Solar Clipper Diary

South Coast: A Shaman’s Tale from the Golden Age of the Solar Clipper

Otto was the only son of Richard Krugg and heir to the Shaman’s Gift. The only problem was he didn’t want it. When Company production quotas force unwelcome changes onto his life and threaten even the security of the village, he discovers that being a shaman isn’t really optional and, along the way, that it’s not that bad.

Coming in December from Podiobooks.Com but for all the faithful fans who’ve been almost patient, here’s Episode 1.

Please let me know what you think before I get too far down the road with it.

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Episode 01: Otto learns that being a shaman is probably even less fun than he thought. Jimmy Pirano faces some very tough choices (Chapters 1-3).

Figgers. Having done the whole cover art concept and all .. I need to change it because it doesn’t sound right when I read it outloud.

I’m starting recording tonight!

Ok, gang-o-mine!

As I sit down to scope out the way Shaman will run, I’m trying to think about ways to improve your listening pleasure.

Music
I’m looking for the music now. I’m leaning toward one called “Celtic Dance” that’s on http://www.archive.org. I was looking for something a little different from the sea shanties. Ironic since almost all the story is about life on the South Coast of St. Cloud’s Western Reaches. In my head I wanted something a little more “new agey” and perhaps a little mystical.

So? Got any candidates? Here are the criteria:

- The music has to be well underway by about 15 seconds in. A lot of really good choices don’t really get rolling until the 30 second mark and that’s too much “waiting for the theme music” for me.

- The music needs a good ending. When I get to that closing “For more information, visit www.durandus.org slash golden” I want to be able to have a nice little bump at the end of no more than another 15 seconds.

- It must be instrumental. I don’t wanna have to talk over somebody singing.

- It has to be offered under a Creative Commons license that allows for derivative works. Or you have to own it and grant me license. Because I don’t use the whole song … it’s a derivative work and some artists don’t like that.

Leave a link to your suggestions in my comments or email them to me using the Contact form.

Jibber Jab
There’s not going to be a lot of time for me to take listener comments and include them in a jibber-jab feed. Yes, I’m considering adding a second feed (here, rather than on Podiobooks) to do the kind of episode commentary several people have asked for. The problem is one of timing. I intend to start the voice recording tomorrow (Saturday, December 1) and there’ll be six episodes on Podiobooks as soon as I can get these other pesky details ironed out. Means it’s going to be difficult for you to get in between … so? Any suggestions on how to make that work? Or just save it up for the end?

My opinion on it is that, if i have to explain it outside the story, then the story isn’t strong enough — or you need to listen again.

I’m looking forward to your feedback.

A Shaman’s Tale from the Golden Age of the Solar Clipper

Otto was the only son of Richard Krugg and heir to the Shaman’s Gift. The only problem was he didn’t want it. When Company production quotas force unwelcome changes onto his life and threaten even the security of the village, he discovers that being a shaman isn’t really optional and, along the way, that it’s not that bad.

Coming in December from Podiobooks.Com.

Update: Title change to keep the “shamans” from getting all silly in the beginning

After much deliberation, here’s the cover art I’ve designed for South Coast Shaman.

We’re closing in on 80,000 words and the thrilling conclusion of the first draft. Keep your fingers crossed!