode 17 of Prelude To A Scream features "Requiem" written by Mark Leslie and originally published in Darkness Within magazine #2 in 1999.
"Requiem" is the tale about a lonely rich collector of haunted artifacts whose purchase of a Victorian bureau completely changes his appreciation of his prized possessions.
This podcast contains the full audio version of the story as well as Mark discussing the origin of the tale and a bit about the process of looking back at a previously published story and the temptation to re-write and revise a tale based on feedback provided to the author since the first appearance of the tale.
Links:

• Kevin MacLeod - the brilliant composer of "Noir Mild Tension" which is used in this podcast.
• Mark Leslie's Website
• Mark Leslie's Blog
• One Hand Screaming (A book that contains a print version of the story) (Chapters/Indigo) (Amazon) (Smashwords ebook edition, KoboBooks, Sony, Diesel.

Download MP3 by right-clicking here.