Theme and Variations Anthology
Michelle M. Welch is launching her new podcast anthology, Theme and Variations, on October 28th. The stories, read by their authors, are being made available under a Creative Commons License. I believe there's also going to be a CD.
I have a story in there, "She Shall Have Music." It's my first ever podcast recording. (I blogged about it here, here, and here.) This story has also been selected for the "Cheer Up, Universe" print anthology.
The theme music is by Jack Mangan and Michelle M. Welch.
And isn't the new artwork by Zach Reddy gorgeous? I'm not sure what it's meant to represent, but to me it has overtones of Nero playing while Berkeley burns, music at the end of the world, and songs to blow stuff up. [ETA: Michelle said it illustrates one of the stories.]
Theme and Variations also has awesome stories by Ernest Hogan, Elaine Isaak, Lejon A. Johnson, Jack Mangan, Rick Novy, Lon Prater, Caroline Rhodes, and Michelle herself.
Prelude to a Theme by Dougie Franz by Lon Prater
Dougie Franz loves his lifetrack, the motivational implant that rewards him with scents and sounds for a job well done. When he moves up to management, though, he finds he can't go without it. (This story originally appeared in Spacesuits and Sixguns, October 2008.)
Black Orchid by Rick Novy
When depression takes a physical form, flautist Maricel must defeat the monster before it can defeat her.
Post-Apocalyptic Guitar in G Minor by Caroline Rhodes
A young boy's love of music brings hope to a post-apocalyptic world. Featuring original music by the author, arranged and performed by Jack Mangan.
Song for the Sea by Elaine Isaak
In a fortress built of shipwrecks, a young singer searches for the courage to defy a wizard's voice. A prequel to Isaak's novels The Singer's Crown, The Eunuch's Heir, and The Bastard Queen. A version of this story first appeared as an Amazon Short in 2006.
Twelve Bar Blues by Jack Mangan
A hot inner city night. Betrayals, lovers, and dark plans. The music reveals all secrets when brothers and friends take the stage at the Twelve Bar. Featuring original music by the author.
She Shall Have Music by Keyan Bowes
Little Tina is emitting music, bewildering her worried parents. What can it possibly be? Featuring music performed by Anisha. This story appears in the forthcoming print anthology Cheer Up, Universe.
Knell by Lejon A. Johnson
A church bell rings in a dying community, heralding the fate that awaits it. Serenade by Michelle M. Welch A musician loses her ability to hear music in an accident. When an experimental technology promises to restore it, what else will she lose? Featuring music performed by the author.
The Rise and Fall of Paco Cohen and the Mariachis of Mars by Ernest Hogan
The Nuzoom corporation chooses talented custodian Paco Cohen to create popular music to improve the morale of the transplanted workers of Mars, but Paco has other ideas. Featuring original music by Jack Mangan.This story originally appeared in the April 2001 issue of Analog.
I have a story in there, "She Shall Have Music." It's my first ever podcast recording. (I blogged about it here, here, and here.) This story has also been selected for the "Cheer Up, Universe" print anthology.
The theme music is by Jack Mangan and Michelle M. Welch.
And isn't the new artwork by Zach Reddy gorgeous? I'm not sure what it's meant to represent, but to me it has overtones of Nero playing while Berkeley burns, music at the end of the world, and songs to blow stuff up. [ETA: Michelle said it illustrates one of the stories.]
Theme and Variations also has awesome stories by Ernest Hogan, Elaine Isaak, Lejon A. Johnson, Jack Mangan, Rick Novy, Lon Prater, Caroline Rhodes, and Michelle herself.
Prelude to a Theme by Dougie Franz by Lon Prater
Dougie Franz loves his lifetrack, the motivational implant that rewards him with scents and sounds for a job well done. When he moves up to management, though, he finds he can't go without it. (This story originally appeared in Spacesuits and Sixguns, October 2008.)
Black Orchid by Rick Novy
When depression takes a physical form, flautist Maricel must defeat the monster before it can defeat her.
Post-Apocalyptic Guitar in G Minor by Caroline Rhodes
A young boy's love of music brings hope to a post-apocalyptic world. Featuring original music by the author, arranged and performed by Jack Mangan.
Song for the Sea by Elaine Isaak
In a fortress built of shipwrecks, a young singer searches for the courage to defy a wizard's voice. A prequel to Isaak's novels The Singer's Crown, The Eunuch's Heir, and The Bastard Queen. A version of this story first appeared as an Amazon Short in 2006.
Twelve Bar Blues by Jack Mangan
A hot inner city night. Betrayals, lovers, and dark plans. The music reveals all secrets when brothers and friends take the stage at the Twelve Bar. Featuring original music by the author.
She Shall Have Music by Keyan Bowes
Little Tina is emitting music, bewildering her worried parents. What can it possibly be? Featuring music performed by Anisha. This story appears in the forthcoming print anthology Cheer Up, Universe.
Knell by Lejon A. Johnson
A church bell rings in a dying community, heralding the fate that awaits it. Serenade by Michelle M. Welch A musician loses her ability to hear music in an accident. When an experimental technology promises to restore it, what else will she lose? Featuring music performed by the author.
The Rise and Fall of Paco Cohen and the Mariachis of Mars by Ernest Hogan
The Nuzoom corporation chooses talented custodian Paco Cohen to create popular music to improve the morale of the transplanted workers of Mars, but Paco has other ideas. Featuring original music by Jack Mangan.This story originally appeared in the April 2001 issue of Analog.