Please welcome Brad Lockwood with his debut on Podiobooks.com with Sellout.
“Sellout” was written by Brad Lockwood in 1997 and released as a paperback novella in 2000. Selling remarkably well, Lockwood hit the recording studio to make the audio book of his dreams - featuring 14 performers, an original soundtrack and sound effects, “Sellout” was released as a 2 CD set in late 2000; nominated for multiple Audie Awards and gaining a cult following (as well as being optioned for a feature film adaptation), only now has “Sellout” been released in digital/podiobook form.
Sellout promo [1:22m]:
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on Friday, June 22nd, 2007 at 3:44 pm and is filed under New Books.
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July 9th, 2007 at 5:29 pm
OMG!!! Too cool to find this site - and a fav author of mine!!!
I got this audio book years ago at Harvest Moon fest and fell in love with Gil, the main character. I tried to find copies for friends and only saw them for like $200 on eBay.
Brad Lockwood’s the best - checkout his NY Press articles (the one about Bubba’s bitch is amazing - sorry Hillary C.)
I don’t know if other audio-ers here have books published, like bound and sold in stores, but give thanks Brad’s on the scene. Viv’s a good, but we’re all both Gil and Jazz in the end…
Thanks Podiobookers!
August 11th, 2007 at 8:59 am
Hello all.
I wanted to both thank and apologize to all who posted the technical issues they were having with my audiobook “Sellout.” The Podiobooks crew has been very patient in converting my 2 CD-set to a podcast but it has been a slow process; some listeners have cancelled their subscriptions as a result and I promise more frequent posts from hereon. I’m usually out on feature article assignments or random book tours, so my time has been limited. But this is a fun process, and I thank you all for listening and offering insights.
Lastly, I already made my money back from selling the CD version of “Sellout” but, please, remember, the engineering and actual recording of these books isn’t cheap - If you like something, donate, and tell your friends to listen and ante-up too.
Thank you all,
Brad Lockwood
October 5th, 2007 at 10:00 pm
ante up. do you even hear yourself? somebody else pulled that “you all owe me” routine: tommy wallach. bleh.
dunno about anyone else, but i’m more likely to send money to good authors/readers who either don’t talk about it, or who do the soft sell (e.g., darusha wehm, jon armstrong). but after listening to the inappropriately music-ified sample of this book, i won’t download any of it. there’s a load o’ guilt off!
if you don’t like doing something, and it’s not necessary for your survival, please just don’t do it. the collectivist flagellation belongs at a site for those who can’t think properly.
October 11th, 2007 at 11:18 pm
Nothing in the introduction text gives a clue as to what this book is about. What would make me want to read it?
October 16th, 2007 at 11:30 am
After reading some of the jealous and/or inane comments about “Sellout” I did listen — And like it!
Who is “Memory” and these other dolts who thrash others’ works? What would possess an author of obvious talent to post FREE audio clips on this site?
Get real, people. You obviously don’t write - amateurs at best. Keep masturbating on your Macs and leave the real writing to people like Brad Lockwood. “Sellout” is too good to be on this crap site.
November 3rd, 2007 at 11:37 pm
Great! The whole book is finally here. I can’t wait to finish it- it really is a good story. People like Charley Hardman, who don’t even listen to the book, yet nitpick over some inane, irrelevant details are idiots. May I suggest counseling? This book rules.
November 4th, 2007 at 2:50 am
Weird, this is one of the few times I’ve actually seen really negative comments about something that somebody is giving away for free. Generally people comment on the style and ways they would change it or ways the author could improve the narration, etc. Seems people just want to trash this book/author for no reason.
I thought the book was quite quirky. The character were interesting and the way the author thread the story together made me really want to keep listening.
It was a bit weird having the story in a stereo format, meant I had to keep both earphones in when listening to this story which is something I don’t always do.
November 26th, 2007 at 7:59 pm
What about what I said was “trashing” the book? I mentioned that so far, I don’t know what it’s about, just people giving opinions.
Maybe it’s people like yourself that go on the attack much too quickly is what turn people off on this venue.
I never claimed to be a writer, either. So you know where you can shove your insults.
My apologies to the author, I was only trying to get information on the book. You can thank Jim Saunders for my departure.
February 26th, 2008 at 12:54 pm
Hmmmm…this was not a bad book. It may not have been to my tastes, exactly, but it wasn’t bad. The writing was descent, the profanities weren’t over-done (they were said for effect, as part of the story, they weren’t done because the writer couldn’t think of something else to say), and the characters developed.
Initially, I had a problem with the audio, but I believe that was because I was using (unbeknownst to me) mono headphones (I work in a factory and use industrial strength hearing protection). When I switched to my stereo headphones, the audio was miraculously restored. Sadly, that means I missed part of the story which may have improved my opinion (but I’m not willing to go back and figure out what I missed).
Again, there is nothing wrong with the story, it just wasn’t to my tastes. Since it is a novella, it is relatively short and I would encourage Memory to download it and discover for him/herself what the story is about and form his/her own opinion.
I would further caution potential readers not to ignore the adult-oriented themes/language warning. It isn’t so much the language that people might find offensive (though there is that), but the sexual inferences could be disturbing, not to mention murder and mayhem.
February 26th, 2008 at 12:55 pm
Oh, sorry! That should be decent, not descent.
May 8th, 2008 at 11:58 am
Would somebody please tell the rest of us what this book is about?
June 16th, 2008 at 4:38 am
From Amazon.com - “Sellout” is the strange tale of a bored loner being dragged into wholesale experience. His new friends, Viv and Jazz, teach him that being a do-er is far richer than being a say-er; and the narrator, Gill, doesn’t realize they have made him an accomplice until it’s too late.
I have listened to the first 3 chapters and so far I am really enjoying this title. I will listen on to the rest of it
I say give this one a go.
Big thanks to the author for making the effort to do this, I do hope you may be setting a trend for others by doing something like this, seems a very good way for you to promote interest in your future projects.
As an aside, there are several comments in this thread that should be removed, they are off topic, not constructive and do not discuss the book in any way. I was surprised in particular to see the comment from Oct 5th has been left, when it so clearly should be removed. I could say an awful lot more about that particular post, but I dont want to create yet another unpleasant message here. I simply suggest removing it, as it offers absolutely nothing of any use to others.
June 16th, 2008 at 5:33 am
The comment thread is a discussion.
The post from October 5 is a direct response to the author’s post from August 11 just above it. The insulting and derisive tone, notwithstanding, it’s part of the discussion that the author started. While your opinion is that it doesn’t offer anything of value, it clearly is intended as feedback for the author.
Memory’s question was actually pertinent and valid. The intro blurb does NOT tell anything about the content of the book, only provides promotional information about the production of the book. That information was provided by the author and was presented by the staff of podiobooks exactly as it was recieved.
Jim Saunders’ response to it was rude. We don’t censor rude, as a rule. It’s unfortunate that he seemed to tar “Memory” with the same brush as “charley hardman” … Personally, I thought Memory’s response was more than adequate to deal with it. I’m sorry Memory left because of that, but unfortunately, that’s the risk with keeping an open discussion.
Monkton asked the same question as Memory on May 8th.
Martin, you DID finally answer the question by pulling the blurb from Amazon. Thanks. I was kinda hoping the author or one of the people who had actually listened would answer since I have no idea what it’s about either.
As for deleting the posts, that’s probably not going to happen because this comment thread is a discussion. Sometimes we don’t like what people say, or how they say it, but — for the most part — we only censor spam. While that leaves room for trolls, flamers, lamers, and other unfortunate flora and fauna, the expectation is that normal people will recognize that as part of the price for having an open discussion and accord them the attention they deserve.
July 8th, 2008 at 5:19 pm
What is up with Podiobooks? An author offers a FREE book in FULL STEREO (HURRAY!) and you whine?
You should donate a dollar for every word spent whining - Or go listen to other audio books, sub-par as they are.
Thank you, Mr. Lockwood. “Sellout” made me buy and read your other books - “Tested XX” is an astonishing biography while “Wink” should be made into audio, but certainly not released here, where no one appreciates artistry.
July 9th, 2008 at 2:53 pm
Audio Fan,
I take that to mean that you somehow think WE, the people behind Podiobooks.com, are the ones doing the whining? Do I have that right? If so, I’m very puzzled. I mean, the comments on the blog post were made by listeners, not staff members.
I hope you aren’t holding us accountable for what people have to say about Brad and his book.
July 13th, 2008 at 7:28 am
Well I for one have been driven to download the book from reading with amusement the various comments in the blogs, just to prove yet again that there really is no such thing as bad press!!!
Personally I shall refrain from commenting on the book until I’ve listened to it. For the record I love Podiobooks and while the quality is uneven across all genres, I know it isn’t all aimed at me but to a broad audience - AND ITS FREE!! Hats off to Evo et al, and more please.
August 21st, 2008 at 7:22 am
Wow! What a year can do! I’ve been out in Oregon finishing my next novel and haven’t checked this site in ages - And now that I have I’m amazed at the comments.
Sorry if it’s unclear what “Sellout” is about: A bored loner helps a stranger, falls in love, and becomes an accomplice. Pretty clear, I hope. “Sellout” is now optioned to be made into a feature film (the 2nd option, actually) so look for it on the big screen or straight to DVD someday…
After reading these comments (and thanks to Evo for posting) I simply don’t know what to say. Who are these people? Do they not bother to listen or do they only post negative comments about others works? “Sellout” is very experimental - in stereo, multiple performers, sound effects and an original soundtrack - so I can see where some get confused. I made this audiobook because I didn’t like others on the market; it is intentionally different, and many seem to appreciate that.
However, since I don’t personally know any of you, I’m bemused how personal some of these comments are. Sorry if you think you’re a super-audio-genius and the rest of us are amateurs. I’m only an artist with my 8th and 9th books being released in 2009 - be on the lookout for “New York Unbound” and “Blue Bucket.” I also have a treatise “On Giants” that may make a fine audio nonfiction piece but my time is precious these days.
I put “Sellout” up on this site so I wouldn’t have to duplicate and ship any more CDs, that’s all. Some here seem to take this site far too seriously. To the rest who enjoyed my work, I thank you. To the rest, best of luck.
October 7th, 2008 at 4:00 pm
I thoroughly enjoyed this story. The recording is superb, and stereo field of multiple performers added an unexpected texture to a setting that seemed to take a literary backseat to the richly complex yet straightforward character development. I don’t mean that as a criticism, these characters would make you forget any setting in which they’re presented. As others have mentioned, I didn’t know what to expect after reading all of the bizarre comments left for this book, but this deserves to be listened to. Thank you, Mr. Lockwood, for posting this excellent audio-novella, & thank you podiobooks for creating this great website. As to everyone else, let’s all just take a deep breath & be thankful that we have this site at all & have the freewill to decide whether to listen or not listen to whatever we want. This is a community of novice to professional writers that want to share their works with us, so please keep the criticism politely constructive.