A New Year For Us All – From the www.MythosMedia.net team.

Amidst all of the turmoil that has occurred both in the US and abroad in 2008, many of the media giants are stomping around blindly. There is no better time for truly independent groups of artists, musicians and myth makers to band together to collaborate, share and grow their myths. This is why Mythos Media formed in 2006-2007, and it remains our singular goal. The time is ripe now, but we need to meet each other halfway.

The purpose of this mailer is to alert you to what we have been doing over this past year, and what we look to create in 2009. The days of purely passive media are through. Sure, everyone likes to unwind and watch a movie from time to time, but always existing in that state of consumption leaves people shut-down, and isolated. This is why social media is exploding, even if major corporations are trying to turn the Internet into an ad-laden, vapid wasteland.

We all need stories that we can participate in, and a framework for us to collaborate and create work together. This is our goal moving forward- not only building our own myths but creating a sandbox for you to build your own as well. We believe static media like books and DVDs are merely entrance points into interactivity, collaboration, and the creation of new myths in the future, using technologies that are still being refined even as we speak.

We hope you join us.

–James Curcio, Christmas Eve, 2008.

See the full, unabridged State of the Union, with tons of free books, music and more, go here: http://www.mythosmedia.net/content/2008/mm-12-08.html

This past year has held a lot of changes and challenges for me. I broke up with my girlfriend of five years, (see? I told you I’d finally mention it publicly- no details though guys, LJdrama is so 1998), I’m working a full-time day job, I’ve put my non-or-little-paying creative projects on hiatus until I figure out what benefit I was actually providing to myself or others with them, I broke my almost year-long healthy streak with nearly two months of constant sinus infections, I’m gearing up for a move though I’m not 100% sure where to yet. And I’m falling in love.

Also, that was a really long sentence. Sorry about that, guys.

So, if you were actually wondering why the Fallen Nation audiobook is on hold, or why I haven’t been running so many G-Spots lately, or so on, this is pretty much it. It’s not that I’ve taken myself totally out of the game- I yam who I yam- but I realize I need to pull in a bit for a while, and not overcommit as I have so much in the past. Build a base, and then make decisions about where and how I want to spend my time and energy.

I am, however, completely open to suggestions from the peanut gallery on this matter, though I (as always) reserve the right to completely ignore everyone. It does help to know the things that I’ve done that have had an effect. So far Join My Cult! still seems to be in the lead on that account, if the number of “you changed my life!” emails from strangers is the metric. This is something I might have to work through in therapy someday. Or perhaps you all need therapy.

Until next time…

–James Curcio

Just a quick announcement for those that have been following along here because I can’t contain myself-
You read the title right. The film rights to Fallen Nation: Babylon Burning have been optioned by Invictus Films & SB Productions. Expect many more updates to come!

Check it out, and sign up to the newsletter… Much is in the works for the next 6 months, including some multi-media collaborations with Alterati.

“…that’s all in the past now,” he was saying, “From there, it was like a ball rolling downhill, gathering momentum. Even gentle footfalls can start an avalanche, given the proper conditions. Once it gains enough velocity…anyone who stands in its way will be crushed. What you need to understand…is that the history of man is the history of an ongoing Reality War.” Suke hopped onto his shoulder and chittered. He batted her away and continued without missing a beat.
“What rises to the top? What sinks into obscurity? …I’m not just talking about Darwinism.”
“What are you rambling about?” Agent 506 called back from the driver’s seat, somehow able to make out his crackpot, spit-fire monologue over the deep hum of the engine. “Reality is not up for grabs. That’s the whole point: it’s real.”

Order Fallen Nation: Babylon Burning through Amazon.com now.

Fallen Nation: Babylon Burning audiobook feed: subscribe to iTunes and other podcasting services through this link.

“Steel tube frame, four-link rear suspension, did the front end with discs. They usually work great, but I should prolly bleed the lines again…The paint job, as you can see, is a camouflage bee pattern.” He cracked his thick knuckles a number of times, then continued. “Thought that up while drinking JD… Thought you’d approve. Even spray-painted on your bee logo. Yeah, I know, I’m a fuckin’ redneck. Get over it. Up front here, I pulled the old bench seats and dropped in a set of captain’s chairs. Made this here console outta wood panelin’ from my kitchen.” He swept one massive, greasy hand towards a remarkably well-crafted, oak paneled center console, with two cup holders, an ashtray, and independent cigarette lighter.
The console was covered in diagrams and etchings, seemingly drawn in everything from pen, pencil and marker to tiny wood awls. Within these diagrams were fuel and distance calculations, phone numbers, IP addresses, web sites, and brief philosophical statements in a seemingly endless, hypnotic sprawl.
“Sitting wedged into the oversized radio hole, is a first generation in-dash, state-of-the-art DVD player.” The device he pointed towards was mounted with a deck of cards and a matchbook. “The DVD player is nice, even still have the remote. I keep meanin’ to get a real mounting bracket for it, but…well, you know how it is. Besides, I don’t play cards. Only prollem with the player, well the reverse don’t work. So if ya miss something ya like, ya gotta go all the way ’round.”

Order Fallen Nation: Babylon Burning through Amazon.com now.

Fallen Nation: Babylon Burning audiobook feed: subscribe to iTunes and other podcasting services through this link.

So it really did happen, then. It wasn’t just the delusions of a fragmented mind. Or…at least not all of it. The cult, the rants, the hallucinogens, the cross-dressing… All these were like billiard balls leading to the ward, on account of the one thing she hadn’t done. Well, she remembered proclaiming some schizophrenic suburban kid a “prophet,” when floored on acid at some nightclub. Jesus was sure she didn’t actually have anything to do with that live grenade said “prophet” later mismanaged in the restaurant.

Order Fallen Nation: Babylon Burning through Amazon.com now.

Fallen Nation: Babylon Burning audiobook feed.

Despite quite a few emails and phone calls from people telling me they were working on something, or telling me… I’m not entirely sure what… we have yet to receive any final submissions for this contest. There are still 10 days left in the initially speculate time-line, however I may extend it if no decent submissions come in in that time.

For those who missed it, here’s the details, files, and contest info at Greylodge.org.

Adam Trevino plodded up the stairs to his apartment, brooding at the way his sidearm thumped his ribs as he climbed. Might as well fret about the gun; its weight, suddenly uncomfortable, the vast legal machinery dedicated to keeping it in the holster. Better that than to contemplate the empty pocket in his overcoat, where his credentials used to be. Better to walk the streets, dreaming dimly.
His suspension was in its third day. It wouldn’t be reviewed for two more, and in all likelihood, he would be stripped of rank. Orphaned.

Order Fallen Nation: Babylon Burning through Amazon.com now.

Fallen Nation: Babylon Burning audiobook feed.

This section of Fallen Nation: Babylon Burning was written by James Curcio, co-written by Jason Stackhouse and read by P. Emerson Williams. Music is provided by Babalon, Marz233 and the 233project, Dan Stone, Barbara Smith, and James Curcio.

From the journals of Dr. Fein, part 2.

I spent two hours trying to conjure money from an ATM before choosing the right PIN. Occasionally I give the audience at home a quick wave. Even cameras have a grainy universe which demands respect.
It seems I can transfer myself between different “selves.” I’m not exactly sure what this means yet. Focusing on the selection of desired probably outcomes, using whatever methods present themselves to weigh
the odds in my favor. I have noted that the simple execution of will provides the tipping point. I present myself with a numerical code device—a combination lock or keypad, a rubic’s cube. And I try to watch myself
select the right answer.
Results have been mixed, yet exhilarating. I may be able to exploit
this principle without losing ego integrity. (Dying, alone and quite mad.)

Order Fallen Nation: Babylon Burning through Amazon.com now.

Fallen Nation: Babylon Burning audiobook feed.

The original chapter of Join My Cult! excerpted in this episode written by James Curcio, co-written by Ari & Jason Stackhouse and read by P. Emerson Williams. Music is provided by Babalon, subQtaneous.

From the journals of Dr. Fein.

12/17/02 17:49:31 The Journal of Dr. Fein, M.D.,
Ph.D.
I find myself resistant to morning. Waking before
the alarm, I hide next to my wife and play dead. Slow
breaths, deep. Eyes closed. Relax the facial muscles,
don’t clench, you’re asleep. I wonder what I will do
when the alarm rings. Call out today? I could, I could
just stay right here. I could choose sleep. But then
tomorrow? The day after?

Shower, dress. Match tie, because appearance is
important. Kiss wife, still maybe—sleeping. Coffee,
bagel, long for a cigarette and congratulate self on
quitting. Think about fixing the door (creaks) and
drive away.
Routine. Structure. My life is together. I am the
one in control…

Order Fallen Nation: Babylon Burning through Amazon.com now.

Fallen Nation: Babylon Burning audiobook feed.

The original chapter of Join My Cult! excerpted in this episode written by James Curcio, co-written by Ari & Jason Stackhouse and read by P. Emerson Williams. Music is provided by Choronzon, subQtaneous.

Jesus’ dreams from within the hospital, part 3, and the escape.

That evening, Meredith sat up in her bed and rubbed her eyes. There
was a dream behind them, a nightmare. She was in some cell, someone
had put her there by mistake. Mistaken identity? The dream was already
unraveling. She was a saint of some sort, maybe Christ Himself. There
were some explosions, and this Kafka thing with a hospital…
“Nevermore,” said a voice from the window, and she laughed softly to
herself.

Order Fallen Nation: Babylon Burning through Amazon.com now.

Fallen Nation: Babylon Burning audiobook feed.

The original chapter of Join My Cult! excerpted in this episode written by James Curcio, co-written by Ari & Jason Stackhouse and read by P. Emerson Williams. Music is provided by Choronzon, and James Curcio.

Jesus’ dreams from within the hospital, part 2, and the escape.

Agent 139 was riding a camel in Egypt when the screeching woke
him.
He adapted over his committal to the tortured circadian rhythms of his
neighbors. Those not under sedation whimpered, hissed, screamed, lectured,
barked denials at their dreamscapes until Wake Up at nine o’clock.
At first he was an avid listener to these nocturnal improvs. He hung on
One-Eyed Steven’s raspy punctuation to Al’s post-traumatic stress. He
wrote reviews lambasting the one-upmanship of the psychotics, huzzahs
to the delicate percussion of the catatonics upstairs. He bit his nails and
stared out the window.

Order Fallen Nation: Babylon Burning through Amazon.com now.

Fallen Nation: Babylon Burning audiobook feed.

The original chapter of Join My Cult! excerpted in this episode written by James Curcio, co-written by Ari & Jason Stackhouse and read by P. Emerson Williams. Music is provided by Johan Ess, Nate Sampsel for the track “Banishing The Light” and the assorted members of subQtaneous for “The Resurrection.”

Want to share your psychosis & have thousands see your work?

We are excited to announce that we just completed two audio trailers for the Fallen Nation: Babylon Burning project: one 30 second and one 60 second. Originally we intended to produce a video ourselves before running it all over the net, but we thought it might be more exciting (and surprising) to offer it up to the public for you budding videographers, film students, drug fiends, cut-up artists, etc. If you win you will be included in an ongoing viral campaign, you will receive a signed 1st and 2nd edition of the book, and we will line up an interview with you about your work to run in the G-Spot. Your work can be animation, video, or any mixture of the two, and may be produced using whatever software / hardware you choose.

Within the contest media packet (.RAR – right click and save as or it will crash Firefox) you will find full details for this contest. Your submissions must be in by March 31, 2008.