How to Succeed in Evil: The Novel
As Patrick McLean tells the story, it took him some time to figure out what he wanted to do with How to Succeed in Evil, a story that was floating around in his head. It wanted to be a comic book. It wanted to be a podcast. He tried both to varying degrees of success.
But he’s got it now, it needed to be… a novel. And with that, we present do you How to Succeed in Evil: The Novel.
Alternately funny and dark, a HtSiE is the story of Edwin Windsor, Evil Efficiency Consultant. A biting satire of both modern business and the conventions of the superhero genre.
If you’re saying to yourself “But there’s already a Succeed in Evil book on Podiobooks.com”, you are quite right. However, that’s not the same as this story. For this is the story as it was meant to be told.
The first five episodes are in the default feed. But because these are short episodes and I like some control, I’m taking a custom feed, setting the system to release me a new episode of this serialized audiobook every day. Yes, the system can do that. And yes, it’s free.
March 16th, 2009 at 8:37 am
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March 16th, 2009 at 8:59 am
loved the original, is this new content?
March 16th, 2009 at 9:21 am
The original version is on my “to read” list. Would I be better of scrapping that for this version? Or will there be enough of a difference that listening to both will be worth it?
March 16th, 2009 at 10:44 am
@Chris – This is new content. While the novel is contained within the existing story arc, there’s a lot of new characters and a great deal more depth. It’s also funny as balls. (technical term)
@Ahobaugh – You will surely love them both. The book ends at the third (or so episode) the original podcast episodes cover a much longer period. They’re best thought of as really good notes, character sketches, etc. Maybe I’m downplaying too much they were good enough to win a Parsec award?
Also the Original Podcast Episodes have a lot of rich sound design in them. The novel is more of a traditional audiobook.
March 16th, 2009 at 12:03 pm
@Patrick – Maybe we should put some of that exposition in the description of the book? Seems a tad… light.
E.
March 16th, 2009 at 7:13 pm
Looking forward to checking this out. Go Patrick!
-Phil
March 18th, 2009 at 3:16 pm
I always pictured Topper looking like Master Billy Quizboy‘s (Venture Bros.) evil twin, despite appearing in the comic as more of a scowling midget car salesman. I find the former version much more humorous and it matches his voice perfectly.
March 22nd, 2009 at 7:51 am
I’m glad to see Patrick is devoting more time to writing. I wallowed in despair during the hiatus of The Seanachai. I thought we’d lost him to the Advertising industry! If you were stranded on a desert Island and you could only take one podcaster…
March 24th, 2009 at 11:54 am
I will have to admit, I am obsessed with this book. I keep checking my ITunes every day to see if new chapters have been released.
Admittedly, I have no clue what the old content was, I just found this book online by accident. So far, very entertaining, well written, and funny. That first chapter is exceptional.
March 29th, 2009 at 1:22 am
good stuff, yes, funny as balls!
March 30th, 2009 at 8:42 pm
Like Libby before me, I am absolutely hooked on this book. But unlike Libby, I knew and loved the original podcast version.
Being excited but somewhat anxious about this retooling of the story to novel length, I can definitively say that I *love* it.
The backstory for Dr Loeb and his mother Ephigenia is dark and deliciously creepy…maybe skeebie is a better description.
I must say, though that my two fav episodes so far are ‘Excelsior on the Beach’ which offers a lovely yet despairing view into the superhero mind and the very latest chapter ‘Edwin Dresses for Dinner’ which is everything I wanted it to be when delving into Edwin’s ideals around suits.
Nicely done, Patrick!
April 10th, 2009 at 1:33 pm
Great work. Outstanding narration, compelling characters, fun concept.
(does Agnes’s name change at some point?)
April 20th, 2009 at 5:41 am
Excellent book with very high production values. A real treat to listen to!
May 4th, 2009 at 8:27 am
Patrick I’m loving the book and keep getting the feeling I already knew your voice.
Was it you did the “its over, go get another podiobook” link I find at the end of my books?
May 4th, 2009 at 11:00 am
Yeah, that’s me on the, it’s over message. I guess that makes me the OFFICIAL VOICE OF PODIOBOOKS.COM. Evo?
June 7th, 2009 at 6:12 pm
I would love to see this book continue, hopefully there is not a great problem with getting the rest of the story soon. Please, keep it coming!
June 9th, 2009 at 1:54 am
No worries Jennifer, just taking a little break. (On vacation in Paris.) It will resume on the 15th.
Glad you like it. Thanks for listening.
June 18th, 2009 at 11:12 am
Hope the break is over soon and Patrick’s vacation was great! Looking forward to the continuation of the story.
June 18th, 2009 at 4:13 pm
Aw thanks Jennifer. New chapters are waiting for the gentle click of Evo’s approval.
June 26th, 2009 at 2:25 pm
Oh my God this book made my stay in the hospital bearable. One of the only things that really made me laugh. It just pisses me off that I couldn’t keep listening. )=
SO MUCH AWESOME.
June 27th, 2009 at 7:27 am
That’s a hell of a compliment Grace. I’m glad I could help with your troubles. Thanks.
July 4th, 2009 at 7:13 am
I hope the click of Evo’s approval for the new chapters comes soon. Going through a bit of withdrawal without one of my all time favorite podcasts of all time. this re-write has been fabulous!
July 23rd, 2009 at 1:53 pm
I was climbing a steep hill on my bike when the “golf match” came on. I laughed so hard at one point that I came off the bike (first tee shot moment). Skinned knee. Totally worth it.
August 5th, 2009 at 1:26 am
One hell of a story, well written, voiced/acted and finished. I want to write something worthy of Patrick but I cannot, this is just one hell of a good story.
Darren
August 5th, 2009 at 8:43 am
Thanks Darren.
Sorry for your injury Barry.
There are a few more chapters coming. Many folks pointed out that the ending was a little too cliffhangery. And I agree. In fact, there is a post about it here: http://succeedinevil.com/2009/08/03/oops-i-forgot-to-kill-the-shark-more-ending-to-come/
August 5th, 2009 at 5:02 pm
Patrick you freaking rule, great novel, great voice acting great all around. I wonder if you are going to the the novel the direction of the original one, it seems like it. Either way its awesome man.
August 18th, 2009 at 2:36 pm
This podcast has excellent narration and outstanding prose. I love the concept, but I just got tired of the antagonists. It never seemed that Edwin was particuarly smart, just that every single other character was functionally retarded.
September 27th, 2009 at 4:18 pm
THE GOOD: Patrick McLean is a master of satire and hyperbole. He uses both throughout How to Succeed in Evil. He also does a splendid job of voicing each character and bringing them to life for the listener.
THE BAD: The only issue I had with this book was the editing. Many of the episodes are fine, but others are about what you’d expect from an amateur podcaster. This is frustrating when you are listening to content that is so well written and engaging. It took me out of the story. Please note that I am an audio engineer. There is an excellent chance that this bothers me more than it will you.
THE BOTTOM LINE: If you have not experienced Patrick McLean’s work, you simply *must* check out How to Succeed in Evil. It may be my favorite novel on Podiobooks.com. It’s definitely up there. Patrick uses his dry wit style to mock traditional notions of heroes and villains. This book will make you laugh out loud unless you are dead. Download it now. It’s free! Although I did donate since I’m a strong believer in the value for value system
October 30th, 2009 at 10:59 am
I’ve listened to both the original episodes and the final product and I love them both. Although the final had obvious improvements, the originals were damn fine storytelling on their own.
Does Patrick do all the voice work?
Also…http://www.theseanachai.com/ is one of the very few fictional podcasts I listen to. Fantastically entertaining.
November 11th, 2009 at 9:19 am
Thanks for the kind words Tyler. Glad you enjoy. In fact, I do all the voice work myself. Every last word.
Topper is very therapeutic
December 23rd, 2009 at 12:15 pm
Stumbled onto this book looking for something light to listen to on an overseas flight. I honestly didn’t expect much, and was very pleasantly surprised. If you’re a fan of Carl Hiaasen or Christopher Moore this is going to be right up your alley. Well plotted, well read, extremely entertaining book. Thanks very much for this exceptional gift, Patrick, and know that I’ll be first in line for a stack to give as gifts when a print edition comes out.
April 26th, 2010 at 9:01 pm
I just found the Seanachai a couple of weeks ago and heard the original “Evil” stories there. Great stuff. I drive a semi and it makes the miles blur by as I laugh and think.
Keep up the great stories.
May 21st, 2010 at 11:06 am
Featured on my blog!
http://allyoucaneatplusmints.blogspot.com/2010/05/listen-listen.html
March 10th, 2011 at 10:38 pm
i’m only a few chapters in and loving it.
but i’m convinced that there is an evil plot built into this book within the mismatched numbering of episodes and the mysterious missing chapter 17.
truly evil.
March 22nd, 2011 at 1:03 pm
I was slightly hindered at the start of this book, by a few chapters not being a known file type to play on an mp3 player. (i think chapters 14 -22 but 18 worked). But i by then i was already hooked and just listened to those on my pc.
Great writing; fun, dark, thought provoking. And it reminded me a bit of mur lafferty’s playing for keeps – which is a good thing. The Narration was very impressive. I gave it a rare 5 stars all around and will be looking for more from this author.
April 7th, 2011 at 9:51 pm
Great book! How to Succeed in Evil has kept me laughing all week. Thanks!
One note about the Intro advertising our Overlord’s latest book. 72 intros is a little too much when the episodes are so short. It sold me, but by episode 40 I’m screaming, “Enough, I’ll buy it!”
I guess it worked!