Not About Lumberjacks

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A monthly fiction podcast by Christopher Gronlund, a writer whose stories contain truths, but are mostly made up. Sometimes the stories are funny -- other times they're serious. Occasionally, the stories are odd. But you have Christopher's word about one thing: he will never -- EVER -- share a story…

Not About Lumberjacks


    • Mar 9, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • monthly NEW EPISODES
    • 22m AVG DURATION
    • 121 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Not About Lumberjacks

    Behind the Cut – Enemy Wanted

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 9, 2025 13:08


    In this behind-the-scenes look at the latest Not About Lumberjacks story, “Enemy Wanted,” I talk about the first writing I was ever paid to do, collaboration, and how I'm lucky to have support from creative friends I've known for decades. As always, this commentary contains spoilers from the latest episode, so you might want to […]

    Enemy Wanted

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 22, 2025 49:15


    Ferdinand Pérez gets more than he bargained for when he answers a flyer ad taped to a telephone pole looking for an enemy. Content Advisory: “Enemy Wanted” deals with difficulty sleeping, a blurred sense of reality, crime, cartoonish violence, illness, a death, and wishing for an early end to life. That makes it sound dismal, […]

    Not About Lumberjacks Q&A 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 9, 2025 35:25


    Four years ago, I did a Q&A for the Behind the Cut episode for “Geocached.” No idea why I've not done another, but with this being the long time between episodes (after back-to-back stories last November and December), it seemed like a good time to do another. I asked members of the Not About Lumberjacks […]

    Behind the Cut – Christmas Miscellany 8

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 21, 2024 11:19


    In this behind-the-scenes look at the latest Not About Lumberjacks collection of stories, “Christmas Miscellany 8,” I talk about writing coincidences that make it seem like writers copy from other writers or current events… As always, this commentary contains spoilers from the latest episode, so you might want to listen to that first. Transcript >>

    Christmas Miscellany 8

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 8, 2024 54:28


    Ho Ho Ho! It's that time once again…time for the annual Not About Lumberjacks Christmas episode. If you're new, here, eight years ago I gathered up all my shorter short stories (like stocking stuffers) and released them for the holidays. Since then, the effort has grown, but no matter how random the tales are, the […]

    Behind the Cut – The Legend of Mighty Missy Stewart

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 26, 2024 9:42


    In this behind-the-scenes look at the latest Not About Lumberjacks story, “The Legend of Mighty Missy Stewart,” I talk about my love of tall tales and…dislike about asking for things… As always, this commentary contains spoilers from the latest story, so you might want to listen to that first. Transcript >>

    The Legend of Mighty Missy Stewart

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 11, 2024 31:30


    Join Mighty Missy Stewart and her badger buddy, Tamarack, as they come of age in a time of expanding frontiers and rugged lumberjacks! Content Advisory: Were “The Legend of Mighty Missy Stewart” a movie, it would be rated PG. There's some good-natured teasing and a non-descriptive death. What might put it into the PG realm […]

    Behind the Cut – Overwinter

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 8, 2024 11:54


    In this behind-the-scenes look at the latest Not About Lumberjacks story, “Overwinter,” I talk about why I wrote a very quiet story for introverts. As always, this commentary contains spoilers from the latest story, so you might want to listen to that first. Links to things mentioned in this commentary: Transcript >>

    Overwinter

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 24, 2024 61:57


    In this celebration of solitude, Daniel's life is changed forever after spending 5 months alone on an island 13 miles off the Maine coast. Content Advisory: “Overwinter” deals with a job change, longing, solitude vs. loneliness, and does contain a couple words you've probably heard on TV or at work this week. There are also […]

    Behind the Cut – Mudlarking

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 23, 2024 10:59


    In this behind-the-scenes look at the latest Not About Lumberjacks story, “Mudlarking,” I talk about a recent urge to keep telling more “serious” stories…and why I chose to write something a bit more adventurous [even ridiculous] instead. As always, this commentary contains spoilers from the latest story, so you might want to listen to that […]

    Mudlarking

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 7, 2024


    When Eva Barrett decides to give mudlarking on the Thames River foreshore a go, she finds something very strange during low tide. Content Advisory: “Mudlarking” is pretty tame. There's some violence in the form of fighting, and even then: it's not brutal “people-are-dying fighting” — more like light action movie fighting. And when it comes […]

    Behind the Cut – It’s Never Too Late

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 1, 2024 12:54


    In this behind-the-scenes look at the latest Not About Lumberjacks story, “It's Never Too Late,” I talk about the mechanics of time-travel stories and how “fixing” the past may not be as great an idea as it may seem. As always, this commentary contains spoilers from the latest story, so you might want to listen […]

    It’s Never Too Late

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 21, 2024 72:48


    When Stanley Gladstone takes his time machine for a test run, he gets more than he bargained for when it breaks down, leaving him stranded in 1983. Content Advisory: “It's Never Too Late” deals with regret, death (including a decayed body), personal loss, and the sound of someone vomiting. Also, if you're driving, be aware […]

    Behind the Cut – Christmas Miscellany 7

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 17, 2023 11:06


    In this behind-the-scenes look at the latest Not About Lumberjacks story, I talk about why I do an annual Christmas episode [even though I'm a life-long atheist] and the importance of committing to a bit. * * * Also, don't forget that I'm doing a Not About Lumberjacks t-shirt giveaway in honor of November's 50th […]

    Christmas Miscellany 7

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 10, 2023 59:24


    This year's Christmas episode consists of three stories — one of them a Christmas tale. Content Advisory: “The World Beneath Her Brush” and “The King of French Fries” barely merit content advisories. At most, they are about personal struggle in the hope of having a better life. “Suburban Home” deals with pettiness, arguing, the effects […]

    Behind the Cut – Old Growth

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 22, 2023 9:30


    In this behind-the-scenes look at the latest Not About Lumberjacks story, I talk about what it was like to write my first story in second-person point of view. * * * Also, don't forget that I'm doing a Not About Lumberjacks t-shirt giveaway in honor of November's 50th full story episode. All you have to […]

    Old Growth

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 9, 2023 33:08


    You are a lumberjack alone on the side of a mountain with whomever—or whatever—killed your fellow loggers. (Yep! This one's in second person…) Content Advisory: “Old Growth” deals with death, gore, anguish, being lost in a forest, being alone in the dark, and…creatures. But hey, at least there's no swearing! There's really only one rather […]

    Behind the Cut – Lakeview Estates

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 7, 2023 12:50


    In this behind-the-scenes look at the latest Not About Lumberjacks story, I talk about little Easter Eggs in the story…as well as the time-honored tradition of writers sneaking references into their tales. Listen, and you'll hear a few inside things about past Not About Lumberjacks stories as well. Episode Transcript >>

    Lakeview Estates

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 26, 2023 75:03


    The residents of Lakeview Estates Mobile Home Community battle the city and developers in an attempt to save their homes from demolition to make way for a golf course. Content Advisory: “Lakeview Estates” deals with loss of homes, corruption, mention of drug and alcohol addiction (including teen marijuana use), death, arson, violence, incarceration, and infidelity. […]

    Behind the Cut – Firing the Muse

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 29, 2023 15:49


    In this behind-the-scenes look at the latest Not About Lumberjacks story, I talk about the things I wanted to be when I grew up (before deciding the become a writer). I share stories about writing rejection, the friend who convinced me to begin recording and releasing fiction, and how a different friend's prediction about “The […]

    Firing the Muse

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 16, 2023 35:45


    When Warren Quinn trades his existing workaday muse for a more literary muse, he gets much more than he bargained for. Content Advisory: “Firing the Muse” deals with stresses and job loss around creative work. There's casual alcohol consumption and smoking—and a very brief allusion to combat PTSD. Unless you consider “dammit” swearing, this is […]

    Behind the Cut – The Song of the Stone

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 3, 2023 13:59


    In this behind-the-scenes look at the latest Not About Lumberjacks story, I talk about the audiences I imagine when I write — and how the struggle to live a life true to oneself is not a new concept. Episode Transcript >>

    The Song of the Stone

    Play Episode Listen Later May 23, 2023 60:01


    Zander Pierson's dissatisfaction with living the life others expected from him leads to a stone in a Swedish forest that also called to Einvaldr Brúnn at a turning point in his life in the early 860s. Content Advisory: “The Song of the Stone” deals with lack of job and life satisfaction, pressure to marry and […]

    Behind the Cut – Rockbiters

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 19, 2023 13:17


    In this behind-the-scenes look at the latest Not About Lumberjacks story, I talk about how I'm normally not the biggest fan of worldbuilding in fiction, but recognize when it's necessary. (And not just because “Rockbiters” required some up-front worldbuilding!) Episode Transcript >>

    Rockbiters

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 9, 2023 58:25


    Find out what happens when the Forgefire brothers, while mining in an asteroid belt called The Delve, discover something that changes the lives of an entire solar system. (Yep, it's Dwarves in Space!!!) * * * Credits: Music: Theme – Ergo Phizmiz. Story – Martin Goldmann. A BIG thank you to Martin for not only […]

    Behind the Cut – Christmas Miscellany 6

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 31, 2022 15:32


    In this behind-the-scenes look at the latest Not About Lumberjacks story, I talk about new years and my motivations to acknowledge several specific dates in each calendar year. Episode Transcript >>

    Christmas Miscellany 6

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 22, 2022 41:47


    This year's Christmas episode consists of four stories wrapped inside a bigger story. * * * Credits: Music: Theme – Ergo Phizmiz. Story – Various Christmas tunes, all licensed from Epidemic Sound. Story and Narration: Christopher Gronlund. Episode Transcript >>

    Behind the Cut – Tin-Hearted Man

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 10, 2022 11:27


    In this behind-the-scenes look at the latest Not About Lumberjacks story, I talk about why almost half of all tales, here, feature violence to some degree… Episode Transcript >>

    Tin-Hearted Man

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 23, 2022 35:15


    When Big Nick Champeau is taken by the Thunder River, his lumber camp speculates what his life might have been like before becoming a lumberjack. Content Advisory: “Tin-Hearted Man” deals with loss of life, child abuse, alcoholism, physical fighting/violence against others, Korean War combat, facial disfigurement, lost love, loss of a pet, and drug use. […]

    Behind the Cut – In the Margins

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 9, 2022 11:46


    In this behind-the-scenes look at the latest Not About Lumberjacks story, I answer a listener question about the narrators I choose to sometimes work with. After that, I talk about how I have never been much of a fan of puzzles and riddles, but why I chose to write a short story featuring both. Episode […]

    In the Margins

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 24, 2022 35:27


    When Kenna Baynes discovers a strange book in her college library, she finds something in the margins that changes her life forever… Content Advisory: “In the Margins” almost doesn't merit a content advisory. There are a couple moments of light suspense and mention of college debt. There's no swearing, but the tale does allude to […]

    Behind the Cut – Godspeed, Crazy Mike

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 7, 2022 9:36


    In this behind-the-scenes look at the latest Not About Lumberjacks story, I get personal and talk about why a character in “Godspeed, Crazy Mike” has Tourette syndrome…and how I approach writing about people with disorders and disabilities… Episode Transcript >>

    Godspeed, Crazy Mike

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 16, 2022 82:10


    Crazy Mike is dead behind the maintenance barn and the quaking bog man is missing. It's up to detectives Gary Vandiver and Beatrice Mule to figure out what happened in this mystery set in a bog in northern Illinois. Content Advisory: “Godspeed, Crazy Mike” deals with murder, speculation of suicide, divorce (including a custody battle), […]

    Behind the Cut – Gerald’s Grail

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 11, 2022 9:20


    At 10,308 words, “Gerald's Grail” is the longest Not About Lumberjacks story to date! (And will likely hold the record, 'cause DANG…that was quite a thing to edit!) I'll let you in on a little secret: “Gerald's Grail” could easily be a novel. (And trust me, I've given it some thought.) But…it's not the only […]

    Gerald’s Grail

    Play Episode Listen Later May 30, 2022 83:44


    While knocking around an antique shop with his grandmother, a teenage geek finds something that changes his life in a most curious way… Content Advisory: Bullying, violence (including passing mention of the Cambodian genocide of the 70s), teen tobacco and alcohol use, and — of course — swearing. And if you're so inclined, be sure […]

    Behind the Cut – Revisions

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 19, 2022 13:42


    It's not uncommon for people to assume stories are a reflection of the author — especially stories in which an author features a writer as a protagonist. “Revisions” is about a writer who was raised by a single mother. Some people who know me mentioned they felt it was heavily influenced by my mother. I […]

    Revisions

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 5, 2022 38:03


    An author tries to finish construction on her recently-deceased mother's home while writing her second novel — the follow up to a New York Times Best Seller. Content Advisory: Death of a parent and struggles with self doubt. (For once, no swearing!) And if you're so inclined to pitch in and help the farm animal […]

    Behind the Cut – Christmas Miscellany 5

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 31, 2021 10:37


    It was a strange year, but also a productive year for Not About Lumberjacks. As we close out 2021, some thoughts on the year that was…and some hopes for the year ahead… Episode Transcript >>

    Christmas Miscellany 5

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 23, 2021 35:16


    Four stories, most of which take place during the holiday season… “Stories of Fine Taste”: The stories behind two recipes (“Grandma's Olive Loaf” – Something wicked is back in Kirkland's Holler) and (“Fred's English Muffin Garbage Pizzas” – A young boy finds out what's behind a mysterious door). “Reply All”: Cheryl's not standing for office […]

    Behind the Cut – In Cypress Slough

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 13, 2021 17:46


    “In Cypress Slough” includes two gay characters, but it's not a story about being gay in East Texas. In this behind-the-scenes look at the latest Not About Lumberjacks story, I talk about representation, the stories I'd never write (and why), and how I approach writing disenfranchised characters who have experienced lives I can only imagine. […]

    In Cypress Slough

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 24, 2021 52:57


    Two deadhead loggers find something remarkable in the Piney Woods of East Texas, putting them at odds with a large timber company. Content Advisory: In Cypress Slough deals with bullying, violence (including gun violence), homophobia, the destruction of wildlife and habitat, structure fires, mention of suicide, and swearing. Also, if you're driving: be aware there's […]

    Behind the Cut – Milkboy

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 16, 2021 17:33


    While “Milkboy” is based on a true story, it definitely ends up a work of fiction. When I started the story, I had no idea where to take it. Discovering what to do with the story led to a ridiculous and heartfelt tale of friendship that is one of my favorite stories on the site. […]

    discovering milkboy
    Milkboy

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 2, 2021 54:43


    Milkboy is based on a true story… When two friends use a bulletin board system to create an online persona to tease their best friend, they get more than they have coming to them for their deception. Content Advisory: Milkboy deals with emotional manipulation, stressful working conditions, infected food, passing mention of a grizzly death, […]

    milkboy
    Behind the Cut – Calling Out of Time

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 12, 2021 7:52


    “Calling Out of Time” started with a tweet. Without a random thing I saw on Twitter, it's unlikely this story would exist. Ideas are everywhere if you're open to them, but it's not as easy as picking them out of the air — it helps to know which ideas are worth working through vs. those […]

    Calling Out of Time

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 2, 2021 33:42


    What would you do if you could call back in time and leave a message to your younger self? When Amir discovers a phone booth that seems to magically appear on the corner in his neighborhood, he does everything he can to change the worst thing that ever happened to him and his family… Also, […]

    Behind the Cut – A Deathly Mistake

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 9, 2021 17:26


    “A Deathly Mistake” ended up becoming one of my favorite episodes of Not About Lumberjacks. In this behind-the-scenes look, I discuss how it was a bit of a departure from other stories I've written for the show. I also talk about fears faced in recording “A Deathly Mistake”…and close with a request to everyone who […]

    A Deathly Mistake

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 23, 2021 55:15


    When Death mistakenly harvests the soul of the wrong John Smith, John's life–and After Life–are forever changed. Also, I mentioned that I'd leave a link to Jennifer Moss's mighty novel, Town Red. Here it is! * * * Credits: Music: Theme – Ergo Phizmiz. Story/Bloopers – Jerry Lacey (Story) and Timothy Lewis (Bloopers), licensed from […]

    An Update

    Play Episode Listen Later May 18, 2021 4:47


    In this long overdue update, I talk about the next Not About Lumberjacks story, a change in the way I look at commercial intent with writing, and mulling over Patreon options… Episode Transcript >>

    New Year’s Eve 2020

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 1, 2021 12:26


    At 6:45 on this New Year’s Eve, I thought, “Well, Cynthia has shuffled off to bed, and I want to stay up a little longer, so…I should go sit down in front of the microphone and record some thoughts with no idea about what to say…” (Yes, we go to bed early…even on New Year’s […]

    Behind the Cut – Christmas Miscellany 4

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 29, 2020 9:17


    This year’s annual Christmas episode was anchored by a story based on real life. But what is “real life” when it comes to stories — even those claiming to be true? I discuss how fiction and truth have a way of coming together to create even greater truths in the process of their mingling. Also, […]

    Christmas Miscellany 4

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 15, 2020 33:58


    For the fourth year in a row, it’s a handful of stories (five, in fact) to make your holidays merry and bright! This year’s lineup: Tracks – A tale of drifting teenage friendship. Homecoming – Callan returns home for his annual visit with his father. The Last Wish – If a genie grants you three […]

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