Blog Title: Variant Frequencies

Help a fellow podcaster

I don’t normally post this kind of thing on our site, but this is something that has touched many in the podcasting community. Here is a quote from the site: On the evening of Novmeber 14, Radio Adventures Of Dr. Floyd co-creator (and the voice of Dr. Floyd) Doug Price left his brand new house in read more..

Best In Class

700 horsepower.  Leather.  Fusion-based drive system.  And good intentions. *** Written by Jonathan C. Gillespie Narration by Chuck Tomasi Artwork by Paul Drummond Promos Technorama http://www.chuckchat.com Dragon Page With Class http://www.dragonpage.com Dunesteef http://www.dunesteef.com The Failed Cities Monologues http://www.podiobooks.com/title/the-failed-cities-monologues/ Murky Depths http://www.murkydepths.com Paul Drummond http://www.pauldrummond.co.uk Best In Class Copyright 2008 Jonathan C. Gillespie http://jonathancg.net/ Variant Frequencies Copyright 2008 Rick Stringer and Matt Wallace http://www.variantfrequencies.com

Get Out and Bloat

One of our favorite authors, Jonathan Gillespie, has posted a fun Halloween story on his blog. It is also timely for the elections. Jonathan is an excellent writer, and you will see more from him here on Variant Frequencies very soon. Get Out and Bloat

Under The Bridge Downtown

The worst part about his daughter’s death wasn’t the terror of seeing half a ton of concrete separate from a bridge and smash through their windshield. It wasn’t even the deafening crunch when the fragment pulped Jessie’s head and sent her blood splattering over his cheek. It was his initial reaction once the shock wore read more..

Maidenhead to be adapted to short film

Matt Wallace’s flash fiction piece “Maidenhead” is being adapted to film by Julian Grant, who is the producer/director of RoboCop: Prime Directives. “Maidenhead” originally appeared on DZ Allen’s Muzzle Flash before running in the pages of Out of the Gutter. The story was part of a flash fiction series here on Variant Frequencies in April of read more..

All The Time

The watchmaker’s shop is filled with timepieces of all kinds, from the majestic grandfather clock to the most delicate pocketwatch: all the time in the world. But it’s not the many clocks adorning the walls that give him eternity. Or is it? *** Written by Anne Stringer Narration by Marck Pearlstone Music Digital Juice http://www.digitaljuice.com Sound Effects SoundSnap http://www.soundsnap.com Promos The Unbelievable Origin of Superspiff and read more..

Rick on Pseudopod

The latest Pseudopod story, “Front Row Seats” by Scott William Carter, features Rick Stringer as the narrator. We thing Variant Frequencies fans will like this story. FRONT ROW SEATS by Scott William Carter Daniel lingered in his cramped office at the University of Minnesota long after the other professors in the Math department called it a day. read more..

All Good Things…

Recently, our friends Chuck and Kreg from Technorama went on a behind the scenes tour of The Star Trek Experience. Here is what they had to say on their site, and a link to their show: While Chuck and I were in Last Vegas for the New Media Expo 2008, we knew that we had to make read more..

Best Magazine or Anthology Podcast!

For the third year in a row, Variant Frequencies has won a Parsec Award! We won in the new category, “Best Magazine or Anthology Podcast.” We are thrilled and amazed that we have won again. It is such an honor to win a Parsec Award. Thank you to everyone who has contributed to Variant Frequencies. read more..

A Double Dose of Matt Wallace

I don’t know if the world is ready for this one. Our two-time Parsec Award winner, Matt Wallace, (he is a finalist again this year), on both “Playing for Keeps - Stories of the Third Wave” by Mur Lafferty and J.C. Hutchin’s “7th Son Obsidian”. Here is the scoop from both of their sites! Stories of the read more..

Queue

Waiting in line is an unfortunate reality in modern life. When Frank McMurtry finds himself in a mysterious line with an eclectic group of strangers, he doesn’t want to be there…but is it better to stay, or walk away? *** Written by Anne Stringer Narration by Rick Stringer Promos Zombinc (The Takeover) http://zombinc.net/ New World Order http://www.edwardgtalbot.com Queue Copyright 2008 Anne Stringer http://anne-stringer.livejournal.com/ Variant Frequencies Copyright 2008 Rick read more..

Cut Man

Every fighter needs a Cut Man in their corner. This is a special simulcast episode with Seth Harwood’s CrimeWAV, the first series of crime story podcasts on the web. Featuring some of your favorite crime authors in the coming weeks and months and posting a new episode every week. *** Written by Christa Faust Hosted by Seth Harwood CrimeWAV http://crimewav.com Cut Man Copyright read more..

The Destruction of Sennacherib

19th century London. A place and a history much like the one we know, and yet changed. As a separist army stands poised for war, two words will determine just how far its course will deviate. Lethal Configuration. It’s the key to saving an empire . . . or annihilating one. *** Written by Bryn Sparks Narration by read more..

Tea and Chat

Anne and I had a wonderful time talking with Stephen Kilbride, the host of the excellent Tea and Chat podcast. So, you want to know more about how we started Variant Frequencies? Here is your chance. If you liked it, please let Steve know. Also, if you haven’t heard it yet, Steve recently interviewed Matt Wallace.

Adventures in Scifi Publishing

Matt Wallace and Mur Lafferty are guests on Adventures in SciFi Publishing. Shaun Farrell does a great job interviewing both of them. If you are a Matt Wallace or Mur Lafferty fan, then you will want to check out this podcast. Even if you have heard other interviews with Matt and Mur, you will learn new read more..

Hypericon 4

Hypericon is returning to Nashville, Tennessee June 27-29, 2008. Hypericon is a speculative fiction convention celebrating science fiction, horror, fantasy, literature, arts, and media. Variant Frequencies will be represented by both Matt Wallace and Anne Stringer. They both are participating in panels. If you are going to be near Nashville that weekend, stop in and read more..

More Deck Gibson

Deck Gibson: Far Reach Commander is back on Decoder Ring Theatre. They are running the second of six new episodes, Deck Gibson and Two Days on the Tundra of Terror by Matt Wallace. Here is the description from their site: Responding to a faint distress call brings Deck to a frozen wasteland of a planet. With bone-chilling read more..

Latchkeepers Act Two

Alright, Matt Wallace fans. Just in case you have been living under a rock, Act Two of Latchkeepers is now on Stranger Things. I just watched it. You have to see it. Earl Newton and his crew have put together as good of a production as anything you will see on TV. Oh, that’s right, read more..

The Next Fix Fan Art

This is just too well done to ignore. One of Matt Wallace’s fans created some historical images for The Next Fix. This stuff is very cool. Go check out Matt’s blog to see them. (Warning, for those few of you who don’t know Matt Wallace. His blog is not for the easily offended.)

Grounders

Closing time. Game over. But some people think it’s more than a game. Some people don’t want to go home. They don’t have to, but they can’t stay here. Because you stay too long down here, they send the Grounders. *** Written by Jonathan McGoran Narration by Thomas “cmdln” Gideon Promos Nobilis Erotica http://nobilis.libsyn.com/ 7th Son Obsidian http://jchutchins.net Notes From the Vault http://www.crescentstation.net/ Tale Chasing http://www.talechasing.com/ The Command read more..

7th Son OBSIDIAN Poster

Posters By Executive Order 12919: Martial Law is in effect for the United States and its territories… Stay in your homes… Your government is in control… Bring a piece of the nationwide 7th Son: OBSIDIAN blackout into your world with these fourteen collectible propaganda posters! These high-resolution printable posters — which would appear in the 7th Son read more..

Saint Darwin’s Spirituals

Ghost inspectors and golems patrol the streets of Whitechapel. Prostitutes turn tricks for the fever-dream flesh lusts of the spiritual. And the statue of Saint Darwin, the scientist who broke the barrier between the natural and the supernatural, oversees it all. Now a disciple of Darwin - a woman of skin and bone read more..

Young Junius

Before he got to be big in the San Francisco drug game (JACK WAKES UP), Junius Ponds had to cut his teeth on the small-time capers and crimes of a fourteen-year-old wanna be gangster on the late 80s streets of greater Boston. With his brother Temple just killed, a fresh nine in his hand, and read more..

Help Sigler

Our friends J.C. Hutchins and Seth Harwood put together this audio file specifically for the Variant Frequencies listeners. They are trying to help Scott Sigler make it onto the New York Times Best Seller List. The thought behind this push is that if we can get Scott Sigler’s Infected onto the NY Times list, then read more..

Tex’s Last Run

Savage circumstances can make for strange allies. And sometimes, those allies shouldn’t exist. *** Written by Jonathan C. Gillespie Narrated by Rick Stringer, P.G. Holyfield, and Anne Stringer Promo Murder at Avedon Hill http://pgholyfield.com/maah/ Matt Wallace’s The Next Fix http://www.thenextfix.net/ Tex’s Last Run Copyright 2008 Jonathan C. Gillespie http://jonathancg.net/ Variant Frequencies Copyright 2008 Rick Stringer and Matt Wallace http://www.variantfrequencies.com NOTE: There was an error found in the audio file. read more..

Birth and Death

Birth rules the life of a midwife, but she has also seen plenty of death. When she realizes she is immortal, birth and death begin to look the same. She knows that any new baby she helps bring into the world will die, in time. But she learns to look beyond the spectre of death read more..

Jack Wakes Up for free

One of our friends from podcasting and from Podiobooks has his book coming out on Amazon. Seth Harwood is one more author who is showing that giving your work away for free can lead to success. Of course, that work still has to be good. We think Seth’s book is good. However, you don’t have read more..

The Next Fix - PRE-ORDER!

Only one drug can bring the visceral and the sublime together in a single trip, where the best and the worst of human drives boil down into a tech-noir concoction that’s part street-level heaven and part the fiery beauty of hell. Consider these pages a controlled substance. Kick back to the strains of Earth’s last Top read more..

Murphy’s War

The Human race has been asking itself “How will it all end?” practically since it all began. But even as our illustrious leaders order the buttons to be pressed for the Big One, the computers entrusted to carry out the apocalypse seem determined to keep us wondering. *** Written by James P. Hogan Narrated by TD-0013 Promo A Different Point read more..

Well Told Tales

You can catch Rick Stringer reading on Well Told Tales.  The story is Fat Larry’s Night with the Alligator’s by Ken Goldman. The story has mobsters and alligators. What more can you ask? Well Told Tales has original sci-fi, horror and hardboiled genres twice a month. Check them out, they do a great job.

Hit Me (complete story)

All of her clients know that anything above her neck costs fifty dollars more. But when a flesh-smashing session with one of her regulars takes an unexpected turn, there’s a lot more put on the line than a broken nose or a crumpled President Grant. *** Written by Christa Faust Narrated by Leann Mabry Promo Tag In the Seam http://tagintheseam.com/ Hit Me Copyright read more..

Tattered Souls on Amazon

The anthology from Cutting Block Press, Tattered Souls, is now on Amazon. Tattered Souls includes The End of Flesh by Matt Wallace. The End of Flesh first appeared on Variant Frequencies as Children of the Androphagi. The are a couple of reviews on Amazon. Check out this clip from one: The absolute winner, however, is The End read more..

Sci Phi Journal

Still want more of Matt Wallace’s writing? How about more reading by Rick Stringer? Our friends at Sci Phi - The Journal of Science Fiction and Philosophy have that and more for you. Issue #1 of Sci Phi is available from their site for $7 for the download version or $13 for the print version. How read more..

Spired

Obsession is close kin to determination. For one man, an alien peak seems just another obstacle capable of being conquered with the right set of tools. But any climber will tell you — you don’t want to look back the way you came. *** Written by Jonathan C. Gillespie Narrated by John Cmar Links Playing for Keeps http://www.playingforkeepsnovel.com Murder At Avedon read more..

Wander Radio

Recently, Anne and Rick had the pleasure of being interviewed by Wander Wolf for his podcast Wander Radio. We were honored to talk with him. This is a rare opportunity to hear Anne talk about her craft, and you can hear some of the background of Variant Frequencies. Check it out! http://wanderradio.com/?p=73

Playing for Keeps

My print copy of Playing for Keeps by Mur Lafferty arrived today. What a great thing to come home from work to. For that one person out there who doesn’t know, Playing for Keeps is Mur’s latest novel. She is currently in the process of podcasting it. Here is the description from LULU.com: Playing for Keeps tells the read more..

The Failed Cities: Hath a Darkness

As a special gift to all our listeners this holiday season, Variant Frequencies is happy to present THE FAILED CITIES: HATH A DARKNESS, an exclusive 10,000-word eChapbook written by Matt Wallace and available as a free .PDF download. As a black snowfall blankets the Failed Cities on Christmas Eve, the arrival of 99 mysterious steel chambers read more..

Paid In Full

She has been called whore, harlot, streetwalker, working girl, doxy, courtesan. All are true. She is also immortal. If a girl is going to live forever, she needs to have a way to support herself. But the world’s oldest profession is a hazardous one, and when her latest client’s perversion of choice is murder, she read more..

The Next Fix

For the first time ever, Variant Frequencies welcomes the voice of Matt Wallace to the podcast. Our own two-time Parsec Award winner has a special message and an important announcement for all of our listeners. But is the podosphere ready? http://matt-wallace.net/ *** Promos The Failed Cities Monologues http://www.podiobooks.com/title/the-failed-cities-monologues/ Variant Frequencies Copyright 2007 Rick Stringer and Matt Wallace http://www.variantfrequencies.com

The Mason’s Son

Mason’s were the engineers of the ancient world. They built wonders out of stone; cathedrals, bridges, castles, and sometimes, for very powerful, secrets. Michael the mason knows all too well that nothing is more dangerous than another man’s secrets. *** Written by Dennis Egan Narrated by Paul S. Jenkins Promos The Plitone Revisionist http://www.paulsjenkins.net The Mason’s Son Copyright 2007 Dennis Egan Variant read more..

The Rut

Home to work. Work to home. Rinse, lather, repeat - for the rest of your life. For Thomas Crane, life had become just that: one monotonous day after another. Until one morning when he realized something had changed. Could he finally crawl out of the Rut his life had become, or read more..

Matt Wallace on Writers Talking

On Saturday, October 20th, Matt Wallace was a guest on Writers Talking. We thought you would enjoy hearing what Matt and Mark Leslie had to say about writing horror. Two prolific independent horror authors discuss writing scary stories… how is the genre different from others? How do you frighten with the written word? Also — we’ll read more..

Jailhouse Rock - part two

This is part two of Jailhouse Rock by James P. Hogan. High above the stormy southern hemisphere of Mars, a routine cargo transport has turned into a high-stakes standoff between Skyguard soldiers and vicious mercenaries turned thieves. *** Written by James P. Hogan Narrated by Rick Stringer With Will Hoffacker, Phil Rossi, Jan Dalton, Jack Ward, Lonnie Ezell, Ciaran O’Carroll, read more..

Jailhouse Rock - part one

High above the stormy southern hemisphere of Mars, a routine cargo transport has turned into a high-stakes standoff between Skyguard soldiers and vicious mercenaries turned thieves. *** Written by James P. Hogan Narrated by Rick Stringer With Will Hoffacker, Phil Rossi, Jan Dalton, Jack Ward, Lonnie Ezell, Ciaran O’Carroll, Neil Stringer, and Nobilis Promos Crescent http://www.crescentstation.net The Sonic Society http://www.sonicsociety.org Daughter of the Sun http://www.lonnieezell.com Starship Sofa http://www.starshipsofa.com Nobilis http://www.nobiliserotica.com Jailhouse read more..

Devil’s Kitchen Announcement

More news about Matt Wallace’s work! Collaroy, NSW, Australia, October 1st, 2007 — Independent Australian production companies Thinktank Digital and Precision Pictures have announced a joint feature film project they hope to begin shooting in early 2008. The film, entitled DEVILS KITCHEN, will be a period horror/thriller based on the legendary journey of early 19th century read more..

Feral Twins Super Fans!

At Dragon*Con 2007 we met two amazing fans of The Failed Cities Monologues. Those of you who go to Dragon*Con know that there are many people who show up there in costume. Well, these two people showed up dressed as Ferus and Fera, the Feral Twins, from The Failed Cities Monologues. Here are the photos. http://www.variantfrequencies.com/FeralPhotos/ We read more..

Delve Poster

Variant Frequencies’ author Matt Wallace just keeps rolling along. He was given permission to share this amazing mock-up Precision Pictures had done to promote Delve – the feature film project they’re developing based on his short story of the same name. This is one of the ways they’re enticing the big studios to get behind the read more..

Old Tricks

Satan has come to St. Jerome’s Catholic School for Girls, and only hitwoman Patricia Sharpe, their least esteemed alumnus, can save the edifice from the Fallen Angel’s influence. But is it the Devil himself that’s taken hold of St. Jerome’s and its students, or just an ancient troublemaker up to old tricks? *** Written by Matt Wallace read more..

Mother Tongue

On a mission to tame a new world, man will turn against man, and even mother nature herself will have her say. *** Written by Carmelo Rafala Narrated by Rick Stringer With J. Marcus Xavior, John Cmar, Jack Hosley, Neil Stringer, Tony McCartney and Anne Stringer Promos Kick-A-Thon http://www.firstgiving.com/ctomasi Silent Universe http://www.silentuniverse.com/ Wander Radio http://www.wanderradio.com/ Heaven, Hell, and Earth http://www.podiobooks.com/title/heaven-season-three-earth KnitWitch’s SciFi/Fantasy Zone http://www.knitwitchzone.com/ Mother Tongue Copyright 2007 Carmelo Rafala http://carmelorafala.blogspot.com/ Variant Frequencies Copyright 2007 read more..

Deck Gibson: Far Reach Commander!

Matt Wallace’s classic style space adventure Deck Gibson and the Stardust Dancers is now on Decoder Ring Theatre. This is another great production by the talented people who have done the fantastic Black Jack Justice and Red Panda Adventures. Here is the description from their site: When Far Reach Control intercepts a distress call from members of read more..

Precision Pictures buys two stories by Matt Wallace

July 10th, 2007 — Precision Pictures Pty Ltd. announced today it has acquired the film rights to Parsec Award winning author Matt Wallace’s acclaimed experimental podcast novel The Failed Cities Monologues. The Sydney-based production company has also purchased the rights to Wallace’s short story “Delve.” The author will adapt both properties for the screen read more..

Delve

Every twelve hours the light above his door burns bloody and bright. Every twelve hours a new batch rolls off the genetic assembly line, the saplings that will grow into a new human race. And every twelve hours Lofgren Stenz must delve, deep beneath the surface of our shared consciousness. The purpose of the delve read more..

Last Flight of the Esperanza

Fifteen ships left Earth in search of new places for humans to live. When the Esperanza 15 crashes, only one of the crew is left alive. How will she survive when she is the only human on an entire planet? *** Written by Anne Stringer Narrated by Ali Groves Promo Moldawer in the Morning Podcast http://www.moldawer.com/ Variant Frequencies Copyright 2007 Rick Stringer read more..

Firstborn

Innocence is the best containment. The ultimate in reform for those who committed the First True Sin: Rebellion. But is an innocent mortal soul enough to contain the dark essence of a Fallen Angel? *** Written by Michael Natale Narrated by Rick Stringer Special guests: Tee Morris, Mur Lafferty, Michael R. Mennenga, and Chuck Tomasi Promos The Billibub Baddings read more..

First of May

OK, everyone, you have to go listen to this great song. It is a mix of Jonathon Coulton’s “First of May” put together by podcasters. WARNING: this is not work safe or child safe. First of May - Joe Murphy Mix This song is dedicated to the memory of podcast pioneer Joe Murphy. It’s only been a month, read more..

Maidenhead

Even the dirtiest business can produce something immaculate. *** Written by Matt Wallace Narrated by Nan Worthington DZ Allen’s Muzzle Flash Balticon The Balticon Podcast Variant Frequencies Copyright 2007 Rick Stringer and Matt Wallace http://www.variantfrequencies.com

Slumber Party

Impulse: a sudden, involuntary inclination prompting to action. Will she resist? *** Written by Anne Stringer Narrated by Dani Cutler http://www.truthseekerscast.com http://www.theaudioaddicts.com DZ Allen’s Muzzle Flash Variant Frequencies Copyright 2007 Rick Stringer and Anne Stringer http://www.variantfrequencies.com

Notes

Sometimes the right story can change your life. And sometimes it’s too late. *** Written by Matt Wallace Narrated by Rich Sigfrit http://www.outcastmultimedia.com/ http://dzallen.blogspot.com/ http://outoftheguttermagazine.blogspot.com/ Variant Frequencies Copyright 2007 Rick Stringer and Matt Wallace http://www.variantfrequencies.com

Sacrifice

Father Michael Brannigan isn’t your average priest. Since childhood he’s been a medium, a powerful seer of spirits. But in the jungles of Africa, he’s about to experience something unlike anything he’s ever seen before… *** Written by Jason McDowell Narrated by Rick Stringer and Ali Groves The Joe Murphy Memorial Fund http://joemurphymemorialfund.org/ Jason McDowell http://www.myspace.com/jason_mcdowell HTFib http://www.htfib.co.uk/index.html Children of the Gods http://www.childrenofthegods.net/ The Time read more..

The Dead Man and The Berserk

We know transhumanism as a philosophical concept, but in one techno-genetic future they’ll come to know it as a plague. And if you think the disease is deadly, wait until you meet the cure… *** Written by Matt Wallace Narrated by Scott Sigler Promos Ancestor http://www.scottsigler.net Murky Depths http://www.murkydepths.com Copyright 2007 Rick Stringer and Matt Wallace http://www.variantfrequencies.com

Bloody Monday

Today is Monday, Bloody Monday, and we’re celebrating with a special episode to tell you, our fans, all about it. I know that many of you are familiar with Scott Sigler, one of the pioneering voices in podcast fiction and author of the hit podcast novels Earthcore, Infection, and The Rookie. Now Scott’s most subversive work, Ancestor, is coming out read more..

Failed Cities Monologues 26: The Maven

For street mediators and their watchers, life and death lives in a shot glass placed over a smashed steel slug. Only one among their ranks can wrap up the story of the Failed Cities. The Maven is about to have the last word, and if you’ve come this far, you owe it to yourself to read more..

No World for Warriors

War remains a constant throughout human history. How we wage war does not. When a man that has battled with Spartans, Celtic barbarians, and Mongol hordes joins today’s techno military, the question becomes: Is there a place for warriors among soldiers? And when you’ve seen the rise and fall of a thousand nations and read more..

Failed Cities Monologues 25: d’Anger

A good hustler knows when to get out of town. A good con woman leaves on their own terms. And a femme fatale does it in style . . . **** Written by Matt Wallace Narrated by Stacey Griffith-Livingston http://www.variantfrequencies.com PROMOS Slice of SciFi http://sliceofscifi.com/ Podiobooks.com http://www.podiobooks.com/podiobooks/book.php?ID=110 Copyright 2007 Rick Stringer and Matt Wallace February 2007

Failed Cities Monologues 24: Klimenko

What’s the difference between being heroism and self-preservation? Just ask Valeri Klimenko. While the whole city celebrates him as the man who caught notorious serial killer The Conductor, the constable-turned-detective sits in his darkened apartment with a glass of scotch, taking solace only in the fact that he’s lived through the week with a read more..

Life Sentence

“Don’t do the crime if you can’t do the time.” But for a man who lives outside the fringe of society, there’s never been a choice. Time is all he’s got, and he’s serving a life sentence of a different kind. *** Written by Anne Stringer Narrated by Jeff Frank http://www.variantfrequencies.com PROMOS Podiobooks.com: http://www.podiobooks.com/podiobooks/book.php?ID=110 Copyright 2007 Rick Stringer and Anne Stringer

Failed Cities Monologues 23: Fera

Fera’s past is written in her own scarred flesh. Tonight, watching her lifeblood run slowly into the gutters of the Failed Cities, hear that history recounted by Fera’s own mind as she battles the one enemy that has threatened her for so long like no other: Death . . . **** Written by Matt Wallace Narrated by read more..

Failed Cities Monologues 22: Truck

Tonight’s the night. Truck’s sharpening his blade to a razor edge, and a chance meeting with the reluctant Detective Klimenko has provided the set-up for him to carve out the revenge he’s been chasing after at a 100 miles an hour . . . **** Written by Matt Wallace Narrated by Ian Jones http://www.variantfrequencies.com PROMOS Billibub Baddings: http://www.teemorris.com/billipodcast/ Podiobooks.com: http://www.podiobooks.com/podiobooks/book.php?ID=110 Copyright 2007 read more..

See

One unusually warm winter morning, she wakes up and finds that something she took for granted — about the entire universe — has radically changed. It is either the end of reality — or the beginning of a new one… **** Written by A.R.Yngve Narrated by A.R.Yngve http://www.variantfrequencies.com http://yngve.bravehost.com PROMOS The Sci Fi Podcast Network: http://www.tsfpn.com/ The Failed Cities Monologues: http://www.podiobooks.com/podiobooks/book.php?ID=110 Variant Frequencies Copyright 2007 read more..

Failed Cities Monologues 21: Sterne

Tonight, as street preachers poise for war, Rastafarian soldiers pray for battle, and The Stacks prepare for Judgment Day, Sterne is just trying to write the end of his novel before The Feral Twins write the end on him. And it’s anybody’s guess who’ll get the last word . . . **** Written by Matt Wallace Narrated read more..

Failed Cities Monologues 20: Ferus

Sometimes things go wrong. Sometimes dead wrong. But for the first time in their storied and bloody careers, Ferus is the one making decisions for The Feral Twins. His strength has always been their deadliest weapon, but only when guided by his sister’s hand. Tonight, if they’re going to get out alive, Ferus will read more..

A Story of Kindness

A traveling salesman learns that a story or two can help ease the burdens of a post-apocalyptic world — not to mention push a sale or two. But, of course, some stories don’t always turn out the way you think…. **** Written by Carmelo Rafala Narrated by Rick Stringer http://www.variantfrequencies.com http://carmelorafala.blogspot.com/ PROMOS The Immortals by Tracy and Laura Hickman http://www.podiobooks.com/podiobooks/book.php?ID=76 The Failed Cities read more..

Failed Cities Monologues 19: Ethan

There’s no chapter in the Steel Gospel on the apocalypse, but that’s exactly what the street preachers are facing tonight: Their own personal end of times. As blood and fire threaten to engulf Ethan, his brethren, and their city, the question isn’t whether or not they’ll survive to see the dawn, but whether or read more..

Failed Cities Monologues 18: Operative 853

You’re not the only one invested in the story of The Failed Cities. The Nicodemus Consortium is very interested in what’s been happening on both sides of the river, and one of their best operatives is about to give them a full report. Be warned that the Consortium protects their secrecy with a vengeance. Eavesdrop read more..

The Gift

I’ve heard that the body becomes lighter at the moment of death. Just a little, but enough to measure. As if the soul could be weighed, its departure verified. I look closely, to see if I can detect its ascent… *** Written by Anne Stringer Narrated by Jan Dalton http://www.variantfrequencies.com PROMOS StarShipSofa: http://www.starshipsofa.com Lipstick Aliens Podcast: http://lipstickaliens.libsyn.com/ Copyright 2006 Rick Stringer and read more..

Failed Cities Monologues 17: The Maven

What do you do when your life and your livelihood both depend on words and your voice has been locked away inside your own head? For The Maven, the answer to that question lies inward. And the only thing worse than searching for it is finding out what’s waiting when he finally opens his read more..

Failed Cities Monologues 16: d’Anger

Interlude or prelude. When it’s a romantic encounter with d’Anger you can never be sure which you’re caught up in. Learning about her past, however, you might know which to expect . . . **** Written by Matt Wallace Narrated by Stacey Griffith-Livingston http://www.variantfrequencies.com Dateline Jasoom: http://www.panthanpress.com/ Copyright 2006 Rick Stringer and Matt Wallace October 2006

Satin Widows

It’s October, and in the spirit of the month we’re turning our dial to horror with a story written just for All Hallows Eve. This frightening frequency is the tale of two strangers who meet on a lonely night in a grand old hotel. They’re about to learn that sometimes it’s better to stay home read more..

Failed Cities Monologues 15: Constable Klimenko

A new detective’s shield, an old suit, and a lethal case no one else wants. It’s not the way Valeri Klimenko, the former constable, wants to start out his night. But they may have all underestimated this simple young man from the Ukraine, who’s been pushed just about as far as he’s willing to read more..

Parsec Award Winners

I wasn’t going to do a bragging post about our Parsec Award, but then I saw this picture. Back row left, that’s Matt Wallace, author of the winning story, Absolution, Insured, and Rick Stringer, producer of the podcast and narrator of the story. They’re in excellent company. Also in the photo are such luminaries as Michael read more..

Failed Cities Monologues 14: Fera

Fera and her brother have murdered, maimed, and massacred on every continent across the globe, but it’s the hard, ugly lessons she learned as a girl that command Fera’s pathology. When her intended victim for the night is snatched away by a resourceful pit fighter, it sparks a recall that can only lead to read more..

Cell

Life on the very edge of the solar system is a bleak nightmare, punctuated only by the blissful euphoria afforded by the drug, trace. Andi is a trace addict. Trace is Andi’s only escape from his crushing life. But a new drug is taking hold of Andi. Cell is strong, read more..

Failed Cities Monologues 13: Truck

Truck lives for the action, for life on the edge of a blade. But when a routine pick-up goes a hundred miles south of wrong, that pace comes to a crashing halt… **** Written by Matt Wallace Narrated by Ian Jones http://www.variantfrequencies.com Sundown Lounge Podzine: http://www.larrywinfield.com/sundownlounge.htm Copyright 2006 Rick Stringer and Matt Wallace August 2006

Failed Cities Monologues 12: Sterne

Jump into the story with Sterne. He’s about to live one of his own pulp adventures, but unlike Curly, his fearless juggernaut alter ego, Sterne is going to find out that the real bad guys don’t wear hats. And his instructors for the evening? The Feral Twins . . . **** Written by Matt Wallace Narrated by read more..

The Dark Harvest

Every season it grew stronger. Every season more children vanished. Every season the gardeners dwelling grew, forcing the village to retreat its borders, until at last it could shrink no further… **** Written and Narrated by Adrian Grey Marsden http://www.variantfrequencies.com http://www.adriangrey.com/ The Dark Harvest Copyright 2006 Adrian Grey Marsden Variant Frequencies Copyright 2006 Rick Stringer and Matt Wallace August 2006

Failed Cities Monologues 11: Ferus

Boredom’s a dangerous thing when you’re one of The Feral Twins, and not even arson, kidnapping, and back alley crucifixions can relieve it. Ferus just wants one worthy opponent before the night is through. He’s forgotten what the Chinese say about what you wish for… **** Written by Matt Wallace Narrated by Neil Stringer http://www.variantfrequencies.com Copyright 2006 Rick Stringer read more..

The Last Frequency

Spend a night in the far reach with Sherk Maxwell, doctor of broadcast journalism. Sherk is humanity’s last voice of dissent, set forth on a mic and beamed out across deep space to every rift-tripper and manic ET roaming the great void. But as the same slimy threat that evacuated Earth encroaches on Dr. read more..

The Failed Cities Monologues 10: Ethan

Reverend Ethan is a man who likes to keep things simple: a collar, a street to keep, a stick to keep them with. But tonight, with war looming just around a battered brick corner, things are about to get complicated. A missing mediator, a fallen street preacher left as a message, a mysterious lady read more..

Failed Cities Monologues 09: Sally

If you’re new to the Failed Cities, there’s only one place to go if you want to be in the know, and it’s not some digital Orwellian info-matrix. It’s a tiny tarot den in the shadiest part of town. Psychic Sally is a palm-reader with a third eye on all the action, and for read more..

The Spoils of War

Pohraen’s childhood was dominated by the interminable war on her planet; only the music of the 100th Day gatherings could lift her mood. Then, in a last desperate arms race, a bizarre turn of events sowed the seeds of change. **** Written by DJ Burnham Narrated by Rick Stringer http://www.variantfrequencies.com http://www.djburnham.com Variant Frequencies Copyright 2006 Rick Stringer and Matt Wallace The read more..

Failed Cities Monologues 08: The Maven

When fevered streets reach their boiling point, you bring in a mediator. When it’s looking like back alley war, you need a maven. Tonight was already going to be his toughest mediation yet. Then his throat got put on the bargaining table… **** Written by Matt Wallace Narrated by Jan Dalton http://www.variantfrequencies.com Copyright 2006 Rick Stringer and Matt Wallace May read more..

Parsec Awards

The first annual Parsec Awards, honoring excellence in podcasting, will be presented at this year’s Dragoncon, to be held in Atlanta in September. Nominations are currently being accepted at The Parsec Awards. Categories include: • Best Speculative Fiction Story, Short Form (Pick your favorite Variant Frequencies short!) • Best Speculative Fiction Story, Long Form (May we suggest The read more..

Failed Cities Monologues 07: d’Anger

In the Failed Cities, being beautiful can make you a victim. Being beautiful and smart can make you dangerous. d’Anger has a flawless form, a Botticelli face…and an IQ of 175… **** Written by Matt Wallace Narrated by Stacey Griffith http://www.variantfrequencies.com Copyright 2006 Rick Stringer and Matt Wallace April 2006

Dead of Night

Every night I strolled the same path, looking for him. The nights were getting colder. Even in the short time I was out, my fingers were aching from it, and I worried that he was frozen somewhere. I didn’t know where to begin to look… **** Written by Anne Stringer Narrated by Heidi Jones Music performed by Neil read more..

Failed Cities Monologues 06: Constable Klimenko

Constable Valeri Klimenko, whose father and grandfather were both Heroes of Ukraine, never had any intention of living up to his family’s legacy. Now he’s been made a detective and forced onto the trail of the most feared and talked about serial killer in the city’s history. If it weren’t for that damned Reuben read more..

The Failed Cities Monologues 05: Fera

Fera, alpha female of The Feral Twins. Death lives inside her, and it’s a reality she shares with all those she meets, whether they want its secrets or not. But is Fera a predator… or just the ultimate survivor? **** Written by Matt Wallace Narrated by Mel Hall http://www.variantfrequencies.com Copyright 2006 Rick Stringer and Matt Wallace April 2006

Children of the Androphagi

In the 1930’s 52nd Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenue was home to the speakeasy. In the 2030’s it’s all about the breakdowns, where they mix biochem cocktails and spark the Ash of the Dead, sucking its acrid smoke through bone pipes. The big ticket is, of course, shooting distilled endorphins. Yes, they’d found read more..

Failed Cities Monologues 04: Truck

The news webs call him The Conductor. He’s responsible for the disappearances of at least thirty young women, all prostitutes. Their bodies are never found. And oh, yes, you’re about to discover why… **** Written by Matt Wallace Narrated by Ian Jones http://www.variantfrequencies.com Copyright 2006 Rick Stringer and Matt Wallace March 2006

Failed Cities Monologues 03: Sterne

Walk the streets between the Stacks with Sterne, a pit fighter that splits his nights between brawling for cash and spinning tales of old school tough guys and detectives. The Stacks is considered nothing more than a neo hippie ghetto. But to the folks that live here, the eve trippers and broken artists and read more..

Podcasts We Like

This list isn’t going to be all inclusive, we just wanted to give a shout out to some of the ones we’ve listened to and liked. It’s a helluva community out there, and we’re proud to be part of it. Our encounters with other podcasters (Podders? Casties? Is there a nickname?) have been awesome. We’ve read more..