pod_together

Welcome to pod_together! A challenge where authors and readers work in a partnership, the author writing something specifically to be podficced, and the reader recording it. At the end of the challenge, the text version and the audio version are posted simultaneously.


Please take a moment to check out the Rules/FAQs behind the cuts.

( What does a work written specifically to be podficced look like?Collapse )


( Okay, so how exactly will the collaborations go?Collapse )


( Is there a minimum and maximum length for these stories?Collapse )


( What is the Timeline?Collapse )


( What’s the difference between Individual sign ups and Group sign ups?Collapse )


( I signed up as an individual, but now I have a group, what do I do?Collapse )


( Will all groups have just one author and one podficcer?Collapse )


( What about artwork?Collapse )


( I’ve gotten my assignment, now what?Collapse )


( What are the check in points?Collapse )


( What if I need to drop out?Collapse )


( How do groups hand in their finished assignments?Collapse )


( When will my group's story be posted?Collapse )


( Thanks, mods! What can we do to support you?Collapse )


( I want to participate, but I've got a busy month ahead and I'm not sure I can commitCollapse )


If you have any further questions please feel free to ask here or email us at pod.together at gmail dot com.

Living on the Road with Demons (Bandom/Buffy the Vampire Slayer) written by quintenttsy and performed by reena-jenkins | 5,004 words | 0:40:46

Summary:

Probably Victoria's vehement protests that she is NOT a Slayer would hold more weight if she didn't, y'know, keep slaying things.

(or, an epic tale of LOVE and LOSS wherein there is ACTION! ADVENTURE! EMOTION! ORGIES! EMOTICONS!)

This is a hilarous crossover, set after BtVS's final season, in which Victoria Asher is not only a Slayer but also in a poly relationship with her bandmates. It's adorable without being sappy. Also, the balance between the fandoms is more than enough to make it a delight to read AND listen if you might be in the mood for some kickass shenanigans with bonus!orgies. (In my book, I call that a WIN/WIN!)

quintenttsy wrote a dizzying not!fic that also throws in Scooby-Doo references and very fitting emoticons. Victoria is amazing as the Slayer keytarrist with four boyfriends who are all kinds of adorable.

Meanwhile, reena-jenkins's read is genius. She's got the right enthusiasm and reading style to makes the story come alive. In addition, there's also an extra blooper reel that rounds out one of the grooviest podfics out there.

Feel free to check both fanworks out and give props to the creators if you dig it. Remember, feedback is love. :D!

Sanctuary (Supernatural) written by Ebyru and performed by Ktown | 1,901 words | 0:12:01

Summary:

Castiel reflects on his new environment and situation.

This isn’t the first time he’s been stuck somewhere, but it’s the first time he’s had Dean as company.

This story is muted and introspective, focusing on Castiel and Dean in Purgatory, and Ktown perfectly voices the quiet atmosphere of the story. It's an exploration of the roles that Dean and Castiel take on as they try to survive the cold and dangers of Purgatory, a reflection of how they're so much stronger together than apart.

The technical aspects of this fanwork are perfect; the sound levels and editing are well done and well-suited to the story. There was the use of special effects in the story, but it just added to the atmosphere. This was an enjoyable listen from beginning to end.

Even if you aren't in the Supernatural fandom, this is still an excellent fanwork to experience. Go check it out, and remember to leave feedback for the creators - they worked hard on creating this project.

Every Step of the Way (Person of Interest) written by maekala and performed by podcath | 2,017 words | 0:13:06

Summary:

Picks up at the end of the episode "Cura Te Ipsum" and follows what happened after the screen went black. Finch supports Reese's decision and stays with him every step of the way.

I'll be the first one to say that I'm not familiar with this fandom at all. Still, I couldn't help but be reeled in by this fanwork. It's pretty somber but honest at the same time. The characters are fully realized so I can only imagine how satisfying this fanwork will be to someone in the PoI fandom.

maekala wrote a story about the darker side of having an intimate bond with someone else. It's a fascinating look at the different ways people support each other.

podcath's read is intense in its quietness. The use of Mark Balla's "Every Step of the Way" at the beginning and end of the podfic is clever because it underlines Finch's (and, to a certain extent, Reese's) thoughts and emotions beautifully.

Thought not a particularly happy fanwork, the implied trust between Finch and Reese adds enough comfort for it to be an enjoyable read and listen.

Don't forget to leave some feedback to the creators if you dig this fanwork. :D!

An Offer You Can Never Refuse (SPN RPF) written by akintay and performed by applegeuse and fishpatrol | 7233 words | 0:49:13

Summary:

Jared is a damn good thief – smart and rational, if a bit cocky. With Jensen at his side, he's even better.

This fanwork alternates between the past and the present, and the performers alternate sections, which is a wonderful way to aurally differentiate the timelines. The fanwork borrows from one of my favorite tropes, jewel/art thieves, a classic since Cary Grant charmed Grace Kelly in To Catch A Thief.

The fanwork tells the story of how Jensen and Jared meet, steal from the rich, and eventually, steal each other's hearts. As one does. :D

The writing is sweet and hot, and applegeuse's and fishpatrol's performances are lovely. One of the things I liked was how unique each voice was, how each performer had a different style and pacing. And in spite of the differences, applegeuse and fishpatrol managed to weave the story together into a cohesive whole.

The editing was excellent in this fanwork; the sound levels were consistent between performers and their voices were crisp and clear which complimented the writing. Their enjoyment of the story comes through loud and clear and adds so much passion to the fanwork.

Even if you aren't in the SPN RPF fandom, this is still an excellent fanwork to experience. Go check it out, and remember to leave feedback for the creators - they worked hard on creating this project.

Matrjoschka (Harry Potter) written by Ischa and performed by wench-fics | 6,024 words | 0:47:15

Summary:

In which Draco gets cursed into a Russian Nesting Doll.

Set post-The Deathly Hallows, this is a fanwork with an HP-worthy premise, lots of humour and a poly 'ship that works from every angle.

Ischa wrote a fic with grown-up versions of Draco, Luna and Harry. She's given them enough maturity to be believable as adults while still retaining their personality. Therefore, Draco is a little bit of a snob, Harry can't help but come to a friend's aid and Luna's inherent quirkiness has blossomed in a beautiful way.

For her part, wench-fics's reading is en point. She has a delivery that brings out the funny parts (such as Draco's exasperation with/admiration of Luna's weirdness) as well as the naughty ones (Luna and Harry's tumble in bed).

This is a cool fanwork that plays up with AU without going OTT. Do go an check it out. Don't forget to leave kudos/comments if you dig it. :D!

i tell time on my broken watch (somehow friends still find me) (Social Network) written by flyingthesky and performed by knight_tracer | 708 words | 4:30

Summary:

"You're blue. And fuzzy. And you have a tail."

Eduardo kind of wishes that this was not his life, but his life is incredibly peculiar sometimes and his holographic inducer is very much not working at the moment.

This is a sweet and funny fanwork, focusing on what happens when Eduardo accidentally gets outed as a mutant. Eduardo's fear, and Dustin's rather blasé acceptance of Eduardo's blue fuzziness comes through clearly in the fanwork, and the rest of the fanwork is giggle-inducing sweetness.

I loved the different mutant powers ascribed to the different characters and Dustin's openess. The pacing of the story is perfect and the sound levels are clear. A charming fanwork that was a lot of fun to listen to.

Even if you aren't in the Social Network fandom, this is still an excellent fanwork to experience. Go check it out, and remember to leave feedback for the creators - they worked hard on creating this project.

With Their Blue Tattoos (Bandom) written by girlmarauders and performed by argentumlupine | 3,649 words | 0:21:55

Summary:

An AU in which Mikey and Frank are tattoo artists with a shop together.

This is a very cool fanwork. It's the kind of great AU than anyone can enjoy whether or not they're in the fandom.

girlmarauders crafted a story in which we see how tattoos influence and transform everything in Mikeyway's life: from his friendship with Frank and his connection to Gerard to his separate (yet equally intense) relationships with Pete Wentz and Alicia Simmons.

Meanwhile, argentumlupine's reading is superb. Not only because she builds up the story by giving Brian a slightly snarky monotone and Bob a deep one, but also because she lets Mikeyway's love for anything tattoo-related shine through.

Don't forget to leave feedback if you dig this awesomecakes fanwork! :D!

geeks will geek (and Tony Stark will create reasons for them to) (Avengers) written by flyingthesky and performed by canadasuperhero | 1730 words | 0:14:15

Summary:

Drunken app coding. Marshmallow machine guns. Great Lakes shipping mishaps. Many many people yelling Tony's name.

It's pretty much a regular day at the ThinkGeek offices.

Or, the one in which the Avengers are employees at ThinkGeek.

One of the best things about this fanwork is the way that the music is an integral part of the story. It sets the mood and tone for each section, but mostly, it's what Tony has blasting in his workshop at any given moment.

This is a geeky and funny twist on the Avengers, with Tony as the CEO of ThinkGeek, who just wants to be left alone to build his toys, while his talented staff work hard at shooting each other with marshmallow machine guns and Nerf dart-guns.

I was impressed with the way managed to create extremely subtle character voices - the way she voiced Pepper was spot on - that made listening to this wacky fanwork so enjoyable.

I loved Tony's creations (Schrödinger's Cat app FTW) and all the other little quirks that infused the fanwork with.

The pacing is perfect, the music works, and the sound levels are clear. The fanwork was a lot of fun to experience

Even if you aren't in the Avengers (or ThinkGeek) fandom, this is still an excellent fanwork to experience. Go check it out, and remember to leave feedback for the creators - they worked hard on creating this project.

Tags: !spotlight, fandom: avengers

Perspective Shift (Bandom) written by melusina and performed by girlpearl | 3,628 words | 0:21:24

Summary:

Brendon didn't mean to lie. He was just a little naive, okay?

This is the flipside to New Perspective--which I talked about here. We've already heard Spencer's version. Now it's time to for Brendon to tell us what happened.

The tone in melusina's fic is more comedic than in the other story. I don't know if it was intentional, but it really suits Brendon. There's a particular tenderness in the middle of the wacky misadventures he endures while trying to find out what's up with Spencer. And it's really interesting seeing who he seeks help from.

girlpearl's reading is absolutely perfect. She's got a voice and a style that brings out the LOLarious aspects of the story as well as the romantic ones.

It's a fantastic collaboration and a wonderful fanwork.

Check it out. Even if you're not in the fandom, you might end up digging it. Don't forget: feedback is love. :D!