Escape Artists Inc's Young Adult speculative fiction podcast featuring tales of the fantastic - Welcome! Visit us at castofwonders.org.
Author : J. A. Prentice Narrator : Hugo Jackson Host : Katherine Inskip Audio Producer : Jeremy Carter Artist : Katherine Inskip Cast of Wonders 641: Bells Long Silent is a Cast of Wonders original. violence (including gun-violence) in a historical setting, and the death of a relative Bells Long Silent by J. A. Prentice […] Source
Author : Angela Liu Narrator : Sophie Barker Host : Katherine Inskip Audio Producer : Jeremy Carter First published in Dark Matter magazine, July 2023 Image by Thomas Wolter from Pixabay KAOSU, The Last Moving Country in the World by Angela Liu I arrive at KAOSU's nest-shaped Visitor's Center two hours early for boarding procedures. […] Source
Author : Thomas Ha Narrator : Rish Outfield Host : Katherine Inskip Audio Producer : Jeremy Carter First published in Clarkesworld in August 2023 Window Boy by Thomas Ha The tenth time Jakey broke the rules, he put a sandwich in the mailbox where the window boy could get it. Mom had taken her […] Source
Author : Rae A. Shell Narrator : Jordan Kurella Host : Katherine Inskip Audio Producer : Jeremy Carter Cast of Wonders 638: A Spell of Grief is a Cast of Wonders original. A Spell of Grief by Rae A Shell The library was closing in ten minutes. Lucas stared at the picture books, paralyzed by […] Source
Author : Catherine George Narrator : Kaitlyn Zivanovich Host : Katherine Inskip Audio Producer : Jeremy Carter First published in Translunar Travelers Lounge in February 2020 Calling on Behalf of the Dark Lord by Catherine George It's only part-time — you can always quit if you don't like it. That's what you told yourself when […] Source
Author : Lyndsey Silveira Narrator : Kara Grace Host : Alicia Caporaso Audio Producer : Jeremy Carter Cast of Wonders 636: Whatever Remains of the Dead is a Cast of Wonders original. Gun violence, aftermath of a school shooting, grief. Whatever Remains of the Dead by Lyndsey Silveira I fish a black dress from the […] Source
Author : Ryan Cole Narrator : Joe Moran Host : Katherine Inskip Audio Producer : Jeremy Carter Cast of Wonders 635: What the God Mouth Wants is a Cast of Wonders original. Homophobia, body horror, risk of drowning What the God-Mouth Wants by Ryan Cole They call it a homecoming: when your own severed tongue […] Source
Author : J. L. Akagi Narrator : Essie Batz Host : Katherine Inskip Audio Producer : Jeremy Carter Cast of Wonders 634: Pearl Diving is a Cast of Wonders original. Pearl Diving by J L Akagi Makoto Matoba is enduring her third ever “scaly day” when her mother drives her down to the shore. She […] Source
Author : Jameyanne Fuller Narrator : Charlotte Moore-Lambert Host : Katherine Inskip Audio Producer : Jeremy Carter Cast of Wonders 633: Born in Flame and Song is a Cast of Wonders original. Born in Flame and Song by Jameyanne Fuller They will tell me, later, I was born singing. I wasn't. I was born like […] Source
Author : P H Low Narrator : Rebecca Wei Hsieh Host : Katherine Inskip Audio Producer : Jeremy Carter First published in the anthology Death in the Mouth: Original Horror by People of Color, in October 2022 Image by StockSnap from Pixabay intrusive thoughts Tongue is a Void by P H Low enter Late at […] Source
Author : Jamie Lackey Narrator : Jason Arquin Host : Katherine Inskip Audio Producer : Jeremy Carter Cast of Wonders 631: Sometimes It Happens That Way is a Cast of Wonders original. Sometimes it happens that way by Jamie Lackey I stood on the platform bundled up in one of my pa's old work coats, […] Source
Author : Kate Francia Narrator : Katherine Inskip Host : Katherine Inskip Audio Producer : Jeremy Carter First published in Augur Magazine issue 6.2 in December 2023. Poets of Painswick by Kate Francia Monday, 1st of June Dear Mama, I am sorry to tell you that Fanny is out hunting Poets again. It's such a […] Source
Author : Eleanor Glewwe Narrator : Diane Severson Mori Host : Alicia Caporaso Audio Producer : Jeremy Carter Cast of Wonders 629: The Otter Woman's Daughter is a Cast of Wonders original. Off-screen historical domestic violence The Otter Woman's Daughter by Eleanor Glewwe In the stories, when the selkie finds her skin, she always leaves […] Source
Author : Charlie Jane Anders Narrator : Marguerite Kenner Host : Ryn Yee Audio Producer : Jeremy Carter First published in the anthology A People's Future of the United States edited by Victor LaValle and John Joseph Adams, and in Cast of Wonders 593 in July 2024 Image by Mirko Stödter from Pixabay War, political […] Source
Author : Beth Goder Narrator : Katrin Kania Host : Alicia Caporaso Audio Producer : Jeremy Carter First published in Diabolical Plots, April 2024, and as Cast of Wonders 604 in September 2024 The Restaurant of Object Permanence by Beth Goder Kazia files a folder of correspondence and closes the manuscript box. She leaves the […] Source
Author : Liam Hogan Narrator : Matt Dovey Host : Becca Miles Audio Producer : Jeremy Carter Previously published by The Dragon's Roost Press, December 2022, and as Cast of Wonders 601, August 2024 Episode image by intographics from Pixabay Bullying; implied neglect Bokrug and the Boy by Liam Hogan “You know we don't […] Source
Author : Emma Victoria Narrator : Tanja Milojevic Host : Jeremy Carter Audio Producer : Jeremy Carter First published as Cast of Wonders 587, May 2024 The Game of Mao by Emma Victoria The Game of Mao has only one rule: don't explain the rules to the game of Mao. It's the only rule we […] Source
Author : A. W. Prihandita Narrator : Omega Francis Host : Katherine Inskip Audio Producer : Jeremy Carter Colonialism; Generational Trauma My Mother's Voice and the Shadow by A. W. Prihandita I pressed my palm onto my chest and said, “Marie.” I pointed at my mother, took a deep breath and braved her abyssal eyes, […] Source
Author : Dan Peacock & Rachel Peacock Narrator : Mike Boris Host : Amy Brennan Audio Producer : Jeremy Carter First published as Cast of Wonders 583, April 2024 Image by Aleksandar Cvetanović from Pixabay The Cat That Worked From Home by Dan Peacock and Rachel Peacock Macaroni's workstation is set up just the way […] Source
Author : Olivia B. Chan Narrator : Justine Eyre Host : Rebecca Ahn Audio Producer : Jeremy Carter First published as Cast of Wonders 582, April 2024 Bombs, terrorism Open Skies and Hellfire by Olivia B. Chan I liked to think of myself as a morally sound individual. It was easier to do when I […] Source
Author : Plangdi Neple Narrator : Brent Lambert Host : Katherine Inskip Audio Producer : Jeremy Carter First published in Cast of Wonders 580 in April 2024 Transphobia, abusive parents Bodies of Sand and Blood by Plangdi Neple Sneaking into your father's shrine is one of the most stupid things you have ever done, yet […] Source
Author : Megan Ng Narrator : Amanda Ching Host : Denise Sudell Audio Producer : Jeremy Carter First published as Cast of Wonders 577, February 2024 Abusive relationships, dysfunctional families Fording the Milky Way by Megan Ng There's a festival celebrated in China that's dedicated to young lovers. It is not one celebrated here, but […] Source
Author : David Hankins Narrator : Alyson Grauer Host : Katherine Inskip Audio Producer : Jeremy Carter This story was originally published in DreamForge Magazine in March 2022 and later won the 2022 Critters Readers Choice Award for “Best Magical Realism Short Story.” Image by Slava Sidorov from Pixabay A Properly Spiced Gingerbread by David […] Source
Author : M. K. Hutchins Narrator : Kat Kourbeti Host : Katherine Inskip Audio Producer : Jeremy Carter Cast of Wonders 618: Beneath the Unreal Gardens of the Virtual Villa is a Cast of Wonders original. Beneath the Unreal Gardens of the Virtual Villa By M.K. Hutchins Self-defense class in the virtual reality sim is […] Source
Author : Alexander Hewitt Narrator : Joe Moran Host : Katherine Inskip Audio Producer : Jeremy Carter Cast of Wonders 617: Emily is a Cast of Wonders original. Emily by Alexander Hewitt The bell jingled as we left the creepy little doll shop. The store owner smiled from behind the counter, one of those off-putting, […] Source
Author : Wen Wen Yang Narrator : Pine Gonzalez Host : Katherine Inskip Audio Producer : Jeremy Carter Cast of Wonders 616: Worse than a Wolf is a Cast of Wonders original. Content warning for implied past sexual assault Worse than a Wolf by Wen Wen Yang The sound of the metal grinding against the […] Source
Author : Matt Tighe Narrator : Dan Absalonson Host : Katherine Inskip Audio Producer : Jeremy Carter Cast of Wonders 615: Optimal Care is a Cast of Wonders original. Content Warning: Terminal illness of a young person Optimal Care by Matt Tighe “Hey T! You about?” James rounds the corner of the kitchen, his dark […] Source
Author : Sarina Dorie Narrator : Tina Connolly Hosts : Alasdair Stuart and Katherine Inskip Audio Producer : Jeremy Carter Cast of Wonders 614: T-Rex Tex-Mex is a Cast of Wonders original. Implied murder T-Rex Tex-Mex by Sarina Dorie “Whoa! Hold on, partner!” the host of the party asked with his fake Texan accent. “What […] Source
Author : Jenny Hart Narrator : Katherine Inskip Hosts : Katherine Inskip and Laura Pearlman Audio Producer : Jeremy Carter Cast of Wonders 613: The Gingerbread House is a Cast of Wonders original. Off-screen death Additional audio production by Wilson Fowlie of CatsCast Trick-or-treaters: Rebecca Ahn, Amy Brennan, Katherine Inskip, Samuel Poots, Ryn Richmond The […] Source
Author : H. K. Payne Narrator : Eric Valdes Host : Matt Dovey Audio Producer : Jeremy Carter Cast of Wonders 612: The Illusionist's Tent is a Cast of Wonders original. Additional audio production by Eric Valdes of Podcastle Trick-or-treaters: Rebecca Ahn, Amy Brennan, Katherine Inskip, Samuel Poots, Ryn Richmond The Illusionist's Tent by H. […] Source
Author : Alex Dal Piaz Narrator : Alex Hofelich Host : Kat Day Audio Producer : Jeremy Carter Cast of Wonders 611: The Gobstomper is a Cast of Wonders original. Dentists, teeth, trauma Additional audio production by Chelsea Davis of Pseudopod. Trick-or-treaters: Rebecca Ahn, Amy Brennan, Katherine Inskip, Samuel Poots, Ryn Richmond The Gobstomper by […] Source
Author : Elisabeth Ring Narrator : Dani Daly Host : Katherine Inskip Audio Producer : Jeremy Carter Cast of Wonders 610: What Cannot Be Cured, Must Be Endured is a Cast of Wonders original. What Cannot Be Cured Must Be Endured by Elisabeth Ring They say if you take the old scarecrow out back, jam […] Source
Author : E. M. Dasche Narrator : Bryce Dahle Host : Katherine Inskip Audio Producer : Jeremy Carter Cast of Wonders 609: Devil's Food is a Cast of Wonders original. Bullying Image by Dennis Wilkinson Devil's Food by E. M. Dasche Tristan was not what you might call a traditional evil sorcerer. For one thing, […] Source
Author : A. N. Pinckard Narrator : Marie Brennan Host : Katherine Inskip Audio Producer : Jeremy Carter Cast of Wonders 608: The light that became a star is a Cast of Wonders original. The Light That Became A Star by A.N. Pinckard The old monk of the temple warned us not to go to […] Source
Author : Hugh Walpole Narrator : Louise Hewitt Host : Katherine Inskip Audio Producer : Jeremy Carter Art (Riding Donkeys on the Beach) by Isaac Israels Originally published in the short story collection The Silver Thorn in 1928 The Little Donkeys with the Crimson Saddles by Hugh Walpole The little donkeys went past the shop-window […] Source
Author : A. W. Prihandita Narrator : Omega Francis Host : Katherine Inskip Audio Producer : Jeremy Carter Cast of Wonders 606: My Mother's Voice and the Shadow is a Cast of Wonders original. Colonialism; Generational Trauma My Mother's Voice and the Shadow by A. W. Prihandita I pressed my palm onto my chest and […] Source
Author : E. M. Linden Narrator : Peter Adrian Behravesh Host : Katherine Inskip Audio Producer : Jeremy Carter First published in The Deadlands, May 2022 death, grief, off-screen violence, authoritarianism The Projectionists by E. M. Linden Nobody talks about what happened in Hasan's city, so he looks for clues. His memories are jumbled up […] Source
Author : Beth Goder Narrator : Katrin Kania Host : Katherine Inskip Audio Producer : Jeremy Carter First published in Diabolical Plots, April 2024 The Restaurant of Object Permanence by Beth Goder Kazia files a folder of correspondence and closes the manuscript box. She leaves the archives as the sun is setting. Her head is […] Source
Author : Rebecca Zahabi Narrator : Anne-Louise Fortune Host : Katherine Inskip Audio Producer : Jeremy Carter Cast of Wonders 603: Three Wishes to Save the World is a Cast of Wonders original. World CleanUp Day Three Wishes to Save the World by Rebecca Zahabi It started, like most of these things do, with a […] Source
Author : Taryn Rose Frazier Narrator : Dani Cutler Host : Katherine Inskip Audio Producer : Jeremy Carter Cast of Wonders 602: All-Consuming is a Cast of Wonders original. Portrayal of an eating disorder; surrealistic cannibalism; body horror A broad list of international eating disorder support resources: https://www.worldeatingdisordersday.org/home/find-help/ All-Consuming by Taryn Rose Frazier My […] Source
Author : Liam Hogan Narrator : Matt Dovey Host : Katherine Inskip Audio Producer : Jeremy Carter Previously published by The Dragon's Roost Press, December 2022. Episode image by intographics from Pixabay Bullying; implied neglect Bokrug and the Boy by Liam Hogan “You know we don't care?” “Yes. You've said.” It wasn't much of a […] Source
Author : J. M. Bueno Narrator : Pine Gonzalez Host : Katherine Inskip Audio Producer : Jeremy Carter Cast of Wonders 600: Double Yellow Lines is a Cast of Wonders original. death, road traffic accidents Double Yellow Lines by J. M. Bueno Wednesday We sit on opposite ends of the table, Charles's beautiful breakfast spread […] Source
Authors : Beth Goder and Alasdair Stuart Narrators : Alasdair Stuart and Leila Al-Jeboury Host : Katherine Inskip Audio Producer : Jeremy Carter Hitch Hiker, Guide was first published in Flashes Issue 2, a self-published collection of flash fiction, in August 2023 Seeds Travel was first published in Nature 572, 686 (2019). Hitch-Hiker, Guide by Alasdair Stuart […] Source
Author : Joseph L. Kellogg Narrator : John Cmar Host : Amy Brennan Audio Producer : Jeremy Carter Originally published as Cast of Wonders 144, 2 November 2014 Image by Peter Schmidt from Pixabay The Middle Rages by Joseph L. Kellogg Cale twirled his drumstick morosely as the last of the reverb from the guitars […] Source
Author : Garth Nix Narrator : Bria Strothers Host : Katherine Inskip Audio Producer : Jeremy Carter Copyright (c) 2014 by Garth Nix. First published in Kaleidoscope (Twelfth Planet Press, 2014). Reprinted with permission of the Author. All rights reserved. Episode image by Manny Moreno from Pixabay Happy Go Lucky by Garth Nix Jean was […] Source
Author : Sunyi Dean Narrator : Rebecca Wei Hsieh Host : Katherine Inskip Audio Producer : Jeremy Carter First published in Reactor in August 2022. Episode image by BENMANSOUR ZAKARIA from Pixabay The Thief of Memory by Sunyi Dean Miquon set off across the endless desert to catch the Thief of Memory. On her belt […] Source
Author : Ai Jiang Narrator : Melissa Ren Host : Katherine Inskip Audio Producer : Jeremy Carter Image by Stefan Keller from Pixabay This story was first published in issue 10 of Hexagon magazine in September 2022 Come In, Children by Ai Jiang Yejin rubbed her eyes. A cyst was growing at the edge of […] Source
Author : Nathan Susnik Narrator : Dave Robison Host : Katherine Inskip Audio Producer : Jeremy Carter Cast of Wonders 594: In this Universe, Jon Flowers is a Story is a Cast of Wonders original. In This Universe Jon Flowers is a Story by Nathan Susnik As Lydia takes his hand, Jon Flowers' heart skips […] Source
Author : Charlie Jane Anders Narrator : Marguerite Kenner Host : Katherine Inskip Audio Producer : Jeremy Carter First published in the anthology A People's Future of the United States edited by Victor LaValle and John Joseph Adams Image by Mirko Stödter from Pixabay war, political intolerance The Bookstore at the End of America by […] Source
Author : Frances Hardinge Narrator : Kat Day Host : Katherine Inskip Audio Producer : Jeremy Carter First published in 2013 in the short story collection Twisted Winter, edited by Catherine Butler Image by Leonhard Niederwimmer from Pixabay neglect and dysfunctional relationships Flawless by Frances Hardinge When people stay in hotel rooms, they suddenly turn […] Source
Author : Naomi Kritzer Narrators : Rachel Lackey and Heather Klinke Host : Katherine Inskip Audio Producer : Jeremy Carter First published in the January/February 2012 edition of The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction Image by Dorothe from Pixabay Scrap Dragon by Naomi Kritzer Once upon a time, there was a princess. Does she […] Source