Episodes
Rish Outcast 63: Unpleasant Sensation
January 24, 2017 18:21 - 17.3 MBGood news and bad news, story fans! This week, I present "Unpleasant Sensation," a lil horror tale I once sold to an anthology. But . . . it's real short. Like Drabblecast short. Gotta tell you, if you like the Outcast, 2017 is gonna be your year. And if you LOVE the Outcast . . . let's go out sometime. Hey you, go ahead and download the episode by Right-Clicking THIS LINK.
Rish Outcast 52: I Can Try That!
January 23, 2017 18:26 - 25.6 MBA while back, I attended another writers conference, and was partly-inspired and/partly-intimidated by being around people who write for a living. The next day, I recorded this episode. Not sure what I did in the months since then. And just between you and me . . . you can try that too. Take a listen, or Right-Click HERE to download the episode to your de-vice.
Rish Outcast 62: I Went Out Walking
January 16, 2017 19:25 - 17 MB(...With A Bible And A Gun) Rish goes for a walk up in the mountains in summertime. He waxes poetic, trying (unsuccessfully) to describe all that he sees.* Story next time, okay? If you're up for downloading the episode, go ahead and Right-Click HERE. *Originally, I had a very different description of this episode, but I was confusing this one with another that's coming later. Consider yourself warned.
Rish Outcast 61: Abject Failure (Solo Edition)
January 09, 2017 05:02 - 36.9 MBWay back in summer of 2015, Big and Rish recorded a That Gets My Goat episode where we bowed our head in shame for not writing our novels in ninety days. Then the episode sat, for months, gathering dust and compounding interest, until one day I did post it. But little did I know, I had recorded a Rish Outcast companion piece to be released when that show dropped. And this is that show! I talk about writing goals, not succeeding in those goals, my first audio collection (which you can buy ...
Rish Outcast 59: Stormy Weather (Part 1)
January 03, 2017 20:20 - 36.9 MBSo, sometime around the beginning of spring, Rish went for a walk and presented a story set in the dead of winter. It's called "Stormy Weather," and it's been sitting around, waiting for the snows to come again. Please forgive the incessant clicking and planes going on overhead. Of course, 'twouldn't be the Outcast if the sound was excellent. *If you don't wanna wait to hear the rest of the story, go HERE to buy it, or HERE for the text version. *Rish 'n Big's "The Spirit of C...
Rish Outcast 60: Stormy Weather (Part 2)
January 03, 2017 06:32 - 30.2 MBRish presents the rest of his story "Stormy Weather," and continues to talk of his inspiration for it, while dodging low-flying planes. Music in this episode was "Ossuary (Air)" by Kevin McLeod of Incompetech.com. If you're in the mood to download the episode, just Right-Click right HERE. *If you want to read the story in text form, click HERE to buy it.
Rish Outcast 58: And Then What Happened?
December 10, 2016 19:18 - 24.5 MBIn this episode, I talk about the idea of writing continuing series, a book every year or so, the further adventures of characters. It's a tempting thought, though I don't know whether I'm capable of such things. If I recall correctly, this episode was originally titled "Rish Outfield Will Return." But that's just too positive for the likes of me, or at least it could be read that way. If y'all fancy downloading this here episode, just Right-Click on Big Mister Link.
Rish Outcast 57: Rest Stop
December 01, 2016 08:23 - 37.7 MBAlthough it's easier (and takes less courage) to just produce episodes of me driving and talking about whatever comes into my head, I thought I'd present another story on the Rish Outcast. This one is called "Rest Stop," and I highly doubt anybody will like it. But hey, it's got a dog in it. Dogs are cool, right? Yes. Dogs are cool. If you're up to downloading the episode, Right-Click on this here link.
Rish Outcast 56: The Big Release
November 24, 2016 00:01 - 19.8 MBSometimes, you need to let off steam. Some people do it by going to batting cages or shooting ranges, some people do it by video games or alcohol or loud music or hate crimes. Me . . . I break things. That's sort of what this episode is about. Sort of. Okay, here's a warning. This is one of those episodes where I go maybe a bit deeper into myself than I usually do, in what's colloquially known as an overshare. It's the first show I'm going to mark with a TMI alert. And sadly, it won'...
Rish Outcast 55: Into the Furnace - Post-Mortem
November 12, 2016 00:36 - 21.2 MBIn this third, and final, episode about my novel "Into the Furnace," I let it all hang out. This is the spoiler-cast, if you will, talking about the central conceit of the novel, and my decision not to reveal that. Again, I'd like you to buy the book (at this LINK), or better, the audiobook (right about HERE). If you've read it, this episode works better. Oh, I just remembered, I was gonna call this "It Has A F**king _____ In It!" Well, too late now. Feel free to download the episode ...
The Podcast That Dares Not Speak Its Name 16: Trick
October 31, 2016 17:19 - 16.1 MBTwo Halloweens back, I wrote a little story in honor of the day. Well, here I am "honoring" the day again. "Trick" is a tiny tale about what I consider to be the greatest day of the year . . . but for an area dad, not so much. Oh, and yes, I STARTED on an October Scary Story for 2016, but I have not yet completed it. If I do, I've got something to not podcast next Halloween! You've been to County before, you know the drill: to download the file, Right-Click HERE.
This blog isn't really a blog
October 29, 2016 02:37This was created just to house the various episodes of the Rish Outcast. But I wonder what would happen if I actually treated it like a blog. Would anyone notice? Has anyone ever actually gone to this blog, and read the posts? The other day, my buddy Merrill was talking about how his kid, who was potty-trained long ago (in just about the most horrible way imaginable, according to me), has started to defecate in his pants. Not just once or twice, but every single time he takes a dump, he ...
Rish Outcast 34: The Terran Chronicles
October 29, 2016 02:35 - 19.7 MBA few months back, Rish went to see THE MARTIAN, then spent a while talking about it (and writing) with Big Anklevich. Then he told you about it. And about his first new project of 2016. And a song? Or download the mutha.
Rish Outcast 33: Beggar's Canyon Part 2
October 29, 2016 02:34So, The Force Awakens came out,* and I managed to see it on opening day, even though I was pretty tired (my boss saw it the same night, but slept through parts of it). And while I quite enjoyed it, it made me realize that I'm getting old, and that I really ought to be writing more, seeing if I can't get better before the end, maybe say something that inspires or scares or moves somebody. It's not too late. Which brings us to the matter at hand. The second half of "Beggar's Canyon" in this ep...
Rish Outcast 35: Schlontz . . . And Other Unforgivable Sins
October 29, 2016 02:34 - 50 MBRish gets a bee in his bonnet about pseudoprofanity in a book he read, and speculates about deal-breakers in audio work and writing. Warning: there's gonna be some real cursing in this episode. It would be f**king shameful if there wasn't. Oh, and Fake Sean Connery presents the only song he's ever given up halfway through. Calamity, just download the episode by Right-Clicking HERE. Sparks! By the way, the actual word in the book was "slontz." And that's SO very different.
Rish Outcast 29: Boom Clap
October 29, 2016 02:33Here's a short little show with Rish talking about "Hannibal," a girl he did a drawing for, that song he hears at work every day, and whether his would-be protagonist should have a would-be love interest. If madness drives you to download the episode, then by all means Right-Click HERE.
Rish Outcast 24: Chasing Pavements
October 28, 2016 20:10No story here either, folks. Just Rish ruminating on the Adele song "Chasing Pavements," and just what that means regarding his dreams of being a writer. Also, he gets sidetracked by FSC in there somewhere. As always, you may download the file HERE, if that's your thing.
Rish Outcast 20: Creature Feature
October 28, 2016 20:09Rish presents another of his recent contest-losing stories, this one entitled "Creature Feature."* One-time TV newswoman Carly Page arrives at an old lighthouse with a plan to interview the man who lives there, but actually hopes to catch a glimpse of a sea monster. With luck, maybe Renee Chambliss will join Rish on this one, or Fake Sean Connery will treat us with a song. Either one, but surely, not both. To download the episode, right click HERE and save to your dee-vice. *Aka "Light...
Rish Outcast 15: Birth of a Sidekick (Part 2)
October 28, 2016 20:09Continuing the story from last time, here is my long(er) form experiment in action.* To download the episode, select Save Link As, and save the file to your hard drive. Or click here. *If you'd like to purchase the story, the text can be found here, and the audiobook here.
Rish Outcast 54: "Old Man River"
October 28, 2016 19:53 - 25 MBOkay, here's that story I've been meaning to get to. At this rate, there will be a lot of story episodes down the road, but even more non-story ones. "Old Man River" is the tale of a lonely gas station attendant, and a visit from an elderly man with a story to tell.* As always, if you wanna download the episode, just Right-Click HERE. *Boy, that description could be for any one of my stories, couldn't it?
Rish Outcast 53: Travels With Father
October 11, 2016 21:48 - 20.8 MBI meant to have a story this week, but I switched it with the next week's show. You understand. Well, this episode is a tiny bit out of date now, but here you go. I was driving along, and I thought I'd say a thing or two about my dad, who lost all his chickens, and who gave me a bit of fatherly advice concerning a new car. "My father only gave me one piece of advice. He said, 'Son, don't ever get married. Go to sea.'" Sting If you'd like to download the episode, for some reason, Righ...
Rish Outcast 51: Bob A. Duke
September 17, 2016 20:44 - 20.9 MBOn a roadtrip, I got lost and decided to podcast while trying to get back to where I was going. So I decided to talk about the horror film THE BABADOOK. Enjoy? If you feel up to downloading the episode directly, just Right-Click HERE.
Rish Outcast 50: Sequel of a Sidekick
September 06, 2016 03:37 - 21.8 MBSay kids, you remember "Birth of a Sidekick," the Western adventure I once shared with y'all? Well, I wrote a sequel to it! And what's more impressive . . . I actually published it. What's more, Dave Krummenacher provided this (once again) excellent cover art: "A Sidekick's Journey" is the second tale in what somebody somewhere is calling The Sidekick Chronicles, and is considerably longer than the first story, which I wrote in 2005. This one takes place a few weeks after the first story...
Rish Outcast 49: Grey Skies Ahead
August 25, 2016 06:18 - 17.2 MBPodcasting can be many things: a stage, a soapbox, a springboard for ideas, a confessional, an experiment, an artistic outlet, a pastime, a journal. And, as I've said a time or two, free therapy. There have been a couple of episodes I've recorded while in a bad mood--either angry or despondent--and used this little forum as a way to feel better. I think this may be the first of those to actually get released. Got something sunnier for you next time, though. Don't forget, to download the ...
Rish Outcast 48: "Climb" Every Mountain
August 16, 2016 07:27 - 12.2 MBWe interrupt our regularly scheduled podcast for a bit of exercise. Too much? You be the judge. Shudder at the tale of Rish's recent brush with exercise. Of course, you're free to download the episode by right-clicking HERE. P.S. As usual, I'm still after someone who can catalog all of Fake Sean Connery's songs, so I know which ones have not yet seen the light of day.
Rish Outcast 47: Ask Me No Questions (The Voyage Home)
August 08, 2016 01:04Okay, last time. This is your brain on drugs. Rish finally gets to the end of Tom Tancredi's list of probing questions. With these out of the way, maybe we'll be able to start doing story presentation episodes agai-- Nahh. Feel free to download the episode by Right-Clicking HERE.
The Podcast That Dares Not Speak Its Name: Skipping
July 31, 2016 22:42 - 22.4 MBRecently, there was a contest of sorts over at the Paradise Lost forums, encouraging writers and would-be writers. They were doing a sort of take on the Broken Mirror Story Events that Big and I did on the Dunesteef. Only these guys called it a Broken Mirror Story Event. The assigned premise: "As you skip the rock across the water, you are surprised to see it come skipping back." I wrote this story for two reasons: one, to support fans of the show, who were influenced in a positive way by...
Rish Outcast 46: Ask Me No Questions (The Final Frontier)
July 05, 2016 06:08Here I am, answering more of Tom Tancredi's probing questions. Since recording these episodes, I discovered that Tom has a twin brother. Maybe I ought to make a list of questions for him to answer ("Number 3: Have you ever hurt yourself or gotten some action, only to find that your brother felt it at the same time?"). You can also Right-Click RIGHT HERE to download this episode to your infernal device.
Rish Outcast 45: "I Think It's Your New Book!"
June 20, 2016 05:20So, the audiobook version of my first novel "Into the Furnace," is now available over at Audible.com. Here's a LINK to it, so you can rush over and buy a copy. I know you want to. Actually, I've no idea if you want to, but I did try to channel California Rish there. I do the narration, and I worked very hard on it, so if you like my performances, that should make a difference. I've also got another episode of the Rish Outcast here, where I talk a bit more about the production, and includ...
Rish Outcast 44: Ask Me No Questions (The Undiscovered Country)
June 05, 2016 00:48In 2015, Tom Tancredi sent me a list of questions that I answered in a couple of episodes. Now it's 2016, and it looks like Tom has some more for me to answer. I'll probably break these up over several episodes, since the resulting answers ended up much more rambling than they did the first time. But here is the first installment of those answers, and though I say I'll continue answering them "next week," I think I'll alternate between these and other episodes for the next little while. I...
Rish Outcast 43: Mary Sue Ex Machina
May 23, 2016 00:33 - 21.7 MBA while back, I was going to do an episode of That Gets My Goat where I complained about people overusing/misusing the terms "deus ex machina" and "mary sue." But Big canceled on me, so we didn't. Later, I was glad we'd not recorded it that night, since I was misusing one of them too. Let's talk about it anyway, shall we? Right-Click, you monkey.
Rish Outcast 42: "Oh Honey, Your First Novel!"
May 10, 2016 06:33 - 19.9 MBHere's another episode of my solo podcast, to announce the publication of my first novel, "Into the Furnace." "Into the Furnace" tells the story of Sheriff Will Ford, who leaves a dead wife and a struggle with the bottle behind him, and moves out to New Mexico Territory to take over as the law in Bendo's Furnace, a small mining town that just keeps getting smaller. It turns out that people (not to mention local animals and valuable livestock) just keep disappearing out there, and if anyone...
Rish Outcast 41: The Hocking Dead
May 09, 2016 17:45 - 14.7 MBThis is a quick episode I scraped together to tell you a recent tale of happy fortune, sing a little song, and mention my latest story. Next episode'll have to be about my book, I guess. Or I could keep procrastinating. HERE is where you'd Right-Click, if you wanted to download the episode directly.
Rish Outcast 40: Abram the Ghostly Friend
May 09, 2016 17:43 - 21.6 MBThis is another storyless episode, kids. In it, I talk about a horror movie I had rented (it's called THE AWAKENING, starring Rebecca Hall and Imelda Staunton), and then about an idea I had for my own ghost story. I never did write it. Although if you asked me to, I might just change my mind, and let you in my life forever. Yeah, I still like Celine Dion. Wanna fight about it? If you want to download the episode, you might want to Right-Click here. Then rethink your attitude.
Rish Outcast 39: The Trouble With Zara
April 10, 2016 08:30 - 16.5 MBThis is a pretty strange episode. You remember JURASSIC WORLD? I know, it came out so long ago, half of you barely remember it, and the other half weren't born yet. But Rish Outfield remembers it, and he wanted to talk about the one baffling/disturbing moment in that movie. You know the one. If you wanna download the episode, Right-Click right HERE.
Rish Outcast 38: The Ugly Table (Part Two)
April 10, 2016 06:35 - 50.6 MBOkay, here's the rest of "The Ugly Table." If the story IS offensive, as I have suspected, well, here's your chance to hear me apologize. Or . . . tiptoe around apologizing, at least. If you're NOT offended by it, well, feel free to let me know in the comments. If you're interested in my audio story "Lost & Found," here's the link! And here's the text version on at this link Feel freer to download the episode by Right-Clicking THIS LINK. Music by Kevin McLeod of Incompetech.com. And...
Rish Outcast 37: The Ugly Table
March 11, 2016 14:00 - 28.3 MBOkay, this one is long in coming (I was horrified when I saw the date on the finished episode). In this episode, I'll present (some of) my story "The Ugly Table," which was previously published in a collection called "Pretty/Ugly," along with Big's "The Mirror Sometimes Lies." Both stories had the same basic premise--that of a plain girl suddenly becoming beautiful. I don't believe Big has ever shared or podcast his story, other than in that Amazon release, which you can purchase here, if...
The Podcast That Dares Not Speak Its Name 14: Quiddler's Menagerie
February 23, 2016 00:28 - 27.7 MBRish tries his hand at entering a contest and shares the short story he wrote for it. Um, there should be more to this, but I can't think of what it might be. Sorry. If you care download the file, please consider Right-Clicking on THIS LINK.
Rish Outcast 32: Beggar's Canyon
January 27, 2016 08:47(written before seeing The Force Awakens) Today, the new STAR WARS movie comes out. Exciting, yes, but also daunting, a little scary, and potentially sad if I don't enjoy it. J.J. Abrams did a fantastic job, though, in keeping most of the plot, action, and surprises a secret from us, and I really appreciate that. The final trailer which was the last thing I saw about the movie, purposely trying to keep myself from spoilers, introduced three characters, and in the segment dedicated to R...
Rish Outcast 31: Unconventional Part 2
December 06, 2015 06:52So, here is the second half of "Unconventional." I did jot down some plans for a sequel to this tale, but they never went anywhere. Feel free to encourage me, or say nothing, and I'll forget. If your thing is to download the file, Right-Click on this here LINK.
Rish Outcast 30: Unconventional
November 23, 2015 16:59So, in the summer, I recorded a bunch of episodes of my solo podcast, knowing that later in the year, I'd be too busy to record any. What I didn't realize was, when that time came, I'd be too busy to post the episodes. Whoops. So, here is the first half* of "Unconventional," a story I was inspired to write after taking my nephew to his first comic book convention. Sadly, I asked him this week if he's excited to go to next year's convention with me, and he said, "Nahh." Time is cruel. If...
The Podcast That Dares Not Speak Its Name 13: The Cemetery Tale
October 31, 2015 21:38Since it's pretty close to Halloween, I figured I'd present some kind of scary story on here. Barring that, I could present a story that's merely "scary." Maybe next year I'll do better. Oh, "The Cemetery Tale" is a story I wrote several years ago, based on (mostly) actual experience. It is one of a trio of stories featuring the same main character, but just between us, Walter is me. If ye care to download this awful, awful thing, Right-Click on the LINK!!
Rish Outcast 28: Not-A-Novel
October 05, 2015 07:30Here's Rish talking while driving through the desert in a car that's supposed to break down. He discusses the novel he was supposed to write this summer, the various rip-offs he has unintentionally perpetrated, and the mental block he has keeping him from ever being a novelist. If you really want to download this thing, Right-Click on This Here Link.
The Podcast That Dares Not Speak Its Name 12: Dracula's Guest
September 13, 2015 07:16Back before there was a Rish Outcast, I recorded this and another story that never saw the light of day. Well, here's one of those long-lost episodes, wherein I present "Dracula's Guest," by Bram Stoker. Afterward, find out if this truly was the first chapter of Stoker's "Dracula," and who owns the original manuscript. Or don't, I'll never find out if you listened or not. If you wanna download this episode, why not Right-Click this link here?
Rish Outcast 27: Dry Run Update
August 22, 2015 01:05Rish talks briefly about his attempt to document writing a novella in the spring of 2015. Wait, what's a novella again? If you feel like downloading the audio to your hard drive, Right-click right HERE!
Rish Outcast 26: A Novel in 90 Days?
August 07, 2015 20:36This is a show I recorded sitting in the backyard one night, talking about "Into the Furnace" and the goal Big and I made of writing a novel over the summer (2015). There were three potential novel ideas kicking around my head, and one had to make the cut. There may be a bit more information here than in previous conversations about it. And maybe not. If you care to download the audio to your hard drive, Right-click HERE, lads and lasses!
Rish Outcast 25: Chalupa Dale - Next Exit
July 02, 2015 18:24Somewhere on the way to meet somebody, Rish came up with another Outcast episode. In this one, he presents an awful short story "Chalupa Dale- Next Exit," and he talks. A lot. If you feel like downloading the episode directly, right-click HERE and save this thing.
Rish Outcast 23: Ask Me No Questions (There and Back Again)
May 06, 2015 02:03Continuing from last time, I answer Tom Tancredi's probing questions. I split the list in two because I worried no one would want to hear me talk about myself for ninety minutes. I never considered that they wouldn't want to hear me talk about myself for half that either. Also, if there's time, hear me mangle a Tracy Chapman song. You're welcome. Download the file HERE, if you like.
Rish Outcast 22: Ask Me No Questions (An Unexpected Journey)
April 06, 2015 17:42Fan and friend of the Dunesteef, Tom Tancredi, recently sent me a list of questions, expecting me to answer each one. I did so, in my usual, verbose, over-long fashion. Well, as the hours, days, and weeks passed, it seemed prudent to share them with everyone (i.e., all four of you who listen to the Rish Outcast). This, technically, should've been an episode of the Podcast That Dares Not Speak Its Name, but because I recorded the intro in the car, my lawyers say I must refer to it as an Out...
Rish Outcast 17: Birth of a Sidekick Part 4
April 05, 2015 17:48So, here's the end of the story. Special thanks to Marshal Latham, who was kind enough to lend his voice to this episode. Hopefully, you enjoyed the lengthier story (and the shorter space between shows). If so, let us (ie, me) know. Hey, kids, to download the episode, right click right HERE As usual, the full text can be purchased here (on Amazon), and the audiobook right here (on Audible).