Books, Projects

ISBW #504: Audio from Livestream (July 13)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 33:33 — 25.2MB)

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(note- This is not the new format of ISBW, I just haven’t had the time or spoons to do my regular show outside of the stream.)

I have started to do live streaming Crowdcasts on Mondays, and I’m also stripping out the audio for the podcast feed until the end of July. After that, it’s a Patreon-only perk. Find when I’m recording at Crowdcast (hint, it’s Mondays at 12:30 EDT).

Mentioned during the stream: Ondontophobia by Devo Spice

Podcasts, Projects

ISBW #503: Audio from live Crowdcast (July 6)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 53:27 — 37.8MB)

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I have started to do live streaming Crowdcasts on Mondays, and I’m also stripping out the audio for the podcast feed until the end of July. After that, it’s a Patreon-only perk. Find when I’m recording at Crowdcast (hint, it’s Mondays at 12:30 EDT).

Podcasts, Projects

Ditch Diggers #99: World On Fire

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:07:52 — 42.1MB)

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EDIT- the file is there now. I am a professional, dammit.

  • Matt and Mur come to you live in this penultimate installment of Ditch Diggers before the landmark 100th Episode from the Padded Room Full of Teddy Bears in DD Manor!
  • How is Matt? A seemingly simple question that feeds into the larger and much more complicated issues of the episode, recorded June 30th, which will deal with the harassers and abusers called out in June, particularly in the SFF publishing community.
  • Before that! Actual writing talk! Mur is restructuring a novel (for which she thanks Scrivener in a totally un-sponsored plug), and Matt has been writing a video game, because that’s his first full-time job, but he can’t talk about it, because you can never talk about the video game you’re writing.
  • Mur and Matt are going to talk about what’s been going on, but have made the choice not to use names in this episode, and they explain why.
  • Matt talks about how to respond (more specifically how he responded) when you have a professional relationship with someone who is called out for abusing or otherwise harming others.
  • The difference in perception between the privileged (e.g. cis able-bodied white dudes) and marginalized or at-risk folks dealing with powerful, abusive people in the industries and communities in which they exist.
  • The idea of not being aware you have power over others in your industry/community is discussed.
  • Making decisions based on your own safety, and deciding how your personal principles will factor into your decisions, re: dealing with the knowledge of working with abusive people.
  • Structures and organizations within SFF publishing where abusive people can be reported (and a brief aside about that wizard school author and Stephen King).
  • Matt and Mur thank their listeners for helping them reach episode 100, coming soon, and Matt STILL has a book coming out (SAVAGE LEGION— Be a dear and order, won’t you?) that he pitches poorly to the same listeners, because that’s where he is right now.
  • A final note on how alcohol/being drunk does not excuse your behavior. Ever.
  • Sites mentioned:
Podcasts, Projects

Ditch Diggers #98: Claire Rousseau and Booktubers

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 56:02 — 33.8MB)

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  • Mur and Matt come to you live from the brand new film studio inside the Ditch Diggers manor with special guest, Hugo-nominated BookTuber Claire Rousseau!
  • Interesting shoulders are briefly unpacked.
  • The Ditch Diggers bring you up to date on their current events, including Mur’s daughter’s drive-thru high school graduation.
  • Claire graciously and eloquently explains what BookTube is, what it does, and some of the challenges associated with breaking into more traditional spaces as a BookTuber, e.g. the Hugo Awards.
  • The winding, serendipitous tale of how Claire got started as a BookTuber (and an explanation of concepts like Book Holes).
  • The challenges of breaking into BookTube and getting discovered by viewers, and how the same systemic racism and misogyny affecting other mediums extends to BookTube.
  • Claire shares some of her favorite recommendations for BookTubers to check out.
  • How companies deal and have dealt with BookTube/Tubers and vice versa, how those companies (namely Book Outlet) have fallen short in those dealings, and their response.
  • Claire finally shills her own channel, and tells the audience about her exciting new projects.
  • Booktubers from this episode:

HEY. Matt has a book, SAVAGE LEGION, coming out shortly. Be a dear and preorder, won’t you?

Podcasts, Projects

ISBW #500! Live on Crowdcast

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:02:53 — 44.6MB)

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If you missed the live video, here’s the audio from the event! It’s not the big to-do I would have liked, but there’s the whole pandemic, and migraines, and all that going on, so I do with what I have. Thanks for all your support over the years. I wouldn’t have made it this far without you.

(next Crowdcast on Monday, July 6)

Podcasts, Projects

ISBW #499: Audience Questions

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 19:03 — 15.4MB)

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I’m still outside, so the audio isn’t what I’d hoped. I DID find my good mic so things will improve moving forward.

I miscounted when I recorded, so the live ISBW #500 will be this coming Monday, June 22, at 12:30 EDT! Hope to see people there!

This week I’m promoting the podcast Megasheen.

Podcasts, Projects

Ditch Diggers #97: Return of the Agents!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 56:07 — 36.2MB)

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Mur and Matt come to you live from the guest room of the Ditch Diggers Manor House separated by shadow performance partitions and welcome their very own agents Jen Udden and DongWon Song back onto the show for the first time in over two years.

  • Much like Pepperidge Farm, Skype remembers (and is a receipt-keeping bastard).
  • DongWon and Jen are back to help the Ditch Diggers tackle the very important and difficult topic of abuse and harassment in publishing, particularly how authors and others can share information and their stories safely with each other and the community.
  • The panel discusses “grooming” behavior, what it is/can be, and how it’s pervasive in fiction and publishing communities.
  • Trusting your instincts when it comes to recognizing and processing abusive behavior directed towards you and others.
  • How to broach the subject of inappropriate behavior and “missing stairs” with others in your circles, communities, and industry, and the lack of structures in place to help.
  • What structural changes need to be made/put in place to supplement whisper networks about abuse and abusers, especially in situations like conventions and live events.
  • What individuals in positions of privilege and/or authority can do to be better allies to marginalized groups and people dealing with abusive behavior.
  • Twitter Q&A! The Agents offer their takes on freelancing in the time of COVID questions about publishing trends and marketing.
  • The Agents end the episode by shilling their clients’ forthcoming books, like pros (including Matt’s SAVAGE LEGION, preorder now).