The president of the United States is dead. He was murdered in the morning sunlight by a four-year-old boy…
Those are the opening lines of J.C. Hutchins’ sci-fi thriller novel 7th Son: Descent, which will be released in North American bookstores on Oct. 27.
When dozens of publishing pros rejected 7th Son in 2005, J.C. reckoned the book would never be published. But convinced the story he’d told was worth sharing, he took to the “podwaves” in 2006 and released 7th Son: Descent as a free serialized podcast novel.
The story — a modern-day tale about human cloning, memory recording, government conspiracies and a villain bent on global chaos — captured the imagination of tens of thousands of listeners. Thanks to the quality of the story and the evangelism of these fans, an editor at St. Martin’s Press took notice of 7th Son: Descent. The company offered to publish it. Hutchins is one of a few “podnovelists” who have landed such a deal with a major publisher.
To celebrate the Oct. 27 release of the book, J.C. is releasing the “print edition” of 7th Son: Descent in several serialized formats: PDF, blog text, and audio. We think J.C.’s personal story — and the 7th Son novel — is worthy of support, and are helping distribute the audio version of the novel at Slice of SciFi for the next ten weeks.
What’s the book about? Here’s the jacket copy: As America reels from the bizarre presidential assassination committed by a child, seven men are abducted from their normal lives and delivered to a secret government facility. Each man has his own career, his own specialty. All are identical in appearance. The seven strangers were grown — unwitting human clones — as part of a project called 7th Son.
The government now wants something from these “John Michael Smiths.” They share the flesh as well as the implanted memories of the psychopath responsible for the president’s murder. The killer has bigger plans, and only these seven have the unique qualifications to track and stop him. But when their progenitor makes the battle personal, it becomes clear John Alpha may know the seven better than they know themselves…
Intrigued? Check out the first serialized installment of 7th Son at the link below. You can support the book by purchasing a copy at Amazon, Barnes & Noble or Borders, or printing this PDF order form and presenting it at your favorite bookstore. You can learn more about the book at J.C.’s site.
Listen to the first episode here. It’s a cool, cliffhanger-filled ride. We dig it, and we think you will too.
The novel features Rated R violence and adult language. Please add a disclaimer to the post if you feel it’s necessary.
I started listening to Hutch's podiobooks about halfway through the release cycle (Summer 2007, or so). Once I caught up and had to wait for the third book, I was on pins and needles for months. It's an amazingly complex story full of action and intrigue, and he did a wonderful job presenting it in audio format. Can't wait to pick up the book and experience it all over again.
(Fun side note: J.C. Hutchins was my gateway to Jonathan Coulton, who then led me to Paul and Storm. Domino effect of geekitude!)
Not that I've got anything against JC Hutchins, but why are you guys tossing an entire novel into the slice of sci fi feed? The first chapter would be one thing, but all of it? Why not give it its own feed? If I wanted it, I'd go and get it. I'm sure it's a great book and all, but the delivery method is turning me off.