Today's main event is a conversation with author and audiobook narrator John R. Erickson. John published his first book and audiobook of the Hank the Cowdog character in 1983 and has been going strong ever since. J.D. talks with him about the series' origins, his work on a cattle ranch, the part that the oral storytelling tradition played in his approach to writing, how the Hank the Cowdog audio drama podcast came about, and much more. In addition to the interview, J.D. shares a whole passel of audio drama updates, addresses feedback from Jeremy and Blake, and gives a monologue about audio drama as content marketing for brands.

Download Episode 202

Audio Drama Updates - 00:47Send updates to us - pfm.link/atcnews
Unshackled fundraiserhttps://unshackled.org
Audio Adventures Electronic Game SystemTruman Toys and GamesAudio Adventures Kickstarter
ADA’s Sonic Comics #3 What's Holding You Up?
HeartMatters - The Serpent from the BeginningHeartMatters appJD’s blog post
2024 Lamplighter Guild mini audio dramas
Episode 7 of Pirateers, Season 3 releasedEpisode 8 is in post and the Pirateers book is complete
Robin Hood: Rising to Honor, Season 2 recording soon and a new cast member
Post-production update on Venture
New Chester and Ralphie episode
Resurgence Cast announcement
AIO Episode 1000 title reveal and BTS from Episode 1 with Steve Harris and Phil Lollar

Monologue - 17:47Audio drama for brands - not necessarily a sponsorship (though I'm not opposed to that) but I'm talking about brands/companies that actually hire a producer to create a show as part of their marketing budget 

Interview - 24:41

John R. EricksonCreator of the Hank the Cowdog series, author of over 80 books, narrator of the audiobook editions
Author John R. Erickson
Credit: Western Horseman Magazine
Official Hank the Cowdog website
Hank the Cowdog Podcast


The latest Hank book - The Case of the Airborne InvasionPaperback edition - Amazon | Hank websiteAudiobook edition - Amazon | Hank website

John's book on story and the history of the Hank seriesStory Craft: Reflections On Faith, Culture, and Writing By the Author of Hank the CowdogAmazon | Hank website
The audio-only Hank stories
Photos from the Hank show in Phoenix, AZ

Feedback - 1:13:45Jeremy emails about Paws & TalesBlake has a question about audio drama from The SoundhouseThrone has closed down - Any non-social network site options you'd participate in?

Send us your recording of you reading the following and we'll use it in a future episode:

Script: "Hi! This is [YOUR NAME] from [YOUR CITY AND/OR STATE]. Audio Theatre Central is a production of Porchlight Family Media. The theme music was composed by Sam Avendaño. The show is produced and edited by J.D. Sutter. Find the website at audiotheatrecentral.com."

Email your recording to [email protected].

Join The ATC Insiders!

What are your thoughts on the topics we addressed in this episode? Send us your feedback! We’d love to hear what you think!

Leave a comment below this post, email us at [email protected], or give us a call or text 623-688-2770.

Subscribe to the show so you'll never miss an episode!