How about a little horror to go with your scifi? Check out Jake Bible’s Dead Mech:
After the zombie apocalypse decimates the world, human civilization tries to put itself back together again. Their secret weapon: the Mechs. But what happens when a mech pilot dies in his mech and becomes a zombie? Hell on earth is unleashed…
We’re launching with five episodes. If you get a custom feed, we’ll send you episodes one at a time until complete. The default feed is also available, as long as you’re comfy with tweaking your podcatcher to get older or sometimes multiple episodes.
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on Wednesday, March 17th, 2010 at 12:00 am and is filed under New Books.
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March 17th, 2010 at 8:34 am
What I’ve heard so far, I really dig. Post apocalyptic zombie mayhem with giant robots and seasoned with some BSG spices for good measure. Jake’s a great narrator, too.
March 18th, 2010 at 6:51 am
I agree, this is a strong story. You should try getting this to print, it is solid stuff.
March 18th, 2010 at 4:26 pm
Enjoying what I have hear so far. Only one bit I find annoying is how short the ‘scenes’ are; at times it feels very jumpy and can be difficult to follow.
March 18th, 2010 at 4:41 pm
Thanks everyone for the kind words. I’m glad you are all enjoying it.
Beck- Go to my website (http://jakebible.com) there is a great explanation for the short scenes. I am writing The World’s First Drabble Novel and it has a specific structure. Check out the page “What’s A Drabble?” and all shall be revealed.
Thanks,
Jake
March 19th, 2010 at 2:40 am
I originally thought the pauses were failures in my audio equipment, doh!
But the Drabble format (World’s first!) really works and sets-up the pace of the podcast perfectly.
Watch out for them deaders!
March 19th, 2010 at 4:36 am
Zombies and Mechs! Whats not to like about this one. A refreshing take on the whole zombie genre. Some good characters being constructed through the episodes. I will agree that some of the episodes can be a touch short and therefore can leave you feeling a little disjointed whilst listening. But, you can always re-listen to the whole episode again to sort that one out – a minor problem really when you look at the quality and the technical side of things.
Great work, thanks!
March 19th, 2010 at 4:37 am
And I really do want that book cover on a T-Shirt!
March 19th, 2010 at 6:36 am
Thanks y’all for the comments! I know the Drabble style takes some adjustment and thanks for hanging in there.
And, yes, T-shirts are available on my website (or the link is there on the right). So get over there and get dressed!
Keep the comments coming and let me know how you like the story as it progresses. Email me, DM me on Twitter (@jakebible) or comment in the forum or the Facebook fan page (links on my website).
Cheers!
Jake
March 19th, 2010 at 10:10 am
Curious, I looked this up in iTunes, and there are two versions listed. one has these 5 episodes, and the other has 13… are they both the same?
March 19th, 2010 at 5:17 pm
They are both the same. The one on Podiobooks is just the novel. No intro jibber jabber. The one from my feed has me rambling about this and that and is further along in the story. So it’s really a matter of personal choice. I’ll be releasing an episode a week here on Podiobooks, while my personal feed is every two weeks. At some point they’ll synch up.
Let me know how you like the story.
Cheers!
Jake
March 23rd, 2010 at 6:49 pm
Interesting start, I like the idea of fighting off the zombie hordes with mecha in a post apocalyptic world.
While the concept of writing it in “Drabbles” (although if you took any single drabble out of your story and gave it to someone who knew nothing about the rest of it would they be able to understand it as a self contained work?) is good as it does blend itself well to a podcast, so each episode can be the same length.
The story has ended up in a bit choppy, although this is also a bit of a personal preference of mine, as I much prefer a story that come from only a single characters point of view or just a limited few.
I will also add, watch the science, already had a couple of moments of disbelief the immersion.
However it’s a good start and I’m waiting to hear more.
March 24th, 2010 at 4:25 am
Thanks for the feedback.
The Drabble style does take some getting used to. The narrative becomes a little less choppy as the story progresses and each character is fleshed out more. As for the science, well, yeah, you’re gonna have to suspend your disbelief a few times. After all it is a zombie novel with giant robots!
Although, I have made a special point of keeping my “science” consistent. If there is anything specific you are unsure of, shoot me an email.
Cheers!
Jake
March 24th, 2010 at 6:23 am
What the drabble format also means is, of course, that it will be tremendously easy to convert into screenplay. Expect a phone call, once the Twilight guys come home from shopping for a new gold yacht.
Of course, if it was made as a co-production of George Lucas and Stephen King…
March 24th, 2010 at 12:08 pm
You bet! Hollywood look out, here comes Dead Mech!
April 7th, 2010 at 10:25 pm
This book is amazing! I eagrly await the next episode to feed the need. It totally makes my work day a lot more barable if not a little less productive as I am lost in the story in total zombie mode. Battle, blood, sex, war machines, and zombies! I mean what’s not to love?
April 8th, 2010 at 12:33 pm
I absolutely love this story!!! Only complaint is that it’s not getting out there fast enough! I love the short scenes, it makes the story very fast paced! There’s probably not enough teenage love in this story for the twilight people to notice, but what do they know about zombies anyway!!!
Great story, good characters, great narrating! Keep up the good work! Please!
April 8th, 2010 at 4:28 pm
Maia & Steve,
Thanks y’all! Talk about making my day. I’m glad you are both liking the story and get where I’m going with it what I’m trying to do. Don’t worry, there’ll be a new episode each week until its all done.
Cheers,
Jake
PS- If you haven’t already, go ahead and post a review on iTunes. It really helps others decide whether to subscribe or not. Thanks again!
April 9th, 2010 at 1:10 pm
Just finished episode 13, and I’m really curious, where do the dead mechs get their power?
You have the three live mechs plugging into the transport to recharge, but the dead mechs don’t have this option…
April 10th, 2010 at 8:46 am
Andy- Excellent question. Most Dead Mechs have very few systems active and really don’t move around too much, so they use little power. I don’t really touch on it in the story, but the mechs are equipped with limited solar recharge capabilities. Its more of a backup system and that is how the Dead Mechs survive. However, some of the “Thinkers” have figured out how to recharge in various way, but that is left for the sequel! You will probably find a few unanswered questions here and there, but don’t worry, I have a plan for everything and when the novel goes to print it will all be addressed. Thanks for the question and comment. Cheers!-Jake
June 19th, 2010 at 1:09 am
Hello, simple question. And I know it is rather obvious, based on the ending, but is there a sequel? If so, any prediction on when it will be out?
June 24th, 2010 at 6:24 am
RE: Power
Wasn’t there a mention of the mobile command center drilling to collect geothermal power?
June 26th, 2010 at 5:23 pm
I like the ideas in the novella, but the scenes shift back and forth so fast that it makes it difficult to follow. I kinda got a headache as I struggled just to comprehend. I think this would be an awesome story if each scene was allowed to develop a bit longer before changing. Thanks for the book though, and BTW your episode w/ Sigler was my favorite crypt yet.
June 28th, 2010 at 2:39 pm
I love the story overall, especially the fact that each scene is a drabble. I do notice, however, that every once in a while, you stumble on a few words, but it doesn’t detract from the story. One of my several podcasts that I listen to is Norm Sherman’s “Drabblecast”, do you listen?
June 29th, 2010 at 4:10 pm
Wow, guess I haven’t checked the posts in a while.
First, yes, there will be a sequel. In fact, there will be a few books set in this world.
Second, as for power, listen to the Epilogue and Q&A episode for that answer (coming soon).
Third, the scenes are cut up into drabbles. As the story goes on I do focus on one scene longer (stringing several drabbles together to get the effect). It is hard to get used to, but it also adds a pace that is hard to match with straight prose.
Fourth, Yes, I listen to the Drabblecast! Love it! In fact, I believe it is episode 119, I have a drabble collection they produced called “The Seven Deadly Drabbles”! Check it out sometime.
Thanks everyone for taking the time to comment and also to listen to the story!
Cheers1
Jake
July 9th, 2010 at 4:37 pm
I am in love with Dead Mech (so far…I’m on episode 21 currently). What’s there not to love? Dead Mech has Mechs, Zombies, Bad Ass Mech Pilots, Sex, an ass-ton of tech, and a sload of other geeky stuff that keep me wanting more. At first, I wasn’t sure I was going to like this, but Dead Mech has won over my heart. I’m completely enamored with Harlow (she’s my hero) and I think Stomper is just adorable! Well heck, I love most all of the Mech Pilots & Co. <3 Thanks for this entertaining audio piece!
July 13th, 2010 at 4:53 pm
Wow, Traeonna, thank you for listening and posting such a glowing comment! I’m glad you are so stoked about the story and don’t worry, there will be plenty more Harlow and Stomper in the future!
Cheers,
Jake
July 13th, 2010 at 11:59 pm
Hey, Jake. Just signed up to Podiobooks after discovering it through a torrent site a week ago. Immediately searched for zombies to ease my addiction at the moment and found my way to this audiobook. Brilliant work & interesting concepts. I don’t mind the typical 4 person survival story but this is cool stuff. On my way to Episode 2.
Mike Benoit
Greensboro, NC
Supporter of ChelseaFC, Munster, CollingwoodFC
July 14th, 2010 at 7:21 am
Jake,
Awesome, loved it. Can’t wait for a sequel!
July 15th, 2010 at 5:50 pm
Hey Mike! Good to see a fellow NC’er diggin’ my stuff (I’m up in Asheville). Let me know what you think as you get further along. Cheers!
July 15th, 2010 at 5:51 pm
Hey Joe, don’t worry, a sequel will be coming! It isn’t planned as my next book, but it will be out right after the next novel!
Thanks!
July 26th, 2010 at 12:51 am
Really a fast paced book with action in almost every scene.
July 31st, 2010 at 3:09 am
Hey Jake, is there some sort of link to a reference/glossary/index type page where theres a list of characters and such.. just the basics. I do enjoy the story and all but I have trouble keeping up with whos who and stuff like that.. maybe partly because I’m listening to these in the car at around 2 in the morning… i can’t focus on them when I’m at the computer lol.
I had some issues with the voice acting regarding a certain character in the second episode, but I didn’t recognize it in the third.. so far. I haven’t had a problem with the narration at all tho.. except for when you are switching scenes. I noticed that theres a little notification for that but its a bit hard to identify it unless you listen closely.
All n all, still enjoying it
Mike Benoit
Greensboro, NC
Supporter of: ChelseaFC, Munster, CollingwoodFC
August 6th, 2010 at 5:19 am
Hey Mike,
Right now there isn’t a glossary. I’m working on a Wiki, but it’s slow going. Right now I’m concentrating on getting the book published.
If you have any questions feel free to head over to my forum at http://jakebible.freeforums.org There’s a ton of info there and you can post a question and I’m sure it will get answered by me or by one of the other fans.
As for voice acting, I don’t. I do a straight read, so sometimes characterizations will vary slightly from episode to episode. It’s why I’m a writer first and a podcaster second!
Cheers,
Jake
August 17th, 2010 at 9:00 pm
I recently finished the story and have to say its definitely a must listen. This story is very fast paced and takes abit of getting used to because it seems to jump from scene to scene.
The small fast paced music during the action scenes also helps. If this gets put into print i would recommend getting this I know I would.
September 29th, 2010 at 2:18 pm
I really tried to give this a chance but the quick scenes just made it impossible to enjoy, just when something interesting was about to happen we’d move onto another, less interesting scene and it would take too long to get back to the interesting scene. Almost reminded me of watching shows like True Blood or 24 where we’d have to plod through several uninteresting plots to get back to the really meaty stuff.
I understand this was a Drabble novel and I comment you for writing outside the box but, like with all experiments, sometimes they fail even with the best of intentions. I did like the writing so I hope to one day listen or read something of yours that is in a more tradional format. Sadly I think this is one of those great concepts (Mechs and Zombies, made me go “why didn’t I think of that! That’s a great idea!”) that just didn’t work with the format it was written in.
September 29th, 2010 at 2:20 pm
comment=commend, but you probably figured that out.
October 3rd, 2010 at 9:16 am
Tim,
Thanks for giving it a try. The print version may work better for you since it has a much faster flow to it without the four second breaks. Thanks for the feedback!
Cheers,
Jake
November 4th, 2010 at 1:21 am
I’d just like to say THANK YOU!!! I just bought a zune HD and found your audio book on a podcast, something I never knew about. I work long hours and have no time to read and listening to your story was a real treat. Truthfully I’d never thought I’d enjoy this so much that I’d bother hunting down your site just to leave a comment. If I was you I’d look into making this into a anime. A live action film would never do your story justice.
As for some of these comments I’ve seen about the four second breaks and complains about your voice acting. First off their most likely teens with short attention spans, really what better way to have a scene change then a pause? And for your reading of this, Your not professional voice actor your a writer and in my opinion the reading was adequate.
Looking forward to your next work
November 9th, 2010 at 5:14 pm
I got to say i love it, i could not stop my self from listening. Were is the next part coming i mean the end is not really and end there is so much to explore!
Love the story hope to here more soon
November 16th, 2010 at 11:43 am
Good story. Way too many scene changes. The story would be great if someone re-spliced the recordings to edit out the scene changes.
November 16th, 2010 at 5:18 pm
Eva- There will be at least two more novels in this series.
Mike- The book is the first drabble novel, ehich means it is written in 100 word sections. Each break represents the end of 100 words and the beginning of the next 100 words. It’s experimental and hard to get that across in audio. Check out the print book here: http://www.amazon.com/Dead-Mech-Worlds-Zombie-Drabble/dp/1453672567/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1289952767&sr=8-1
There’s an excerpt that shows how it is formatted in print.
Thanks everyone for all the support and feedback!
Cheers!
February 25th, 2011 at 10:54 am
Jake, the Drabble format works great for horror and gives the work a heavy feel. Maybe what I mean is, it conveys dread?!
It sure lives up to the comment from Steve J above: “Battle, blood, sex, war machines, and zombies! I mean what’s not to love?” This is not my kind of novel, but I’m enjoying the concept.
February 27th, 2011 at 12:08 pm
Excellent! I’m glad you’re liking the format even though the subject isn’t exactly your favorite. Cheers!
April 19th, 2011 at 8:39 pm
I *love love love love* this audio book! Why did I not get into this sooner??? I’m up to ep. 25 and I’m devastated it’s about to end. More please Author, this was truly a kick-arse novel and I’d love to read more, esp.in the same universe!
April 28th, 2011 at 6:13 pm
Thanks, Bellydancer! Be sure and go to http://jakebible.com for more info on the sidequel to DEAD MECH- The Americans. I think you’ll like it just as much. Both books will come together in the third book, Metal And Ash. Cheers!
August 4th, 2011 at 12:56 pm
I am an avid podiobook consumer and this one is by far my favorite. Shiner and Stomper are absolutely fascinating!
It’s not often that I run across such well developed women characters in this type of fiction and I appreciate the kick-ass girls you have created.
Thanks for the hours of entertainment. I will make it a point to listen to all of your work.
August 23rd, 2011 at 6:12 pm
Thanks, Becky! Glad you liked it. The Americans, the sidequel to DEAD MECH, is currently being released in my feed. I’ll have the entire novel up on PB soon! Cheers!
August 24th, 2011 at 9:54 pm
I think the whole “Drabble” concept is in fact nothing more that a poorly thought out writers device covering the fact that the writer can’t figure out which POV he is writing from. The rapidly switching POV does nothing more than draw attention to itself and pull focus from the story. This device might work in a music video of teenagers clothing add but nit here.The author needs a good editor to pull him out of his self indultant writing “style” and get on with telling a good story. Start with telling the real story with any origonality which here is treated as the Prolgue to which this story is actually the 4th act. Please forgive poor spelling and punctation as I’m trying to write this on my phone.
November 15th, 2011 at 6:51 am
I really enjoyed the story line. The first part of the story was really jumpy but the story and the characters were worth it. In the Q&A you meantion the mechs work on kenetic energy but you don’t know the name of how it would work. It’s called Piezoelectric and is starting to come into effect now. Just though I would give you and answer for that question.
November 20th, 2011 at 5:29 pm
Thanks, Glen! That’s a pretty cool word to know. I’ll have to use that sometime. Thanks for listening and commenting. Cheers!
December 1st, 2011 at 8:07 pm
Great story, would love to see it as a movie or a graphic novel would be really cool too!
April 19th, 2012 at 3:18 pm
I drive an hour each way to work and just want to say that I managed (somehow) to listen to one episode a week until around epoisode 10 then I just couldn’t take it anymore… had to download the rest of the episodes and over the next few days I finnised out the series… never heard of a “drabble” before and at first thought the pauses between drabbles was a bit irritating… then later on found those pauses allowed time to digest what just occurred… great format, great story, twisted imagination (in a good way)… I’d like to hear more from that world… oh… can I have a Harlow too?