Pseudopod 433: 20 Simple Steps To Ventriloquism

[Jon Padgett]

Description

"20 Simple Steps to Ventriloquism" is an instructional piece of short fiction by weird/horror writer and (lapsed) professional ventriloquist Jon Padgett.

This edition by Tallhat Press includes 20 previously unpublished black and white illustrations by artist and (lapsed) squirrel rehabilitator Yves Tourigny.

8.5" x 5.5"
52 pp.






Purchase here for $12.06 USD (plus shipping)

Description:

“20 Simple Steps to Ventriloquism” first appeared in the 2013 Shirley Jackson Award winning anthology, THE GRIMSCRIBE PUPPETS. “When I was a child, my first ventriloquist dummy came with a pamphlet entitled “7 SIMPLE STEPS TO VENTRILOQUISM.” Though the following ventriloquist story went through a tremendous number of transmutations from its inception two decades ago (when it was first conceived), that pamphlet from my past proved to be the key to what “20 Simple Steps to Ventriloquism” would finally become. Practice the first seven steps enough, and you may one day be able to throw your voice with the best of the showbiz ventriloquists out there. Practice the rest of the steps at your own risk.”

"'20 Simple Steps to Ventriloquism' is what might be deemed an ultimate horror vision. What makes such a piece always resides in an ambition to transcend literature itself. As purely a matter of literary taxonomy, I would place this magnificently executed short story in a class with Lovecraft’s 'Call of Cthulhu,' Blackwood’s 'The Willows,' and Jorge Luis Borges’s 'The Lottery in Babylon.' These are tales that lead one to say, 'This is a revelation of how things are.' Like them, '20 Simple Steps to Ventriloquism' pulls out all the stops to convey a towering perspective that encompasses and reveals the essence of existence. That is its scope. That is how it affects those exposed to the story. When it comes to a close, one’s reaction is, 'There is nothing more to be said.' And, of course, what has been spoken by '20 Simple Steps to Ventriloquism' is by necessity deftly strange and awful, like life itself once its façade has been peeled away little by little. That is how an ultimate horror vision works its wonder." —Thomas Ligotti

Please note: This is a handmade item, and may present very minor imperfections.

Also note: In the coming weeks, Cadabra Records is launching a vinyl edition of 20 Simple Steps and will also offer this chapbook as a bundled deal.  Sound Patterns by Pseudopod co-editor, Shawn M. Garrett!

[Jon Padgett]

"ON SALE NOW! Jon Padgett’s, 20 Simple Steps to Ventriloquism LP. Two variants are available. Narrated by Jon Padgett. Art by Yves Tourigny and Dave Felton. Sound patterns by PSEUDOPOD Co-Editor Shawn M. Garrett.

Includes a brand new Foreword by Thomas Ligotti. Here’s an excerpt:

"'20 Simple Steps to Ventriloquism' is what might be deemed an ultimate horror vision. What makes such a piece always resides in an ambition to transcend literature itself. As purely a matter of literary taxonomy, I would place this magnificently executed short story in a class with Lovecraft’s 'Call of Cthulhu,' Blackwood’s 'The Willows,' and Jorge Luis Borges’s 'The Lottery in Babylon.' These are tales that lead one to say, 'This is a revelation of how things are.' Like them, '20 Simple Steps to Ventriloquism' pulls out all the stops to convey a towering perspective that encompasses and reveals the essence of existence. That is its scope. That is how it affects those exposed to the story. When it comes to a close, one’s reaction is, 'There is nothing more to be said.' And, of course, what has been spoken by '20 Simple Steps to Ventriloquism' is by necessity deftly strange and awful, like life itself once its façade has been peeled away little by little. That is how an ultimate horror vision works its wonder."

We have very limited quantities, as this is a small print run. Don’t sleep on this!"

Please order from one of three variant LPs here.

[allegedparadise88]

Everything about this one is perfect to me. The background static, the tone of the reading, the repetitive instructional nature of the words, the imagery it provokes... This story made my stomach knot and turn while somehow mesmerizing me in a way that I couldn't have turned it off even if I had wanted to. Love it.

[Marlboro]

I'm new to Pseudopod. Hi guys!

I was very impressed with this episode. Not only with the unique story, but also with the excellent performance of the reader. On top of that, this is one of those rare stories that really takes advantage of the audio only format. It's very much like some of the best of old time radio in that regard.