Chasing the Bard

Ever sat back and idly wondered who would you cast in the big movie version of Chasing the Bard? I certainly have.

Now you have you chance to have a say. I go head to head with Tee Morris (My audio Will) on the newest podcast out there- the Casting Game.

Listen here and then vote here. Yes you too can have a say- but you have until the next episode of the Casting Game drops- so hurry, hurry!

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Just to let you know that I now have a new attractive item to decorate my office with- a Sir Julius Vogel Award- the New Zealand Hugo. And it’s for  this very podcast.

Chasing the Bard won one of these beautiful Weta designed awards for best fan production. The first podiobook nominated for a SJV and the first to win.

I was so surprised that anyone in my own country listened, but it was a lovely, affirming moment. And my Will was there to hand me the award-something that made it even more special. (Even if he did try to run off with it, literally)

So, if you weren’t there on the night to hear me choke up- I’d like to take this chance to thank my wonderful cast, including my Mum. You all made it sing. To PG Holyfield and Chris Lester, I will always treasure the power and beauty you gave to Auberon and Mordant. And to Tee Morris, extra special thanks for lending me your skills. I think you were born to take that role. No one else could have done it justice and given Will a voice that was both charming and vulnerable.

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It’s been a long hard road, but finally the members of Sive’s Council have been chosen and small tokens of the dark goddess’ appreciation sent out. To all those that participated, thank you so much- every one of you made a difference to both me and the success of this podcast. Special thanks to Kimberly Atkins for her wonderful art featuring Sive that she let me use for the limited edition bags sent to the Council Members.

So without further ado- the members of the Council are

• Lady Beth Highstar of Amaranthe
• Lord Ethan Sharpsight of Ironbark
• Lady Rachel GreatArt of  Peony
• Lord Adam FirstDark of Winterberry
• Lady Jachelle Sapphireflame of Gloriosa
• Lord  Michael Strongsword of Hornbeam
• Lord Charles Whitesoul of Cypress
• Lord Asher Blessedlight of Larch
• Lady Vaney Carefulthought of Bellflower
• Lady Jachelle Sapphireflame of Gloriosa

Now these last two members should email me at pip@pjballantine.com as a computer meltdown meant I lost contact details for them.

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I don’t usually post links on the podcast website, but today is different. Today it was revealed that in all likelihood this is the face of the bard. Apparently this is the only known image of Will painted during his lifetime. He would be about 47 and look- he has hair! This is likely to be the image that all the other later images of the bard were copied from.

Somehow I think this is the face Sive fell in love with.

Also in the story you will see that they have uncovered the site of the Theatre (it’s actually called that) where Will would have trod the boards.

Two exciting Shakespeare discoveries in one day! Read the whole article and throw away that dusty image of the older Will.

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Chasing the Bard is now available for you iphone or the ipod touch. Click here to purchase

I can tell you it looks really pretty. So support the podcast by purchasing the novel, and have the dark goddess and the bard in your pocket whenever you need them.

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Just to let you know my new podcast novel Weather Child is now online and available for free. No Fey, but plenty of magic. This novel is a departure for me, as it is totally set in New Zealand and the stories are based on ones within my family. You knew I come from a long line of magicians, right?

New Zealand’s first podiobook author, Philippa Ballantine, brings her first tale set totally in homeland. Step back in time and sideways into an alternate world, where magicians and seraphim are found only on the shores of the Long White Cloud. Between two world wars, Jack and Faith find themselves unravelling a conspiracy to turn the Awakened children of Aoteroa to dark purposes.

You can subscribe at the site, or it is available on itunes.

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Puck has reappeared in Erotica a la Carte in a special Christmas episode. Yes, this is erotica so please be aware of that. If you don’t want to hear Puck getting his groove on, then don’t listen, but have a wonderful Christmas anyway.

The dark goddess is having some issues with her supplier for the awards for her Privy Council. So her scribe is having to think something else up. Sorry for the delay, but should be fixed in January.

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Rally the Court, the dark goddess is not amused. The sometime pirate captain, Tee Morris has been on twitter making dismissive comments about the fact that his book Pitcher’s Pendant has over twenty reviews while my scribe’s piece Digital Magic has but fourteen. This cannot stand.

Those of the Court who have read the sequel to Chasing the Bard, it would please the dark goddess if you would review it over on Amazon.com. We cannot allow a mere pirate captain to lord it over the Fey.

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The final cut off date after which Sive will chose ten members of Court to become members of her Privy Council is 30th September. The trials can still be completed after that date but will not be eligible for the final decision.

A final feedback show and a homage to Shakespeare are the final two shows remaining, but my voice has taken a hammering in America and it will be a good few days until it is broadcast quality. So please bear with me.

It has been a wonderful journey, and I am excited by the challenges ahead. Stay subscribed as I will post news on new projects and things happening in the world of Chasing the Bard. Thank you all for your support, love and encouragement- it has meant more to me than even words can tell.

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We know… you thought it was all over. However the kiwi and the Virginia ham have merely moved onto another phase. We’re on the road. In the next few days we will be found at the following

20th August, starting at 7pm — Barnes & Noble of Camp Hill, PA
22nd August, starting at 6pm — Moravian Bookshop of Bethlehem, PA
23rd August, from 3-5pm — Constellation Books of Reisterstown, MD

After that we’ll be at the geek mardi gras, known as DragonCon 29th August- 1st September. Then I fly home to the land of the long white cloud, so pop in to one or more of these signings if you can!

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The lovely Pamela from Tech for Writers was kind enough to interview myself and the uber nemesis himself Tee Morris. Listen here.

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Those of you who let me know itunes was having issues with Chapters 1 and 2- thanks! It should be all fixed now. For some reason itunes went all flaky and was searching for the wrong file. New episode uploading tonight.

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Show your love of the Fey and Billibub Baddings and drop this in your feed. Puck and Billi have a little sit down.

Double Trouble Promo

 

 Standard Podcast [2:46m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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Since I was told off for not having a donation point, here you are. Give as much or as little as you like- any moneys will go towards my touring fund and are much appreciated. You can also find the button under Author and Cast page.

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My very own Will Shakespeare recently declared himself the uber nemesis of all podcast novelists. This is our response; PG Holyfield of Murder at Avedon Hill (Auberon) and Chris Lester of Metamor City (Mordant) and me. Call it a first shot across the bows.

Challenge to Tee

 

 Standard Podcast [2:07m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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There is a certain time when a really girlie squeak is required, and for a writer one of those moments is when another person- all unasked, takes what you have done and creates new Art with it. Rachel Ross made me do the happy dance. She has captured Puck and Macha. Looks as though the Trickster has been pulling her tail feathers again!

 The full images is in the Art and avatar section of this site.  Also there are banners, bookmarks, wallpapers and images. I always wished I could draw, but that is just not my Art. For those of you who do have it, and feel inspired by Chasing the Bard, feel free to create. As Sive tells me, the act of creation is a strike against the Unmaker. Just send it to me and I will add it to the page. I will also squeal like a teenager and dance happy.

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Here is the image of Puck I commissioned from the wonderful artist Irrel-Paola. I think the anime style works well for Puck, and he does certainly look about to make mischief.  Even White Cat looks prepared for the trials ahead. I’m going to put together some shirts with this Puck image as well as the cover image for those that want to show their support of the Fey.

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Chasing the Bard is now live at podiobooks.com for those that like their audio straight from the hip; no promos, no bard chat.  But if you dig all that kiwi goodness then stay put!

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Terry J Aman (or Lord Terry Strongsight of Blackthorn as he is known in the Court) had written a piece for the Minot Daily News about podiobooks and Chasing the Bard.  It is always nice to get into the paper, and Puck, Sive, Will and even Auberon appreciate it.

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• There seems to be spate of characters running amok on the web, but even this humble author is shocked how the Fey has broken free.  The sweet Joe from Onthepod.net gave this podcast a lovely recommendation, but unfortunately for him, he referred to Puck as Pip.  I completely understood however it seems Auberon is not so kindly.  I think he is hanging around with that Mordant a little too much.  Here’s Joe’s original show and his correction, including a rather scary sounding King of the Fey.
• But the upshot is… now Puck wants to make some crank calls and I don’t know if I can stop him….. 

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Sive is preparing to unleash the full force of Fey on the world.  Those that spread the word will be rewarded by the dark goddess with a place in her in court. Four episodes and word is starting to leak out about Chasing the Bard.  However Sive is not the most patient of immortals, and time moves far slower in her realm, so in the next few weeks expect to hear more about her assault on the human realm.  It might involve thunder….

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• As a writer it is nice when you characters speak to you as you write them, but after they are committed to paper you kind of expect them to be silent.  However when they start calling your voicemail and leaving you messages you do start to wonder.  Mordant it appears has learnt that I am podcasting about him, and I am not quite sure how to take this development….I think he must have been hanging out somewhere near Metamor City  or is this just his subtle way of telling me he wants more screen time?
•  Download

 

 Mordant speaks [1:22m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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• OK NZ may be a small country, but they are showing their own some love.  Yep that is right, Chasing the Bard ripped up to #5 in NZ itunes Literature.  Any day you get above Sigler on the charts is a great day.  So thank you all.  Also nice to get some love from America- #47 in my first week is pretty amazing.  Chapter Two is locked and loaded for my Monday. And Chris Lester.. well he gives great villain.
• .. 

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itunes has relented and today the feed is up and running over there.  And you can see the pretty art work from Chasing the Bard print edition squeezed down to fit on an album cover.  Everything is falling into place so see you in just over a week…..

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Two weeks until the first chapter of Chasing the Bard drops into the podosphere, and I can tell you now the voice actors have been giving me such wonderful work that I can’t wait to get this out.  One week from now I will be putting the media release and the promo up, and in addition I am going to let my fellow podcasters have a sneeky peek at episode one.  So if you have a podcast and want to review, or just listen to Chasing the Bard episode one, then email me pip (at) pjballantine (dot) com let me know the name of your cast and I’ll email the mp3 over for your listening pleasure.One last thing- itunes seems to be having issues with taking my feed (probably something to do with me being a New Zealander)  but here it is for now http://www.chasingthebard.com/?feed=rss2See you very, very soon 

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Read my Bitstrip comic on my sometimes thoughts on the Bard.  Best thing to do when afraid is to laugh at it.

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Just to let you know that I have decided to release Chasing the Bard: the podcast on 31st March 2008.  That is a New Zealand Monday of course!  In between there will be a promo and an episode 0 as a brief introduction to the cast, the format and the release schedule.I have also decided to write some extras for the podcast, scenes that I thought about writing but was never daring enough to, which may change the rating of this podcast to ‘not compleately suitable for kiddies’ (I will mark that episode so no one gets a surprise).Thanks to all those podcasters who have played my teaser, continue to get the word out there so that everyone knows Shakespeare and scary faeries are on their way.

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