Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Prelude To A Scream - Episode 09

Episode 09 of Prelude To A Scream features "Browsers" written by Mark Leslie and originally published in the magazine Challenging Destiny in 1999. It was reprinted in 2004 in Mark's short story collection One Hand Screaming.

"Browsers" is a "haunted" bookstore, story that was inspired by a real-world trip to a bookstore in Hamilton, Ontario, where Mark now lives.

This podcast contains the full story as well as notes from Mark on the writing of the tale as well as an interesting encounter with a reader who was familiar with the particular bookstore Mark used as the basis for this tale.

Links:

Download MP3 by right-clicking here.






posted by Mark Leslie at 3:34 AM 0 comments

Wednesday, September 09, 2009

Prelude To A Scream - Episode 08

Episode 08 of Prelude To A Scream features "Relic" written by Michael Kelly, Mark Leslie and Carol Weekes. "Relic" was originally published in a limited edition chapbook in 2007 and sold exclusively at Bakka-Phoenix bookstore in Toronto, ON.

"Relic: How to Get Ahead in Retail" takes place at BP books, Canada's oldest science fiction bookstore and involves the discovery of an ancient evil book lurking on the shelves. A tongue-in-cheek tale, this collaborative effort by Michael, Carol and I was written specifically for a joint book signing we were doing in the summer of 2007.

This episode is the longest episode of PTAS yet -- clocking in at about 36 minutes -- and here's why. You don't just get the story and then me talking about collaborating with other writers, but there's also a special excerpt from the Pod of Horror podcast -- specifically, the clip is Norm Rubenstein's review of the highly anticipated collaborative novel Ouroboros by Michael Kelly and Carol Weekes.


Links:

Download MP3 by right-clicking here.




posted by Mark Leslie at 3:00 AM 0 comments

Sunday, August 02, 2009

Prelude To A Scream - Episode 07

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.

posted by Mark Leslie at 8:55 AM 0 comments

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Prelude To A Scream - Episode 06

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:

Download MP3 by right-clicking here.








posted by Mark Leslie at 5:53 AM 0 comments

Monday, June 01, 2009

Prelude To A Scream - Episode 05

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.

Download MP3 by right clicking here




posted by Mark Leslie at 8:33 AM 0 comments

Sunday, February 18, 2007

Prelude To A Scream - Episode 04

DISCLAIMER: I recorded this podcast back in late July/early August of 2006. I'd like to blame the ghost of Henry David Thoreau for the technical tripping which occurred that prevented me from being able to publish this podcast online any earlier. It makes me think that maybe he WAS listening from the great beyond after all . . .

In this episode, I talk about how listening to James Patrick Kelly's podiobook novel Burn inspired me to go back and read Henry David Thoreau. I also share my poem "Frost After Midnight" which was originally published in 1996 and then republished in One Hand Screaming in 2004 and talk about the obvious inspiration for it as well as how different classic writing and writers have influenced some of my other writing projects.

Links to other things mentioned in the podcast:

I Should Be Writing Podcast

The Survival Guide To Writing Fantasy Podcast



DOWNLOAD MP3 BY RIGHT CLICKING HERE






Music provided by Kevin MacLeod

posted by Mark Leslie at 6:41 PM 0 comments

Tuesday, July 04, 2006

Prelude To A Scream - Episode 03

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

posted by Mark Leslie at 2:20 PM 1 comments