So, after over a year’s hiatus, ‘Outcast’ is back with Chapter 20.

If you’ve been following this blog up to this point, you know that 2011 was a rather busy year for me from a personal standpoint. It’s never easy to focus on the things you love when everything else in your life suddenly pops up and demands attention. The first half of 2012 wasn’t much better, what with a new career and a few other responsibilities that have come up.

On the plus side, the new job has actually reduced my stress level to the point that my creative urges are beginning to pierce the veil and worm my way back into my mind. I have to admit that it feels good not to be constantly watching things like my bank account or my mail for nasty letters. Instead, I’m finally in a position where I can focus on the important things.

That being said, I bring you Chapter 20.

IN THIS CHAPTER: Dalan wrestles with his conclusion about who stole the Ka’al P’ack and why. He also wrestles with the choices laid out before him: To confront the Clans with this news, or to continue on with his plans to eventually leave Bengalis with Te’Ki.

Well, after FAR too long, at long last here is episode 19 of ‘Outcast.’

As always, thanks to all of you who’ve held out and held on for me to get this done. To be honest, were it not for your feedback and encouragement, I would probably never have gotten off my butt and in front of that microphone.

IN THIS EPISODE:
A scare at the docks gives Dalan some inspiration to finally sit down and try to figure out just exactly why he was exiled, and uncovers what he believes to be the truth.

The question is, now that he knows…what can he do?

LINKS:
Contact email: outcastnovel@gmail.com
Blogs: http://outcastnovel.wordpress.com AND NOW: http://yo5.ca/outcast

End of Cycle for Sarcoma: http://www.angiosarcoma.org/
Shujin Tribble’s Flashback Newscast: http://fbnc.mevio.com/

Hello Outcasts. Just a quick update on things here.

First off, as usual, thank you all for your patience and continued support as I work towards the home stretch on ‘Outcast.’ I can finally see the end now…just a little further and it’ll be done. I’ve purposely been a little gun-shy about posting a new episode because it seems that every time I do, something bad happens to me. Yeah, I know it’s probably just a coincidence, but still.

Second, I’m feeling extremely stoked these days…and a little stupid like the title says. I’m stoked because Chris Lester, the creative mind behind the incredible Metamor City Podcast read a fan fiction story I’d sent into him some time ago. The submission was originally for a contest, and should have been read over the summer between seasons 1 and 2 of his podcast. However, as with all things, real life snuck up and well…you know how it is.

Anyway, I’m feeling a little stupid because here it is, April 21st, and I hadn’t updated my iPod for close to 2 weeks. Well, you can imagine my surprise when, as I’m scrolling through my MCP list on my iPod this morning, I see that ‘Rebirth,’ my submission, was on the feed.

Chris did an amazing job narrating the story, and while it felt a little odd hearing my words come from another voice, I still had one hell of a grin on my face for the entire bus trip to work today.

If you’re not already listening to Metamor City, you might want to check it out. It’s one of those full-blown produced shows with voice actors, music, effects, and a storyline that appeals to a wide variety of tastes.

So again, to Chris Lester I raise my glass in thanks and appreciation, and now…back to work.

After a few starts and stops, and a few more ups and downs, Episode 18 of ‘Outcast’ is finally up and live.

However, you’ll probably notice that only the Mevio/Feedburner feed has been updated…not the Podiobooks.com one. There is a reason for this, and it’s because of me, not Evo.

There’s a certain level of expectation at PB from both those running it and those who subscribe to books on it. That expectation, because of numerous personal problems, is one I have not been nor will be able to meet. While my scheduled completion date of the book is still feasible, the completion of the recorded segments in an orderly fashion is not.

Therefore, I have decided to not ask Evo to lift the restriction on ‘Outcast’ at Podiobooks.com until such time as I have all the remaining audio recorded and ready to upload.

My apologies to any PB.com listeners who might feel left out. However, if you’d like there’s still the feedburner/Mevio podcast feed, which you can find at http://feeds2.feedburner.com/podshow/outcast

And, now that that’s out of the way, here’s episode 18:

IN THIS EPISODE:
Now absolved of his guilt over his recent rage attack, Dalan settles back into his life, only now with the knowledge that his best friend, Tomas, is spreading the word to his trusted friends about the tiger’s status as an exile.

FINALLY! Hm…I seem to be saying that a lot, don’t I?

Well, anyway, after far too long, here we are again with episode 17 of ‘Outcast.’

IN THIS EPISODE:
Still reeling from the alley attack, Dalan is plagued with the vision of nearly ending Daro’s life. As he tries to reconcile his guilt, Te’Ki fears his condition is a result of her story, and accuses him of lying to her that everything was all right.

In the rage that follows, Dalan realizes something is happening to him…something he was not warned about. This event only compounds his overall feeling of helplessness, and he heads off to his training session to get some answers…

No matter the cost…

Ok, now that you’ve had a chance to listen to the episode (or at least download it), I wanted to relate a story to all of you about something that happened to me recently. Don’t worry; it’s a good thing, trust me.

As some of you may know, I’m a bit of a SecondLife junkie. That being said I’m not like some of those WoWzers out there, determined to spend every millisecond of my free time in some other world, but I do have a few places I like to hang out and chat with friends at least once per week.

Anyway, one of the places I hang out at is a virtual nightclub, and I’ve gotten to know the DJ there fairly well. (Well, as much as you can get to know someone in a place like SL, anyway). He does a few hours at the club every Wednesday, and it’s not just him spinning tunes. There’s fake commercials, gags, flashback news segments…the guy really gets into his work and I think it makes him one of the best SL DJ’s around.

A while back he put out the call for some sound bites, and after getting myself settled in my new place I decided to send a couple his way. One was an intro for his flashback news segment, and the other was one of those ‘This is a test,’ EBS warning things. Needless to say he was overjoyed that someone actually wanted to help him.

So I was at the club a few weeks ago just hanging out, and the DJ decided to play the EBS warning message. I think I’ve said it before how much I can’t stand to listen to my own voice, so I was having a less than fun time while this thing was droning on and on…and on.

All of a sudden, in the chat window, I see the following line:
Hey…that’s the dude who does Outcast!

Ok, so by this time I’m a little more flattered. I mean the DJ and the club owners are fellow Outcasts, but to see this kind of line from another club regular was nothing short of a pleasant surprise. So, after a few moments I typed the following:
*sighs* Yep…guilty as charged.

A few more miscellaneous lines of text went by, then this showed up:
Dude…that’s YOU?

The DJ told me later he had a hard time not saying anything as the patron slowly made the connection.

It was kinda cool to see something like that happen in a place where I least expected it. I guess it goes to show that anywhere you show your face, virtual or otherwise, if you’re in the podcasting game, you might be recognized.

WHEW!

After so long away, it feels good to be back, though being in front of the microphone for my OWN show feels a bit like using a muscle I haven’t used in a long time.

In here we have some more user feedback, a status update on me and the personal trials I’ve had to deal with over the past few months, as well as a couple of voice mails.

AND…we have a bonus musical track at the end for your enjoyment, as well as a plea from me to you to help a fellow podcaster realize his dream.

CONTACT:
email: outastnovel@gmail.com
Voice Mail: 206.600.NARC (6272)

LINKS:
Shane’s Art Sites:
http://www.einherjarstudio.blogspot.com/
http://shane-01.deviantart.com/

G. Howell’s Home Page (Thanks, Velan)
http://homepages.ihug.co.nz/~howellg/stories/stories.html

7th Son
http://www.7thsonnovel.com/7th-son-book-1/

Hello again, Outcasts and casual readers.

As you can easily tell from the previous post, things have been somewhat less than harmonious in my life as of late, which is why this entry is a bit of a double post. I’d completely neglected to talk about Episode 15 in this blog, and now that Episode 16 has been posted to both feeds, I figured I’d better get this place a little consistent.

So, here we go, the double post for Outcast, Episodes 15 and 16

In Episode 15:
Cornered in an alleyway by a group of unknown assailants, Dalan and Te’Ki are forced to see each other in new lights. For Dalan, he will see a part of Te’Ki’s shadowy past, while for her…she will catch a glimpse of what Dalan is destined to become…

And it terrifies her…

LINKS:
Email: outcastnovel@gmail.com
Show Site: http://outcastnovel.mevio.com AND http://www.podiobooks.com/title/outcast
Voice Mail Line: 206-600-NARC (6272)
Anthropomorphic Dreams Podcast: http://anthrodreams.libsyn.com AND http://www.anthrodreams.com

In Episode 16:
Having escaped the alleyway, Dalan and Te’Ki return home. Unable to keep it a secret any longer, Te’Ki finally tells her real story about how she came to Shonto…and what part Daro played in her life…

LINKS:
Email: outcastnovel@gmail.com
Show Site: http://outcastnovel.mevio.com AND http://www.podiobooks.com/title/outcast
Voice Mail Line: 206-600-NARC (6272)
JC Hutchins’ Site: http://www.jchutchins.net
Personal Effects: Dark Art: http://www.darkartnovel.com
Arlene Radasky’s Site: http://www.radasky.com
The Fox: http://podiobooks.com/title/the-fox

And hello again, all you crazy, ravenous…er…Outcasts

So, after sitting way too long in a word processor file, I present to you Episode 14 and the second ‘Outcast’ feedback show. In this episode we have a few emails, a few voicemails, and some news on what’s been happening with me over the past little while.

I’ve got a massive amount of linkage for all of you to check out too:
Podcast Site: http://outcastnovel.mevio.com
Email: outcastnovel@gmail.com

The Beginning: http://thebeginingstory.webs.com/index.htm
Shadowmagic: http://shadowmagic.co.uk AND http://podiobooks.com/title/shadowmagic
The Aurora Hunter Novel: http://hunternovel.mevio.com
Skunk Smells Podcast: http://skunk.mevio.com
Niv Wizard Podcast Novel: http://nivwizard.mevio.com

End of Cycle for Sarcoma Team Page: http://giving.roswellpark.org/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?pid=615&frtid=1277

Shujin Tribble’s Page on the Ride for Roswell:
http://giving.roswellpark.org/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?pid=614&frsid=8323

Ending music is ‘Midnight’ by Fox Amoore, composer extraordinaire. Here are the many places you can find him:
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/foxamoore
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=KeyboardFox
Last FM Page: http://www.last.fm/music/Fox+Amoore
Online Store: http://www.freewebstore.org/FoxAmoore/index.aspx?pageid=118412
Ustream Page: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/fox-amoore-live

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Hello once again, Outcasts. I know y’all missed me, and I missed all of you too.

At long last, here’s episode 13. This will be the last episode for 2008, and my New Year’s resolution is to be a bit more frequent with updates in 2009. Yeah, I know; I say that every time.

IN THIS EPISODE:

Dalan returns home from his first retreat up in the mountains with his Sensei. Though somewhat emboldened by the revelation that he is indeed a special student, he dreads opening that door and seeing that he is once again alone.

The question is…is he?

Promo: Niv Wizard: http://nivwizard.mevio.com

Additional music for this episode:
‘Consummation Opus’ by Amaran’s Plight
‘Alone’ by Brian Turner
Both these artists are available on the Podsafe Music Network at http://www.musicalley.com

Hey all.

Yes, I’m back again, and this time I’ve got a nice little treat for you.  Courtesy of loyal Outcast and fellow author, Marcus Noble, I’m pleased to present to you the first EVER Outcast Fan Fiction story…Rock Star.

It’s a glimpse of the world of Bengalis as seen through the eyes of a traveling musician, who lives a rather interesting lifestyle, and what happens when a one-night stand with a groupie changes his life forever.

WARNING!  This story does contain some graphic violence and sexual situations, so listener discretion is strongly advised.

—

Skunk Smells Podcast

The Aurora Hunter Podcast Novel

—

Contact Info

Email: outcastnovel@gmail.com

Website: http://outcastnovel.mevio.com

Blog: http://yo5.ca/outcast

—

Hey Outcasts.

So, here we are, back again with another episode.  Again, many thanks for sticking by the story, subscribing, and spreading the word.  I really appreciate it.

IN THIS EPISODE:

It is the time of Dalan’s first retreat with his Sensei.  To date, he still hasn’t told Te’Ki about his training for fear of scaring her away.  Now, though, as the impending retreat looms, he finds himself unable to avoid telling her any longer.

The question is, will she still be there when he returns…

Hey there.

So, once again I let nearly a month go by without any kinds of updates here.  You’d think with the amount of spare time I have during the day (in between performing IT miracles), I’d be able to jot down any number of random thoughts here.  Not so, I guess; it seems that updating a blog is almost secondary to me.

That’s not to say I don’t enjoy blogging, if enjoying it is something that can actually be done without being considered and uber-nerd.  I think part of it is the fact that my creative reservoir can only hold so much, and when I do something like a podcast, by the end of the process my mind is like a bubbling mass of grey goop.  As a result, the blog posts don’t always sync up with episode releases, etc.

That being said, this post is, hopefully, the start of some more frequent updates.  Granted I don’t think I’ll ever be as prolific a blogger as JC Hutchins, who seems to announce new posts on his MINE account every few minutes, but I can try to be a little more forthcoming about things…maybe get some opinions on any current writing endeavours…we’ll see.

Actually, as I’m writing this, Audacity is crunching away on the latest ‘Outcast’ episode.  Yes, that’s right; I’ve finally got Chapter 12 all nice and polished up for your listening pleasure.  No small feat, either; take away the opening and closing jibber-jab, and you’re left with close to 44 minutes of pure story.  At this rate, I’ll be overtaking Tee Morris for longest podcast episodes.

Before that, though, you may have noticed in your feed that I posted two other things there.  The first was something I was inspired to do the day after my family and I scattered my dad’s ashes in the water.  Originally I was just going to put it in my other show, but I figured it belonged here too…kind of a way to explain just what the hell’s been going on with me for so long.

Not long after I posted that, I also posted a new promo for ‘Outcast,’ which has been played on a couple of podcasts already.  I’ve been meaning to update that thing for a while, so this has been a long time coming. I’ve placed the promo on its own page, which you can access on the sidebar.

And then, finally, there’s the feedback episode, which I’ve been promising to put out since Episode 11.  I feel kinda fortunate, actually, that I managed to get enough feedback to justify making such a show.  I guess that’s my own self-delusional way of figuring I’ve made it.

So that pretty much brings y’all up to speed on what I’ve been up to lately.  I think things are starting to calm down a little bit now with regards to my life in general…that should mean I can get back into writing more and getting ‘Outcast’ out more frequently.  Judging from the feedback I’ve been getting, you’re all liking the story, and I can’t overstate how much I appreciate your patience in between updates.  I just wish there was more I could do for all of you.

So stay tuned, folks…looks like Audacity’s done its thing, so it’s time to get ‘er on the feed.

Until next time…

OUTCASTS!

Damn it’s good to be back.  Thank you so much for hanging in there and hopefully spreading th word about the novel.

No promos today, and no listener feedback THIS TIME.  I promise, though, there will be a quick feedback episode soon (probably next week), where I’ll read any email and play any voicemails I’ve gotten in response to Episode 10 and hopefully Episode 11.

—

IN TODAY’S EPISODE…

Dalan’s Grandfather, Won Ch’ang Kalamar, has made an unexpected visit to Dalan’s dwelling, where he mistakenly took Te’Ki for an intruder, and nearly paid with his life for trying to harm her.  Now that the dust has settled, the two exiles now listen as Dalan’s Elder tells reveals to them a bit about his past, and lets our favourite tiger know that there may be more to his exile than meets the eye.

—

LINKS:

Website: http://outcastnovel.mevio.com

Blog: http://yo5.ca/outcast

Email: outcastnovel@gmail.com

Jason Fredin’s Blog: http://www.jasonfredin.com

And hello again my fellow Outcasts!

It’s been a while (as usual), but here we are at Episode 10…hey…we hit double digits! WOO HOO!

Thanks to all of you loyal listeners who keep downloading and listening to the show. I’m still doing this because of all of you, so thank you so much.

IN THIS EPISODE: Dalan and his patient begin to learn about each other’s lives, and our hero soon develops feelings for her. Just when things are about to get interesting…

Wanna know more? Listen

CONTACT INFO:

Show Site: http://outcastnovel.mevio.com

Blog: http://yo5.ca/outcast

Feedback: outcastnovel@gmail.com

PROMO:
7th Son: OBSIDIAN – http://www.jchutchins .net

Hello to all you Outcasts out there!

Well, it took some time, but Episode 9 is now live.

In this episode, Dalan begins his new life as a dockworker, as well as a student of his planet’s deadliest martial art. While his hopes try to remain strong, he soon learns that the hatred of the exiles isn’t limited to just the Clans…

PROMOS:

Space Casey by Christiana Ellis

SOBCon

Whew…talk about a grinder.

Well, now that February’s gone, and a lot of crap is behind me, it’s time to get back into this show.

In this episode, Dalan starts trying to put his otherwise shattered life back on track.  He looks for work, and learns a bit more about how the non-Clan populace feels about exiles.  Also, he finds a new purpose in his life, and it involves the cougar he’d taken in the night before.

No promos this week, but there is a voicemail from a faithful listener.  Thanks so much for that.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Back from Christmas vacation and FIRED UP as hell, and feeling especially good because Episode 7 is now live.  I think you’ll like this one; not to sound conceited or anything, but I think it’s one of my better-produced episodes.  This project’s as much a journey as it is a novel, so if the quality improves as the chapters progress, then I must be doing my job right.

In this Episode:

Still reeling from last night’s horrific ordeal, Dalan is paid a visit by someone who has an offer for him…one that could ultimately make him rise above his current state of exile and become something not seen on Bengalis in ages.

But to gain this, he has to mend a few fences…and along the way life takes yet another unexpected turn…

At the end of the episode I’ve got a couple of promos.  Please check out the shows and tell ‘em I sent ya

The Metamor City Podcast

Transistor Rodeo

In this Episode:

Dalan sets off to meet the group known as ‘The Foundation,’ an apparent support system for exile like himself.  At first, he hopes that perhaps he can find a way to either make an honest living, or perhaps find out anything on who stole the Ka’al P’ack from him over a year ago.

Instead, he learns a few more things about being an exile…and just how dark the Clans’s darker side trule is.

Anyone who’s been following me on Twitter (KChrisH) will know this is the ‘I hate myself’ episode of ‘Outcast,’ and you’ll see why near the end…just, y’know, don’t skip all the way there, ’cause you’ll miss the other goodness inside.

In this Episode:

Dalan is now on his own…exiled from his family and warned to never set foot on Clan lands again under pain of death. He wakes up in his new home and sets about trying to put his life back together. As he does so, he learns that being an exile doesn’t necessarily mean being alone…

Hey, I’ve got a voicemail line now YAY!: 206-666-2912

PROMOS…WE’VE GOT PROMOS!
Scott Sigler’s Nocturnal

Playing for Keeps by Mur Lafferty

Crescent by Phill Rossi

In this Episode:

After spending a year in a coma, and a month in rehabilitation, Dalan is finally heading home to his family. However, what’s waiting for him when he arrives is something he could never have imagined in his worst nightmare.

In this Episode:

Dalan’s recovery continues, but the implants placed in him to allow him to move again have had an unforeseen side-effect. The result of this is both a blessing to the young tiger, and a curse with which he’ll have to live for the rest of his life.

But not necessarily alone.

The Story So Far:

Dalan Kalamar, a young tiger and Clansman, has been attacked and left for dead by four thieves, who’ve stolen from him an artifact won by his father. Rather than kill him, the thieves have severed the muscles from his limbs and have left him to bleed out on the ground, unable to move or call for help.

Yes, Dalan’s fate seems certain…but sometimes…the universe blinks.
—
Promo: Aurora Hunter Podcast by Marcus Noble
—
LINKS:

Outcast Novel Site

Aurora Hunter Site

In this Episode:

And so we begin the saga of Dalan Kalamar, the cub forced into a dark, cruel world determined to wipe him out if he’s not careful.

Welcome to the first episode of ‘Outcast.’