Alien Beer
67 episodes
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Creator: E. Chris Garrison
Science fiction Anthology Audio Book
Synopsis:
Independent author E. Chris Garrison reads her Science Fiction and Fantasy Stories. https://sillyhatbooks.com
Language: English
Format: Audio Book
Continuity: Anthology
Genres: Science fiction, Fantasy
Completion status: Not applicable
Not tagged: [Voices] [Maturity] [Creator demographics] [Character demographics] [Country of origin] [Transcript] [Content warnings]
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Episodes:
Bonus 6 - SPI Girls Kick Ass! sample
Thu, 30 Sep 2021 12:01:00 GMT
As you likely know by now, I have teamed up with Red Tash and Kat Bradbury to create a Kindle Vella science fiction adventure serial, under the collective pen name of Kaye Elsie. It's called "SPI Girls Kick Ass!" It's like Charlies Angels meets The Matrix. This week’s podcast is chapter 3 of that serial, the first chapter I personally wrote, starring my character Jaxa. She lives in a Star Trek-inspired virtual world, holding a double job: Jaxa works as a maintenance officer, but she also works for the Singularity Policing Initiative to help make the virtual world run smoothly, so the residents don’t have to worry about Immersion being broken. I hope you'll check the rest of the story out at sillyhatbooks.com/spi
Thu, 16 Sep 2021 12:01:00 GMT
For this episode of the Alien Beer Podcast, I thought I'd do something a bit different. The story I have for you is another one of my Bradbury Challenge stories. I was in a rather experimental mood when I wrote it. Perhaps some of you will recognize the format. Rather than spoil it here in the introduction, I'll save my explanation for after the story is done being told. I'll also add a content warning: this story contains a loss of agency. See you after the end. (after text, highlight to read) Hello again, dear listener. As promised, here's my explanation. When I wrote this story, I had the idea of telling it in the form of an old text-based interactive fiction computer game like, Colossal Cave Adventure, Zork, or Infocom's The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. If you haven't experienced this form of interactive fiction before, I hope you still enjoyed this presentation of the medium. Of course, it's not an interactive story, it's only written in that style. When I thought about reading the story to you, I thought it might be difficult to convey the feel of a computer game in my reading. So, as you can tell, I employed a text-to-speech converter on the website, "fromtexttospeech.com" using the "Alice" personality. I rather liked the effect, and I hope you did, too. Thanks for hanging in there with me on this experimental story, told in an experimental way. Speaking of computer games, have you checked out my Kindle Vella offering yet? I teamed up with Red Tash and Kat Bradbury to create a science fiction adventure serial, under the collective pen name of Kaye Elsie. It's called "SPI Girls Kick Ass!" It's like Charlies Angels meets The Matrix, and I hope you'll check it out at sillyhatbooks.com/spi
Rosedale Pub - Vengeful Spirit
Thu, 02 Sep 2021 12:01:00 GMT
Before we drop in on the inter-dimensional Rosedale Pub, I have a secret to tell you. Well, it's not such a secret anymore, but I have been working on a secret project with my friends Kat Bradbury and Red Tash. We're testing the waters of the Kindle Vella platform with a collaborative serial called SPI Girls Kick Ass! It's like The Matrix meets Charlie's Angels, and we're very excited about it. I hope you'll check it out at sillyhatbooks.com/spi . The first three episodes are free! Okay, this is it, dear listeners. This is the episode where the worst happens. This is the episode where it all comes down to Alyssa to save the Rosedale Pub with nothing but her wits and newfound bartending skills. I can't say any more without giving spoilers, so buckle up and I'll see you on the other side.
Thu, 19 Aug 2021 12:01:00 GMT
This week at the inter-dimensional Rosedale Pub, Alyssa encounters a strange knight on a strange quest as she walks along the Road. Don't laugh, but the idea for the knight in this story originated as a character I played in a Bunnies and Burrows play-by-email roleplaying campaign I was in ages ago. A friend suggested that I need to urge you good listeners to check out my eleven published novels, seven of which are also in audiobook form. You can find them on sillyhatbooks.com/fiction . Hint: Road Ghosts is actually three novels in one, and the audiobook is a glorious nineteen hours of spoopiness.
Thu, 05 Aug 2021 12:01:00 GMT
This week at the inter-dimensional Rosedale Pub, some technology malfunctions in a wondrous way, an infamous character returns, bearing a great treasure, but also needing help. Trust can be a difficult thing in a liminal space like the Rosedale. Dear listeners, thank you. The Alien Beer Podcast recently passed 5,000 downloads! What does this mean? Well, it means that each episode has been downloaded over 80 times, on average. It means that my podcast is in the top 50 percent or better. But these are just statistics. What it really means to me is that you're out there, listening to my stories. And for that, I'm grateful. I hope you'll continue to tune in to join me in this adventure.
Rosedale Pub - Ghost of a Chance
Thu, 22 Jul 2021 12:01:00 GMT
I was honored to be a featured guest at InConJunction Science Fiction and Fantasy convention over the recent July 4th weekend. I was anxious about being around many people in person for the first time in 16 months, but I think I did better than I expected at that. One of the presentations I gave was on using randomness as the seed for a story. I called it "Storymancy" because often I get elements from divinatory sources: Tarot cards, for example. Or I'll look for ideas from the next three songs my iTunes plays on shuffle. I'll think about the random elements that have been given to me and try to shape it into a story. Sometimes inspiration will strike, and I'll throw out most or all of the elements and go with that instead. Most of the Rosedale pub stories have had some randomness in their inspiration. I sat down to brainstorm this story when I wasn't feeling any inspiration. I listened to a few songs on shuffle, I laid out some cards, and then I went to work trying to piece the resulting elements together into a cohesive story. What were the elements of this story? Oh, a certain Beastie Boys song for the character's origin, the Queen of Wands, and the Four of Wands, to name a few. Make of that what you will. I didn't get to sit down and write the story for another couple weeks, so I guess it simmered somewhere in the back of my mind, and what came out is the story I'm reading you today.
Thu, 08 Jul 2021 12:01:00 GMT
You may know that this podcast is named after my short story collection, Alien Beer and Other Stories. You may also know that I've already read every one of the stories in that book to you on this podcast. However, I do have a secret cache of stories I wrote in 2019 when I attempted the Bradbury Challenge. Ray Bradbury famously wrote, "Write a story a week for a year. It's impossible to write 52 bad stories in a row". My author friend Kat Bradbury inspired me to do this when she took it up herself. She eventually turned it into her own podcast about writing short fiction. I managed 14 stories. Anyway, I don't have a Rosedale Pub story for you this week, because at the time of recording, I'm preparing to be a Featured Guest at Inconjunction Science Fiction and Fantasy Convention. Some of you listening may be here because I plugged this podcast at that event. If so, welcome! Instead, I have one of my Bradbury Challenge stories, written in May of 2019.
Rosedale Pub - The Cat Came Back
Thu, 24 Jun 2021 12:01:00 GMT
I deal with grief and other hard emotions, in part, by channeling that energy into something else. Writing can be therapy for me; for example, Trans Witch was written during a time of great stress and distress for me. The result wasn't a big block of angst or gloom and doom, but a peek into a world where hard things can be overcome, and love wins out in the end. This story comes in the wake of losing one of my best friends. Stella was always my buddy, from the very first day she came into my life, for twelve years, until early this month when she passed away. If, when I tell you that Stella was a cat, you react by dismissing that as not the same as losing a human friend, then I feel sorry for you. I had always intended there to be a cat character in the Rosedale Pub, but recent events helped me decide the form that cat would take. That, and an old song that I repurposed to be kinder and more magical than it was intended to be. Anyway, here's "Rosedale Pub – The Cat Came Back"
Thu, 10 Jun 2021 12:01:00 GMT
Sometimes, it's hard to let people go. It's hard to accept that someone you once shared something special with has moved on, especially when you haven't. In our visit to the inter-dimensional Rosedale Pub this week, we'll meet someone who's been led there by one last hope of making things work with their special someone.
Thu, 27 May 2021 12:01:00 GMT
In this episode of Rosedale Pub, Alyssa meets True Colorado, a regular, who tells a rather tall tale.I wrote this story in a café in Broad Ripple, a pretty part of my city. I was drawn to the cafe when I spotted a trans flag hanging from a balcony nearby. The café was open air, since one side of the building opened with garage doors. I sat at a table by myself with my laptop, tarot cards, and my coffee, and came up with "Tall Tale", set in my new Rosedale Pub series. I can't stress enough how much I've missed writing somewhere other than my home office. Sure, my home office is comfortable and has everything I need. But a change of scenery provides a sense of being away from household worries and work, and that gave my creativity a big boost. And I daresay the sense of freedom that came with my away mission was good for the soul.
Bonus 5 - Trans Witch Chapter One
Fri, 21 May 2021 13:54:45 GMT
Dear listeners, I am so excited to share with you this, the first chapter of Trans Witch: College of Secrets, as read by Danielle Muething! I can't express how happy I am with Danielle's narration, both in quality and consistency, and how thrilled I am with the way she brought my characters to life with her voice acting. Please enjoy this sample chapter, and I hope you'll check the audiobook out on Audible!
Ch 26 - The Multiverse Blues - Rambling on My Mind
Thu, 13 May 2021 12:01:00 GMT
Well, dear listeners, this is it, the last episode of The Multiverse Blues. It's been an amazing ride for me. I hope it's been as much fun for you, since you're still here listening to this. I'll go on the record as saying that I don't have plans for a sequel to this story, but you never know. I'm sure some of these characters will show up in the next project, which will also be about wayfarers traveling between the worlds. Have you enjoyed the story? The Multiverse Blues is now a BOOK. Check out Amazon for ebook and paperback versions, with more availability coming soon. In the final episode of The Multiverse Blues, Jules faces down two armies which threaten the lives of the refugee Tristellians, and the Theta Earth concert crowd that might get caught in the crossfire. How can Jules stop the oncoming slaughter?
Thu, 06 May 2021 12:01:00 GMT
Surprise! This isn't a bonus episode, but this is usually an off week for the Alien Beer Podcast. Next week, on May 15th, 2021, the last episode of The Multiverse Blues will air. On that same day, the paperback and ebook versions of that saga will be released on Amazon! So, to get you ready for the transition to a new story, I thought I'd air this, the first episode of Rosedale Pub. Rosedale is a pub between the worlds, a liminal place where travelers from anywhere in the multiverse may rest and mingle. The Road outside, as Bilbo Baggins knows, can go anywhere, and you have to be careful when you set your feet upon it, because who knows where you'll end up. Only thing for sure is, at the Rosedale Pub, you'll hear travelers' tales. This first episode is an introduction to that place. So pull up a barstool and have a drink. All are welcome at the Rosedale!
Ch 25 - The Multiverse Blues - Come On In My Kitchen
Thu, 29 Apr 2021 12:01:00 GMT
Pre-Order The Multiverse Blues ebook!I began The Multiverse Blues as a serial, with only a vague notion of where it would end up. I can own up to not being much of a planner when it comes to writing novellas and novels. I come up with a concept, some characters, a goal, and just start writing. After awhile, patterns emerge, and I'll come up with plot points that definitely need to happen before the end of the story. Often, I'll arrange these in order and end up with a more organized plan, and that plan becomes more and more like an outline the closer I get to the end of the story. This was my method with The Multiverse Blues as well, but I played it a lot looser than usual until the very end. Writing this story has been exciting for me, because I often didn't know how things would turn out until I wrote them. And sometimes I left myself really tough situations to work out for next time. But one advantage of taking a year to write this story, one chapter every couple of weeks, is that I had a lot of time to think about what came next. This is the second to last chapter of The Multiverse Blues. The heat is on, and Jules and their friends are going to have to think fast and use their heads and hearts to figure it all out. In the penultimate chapter of The Multiverse Blues, Dionne and Lee help Jules rescue Tristellians enslaved by the Arch Authority, using a method unique to Hope's Tour.
Ch 24 - The Multiverse Blues - They're Red Hot
Thu, 15 Apr 2021 12:01:00 GMT
Characters are people too! At least, inside my mind, they are. When I bring characters from one story into another, I find that I still have a mental model of that character pretty much ready to use, even if it seems strange to put them in a new situation cold. It's been fun to have Lee and Dionne from my other novel, Reality Check, appear in The Multiverse Blues, even if they're not the main characters this time around. In this chapter of The Multiverse Blues, Jules meets up with old friends, makes some new friends, and comes up with a rescue plan.
Ch 23 - The Multiverse Blues - I'm a Steady Rollin' Man
Thu, 01 Apr 2021 12:01:00 GMT
Goodbyes are hard for me. As I write this introduction, I've gotten a bit ahead on the writing for The Multiverse Blues. I am about to start the last chapter, as a matter of fact. I've spent nearly a year telling the story of Jules and Hope's Tour, and I can tell you listeners that I'm going to miss these characters when I'm done. Don't fret, you'll still have four more chapters to listen to after this one. But then we'll be done, and I'll have to move on to something else. If all you know of my writing is this podcast, you're in luck, I have ten published novels, six of which are also in audiobook format, if you aren't much of a reader. Road Ghosts is an especially good deal, because it contains three novels and short story in one audiobook. Plans are going forward to create an audiobook for my latest novel, Trans: Witch: College of Secrets. I'll have more news about for you that in future episodes. This episode of The Multiverse Blues tells the story of the Arch Authority catching up to Hope's Tour, some difficult decisions, and the beginning of what comes next.
Ch 22. - The Multiverse Blues - Terraplane Blues
Thu, 18 Mar 2021 12:01:00 GMT
A very central character of The Multiverse Blues is Hope, the delphine diva from another dimension. In this, the spring of 2021, I'm starting to regain a feeling of hope. My home has been finally been restored after the October sewage disaster. The lovely weather invites me to venture outside these four walls and see the wider world. I even have my first Covid vaccination scheduled for the end of the month. It almost seems symbolic that a book that I poured my fear, frustration, and even anger into in the fall is now in my hands and is being read by other people. It's like I can let all that horror go, fluttering away on the winds. Trans Witch: College of Secrets is what happens when I take unmanageable emotions and forge them into something positive. If you get a chance to pick up a copy from Amazon or Barnes and Noble, I want you to get that feeling of hope and release as you read it. This week on The Multiverse Blues: Jules and the crew of Hope's Tour make bold plans to get from the world of League, across the neighboring dimension of Arne, to end up at their destination: Erde, Harlan's steampunk homeworld.
Ch 21. - The Multiverse Blues - Kind-Hearted Woman
Thu, 04 Mar 2021 13:01:00 GMT
I enjoy writing episodes of The Multiverse Blues much more when Jules is with the rest of the crew. Which is why I'm pleased to tell you that they rejoin Hope's Tour in this episode, swapping stories and making plans. A common theme in many of my stories is the concept of "found family". I only found out recently that it's often a feature of The Heroine's Journey. It turns out, many of my novels follow The Heroine's Journey. Jules wouldn't care whether you called them a Hero or Heroine, their only disagreement might be with whether they're actually heroic. Impostor syndrome is a thing, and anyone who knows me will understand that the heroes of my stories often feel less than heroic; and that comes from an honest source. Speaking of the Heroine's Journey and found family, I have just released the Kindle ebook of my new novel, Trans Witch: College of Secrets. The paperback edition is due out any day now. It's a story about a wizard school for the rest of us. You can guess for yourself what that means.
Ch 20 - The Multiverse Blues - If I Had Possession Over Judgement Day
Thu, 18 Feb 2021 13:01:00 GMT
Last time on the Multiverse Blues. Jules escaped capture, leaping through a portal that landed them in their home universe of Beta Earth. Seeking safety for baby Lucy, they find themselves in a heated confrontation. Before I begin, I'd like to give you a bit of trivia. "The Dionnes" that Jules and friends talk about in The Multiverse Blues are none other than the characters of the same name from my science fiction novel, Reality Check. Also in Reality Check, a medic named "Bask" tends to Lee in a lunar transport vehicle; that's a sneaky cameo of the Transit King from my Tipsy Fairy Tales books. I have so far resisted the strong temptation to include Bask, the Transit King, in The Multiverse Blues. I make no promises about chapters after this one; I may yet give in.
Ch 19 - The Multiverse Blues - Walkin' Blues
Thu, 04 Feb 2021 13:01:00 GMT
Last time on The Multiverse Blues: Jules got cleaned up and Jimmy gave them new clothes to wear, and Jules got to see a bit more of the mysterious disconnected Earth where her new friend lives. A surprise interdimensional visitor overnight causes Jules to flee through yet another portal, to yet another unknown destination, which will be revealed in today's episode.
Ch 18 - The Multiverse Blues - Milkcow's Calf Blues
Thu, 21 Jan 2021 13:01:00 GMT
Before I begin this episode, I'd like to let you know that the world of Erde, as mentioned in The Multiverse Blues, was first featured in my stand-alone science fiction novel, Reality Check. It's the steampunky "silly hat" world that Lee visits. Reality Check is possibly my single most popular book. I want you to also know that the world of Erde is the world of my Trans-Continental series, where Ida and Duffy have their steampunk adventures. Please do check out these books and more on my website, at sillyhatbooks.com/fiction Last time on The Multiverse Blues. Jules finds themself in a boat with a new friend, in yet another Earth. Only this Earth seems to not be linked into the Arch Network, so there's no obvious way for them to return. As a side note, if you've ever wondered why I name the chapters of the Multiverse Blues the way I do, it's because I'm using only the titles of Robert Johnson songs. It just seemed to go with the concept somehow.
Ch 17 - The Multiverse Blues - Stop Breakin' Down Blues
Thu, 07 Jan 2021 13:01:00 GMT
Well, we made it. Yup, the terrible year that was 2020 is over now. I started this podcast before Covid-19 was even a worry, back in February. The rest of the year, reading my stories to you was a lifeline that made me feel just a little more connected to the world outside my house. And then, in October, I needed a break from The Multiverse Blues. I had a few personal disasters, some of which continue to cause me daily difficulty even now. But in November, I wrote a whole novel, one that tells the story of a transgender woman discovering a magical college, as well as her own magic, as she searches for her missing partner. And yes, I wrote that because a certain author of a certain franchise broke my heart, making me feel like I'd never be welcome in a certain magical school I used to love. I wrote a story where everyone who was disenfranchised by that other author can feel welcome. Anyway, the Alien Beer Podcast is back for 2021, and I'm kicking off the year with a brand-new chapter of The Multiverse Blues. Going forward, I hope to have a new chapter for you every other week until the story is done. After that? Who knows. If you have any questions or comments about this podcast, or The Multiverse Blues, please leave me comments on social media, or send me email at ecg@sillyhatbooks.com. ---- Previously on the Multiverse Blues. Jules and company fled the Harmony theatre in Delta Earth's Chicago, through a disused Arch Gate, with Arch Authority guards hot on their heels – in an armored vehicle. Jules discovered Delta Jules stowed away and causing mayhem, and both of them fell off La Esperanza, under fire. Jules made a hasty escape through a random rip in reality, to an unknown world…
Thu, 17 Dec 2020 13:01:00 GMT
Well, here it is, my wonderful listeners: The End This is the last story in my Alien Beer and Other Stories collection. I'm going to be totally transparent with you: I'm not sure where I'll go from here. One thing is certain: I will continue The Multiverse Blues, reading each chapter to you here on the Alien Beer Podcast. Once that's done? I'm not sure. I have some other stories I could read. I could start a new serial. I could write a new series of short stories just for the podcast. As I said last time, I do plan to continue the every-other-week format for new episodes. I might have special interstitial episodes as well, but those will be bonuses. This episode is also the last installment of the Alien Beer Podcast for 2020. It's been a wild year. It's been rough. Very rough. Working on this podcast, which I started BEFORE the pandemic began in the US, has helped me hang on during dark times of isolation and fear. I didn't know if anyone would listen. I've been pleasantly surprised: as of this recording, episodes of this podcast have been downloaded two thousand, two hundred, and forty-eight times. Wow. Thank you for listening. We'll see what happens in 2021. Please: take care of yourself and be kind to others. ---- I'm a founding member of an author co-op called the Speculative Fiction Guild. In 2014, we put together an anthology of speculative short stories related to any of the winter holidays. The profits for that anthology went to benefit Indy Reads, an Indianapolis literacy charity. For this tie-in to my Road Ghosts and Tipsy Fairy Tales books, I channeled my childhood years watching Rankin & Bass holiday specials. I tried having various main characters, but eventually brought back Enid from "Spectral Delivery" as its star. It takes place after Mean Spirit, for those who want to know.
Ep 22 - Dr. Princess and the Soldier
Thu, 03 Dec 2020 13:01:00 GMT
Before I introduce this episode, I have some news for you. First of all, you may have noticed the absence of The Multiverse Blues after Chapter Sixteen. I decided to take a hiatus on that, as life had gotten to be extremely stressful. Since this is being recorded towards the end of 2020, I think you know what I mean. On top of the pandemic and the terrifying uncertainty of the election, I had some personal issues going on, over and above the anxiety and depression I struggle with every day. Of note, the toilet in my half bathroom vomited enough sewage to cover the bathroom, the entry room, and half of my kitchen. My wife and I were overwhelmed and have been forced to effectively camp out for the past month and a half while demolition occurred, and while we wait for reconstruction. Oh, and my wife broke her wrist. So, naturally, since I was already pushed past my limits, I thought to myself, "Hey, why don't I do National Novel Writing Month this year!" Let me tell you, NaNoWriMo is stressful in the best of years, and I'd already been worrying about burning out on The Multiverse Blues. Why did I do it? I found myself called by a new project. It's a book called Trans Witch. As I write this to you on November 30th, I have just now finished, not just the required fifty-thousand words in thirty days, but I've also completed all the chapters I wanted to write in it. I have a rough draft of my magical mystery tour of a middle-aged transgender witch who finds herself searching for her lost partner within the college for wizards she's found. If that sounds to you like it's a big F-U to a certain transphobic YA author, you're probably right. Anyway, I plan to resume writing and recording the Multiverse Blues in the next few weeks. Trans Witch should be published by this coming Spring. I hope you're enjoying The Alien Beer podcast. I'm going to continue the every-other-week format as default for the foreseeable future. In two weeks, you can look forward to a holiday special. As a palate cleanser for the previous two stories, I give you a final Iron Writer story I wrote in early 2017. The elements were: One hot summer day; A deserted island; Buried treasure; Chicken with its head cut off. I felt the elements went a little too well together, so rather than rehash Treasure Island, I thought I'd do another story with a twist. This story came in first with the popular vote, and close second with an internal Iron Writer vote, allowing me to advance to the tournament. But more importantly, it was fun to write.
Thu, 19 Nov 2020 13:01:00 GMT
Here's another rather personal story involving a mirror. Okay, I'll admit it, I've got an irrational fear of seeing myself in mirrors in the dark. To try to exorcise that a bit, I decided to make the fear more tangible in a story. The result was bought by James Ward Kirk, and published in his Indiana Horror Anthology 2011.
Ep 21 - The Man at the Top of the Stair
Thu, 05 Nov 2020 13:01:00 GMT
This one was hard to write. Not technically hard, but emotionally. It was for the Iron Writer Challenge, March 2017, and here are the elements: "Antigonish" (poem) restricted to the first verse only; Another person’s dream that you are envious of; A hangman’s noose; Will you never leave me? I couldn't help but write this story, even though hurt to do so; it demanded to be written, given those elements.
Thu, 22 Oct 2020 12:01:00 GMT
This one has an odd history. I wrote it in 2011, and it was picked up, with contract, for an issue of a well-respected horror magazine. The issue it was due to come out in never happened, and eventually the rights reverted to me. I'll admit, I sat on this one for years on the hope that the issue might someday come out, but it's been almost 6 years now, so I'd rather the story saw the light of day than to continue to wait expectantly in the dark.
Thu, 08 Oct 2020 12:01:00 GMT
For the the Iron Writer Challenge 77, I threw down in another Grudge Match. I wrote along with Jordan Bell, against Mathew W. Weaver and Maureen Larter. Once again, my team was defeated, but we all made some great stories in the heat of battle. Our elements were: A Suit of Armor; A Pitcher’s Mound; Gluten Free; Locke’s Socks.
Ch 16. - The Multiverse Blues - Traveling Riverside Blues
Thu, 01 Oct 2020 12:01:00 GMT
After an attack on Hope interrupted the show on Delta Earth, the crew of Hope's Tour were forced to flee the Harmony Theater in their tour bus. Will Jules and the crew be able to outrun the agents of the Arch Authority and get off-world somewhere out of their reach?
Thu, 24 Sep 2020 12:01:00 GMT
"Hunted" came to me in September 2010, and though I've never managed to publish it before now, it became the seed for the first of my Tipsy Fairy Tales, Blue Spirit. Having written the Road Ghosts Trilogy, I decided I needed a new direction, since I felt Brett's story had been told well enough. I wasn't quite ready to leave that universe, however, so I thought about minor characters I wanted to explore more, Skye came to mind immediately. She was funny, she had deep issues, and she'd been touched by the supernatural. But rather than stick to ghosts and ghouls and demons, I wanted something different. The following dark fairy tale still fresh in my mind, I decided that Skye would see into that fairy world. See the end of chapter 1 of Blue Spirit to fit this story in, and guess what its characters' names might be.
Ch 15. - The Multiverse Blues - Me and the Devil Blues
Thu, 17 Sep 2020 12:01:00 GMT
Jules and the crew of Hope's Tour confront the Deltan spy. Can they find an escape from Delta Earth before the Arch Authority can capture them?
Thu, 10 Sep 2020 12:01:00 GMT
I wrote "Fell Down" for The Iron Writer Challenge in September 2013. The terms of the challenge were to write a 500 word flash story using these four elements: A murderous unicorn; The Apollo Lunar Roving Vehicle; A fantasy football draft must be a part of the main scene of the story; The story must be written from the POV of someone with a mental illness or developmental delay. This was a special Iron Writer Challenge. It was the very first Iron Writer Grudge Match. I was challenged by Tony Jaeger, whose second was K.A. Davur, and M.D. Pitman stepped up to be my second. The result was that my story won the popular vote by one, but K.A. Davur’s won the judges’ votes, giving her an overall one point win over me. The other stories were all quite good, especially Ms. Davur’s "Kenny", so I don’t feel bad coming in second.
Ch 14. - The Multiverse Blues - Little Queen of Spades
Thu, 03 Sep 2020 12:01:00 GMT
Last time on The Multiverse Blues. Jules helped Coral escape the Arch Authority facility, only to have the strange Tristellian slip away into the Arch gate without them. Now, Jules has caught up with Hope's Tour, mid-concert, to be reunited with their newfound family of friends. Or will they? The other Jules is still out there, so how will Jules convince Hope and her crew that they're really who they say they are?
Thu, 27 Aug 2020 12:01:00 GMT
This was my first story sale, back in the fall of 2011. I was, and am, grateful to D.L. Russell for taking a chance on me and my story for his ezine, "Strange, Weird, and Wonderful" and for including it in the anthology he later published from those stories. Reading it now, I feel differently about it than when I wrote it under a different name; I still like it, but with more complicated feelings. CW: Loss of agency, jealousy
Ch 13. - The Multiverse Blues - Sweet Home Chicago
Thu, 20 Aug 2020 12:01:00 GMT
On the run! When Jules is asked for help by a prisoner of the Delta Arch Authority, they can't say no, and the two set out against the odds to make an escape. Can Jules help the prisoner escape, without becoming a prisoner themself? Last time on The Multiverse Blues: Jules set out to follow their doppelganger's directions, using preprogrammed Specs. Along the way, they run into Delta Earth's version of their fiancée, Samantha, and get a glimpse into their double's life in this 'verse. After some delays and tricky situations, Jules finds the secret their twin wanted them to find: a captive Tristellian like Hope, named Coral. I've been teasing for a few weeks about giving you a look at what the alien diva Hope looks like. Well, wait no longer, I have posted my artist friend Kirsten Jacobus's beautiful rendition of her on The Multiverse Blues page on my website! Just visit https://sillyhatbooks.com/tmb and click on the picture to expand it. You can see Kirsten's other work on Deviantart at http://lunaseas.deviantart.com/ Ten years in the making, Mean Spirit, the last book in my Tipsy Fairy Tales Trilogy, is now available on amazon.com! The trilogy tells the story of gamer girl Skye, who has one foot in the fairy realm. Except, they don't like being called fairies. See more about Skye and the Tipsy Fairy tales on my website, https://sillyhatbooks.com, under the "fiction" tab.
Thu, 13 Aug 2020 12:17:37 GMT
First, some announcements. I've been teasing for a few weeks about giving you a look at what the alien diva Hope looks like. Well, wait no longer, I have posted my artist friend Kirsten Jacobus's beautiful rendition of her on The Multiverse Blues page on my website! Just visit https://sillyhatbooks.com/tmb and click on the picture to expand it. You can see Kirsten's other work on Deviantart at http://lunaseas.deviantart.com/ Ten years in the making, Mean Spirit, the last book in my Tipsy Fairy Tales Trilogy, is now available on amazon.com! The trilogy tells the story of gamer girl Skye, who has one foot in the fairy realm. Except, they don't like being called fairies. See more about Skye and the Tipsy Fairy tales on my website, https://sillyhatbooks.com, under the "fiction" tab. --- Here's a second story I did for the 2014 Coffin Hop, based on elements given me by other participants in that Halloween event. Here’s what they came up with: Nina D’Arcangela supplied an image of a wrought iron lantern cage; D.D. Syrdal: Staircase; Armand Rosamilla: M&Ms; Clarissa Johal: Bed sheets.
Ch 12. - The Multiverse Blues - Dead Shrimp Blues
Thu, 06 Aug 2020 12:05:00 GMT
Exploring a new place on your own can give you a feeling of independence and excitement. However, when that new place is an alternate dimension, and you run into people who are almost—but not quite—the same people you know back home, things can get a little dicey. In this episode of The Multiverse Blues, Jules gets to find out what impersonating themself in another life feels like. They also make a startling discovery. Have you ever wondered what Hope, the alien singer in The Multiverse Blues looks like? I have commissioned artwork depicting her, and will be sharing it with you very soon!
Interview With Mariah Powell of Hobbies Include:Writing
Thu, 30 Jul 2020 12:01:00 GMT
This week, we'll be doing something a little different. I was invited to do a mutual interview with my fellow fiction podcaster, Mariah Powell, who is the host of Hobbies Include: Writing. It turned out our projects have a lot in common, so we decided to sit down and have a chat about what we've been up to, and why. Rest assured, dear listeners, The Multiverse Blues will return next week, with a new episode, but for now, I hope you enjoy this peek behind the scenes of the Alien Beer Podcast and hopefully check out Hobbies Include: Writing.
Thu, 23 Jul 2020 12:01:00 GMT
I wrote this story in the summer of 2014 as a submission for, and was published in, the Seventh Star Press anthology, A Chimerical World: Tales of the Seelie Court. It is a tie-in to my Tipsy Fairy Tales series, between Blue Spirit and Restless Spirit. It takes place during the time when Skye was borrowed by R.J. Sullivan for his novel, Virtual Blue. I figured since Minnie didn't make an appearance in that book, I wanted to write about her solo adventures in Bloomington, Indiana. On her own, Minnie gets into as much trouble as Skye, but without anyone to bail her out. Have you ever wondered what Hope, the alien singer in The Multiverse Blues looks like? I have commissioned artwork depicting her, and will be sharing it with you very soon!
Ch 11. - The Multiverse Blues - Honeymoon Blues
Thu, 16 Jul 2020 12:01:00 GMT
Sometimes, you just need time to yourself, even when you're in the best of company. In this episode of The Multiverse Blues, Jules takes a break from the crew of Hope's Tour, venturing out to explore Delta Earth alone. Unexpected company has a way of turning up at the strangest of times. Which is why Jules finds themself visiting with someone from their past, and someone very familiar indeed. Will the call of even more adventure be too much for Jules? Listen to this episode to find out!
Thu, 09 Jul 2020 12:01:00 GMT
The Iron Writer Challenge, 2015 Summer Solstice Preliminary Round had some really weird elements. A time clock; ice cream; a parachute; told from POV of an alien on the planet Nibiru, as the Nibiru enters our solar system. Nibiru technology is not greater or worse than Earth's. I'll say, it was difficult to think of ways to connect the elements, and still make a story that didn't sound completely random. I hope you enjoy what I came up with.
Ch 10 - The Multiverse Blues - Love in Vain
Thu, 02 Jul 2020 12:01:00 GMT
Last time on The Multiverse Blues: Hope's Tour travelled through the Arch linking Gamma Earth to Delta Earth. The crew debated what to do about the recent targeted attacks, and discussed Jules' mysterious female double from Achse. Now, as they pass into glitzy Delta Earth, the crew looks forward to staying in a luxury hotel, and a risky scheduled show before making their move to shake pursuit. -- I am excited to announce that by the time you hear this, the Alien Beer Podcast will have been downloaded a THOUSAND times! Since this is my 26th episode, that's nearly FORTY downloads per episode on average! Thank you all so much for listening to me tell my science fiction stories! As a way to thank you, I have set the Kindle edition of my science fiction novel Reality Check to FREE for the next five days, from July 2nd, 2020 through July 6th, 2020! In addition, I am giving away a signed paperback copy of the book. To enter the drawing, post about the Alien Beer Podcast to social media and take a screenshot and send it to me at ecg at sillyhatbooks.com. I will roll dice to determine the winner, which I'll announce on my July 9th episode! The Multiverse Blues and my Trans-Continental books were spun off of Reality Check, so I think it should be of interest to regular listeners. Even if you miss this promotion, I encourage you to get a copy for yourself. For a link to the book, and details, go to sillyhatbooks.com/rcfree
Thu, 25 Jun 2020 12:01:00 GMT
For those of you expecting this week to be an episode of The Multiverse Blues, well, thank you for noticing. I have gotten behind on writing the serial, so this week, I'm giving you a special behind the scenes look at something that's never before been published, and only read by one or two others before. It is a bit of the attempt I made at writing a sequel to Reality Check, my science fiction novel that my Trans-Continental books and The Multiverse Blues spun off of. If you haven't read Reality Check, but plan to, I will warn you that this may contain spoilers. It isn't the first time I've taken something from the stalled Reality Check sequel. Episode 5 of this podcast, The Spark, was also from that false start, and like this episode, was too good to just put in a trunk. It answers a question left hanging at the end of Reality Check, and it shows part of the history of "The Dionnes" and the eventual Arch Network in the Multiverse Blues. And now, allow me to present for the first time, "The Gate"!
Thu, 18 Jun 2020 12:01:00 GMT
The energy for writing can come from many places. Sometimes it's for the sheer joy of it. Sometimes it's the adrenaline rush of an external, or self-imposed deadline approaching, other times it's the siren call of the Muse, demanding that a particular story be written. This one was none of those. I was angry at the world, and I used my writing as outlet for it. I fueled my creativity with fury, and it turned out to also be good therapy at the same time. I wrote it in early 2014, but it didn't find this final form, and title, until almost a year and a half later. Content Warning: Loss of agency, bullying, confinement.
Ch 9 - The Multiverse Blues - Hellhound On My Trail
Thu, 11 Jun 2020 12:01:00 GMT
Following the attacks in Delta Earth, Hope's Tour beat a hasty retreat through the New Louie Arch, moving on towards Delta Earth. In this episode, the crew looks to Hope for leadership in the face of deadly danger. Before I begin this particular episode, I want to thank my listeners for following my stories. I would love to hear from you on Twitter or Facebook, especially if you have comments or questions about the road so far. I'd love to know who your favorite characters are, who you might be shipping with each other, and what you'd like to see happen in future episodes. Our own 'verse (Beta Earth Prime) has been an extra hard place for everyone since I began this podcast journey in February 2020; I hope my escape to other worlds has helped some of you cope. For me, it's been a big help to me to have this project as a focus.
Thu, 04 Jun 2020 12:01:00 GMT
For Halloween 2014, I joined a bunch of writer friends in a sort of blog-based celebration of the holiday in an event called the Coffin Hop. I asked for story elements from those friends, and this is what they came up with: Axel Howerton: peanut butter; Lori Michelle: a dead bush; Katie John: Doll’s pram; Julianne Snow: styrofoam plates. My absolute idol in the flash fiction format is the late Fredric Brown, and his collection of tiny stories, Nightmares and Geezenstacks, served as inspiration for the title and creepy style of this particular story. Content Warning: Loss of agency.
Ch 8. The Multiverse Blues - From Four Till Late
Thu, 28 May 2020 12:01:00 GMT
The show must go on! After the attack, the crew of Hope's Tour gives the people of New Louie on Gamma Earth what they came for -- a most unusual rock and blues concert!
Thu, 21 May 2020 12:01:00 GMT
"Spectral Delivery" started life in early 2013 as a sample story to serve as introduction to my Road Ghosts Trilogy. Its chronological place in the series is somewhere between the second book, Sinking Down, and the third one, Me and the Devil, but it's meant to stand alone, and contains no real spoilers. The story is included as a part of The Road Ghosts Omnibus and is read wonderfully in the audiobook by Sean Duregger. I'm not including his reading here on the podcast. If you'd prefer his professional reading over this free "read by the author", then you'll have to buy the audiobook. You should anyway, it's worth it for Sean's amazing reading of three books and this short story. It's told from the point of view of Enid, who's an outsider to the supernatural adventures of Brett, Gonzo, and their friends, but she ended up charming me enough that I revisited her in "Christmas Special", which is later in the Alien Beer stories series. P.S. I used to deliver pizzas for a living; the Hey Dudes are real.
Ch 7. The Multiverse Blues - Phonograph Blues
Thu, 14 May 2020 12:01:00 GMT
When alien rock star Hope fails to show up for her own concert, Jules must spring into action to find out what's behind her disappearance; they make a startling discovery.
Thu, 07 May 2020 23:31:00 GMT
"Killer Cure" was my very first Iron Writer story. I wrote it for the third-ever Challenge, in March 2013, using these four elements: A failed superhero, a piano, a boat propeller and a Chechem/Chaka tree. My story won against two other Iron Writer participants, though their stories were quite good. It was such fun to write, it makes me wonder why I don't do more superhero stories.
Ch 6. The Multiverse Blues - 32-20 Blues
Thu, 30 Apr 2020 12:01:00 GMT
Jules and the crew of Hope's Tour find themselves beset by xenophobic protesters as they set up for a show at the New Louie Coliseum in the Gamma Earth 'verse. Before I begin, I'd like to talk about the masks the Gamma Earth people wear. I didn't write them into the story because of the masks we're wearing because of the pandemic; Not many people were wearing them at the time I started that part. Funny enough, I saw an article today that some men are refusing to wear floral patterned homemade masks if that's all that are available. A friend who makes masks for others commented on the article. She said she'd initially made only plain white masks and was told by some women that they'd buy from her when she had something prettier to offer. I guess I called it.
Thu, 23 Apr 2020 12:01:00 GMT
For the Iron Writer Challenge in January 2015, I took on the following elements: Botticelli, a tiger lily, long hair, and steampunk goggles. The latter two elements demanded that I write a story involving my heroine Ida Stillwell, from my Trans-Continental steampunk books. It turned out to be an origin story that I decided was canon.
Mon, 20 Apr 2020 11:01:00 GMT
For this bonus episode, I have a special guest reading. My wife Amy Garrison wrote a fun bit of microfiction that I thought might make a topical bonus for the podcast. I envy her reading voice.
Ch 5. The Multiverse Blues - I Believe I'll Dust My Broom.mp3
Thu, 16 Apr 2020 12:01:00 GMT
This episode finds Jules and the others in Hope's crew scrambling after an unexpected turn of events with Smiley and his men, and then on to New Louie for their concert in the Gamma 'verse. When I started The Multiverse Blues serial, I made sure I had at least a couple of episodes written and recorded before they aired, giving me a cushion of time to work on the next episodes so I wouldn't fall behind. Given the current situation of pandemic lockdown, you'd think I'd have even more time to get ahead of things, right? Wrong. I've been working my day job from home, so the only extra time I've gotten has been from not commuting, and not socializing, other than the occasional Zoom meetup. When I've had downtime, I've found myself sapped of energy, not feeling as creative as I needed to be. So, this episode is a bit fresher than usual, having been written and recorded within a week of broadcast. I have the next one started, at least, along with plans for where it's going after that.
Thu, 09 Apr 2020 12:01:00 GMT
This was a story that originated in late 2014 as a self-challenge: to write a short story set in one of the universes featured in my novel Reality Check. It kicked off the beginnings of a sequel to that book, which sadly became too tangled to finish. Never fear, I have a better idea for how the sequel should go, and you get to enjoy this as the original stand-alone project it was intended to be. This is also the universe in which The Multiverse Blues takes place.
Ch 4. The Multiverse Blues - Last Fair Deal Gone Down
Thu, 02 Apr 2020 12:54:00 GMT
The Multiverse Blues is a science fiction serial spanning many alternate realities.In this episode, the crew of Hope's Tour introduces Jules to the retro 'verse of Gamma Earth and its hazards.
Thu, 26 Mar 2020 12:01:00 GMT
When I wrote this story in 2014, I couldn't have pictured our current pandemic lockdown. I decided to post this episode earlier than it appears in my Alien Beer and Other Stories anthology because of its timely topic -- social isolation. In Trog's case, the cause is supernatural, rather than viral. -- Inspiration is a funny thing. It can come to you anywhere, anytime. The idea for "A Bone to Pick" came as I drove into work, and I was forced to call my own phone to leave a voicemail so I'd remember it later. This one came as I was walking in a cemetery, enjoying the view from the highest point, and was approached by a sweet girl with none of the usual caution you'd expect her to have around strangers. The main character of this story isn't me, but I have social awkwardness that approaches superpower levels at times; which is why the smile and high-five from a stranger was especially touching. I wish making connections, however brief, was always that easy and heartwarming.
Ch 3. The Multiverse Blues - Stones in My Passway
Thu, 19 Mar 2020 12:01:00 GMT
Previously on The Multiverse Blues: Jules starts their job as part of the crew of Hope's Tour. They meet the other members of the interdimensional rock star's crew; stage manager Harlan, general manager Marcy Davenport, drummer Dribbler, bass and backup singer Babs, and enchanting alien singing sensation Hope herself. Just about to pass through the Arch to Gamma Earth, Jules and the crew are stopped for inspection by Beta Earth's dreaded TSA. Jules does not have an interdimensional passport.
Ep. 4 - A Tale of Two Laundries
Thu, 12 Mar 2020 12:01:00 GMT
This sequel to "Moby Me" was written nearly four years afterwards, in 2017. What can I say, I have fun with the "mad scientist" trope.
Bonus 3 - Trans-Continental - Girl in the Gears Chapter One
Mon, 09 Mar 2020 12:01:00 GMT
The concept for Trans-Continental came to me in a dream. In that dream, a trans woman protagonist and her Artful Dodger-like companion flew their airship from place to place, having adventures together in the steampunk world I wrote about in Reality Check. I was so excited about this idea, I got up from bed at 2:30 in the morning and scribbled what I could remember down on my grocery list. When I found the notes in the morning, I dropped the writing project I had going already and started what would become Trans-Continental: Girl in the Gears. Eventually, I commissioned internet talk show host Angel Clark to do the narration of the audiobook. And now I'd like to share with you the first chapter from that book, and the beginning of the famous friendship of Ida and Duffy.
Ch 2. The Multiverse Blues - Ramblin' on My Mind
Sun, 08 Mar 2020 15:12:00 GMT
The Multiverse Blues is a science fiction serial spanning many alternate realities. In this episode, Jules meets the crew of Hope's Tour as they load up to head to Gamma Earth through the Archnet gate.
Thu, 27 Feb 2020 13:01:00 GMT
This week, I present a flash story I wrote in 2013 for the late, great Iron Writer Challenge. This story of mad science is one of my favorites from that competition. About half of the stories in this book were originally written for The (late, great) Iron Writer Challenge, a website and a community of folks who became good friends and adversaries in competing to craft 500 word stories using 4 elements -- written in just 4 days. I wrote the following story for The Iron Writer Challenge in July 2013 for the Summer Solstice Challenge. The challenge demanded that we use these four elements: An Electric Flying Bicycle, a Doppelgänger, Atlantis, and an obscure Black & White Television Drama/Comedy. My story finished dead last against 3 other past Iron Writer winners, who were worthy opponents. But one author friend told me that this story is what made her a fan of my writing, so winning isn't everything.
Bonus 2 - Blue Spirit Chapter One
Mon, 24 Feb 2020 13:25:00 GMT
This bonus episode is the first chapter of my Tipsy Fairy Tales novel, Blue Spirit. Stephanie Estes is the narrator, and she does a wonderful job channeling Skye, the main character. The Blue Spirit audiobook may be found on Amazon/Audible.
Ch 1. The Multiverse Blues - Crossroads
Thu, 20 Feb 2020 12:00:00 GMT
In this, the premiere episode of The Multiverse Blues, we meet Jules, who's chasing a cat down a rabbit-hole to myriad 'verses! Welcome to my new science fiction serial, The Multiverse Blues! I have had this idea rolling around in my head for a few years, or rather just a concept: Space Roadie. I put it dutifully in my Story Ideas file and have revisited a few times here and there to add some thoughts. But upon starting this podcast, I had a flash: what if the "Space Roadie" doesn't join an alien pop star's entourage. What if instead they travel through networked inter-dimensional gates to alternate realities? It could be an extension of the concept from my Reality Check novel, and I could visit strange, new worlds without the need for a spaceship. The idea of a serial has appealed to me for awhile, since I am somewhat of a pantser, that is, I write by the seat of my pants. Okay, guilty admission, I DO outline for longer works, but it's sketchy at best, because I like my stories to grow organically. The podcast format, like old radio shows, seems to me to be an ideal medium for such an endeavor, so I am taking the challenge of writing another episode every two weeks, with my flash and short stories in between. To be continued in Episode Two in two weeks. I welcome comments on The Multiverse Blues on Podbean, on my sillyhatbooks.com website, and on social media. My contact info is on sillyhatbooks.com/about.
Thu, 13 Feb 2020 12:00:00 GMT
This story is based vaguely on my "past life" as a ghost hunter, except from an alternate point of view. Content Warning: Reference to anxiety, loss of agency, bones.
Bonus 1 - Road Ghosts Audiobook Chapter One
Sat, 08 Feb 2020 21:24:40 GMT
This bonus episode is the first chapter of Four 'til Late, the first book in my Road Ghosts series. Except it's not me reading this time, it's Sean Duregger, the talented narrator of my Road Ghosts Omnibus audiobook (available on Amazon/Audible). Even this one chapter is a story in itself. I hope you enjoy it. Free audiobook codes of Road Ghosts for review, available until they're gone:https://audiobooksunleashed.com/product/road-ghosts-omnibus-edition/
Thu, 06 Feb 2020 22:25:03 GMT
Hello and welcome to Alien Beer! This is a podcast where I will read my science fiction, fantasy, and steampunk stories to you. This first installment is the title story, "Alien Beer" which is also the first story in my short story collection, Alien Beer and Other Stories, from which I will be reading stories weekly.