Happy New Year! I wish all of you a healthy and prosperous new year, free from undead outbreaks, zombieism infections and any chaos in general that might be caused by the end of the world (which may or may not happen this year, depending on whom you listen to). My sources tell me that while the apocalypse is well on its way, we still have a little time left, so I hope to make this year count!

Here’s a sneak peek concept sketch of one of the projects I’m working on right now… I’ve been thrilled to work with the amazing Dede Putra, who has rendered a scene from an upcoming story that involves some characters you might already know, plus some new ones from the same world. It’s all actually related to the music project I’m working on, that includes producing and remixing music from FETIDUS. Yes, the music album is really going to be released this year, and it will be worth the wait! (For those that have wondered what I’m up to, as is usual with me, this started out as a small project, but has grown and evolved to include other musicians and even artwork like the image above.)

For now, I hope you enjoy this concept sketch of one scene from the upcoming project. More on all this later! And again, Happy New Year! May the hair on your toes never fall out! (No, wait, that’s the wrong universe. Well, the sentiment is the same…)

Warmest Regards, James

The Balticon schedule has been posted! Here’s a quick update to share my personal schedule. Above all, don’t miss the Special FETIDUS Session with Cast and THE PARTY OF THE INNOCENTLY DAMNED on Saturday, May 28th. Many of my fiendish plans will be revealed, as discussed in this post: FETIDUS Update: Please join me at Balticon on May 28th for what’s next!

FRIDAY, MAY 27th

9:00PM – Reading

I’ll share a sneak-peek solo reading from the NEXT FETIDUS PROJECT. This will lead right up to the cast reading that’s taking place Saturday night!

10:00PM – Sound Design and Extreme Audio Effects

I’ll join a panel of sound designers and audio engineers and we’ll discuss some of the cool techniques, art and science of extreme audio effects!

SATURDAY, MAY 28th

9:00AM – Master’s Session: Audio Excellence in Podcasting (3 hours)

I’ll join a panel of audio experts and we’ll discuss various topics related to audio engineering for spoken word, music and everything in between!

5:00PM – Full Cast Podcasting

I’ll join a panel of fellow podcasters where we’ll discuss everything that can (and often does) go wrong with full-cast podcasting!

8:00PM – SPECIAL FETIDUS SESSION WITH CAST! – FETIDUS Post-mortem

What’s next, why, and exclusive sneak-peek at 95ers! Please join me and some of the FETIDUS cast as we do a live reading from the NEXT FETIDUS PROJECT! I’ll also discuss what’s next with FETIDUS, and show clips from a thrilling feature-length sci-fi indie film I’m working on, 95ers: Echoes!

11:00PM – PARTY OF THE INNOCENTLY DAMNED

This is my way of saying THANK YOU to FETIDUS listeners, supporters, and people who have inspired me! Please join me for a diabolically great evening, with some brilliant FETIDUS cast members and other awesome humans (and possibly a few non-humans) — check out my FETIDUS Update post for more info!

For the full Pocket Program for Balticon, click here!

Looking forward to seeing you there!

At last, an update about what’s next in the world of FETIDUS! I can’t wait to share my plans with you! Please download and listen to the audio for the gory details. Inside, you’ll find why I hope to see you at Balticon, May 27th-30th, 2011! If you can only make it one day and want to hear the latest about FETIDUS, then May 28th is the day to be there!

On May 28th, I’ll be sharing a special presentation about FETIDUS… and announcing the next FETIDUS project! Yes, there WILL be another FETIDUS! You are invited to hear a live reading of excerpts from the next FETIDUS project, with some of the killer cast on hand! Our old friend Art Blanchard is back, along with some new, and well-known, colorful characters from the seedy backstreets of post-apocalyptic Washington DC!

But it gets even better! I’ll also be showing sneak peek clips from an awesome sci-fi indie film I’m working on called 95ers! This will be your first chance to watch scenes from this feature-length project that’s taken us years to complete!

But it gets even better still! How is that possible!? That evening of May 28th, you’re invited to THE PARTY OF THE INNOCENTLY DAMNED! I’ll be thanking and toasting FETIDUS listeners and supporters, along with two very special people, Zombie of Honor PG Holyfield and Zombie of Honor in Absentia Matt Selznick! To help toast you all, we’ll be treated to a special brew by Brew Meister Scott Roche! He’s concocted a devilish beverage entitled “Black Tongue’s Brew” for our pleasure.

So don’t miss it! I can’t wait to see you at Balticon, May 28th! After all, FETIDUS is about making the world a better place, isn’t it? Well, you’ll see.

Yours in Undeath,
James

Click below to listen to FETIDUS Update – May 13, 2011:

Download audio file: “FETIDUS Update – May 13, 2011” (13 MB)

Websites mentioned in this update:

Balticon
95ers
PG Holyfield
Matt Selznick
Scott Roche

Promos:
Flying Island Press
Guild of the Cowry Catchers
Requiem of the Outcast

And so the journey is complete, my friends. Episode 20 is here at last! The massive, thrilling, apocalypse-busting 2-hour finale will take you all the way to the end of this twisted, dark tale. FETIDUS: The Damned Heir Episode 20 awaits your listening pleasure. (Click here if you would like to start at the beginning with Episode 1.) Please, come inside, turn down the lights and join Art Blanchard in this final, most beastly of episodes of FETIDUS: The Damned Heir.

Also, a huge, warm thank you to the magnificent cast for delivering such passionate performances. And I must thank this fantastic audience for joining and supporting both Art and me on this journey. Thank you to all for making this such an incredible experience for me. More on all that later… check back in the coming weeks for a follow-up post-mortem show!

As always, please feel free to share FETIDUS far and wide if you enjoy it! After all, it’s about making the world a better place, isn’t it? Well, you’ll see. And now, prepare yourselves for the final episode…

Click below to listen to FETIDUS: The Damned Heir – EP20:

Download audio file: “FETIDUS: The Damned Heir – EP20” (163 MB)

Episode 20 (Chapters 52-55 + Epilogue):

00:00 – Intro music and credits

This episode is read by the author and features the following voice talent: Prebble Q Ramswell, Jose de la Mar, Patrick Nugent, Valerie Durham, Sara Barrack, Bob Holmcrans, Liliana Ayende and Matthew Wayne Selznick. See CAST page for more details. Also features the evil laugh from Travis Nelson, Winner of the Great Evil Laugh Contest.

01:57 – Chapter 52

“Nice night for some lies…”
…do you realize what’s at stake?

21:17 – Chapter 53

“You should be ashamed of yourself…”
The damned and innocently damned…

1:00:02 – A word from our sponsor, Hot Chicks with Guns and Knives!

1:02:39 – Chapter 54

“…it is time…”
Is there any hope?

1:34:30 – Chapter 55

“What might be lost…”
Of threads and promises…

1:55:15 – Epilogue

1:57:28 – Outro

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy this episode, please share it!

Happy New Year, my friends! I hope you all have an incredible, amazing, profitable, peaceful, healthy, joyful and otherwise kick-a$$ year ahead! I’m psyched up for all the exciting things planned for this coming year — and the most immediate exciting news is that the long-awaited FETIDUS finale — the monster-sized Episode 20 — will go live on 1-11-11!

Now that the holidays are wrapping up, all the craziness is behind us, computers are humming, and my little boy is no longer sick (and thus can go back to school on Monday, yahoooo!), all systems are go, Go, GO to wrap up this insane finale episode! Those that have been waiting have waited long enough, and now I can give a solid release date for this final beast of beasts.

This epic episode is — surprise, surprise — far longer than I thought it would be… so long, in fact, as I sit here looking at the gazillions of little parts and files, my jaw has just dropped to the floor. I can now wrap my brain around  this episode and laugh heartily at my prior foolish, mortal plans.

Episode 20 is currently clocking in at NEARLY TWO HOURS, with tons of dialog and action, music and sound design, that it makes my head spin. I’m trying (emphasize the word “trying”) to trim it down to 70-ish minutes, which would still make it the longest, most beastly episode yet… the perfect way to wrap up this journey. I could seriously split it into THREE solid episodes without a problem. But no, this was meant to be ONE giant episode, so that’s how I have to deliver it.

So barring an actual apocalypse (now watch Murphy jump in and oblige me), this monster episode is going out the door on 1-11-11!

Thank you all for joining me on this lengthy journey — but this is really just the beginning. Also coming in the weeks after the finale, will be a follow up discussion podcast where I’ll talk about plans, a post-mortem analysis, play promos for some of my podcasting friends (yes, I haven’t forgotten!), and generally shoot the proverbial breeze. So stay tuned after the finale for much more. For now, though, you can set your sights on Tuesday, January 11th, 2011 and join with Art Blanchard as all the final pieces fall into place in this wild and twisted story!

With Warm Regards and Bright Wishes in a New Year,
James

The epic finale to this twisted tale is coming soon, my friends! I should be wrapping up production on Episode 20 in the coming week, and what a week it will be! I’ll update this post as I get closer to the finale’s release.

And yes, I’m feelin’ a bit sentimental on this Thanksgiving weekend… dammit, I admit it, I’m a bit stunned and amazed at everything (and by that, I mean, everything) that’s happened since I originally launched this project over two years ago! I’m short on words for the thanks I feel for those that were there from the beginning…

I had no idea what I was really getting into — despite the wisdom and advice from some brilliant podcasting friends like Matt Selznick and P.G. Holyfield. Truly, the biggest surprise has been getting to know some of the incredible FETIDUS listeners and supporters. You all have been more awesome than I could have imagined. But more on that later… for now, my heart-felt thanks!

So prepare yourselves… for in roughly one week, you can take a final trip into this story, into the dark, fetid corridors of post-apocalyptic, undead-infested DC, with our good friend, Art Blanchard… yes, the huge, dramatic, edge-of-your-seat finale episode of FETIDUS: The Damned Heir will be upon you soon.

Yours truly, deep in the forges of production, James

Update 12-8 – 11:11am: About ten years ago, I suffered my first catastrophic hard drive failure. It was devastating, to say the least. I didn’t have a consistent backup routine at the time, and a vast chunk of irreplaceable data was forever lost. It set me back quite a bit on an album project, and affected me creatively for a long time. Among the lost data were some extemporaneous and what I consider inspired and maybe even genius recordings from a good friend and brilliant guitarist. The data was totally unsalvageable, even by advanced data recovery methods. From that day, I made sure to back up *everything*, very consistently.

A few years later, I experienced another catastrophic system failure, but this time I lost not only the source material, but some of the backups as well! Now that  just stunned me. I had good procedures in place, but alas, not good enough. That one cost me dearly. I had some client work in that collection of data, so it cost me both time and money to recreate. It was a painful lesson. So I learned the hard way to have backups of  backups!

Fast forward to today — this last little while has been crazy. I have seen TWO battery backup systems flat out die on me due to some wicked brownouts (or gremlins), crashing computers left and right, with one hard drive dead, one server badly crashed, another hard drive corrupted, one router dead, another router insane and now unreliable, another computer with more hard drive errors (failure imminent, need to replace, note to self), one KVM switch completely dead… what else?  I’m sure I’m missing some more goofy IT things. I’ve been running around dealing with these lovely surprises — two days ago, for example, I made at least 5 trips to Best  Buy, MicroCenter and Guitar Center! Very annoying waste of my life.

HOWEVER, through all this (and the resulting unplanned expenses replacing parts/gear), guess what?! I have backups of backups! Woooo-hoooo! As my main file server started throwing up errors AGAIN this morning just to spite me, I smiled confidently, sipped my deliciously perfect coffee and decided not to let some f*cking hardware problems kick my a$$ today. I will not go gently into the IT nightmare!

I just had to think back to ten years ago and remember the sinking, depressed feeling I had back then — after all my efforts and money spent — when I realized there was no way I’d ever recover those precious recordings. That was then… but today, I have backups of backups, baby. Oh yeah. In more and more cases I now even have backups of backups of backups PLUS offsite replication.

In fact, most of my important data could survive a zombie apocalypse, which is just what might happen once I finish Episode 20! Decades from now, as our descendants pick through the ruins of our civilization they’ll find some of my data, and all will be well.

So please hang in there, folks, I’m gettin’ through this little speed bump and when I’m all done, we’ll all breathe a sigh of relief from this wild ride! Check this space in the the days ahead for updates.

Yours in IT madness, preparing for a data apocalypse, James

Update 12-13 – 10:05am: Things are coming together, guys! Getting very excited. My IT nightmare is mostly behind me now… those backups have come in handy! I’m gearing back up for the final hard-core production push, and I’ll update you with news in the coming days. This is turning out to be quite a December. Even my son’s flu can’t stop this episode from rolling forward! He’s been pretty damn sick with a fever all weekend, but he and I have a cool system set up now (I’ve got him all day), where I have a laptop streaming a skype video session down to my office so I can monitor him. He’s upstairs resting, watching Osmosis Jones of all things… nothin’ like a little Bill Murray and Chris Rock when you’re sick. More news in the next few days, and  I’ll respond to posts as soon as I can.

Update 12-17 – 11:20am: Hi guys! Still chipping away at the epic-sized beast that is Episode 20! I’m running behind (as you can obviously see), but every day I inch closer to the finish line!

My pace has dropped off this week, though, due to my son’s continued sickness. What we thought would be a “nasty weekend flu,” turned into an 8+ day (and counting) detour into Sickville. We are waiting for some test results from the doc to know what’s really up, although last night my son showed some solid improvement… yay! He is finally getting better! He’s been out of school for over a week now, which has kind of dropped a nuclear bomb on a lot of our plans, from getting behind in normal “work” to holiday cheer. FETIDUS production was not part of the original holiday game plan! Haha! But who better to spend the holidays with than Art Blanchard?

So we hit a rough low yesterday, I’ll admit, when we realized our holiday plans were pretty much toast. My son suggested we have a pillow fight to cheer us up, and the gloomy Grinch inside me almost said, “I’m too tired, son.” But no, I fought the gloom and ultimately said, “yes!” to the pillow fight. Then he proceeded to kick my a$$ with every pillow-fight trick in the book. That cheered us all up, and, thankfully, he actually slept all the way through the night last night. I’m still sleeping on the floor in his room (damn! I miss my mattress!), while he has my bed (my wife takes better care of him in the middle of the night). But I’m confident things will get back to normal soon.

I’m taking it one day at a time, and want to thank you for your patience. Some of you are used to waiting! All well-deserved, friendly jibes pointed my direction aside, I don’t want to make anyone wait one more second than I have to. I’m so excited to share this final episode with you all, and will keep you updated as things progress!

Warm regards on a cold Winter day, James

Update 12-23 – 3:28pm: Well, my little boy is getting better, and things are starting to get back to normal for us just in time for the holidays! Wooo-hooo! He’s been out of school for what, two weeks now? And that during a period of intense activity for my wife, which means there was a lot of Daddy time. We’re still keeping an eye on his cough, but each day, he’s been getting better and stronger. It’s a huge relief, and I’m feelin’ great about the next couple of weeks. This has been one of those surreal months of life and you just have to go with those as they come along.

Now that my son is on the mend, I’ll be spending the next few days trying to have a “normal” holiday (note the quotes around the word “normal” — interpret how you will) with my family, then back to work on the finale. Thank you guys for hanging in there! I’ll update you in the coming days, and I’ll finally be able to target a release date for Episode 20, so there won’t be any more guessing.

Until then, I wish you all a safe and happy holiday, and can’t wait to wrap up this phase of the adventure, both literally and metaphorically.

Wishing holiday cheer, James

Thunder breaks on this dark, twisted night of fate, and Episode 19 awaits hungry ears… as we spin wildly towards the conclusion of FETIDUS: The Damned Heir. (Click here if you would like to start at the beginning with Episode 1.) Join us here as we set the stage for the upcoming and final episode, as Art Blanchard unwinds the mysteries of the Donners with his own fate on the line. The journey is nearly complete… do world-changing answers await, does Art finally solve the epic case that could change… everything? Come inside and find out…

Please feel free to share FETIDUS far and wide if you enjoy it! After all, it’s about making the world a better place, isn’t it? Well, you’ll see.

Click below to listen to FETIDUS: The Damned Heir – EP19:

Download audio file: “FETIDUS: The Damned Heir – EP19” (72.5 MB)

Episode 19 (Chapters 48-51):

00:00 – Intro music and credits

This episode is read by the author and features the following voice talent: Prebble Q Ramswell, Valerie Durham, Patrick Nugent and Matthew Wayne Selznick. See CAST page for more details.

01:57 – Chapter 48

“Time is like looking through a warped lens under a hot sun…”
Reflection in the midst of despair…

12:28 – Chapter 49

“Dark clouds thundered nearby as if on cue…”
This had to end… now!

25:36 – A word from our sponsor, XXX Hot Z.I.L.F.! XXX

27:12 – Chapter 50

“…think like a Donner…”
Of recognition, a ray of light, and understanding…

46:50 – Chapter 51

“Maybe I had lost my mind…”
Getting to the bottom of a twisted mystery…

50:58 – Outro

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy this episode, please share it!

The time is almost upon us, my friends — the finale is almost here! The tension mounts as the drama comes to a nerve-racking boiling point! What will happen with Art, Milla, Sov, Rachel, Leigh and Phil?! Soon, you’ll have all the answers! I can’t wait to release the final two episodes! I’m still going strong on Episode 19 right now, so please check back in the next few days as I wrap it up and release it into the wild! I’m still reeling from the hungry beast that was Episode 18. (I’m glad I made it through that one alive and still twitching — it had the equivalent of two episodes of work in it.) So hang tight with me as I push through the final production phase! Thanks to all for your awesome support! Yours in the depths of shadowy production, James

UPDATE 11-17: I’m gettin’ there, folks! An intense week with work which combined with the blast of Episode 18 ruffled my evil plans and meticulous scheduling… and more importantly, I don’t want to cut corners and give you something that isn’t just right. Or rather, just wrong… oh so wrong. So please hang in there, I will definitely get you Episode 19 by Friday the 19th. And then, it’s all gangbusters here to prep the finale, Episode 20! Your patience will be rewarded! Best, James

UPDATE 11-19 – 9:16pm: Ahhhh, hell, folks. I think the dastardly undead from Episode 18 did something funky to my main audio/music computer. It’s been acting very flaky on 19 and I’ve been crashing left and right. Grrrrr. I’m trying to diagnose it right now. I also made the foolishly mortal mistake of installing some key software updates in the middle of production… that’s a big no-no, and I should have known better. That could be the problem as well… Yes, foolish mortal me. Anyway, I’m feeling quite flummoxed, frustrated and bit-busted right now, and deeply apologize for the delay. I’m so close with EP19 I can taste it… smell it… touch it… so please bear with me while I figure out my technical issues. Yours in undead production, James

UPDATE 11-20 – 6:23pm: Now up and running again, folks! At least enough to resume mixing on EP19! I wasn’t able to completely solve my software strangeness, but I stumbled across an old bottle of inhibitors as a workaround, so the zombie infection has been held back from total take-over of my main audio/music computer. I’ll have Dr. Cornelius Sutton take a good look at the computer next week, but tonight, I’ll crank back into gear with EP19. So unless the inhibitors have lost their potency and the zombie re-emerges from my computer, I’m expecting I’ll have EP19 posted for your listening pleasure by tomorrow,  November 21. Thanks again for your understanding! Yours in non-corporeal anticipation, James

And now for the dark and beastly Episode 18. (Click here if you would like to start at the beginning with Episode 1.) Join us inside one of the most dangerous places in post-apocalyptic DC. Art Blanchard tempts fate in this jumbo-sized episode, as we approach the grand finale a mere two episodes from now! Please come inside, sit down, turn down the lights, and listen to what lurks in the shadows…

As always, please feel free to share FETIDUS far and wide if you enjoy it! After all, it’s about making the world a better place, isn’t it? Well, you’ll see.

Click below to listen to FETIDUS: The Damned Heir – EP18:

Download audio file: “FETIDUS: The Damned Heir – EP18” (93.7 MB)

Episode 18 (Chapters 45-47):

00:00 – Intro music and credits

This episode is read by the author and features the following voice talent: Prebble Q Ramswell, Valerie Durham, Patrick Nugent, Jose de la Mar, Bob Holmcrans and Sara Barrack. See CAST page for more details.

01:57 – Chapter 45

“A dark cesspool of nefarious undead and hellspawn…”
Welcome to a lovely little corner of DC called The Dead Zone…

30:48 – A word from our sponsor, The Day Before Yesterday’s Tomorrow – Mahrud’s Magical World Concert Tour

33:11 – Chapter 46

“Does it matter? Of course it matters, you puny human…”
Of justice and love, contracts and laws…

53:11 – Chapter 47

“The clouds grew darker, almost black, like an echo of the nightmare…”
Clarity and revelations in the darkness…

66:29 – Outro

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy this episode, please share it!

Hey Everybody, James Durham here! Just a quick update for Friday, November 5th. I’m still hard at work on the jumbo-sized Episode 18. That’s how intense and heavy duty this baby is. So I’m gonna keep plowing through tonight, tomorrow and I’m thinking maybe even on Sunday as well. So this beast of an episode will definitely be up by Sunday night, November 7th. Now, we’re heading towards the grand finale two weeks from now with Episode 20! So thank you guys very much for bearing with me. You guys are awesome. Over and out for now, I’m heading back in to the evil lair, for another round of production…

Download audio file: “FETIDUS Update – November 5th”

EDIT 11:17pm on Sunday Night: Well, my friends, I’m beat. I thought I could pull an all-nighter, but alas, I’m not so spritely. My eyes just went blurry on me, so I guess that means I better sleep. So many tiny parts my clickers are all clicked out… I feel like I have a zombie infection in my hands…. non-corporeal-tunnel syndrome, anyone? But I’m almost there. I think it’s a good one, guys. Thanks for your patience. Will definitely be there by tomorrow (Monday) after a decent night of sleep.

Yours in undeath, James

The time has nearly come… the finale is only three episodes away! Join us here in roasty Episode 17 as we begin the final countdown. (Click here if you would like to start at the beginning with Episode 1.) Art Blanchard has a lot to juggle, what with uncovering a mystery or two, and tugging on the dangerous threads of a long-cold case that might lead him to his lost love.

Once again, please feel free to share FETIDUS far and wide if you enjoy it! After all, it’s about making the world a better place, isn’t it? Well, you’ll see.

Click below to listen to FETIDUS: The Damned Heir – EP17:

Download audio file: “FETIDUS: The Damned Heir – EP17” (58.9 MB)

Episode 17 (Chapters 43-44):

00:00 – Intro music and credits

This episode is read by the author and features the following voice talent: Prebble Q Ramswell, Sara Barrack, Jose de la Mar, Patrick Nugent, Bob Holmcrans and Valerie Durham. See CAST page for more details.

01:57 – Chapter 43

“Washington elite circled around like hungry corpse flies…”
A roasty evening with intrigue and then some…

28:45 – A word from our sponsor, The National Voter Registration and Identification Committee

30:50 – Chapter 44

“You can’t do it, or you won’t do it?”
Of a friend, a grandfather and a gold coin…

41:08 – Outro

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy this episode, please share it!

As we approach the finale, Art Blanchard goes on the offensive with his lobbying skills in Episode 16. (Click here if you would like to start at the beginning with Episode 1.) He’s still got it. Download now and listen as the stakes in this twisted case grow higher, with political power players a-plenty in the cards…

As always, please feel free to share FETIDUS far and wide if you enjoy it! After all, it’s about making the world a better place, isn’t it? Well, you’ll see.

Click below to listen to FETIDUS: The Damned Heir – EP16:

Download audio file: “FETIDUS: The Damned Heir – EP16” (54.4 MB)

Episode 16 (Chapters 40-42):

00:00 – Intro music and credits

This episode is read by the author and features the following voice talent: Prebble Q Ramswell, Valerie Durham, Bob Holmcrans and Matthew Wayne Selznick. See CAST page for more details.

01:57 – Chapter 40

“I can take care of myself…”
Of rising stakes, and the fate of one or millions…

11:30 – Chapter 41

“No time to waste…”
Setting the gambit in motion…

19:16 – A word from our sponsor, Blechzer and Hannibal, every Sunday on BNN

20:47 – Chapter 42

“I expected a call, but not so soon…”
Friends, adversaries and a rising surge of fate…

37:47 – Outro

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy this episode, please share it!

What do you get when you combine an old DC cemetery, a post-apocalyptic mystery and Art Blanchard hot on the trail? You get Episode 15! (Click here if you would like to start at the beginning with Episode 1.) Join in with the gravestones and watch a little conversation unfold between Art and a gorgeous, twisted dame.

Once again, please feel free to share FETIDUS far and wide if you enjoy it! After all, it’s about making the world a better place, isn’t it? Well, you’ll see.

Click below to listen to FETIDUS: The Damned Heir – EP15:

Download audio file: “FETIDUS: The Damned Heir – EP15” (56.7 MB)

Episode 15 (Chapters 38-39):

00:00 – Intro music and credits

This episode is read by the author and features the following voice talent: Prebble Q Ramswell, Valerie Durham, Sara Barrack, Patrick Nugent and Liliana Ayende. See CAST page for more details.

01:57 – Chapter 38

“Rock Creek Cemetery. The final resting place of DC icons…”
Who was Leigh Donner?

28:32 – A word from our sponsor, Tannhäuser Gate 3: The End of the Beginning

30:45 – Chapter 39

“There were no words, only images, and after the images, astonishment.”
Of a tragic tale and a mansion with listening ears…

39:26 – Outro

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy this episode, please share it!

Episode 14 has arrived for your listening pleasure. (Click here if you would like to start at the beginning with Episode 1.) This one takes you to the halls of Congress and deep into the shadows of Representative Phil Donner, with some revealing appearances by several cast members. The case spirals forward, like a festering zombie infection, unchecked by inhibitors or preservatives. Enter now, and enjoy!

As always, please feel free to share FETIDUS far and wide if you enjoy it! After all, it’s about making the world a better place, isn’t it? Well, you’ll see.

Click below to listen to FETIDUS: The Damned Heir – EP14:

Download audio file: “FETIDUS: The Damned Heir – EP14” (49.4 MB)

Episode 14 (Chapters 36-37):

00:00 – Intro music and credits

This episode is read by the author and features the following voice talent: Prebble Q Ramswell, Patrick Nugent, Jose de la Mar, Valerie Durham, Sara Barrack and Bob Holmcrans. See CAST page for more details.

01:57 – Chapter 36

“The one thing I learned since the Outbreaks of the 20′s…”
Of a trip to the halls of Congress, and a finely crafted trap…

18:05 – A word from our sponsor, Millennial Universal Life Assurance – (Insurance Division)

19:08 – Chapter 37

“Do you have an appointment? Oh, you.”
Uncovering a mystery and unknown regrets…

34:10 – Outro

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy this episode, please share it!

Lucky Episode number 13 here! Come and get it. (Click here if you would like to start at the beginning with Episode 1.) This one takes a dark path down a darker alley into Art Blanchard’s shadow-enshrouded mind. Be warned, there are no butterflies and daisies in this episode. Brace yourself, and download now…

As you well know (but it’s a post-apocalyptic custom to mention it again), please feel free to share FETIDUS far and wide if you enjoy it! After all, it’s about making the world a better place, isn’t it? Well, you’ll see.

Click below to listen to FETIDUS: The Damned Heir – EP13:

Download audio file: “FETIDUS: The Damned Heir – EP13” (62.7 MB)

Episode 13 (Chapters 33-35):

00:00 – Intro music and credits

This episode is read by the author and features the following voice talent: Prebble Q Ramswell, Valerie Durham and Jose de la Mar. See CAST page for more details.

01:57 – Chapter 33

“One thought permeated my mind…”
Of inhibitors and supple flesh…

22:17 – Chapter 34

“…via alleys, garages, back doors and shadows…”
What would Art do without Milla?

28:24 – A word from our sponsor, The University of Maryland School of Undead Research.

29:51 – Chapter 35

“I’ve told you once, I’ve told you a hundred times!”
Two needles to cross over, and one needle to change everything.

43:49 – Outro

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy this episode, please share it!

The twisted case drives deep into the past in Episode 12! (Click here if you would like to start at the beginning with Episode 1.) Art Blanchard visits the site that may hold dark secrets to the case, and new clues emerge like a bad zombie infection, as we barrel down the mountain towards the fateful finale in the coming episodes. Download now, and enjoy.

As always, please share FETIDUS far and wide if you enjoy it! After all, it’s about making the world a better place, isn’t it? Well, you’ll see.

Click below to listen to FETIDUS: The Damned Heir – EP12:

Download audio file: “FETIDUS: The Damned Heir – EP12” (61.4 MB)

Episode 12 (Chapters 30-32):

00:00 – Intro music and credits

This episode is read by the author and features the following voice talent: Prebble Q Ramswell, Sara Barrack, Jose de la Mar and Bob Holmcrans. See CAST page for more details.

01:57 – Chapter 30

“I chased the sunset…”
Tracing the trails and trials of pioneers…

12:27 – A word from our sponsor, Southrip Goodman – Night Watchman Mk II Initiative.

14:12 – Chapter 31

“Facing the Brunt of Fate, Indomitable – Unafraid”
Meet Dr. Claire De Sille.

38:06 – Chapter 32

“My leg itched… and itched…”
No time for pleasantries…

42:54 – Outro

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy this episode, please share it!

Here’s Episode 11! (Click here if you would like to start at the beginning with Episode 1.) If FETIDUS Episodes had individual titles, then this one would be called “Customer Service” for sure! You’ll see why. Art Blanchard continues ever forward, ever deeper into the case, as he tracks down obscure clues hidden in the past. His fateful journey takes him right into post-apocalyptic Salt Lake City, Utah. Download now, and enjoy.

As always, please feel free to share FETIDUS far and wide if you enjoy it! After all, it’s about making the world a better place, isn’t it? Well, you’ll see.

Click below to listen to FETIDUS: The Damned Heir – EP11:

Download audio file: “FETIDUS: The Damned Heir – EP11” (62.1 MB)

Episode 11 (Chapters 28-29):

00:00 – Intro music and credits

This episode is read by the author and features the following voice talent: Prebble Q Ramswell, Jose de la Mar, Bob Holmcrans, Sara Barrack and Valerie Durham. See CAST page for more details.

01:57 – Chapter 28

“In a world gone mad, customer service didn’t amount to…”
Welcome to Salt Lake City, Utah, 2034.

30:55 – A word from our sponsor, Zombies! Zombies! Zombies! Zombies! Coming to a City Near You!

32:28 – Chapter 29

“We do things differently, here, Art.”
A protest gets out of hand…

43:24 – Outro

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy this episode, please share it!

And now for some steamy, smoldering heat of another kind… Welcome to Episode 10! (Click here if you would like to start at the beginning with Episode 1.) Art Blanchard is hot on the case, and by hot, I mean really, really hot. When the world has gone to hell, a man has to do what a man has to do… to solve a case. And by damn, this case has new leads to follow. Download now, and enjoy.

Please feel free to share FETIDUS far and wide if you enjoy it! After all, it’s about making the world a better place, isn’t it? Well, you’ll see.

Click below to listen to FETIDUS: The Damned Heir – EP10:

Download audio file: “FETIDUS: The Damned Heir – EP10” (80.8 MB)

Episode 10 (Chapters 25-27):

00:00 – Intro music and credits

This episode is read by the author and features the following voice talent: Prebble Q Ramswell, Bob Holmcrans, Liliana Ayende, Sara Barrack and Valerie Durham. See CAST page for more details.

01:57 – Chapter 25

“And if I could trust my gut instincts…”
The pieces start to come together.

18:44 – A word from our sponsor, Galt’s Island.

21:22 – Chapter 26

“I had better hold on tight, this ride was going to get hot…”
Meet Yvonne Cecilia Villarosa… again… for the first time.

47:33 – Chapter 27

“The case, dammit. The case!”
Research, research, research…

57:00 – Outro

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy this episode, please share it!

Episode 9 has arrived, stealthily, in the middle of the night. (Click here if you would like to start at the beginning with Episode 1.) What secrets lie within? What of the case? And what befalls Art Blanchard? You are only one click away from finding out. I’m thrilled to bring you Episode 9 of FETIDUS: The Damned Heir! And for those that supported Art Blanchard from early on, this one is dedicated to you. I hope you enjoy it.

As always, please feel free to share FETIDUS far and wide! After all, it’s about making the world a better place, isn’t it? Well, you’ll see.

Click below to listen to FETIDUS: The Damned Heir – EP09:

Download audio file: “FETIDUS: The Damned Heir – EP09” (74.1 MB)

Episode 9 (Chapters 23-24):

00:00 – Intro music and credits

This episode is read by the author and features the following voice talent: Prebble Q Ramswell, Valerie Durham, Patrick Nugent and Jose de la Mar. See CAST page for more details.

01:57 – Chapter 23

“The white light combed through the strands of her hair…”
Of love, friendship and fire…

35:48 – A word from our sponsor, BFU Industries.

37:48 – Chapter 24

“My ears popped…”
Meet Dr. Cornelius Sutton, one of the “perks” of working for the Foundation…

52:11 – Outro

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy this episode, please share it!

And now for Episode 8 of FETIDUS: The Damned Heir! (Click here if you would like to start at the beginning with Episode 1.) This jumbo-sized episode was one of the most difficult to create of the series, but it was worth every drop of sweat and blood that went into it. Literally and figuratively. This was also the cliffhanger of the original run of FETIDUS. I am so thrilled to bring you up to date with this remixed version, so that once you listen to its meaty hour-plus spiral into the dark recesses of Art Blanchard’s mind, you can be prepared to tune back in next Friday to see what happens in Episode 9. For those that have waited patiently for Episode 9, your time is almost here. One more week to go! Until then, please, step inside, and join Art Blanchard in this thrilling Episode 8.

Please note: the content in this episode is more graphic than prior episodes and is not suitable for sensitive ears. Please proceed with caution. You have been warned.

Let’s get right to the story. I don’t want you to wait another minute, so download Episode 8 of FETIDUS: The Damned Heir now! And please feel free to share FETIDUS far and wide! After all, it’s about making the world a better place, isn’t it? Well, you’ll see.

Click below to listen to FETIDUS: The Damned Heir – EP08:

Download audio file: “FETIDUS: The Damned Heir – EP08” (87.7 MB)

Episode 8 (Chapters 21-22):

00:00 – Intro music and credits

This episode is read by the author and features the following voice talent: Prebble Q Ramswell, Valerie Durham and Jose de la Mar. See CAST page for more details.

01:57 – Chapter 21

“Follow the dead bodies…”
Could this be the big break in the case?

12:31 – A word from our sponsor, Bardus News Network.

15:03 – Chapter 22

“I heard an insidiously familiar voice.”
Of soul, blood and vengeance…

62:04 – Outro

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy this episode, please share it!

Welcome back for Episode 7 of FETIDUS: The Damned Heir! (Click here if you would like to start at the beginning with Episode 1.) This one is loaded to the noir-esque brim with great performances from the cast and enough ambiance to make sure you get to know Leigh Donner better than ever. There’s plenty of post-apocalyptic goodness inside of it… including a little experiment where you can hear yours truly sing a song. Yes, that’s me singing on the radio later on in the episode. Download now and dive into Episode 7 of FETIDUS: The Damned Heir!

As always, please feel free to share FETIDUS far and wide! After all, it’s about making the world a better place, isn’t it? Well, you’ll see.

Click below to listen to FETIDUS: The Damned Heir – EP07:

Download audio file: “FETIDUS: The Damned Heir – EP07” (59.5 MB)

Episode 7 (Chapters 19-20):

00:00 – Intro music and credits

This episode is read by the author and features the following voice talent: Prebble Q Ramswell, Sara Barrack, Matt Selznick, Valerie Durham, Jose de la Mar and Bob Holmcrans. See CAST page for more details.

01:57 – Chapter 19

“A drink and a dame…”
Time to get to know Leigh Donner.

29:18 – A word from our sponsor, The Assembly of the Redeemer of the Living and the Undead.

31:42 – Chapter 20

“There wasn’t enough time… I’m sorry!”
Where does one layer end and another begin?

41:27 – Outro

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy this episode, please share it!

Episode 6 has arrived! Get your fresh Episode 6! (Click here if you would like to start at the beginning with Episode 1.) The story continues unabated, and in this loaded episode, I introduce you to more of the key players in this ever-deepening mystery of post-apocalyptic political intrigue. Download now and experience Episode 6 of FETIDUS: The Damned Heir as the pieces of the case begin to fall into place…

And if you enjoy this episode, please feel free to share FETIDUS far and wide! After all, it’s about making the world a better place, isn’t it? Well, you’ll see.

Click below to listen to FETIDUS: The Damned Heir – EP06:

Download audio file: “FETIDUS: The Damned Heir – EP06” (52.6 MB)

Episode 6 (Chapters 17-18):

00:00 – Intro music and credits

This episode is read by the author and features the following voice talent: Prebble Q Ramswell, Jose de la Mar, Patrick Nugent, Liliana Ayende, Bob Holmcrans, Sara Barrack and Valerie Durham. See CAST page for more details.

01:57 – Chapter 17

“Do you have an appointment?”
Time for Art to meet the king himself.

28:51 – A word from our sponsor, ReaniLife, Inc. – Not a product recall.

30:27 – Chapter 18

“Damned flies…”
Some healthy banter + dark secrets = time for a drink.

36:22 – Outro

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy this episode, please share it!

And now the mystery deepens with Episode 5 of FETIDUS: The Damned Heir! (Click here if you would like to start at the beginning with Episode 1.) The case of Leigh Donner takes on another dimension and clues reveal themselves with subtle and ominous implications. Please, come inside, and visit the National Museum of American History as Art Blanchard tries to decipher the twisted story of a powerful Congressman. Sit down, relax, close your eyes and please enjoy this episode.

Once again I invite you to share FETIDUS far and wide! After all, it’s about making the world a better place, isn’t it? Well, you’ll see.

Click below to listen to FETIDUS: The Damned Heir – EP05:

Download audio file: “FETIDUS: The Damned Heir – EP05” (45.8 MB)

Episode 5 (Chapters 13-16):

00:00 – Intro music and credits

This episode is read by the author and features the following voice talent: Prebble Q Ramswell, Valerie Durham, Jose de la Mar and Bob Holmcrans. See CAST page for more details.

01:57 – Chapter 13

“Just a wild coincidence?”
Who are these Donners? Art wants to know.

10:21 – Chapter 14

“A delicate Pierre Herme pastry in a New Jersey deli.”
Plus a cold lump of anger and some damn perfume.

22:34 – A public service announcement from The Washington DC Corrections Department

24:37 – Chapter 15

“I rolled a fresh Honduran in my fingers…”
Unproductive thoughts and unanswered questions.

29:25 – Chapter 16

“…a long-running chess game with pieces all over…”
Who is the pawn?

31:30 – Outro

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy this episode, please share it!

And now for Episode 4 of FETIDUS: The Damned Heir! (Click here if you would like to start at the beginning with Episode 1.) This one is a wild ride, so join Art Blanchard as he takes an unexpected detour on his way to the National Museum of American History. Yeah, this is what Washington DC is like in 2034. Sorry to disappoint you if you thought DC would be a blissful utopia by then.

I’m also thrilled to bring you some awesome fan fiction from Anthony O. Miller II, entitled “After the Flesh”! This short story follows some of the events in Episode 4 from a different perspective. After you listen to the episode, make sure to come back and read Anthony’s story!

And if you enjoy FETIDUS, I invite you to share it! After all, FETIDUS is about making the world a better place, isn’t it? Well, you’ll see.

Click below to listen to FETIDUS: The Damned Heir – EP04:

Download audio file: “FETIDUS: The Damned Heir – EP04” (41.6 MB)

Episode 4 (Chapters 11-12):

00:00 – Intro music and credits

This episode is read by the author and features the following voice talent: Prebble Q Ramswell, Valerie Durham, Jose de la Mar and Liliana Ayende. See CAST page for more details.

01:57 – Chapter 11

“Milla brings some fascinating news…”
Who is Leigh’s boyfriend? Really?

06:55 – A political advertisement from Mayor Paulina Coronado

08:49 – Chapter 12

“An unexpected detour on the way to the museum.”
A normal Sunday morning in the life of Art Blanchard

28:30 – Outro

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy this episode, please share it!

Welcome back, fine fiendish friends and listeners far and wide, to Episode 3 of FETIDUS: The Damned Heir! (Click here if you would like to start at the beginning with Episode 1.) The plot thickens in this episode as Art Blanchard finally sits down with his new mysterious client, Leigh Donner, to find out what she’s hiding. The political stakes are high and the undead-infested streets of Washington, DC could be changed forever.

Once again, if you enjoy FETIDUS, I invite you to share it! After all, FETIDUS is about making the world a better place, isn’t it? Well, you’ll see.

Click below to listen to FETIDUS: The Damned Heir – EP03:

Download audio file: “FETIDUS: The Damned Heir – EP03” (48.7 MB)

Episode 3 (Chapters 8-10):

00:00 – Intro music and credits

This episode is read by the author and features the following voice talent: Prebble Q Ramswell, Valerie Durham, Sara Barrack, Jose de la Mar and Bob Holmcrans. See CAST page for more details.

01:57 – Chapter 8

“Leigh didn’t take my bait. And her eyes gave away nothing…”
Art has a “nice chat” with the gorgeous dame.

23:24 – A word from our sponsor, The New Orlando Tourism Board

25:22 – Chapter 9

“Milla appeared out of nowhere again…”
Why can’t she just leave Art alone?

27:32 – Chapter 10

“A quick phone call to my boss in New Orleans…”
Meet Dr. Alastaire Sobolevski, and his assistant Noriane.

33:35 – Outro

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy this episode, please share it!

The twisted tale continues deep into the mind of Art Blanchard, with Episode 2 of FETIDUS: The Damned Heir! (Click here if you missed Episode 1.) Join us back in the world of FETIDUS, stay for a while, and come to know our unlikely hero of sorts, as he delves head-first into a midnight mystery in the dark and fetid alleys of Washington, DC.

As always, if you enjoy FETIDUS, please feel free to share it far and wide! After all, FETIDUS is about making the world a better place, isn’t it? Well, you’ll see.

Click below to listen to FETIDUS: The Damned Heir – EP02:

Download audio file: “FETIDUS: The Damned Heir – EP02” (55 MB)

Episode 2 (Chapters 4-7):

00:00 – Intro music and credits

This episode is read by the author and features the following voice talent: Prebble Q Ramswell, Sara Barrack, Jose de la Mar, Bob Holmcrans and Patrick Nugent. See CAST page for more details.

01:57 – Chapter 4

“On my way back to the office, I smelled a rat…”
Meet the despicable Detectives Mercer and Steadman.

10:01 – Chapter 5

“…the classical music which soothed my heavy ruminations…”
Get to know a little more about what makes Art Blanchard tick.

20:49 – A word from our sponsor, Proud to Protect

22:40 – Chapter 6

“My despised former colleague and an unexpected discovery…”
Meet the slimiest lobbyist in DC, Marcus Patronello.

32:17 – Chapter 7

“A midnight meeting with Leigh Donner…”
Art is just getting started with this mysterious dame.

36:23 – Outro

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy this episode, please share it!

In the middle of a smoldering, humid July night, in the dark and fetid backstreets of post-apocalyptic Washington, DC,  circa 2034, Art Blanchard is on the hunt.  So begins FETIDUS: The Damned Heir!

Welcome to the world of FETIDUS, The Foundation for the Ethical Treatment of the Innocently Damned, Undead and Supernatural! Join Art Blanchard from the beginning, as he embarks on a twisted case that takes him deep into the “future-noir” world of the shadowy undead.

Start here with Episode 1, and subscribe or visit frequently (if you dare!) to experience every episode in the thrilling mystery as it unfolds until the stunning finale!

All the episodes have been recorded. The dark tale has begun afresh with polished episodes, and new installments wait in the wings to enthrall you in the coming weeks. For those that have waited, I thank you again! Countless hours of production blood, sweat and toil are coming to a close, and the finale awaits you… no, calls out to you, at the end of this journey.

And remember, if you enjoy FETIDUS, please feel free to share it far and wide! After all, FETIDUS is about making the world a better place, isn’t it? Well, you’ll see.

Click below to listen to FETIDUS: The Damned Heir – EP01:

Download audio file: “FETIDUS: The Damned Heir – EP01” (60 MB)

Episode 1 (Prologue + Chapters 1-3):

00:00 – Intro music and credits

This episode is read by the author and features the following voice talent: Prebble Q Ramswell, Jose de la Mar, Patrick Nugent and Valerie Durham. See CAST page for more details.

01:57 – Prologue

“At dusk, I hunted…”
Meet Art Blanchard as he hunts the malevolent street thug Jack Wylde.

22:31 – A word from our sponsor, ReaniLife, Inc.

23:30 – Chapter 1

“A new day, a new client…”
Meet the mysterious and sultry Leigh Donner.

31:43 – Chapter 2

“I didn’t have more than a second or two before…”
Meet Milla, Art Blanchard’s zealously annoying assistant.

34:33 – Chapter 3

“Night and filth darkened the city…”
A handful of assumptions and a pocketful of ruminations.

40:05 – Outro

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy this episode, please share it!

It is time! FETIDUS is relaunching under the cover of the smoldering, humid night of July 9th, 2010. I’m thrilled to bring you FETIDUS: The Damned Heir, starting with a revised Episode 1, with one episode every week, until the grand finale.

Yes, FETIDUS is back. All the episodes have been recorded, even the finale.

Join us from the beginning. Starting July 9th, 2010, every Friday is FETIDUS Day until the thrilling conclusion. Begin with Episode 1, bring your friends, and join Art Blanchard in the fetid back streets of post-apocalyptic Washington DC at FETIDUS.org.

Click below to listen to FETIDUS – It Is Time – July 2010:

Download audio file: “FETIDUS – It Is Time – July 2010” (2.5 MB)

I have good news to report! We’re getting close, my friends! We’re getting very, very close. After months of insanity, strange life events, hard work, an excessive number of visits to Chipotle and all-around poor facial hair grooming habits, I can tell you that I’m deep, deep, oh-so-deep in the belly of production.

First, and most importantly, I can announce that I’ve booked ALL the amazing FETIDUS cast for their final recording sessions! Yes, every last one of them. I’m happy to announce that at the end of June, I begin a marathon series of recording sessions, day in and night out, to wrap up ALL the FETIDUS episodes. Yes, ALL of them. Not just one episode. Not three. Not five. Not eight. ALL of the remaining episodes.

By the first week of July, all the dialog will be IN THE CAN. RECORDED. WRAPPED. SET IN STONE (or rather, set in tiny magnetic particles on a hard drive, and then carefully backed up). It will then be lovingly edited, finessed, mixed and mastered for your listening pleasure.

And what does that mean? Well, when I have all the dialog recorded, I’ll be ready and confident to re-launch FETIDUS, knowing that I have all the audio recordings in the bank. You read that correctly. FETIDUS is re-launching very soon. As I get closer to wrapping up the recording sessions, I’ll announce a specific date, but for now, just know that all of us involved with FETIDUS are looking forward to delivering some great episodes, leading up to the big finale. And what a finale I’m planning. You will not want to miss it.

To all of you patient (or in some cases not-so-patient) listeners, I say, your wait is almost over. Thank you for your support. Thank you for your investment of time and interest in these characters and this twisted post-apocalyptic world, all in good faith that I would deliver the full journey for your enjoyment. Thank you for being there through an unusual year for my family, and helping to keep the fire burning. Your patience will be rewarded with the re-launch of FETIDUS, starting with a tweaked Episode 1 all the way through to the thrilling conclusion… with one episode every week.

Re-launch date announcement coming soon.

Yours, Deep in the Belly of Production,
James Durham

Time and life have a way of sneaking up on you. At least that’s how I feel lately. I’ve been learning some of the subtle points of the “Art of Bending with the Wind” over the last year and a half, and I’ve discovered I’m not nearly as limber as I thought I was. This has caused profound personal reflection which I hope to put to good use in many areas of my life.

And as it all applies to FETIDUS, I owe you a long overdue update.

First, I want to make sure you know that FETIDUS is alive and well, and I have been dying to release the remaining episodes. Yes, it has been coming along agonizingly slowly, but it is coming along. There is so much more to come, it’s insane, and I chip away at it one bit at a time. Yes, there have been an unusual number of unpredictable challenges, surprises and bumps along the way, but the good news is that I’m in the process of recording all 12 remaining episodes and FETIDUS will wrap up in the coming months. Finally.

At this point, I think it’s best to roll with the punches and revise/tweak some of my plans that I mentioned in The Unmortem Report #5. I hope you will understand and I gratefully, humbly ask for your patience. I am currently focusing on getting the whole package complete — I’ve decided to spend all my FETIDUS-related energy exclusively on wrapping up all the episodes at once, in an extended marathon of production. In the end, it will help speed up the release of the remaining episodes, and make for a much more consistent, sequential experience when all the episodes are ready.

So, I am planning to *re-launch* FETIDUS in the streamlined, Mk-II format that I indicated in The Unmortem Report #5, with all episodes complete! I will announce the re-launch date soon, as the details of the remaining recording sessions are finalized. Then, I’ll be able to release FETIDUS, starting fresh from the beginning, on a consistent, weekly basis, right through to the climactic ending.

When I started this huge project, I embarrassingly underestimated the level of work involved. It’s taking quite a while, but I can deal with a huge script, tons of audio production and an all-original music score written just for this story. That was very challenging and would have been fine, except I had no idea that my little family would experience so many surprises on the journey. From a bad car accident to numerous serious health issues to some other big life changes, there have been many times I’ve honestly been overwhelmed and tempted to just give up.

But I knew I couldn’t give up, and despite being EPICally behind schedule, waist-deep in the river of life, I knew I just could not cave in and call it quits. At times, I’ll confess that these delightful life surprises (which I’ve accepted as “normal life” for the time being) have been frustrating to navigate, and have required some tough personal adjustments. If I knew what I know now, I’d most certainly do things differently.

I feel like I’ve really disappointed many of you who have been so supportive of this project right from the beginning, and there hasn’t been a day that’s passed that I’ve not thought about you. I’ve attempted to post updates many times, but held back because I felt you’d get bored rather quickly of what I felt was the same thing. At times I’ve invited you into my personal life, and I am so grateful for your support and even real-world friendships. But I haven’t wanted to overload you with that type of thing — after all, this is supposed to be a channel to share an exciting story of mystery, mayhem and escapism.

To those who have patiently waited for more episodes of the story, I apologize, and sincerely hope you’ll join me in the re-launch of FETIDUS and follow Art Blanchard on his journey all the way to the thrilling, twisted, edge-of-your-seat end.

I’ve said this before, but I’ll say it again: I’ve been blown away by you all, by your support and even simply by the number of people that have downloaded FETIDUS episodes. Many, many thousands of people. Just amazing. I deeply appreciate you and thank you from the bottom of my post-apocalyptic heart! And I want to ask once more for your patience as I wrap up with this grand adventure. I’m producing episodes 9-20 all at once, right now, and it will be worth it. After all, FETIDUS is about making the world a better place, isn’t it? Well, you’ll see.

Yours in post-apocalyptic (and present-day) mayhem,
James Durham

This is a FETIDUS Special Update… So much news to share with you, where do I begin?!  Episode 9 update, Dragon*Con, Parsec Awards, 95ers, Shadow Bound, sibling bonding, cool people, the lovely Erin Gray, geekness, Life Happens, loved ones, pondering the value of life and time, memories, some big changes to the production cycle of FETIDUS, deep gratitude for FETIDUS listeners, thoughts on the podcast community… this is the most personal podcast episode I’ve ever posted. At the end I share a sneak peek of some music I’ve been writing for the upcoming Episode 9 of FETIDUS: The Damned Heir.

Links to some of the things I mention in this episode:

• 95ers: Echoes – An awesome upcoming sci-fi indie film I’m involved with!
• Shadow Bound by Erin Kellison, coming July 2010!
• Fan Fiction by Tony Miller, coming shortly
• Discussion with the insidiously clever minds at The Dead Robots’ Society
• Promo: Alex White’s The Gearheart
• Promo: Paul E. Cooley’s Shadow Publications
• Promo: Scott Roche’s Archangel
• Promo: Tim Dodge’s Purgatory

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy this episode, please share it!

Please note: This original release version of the audio file for this episode has been moved to the Episode Archive – Original Releases. Please check the homepage for updates on availability of current FETIDUS releases.

I am deliriously delighted to bring you Episode 8, in all its post-apocalyptic glory! This has been the most difficult episode to create so far, especially during an eventful couple of months… but it was worth every drop of sweat and blood that went into it. It’s over an hour long, trimmed back from a meaty 75+ minutes, loaded to the brim with more new music and ready to take you deep into the mind of Art Blanchard. I think I could spend another two weeks on it, but I decided this beast was ready to be unleashed as-is.

Let’s get right to the story. I don’t want you to wait another minute, so download Episode 8 of FETIDUS: The Damned Heir now!

Episode 8 (Chapters 21-22):

00:00 – Intro music and credits

This episode is read by the author and features the following voice talent: Prebble Q Ramswell, Valerie Durham and Jose de la Mar. See CAST page for more details.

02:05 – Welcome message from the author

Will catch up with you in the next Unmortem Report, coming up after Dragon*Con! Let’s get right to the story!

05:14 – Story So Far

Read by awesome voice-over actress and zombie lover, Sara Barrack.

09:55 – Chapter 21

“Follow the dead bodies…”
Could this be the big break in the case?

20:27 – A word from our sponsor, Bardus News Network.

23:04 – Chapter 22

“I heard an insidiously familiar voice.”
Of soul, blood and vengeance…

70:13 – Outro

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy this episode, please share it!

Please note: This original release version of the audio file for this episode has been moved to the Episode Archive – Original Releases. Please check the homepage for updates on availability of current FETIDUS releases.

A quick update to the magnificent listeners of FETIDUS! The gears of the apocalypse turn ever onward! The next episode is nearly, finally, amazingly, almost complete! Yes! Your patience will be rewarded with my never-ending gratitude and of course continued episodes of FETIDUS as we follow Art Blanchard deep into the dark mystery of The Damned Heir!

This episode I’ve been working on — this giant beast also known as Episode 8 — has been the largest, most complex, darkest episode yet! Clocking in at well over 70 minutes, 7500+ words and tons of new, original, thrilling music, it has been a mighty task to complete. But I’m up to the challenge, my friends. I’ve managed to trim it back quite a bit, and get it into “normal” specs of time and wording, so we are finally nearing the launch of this dastardly episode!

During this round of production, I’ve had a few surprises come up… my dear wife in the hospital, awesome fan art coming in, Parsec recognition, and even the completion of a teaser/trailer for an awesome indie sci-fi film I’ve been working on (check it out, I wrote the music for it).

In other words, Life, my dear listeners! We all experience it. The good and the bad. And everything in between. For me, what matters is that we move forward, chipping away at the sculpture of our respective destinies. And forward FETIDUS moves with me, into the next thrilling episode which is coming to your inbox or iPod (or Zune) soon. Enough of the cornball verbosity! Now, I go back to work in my laboratory of creative mayhem!

Forever Your Humble Servant in Apocalyptic Matters,
James Durham

As I’m wrapping up Episode 8 after an unexpected detour to the hospital (click here for my July update that explains what happened), I couldn’t wait to launch the FETIDUS Fan Art Gallery for your viewing pleasure!

I am honored and thrilled to share the artwork created by the following amazing FETIDUS listeners. Thank you from the bottom of my post-apocalyptic heart to Michelle Rockstead for your awesome character portraits and to Thomas Reed for your clever BitStrips! You will be remembered for generations to come and richly rewarded during the upcoming zombie outbreaks!

Please check back again in the future for more artwork! A little undead minion told me that some watercolor portraits are on the way.

And now, without further ado… please click here to view the FETIDUS Fan Art Gallery!

And for those who are wondering, my wife is back at home recovering just fine, and Episode 8 will be out next week! All is on the mend, and we can get back to our good friends in FETIDUS and the sordid business in the dark, fetid backstreets of Washington DC of 2034.

Dear FETIDUS Friends and Listeners!

Yesterday, my wife was able to take a walk around the 6th floor of the hospital and we stopped at a window and looked out over the beautiful Maryland sky, after a thunderstorm. We couldn’t help but take a deep breath in awe when we saw a stunning rainbow.

As some of you know, my wife has been in the hospital since Monday and I wanted to update you about us and FETIDUS. I felt it was appropriate to take a few minutes to post this, to thank you for your support and give everyone an idea when the next episode will be released. I know, it’s killing some people!

First, my wife seems to be getting better. Yesterday I managed to annoy her, which I took as a good sign that things are looking up. She also noticed my bad breath, so I know her nose is working fine. Today, I plan to annoy her so much that she’ll chase me around the 6th floor of the hospital, and I’m sure once she does that, her release will come soon after!

Once my sweetheart is out of the hospital and comfy back at home, getting back on her feet, and after I can catch up with work, etc., I will knock out the last parts of Episode 8! I just have to get one person in here to record his parts, do a little mixing, tweaking and we’ll be good to go. It will be awesome. The person I have to record will be back from vacation on August 2nd, I believe. (We scuttled his recording session twice this week.) So it should be shortly after that. I will update again if I think it will take much longer than, say, August 5th. But please keep in mind this is a fluid situation. The episode, by the way, is one of my best so far, and it is on track to kick some serious undead ass, and hopefully make you not want to eat for at least a few hours.

Thank you all for your support and well-wishes! I can’t say how much it means to us — the emails, tweets, words and thoughts! We’ve had more than our share of hospitals and doctors in the last year. My wife’s bad car accident in November was a real life-stunner for a while and this current medical issue has been pretty tough for her for a long time. Hopefully this is the last we’ll deal with it. Ironically, she’s the “healthy” one in the family. I’d be a crying little baby if I had to go through what she’s been through. But things are looking up, I believe. This morning, another consult with the docs, and we’ll know where we stand.

On a random, tangentially-related note, I thought the following words were hilarious, given the situation this past year: My fortune cookie yesterday said, “You could prosper in the field of medical research.” LOL!

Finally, on a really positive note, I just found out that FETIDUS is a Parsec Award Finalist in three categories! Wow! What an awesome piece of news! And what an honor! My wife will be totally thrilled too! (Always looking for positive news to share with her to boost her up this week!) I’m so excited and humbled that FETIDUS is a finalist in the company of truly amazing podcasts, it makes me restless and thrilled to get more episodes out to you. I will not disappoint you. The next episodes take you deep into the mystery of the Donners, and deeper still into the fetid backstreets of post-apocalyptic DC of 2034!

Thanks again for your support, and we’ll be back up and running soon!

Best,
James Durham

James Durham here with the RESULTS SHOW for the Great Evil Laugh Contest with this, the latest installment of The Unmortem Report – #4, the companion update and discussion podcast of FETIDUS: The Damned Heir!

Man, oh man, do I have a delightfully, eviliciously fun episode for you, with the top 10 evil laughs from the contest entries, including some runners-up! This episode is jam-packed with evil laughs — including a spectracular evil laugh you have to hear from J.C. Hutchins himself, one of the evil guest judges. I couldn’t have done it without the evil guest judges, so thank you, your evilnesses! The other world-class evil judges include Seth Harwood, Matt Selznick and Corey Graham, masters all and gentlemen to boot. Evil gentlemen, that is.

I’ve also included a fantastic evil laugh clip from Kevin Crosby! Amazing, sir, I was laughing my a%# off!

Thank you to all the contest participants, supporters and again, the evil guest judges! You have all contributed to a great time and you all rock in great evil fun!

Drumroll please…. and the WINNER IS………

Well, you’ve got to listen to the episode! <Muahahahahahahahahahaha!>

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy this episode, please share it!

Please note: This original release version of the audio file for this episode has been moved to the Episode Archive – Original Releases. Please check the homepage for updates on availability of current FETIDUS releases.

And we’re back with another installment of The Unmortem Report – #3, the companion update and discussion podcast of FETIDUS: The Damned Heir! Hurry! You’ve only got a short window of time to enter the Great Evil Laugh Contest! Win immortality and an iPod touch! Entries are due June 21st! The results show will air June 28th! It’s going to be a great episode and include the top 10 evil laughs! You won’t want to miss it.

In this episode, I share some updates about the Great Evil Laugh Contest, when the next episode of FETIDUS: The Damned Heir is coming (and oh, baby, it’s a good one), and I get a chance to read some of the supportive, kind words you’ve been sending my way! Thank you guys for supporting this project! It just makes me want to deliver better content with each episode.

As a “mystical magical content block” in this episode, I talk about audio production — the type of production that goes into an episode of FETIDUS: The Damned Heir. I briefly talk about basic EQ, compression, reverb… you know, some cool geekish audio things I could get hung up on for hours… all in the light-hearted hope that it gives you some idea about some of the cool tools that go into making FETIDUS.

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy this episode, please share it!

Please note: This original release version of the audio file for this episode has been moved to the Episode Archive – Original Releases. Please check the homepage for updates on availability of current FETIDUS releases.

Welcome to The Unmortem Report – #2, the companion update and discussion podcast of FETIDUS: The Damned Heir! This week I get right down to business by interviewing my friend, author and new media trailblazer Matt Selznick, who is also a cast member of FETIDUS: The Damned Heir and an Evil Guest Judge of the Great Evil Laugh Contest.

Don’t forget that there’s one more week to get your evil laugh entry in for the Great Evil Laugh Contest! Win immortality and an iPod touch! Entries are due June 21st!

Now, here’s the dilemma I faced this week… in fact, I confess to a “grave error.”   The Unmortem Report is supposed to be 15-20 minutes long, maybe 25 minutes in special cases. And I had forgotten that when Matt and I talk, we end up talking for at least two hours or more! We can’t help it! The interview portion of our conversation took up most of that. So, true to character, instead of brutally cutting everything, my solution was simply to create two versions of the interview. The “turbo” version (25+ minutes) and the “special extended jumbo” version (70+ minutes).

The turbo version is here on this website, but if you want to catch the extended version, you have to head over to Matt Selznick’s website and get the link there. In the extended version, we talk about his current and future projects, philosophies about new media, even some of his favorite movies and many other things in fascinating detail. Matt will be posting a link to the extended version on his site soon after this version here goes live. [ Edit: The extended version is now live on Matt's site. ]

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy this episode, please share it!

Please note: This original release version of the audio file for this episode has been moved to the Episode Archive – Original Releases. Please check the homepage for updates on availability of current FETIDUS releases.

Welcome to the inaugural episode of The Unmortem Report, the all-new mini companion podcast to FETIDUS: The Damned Heir! Tonight is a busy night! This special episode marks the beginning of a new level of the content I’ll be releasing related to FETIDUS, and it allows me to pick up in between episodes of the podcast novel and share interviews, back story, character profiles, unique content and all sorts of other fiendish goodies, every single week.

To kick off The Unmortem Report, I’m also announcing the Great Evil Laugh Contest, where you’ll have the chance to win IMMORTALITY and an iPod touch! And all you have to do to enter is laugh. But not just any type of laugh. It must be an EVIL laugh. See the Great Evil Laugh Contest page for more information!

Along with the Great Evil Laugh Contest, I have to send out a huge thank you to the world-class evil guest judges JC Hutchins, Seth Harwood, Matthew Wayne Selznick and Corey Graham! They are elevating the contest to a whole new level of evil awesomeness, and I strongly suggest you check out why they are so eminently qualified for the job by visiting their websites.

Besides announcing the Great Evil Laugh Contest, in this episode of The Unmortem Report, I also play an excerpt from an interview I had with Seattle-Geekly‘s own Shannon and Matt. Those guys have a rocking podcast, so check them out as well!

This week’s promo is Kimi Alexandre’s awesome Guardians podcast novel! I’m definitely looking forward to the next episode!

Also mentioned in this episode: Motion Picture Massacre! Thank you again, Vaughn!

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy this episode, please share it!

Please note: This original release version of the audio file for this episode has been moved to the Episode Archive – Original Releases. Please check the homepage for updates on availability of current FETIDUS releases.

[ Update June 28th: The contest winner is announced! Please check out the awesome results show in Unmortem Report #4 for the winning entry, including the top 10 evil laughs! Muahahahahahahaha! Congratulations to the winner! You have won immortality and an awesome iPod touch! ]

[ Update June 22nd: Please note that the contest is now closed for entries. Thank you all for participating! Check back on June 28th, 2009 for the results show which will be in Unmortem Report #4! Muahahahahahahaha! I'll announce the top 10 evil laughs and the contest winner! You can subscribe to the RSS feed for free to be updated right when the results show is posted, or just keep checking back on the 28th manually to find out! ]

I am looking for the Greatest Evil Laugh in the World! Do you have it? If so, you can win immortality and an awesome iPod touch, just by laughing! Hurry! Start laughing! Contest entries are due by June 21st, 2009.

Featuring world-class evil guest judges JC Hutchins, Seth Harwood, Matthew Wayne Selznick and Corey Graham!

Click below for the audio-only promo for the Great Evil Laugh Contest:

Please note: The original release versions of the audio files for this post have been moved to the Episode Archive – Original Releases. Please check the homepage for updates on availability of current FETIDUS releases.

Here’s what the winner will receive:

• IMMORTALITY! (In the form of having his or her evil laugh forever embedded in an upcoming episode of FETIDUS: The Damned Heir!)
• An awesome iPod touch! Lovingly pre-loaded with all the episodes of FETIDUS up to the date of shipment!

Here are the official rules of the Great Evil Laugh Contest:

1. Your evil laugh audio entry must include the following minimum spoken words, with your name, general location, email address and of course your very best evil laugh filled in:

“My name is [ say your name ] and I am from [ say general location ]. My email address is: [ carefully say/spell your email address ]. This is my evil laugh: [ do your very best evil laugh ]. “

Click below to listen to an example entry for the Great Evil Laugh Contest:

Please note: The original release versions of the audio files for this post have been moved to the Episode Archive – Original Releases. Please check the homepage for updates on availability of current FETIDUS releases.

2. You can only enter once.

3. Your evil laugh entry must be yours and yours alone.

4. Your evil laugh must be in your natural voice with little or no audio effects/processing. (A little reverb or compression is okay, but not needed.) We are judging based on the awesomeness of the evil laugh*, not the quality of the audio recording or cool effects. (Please don’t send me pitch-shifted stuff either, and that means you, Auto-Tune users!).

5. Enter by phone (1-202-470-3471) or email an MP3 file to evillaugh@fetidus.org (preferred but not required) by June 21, 2009.

6. By entering you give me, James Durham, permission to use your evil laugh entry in the podcast/novel/website. I will not reveal your email address, but if I play back your entry on the podcast, I may also play back your name and/or general location. (Trust me, it will be a cool episode!)

7. By entering this contest, you confirm that you are doing so legally for whatever country/state/province/jurisdiction you live in and that I’m not liable for anything going on with the Internet, your phone, your time, your brain, your wallet, your customs agent, your tax man, your evil laugh muscles or anything remotely related.

8. That’s it! No other rules! Just get your entry to me by June 21, 2009! Tune in on June 28, 2009 for the announcement of the winner!

A few words about the Amazing Evil Guest Judges and the Judging process:

The best evil laugh will be chosen by a panel of world-class evil guest judges including JC Hutchins, evil mastermind behind 7th Son and Personal Effects: Dark Art, Seth Harwood, evil genius behind Jack Wakes Up, Matthew Wayne Selznick, evil visionary behind Brave Men Run, Corey Graham, evil high priest of the undead at Midnight Podcast and me, James Durham, just pure evil.

I will personally listen to all the entries. I will then select the top 10 evil laughs and give them to the elite, evil panel of uber-awesome guest judges. They will confidentially vote for their top three favorite evil laughs. Their scores will be tallied. The winner will be determined. In the event of a TIE, I will write the names of those who are tied onto pieces of paper and place them tenderly into my fedora, the very fedora style that Art Blanchard wears in FETIDUS: The Damned Heir. I will then insert my hand and randomly select the winner.

* What constitutes an awesome evil laugh? Here at the Great Evil Laugh Contest we do not discriminate against one type of evil laugh or another. There are hilarious evil laughs that make us want to laugh out loud ourselves like giddy schoolchildren. Then there are terrifying evil laughs that make us want to cower in teeth-chattering fear under the covers. Then there are creepy evil laughs that make the hair stand up on our necks and our spines tingle. There are so many other types of evil laughs — we want to hear every kind imaginable. We’re just looking for the greatest, most memorable evil laugh, no matter what type, and the one that tickles the fancy of yours truly and the prestigious panel of mega-awesome evil guest judges is the one that wins. Give us your best shot!

Click below to download the Great Evil Laugh Contest Promo and spread the word!:

Please note: The original release versions of the audio files for this post have been moved to the Episode Archive – Original Releases. Please check the homepage for updates on availability of current FETIDUS releases.

As promised back in March, I have now released a 60-second version of FETIDUS Promo 1! A meaner, leaner, tighter version is now available for your voracious promo-consuming needs and desires.

As before, please download it and share it with your friends and family — undead or living — and if you have a podcast, I humbly invite you to please play it. Let me know so I can reciprocate the honor! The innocently damned will thank you, and the apocalypse will most certainly be kind to you.

Click below to listen to FETIDUS: The Damned Heir – Promo 1 – 60sec:

Download audio file: “FETIDUS: The Damned Heir – Promo 1 – 60sec” (1.8 MB)

We’re back with another mighty episode this fine May 22nd! I can’t wait for you all to take a listen. This one is loaded to the noir-esque brim with great performances from the cast, new music, and enough ambiance to make sure you get to know Leigh Donner better than ever. It took a little longer than usual, but that’s because there’s more post-apocalyptic goodness inside of it… including a FETIDUS first where you can hear yours truly sing a song. Download now and dive into Episode 7 of FETIDUS: The Damned Heir!

Episode 7 (Chapters 19-20):

00:00 – Intro music and credits

This episode is read by the author and features the following voice talent: Prebble Q Ramswell, Sara Barrack, Matt Selznick, Valerie Durham, Jose de la Mar and Bob Holmcrans. See CAST page for more details.

02:05 – Welcome message from the author

Special thanks and a plug for Matthew Wayne Selznick for making his first appearance in the story! Make sure to check out his awesome Hazy Days And Cloudy Nights serial fiction project! Thanks also to Seattle-Geekly for the awesome interview about FETIDUS! You guys rock! Also a shout-out to Kimi Alexandre who is launching her urban fantasy podcast novel Guardians today! Also special thanks to the illustrious Paul Fischer for reading the story so far! See you all at Balticon!

06:44 – Story So Far

Read by master podcaster and Baron of Balticon, Paul Fischer.

10:30 – Chapter 19

“A drink and a dame…”
Time to get to know Leigh Donner.

37:59 – A word from our sponsor, The Assembly of the Redeemer of the Living and the Undead.

40:21 – Chapter 20

“There wasn’t enough time… I’m sorry!”
Where does one layer end and another begin?

50:20 – Outro

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy this episode, please share it!

Please note: This original release version of the audio file for this episode has been moved to the Episode Archive – Original Releases. Please check the homepage for updates on availability of current FETIDUS releases.

I have something special here for you, folks! I’ve taken some of the music I’ve written for FETIDUS and put together 13-14 minutes of excerpts for your listening pleasure. They’re not final versions, but they’re close enough to give you a good feel for how the soundtrack is shaping up, and to give you a tasty morsel of that special FETIDUS atmosphere. Enjoy! And let me know what you think! Please, download it, close your eyes, and enter into the world of Art Blanchard and FETIDUS.

Special Music Episode 1:

00:00 – Intro from James

Music Excerpts:

03:09 – Retribution
05:07 – Mahrud Movement #9
08:15 – Deathsquad Reaper
09:34 - Intense Cogitation
11:27 – Activation by 5
12:42 - KA Texture
13:45 - A Slow March Through Hell

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy this episode, please share it!

Please note: This original release version of the audio file for this episode has been moved to the Episode Archive – Original Releases. Please check the homepage for updates on availability of current FETIDUS releases.

Episode 6 has arrived! Get your fresh Episode 6 here! The story continues unabated, and in this loaded episode, I introduce you to more of the key players in this ever-deepening mystery of post-apocalyptic political intrigue. Download now and experience Episode 6 of FETIDUS: The Damned Heir in all its twisted glory!

Episode 6 (Chapters 17-18):

00:00 – Intro music and credits

This episode is read by the author and features the following voice talent: Prebble Q Ramswell, Jose de la Mar, Patrick Nugent, Liliana Ayende, Bob Holmcrans, Sara Barrack and Valerie Durham. See CAST page for more details.

02:05 – Welcome message from the author

Thanks to Dead Robots’ Society for playing my promo! Also quick heads up that I just re-launched my personal website – www.jamesdurham.com – which will host some of my other creative mayhem, commentary and cognitive diversions!

05:03 – Story So Far

Read by the eminent zombie lover Corey Graham of Midnight Podcast.

7:55 – Chapter 17

“Do you have an appointment?”
Time for Art to meet the king himself.

34:40 – A word from our sponsor, ReaniLife, Inc. – Not a product recall.

36:23 – Chapter 18

“Damned flies…”
Some healthy banter + dark secrets = time for a drink.

42:35 – Outro

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy this episode, please share it!

Please note: This original release version of the audio file for this episode has been moved to the Episode Archive – Original Releases. Please check the homepage for updates on availability of current FETIDUS releases.

And so the mystery deepens, and the case of Leigh Donner takes on another dimension. I’m thrilled to bring you Episode 5 of FETIDUS: The Damned Heir this fine evening!

Please, come inside, and visit the National Museum of American History as Art Blanchard tries to decipher the twisted story of a powerful Congressman. Sit down, relax, close your eyes and please enjoy this latest episode.

Episode 5 (Chapters 13-16):

00:00 – Intro music and credits

This episode is read by the author and features the following voice talent: Prebble Q Ramswell, Valerie Durham, Jose de la Mar and Bob Holmcrans. See CAST page for more details.

02:05 – Welcome message from the author

Thanks to Life After Law School and Motion Picture Massacre for playing promos! Heads up and thanks to Seattle-Geekly for the great review! I’ll be attending Balticon this year, hope to see some of you there…

05:25 – Story So Far

Read by Tee Morris, the Prince of Podcasting himself.

7:51 – Chapter 13

“Just a wild coincidence?”
Who are these Donners? Art wants to know.

16:24 – Chapter 14

“A delicate Pierre Herme pastry in a New Jersey deli.”
Plus a cold lump of anger and some damn perfume.

28:28 – A public service announcement from The Washington DC Corrections Department

30:40 – Chapter 15

“I rolled a fresh Honduran in my fingers…”
Unproductive thoughts and unanswered questions.

35:22 – Chapter 16

“…a long-running chess game with pieces all over…”
Who is the pawn?

37:39 – Outro

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy this episode, please share it!

Please note: This original release version of the audio file for this episode has been moved to the Episode Archive – Original Releases. Please check the homepage for updates on availability of current FETIDUS releases.

I confess, I have been remiss in my promotional duties, but not out of an abundance of free time or laziness. Quite the contrary. But tonight I remedy that egregious error by releasing the first official FETIDUS audio promo!

I am very grateful that some of my fellow podcasters have been asking me for a promo to play in their podcasts, and I’m thrilled that I can now say, “YES, I have an official promo!” (Instead of, “uhhhh, well, ummm, I better work on it… thanks for reminding me.”)

Please download it, listen to it, spread it, devour it, and if you like FETIDUS, please put it in your podcasts (if you have one), and/or share it with a friend! If you put it in your podcast, please let me know so I can reciprocate the honor.

This first offering clocks in at 90 seconds. I’ll create another one in the near future that is 60 seconds, and a super-sized one as well… and more, as time permits.

Thank you again for listening and for your support! If you enjoy FETIDUS, please share it! After all, FETIDUS is about making the world a better place…. isn’t it?

[ EDIT May 28th: A 60-second version of this promo is available here. ]

Click below to listen to FETIDUS: The Damned Heir – Promo 1:

Download audio file: “FETIDUS: The Damned Heir – Promo 1” (1.8 MB)

Yes! We are rocking hard with Episode 4 of FETIDUS: The Damned Heir tonight! This one is a wild ride, so join Art Blanchard as he takes an unexpected detour on his way to the National Museum of American History. Yeah, this is what Washington DC is like in 2034. Sorry to disappoint you if you thought DC would be a blissful utopia by then.

This episode was a beast to create, even though it’s shorter than usual. It’s loaded with special effects and sound design, plus some new music, of course. I’m thrilled to bring you this episode.

Originally, it was clocking in at well over 60 minutes, and so I just made the tough decision to break the episode into smaller parts because: A) I never intended to go over 45 minutes per episode, and B) because I love where this version ends. Trust me, it’s better this way. Jump right in to this lean and mean episode. Your post-apocalyptic DC is waiting for you.

Episode 4 (Chapters 11-12):

00:00 – Intro music and credits

This episode is read by the author and features the following voice talent: Prebble Q Ramswell, Valerie Durham, Jose de la Mar and Liliana Ayende. See CAST page for more details.

02:05 – Welcome message from the author

03:06 – Story So Far

Read by the wonderful Prebble Q Ramswell herself.

5:32 – Chapter 11

“Milla brings some fascinating news…”
Who is Leigh’s boyfriend? Really?

10:34 – A political advertisement from Mayor Paulina Coronado

12:50 – Chapter 12

“An unexpected detour on the way to the museum.”
A normal Sunday morning in the life of Art Blanchard

32:30 – Outro

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy this episode, please share it!

Please note: This original release version of the audio file for this episode has been moved to the Episode Archive – Original Releases. Please check the homepage for updates on availability of current FETIDUS releases.

This is Episode 3 of FETIDUS: The Damned Heir! We’re on a roll here, and I can’t wait to bring you more of the story. The plot thickens in this episode as Art Blanchard finally sits down with his new mysterious client, Leigh Donner, to find out what she’s hiding. The political stakes are high and the undead-infested streets of Washington, DC could be changed forever.

Episode 3 (Chapters 8-10):

00:00 – Intro music and credits

This episode is read by the author and features the following voice talent: Prebble Q Ramswell, Valerie Durham, Sara Barrack, Jose de la Mar and Bob Holmcrans. See CAST page for more details.

02:05 – Welcome message from the author

03:11 – Story So Far

Read by the inimitable P.G. Holyfield himself.

5:38 – Chapter 8

“Leigh didn’t take my bait. And her eyes gave away nothing…”
Art has a “nice chat” with the gorgeous dame.

27:18 – A word from our sponsor, The New Orlando Tourism Board

29:33 – Chapter 9

“Milla appeared out of nowhere again…”
Why can’t she just leave Art alone?

31:43 – Chapter 10

“A quick phone call to my boss in New Orleans…”
Meet Dr. Alastaire Sobolevski, and his assistant Noriane.

37:54 – Outro

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy this episode, please share it!

Please note: This original release version of the audio file for this episode has been moved to the Episode Archive – Original Releases. Please check the homepage for updates on availability of current FETIDUS releases.

Welcome back to the world of FETIDUS! I am so thrilled to be up and running again! It’s been a long time coming, but we’re back to thrill you with the zombie-licious post-apocalyptic politically-charged mystery of FETIDUS: The Damned Heir – Episode 2! Thank you for your patience and support. As some of you know, my wife was in a bad car accident recently, but like those who survived the smoldering ruins of Washington, DC after the great zombie outbreaks of the 2020′s, we are hauling ourselves out of the charred rubble and into a new, more glorious future.

Join us back in the world of FETIDUS, stay for a while, and come to know our unlikely hero of sorts, Art Blanchard, as he delves into a tangled mystery in the dark and fetid alleys of Washington DC. Welcome back! Enjoy!

Episode 2 (Chapters 4-7):

00:00 – Intro music and credits

This episode is read by the author and features the following voice talent: Prebble Q Ramswell, Sara Barrack, Jose de la Mar, Bob Holmcrans and Patrick Nugent. See CAST page for more details.

02:05 – Welcome message from the author

04:47 – Story So Far

Read by the grand master Matthew Wayne Selznick himself. 

07:14 – Chapter 4

“On my way back to the office, I smelled a rat…”
Meet the despicable Detectives Mercer and Steadman.

15:20 – Chapter 5

“…the classical music which soothed my heavy ruminations…”
Get to know a little more about what makes Art Blanchard tick.

26:08 – A word from our sponsor, Proud to Protect

28:01 – Chapter 6

“My despised former colleague and an unexpected discovery…”
Meet the slimiest lobbyist in DC, Marcus Patronello.

37:53 – Chapter 7

“A midnight meeting with Leigh Donner…”
Art is just getting started with this mysterious dame.

42:13 – Outro

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy this episode, please share it!

Please note: This original release version of the audio file for this episode has been moved to the Episode Archive – Original Releases. Please check the homepage for updates on availability of current FETIDUS releases.

Welcome to the world of FETIDUS! Today, October 31, 2008, marks the launch of FETIDUS: The Damned Heir with the release of Episode 1! Come inside, stay for a while, venture in its dark corridors, and meet Art Blanchard, of the DC office of The Foundation for the Ethical Treatment of the Innocently Damned, Undead and Supernatural. This is the beginning of his new twisted case — a mystery that takes him deep into the science-fiction, post-apocalyptic, politically-charged and grim world of Washington, DC, circa 2034, filled with noir-humor, suspense and horror. And did I mention zombies, vampires, and other shadowy undead?

I hope you enjoy the journey in the months to come, and tremble with anticipation with the release of each episode. It has been a thrilling experience to create FETIDUS, and I get the bone-chilling sense that it will be even more thrilling to share it. Please subscribe to the site, visit frequently (if you dare!) to get new episodes, and feel free to share FETIDUS far and wide if you enjoy it! After all, FETIDUS is about making the world a better place, isn’t it? Well, you’ll see.

Episode 1 (Prologue + Chapters 1-3):

00:00 – Intro music and credits

This episode is read by the author and features the following voice talent: Prebble Q Ramswell, Jose de la Mar, Patrick Nugent and Valerie Durham. See CAST page for more details.

02:05 – Welcome message and thanks from the author

03:33 – Prologue

“At dusk, I hunted…”
Meet Art Blanchard as he hunts the malevolent street thug Jack Wylde.

25:05 – A word from our sponsor, ReaniLife, Inc.

26:00 – Chapter 1

“A new day, a new client…”
Meet the mysterious and sultry Leigh Donner.

34:20 – Chapter 2

“I didn’t have more than a second or two before…”
Meet Milla, Art Blanchard’s zealously annoying assistant.

37:15 – Chapter 3

“Night and filth darkened the city…”
A handful of assumptions and a pocketful of ruminations.

43:14 – Outro

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy this episode, please share it!

Please note: This original release version of the audio file for this episode has been moved to the Episode Archive – Original Releases. Please check the homepage for updates on availability of current FETIDUS releases.

We’re getting sooooo close to the launch! Three more days, and Episode 1 will go live! The dark streets of Washington, DC of 2034 await your visit on October 31st.

In the meantime, I want to welcome new website visitors! Take a look around and listen to some of the teasers I’ve posted, and if any of that strikes your fancy, you can subscribe for free — either by email or by RSS feed. Or you can just come back to the site to check for new episodes and listen right here by clicking the little play buttons embedded in the posts throughout this site. Did I mention it’s all free? Yes, all this mystery-loving, zombie-appreciating, politically-thrilling, post-apocalyptic, science-fiction, film-noir-esque goodness is free for your entertainment, pleasure and escapism needs.

And for those of you who ask, what the %&#@ is an RSS feed or podcast? Well, for the technically-minded, Wikipedia has nice articles on RSS feeds and podcasts. Basically, if you have an iPod or a computer or anything remotely similar, chances are all you need is a program called a feed reader, aggregator or “podcatcher” and you’re in good shape. You might already have one. iTunes is a popular podcatcher, for example. Some other options are listed on this page. Even Google, Yahoo!, and your web browser can track feeds too.

Or, just subscribe via email and visit the site often if all that RSS stuff annoys you. Technology can be more irritating than a happy non-corporeal sometimes, at least that’s what Art Blanchard says…

So check in again on Halloween and dive in for a while with Art Blanchard as he takes on a new case in the mysterious and stygian world of FETIDUS.

Thought I’d post a big THANK YOU to Corey of the Midnight Podcast for being the first podcaster to play one of my teasers today — in Episode 107! Thanks also for the positive plug and support! I guess that now makes the FETIDUS website “official” in a way. You were the first to officially mention my site in your podcast, and I really appreciate it!

[ For those that don't know, Corey is the host and head guru of all-things-zombie over at midnightpodcast.com -- a serious force in the zombie scene, and a podcast you have to check out if you love zombies. ]

I’ve been brewing up a dark, post-apocalyptic world with the care and tender surgical consideration of Dr. Frankenstein, and I can’t wait to share it exactly one week from today — October 31, 2008! I hope you and your listeners will enjoy FETIDUS as much as I have writing it.

Take care, and thanks again,
James Durham

The clock is ticking and that means FETIDUS is now only TWO WEEKS away from launch! The fateful day is almost upon us, but that doesn’t mean I can’t share a little more of the world of FETIDUS with you right here, right now.

You see, there’s a voice in Art Blanchard’s head that keeps coming back to haunt him. It’s a voice that calls out to him, a voice that will never let him rest… and I’m sure Art wouldn’t mind if he could find some way to end the nightmare… and the memories. Perhaps if I share it with you, it might take some of the burden off of his own, charred soul. Help Art Blanchard… listen to the clip below.

Click below to listen to an excerpt from FETIDUS: The Damned Heir:

Download audio file: “FETIDUS – The Voice in Art Blanchard’s Head”

We now have an official launch date of October 31, 2008! What better day to introduce the first episode of FETIDUS: The Damned Heir to the world than on All Hallows’ Eve? We’re working night in and night out to bring this story to life, and I can’t wait to share it with you. Not only that, it’s even more strangely appropriate considering the intense political season! I can’t think of a more perfect time to share a post-apocalyptic, science fiction world, filled with such creatures as zombies, vampires and who knows what else… all interwoven within a twisted mystery set in the charged political atmosphere of Washington, DC, circa 2034.

And you’ll be able to download this story, one episode per week, starting October 31st, for FREE. Sick, isn’t it? What insanity brought about the creation of this work? Poke around the website and find out. And check back frequently for updates! While you’re at it, make sure to subscribe to the feed and/or subscribe via email and feel free to spread the word among your friends and undead kindred. I hope that this will be one gripping mystery that will keep you guessing until the final episodes.

Sincerely,
James Durham

After a grueling casting process that involved scouring the world from the Mammoth Caves of Kentucky to the Aravalli Mountain Range of India, and from the Great Victoria Desert of Australia to the ice roads of Tuktoyaktuk, Canada, I am thrilled to announce that casting for FETIDUS is now complete!

I’m honored to work with such a great group of talented individuals! Please check out the CAST page for more information.

FETIDUS is still on track for a launch some time in October. More information to follow soon!

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Click below to listen to an excerpt from FETIDUS: The Damned Heir:

Please note: The original release version of the audio file for this post has been moved to the Episode Archive – Original Releases. Please check the homepage for updates on availability of current FETIDUS releases.

The world of Art Blanchard, Esq. isn’t exactly pretty, but it is what it is. Washington, D.C. has surely seen better days, and FETIDUS is there to help make things just a little bit better. One zombie at a time. Here is an excerpt from FETIDUS: The Damned Heir:

“The night was unusually dark and oppressively humid, even for DC, which was locked in a nasty heatwave. DC in late July was not exactly the most pleasant place to be when the sticky humidity was in full force, even in the evening. It could be as bad as New Orlando in the summer, or worse yet, even Panama City. Still, the night was better than the hellish mid-day. Probably one of the many reasons why I preferred to work late at night.

The stench of old DC was particularly intense this time of year, which was not necessarily a bad thing, depending on how you looked at it. More than a decade of cleaning and rebuilding couldn’t purge this town of the thick odor that still clung to every surface. Even the new town seemed infused with it. It was an odor that reminded me of an unkempt morgue. I liked it….”

Click below to listen to an excerpt from FETIDUS: The Damned Heir:

Please note: The original release version of the audio file for this post has been moved to the Episode Archive – Original Releases. Please check the homepage for updates on availability of current FETIDUS releases.

I just got off the phone with one Matthew Wayne Selznick, master podcaster, author and DIY-advocate extraordinaire, and I had to post a big THANK YOU to him for spending the time to share some of his podcasting wisdom with me.

For those of you who don’t know, Matthew is a pioneer in the podcasting world, and author of Brave Men Run, an awesome coming-of-age alternate history novel set in his Sovereign Era universe, where the characters from X-Men and The Breakfast Club would feel right at home. He was the first author to simultaneously release his novel in serialized podcast/audiobook, e-book and print formats, and knows a thing or two about this exciting new media. Make that a whole lot of things or twos…

He was very generous to take the time to help me navigate some of the pitfalls and obstacles of podcasting my first audiobook, and honestly, it’s to people like him that all podcasters owe a debt of gratitude. Not only is he an extremely knowledgeable, generous guy, but he’s a great author too, so make sure to check out his website and novel at www.mattselznick.com and www.bravemenrun.com!

Thanks again, Matthew! May the Sovereign Era flourish!

Meet Art Blanchard, Esq., of the DC office of FETIDUS, The Foundation for the Ethical Treatment of the Innocently Damned, Undead and Supernatural. Here are a few of the things he has to say about himself:

“Some people thought I was a mean old bastard whom you didn’t want to cross in a dark alley behind one of the many seedy bars in DC, and they were partially right. It all depended on who you were and why you were there, and what you meant by ‘old.’

Other people thought I was a sick zombie-lover, the sort that marched with the Zombie Outbreak of ’21, and they were partially right too. What they didn’t know was why I did it.

Still others thought I was once a talented lawyer who had crashed and burned a few years back and now washed up defending back-street blood-sucking scum and the undead because that’s all I could do now. They were partially right too, but for the wrong reasons….”

Click below to listen to an excerpt from FETIDUS: The Damned Heir:

Please note: The original release version of the audio file for this post has been moved to the Episode Archive – Original Releases. Please check the homepage for updates on availability of current FETIDUS releases.

Welcome to FETIDUS – The Foundation for the Ethical Treatment of the Innocently Damned, Undead and Supernatural. FETIDUS is launching in October 2008, so please check back soon for more information!

Click here to subscribe to FETIDUS by Email
Click here to subscribe to FETIDUS by RSS Feed

For more information, please contact:
James Durham, (jdurham at fetidus dot org)