The Once And Future Nerd - A Fantasy-comedy Audio Drama

Remember the song that Arlene sang to Gwen back in Chapter 6 and again in Chapter 9? We know at least some of you do, because you wrote in to tell us how much you loved it, and to ask whether it was available as a standalone track. Well...it is now! We re-recorded it with a new arrangement and live instruments. Head over to onceandfuturenerd.bandcamp.com to purchase it for $1 (or more if you'd like to be very kind. Patreon subscribers, check your Patreon feed for a coupon code to save 50¢.) And for today's bonus content, we talked to the talented folks involved for insight into making the song. Keep reading for full credits and attributions. "The Singing Sister" Copyright © 2015 by Gibian, Glass & Madera Lyrics by Zach Glass & Christian T. Madera, based on a traditional folk song Music by Anya Gibian This version arranged, orchestrated, and produced by Tom Lee. Recorded and Edited by Justin Tricarico at Studio 302, Queens College, Queens, NY. Performed by: Anya Gibian - Vocals Emily P. Dana - Harp, Vi

We're really excited to announce that the Special Edition of The Once And Future Nerd Book 1, is now available through Audiobooks on Tape. (They make these really cool USB flash drives that look like old cassette tapes!) The Special Edition includes: Full chapter files with credits only once per chapter for maximum bingeing (previously only available to Patreon subscribers) Bonus interviews TOAFN artwork in 4K Ultra HD, including our new map, and several never-before-seen character designs. All proceeds from the Special Edition will go towards funding Book 2 (which we are currently writing!), and are also a great gift for anyone who loves Fantasy or Audiodrama, but doesn't do podcasts. Purchase at AudioBooksOnTape.com (just search for 'Once And Future Nerd'). And in honor of the Special Edition, we sat down for a conversation with Ian Harkins (the Narrator) looking back at Book 1. Think of it like a free companion piece. We've also got some limited-time-only coupon codes for fans who want to pur

Hey guys! A lot of you have been writing in to say how much you miss the show and wondering when it's coming back - and it's really great to hear from you and to know we're missed! The short answer is: Book 2 is coming - just not yet. We took a break after Book 1, and now we're getting back into it. That said, making The Once And Future Nerd to the level of quality you've come to expect requires a big metaphorical machine with lots of moving parts, so we can't responsibly commit to any kind of release date at this point, but we can promise that the show is moving forward! What can you do to contribute to Season 2? We have some ideas: Keep sending us positive messages - that really encourages us! Draw some fan art and put it on Tumblr (we're looking at you, artsy people!) Tweet about us and the awesome fuck-yeah-once-and-future-nerd.tumblr.com (also - a huge thanks to whoever made that!) Get redditing! Participate on the subreddit, discuss your theories about season 2, tell your friends, and get the

Thanks so much to everyone who voted in Round 1 of the 2015 AudioVerse Awards. Thanks to you, we are now FINALISTS in EVERY CATEGORY for which we were eligible. Best Original Composition in an Original, Short-Form Production - Tom Lee Best Audio Engineering for an Original, Short-Form, Serial Production - Brian Forbes, Sam Palumbo, Christian Madera, Josh Perault, and Sandra Ramirez Best Writing of an Original, Short-Form, Serial Production - Zach Glass & Christian Madera Best Actress with an Ensemble Role in an Original Serial Production - Rhiannon Angell Best Actress with an Ensemble Role in an Original Serial Production - Lily Drexler Best Actress with an Ensemble Role in an Original Serial Production - Anya Gibian Best Actress with an Ensemble Role in an Original Serial Production - Julie Reed Best Actor with an Ensemble Role in an Original Serial Production - Garrett Armyn Best Actor with an Ensemble Role in an Original Serial Production - Dan Dobransky Best Actor with an Ensemble Role in an Original Seri

We're so pleased to be nominated for the 2015 AudioVerse Awards amongst an extremely wide and formidable field of contenders. We're up for: Best Original Composition in an Original, Short-Form Production Best Audio Engineering for an Original, Short-Form, Serial Production Best Writing of an Original, Short-Form, Serial Production Best Actress with an Ensemble Role in an Original Serial Production (x4!!) Best Actor with an Ensemble Role in an Original, Short-Form, Serial Production (x6!!!) Best Ensemble Cast in an Original, Short-Form, Serial Production Best Original Short-Form, Serial Comedy Best Original, Short-Form, Large Cast, Serial Production The Awards are open to a public vote, and voting for the first round (which determines Finalists) closes on October 20, so head over to audioverseawards.net to cast your votes! And don't forget to check our sweet, sweet merch.

CONTENT NOTE: The violence in this episode gets particularly graphic. Listen with care. The First Book of our Tale comes to its bloody close at the Battle of Freehold. Our deepest thanks go out to everyone who has tuned in along the way. We never would have gotten this far without you. We'll see you again for Book 2, release date TBD. If you're enjoying the show, please consider becoming a patron at Patreon . The more patrons we have, the easier time we'll have getting up and running for production of Book 2.

In this, the penultimate episode of Book 1, Julius Mooncrest mourns his nephew Antonin. But all is not what it seems with the young lord's apparent demise. Meanwhile, at the Horse's Head Inn, a terrible discovery threatens to cut short Gwen and Arlene's newfound romantic bliss. And our stalwart Narrator confesses that he has run out of events with which to delay the recounting of the Battle of Freehold and its aftermath. The climactic conclusion of Book 1 is coming next. Be sure to subscribe, and tell your friends so they won't miss it. And hey, have you seen all the exciting news lately about merchandise, free full-chapter downloads, and awards?

For today's bonus content, Christian (director, co-creator), Zach (co-writer, co-producer), Anya (Regan, Arlene, various female),  Ian (Narrator, various male), Dan (Ardel, Traft, various male), Paul (Nelson, Antonin) and Lily (Gwen, Ry'y, various female) sat down with Matthew of the Audio Drama Production Podcast to talk about the highlights, challenges, and strategies that went into creating Book 1 of THE ONCE AND FUTURE NERD. Show notes are below. Awesome things the Cast & Crew are up to: The New York Fringe Festival (http://fringenyc.org/) includes SOLINA (http://www.eventbrite.com/e/solina-fringenyc-tickets-17728346963), staring Anya, and FUENTE OVEJUNA (http://www.eventbrite.com/e/fuente-ovejuna-fringenyc-tickets-17728291798), featuring Ian. Performances through the end of August Dan performs at the Magnet Theater (http://www.magnettheater.com/) in Manhattan and posts news about his other projects at http://ddobransky.com. You can also find him on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/MrBrodansk

As we mentioned before, we are honored to nominees for Best Podcast in the 2015 Geekie Awards. Well, the Awards are now open to a PUBLIC VOTE to determine who gets to take home a statue. If you would like to vote, just go to http://vote2015.thegeekieawards.com/ . No sign-in required or anything. It's designed so that each voter can vote once per day per category, from now until Noon Pacific on August 31. The Geekie Awards are doing an awesome thing by increasing exposure for independently-produced content, and we'd love to return the favor by supporting them. So vote early and vote often! We're nominated alongside some truly excellent content, so vote as you see fit. But if you think we deserve some extra recognition, votes for us would be a great way to support our show and costs you nothing but a few seconds. We'll keep you posted on any future developments. Thanks! -The Producers of THE ONCE AND FUTURE NERD

As they wait for the rendezvous with Ry'y lo-Th'yyt (and hopefully the fulfillment of her promise of assisatnce), Nia and Regan consider the wages of their struggles so far. But far away, in the icy seas of the south, a spurned foe plots his next move. (Spoiler: It's Renault. That dipsh*t). There are only TWO (2!) episodes left in Book One. The next episode will be released on August 16. And be sure to like/follow/subscribe for some very exciting upcoming announcements. And check out the awesome updated logo artwork by the brilliant John Flanagan!

In this, the premiere of Book 1's final chapter, Generals Riverfell and Traft make one last doomed attempt to reach terms before the Battle of Freehold begins in earnest. The fate of the Human Realms of Iorden hang in the balance. Fresh off their new and hard-earned revelations, the Kids take an active role in combat. But the Narrator, in a rare moment of blatant editorializing, expresses dread at having to recount what comes next. Our next episode will be coming in early August. Be sure to subscribe so you don't miss it. And tell a friend so you have someone to enjoy it with! Or make new friends over on our official discussion forum!

In this, the final episode of Chapter 9, Jen must confront a man from her past she was not expecting to see. Iorden's civil war arrives on Bryce Riverfell's doorstep whether he and his charges are prepared or not. And Arlene and Gwen change their course, now that Arlene's singing has created some options for them. "The Singing Sister" is © 2014. Lyrics by Zach Glass and Christian Madera, based on a traditional English folk song. Music by Anya Gibian. We'll be back on July 19 with the premiere of Chapter 10, the final chapter of Book 1! In the meantime, you can discuss anything about the show at www.reddit.com/r/onceandfuturenerd.

The conflict between Antonin Mooncrest and Ardel Redmoor comes to bloodshed. Who will survive? Meanwhile, Arlene struggles to adapt to a working woman's life; her inexperience threatens to leave her and Gwen without a roof over their heads. You won't want to miss the conclusion of Chapter 9, which will be released on June 21. In the meantime, check out our official discussion forum, and tell a friend about the show if you want our eternal love! "The Singing Sister" is © 2014. Lyrics by Zach Glass and Christian Madera, based on a traditional English folk song. Music by Anya Gibian. This arrangement is by Anya Gibian and Christian Madera.

CONTENT NOTE: This episode depicts a physically and emotionally abusive domestic situation from the beginning until the 4:15 timestamp. Please use your discretion in listening. In Billy's vision, the young man must contend with his father's harmful expectations. Will he escape with his mind and soul intact? Our next episode will be released on June 7. In the meantime, be sure to head over to our discussion forum to discuss all that's transpired so far.

As Bryce Riverfell's medics tend to our children in the infirmary at Freehold, the poison they ingested produces striking visions in their minds. In this episode, Nelson struggles with doubt over whether his life so far would make his parents proud. Darkness on the Edge of Town, Pt. 3 will premiere on May 24. Be sure to subscribe, and check out our discussion forum at reddit.com/r/onceandfuturenerd

In the premiere of our ninth chapter, Billy and Jen push each other to acknowledge their true feelings about being in Iorden, but they are interrupted by the Templars of Discord, and quickly succumb to the same poison which incapacitated Nelson. Will the Kids' fate be left in the hands of their fell captors, or will anyone come to their rescue? And what of Arlene and Gwen's urgent need for discreet lodging? Listen to find out! Part 2 of Chapter 9 will be released on May 10. Subscribe so you won't miss it! And maybe if you're feeling generous and want our eternal love and gratitude, you could tell a friend about our show?

A huge thank you to everyone who participated in our first ever Fan Q&A. That's @Anarchaelogist on Twitter, Rena and /u/screwbuharvard2 on Reddit, and Logan Waterman on Facebook. If you want to keep the conversation going, hit us up on Twitter (twitter.com/_toafn), Reddit (reddit.com/r/onceandfuturenerd), or Facebook (facebook.com/toafn). Chapter 9, "Darkness on the Edge of Town," will premiere on April 26. Don't miss it!

Nia and her companions are attacked by Renault D'Esprit, the "nice" necromancer. Will any escape the Cairn of Evil Untold with their lives? Or their souls? Will Renault ever shut his stupid face? (Probably not, on that last one.)  Meanwhile, at the Horse's Head Inn near Freehold, the Kids get near to the information they seek, but are soon reminded that safety is a rare luxury in Iorden, and never lasts for long. If you leave us an iTunes review, we may read your review on air in an upcoming bonus episode! And, for a limited time, ask us a question about the show on Twitter (@_toafn) or Reddit (reddit.com/r/onceandfuturenerd), and we may just answer it on air! Our tale will resume on April 26 with the first part of Chapter 9 - the penultimate chapter of Book 1!    

Brennen, Yllowyyn, Nia, and Regan venture into the ancient burial mound known as the Cairn of Evil Untold to retrieve an artifact for the Knights of the Wood. It goes...about as well as you'd expect for a place that's called the Cairn of Evil Untold. But the ordeal will prove particularly trying for Nia, who must contend with an unsavory slice of her past. (Spoiler - it's this dipsh*t: http://onceandfuturenerd.com/2014/02/05/the-nicest-necromancer-public) Check out our friends at Rude Alchemy (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/rude-alchemy/id961837133?mt=2). They just wrapped up Season 1 of their very funny audiodrama. Chapter 8 will conclude on March 29. Make sure you're subscribed, and please consider leaving us an iTunes or Stitcher review if you haven't already.

Alone in the Horse's Head Inn, the Kids try to pry some information out of some out-of-place college students. But, as always, danger is just around the corner. Meanwhile, Antonin Mooncrest issues a public and irrevocable ultimatum to Ardel Redmoor. If you haven't been to our discussion forum, you've missed out on some very lively discussion about Regan's decision at the beginning of Chapter 8. Head over to www.reddit.com/r/onceandfuturenerd if you don't want to miss the conversation.