While almost everyone navigating the intertubes has probably been exposed to an ad for audible.com, I confess I'm fonder of the approach used by Podiobooks.

Podcasting authors put up their scripts on Podiobooks.com mostly under a Creative Commons license, and you can listen to the whole thing for free. They hope you'll be moved to kick a little cash into the kitty if you like their stories, and supposed 75% of the proceeds go directly to the authors. Suggested amt for most of the books I've listened to is 9.99, but you can put in an amt you think appropriate for your entertainment level.

There are many genres represented, from nonfiction to poetry, but the strongest genre is the fantasy/scifi arena, which makes my little geeky heart very happy.

I recently finished listening to Nathan Lowell's Quarter Share

Part Horatio Hornblower, Isaac Asimov's Foundation Trilogy, and a bit of an homage to Moby Dick in the lead character's name, it was a greatly entertaining tale introducing what Lowell calls "A Trader's Tale from the Golden Age of the Solar Clipper".

I've downloaded the rest of the available series as well, and yes, I sent Mr. Lowell a little cash for his trouble. I considered it money very well spent indeed.

An audiodrama outlet with modern sensibilities and a great affection for its broadcast predecessors is Decoder Ring Theatre. My favorite offering there is Black Jack Justice-as hard boiled and soft hearted as any radio dick of the golden age ever was, who with his leggy and wisecracking assistant, Trixie Dixon, makes sure that criminals get their comeuppance-in or outside the strict letter of the law.

Another breezy entertainment from DRT takes a page from the old superhero serials is The Red Panda Adventures.

He's no Dark Knight, but broody bats aren't everybody's thing-sometimes you just need a cuddly furball with some flair and a acrobatic assistant/chauffer with the nick of The Flying Squirrel.

If ya know what I mean...

Digital video work has gotten so sharp as well, that online offerings are springing up all over with production values that would be right at home on your family room TV.

(That's not even counting the amazing success of Joss Whedon's Dr Horrible's Sing-Along Blog.)

One of my favorite examples is Stranger Things. Fantastic production values make up for some weakness in a couple of the acting roles, but it's not for the faint of heart, nor the religiously delicate, I look forward to seeing the rest of the story unfold.

 So, happy Friday, and what are you listening to? 

tags: decoder ring theatre  stranger things tv  dr horrible  joss whedon  podcast fridays  podiobookscom  podcasting  nathan lowell  quarter share  solar clipper  black jack justice  red panda adventures  

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