The Avram Davidson Universe

Send us a textIn this episode we sit down with Scott Bradfield.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scott_Bradfield  We  listen to “The Hills Behind Hollywood High” and discuss the story. Originally published in The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction, April 1983. It was written by Grania Davis and Avram Davidson.  Scott has a new "audio book" being read on Substack.  It was written in 1994 and concerned a world where all the political parties agreed on treating animals as badly as human beings and vice versa. And a stupid celebrity thug who takes over the world (about the same time he's bought out by corporate villains.) Here's the link:https://masterbather.substack.com/p/animal-planet-as-read-by-the-authorpart?r=bk78wFor more information see www.avramdavidson.com      

Send us a textIn this episode, Damon LaTorella sits down with Missy Erin. She is a director, producer and writer out of Huntsville Alabama. We listen to “The Deed of the Deft-Footed Dragon,” originally published in Night Cry, Fall 1986. 

Send us a textIn this episode, I sit down with Damon LaTorella.Damon is a writer and comedian from Orlando, Florida, and a former voice actor for Super Mario Logan.We listen to "The Cobblestones of Saratoga Street," originally published in Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, April 1964. 

Send us a textIn this episode, J.E. Coleman sits down with Dr. Joshua Begley and we listen to "Revolver," originally published in Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, October 1962. Joshua Begley has over a decade of experience teaching English Composition and Creative Writing. He earned his Master's in English with an emphasis in Creative Writing from Eastern Kentucky University in 2006. Following graduation, he taught for two years at Big Sandy Community and Technical College in Prestonsburg, Kentucky, before pursuing a PhD in Literature and Criticism at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. For the past 14 years, Joshua has served as the Course Director of Creative Writing at Full Sail University. He is also an accomplished author.

In this episode, J.E. Coleman sits down with his friend Nathanial House, Co-Founder of Select Start Films. We listen to "The Power of Every Root," originally published in The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction, October 1967. 

Part 2 - In this episode, we continue listening to Avram Davidson himself as he prepares for a college lecture and reads Silk and Stuff or The Theft of the Mulberry Tree, originally published in Isaac Asimov's Science Fiction Magazine on October 26, 1981. It's 100% Avram, and I'm excited to share his voice with friends and fans. Please feel free to share this with others and invite fans to follow us. This is part of what became Adventures in Unhistory. Enjoy! 

Part 1 - In this episode, we listen to Avram Davidson himself as he prepares for a college lecture and reads Silk and Stuff or The Theft of the Mulberry Tree, originally published in Isaac Asimov's Science Fiction Magazine on October 26, 1981. It's 100% Avram, and I'm excited to share his voice with friends and fans. Please feel free to share this with others and invite fans to follow us. This is part of what became Adventures in Unhistory. Enjoy!

In this episode, J.E. Coleman sits down with his friend Alice Rea, a freelance artist who has worked on private commission pieces for the past 15 years. Alice enjoys painting both fantasy and sci-fi subjects, as well as real-life subjects.We listen to "The Certificate," originally published in The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction, March 1959 All Star Issue.

In this episode we sit down with J.E. Coleman. J.E. Coleman is a Chicago based pulp novelist and tabletop designer currently republishing their works on Amazon and DMSGuild.We listen to "Vergil and the Caged Bird" originally published in Amazing Stories, January 1987.

In this episode we sit down with a fantastic returning guest Tim Anderson. Tim Newton Anderson is a former journalist and PR manager. He started writing fiction seriously three years ago and has now placed more than 50 pieces in a wide variety of genres and publications. He has been reading science fiction and fantasy from an early age.His blog is at https://atjentertainments.wordpress.com/ and his author Facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/timnewtonandersonHe also has an Amazon author profile as Tim Newton Anderson.We listen to "Milord Sir Smiht, the English Wizard" originally published in The Enquiries of Doctor Eszterhazy December of 1975.

Today we celebrate Avram Davidson's 101st birthday.In this episode, we sit down with one of our favorite repeat guests, Richard Horton. Rich Horton is a distinguished editor and columnist, known for his contributions to Locus as a short fiction columnist. He also curated "The Year's Best Science Fiction and Fantasy" anthology series for Prime Books. Rich shares his insights and passion for speculative literature on his blog, Strange at Ecbatan.https://rrhorton.blogspot.com/We listen to "Polly Charms, the Sleeping Woman," originally published in The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction in February 1975 and nominated for a Locus and Nebula Award. It is the first published story in "The Adventures of Doctor Eszterhazy."

In this episode we sit down Tim Anderson.   Tim Newton Anderson is a former journalist and PR manager. He started writing fiction seriously three years ago and has now placed more than 50 pieces in a wide variety of genres and publications. He has been reading science fiction and fantasy from an early age.His blog is at https://atjentertainments.wordpress.com/ and his author Facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/timnewtonandersonHe also has an Amazon author profile as Tim Newton Anderson.We listen to "Bumberboom" originally published in F&SF December of 1966.At the end of the podcast we listen to a symphony adaptation of Bumberboom: Scherzo Diablique  - Sidney Hodkinson.

In this episode we sit down once again with Josh Pachter.  Josh is a writer, editor, and translator, and the 2020 recipient of the Short Mystery Fiction Society's Edward D. Hoch Memorial Golden Derringer Award for Lifetime Achievement. Almost a hundred of his short crime stories have appeared in EQMM, AHMM, and many other places.We listen to "The Last Wizard" originally published in EQMM, December of 1972.  You can find more information about Josh at https://joshpachter.com/.  

In this episode we sit down  with Josh Pachter.  Josh is a writer, editor, and translator, and the 2020 recipient of the Short Mystery Fiction Society's Edward D. Hoch Memorial Golden Derringer Award for Lifetime Achievement. Almost a hundred of his short crime stories have appeared in EQMM, AHMM, and many other places.We listen to "The Trefoil Company" originally published in EQMM, August 1971.  You can find more information about Josh at https://joshpachter.com/. 

In this episode we sit down  with Kory Christensen - Kory is a patent attorney and an aspiring writer, who recently completed three novels of speculative fiction set in the San Francisco Bay Area.  His current project is a historical fiction novel, which takes place in renaissance Italy.We listen to "Pebble in Time" originally published in F&SF, August 1970 and written  with Cynthia Goldstone.Cynthia Goldstone was a highly regarded San Francisco artist. Ray Bradbury once wrote her a letter of appreciation. Cynthia and her late husband, artist Lou Goldstone, exhibited their work at many science fiction conventions, and were a much-loved couple in the Bay Area science fiction community.  Avram and the Goldstones were good friends in San Francisco during the lively 1960s and 1970s. For more information see www.avramdavidson.com    

In this episode we sit down once again with Jack Seabrook -  The author of two books on popular fiction: Martians and Misplaced Clues: The Life and Work of Fredric Brown (1993) and Stealing Through Time: On the Writings of Jack Finney (2003).  He has had articles published in crime fiction magazines such as The Armchair Detective and he is a lifelong reader of comic books! Among other things he intends to educate the world to the joys of Alfred Hitchcock Presents and DC War and Horror comics.We listen to "Thou Still Unravished Bride" originally published in EQMM,  October 1958.  I would also encourage you to watch the Alfred Hitchcock episode so you can compare and contrast the story and adaptation. For more information see www.avramdavidson.com     

In this episode, we sit down with Joseph D'Agnese to discuss "Captain Pasharooney" originally published in The Saint Detective Magazine in May, 1967.Joseph D'Agnese is a journalist, author, ghostwriter and editor who has written books for kids and adults. He has written for publications such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Discover, Wired, Saveur, This Old House, and other publications for both for adults and children. He has won Educational Press Awards, and been featured twice in the annual anthology, Best American Science Writing.  His short stories have been finalists for the Derringer Award for short mystery fiction three times since 2014. (He won the award once, in 2015.)To learn more about Joseph D'Agnese, visit his website: Joseph D'Agnese (josephdagnese.com).

In this episode, we sit down with Erica Satifka to discuss "Naples," a World Fantasy Award-winning story originally published in Shadows, Ed. Charles L. Grant (Doubleday, 1978).Erica Satifka is the author of three books: STAY CRAZY (novel), BUSTED SYNAPSES (novella), and HOW TO GET TO APOCALYPSE AND OTHER DISASTERS (collection). In 2017, she won the British Fantasy Award for Best Newcomer. Her short fiction has appeared in Clarkesworld, Interzone, Shimmer, and many other places.To learn more about Erica Satifka, visit her website: http://www.ericasatifka.com/.We'll also explore her wonderful story, "Loving Grace," and I highly recommend checking out her recent collection. You can find "Loving Grace" here: https://clarkesworldmagazine.com/satifka_09_15/.

Join us for a captivating episode as we sit down with Kenneth Hite, a renowned writer and role-playing game designer. We will be treated to David Pickering's complete narration of "Who Fired the Phoenix?" This intriguing story was originally published in Asimov's in May 1981 and is part of the Adventures in Unhistory collection. At the end of the interview with Ken, we will also have the privilege of hearing Avram himself narrating the story, although, unfortunately, the narration is not complete.Kenneth Hite is well-known for his significant contributions to role-playing games, including Trail of Cthulhu and Night's Black Agents, and for his lead role in designing the 5th edition of Vampire: the Masquerade.Notably, Ken's most Davidson-coded credit is the SUPPRESSED TRANSMISSION series: http://www.sjgames.com/suppressed/Don't miss out on his engaging podcast co-hosted with fellow game designer Robin Laws, where they explore numerous Davidson-ish trails as well: https://www.kenandrobintalkaboutstuff.com/

 In this episode we sit down with Athena from One Reading Nurse and listen to  Murder is Murder  Originally published in EQMM in June 1973. Athena is a passionate book enthusiast and the curator of the Sunday Brunch Author Interview Series. With a penchant for fantasy and science fiction Athena explores a diverse range of genres and shares her honest reviews alongside captivating bookish content. 

 In this episode we sit down with Igor Teper and listen to  The Man Who Saw the Elephant  Originally published in  the magazine Yankee, Oct 1971 as  What More Is There to See.Igor Teper is an author of fiction, poetry, and scientific essays, and a physicist who uses lasers to teach old atoms new tricks. He lives with his wife and sons in the San Francisco Bay Area. For more about his writing, check out www.igorteper.com. 

 In this episode we sit down with Zac and Jon  hosts of Genre Podcast and listen to  "Dagon" originally published in The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction, October 1959. Each month Genre Podcast pick a genre to deep-dive into. Novels, short stories, and film--each conversation builds off the last as they try to understand what makes each one tick. Find Genre Podcast on Spotify, Apple Music, or any podcast platform of your choice. 

In This episode we sit down with Michael Santiago  and listen to  Mr. Folsom Feels Fine  Originally published in Ellery Queen's Prime Crimes 4, Fall 1986 Michael is a serial ex-pat, avid traveler, and writer of all kinds. Originally from New York City, and later relocated to Rome in 2016 and Nanjing in 2018. He enjoys the finer things in life like walks on the beach, existential conversations, and swapping murder mystery ideas. Keen on exploring themes of humanity within a fictitious context and aspiring author. He is also the managing editor of the literary journal and publishing house, Deep Overstock. 

As we countdown to 100 — next up on The Avram Davidson Universe Podcast — part of Avram's lecture on Dragons. As a child Avram would send me his lecture prep cassettes. I want to share his voice with friends & fans. 100% Avram. Please feel free to share and invite fans to follow us.  This is the foundation of Adventures in Unhistory from An Abundance of Dragons originally published in Asimov's, July 1981.

As a child Avram would send me his lecture prep cassettes. As we countdown to 100, I wanted to share his voice with friends & fans. 100% Avram. Please feel free to share and invite fans to follow us. While not complete - grab a cup of tea and enjoy Prester John. This was the foundation for Adventures in Unhistory.   Originally published in Amra V2n71, July 1982.   Sorry it's not complete. 

 In this episode we celebrate Avram's 100th birthday by listening to What Time Is It  a never before published Avram Davidson story!  One of his best! We sit down with Ben Railton a Professor of English Studies and Coordinator of American Studies at Fitchburg State University in Massachusetts. He is the author of five previous books, most recently We the People: The 500-Year Battle over Who is American (also in the American Ways series). His public scholarly efforts also include the daily AmericanStudies blog, the monthly Considering History column for the Saturday Evening Post, and contributions to many other online conversations including HuffPost and We're History.  

In this episode we sit down with Jack Seabrook -  The author of two books on popular fiction: Martians and Misplaced Clues: The Life and Work of Fredric Brown (1993) and Stealing Through Time: On the Writings of Jack Finney (2003).  He has had articles published in crime fiction magazines such as The Armchair Detective and he is a lifelong reader of comic books! Among other things he intends to educate the world to the joys of Alfred Hitchcock Presents and DC War and Horror comics.We listen to  "The Ikon of Elijah" originally  published in EQMM, December 1956 For more information see www.avramdavidson.com     

 In this episode we sit down with Henry Sussman. Henry Sussman was born in Philadelphia in 1947. His childhood of classical science geekdom turned to a lifelong literary obsession in junior high. Among his early literary influences: U.S. drama of the 1930's-1950's, Poe, Mad Magazine, and post-War sci-fi. He received his PhD in Comparative Literature in 1975 from Johns Hopkins and spent time studying and teaching in France, Germany, SUNY-Buffalo and eventually Yale, where he developed the course German Fairy Tales out of his interests in critical theory, philosophy, psychoanalysis, and cybernetics which our host Emma Speer took while attending Yale. Like Avram, he is one-of-a-kind, and the perfect person to have on to discuss this episode's story, "The Slovo Stove" which was originally published in August 1985 in Universe 15 which was edited by Terry Carr Below is a link to one of Henry's books:https://books.google.com/books/about/Around_the_Book.html?id=Sb63nQAACAAJ&source=kp_author_description 

In this episode we sit down with Ryan Sprinkle. Ryan is the product of over 5 million years of evolution, culminating in a sort of strange hairless ape that walks on two legs. When not coping with the curse of human sentience you can find Ryan as a perennial panelist on the Late Night Pomes Radio podcast or moonlighting as the Tavern Wizard, author of Tipples N Taverns, the cheap, portable, and completely hand-made RPG zine that you can buy at tipplesntaverns.com. We listen to Sacheverell   originally  published in The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction, March 1964.

 In this episode we sit down  with Laura Scott.  Laura lives south of Portland, Oregon with her Irish husband, all-seeing, all-knowing teenage daughter, and her sock-stealing dog, Pluto. She makes her living as a college composition instructor, helping others to write.https://deepoverstock.com/2020/06/30/felita-and-the-green-bean-laura-scott/We listen to  "A Quiet Room with a View"  originally  published in Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, August 1964 

 In this episode we sit down  with ZB Wagman, an editor for the Deep Overstock Literary Journal and a co-host of the Deep Overstock Fiction podcast. When not writing or editing he can be found behind the desk at the Beaverton City Library, where he finds much inspiration.https://deepoverstock.com/deep-overstock-fiction-podcast/ https://deepoverstock.com/We listen to  “The Goobers”  originally  published in  Swank, November 1965. For more information see www.avramdavidson.com      

 In this episode we sit down with Seth Davis.  Seth is Avram's Godson and founder of The Avram Davidson Universe.   We listen to  "The Third Sacred Well of the Temple" originally published in Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, May 1965.   

In this episode we sit down with Gregory Feeley  -  an American teacher, critic, essayist and author of speculative fiction as well as one of the leading experts on Avram Davidson.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gregory_FeeleyWe listen to  “Vergil and the Dukos: Hic Inclusus Vitam Perdit, or The Imitations of the King”  originally (and at this time only) published in  Asimov's Science Fiction, September 1997. For more information see www.avramdavidson.com     

In this episode we sit down with Bridget Kimsey  - She has been in the healing arts and sciences for 28 years. She has her roots and beginnings in learning and working with her native elders, as a registered member of the Lenape Tribe of Indians. From their guidance, she went on to study and holds various credentials in integrative health. She works closely with the medical and scientific communities on differing cases and projects. She is interdimensioned and works in the third and fourth dimension in all of her work. She is a published author of three books- https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B07JGPV2ST She has her Bachelor's degree from New York University and an Associate's degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math.  We listen to  "Traveler From An Antique Land" originally published in Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, September 1961.  For more information see www.avramdavidson.com     

 In this episode we sit down with C Christopher Hart  - creator of EXOPLANETARY a science-fiction audio drama featuring serialized space opera, adventure, and a healthy sense of humor and listen to an old radio dramatization of “The Grantha Sighting” originally published in The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction, April 1958. For more information see www.avramdavidson.com    

In this episode we sit down with Robert Silverberg - American author and editor, best known for writing science fiction. He is a multiple winner of both Hugo and Nebula Awards, and a member of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Silverberg http://www.robert-silverberg.com/. We also have a special treat with Leonard Nimoy reading the first 5 minutes of “The Golem” originally published in The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction, March 1955. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leonard_NimoyWe then listen to "The Golem" in its entirety. For more information see www.avramdavidson.com 

 In this episode we sit down with Emma Speer -  Narrator / Performer / Writer / Painter / Educator - https://www.emmaspeer.me/We listen to  “The House the Blakeneys Built” Originally published in The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction, January 1965. For more information see www.avramdavidson.com   

 In this episode we sit down with Robert Eversmann - Robert is an editor for Deep Overstock, the international booksellers journal, a co-host for Genre Podcast and Late Night Pomes Radio, and plays Brother Dustin for the Portland-based radio drama, EXOPLANETARY. We listen to “The Great Rough Beast” Originally published in Weird Tales, Winter 1988/1989 and later it was published as part of "The Adventures in Unhistory." At the end of the episode we get to listen to a partial lecture from Avram. For more information see www.avramdavidson.com 

In this episode we sit down with Nancy Klein and listen to chapter 1 of "Beer! Beer! Beer!" which was written in the 1970's but published in 2021. Nancy & Sidney Klein were close friends of Avram. Nancy Isaacs Klein is a native of Yonkers, NY. She is a graduate of Barnard College and has 4 children, 19 grandchildren and a lot of great-grandchildren. She is an active community volunteer. Her book, A Life of Joy, tells the story of her husband, Sidney B. Klein and includes some of his own writings about his adventures (mostly humorous) in the Marines, as an engineer, a father, grandfather and Orthodox Jew. Nancy Isaacs Klein is also the author of Heritage of Faith, the biographies of her father, Moses L. Isaacs, and her grandfather, Rabbi Philipp Kle. For more information see www.avramdavidson.com 

In this episode we sit down with Rich Horton - Locus short fiction columnist, editor of "The Year's Best Science Fiction and Fantasy " for Prime Books, and blogger at Strange at Ecbatan.We listen to “The Sources of the Nile” Originally published in The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction, January 1961. For more information see www.avramdavidson.com  

 In this episode we sit down with Patrick Bringley (an author and expert on Jacob Hays) & Edward Conlon -https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Conlon and listen to a reading of “The Importance of Trifles”. Originally published in EQMM, January 1969, as "The Man Who Killed Sailors" Reprinted in Best Detective Stories of the Year : 24th Annual Collection, Ed. Allen J. Hubin (Dutton, 1970) and The Investigations of Avram Davidson in 1999. For more information see www.avramdavidson.com 

 In this episode we sit down with Ted White a Hugo Award-winning American science fiction writer, editor and fan, as well as a music critic. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ted_White_(author)We listen to “Or The Grasses Grow” Originally published in The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction, November 1958. For more information see www.avramdavidson.com 

In this episode we sit down with Robert Lopresti and listen to a reading of  "The Necessity of His Condition".   http://www.roblopresti.com/Originally published in Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, April 1957For more information see www.avramdavidson.com     

In this episode we sit down with John Kessel and listen to a reading of  "Faed-Out".   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_KesselOriginally published in The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction, October 1963 .For more information see www.avramdavidson.com    

 In this episode we sit down with Dan Murphy. Dan is the editor of the Yonkers Times. He is also is one of the leading experts on Dutch Schultz. http://yonkerstimes.com/have-a-beer-this-summer-on-dutch/ - It was this article that led me to Dan. We discuss what Dan learned from Avram's story "Beer Like Water." This episode is also special in that the story is read by Avram. For more information see www.avramdavidson.com 

In this episode we sit down with three of Avram's former students from William & Mary and listen to "The Bounty Hunter"  originally published in Fantastic Universe, March 1958. For more information see www.avramdavidson.com 

I have taken much of my description below from a review by Robert Lopresti. I remember reading this novella when it originally appeared in the October 1970 issue of Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, under the dreadful name of "Manhattan Night's Entertainment."  Frederic Dannay was a great editor but a horrific tinkerer with titles.  Avram Davidson had one of those staggering imaginations, like John Collier, James Powell, or Terry Pratchett.  You just never knew what would pour out of his typewriter.  In this case it is the simple story of a young lady from New Jersey and her encounters with a pickpocket, the Mafia, the Nafia, an Albanian Trotskyite who wants to blow up the Brooklyn Navy Yard, Hudson River pirates, and, of course, the Lord High Keeper of the Queen's Bears, who lives in a cave in Central Park.  Okay, maybe I lied about it being a simple story.   The main character is really the titular Lord, alias Arthur Marmaduke Roderick Lodowicke William Rufus de Powisse-Plunkert, 11th Marques of Grue and Groole in the peerage of England, 22nd Baron Bogle in the Peerage of Scotland, 6th Earl of Ballypatcooge in the Peerage of Ireland, Viscount Penhokey in the Peerage of the United Kingdom, Laird of Muckle Greet, Master of Snee, and Hereditary Lord High Keeper of the Queen's Bears.   By now you have probably figured out that Davidson loves words, for their own sake.  He also uses them to tell a wonderful story.   The Marquess is broke and dishonest, which explains why he lives in a cave, cadging most of his meals from meat his trained falcon steals off grills on the surrounding balconies.  He is a sharp fellow and when he spots rope in a store window that could only have been swiped from the British Navy he finds himself confronting the aforementioned river pirates who vehemently deny that they are pirates.  You see, Peter Stuyvesant gave the family the right to collect taxes in 1662, just before the Dutch surrendered to the British.  For a moment no word broke the reverent silence.  Then, slowly, Lord Grue and Groole removed his cap.  "And naturally," he said, "your family has never recognized that surrender.  Madam, as an unreconstructed Jacobite, I honor them for it, in your person."  He gravely bowed.  I won't attempt to explain how everyone else fits into this mad mosiac.  Just get your hands on the story and read it.  Why it hasn't been made into a movie is one of those inexplicable mysteries.  It's practically a film right on the page. For more information please visit www.avramdavidson.com 

In this episode we sit down with  Alexander James. https://drunkscribe.com/We  listen to “Full Chicken Richness" and discuss the story. Originally published in Last Wave, October 1983 For more information see www.avramdavidson.com     

In this episode we listen to "Skinny."  A very early never published Avram Davidson story. Written in the early 1950's.   It's semi-autobiographical.  Avram was a corpsman and spent time in China following World War II.For more information see www.avramdavidson.com  

In this episode we sit down with  Susan Emshwiller. http://www.susanemshwiller.com/We discuss The Milford Writing Conference.  We  listen to “The Woman Who Thought She Could Read" and discuss the story. Originally published in The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction, January 1959.  For more information see www.avramdavidson.com    

 In this episode we sit down with Melissa Rogers.https://melissaroserogers.com/We discuss how Melissa became an Avram fan. We  listen to “What Strange Stars and Skies” and discuss the story. Originally published in The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction, December 1963.For more information see www.avramdavidson.com