J.C. HUTCHINS / 7TH SON MEDIA KIT

THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES IS DEAD. HE WAS MURDERED IN THE MORNING SUNLIGHT BY A FOUR-YEAR-OLD BOY... MEDIA KIT J.C. HUTCHINS / 7TH SON

CONTENTS

What is 7th Son?...... 3 7th Son’s success story...... 4 An excerpt from 7th Son, Book One: Descent...... 6 The Ministry of Propaganda...... 7 Grassroots ethic. Hollywood style...... 8 Global audience. Superfans...... 9 A novel comes to life...... 10 The cult of Kilroy2.0...... 11 Praise for 7th Son...... 13 An excerpt from 7th Son, Book Two: Deceit...... 14 Contacting J.C. Hutchins / Rights inquiries / Listening to the trilogy...... 17 Examples of 7th Son fans wearing branded T-shirts Cover fan art by JoBeth R. ~ contents page fan photos by Tasha C. and MA (more on page 7) Page 2 MEDIA KIT J.C. HUTCHINS / 7TH SON

What is 7th Son? Bond meets Multiplicity. Crichton meets Clancy. Character-driven tech.

character fan art by Carlos Weiser

The New York Times • Boing- It chronicles the story of seven Soon our heroes — John, Jack, Boing.net • MacUser • Radiotele- strangers who have been brought Michael, Kilroy2.0 and the other “Beta visione Italiana • Writer’s Forum together after the recent assassination Clones” — realize the president’s These media outlets covered a of the U.S. president. These men murder was merely a prologue to novel ... that doesn’t exist. quickly discover they all appear to be Alpha's plans. As the mystery deepens 7th Son is a trilogy of techno- the same man, with identical and the implications of Alpha’s thriller novels that take place in childhood memories. scheme are slowly revealed, the present day. The series — Descent, Unwitting participants in a human clones choose to stand against John Deceit and Destruction — is not yet cloning experiment, these “John Alpha. The outcome will unearth a available in print. But it already has a Michael Smiths” have been assembled conspiracy larger than they could have passionate fanbase of 30,000 listeners to catch the man who murdered the ever imagined. worldwide. president. Their target? The man they The 7th Son saga is powered by 7th Son is currently available only were cloned from; the source of their realistic “everymen” characters thrown in audio form, released as a free bodies and souls — the original John into extraordinary circumstances. It’s a serialized podcast via author J.C. Michael Smith, code-named John dirt-under-the fingernails, high-tech Hutchins’ website. Alpha. adventure story.

Page 3 MEDIA KIT J.C. HUTCHINS / 7TH SON

7th Son’s success story

About the author:

J.C. Hutchins has written for The Palm Beach Post, the Cincinnati Enquirer, the Lexington Herald-Leader (Ky.), and Wizard: The Comics Magazine. Hutchins won more than 20 awards during his journalism career.

Specializing in features and entertainment reporting, Hutchins has interviewed comic book industry icons such as Alan Moore, Will Eisner, Warren Ellis, Kevin Smith, Mark Waid and Neil Gaiman. During a 2001 controversy sparked by B.C., a popular newspaper comic strip, one critic considered Hutchins’ feature on the topic “the single best piece of journalism generated by the controversy.”

J.C. Hutchins left the journalism business in 2002 to write his 7th Son thriller trilogy. 7th Son is the most popular podcast novel series in history.

In March 2007, the novel was featured in The New York Times.

A message from J.C. Hutchins, the novels are often read and recorded by acquire a literary agent, sign a new for- author of the 7th Son trilogy: the author, and are promoted online in hire book contract with a major For nearly two years, I have used podcasts and blogs. Many entertainment company, and build a the Internet to build an audience for “podnovelists” leverage these new worldwide audience for my work. my free serialized audiobook trilogy, technologies, and the ubiquity of Currently, 7th Son remains 7th Son. Released as free weekly iPods and other portable devices, to unpublished ... but when it sees audio downloads to 30,000 listeners find an audience for their currently- publication, my audience of tens of worldwide, the story is a technothriller unpublished work. thousands will provide a level of about human cloning, the recording of I launched the audio version of 7th exposure and built-in sales most first- human memories, and a conspiracy Son in February 2006, after receiving time novelists could only dream of. sparked by the assassination of the rejections from literary agents. My 7th Son has been hailed by U.S. president. reckoning: If I could not sell the work, I writers, critics and fans as a page- 7th Son is in the vanguard of a could share it — as a kind of social turning technothriller. But the series growing genre of free online experiment — to see if the novel could has become more than that over the audiobooks — also called “podcast find an audience. Since then, the past 1-1/2 years. It is a proven, novels” or “podiobooks.” Podcast popularity of 7th Son has helped me continued > (continued)

Page 4 MEDIA KIT J.C. HUTCHINS / 7TH SON 7th Son’s success (cont.) successful property, and its appeal has created a thriving community for its fans. The novel is the #1 most popular program at the podcast directory PodcastPickle.com, one of Time magazine’s “50 Coolest Websites” of 2006, and thanks to that popularity, was recently inducted into the site’s Hall of Fame. The novel is also listed in In September 2006, 7th Son became Times earlier this year. I have also the Apple iTunes store as one of the the first-ever novel to host a release been interviewed by local and Top 25 podcasts in its Literature party in the thriving online community international media, including Italian category. Last year, the first novel in Second Life. (Second Life was a Wired national public radio network RAI. the 7th Son series, Descent, was magazine cover story in 2006, and has In addition, icons in the science nominated for numerous awards for been covered in many other fiction/horror entertainment industries excellence in fiction. Its sequel, Deceit, mainstream publications.) The event have made cameo appearances as won “Best Podiobook” in the was so well-attended that a region of “guest readers” in the 7th Son esteemed Winter 2007 Podcast Peer Second Life’s servers crashed from podcast. (More about 7th Son’s awards, and is currently a finalist in the the high volume of traffic. This celebrity guests and fans can be found prestigious Parsec Awards, which groundbreaking promotion was in this media kit.) recognizes excellence in science covered in the popular culture blog This podcast-based distribution fiction podcasting. The series’ third BoingBoing.net, and in the blog of has already netted a mainstream novel, Destruction, is currently in its literary agent Miss Snark. success story for one author. Science- serialized release. To promote the release of the third fiction/horror novelist Scott Sigler My work has attracted a wide- 7th Son novel, Destruction, I created recently signed a major three-book ranging and enthusiastic fan base. 7th another first-ever in podcasting: a deal with Crown Publishing. The film Son’s listeners are based across the “virtual” 50-state book tour. I rights for the first of these novels, due globe, from the U.S. to Zimbabwe. conducted publicity interviews with in 2008, have already been optioned Many listeners generate their own more than 60 independent podcasters. by Rogue Pictures. artwork, music, fan fiction and essays This “7th Son: 50/50/50” project — 50 7th Son is the next “big catch” in inspired by the novel. One listener Podcasts / 50 Interviews / 50 States podcast fiction. It is a timely, created an interactive 3-D “tour” of the — generated so much buzz that more suspense-filled story, with an set pieces described in the books. than 1,200 newcomers subscribed to enthusiastic fan base. I have a passion Fans even photograph themselves the 7th Son podcast during the month for promoting my work, and have a wearing 7th Son T-shirts, and send prior to Destruction's release. In the legion of future customers, nearly all of them to me. All of this freely-provided, microcosm of independent whom are clamoring for a print version fan-created content is displayed at my podcasting, this is a coup. of the novels. website, www.JCHutchins.net. To date, I have not spent a single Thank you so much for reviewing I am a champion of “no budget” penny on advertising. The success of this media kit, and for your viral marketing, and have connected my novels is based solely on the consideration. with my audience through methods quality of the story and word of mouth that reach well beyond podcasting and publicity. Due to this success, I was Best wishes, social media sites such as MySpace. featured in an article in The New York — J.C. Hutchins

Page 5 MEDIA KIT J.C. HUTCHINS / 7TH SON An excerpt from 7th Son, Book One: Descent Warning: This scene contains violent imagery and adult language. To listen to the full episode, click here.

PROLOGUE open against the concrete when it hit tiny bloodstained hands were pressed The President of the United States the sidewalk. There were many against the car’s rear window. He is dead. He was murdered in the screams then, many arms around him. gazed at a spattered GRIFFIN/HALE morning sunlight by a four-year-old A Secret Service agent grabbed the sign, which was reflected in the boy. murderous boy as he dashed between cruiser’s window in one of those It had been a simple stumping rally a photographer’s legs. The agent lifted remarkable moments of in Kentucky, no more than a pit stop Jesse Fowler high, by the ankle. The photojournalism. on Tobacco Road. The Bluegrass State boy was furious, screaming obscenities The child’s bloodshot eyes were would vote Republican in next year’s no four-year-old should know. He very, very wide. He was laughing. election, just as it had in 2000 and swung his switchblade at the agent, By noon that day, Vice President 2004. At least that’s what President knocking off the man’s sunglasses. He Vincent Hale had been sworn in as the Hank “Gator” Griffin had said on this swung again. And again. leader of the world’s last superpower. crisp October morning at Bowling More hands around the president. Secretary of State Charles Caine was Green College. More screams from the crowd. Fowler’s appointed VP. His speech had been a real barn- parents rushing the agent in shock, The child’s parents, Jennifer and raiser, a helluva thing, roiling with Bible trying to protect their son. Secret Jackson Fowler, were arraigned on Belt-friendly soundbites. Keep the Service agents covering Griffin’s body charges of conspiring to murder the country strong. Re-elect morality. Re- with their own, his blood seeping into President of the United States. The elect character and faith. Next their suits. A scream rising from the small Bowling Green restaurant they November, re-elect Griffin and Hale. child as he swung upside down by his owned would never open again. God bless America. Waving now, ankle. Their son was placed under working the crowd. Pump-pump A chopper soon descended onto maximum security in an undisclosed handshake. Wink. Thank you. Kiss the the campus’ common field, its psychiatric facility for evaluation and lady. Hold the baby. Listen to the downdraft ripping the GRIFFIN/HALE interrogation. A week later, a nurse and cheers. signs from shocked spectators’ hands. armed guard discovered Jesse Listen, as they turn to screams. The president and an army of Secret Fowler’s body. The four-year-old was It happened so quickly: A smile Service and medical agents arrived at lying in bed, his mouth and eyes open, and nod from the four-year-old’s Bowling Green’s only hospital three dead. There were no signs of self- parents, a kiss on little Jesse Fowler’s minutes later. But Hank “Gator” Griffin asphyxiation. There was no overdose, cheek for the photographers, a glint of was already dead by then. no theatrical cyanide capsule, no silver in the boy’s hand, the president’s During the chaos at the college, reasonable cause of death. Just the carotid artery open at the jaw, the little Jesse Fowler had been disarmed dried remains of a nosebleed, and eyes scarlet wound arcing across his throat and tossed into the back seat of a so bloodshot the whites had gone like a comet. The child’s face spattered police cruiser. His parents were also completely red. in red mist, the president’s mouth apprehended. Jesse Fowler had said only one forming a question, the boy’s tiny teeth Just before the vehicle carrying the thing during that week of confinement glittering white in the camera world’s youngest political assassin and examination. A balding, bearded flashbulbs, a cry from a Secret Service peeled away from the scene, a doctor had asked the boy if he knew agent. photojournalist snapped a picture of what he’d done to the president. The president did not stagger, did the child. It would have been worthy of Jesse Fowler had looked at the not sway; he crumpled at the knees, the Pulitzer Prize, had it been doctor and giggled. face white as bone. His forehead split published. In the photo, Jesse Fowler’s “Go fuck your mother,” he’d said.

Page 6 MEDIA KIT J.C. HUTCHINS / 7TH SON

The Ministry of Propaganda

Most novelists depend on publishers website, the author realized he had an innovative “droplifting” missions, to market and promote their work. opportunity to empower his audience to listeners are encouraged to spread the Relying on deep corporate pockets become more than passive consumers word about 7th Son. In exchange for and advertising often works for writers of his story. He created the “7th Son their time, Hutchins rewards active — but mainstream marketing is a one- Ministry of Propaganda,” an organized “Agents of the Ministry” by posting their way street. Flow of communication goes online street team. names on his website, and giving away from company to consumer. There’s no The Ministry of Propaganda 7th Son swag. true dialogue or connection between the releases audio “mission” dispatches to To date, more than 200 listeners author and his audience. 7th Son listeners. These dispatches are have participated in these missions. 7th Son is different. J.C. Hutchins announced by Natasha, the Ministry’s They have sent hundreds of emails to actively connects with his listeners, and Russian femme fatale leader. friends and family, have “droplifted” the success of the 7th Son trilogy has Missions are designed to leverage hundreds of flyers, and burned and hinged greatly upon their word-of-mouth the enthusiasm of fans to attract brand- distributed at least 1,000 sample CDs. evangelism. As a fan community new listeners to the property. From The connection between author and formed around Hutchins’ podcast and burning CDs of the audiobook to fun, listener is very strong indeed.

Page 7 MEDIA KIT J.C. HUTCHINS / 7TH SON

Celebrities make cameos in 7th Son Grassroots ethic. Hollywood style.

Richard Hatch Kevin J. Anderson

Gigi Edgley Cory Doctorow

Alan Dean Foster

Nathan Fillion Ron Glass

As the popularity of 7th Son Richard Hatch, star of the Edenborn and Everfree, and writer continued to increase, author J,C. smash Sci Fi Channel series for Star Trek: The Next Generation Hutchins invited celebrities in science- Battlestar Galactica Robert J. Sawyer, author of fiction entertainment to perform guest Gigi Edgley, star of the SciFi Rollback, Mindscan and others readings for his podcast. Channel series Farscape Mike Resnick, author of These sci-fi icons appeared in Jeph Loeb, writer/co-executive Santiago, Kirinyaga, the acclaimed “previously on” segments of 7th Son producer of NBC’s Heroes, writer of Starship series and others called The Story So Far. Rapt 7th Son Batman: The Long Halloween Tracy R. Hickman, author of fans enjoyed cameos by these — and Kevin J. Anderson, author of Dragonlance Chronicles and The other — celebrities: many Star Wars novels, and co- Bronze Canticles Nathan Fillion, star of TV’s author of the acclaimed Dune Cory Doctorow, co-editor for the Firefly and films Serenity, Slither and prequel series culture blog BoingBoing.net and White Noise 2 Alan Dean Foster, author of the author of the novel Down and Out In Ron Glass, actor from TV’s Commonwealth and Dinotopia series the Magic Kingdom Barney Miller and Firefly Nick Sagan, author of Idlewild, And many more...

Page 8 MEDIA KIT J.C. HUTCHINS / 7TH SON

7th Son’s “Beta Clone Army” Global audience. Superfans.

Gazaar in the U.S.

Sternod in the U.K. Robin in South Korea

Jocelyn in Hong Kong

Andy in the U.K. Susan in the U.S.

Derek in ‘Capt. Noffin’ Australia in the U.K.

7th Son is the new black. experience. It sells 7th Son shirts for There are several designs listeners Meet the Beta Clone Army, less than $15 and ships its products may purchase, but the most popular perhaps the best illustration of 7th Son worldwide. In exchange, Hutchins by far is the custom-numbered “Beta fandom. promotes the company in his podcast. Clone” shirt, seen above. Last year, J.C. Hutchins formed a Since that alliance began, Geek- Members of the Beta Clone Army partnership with GeekLabel, a T-shirt Label has sold more than 300 7th Son do more than wear these shirts. They design firm. The growing Virginia- T-shirts, and Hutchins receives photos sign emails with their “numbers,” use based company became the from around the globe, of fans proudly images of their shirts as Instant “exclusive clothier” of the 7th Son wearing them. Message avatar images, and more. Page 9 MEDIA KIT J.C. HUTCHINS / 7TH SON

A novel comes to life The groundbreaking 7th Son “virtual tour” An enormous metal contraption was mounted on the ceiling and hung down toward the floor, dominating the center of the room.... — 7th Son, Book One: Descent The 7th Son trilogy features many exotic locales, one of the most intriguing being the “ultra secret” 7th Son facility, the underground science compound that birthed the story’s seven protagonists. On camera The high-concept set pieces described in the novel have Scenes from the been re-created in a “virtual reality” experience, found at interactive “virtual tour” are Hutchins’ website. This pixel-perfect representation was accessed via a created by Texan listener Martin Parrott. security monitor- style interface. Parrott, a professional 3D designer, spent more than 60 Users get a hours creating these sets. Users can tilt and zoom the sneak peek of the ambitious interface’s camera, and interact with on-screen components. graphics before Parrott and Hutchins worked closely to realize this entering a room innovative experience. It’s about as close as being in the in the 7th Son facility. author's head as a 7th Son fan can get.

Page 10 MEDIA KIT J.C. HUTCHINS / 7TH SON

The cult of Kilroy2.0

fan art by Thom H.

Another indicator of the podcast’s Wallpapers and screen savers Listener artwork and photos resonance and relevance is the volume An entire page of Hutchins’ site is But listeners’ contributions of 7th Son-inspired art created by its dedicated to very creative computer transcend computer decoration. Fans audience. screen savers and wallpapers, all photograph themselves in 7th Son- Since the trilogy’s debut in early presented by fans. Some designs inspired settings (such as New Jersey 2006, J.C. Hutchins solicited creative incorporate imagery from the novels’ teen Ben’s pose in front of a church contributions from his listeners. If the covers; others hail straight from the banner that reads, “Alpha Is Here!” — 7th Son saga inspired folks to artists’ imaginations. Many of the an ironic nod to the story’s villain, John generate their own art, Hutchins wallpapers feature slogans of Alpha), create fake ad campaigns for wanted to see it, and post it on his characters (such as the hacker the podcast (such as the “Are you website. Kilroy2.0’s mantra: “Kilroy2.0 is Jacked?” images created by listener There are now dozens of examples everywhere.”) or lines from the books. John), and even corporate logos for of user-generated content at his site. The PC screen savers are ambitious fictional companies mentioned in the 7th Son fans are creating art, and things, featuring animated text and trilogy. Listeners name their video sharing it freely with the rest of the fan graphics. Again, this content is freely game avatars after characters in the community. provided by fans. (continued)

Page 11 MEDIA KIT J.C. HUTCHINS / 7TH SON The cult of Kilroy2.0 (cont.)

fan art by Thom H.

fan art by Martin P.

fan art by Itazura R. book ... and send Hutchins screen shots of those characters. They draw fan comics. They’ve even “photoshopped” a goatee onto a photo of Hutchins’ face, to create an “evil clone” of the author. CG creations 3-D designers have made considerable contributions to Hutchins’ site. Martin Parrott, known for his 7th Son facility “virtual tour,” has created a rendition of the “Aurora” in the 7th Son novels — she is purely a with story lines that run parallel to — top secret aircraft described in Book creation for the Ministry — but she but do not conflict with — the Two: Deceit. Paul H., a listener from receives her own fan mail from flirty unfolding trilogy. And they write Iowa, also created a design of this jet. listeners. Thom’s images add to her essays, exploring the philosophical Both versions have received glowing mystique. subtexts of 7th Son. reviews from fans. Some ambitious listeners have And listener Thom H. recently Audio, fiction, essays and more even created 7th Son-inspired videos created images of Natasha, the slinky But listeners bring more than (posted on YouTube as well as Russian spymaster who leads the 7th visual art to the 7th Son experience. Hutchins’ site), which are filled with in- Son Ministry of Propaganda. The They create music with lyrics inspired jokes and references only fellow fans character of Natasha is not mentioned from the books. They write fan fiction, could appreciate.

Page 12 MEDIA KIT J.C. HUTCHINS / 7TH SON

Praise for 7th Son “Not only does J. C. Hutchins put together a great story in his 7th Son trilogy, but he's successfully cracked the code of building a loyal following. While J.C.’s story may not be predictive of the future, his approach to making his work available is absolutely — he’s a pioneer and publishing will trail in his wake or be forgotten.” Michael A. Stackpole, New York Times bestselling author of Star Wars: Rogue Squadron, Talion: Revenant, Fortress Draconis and A Secret Atlas

“7th Son is breakneck storytelling at its absolute best. Characters — dark, duplicitous, and fascinating — stalk through a rich techscape that's so real, so plausible, that it compels and haunts the listener. The book is relentless in its pace, brilliant in its execution and just so damned entertaining.” Patrick Lussier, director of White Noise 2, Dracula 2000 and editor of Red Eye, the Scream trilogy, and other film thrillers

“(W)ell worth checking out ... a taut, tense sci-fi thriller ... top-tier podiobook work...” David Moldawer, associate editor at St. Martin’s Press and critic for DragonPage.com

“7th Son blends the verve of Philip K. Dick with the slick modern storytelling techniques of Lincoln Child.” Jesse Willis, editor for SFFAudio.com

“7th Son is the first in a new age of thrillers: it combines the suspense and technical accuracy any adrenaline addict craves with the imagination and scope of the best science fiction.” Stephen Eley, editor of Escape Pod - The Science Fiction Podcast Magazine

“7th Son, Book One: Descent kicks about 187 different kinds of ass.” John C. Snider, editor for SciFi Dimensions

“7th Son is the kind of thriller that blurs the lines between fiction and reality. With flair and finesse, J.C. Hutchins tells a story that refuses to let you go until the words ‘The End’ are on the horizon.” Tee Morris, co-author of Podcasting for Dummies and author of the MOREVI fantasy saga

“7th Son's opening episode is the ‘shock and awe’ of podiobooks — the first five minutes will have you hooked.” Scott Sigler, author of sci-fi horror novels Infested, Earthcore and Ancestor

“J.C. Hutchins helped create an entirely new storytelling medium — he's a true pioneer. The action and thrills of his 7th Son trilogy keep us glued to our earbuds, while his seven unwilling heroes capture our hearts.” Matthew Wayne Selznick, author of Brave Men Run, host of Writers Talking

“You're guaranteed to gasp ... while listening. J.C. Hutchins gives Stephen King a run for his money. ” Dani Cutler, critic for SFFAudio.com

“7th Son elicits strange behavior in people. The attachment to characters makes people cry, the tension causes them to scream in frustration when the chapters end, and the action keeps them up at night. 7th Son does what every book should do — it makes the reader feel; it makes the reader care.” Mur Lafferty, co-author of Tricks of the Podcasting Masters, and author of the Heaven fantasy saga

“J.C. Hutchins is carving a swath toward mainstream media — and he has the audience size to prove it.” Earl Newton, creator of Stranger Things, first science fiction anthology series shot and released in HD on the Internet

Page 13 MEDIA KIT J.C. HUTCHINS / 7TH SON An excerpt from 7th Son, Book Two: Deceit Warning: This scene contains violent imagery and adult language. To listen to the full episode, click here.

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE live. Is that the deed of a hero? Only in something much more difficult: As the Sweat slipped down Jack’s face. the movies, baby.” The villain chuckled. wall curved inward, becoming the “Two-thirty,” Special(k)’s voice rang “You stood there, stared the ultimatum ceiling of the dome, the more gravity from the speakers on the floor. “Take in the eyes and caved. You’re not built worked against him. His hands were one down, pass it around. . .” like the others. Invertebrate.” bearing the brunt of the climb now as Jack shook his head, wiped away Jack felt his desperation explode he entered the vertical curve. His back the sweat. Forget the desk. His eyes into anger now. He clenched and sagged as he became parallel with the flicked to the lowest rung on the metal unclenched his fists, dug his fingers floor. ladder. Ten feet up, at least the height into the undersurface of the desk and He edged closer to the hatch at the of a basketball rim. Can’t make the yanked it upward. The entire desk center of the ceiling. Jack glanced over jump. somersaulted in midair, its topside his shoulder. The lights beneath the Jack felt the adrenaline now, a slamming onto the floor. grated floor glared from far below. A highball of panic. His eyes roamed Jack stared down at the desk, now surge of vertigo swept over him. Alpha’s lair, madly searching for ass-over-teakettle. A dumbfounded Keep climbing, Jack. Keep your something to stand on. These wheeled moment of clarity — another back straight . . . keep it together . . . desk chairs? They might work . . . if transmission of inarguable Fact — keep it— SHIT! they didn’t slip from under his feet, or if rocked him. He grabbed one of the One of his feet slipped from the the seats didn’t spin as he stood on desk legs and gave it a shove. The rung behind him . . . and his body them. Last resort. smooth desktop easily slid across the swung downward, taking his other leg Find something, damnit! his mind grated floor. with it. Jack shut his eyes, madly shrieked. Get out. Get OUT! He grinned. Go, Jack. Go go go. gripping the rung ahead. Nodding, Jack continued to Jack shoved the desk across the His body swayed from the catalog the room. The dentist chair? thirty-foot expanse of the room. It momentum, his stomach lurching. For Welded to the floor. Beds. No. Bedside slammed into the wall, just below the an instant, Jack thought of watching table? Too small; it’d splinter under his ladder. He wrenched it back to its feet, his girls on the monkey bars back weight. He took off his backpack and then climbed onto the desk. The rungs home in Linnell Park. Swaying back conducted a brisk inventory of the were easily in reach now. He gripped and forth, back and forth, legs kicking contents of his backpack. Sleeping one of the highest rungs within his madly, squealing laughter . . . bag, a day’s worth of food, a fricking grasp. His feet found purchase on the “One minute,” Special(k)’s voice map . . . Worthless! It’s all worthless! lowest rung. called from a world away. “Tick- Jack screamed and whirled Jack’s arms were quivering as he fucking-tock.” around, slamming his hands on the reached up for the next rung. Haven’t Monkey bars. workstation desk. The sweat was even started to climb and I’m getting Jack opened his eyes and looked pouring now. He leaned over the desk, winded. Not good. Not good. forward. He wasn’t facing the hatch thinking “A minute forty-five,” Special(k)’s anymore. It was now to his back. Mind “Two-fifteen,” Special(k)’s voice voice announced. “To think it’ll be over racing, Jack let go with one hand, said. so soon. You sweating yet, coward?” simultaneously twisting it around and Jack glared at the speakers on the “Like a pig,” Jack panted as he crossing his other hand on the rung. floor. Shut up. began his ascent. “One step at a time. He grabbed the metal, then deftly Special(k) spoke again. “I wonder One step. . .” twisted his other hand and snatched what your family will say when they that What started as a traditional ladder the rung. His body spun around you gave up the fight so others could climb was quickly transforming into awkwardly, forty feet above the floor.

Page 14 MEDIA KIT J.C. HUTCHINS / 7TH SON

Book Two: Deceit (cont.)

His stomach lurched, the room was from Jack, its hinges screaming. The Lightning storms lanced up his spinning. . . door clapped against the ceiling, then right side, blood oozed down his Focus. rushed back toward him. cheek. A leg was throbbing in a galaxy Jack gazed at the hatch. There Do it. Do or die. far, far away. Miraculously, his wire rims were six more rungs left. Six rungs, He reached out and clutched the were still on his face. The Ford sedan then the hatch, then outside. And what wheel-handle with his right hand, then was parked a block away, on Main exactly was he going to do outside? his left. His legs kicked in place, high Street. Still in the center of the You know what. You’re going to jump above the floor. He began to pull intersection. — and if that doesn’t kill you, you’re himself upward through the hatch. He reached into his pants pocket, gonna run like hell to the car. Burn that “Thirty seconds,” Special(k) said. felt the keyfob there. bridge when you get to it. Monkey bars. “Can I start doing the New Year’s Just a few seconds now, Jack. Get Do the monkey bars before your fat ass countdown, Jackie-pooh?” up. falls. “You can blow it out your fuckin’ His body wailed in protest, the pain He released his trembling left hand ass,” Jack hissed as he gripped the in his side stabbed hot knives into his and snatched the next rung. Jack rim of the hatch. Groaning, he pulled chest. But Jack ignored this. He hauled whispered a prayer and released his himself up, the night sky greeting the ass up the center of Main Street, the right hand. top of his head, the cool wind rushing water tower looming behind him like a He swung to the next rung. The around him. monstrous arachnid. momentum propelled him forward and Swaying and sweating, he spotted The darkness gnawed at Jack’s he grabbed the next one. And the next. the shadowy pecan tree just below the mind, defying geography and time. And the next. Suddenly he was face to bulbous orb of the water tower. He How long had he been running? Five face with the steel hatch. It’s a fucking closed his eyes. Jack saw the faces of seconds? Five hours? The shadow- Christmas miracle. his children, of his wife. drenched Ford was closer now. Closer. A gale of laughter boomed from And then he jumped. And then, for an instant, it was the floor. “Forty-five seconds!” The cool night air whipped past daylight. The walls of the water tower Special(k) howled. him as he fell — another moment of blew outward, a sun on stilts, spraying Jack reached out with his right breathless peace — and then he was flame and shrapnel across the sky. The hand, wincing. He grasped the wheel- crashing through the tree’s upper earth bucked beneath Jack’s feet. And shaped hatch handle and gave it a canopy, leaves tearing at his face, his then the shockwave came, a fiery shove. It groaned . . . and gave a half- clothes. The thicker branches came godhand that heaved him into the air. inch. Jack barked a laugh of relief, now. Jack was a pinball gone bad, He slammed onto the hood of the sweat flowing into his eyes. But his left bouncing from one bough to the next, sedan, his shoulder cracking the hand, the one still holding to the rung heading ever downward . . . windshield. — it was going. Push it again, damnit. His body slammed into a thick tree Jack rolled off the car, mind reeling. Push it again! limb and Jack screamed as pain It was hard to think now. Ears were He did. The wheel gave another exploded in his side. Another drop — ringing, screaming. Head filled with few inches. A third shove sent the this time, his head bashed against cotton. Car? Whafuck car? Where? wheel spinning, unlocking . . . another limb, spraying blood down his Fire? . . . and then the hatch swung forehead. And then he was falling freely A spinning, flaming hulk of the downward like a trap door, barely again, falling, then slamming onto the water tower plummeted from the sky missing Jack’s face. It swooped away ground. He shrieked in pain. and pounded through the roof of a

Page 15 MEDIA KIT J.C. HUTCHINS / 7TH SON

Book Two: Deceit (cont.) nearby general store. The entire first The car roared down the road, the Jack turned the Ford onto the long floor of the building burst outward onto column of fire and debris rushing access road, praying the car could Main Street, spitting brick and glass. A behind it. Now the exploding buildings make it to the airstrip. He had a plane synapse fired inside Jack’s confused were fifty feet behind him. Jack only to catch. mind, a recollection — something the had one more block to drive through — bad man (Special(k)?) had said to the and then he would reach the long others (Betas?) while they were in the empty road that led to the airstrip. elevator. He’d heard their exchange A gas station ripped apart on his over the workstation’s speakers. left, showering the car with debris. A . . . network of explosives wired brick shot through the rear driver’s side throughout this town . . . window, smashing through the Through the haze, Jack processed opposite side. Another building went this. He pulled the keys from his pocket nova and a chunk of its facade ripped and climbed into the Ford. Slamming across the street, cleaving off the the gear shift into drive, he thought, Ford’s rear bumper as it went. Jack That’s right, Jack. Drive. screamed. The sedan began to spin The sedan lurched forward, tires like a top. screeching. It missed the open And then the buildings surrounding manhole by less than a foot. Jack the car exploded too. yanked the wheel, spinning the car Jack wrestled with the wheel, around, its backside fishtailing wildly. watching in horror as the vehicle He mashed the accelerator to the floor. whirled around and around, surrounded And then the buildings behind him in a vortex of flame. Bricks and metal were no longer buildings. Explosions pounded the car from all sides now, lashed from both sides of the road, hammering the door panels, smashing vomiting flame, metal and rubble onto windows, headlights. Main Street, into each other, creating a He regained control of the Ford, wave of fire. The buildings were and squeezed his eyes shut as he detonating in succession, one after piloted it through the firestorm. More another, spewing inferno after inferno thunderclaps. More flame. It was hot, up the block. so hot . . . Up the block, in the direction Jack The sedan roared through the last was driving. of the explosions. Jack opened his The sedan screamed through eyes, screaming. He glanced in the another empty intersection, then rearview mirror. The town was another. It was edging up to sixty as devouring itself, a living thing tearing at Jack glanced in the rearview mirror. its own flaming flesh. Far in the Main Street was ablaze, the storefront distance, the water tower’s spider-legs explosions a block away, quickly buckled and swayed in the swirling gaining on him. Now a half-block away. eruptions.

Page 16 MEDIA KIT J.C. HUTCHINS / 7TH SON

CONTACTING J.C. HUTCHINS LISTENING TO THE TRILOGY J.C. Hutchins is available for media interviews on 7th Son is a free audiobook trilogy distributed in an subjects ranging from the 7th Son trilogy to the growing innovative, episodic format. Each episode is approximately popularity of podiobooks and podcasting. He also has 20-40 minutes in length. expertise in new media promotion, social media Downloading episodes is easy and automatic when networking, and “no budget” online marketing. Hutchins is “subscribing” (for free) to the podcast’s RSS feed. You will also available to write essays and columns on these topics. need a program such as Apple’s iTunes to download these Hutchins can be reached by email at files automatically; please visit this page at Hutchins’ [email protected], or via Skype at j.c.hutchins. You website to learn more about podcasting, and how to may also contact him through his website, and various subscribe to the podcast. social media sites such as MySpace, Facebook, Twitter If you already have iTunes installed on your PC, simply and Pownce. click here to subscribe with one click. You can also visit this page at Hutchins’ website to RIGHTS INQUIRIES manually download episodes. Episodes are saved in the Rights information regarding 7th Son for publication, ubiquitous MP3 format. television and film development, or adaptation to other If you would prefer a CD featuring episodes of 7th Son, media can be obtained by contacting Kristin Lindstrom of please contact J.C. Hutchins for a complimentary disc. Lindstrom Literary Management. via email at You may also visit www.Podiobooks.com to download [email protected]. episodes of 7th Son and other excellent free podcast You may also write Ms. Lindstrom at: novels. Descent, Deceit and Destruction are all available at 871 N. Greenbrier Street Arlington, VA 22205 that site.