Let the challenge begin!

Hi folks,

Wishing you the very best for the coming week from everyone at Rusty Towers!

This week, we have an exciting update on our next Neon Inkwell series. Neon Inkwell is our home of short audio fiction series from creators around the world. Coming to the feed later this summer is Welcome to Foster’s, an Australia urban fantasy series which follows Jill Foster, a private consulting wizard, and her new apprentice as they find themselves intwined in the nefarious machinations of businesswoman Sylvia Price.

Welcome to Foster’s is a uniquely Australia perspective on urban fantasy through a queer lens. The cast is intentionally diverse and representative of the mix of races, genders and sexualities that make up the city of Sydney today. For Australian listeners, it will be an opportunity to hear themselves represented in a familiar setting, albeit somewhat different from reality. For those from elsewhere, the show epitomises Australian humour and Australian queer culture.

Welcome to Fosters is written by Imogen Cassidy. Imogen usually writes short fiction, and their work can be found in the Australian speculative fiction magazines Aurealis and Andromeda Spaceways. However, a little closer to home, they wrote one of the fluff episodes for The Magnus Archives, which Knights and Nobles can listen to at this link.

Welcome to Fosters is directed by Christ Magilton. Chris is a writer and voice actor, perhaps best known for his podcast, Among the Stars and Bones.

The show stars Nina Nikolic as Jill Foster, Tim Sefo as Oliver Long, Harrison Keen as Mark Wilson, Sebrina Thornton-Walker as Gloria Foster, Michael Bache as Brian Hewlitt-Smith and Hannah Aroni as Sylvia Price.

(Image description: At the top is the Neon Inkwell logo and the name of the show: Welcome to Fosters. Under this are two headshots: Imogen Cassidy (they/them) writer/creator. Chris Magilton (he/him) director.)

(Image description: At the top is the Neon Inkwell logo and the name of the show: Welcome to Fosters. Under this are six headshots. From top left: Nina Nikolic (she/her) as Jill Foster, Tim Sefo (he/him) as Oliver Long), Harrison Keen (he/him) as Mark Wilson, Sebrina Thornton-Walker (she/her) as Gloria Foster, Michael Bache (he/him) as Brian Hewlitt-Smith, Hannah Aroni (she/her) as Sylvia Price.)

Welcome to Foster’s will be released on the Neon Inkwell feed later this summer. Be sure to check out the other Neon Inkwell shows, which include a science fiction horror written by Sasha Sienna and Jonathan Sims, a dark comedy about dysfunctional families and supernatural creatures trying to live normal lives written by Tom Critch and Alexander J Newall, a heartwarming coming-of-age story about a would-be cult sacrifice learning to live outside the expectations of their family by J Evelyn Gaskell, and a series about a road trip and the journey towards forgiveness for two people who only think of themselves as monsters, written by SC Ormond and Morgan Ormond.

Meanwhile, in this week’s episode of The Magnus Protocol, the nightmare has only just begun. As always, the episode will be available to our early access supporters on Tuesday at 4pm BST, or on the public feed on Thursday at 4pm BST.

In some news from the RQ Network, we are currently hosting a feed drop from new TTRPG show, Myth & Moon on the public Magnus feed. This high-fantasy solo-play D&D podcast weaves two storytellers into a single world of conflict, crafting duelling narratives where one player is the hero, the other the villain. Perfect for fans of tabletop roleplaying games, immersive audio dramas, and classic adventures set in worlds like The Forgotten Realms, fates collide and dice decide in this thrilling exploration of good versus evil.

You can listen to the first two episodes of Myth and Moon on the Magnus feed, or find the full show wherever you find podcasts or on the Rusty Quill website.

Finally, in some really exciting news from the RQ Network, Last Dance, which is produced by Blackabbey Productions, has announced a new addition to their cast.

James Mackenzie, who UK folks might know better as Raven, from the iconic children’s adventure game show of the same name, is joining Last Dance for a dramatic two-part season finale as Baron Lazare, the enigmatic figurehead of the Lazare Estate who has more than a few revelations to share. His presence in the show is a massive turning point and the event that the story has always been building to.

James says:

“I was delighted to be asked by Max and the team to take on the Role of Baron Lazare in Last Dance. It’s such an exciting project to be part of and a totally amazing world that they’ve created. The world creating possibilities in an audio drama context are infinite and these guys have smashed it. It feels totally authentic and totally fires your imagination. It’s so dramatic and incredibly gripping. All power to them and here’s to more seasons going forward.”

Blackabbey Productions say of the collaboration with James:

“James is a singular talent and is a name synonymous with fantasy in the U.K. and beyond. The part wasn’t written for him, but as soon as the words were down on a page there was only really one voice that we could hear as Baron Lazare. James lending his talent to our show not only gives us the best possible version of Lazare and helps highlight just how special this show is to us as emerging artists who make this show entirely off our own backs.”

You can see Last Dance’s full announcement, including a video interview with James himself here: https://www.reddit.com/r/audiodrama/comments/1mawws3/james_mackenzie_cbbcs_raven_joins_the_cast_of/

Last Dance is a dark fantasy audio drama podcast that follows Jericho Raeke (played by Michael Ellen Sean), an enslaved battlefield scavenger, in a fantastical world overrun by savage invaders. When Jericho discovers something in the remnants of a fierce battle, he has no idea that he and his unlikely allies are about to be dragged into the centre of the conflict.

Last Dance has been incredibly well received, and most excitingly it was announced last week that it is a nominee for the British Podcast Awards this year! You can listen to the show wherever you find podcasts, or on the Rusty Quill website. Part one of the finale, featuring James Mackenzie, launches this week, on 31st July.

Here is our full schedule for this week:

Tuesday 29th July

The Magnus Protocol 45 - Transferral (Patreon & Kickstarter Backers) (4pm BST)

Thursday 31st July

The Magnus Protocol 45 - Transferral (Public) (4pm BST)

Have a good week all!

The Rusty Quill team