Podcasts about short fiction

Meg Wolitzer presents three stories about the attraction and perils of reinvention.In “Kerosene,” by Simon Rich, timing is all in matters of invention.  The reader is Santino Fontana.  Attentive parents want to keep their baby safe at all costs in “The Cage,” by Tania James, read by Nicole Kang.  And a widowed man looks for love—with some guidance from his late wife--in “The Dark,” by Jess Walter, read by Jason Alexander.

Notes and Links to Andrew Porter's Work     Andrew Porter is the author of four books, including the short story collection The Theory of Light and Matter (Vintage/Penguin Random House), which won the Flannery O'Connor Award for Short Fiction, the novel In Between Days (Knopf), which was a Barnes & Noble “Discover Great New Writers”  selection, an IndieBound “Indie Next” selection, and the San Antonio Express News's “Fictional Work of the Year,” the short story collection The Disappeared (Knopf), which was longlisted for The Story Prize and the Joyce Carol Oates Prize, and the novel The Imagined Life, which was published by Knopf in April 2025. Porter's books have been published in foreign editions in the UK, Australia, and New Zealand and translated into numerous languages, including French, Spanish, Dutch, Italian, Bulgarian, and Korean. In addition to winning the Flannery O'Connor Award, his collection, The Theory of Light and Matter,  received Foreword Magazine's “Book of the Year” Award for Short  Fiction, was a finalist for The Steven Turner Award, The Paterson Prize  and The WLT Book Award, was shortlisted for the William Saroyan International Prize for Writing, and was selected by both The Kansas City Star and The San Antonio Express-News  as one of the “Best Books of the Year.” The recipient of a Pushcart Prize and fellowships from the James Michener-Copernicus Foundation, the W.K. Rose Foundation,  and the Helene Wurlitzer Foundation,  Porter's  short stories have appeared in The Best American Short Stories, One Story, Ploughshares, The Southern Review, The Threepenny Review, The Missouri Review, American Short Fiction, Narrative Magazine, Epoch, Story, The Colorado Review, Electric Literature, and Texas Monthly, among others. He has had his work read on NPR's Selected Shorts and numerous times selected as one of the Distinguished Stories of the Year by Best American Short Stories.  A graduate of the Iowa Writers' Workshop, Porter is currently a Professor of English and Director of the Creative Writing Program at Trinity University in San Antonio.   Buy The Imagined Life   Andrew's Website   Andrew's Wikipedia Page   Book Review for The Imagined Life from New York Times   At about 1:30, Pete makes a clumsy but heartfelt comparison between The Imagined Life and Hemingway's Old Man and the Sea and Andrew shares feedback from readers of his novel At about 3:10, Andrew responds to Pete's question about the book's seeds and talks about “tinker[ing]” with the book's opening for years At about 4:45, Pete remarks on the book's first-person account, and Andrew and Pete discuss the book's opening and ideas of naivete and fallible parents At about 6:45, Pete asks Andrew, who expands about structuring the book and its connection to revision  At about 8:45, Pete compares the setting of the book, 1983 Fullerton, CA, to The Smashing Pumpkins' “1979,” and Andrew discusses similarities  At about 10:30, Pete reflects on the importance of the age given to the book's narrator and the two characterize the book's “father” and Andrew talks about using a 70s/early 80s atmosphere through the young narrator's lens At about 15:30, Pete summarizes an important character introduction and Andrew talks about the importance of an embarrassing faux pas by the narrator's father that might have "professional ramifications” At about 17:30, Andrew responds to Pete's question about the visits that Steven takes to speak with his father's former colleagues in the present-day At about 21:20, Andrew explains connections between Proust (“Proo-st”) and the father, who is obsessed in some ways with Proust's work; Andrew notes personal parallels between the father and Proust At about 24:10, Andrew gives background on Uncle Julian's connection to his brother and his family  At about 25:40, Andrew responds to Pete's questions about the importance of the book's cabana and complicated coupling  At about 27:40, Andrew reflects on Chau's relationship with Steven and the connection as a shared “escape from their home lives” At about 31:00, Andrew responds to Pete's questions about fleeting beautiful moments between father and son At about 32:25, Pete wonders about how Andrew picks character names At about 34:10, Andrew discusses the narrator's son, Finn, and his acting out in school as a function of his parents' marital shakiness  At about 35:30, Pete asks Andrew about a pivotal party and any “ruptures” in relationships that may have followed   At about 38:00, Andrew reflects on possible foreshadowing through letters and notes left behind by Steven's father  At about 40:40, Andrew discusses his mindset in writing an important and off-the-wall culminating scene At about 43:35, The two reflect on ideas of traumas and cycles and anger, especially with regard to Steven's recognition of same  At about 46:30, Pete compliments the ending of the book, ideas of legacy and wonderful book timing At about 47:30, Andrew reflects on his book's setting as key in exploring contrasts between Steven's life then and now, as well as with the world as a whole At about 48:30, Swatch Watch discourse! and vague Bel Biv Devoe reference!      You can now subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, and leave me a five-star review. You can also ask for the podcast by name using Alexa, and find the pod on Stitcher, Spotify, and on Amazon Music. Follow Pete on IG, where he is @chillsatwillpodcast, or on Twitter, where he is @chillsatwillpo1. You can watch other episodes on YouTube-watch and subscribe to The Chills at Will Podcast Channel. Please subscribe to both the YouTube Channel and the podcast while you're checking out this episode.       Pete is very excited to have one or two podcast episodes per month featured on the website of Chicago Review of Books. The audio will be posted, along with a written interview culled from the audio. His conversation with Hannah Pittard, a recent guest, is up at Chicago Review.     Sign up now for The Chills at Will Podcast Patreon: it can be found at patreon.com/chillsatwillpodcastpeterriehl      Check out the page that describes the benefits of a Patreon membership, including cool swag and bonus episodes. Thanks in advance for supporting Pete's one-man show, DIY podcast and extensive reading, research, editing, and promoting to keep this independent podcast pumping out high-quality content! This month's Patreon bonus episode features an exploration of flawed characters, protagonists who are too real in their actions, and horror and noir as being where so much good and realistic writing takes place. Pete has added a $1 a month tier for “Well-Wishers” and Cheerleaders of the Show.     This is a passion project, a DIY operation, and Pete would love for your help in promoting what he's convinced is a unique and spirited look at an often-ignored art form.    The intro song for The Chills at Will Podcast is “Wind Down” (Instrumental Version), and the other song played on this episode was “Hoops” (Instrumental)” by Matt Weidauer, and both songs are used through ArchesAudio.com.     Please tune in for Episode 295 with Wright Thompson, a senior writer for ESPN, contributing writer to the Atlantic, and the New York Times bestselling author of Pappylandand The Cost of These Dreams. The Barn, a captivating story of the tragedy of Emmett Till's racist murder, is out in paperback on the day the episode airs, today, September 9.    Please go to ceasefiretoday.org, and/or https://act.uscpr.org/a/letaidin to call your congresspeople and demand an end to the forced famine and destruction of Gaza and the Gazan people.  

Send us a textEpisode 660: Fancy Gets Spanked on the Beach Erotic Fiction Excerpt written by a pen name of Ruan's, RuAnn Willhoe. Get the full ebook on Kindle Unlimited on Amazon and here at this link https://books.ruanwillowauthor.com/fancygetsspannkedonthebeachSubtropes:kinks of degradation, humiliation, BSDM, impact play spankingconsent is sexyage gapmarried coupleexhibitionism and voyeurismsecond chances relationship, second marriagesexy on the beach funsensation playpower play, Dom/sub consensual power exchangeStory blurb:Fancy and Keith the Keeper are an adventurous midlife second marriage couple who seek strangers to interact with in spontaneous unions. They desire to enjoy their intimacy without the confines of walls or prudish conventional rules, rather they live by their own mutually agreed upon boundaries. They go on their adventures together, in the public, but with a smart attention to making sure they are always safe.A foray onto the beach after dinner for some impact play is on their agenda one summer evening, and when they find the perfect spot, they find themselves blessed with even more perfect, and younger, strangers who happen upon them. Then fun really begins!This is an extra hot short story of wife sharing, male domination, female submission, impact play, humiliation, degradation, and exhibitionism, plus lots of mind-blowing pleasure for all!Get the full audiobook story:Sign up for the exclusive level of the podcast to get the full story this week, or read it on Amazon, or search for it soon, appearing on audiobook platforms very soon. It will also appear on Ruan's Substack and Patreon, so join there for access to the full spicy kinky story as well.Support the showExclusives https://www.buzzsprout.com/1599808/subscribeNewsletters https://subscribepage.io/ruanwillowhttps://linktr.ee/RuanWillow Affiliates Firm Tech 15% OFF with code ruan15 https://myfirmtech.com/ruanwillow BeeDee dating app https://beedee.app/?r=ohfuckyeahThe Fantasy Box DATE30 for $30 OFF 1st box https://thefantasybox.sjv.io/c/6250602/2141126/26423

Things heat up in this thirty-ninth installment of fictional horror written and narrated by Dan Cummins.  Lizzie travels to Alabama to learn more about the origins of Samael Orcas. And what she finds out is anything but comforting. Meanwhile, Sam seems to be losing his cool in Portland.  Finally, for Dark World fans, more Myrkeer Haymur lore is revealed here than in any other previous episode. Enjoy! For Merch and everything else Bad Magic related, head to: https://www.badmagicproductions.com Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes of Scared to Death ad-free and a whole week early. Start a free trial now on Apple Podcasts or by visiting siriusxm.com/podcastsplus.

Host Meg Wolitzer presents three stories about those moments, those situations, those people that pull you in and won't let you go. These works focus on unexpected encounters that end up affecting a character's life in some unusual or enduring way. “Missed Connection—M4W” by Raphael Bob-Waksberg takes the idea of “chance encounter” to its limits. It's performed by Richard Kind. “My Years of Living Dangerously” by Danielle Henderson explores the idea of sin and redemption. It's performed by Karen Pittman. And in Melissa Banks' ruefully comic “Run Run Run Run Run Run Run Away,” performed by Julianna Margulies, one sibling makes a bad choice the other has to live with.

Meg Wolitzer presents two stories about neighbors and the unexpected relationships that can develop between people who live adjacent to one another.  In Tess Gallagher's “Mr. Woodriff's Neckties,” a famous novelist lets his neighbor in on a secret.  The reader is Dion Graham.  In “Hoodie in Xanadu,” by Ann Beattie, a  woman discovers that her shy neighbor possesses creative genius.  The story is performed by Kirsten Vangsness.

This time we discussed These Memories Do Not Belong to Us, written by Yiming Ma, and narrated by Will Dao, Jeremy Ang Jones, David Shih, Cindy Kay, Brian Nishii, Jeanne Sakata, Catherine Ho, Francois Chau, Eunice Wong, Kenneth Lee, Reuben Uy, Sura Siu, James Chen & Jennifer Lim. Thank you to the Libro.fm, Harper Audio, and Mariner Books for providing audio review copies of These Memories Do Not Belong to Us for today's episode. These Memories Do Not Belong to Us: A Constellation Novel [Libro.fm] Short Fiction Spotlight: “Through the Machine” written by P.A. Cornell, narrated by Stefen Rudnicki [Lightspeed] - May 2025 (Issue 180) / Short Story “Welcome to Kearney” written by Gary Kloster, narrated by Kate Baker [Clarkesworld] - Issue 226: July 2025 / Novelette “If an Algorithm Can Cast a Shadow” written by Claire Jia-Wen, narrated by Kate Baker [Clarkesworld] - Issue 226: July 2025 / Novelette ”As Brittle as Granite” written by Matt Tighe, narrated by Dani Daly [Cast of Wonders 646] / Short Story ”Billionaire's Tears” written by Vanessa Ricci-Thode, narrated by Valerie Valdes [Escape Pod 1003] / Short Story ”Precious Little Things” written by Adrian Tchaikovsky, narrated by Isaac Harwood [Cast of Wonders 648] / Short Story

For nearly 30 years, Nova Scotia's Gaspereau defied the market. Now its owners are moving on, closing the chapter on one of Canada's most uncompromising publishers. About AMIAMI is a not-for-profit media company that entertains, informs and empowers Canadians who are blind or partially sighted. Operating three broadcast services, AMI-tv and AMI-audio in English and AMI-télé in French, AMI's vision is to establish and support a voice for Canadians with disabilities, representing their interests, concerns and values through inclusion, representation, accessible media, reflection, representation and portrayal.Find more great AMI Original Content on AMI+Learn more at AMI.caConnect with Accessible Media Inc. online:X /Twitter @AccessibleMediaInstagram @AccessibleMediaInc / @AMI-audioFacebook at @AccessibleMediaIncTikTok @AccessibleMediaIncEmail feedback@ami.ca

Meg Wolitzer presents stories celebrating a quarter century of clever, funny, playful, weird, and literary writing, in print and online, showcased by the powerhouse indie publisher McSweeney's. These include a comic fantasy, “Poor Little Egg-Boy Hatched in a Shul, by Nathan Englander, performed by Ophira Eisenberg; an unusual mother/son story, “Crumb Cake,” by Etgar Keret, performed by Andy Richter; and unlikely heroism at the amusement park in “Stay Brave, My Hercules,” by Ernie Wang, performed by BD Wong.

Today we cover Closer Than Your Kidneys by Ursula Whitcher, BRIDE / BUTCHER / DOE by Lowry Poletti, and There's a Door to the Land of the Dead in the Land of the Dead by Sarah Pinsker.

In this thirty-eighth installment of fictional horror written and narrated by Dan Cummins.... we meet Samael Orcas. Is he a man? A monster? Both? Lizzie Chavez is determined to find out exactly who he is, why he keeps killing, and how to stop him. For Merch and everything else Bad Magic related, head to: https://www.badmagicproductions.com Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes of Scared to Death ad-free and a whole week early. Start a free trial now on Apple Podcasts or by visiting siriusxm.com/podcastsplus.

Host Meg Wolitzer presents perfect mismatches. In “The Man and the Moose” by Ben Loory, performed by Michael Cerveris, a man's best bud has antlers. In “Red Dirt Don't Wash” by Roger Mais, performed by Brandon J. Dirden, a young man's courtship is at risk—she doesn't like his shoes. And a piano lesson is out of tune in “The Piano Teacher's Pupil” by William Trevor, performed by Kathryn Erbe.  

Send us a textEpisode 649: Eating Pussy and Other Erotic Treats, erotic poetry, erotic poems, hot snippets, steamy scenes, and sexy spicy ASMR.  Enjoy spicy romance, spicy fiction, erotic romance, erotica fiction, and sensual ASMR sounds.Ruan's store, buy books directly from Ruan herself and get 25% OFF of books in August 2025 at https://payhip.com/RuanWillowBooksSupport the showExclusives: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1599808/subscribeRuan's newsletters: https://subscribepage.io/ruanwillowhttps://linktr.ee/RuanWillow https://payhip.com/RuanWillowBooks Affiliates BeeDee dating app https://beedee.app/?r=ohfuckyeahThe Fantasy Box, Use code DATE30 for $30 OFF your first box https://thefantasybox.sjv.io/c/6250602/2141126/26423

Meg Wolitzer presents three works about squabbles between people who love one another most.  Jenny Allen's “In the Car” chronicles the European road trip of a long married couple—and he won't ask for directions. The reader is Alysia Reiner.  In Jade Jones' “Your Aunt Thinks She Ramona Africa,” a close family doesn't know what to do with a nonconformist.  Crystal Dickinson reads.  And in “CobRa,” by Katherine Heiny, the methods of uncluttering guru Marie Kondo almost tidy away a marriage.  Peter Grosz reads.

A elderly man returns to Rocky Point, a place where he was happy and had great exectations. But he's drawn there now by regret and a love that never died. Is it too late for some of those expectations to be met?Lee Clark Zumpe, an entertainment columnist with Tampa Bay Newspapers, earned his bachelor's in English at the University of South Florida. He began writing poetry and fiction in the early 1990s. His work has regularly appeared in a variety of literary journals and genre magazines over the last two decades. Publication credits include World War Cthulhu and The Children of Gla'aki from Dark Regions Press; Through a Mythos Darkly from PS Publishing; Children of Lovecraft Country and Shadows of an Inner Darkness from Golden Goblin Press; and Corridors and The Pickman Papers from Innsmouth Gold. Lee lives on the west coast of Florida with his wife and daughter.  Lee's inclination toward horror manifested itself early in his childhood when he began flipping through the pages of Forrest J. Ackerman's Famous Monsters of Filmland and reading Gold Key Comic classics like Boris Karloff Tales of Mystery and Grimm's Ghost Stories. In his teenage years, he discovered Edgar Allan Poe, H.P. Lovecraft, Ambrose Bierce, Richard Matheson and other masters of the genre. Lee's work often focuses on character interaction set against a pervading sense of cosmic dread and high strangeness.You can read "Return to Rocky Point" at https://www.kaidankaistories.com.Website: kaidankaistories.comPlease feel free to contact me through the website contact form.Follow us on: InstagramFacebookBlueskySubstack

In this thirty-seventh installment of fictional horror written and narrated by Dan Cummins.... Duncan Briggs just wants his life to return to what it was before he'd ever heard of AR Innovations. But we all know that's not going to happen, right? Instead, the new ride he's on keeps getting wilder. For Merch and everything else Bad Magic related, head to: https://www.badmagicproductions.com Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes of Scared to Death ad-free and a whole week early. Start a free trial now on Apple Podcasts or by visiting siriusxm.com/podcastsplus.

Meg Wolitzerpresents three stories featured in the  anthology A Century of Fiction in the New Yorker.The magazine celebrates its 100th birthday, and this is the second of two programs this season in which we join the party.  Robert Coover's “Going for a Beer” begins with a date and a drink, but you'll be surprised where it ends up.  The reader is SELECTED SHORTS' late founder and host, Isaiah Sheffer.  Cynthia Ozick's moving story “The Shawl” pulls grace from the worst of circumstances in a powerful reading by Lois Smith.  And V.S. Pritchett turns a ladder into a sly symbol of marital discord in our third tale.  “The Ladder” is performed by Cynthia Nixon.

Hamlet by: William Shakespeare Gods and Generals (The Civil War Trilogy, #1) by: Jeff Shaara We Solve Murders by: Richard Osman Stop All the Clocks: A Novel by: Noah Kumin Pyrebound by Brayton Cole Grunge (Monster Hunter Memoirs, #1) by: John Ringo and Larry Correia Sinners (Monster Hunter Memoirs, #2) by: John Ringo and Larry Correia Saints (Monster Hunter Memoirs, #3) by: John Ringo and Larry Correia Fever (Monster Hunter Memoirs, #4) by: Larry Correia and Jason Córdova Target Rich Environment (Volume 1) by: Larry Correia Target Rich Environment (Volume 2) by: Larry Correia Monster Hunter: Siege by: Larry Correia Monster Hunter: Guardian by: Larry Correia Monster Hunter: Bloodlines by: Larry Correia The Monster Hunter Files by: Various

Send us a textEp 640: Hunted at Work for a Quickie with the Chef written and narrated by podcast host Ruan Willow. Dana, now single after a dull unsexy marriage, was working at an old folks home to make money for herself and her kids. She had started offering side jobs of taboo acts for the residents to earn extra money to help pay her way through nursing school. The Chef of the home, Cyrus, had found this out and wanted in on the action, but promised to pay her in pleasure instead. They'd fallen into a sexy game of hunter and prey, which they enacted on their work breaks, and found hidden places around the building to have sex. Having almost got caught, they were swift and smart about their sneaky rendezvous. Dana, who gets very turned on by Cyrus's filthy dirty talk, gets a surprise from him that leaves her excited for more of the sexy middle-aged chef.Enjoy this spicy erotic fiction story! Erotic storytelling to enjoy, grab your pleasure in what entertains you, it's your birthright to experience pleasure!Read this story on Theo Reads: https://www.theoreads.com/story/942fd676-7525-49ba-a3d8-9a5b81d6a5ad/viewDark erotic thriller suspense romance Beach House Views chapter 9 (read chapter 1 for FREE): https://www.theoreads.com/story/cf61c1a0-09b0-4e78-86e7-d39bd5140a44/viewSupport the showExclusives: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1599808/subscribeRuan's newsletters: https://subscribepage.io/ruanwillowhttps://linktr.ee/RuanWillow https://payhip.com/RuanWillowBooks Affiliates BeeDee dating app https://beedee.app/?r=ohfuckyeahThe Fantasy Box https://thefantasybox.sjv.io/c/6250602/2141126/26423

On the Self-Publishing with ALLi Podcast, Orna Ross and Joanna Penn talk about the creative process behind poetry and short fiction. They reflect on how they decide what form a piece should take, how emotion and memory shape their work, and why writing short can sometimes be harder than long. They also discuss editing, publishing, and why indie authors have the freedom to write what matters to them. Sponsor This podcast is proudly sponsored by Bookvault. Sell high-quality, print-on-demand books directly to readers worldwide and earn maximum royalties selling directly. Automate fulfillment and create stunning special editions with BookvaultBespoke. Visit Bookvault.app today for an instant quote. About the Hosts Joanna Penn writes nonfiction for authors and is an award-nominated, New York Times and USA Today bestselling thriller author as J.F.Penn. She's also an award-winning podcaster, creative entrepreneur, and international professional speaker. Orna Ross launched the Alliance of Independent Authors at the London Book Fair in 2012. Her work for ALLi has seen her named as one of The Bookseller's “100 top people in publishing”. She also publishes poetry, fiction, and nonfiction and is greatly excited by the democratizing, empowering potential of author-publishing. For more information about Orna, visit her website.

Meg Wolitzer presents two stories about the things she loves most: books and words and why they matter. In Ben Loory's “The Book,” a contrarian volume becomes a literary sensation, and alters one woman's life. The reader is Jane Kaczmarek. In “Things I Know to be True” by Kendra Fortmeyer, originally published in One Story, a damaged veteran uses words to hold his life together. The reader is Calvin Leon Smith. And in a special feature, Wolitzer visits a favorite indie bookstore, Three Lives & Company: http://threelives.com/who.html The Greenwich Village icon, which was founded in the 1980s, is a haven for readers, writers, and book lovers of all kinds. Michael Cunningham calls it “One of the greatest bookstores on the face of the Earth. Every single person who works there is incredibly knowledgeable and well read and full of soul.” And you'll meet some of them—and the books they treasure--on this show. 

Send us a textEpisode 637: A Previously Exclusive episode only for subscribers now out on the main podcast for all: Sex in the Morning Sun with My Daddy erotic scene with ASMR sounds. Delicious intimacy in the morning for this couple enjoying orgasms in the sun. Erotic romance entertainment arts for your enjoyment. Erotic romance as erotic fiction to enjoy alone or with your partner. This is a heterosexual story. Enjoy the hot sound filled ASMR storytelling!Crush Virtual Erotic Con!CRUSH PublicationsDon't forget to enter for your chance to win tons of books and now the prize of trip to a VEGAS RESORT, 3 Days, 2 nights for 2 is added in as a prize! Learn more here: 2025 Giveaway's & VIP Packages - by CRUSH PublicationsNOW get 30% OFF a VIP ticket! http://www.eventbrite.com/e/951515667977/?discount=30You can watch the Con for FREE but for a chance to win the books and the getaway, you can buy a VIP ticket for $15.I'm on the narrator panel for this conference at 3 pm CST.New Releases and other sales!Smashwords Sale for July 2025, 50% off Ruan's books: https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/RuanWillowSummer Teases 2 An erotic story anthology of summer sexy fun! https://books.ruanwillowauthor.com/summerteases2anthologyBeach House Views on Theo Reads now is live through chapter 9! This is my erotic suspense thriller romance, dark romance with lots of sex in it. Each chapter is only 0.99 cents. You won't believe what John Penn is about to do! Read the chapters exclusively here: Theo | TheoRomance Book Blast day! July 22 ONLY! Get my books I Dare You, an erotic rom com at this link:https://www.romancebooklovers.com/steamyDeception's Snare Romantasy https://www.romancebooklovers.com/fantasyALL books: https://www.romancebooklovers.com/Support the showExclusives: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1599808/subscribeRuan's newsletters: https://subscribepage.io/ruanwillowhttps://linktr.ee/RuanWillow https://payhip.com/RuanWillowBooks Affiliates BeeDee dating app https://beedee.app/?r=ohfuckyeahThe Fantasy Box https://thefantasybox.sjv.io/c/6250602/2141126/26423

In this thirty-sixth installment of fictional horror written and narrated by Dan Cummins.... we meet a man, Duncan Briggs, who agrees to participate in a paid scientific study to make a little cash to get his wife something nice for her birthday while he's in-between jobs. And then things get.... weird. Very, very uncomfortably weird.For Merch and everything else Bad Magic related, head to: https://www.badmagicproductions.comSubscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes of Scared to Death ad-free and a whole week early. Start a free trial now on Apple Podcasts or by visiting siriusxm.com/podcastsplus.  Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes of Scared to Death ad-free and a whole week early. Start a free trial now on Apple Podcasts or by visiting siriusxm.com/podcastsplus.

Host Meg Wolitzer presents a quartet of summer stories.  Umberto Eco endures trial by mini bar in “How to Travel with a Salmon,” read by Jin Hah.  A scenic getaway turns eerie in Elizabeth Spencer's “The Weekend Travelers,” read by Campbell Scott.  Life looks up—way up—for an overworked restaurant owner in “The Man, The Restaurant, and the Eiffel Tower,” by Ben Loory, read by Stana Katic.  And upper-class “frenemies” have a reckoning in Edith Wharton's “Roman Fever,” read by Maria Tucci. 

Send us a textEpisode 634: Hot Summer Sex Part 2: Five Point Stimulation to Euphoric Sexual Bliss. Anna and Dane continue their erotic adventure in the screen tent in their backyard. Dane has created a contraption to secure sex toys in to blow Anna's mind, and his ultimate goal is to give her five points of erogenous stimulation to help her reach orgasmic heights...but he gets to fulfill some fantasies, too, an oral pounding he's been wanting to try. Join in the summer heat as these two lovers expand their sexual boundaries and blow out the top of their sexual expectations, as they attain new heights of bliss.Enjoy the erotic romance, erotic fiction storytelling to spark your sexual wellbeing, enhance your sexual wellness, and peak your sexuality and your imagination in yummy adventures! It's a story about sexy relationships, reaching for and attaining orgasmic delights. It's an erotica storytelling story!Listen to part 1: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1599808/episodes/17466395Crush Virtual Erotic Con!CRUSH PublicationsDon't forget to enter for your chance to win tons of books and now the prize of trip to a VEGAS RESORT, 3 Days, 2 nights for 2 is added in as a prize! Learn more here: 2025 Giveaway's & VIP Packages - by CRUSH PublicationsEnter your entry to win your chance at a free ticket the conYou can watch the Con for FREE but for a chance to win the books and the getaway, you can buy a VIP ticket for $15.I'm on the narrator panel for this conference.Ruan's New Release: Mallory and Derek Attend Secret Parties https://books.ruanwillowauthor.com/malloryandderekattendsecretpartiesSummer Teases 2 An erotic story anthology of summer sexy fun! https://books.ruanwillowauthor.com/summerteases2anthologySmashwords Sale for July 2025, 50% off Ruan's books: https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/RuanWillowSupport the showExclusives: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1599808/subscribeRuan's newsletters: https://subscribepage.io/ruanwillowhttps://linktr.ee/RuanWillow https://payhip.com/RuanWillowBooks Affiliates BeeDee dating app https://beedee.app/?r=ohfuckyeahThe Fantasy Box https://thefantasybox.sjv.io/c/6250602/2141126/26423

Meg Wolitzer presents stories that take the idea of “the magic of fiction” literally—or literarily. The British writer Penelope Lively offers up a tricky combination of love and real estate in “The Third Wife,” performed by real-life husband and wife Patricia Kalember and Daniel Gerroll. The only “trick” in our next story, “Tempo,” by R.O. Kwon, is the trick the mind plays when it wishes the present would restore a lost bit of the past. The reader is Hettienne Park. And Dave Eggers' “The Alaska of Giants and Gods” includes a real magic act, but also the longing for some other kind of magic, misplaced on a rocky road, to be restored. Kate Burton reads.

Andrew Porter is the author of four books, including the short story collection The Theory of Light and Matter, which won the Flannery O'Connor Award for Short Fiction, the novel In Between Days, which was a Barnes & Noble “Discover Great New Writers” selection, an IndieBound “Indie Next” selection, and the San Antonio Express News's “Fictional Work of the Year,” the short story collection The Disappeared, which was longlisted for The Story Prize and the Joyce Carol Oates Prize, and the novel The Imagined Life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Meg Wolitzer presents four works that consider various forms of risk, and risk taking.  In “Clicking on Heaven's Door,” by Anand Giridharadas, performed by Negin Farsad, the pearly gates require an online account, a password, a security question…you get the idea.  “The Stand-In,” by Gerald Jones and Jean Marple, imagines a unique job. It's read by Tony Hale.  David Sedaris creates the ultimate in well-meant interference in other people's lives—oh, and there's a parrot.  “Farnsworth” is read by Jessica Keenan Wynn.  And—dining at the end of the world.  Where's the waiter?  Robin Hemley's “The Last Customer,” is read by Jane Curtin and Mike Doyle.

Meg Wolitzer presents stories by the incomparable Margaret Atwood, drawn from SELECTED SHORTS' archives and a live performance evening hosted by the author. “There Was Once” is a brief satire about the art of writing and the importance of free speech. It's performed by René Auberjonois, Zach Grenier, and Jane Kaczmarek. “Widows,” performed by Ellen Burstyn, is a delicate and ironic tale in which a recently widowed woman becomes accustomed to her new role. And Atwood is in full dystopian throttle in “Freeforall” where reproductive rights have become a matter of life and death. The reader is Becky Ann Baker. Portions of Atwood's onstage talk with fellow writer A.M. Homes are also featured, and the full interview is available as a bonus on our podcast.

Alex Shvartsman (Brooklyn, NY) is the author of Kakistocracy (2023), The Middling Affliction (2022), and Eridani's Crown (2019) fantasy novels. Over 120 of his stories have appeared in Analog, Nature, Strange Horizons, et al. He won the WSFA Small Press Award for Short Fiction and was a three-time finalist for the Canopus Award for Excellence in Interstellar Fiction.His translations from Russian have appeared in F&SF, Clarkesworld, Tor.com, Analog, Asimov's, et al. Alex has edited over a dozen anthologies, including the long-running Unidentified Funny Objects series.This story originally appeared in Galaxy's Edge, no. 25, March 2017.Narrated by: Will StaglWill Stagl lives in Tucson Arizona and is a proud member of the StarShipSofa team. This month you'll likely find him tearing through The Devils by Joe Abercrombie at a local café or waiting for the next installment of Murderbot to air.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/starshipsofa. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This time we discussed The Potency of Ungovernable Impulses, Book 3 of The Investigations of Mossa and Pleiti, written by Malka Older, and narrated by Lindsey Dorcus. We also discussed some of our favorite recent short fiction listens in our short fiction spotlight. The Potency of Ungovernable Impulses [Libro.fm] / [OverDrive/Libby] Short Fiction Spotlight: “In My Country” written by Thomas Ha, narrated by Kate Baker [Clarkesworld] - Issue 223: April 2025 / Short Story ”Unbeaten” written by Grace Seybold, narrated by Summer Fletcher [Beneath Ceaseless Skies - 432] / Short Story “Where Are They Now?” written by Meg Elison, narrated by Stefen Rudnicki [Lightspeed] - May 2025 (Issue 180) / Short Story ”Unfinished Architectures of the Human-Fae War” written by Caroline M. Yoachim, narrated by Erika Ensign [Uncanny Magazine] - Issue Sixty-Four / Short Story “The Library of the Apocalypse” written by Rati Mehrotra, narrated by Kate Baker [Clarkesworld] - Issue 224: May 2025 / Short Story “Pollen” written by written by Anna Burdenko, translated by Alex Shvartsman, and narrated by Kate Baker [Clarkesworld] - Issue 222: March 2025 / Short Story

Lori Ostlund is the author of After the Parade, which was a Barnes & Noble Discover pick and a finalist for the Center for Fiction First Novel Prize and the Ferro-Grumley Award. Her story collection, The Bigness of the World, won the 2008 Flannery O'Connor Award for Short Fiction, the California Book Award for First Fiction, and the Edmund White Debut Fiction Award, and was a Lambda Finalist and a New York Times Editors' Choice. Her third book is called Are You Happy? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Meg Wolitzer presents two stories about personal transformation.In Kenneth Calhoun's “Mindless in America,” a SELECTED SHORTS commission, a couple trapped by their own technology resolves to lead a simpler life.  The reader is Justin Kirk.  In “D Day,” by Rachel Khong, God has a Plan B for the human race.  Spoiler alert—how do you think you'd look with a tail?  Or scales?  The reader is Katrina Lenk.

Host Meg Wolitzer presents three works that reflect on the allure—or not—of summer.  In Massimo Bontempelli's “The Miraculous Beach or, Prize for Modesty,” translated by Jenny McPhee, a hot summer in Rome produces a magical moment.  The reader is Hugh Dancy.  Essayist and humorist Samantha Irby could do without summer, thank you, and makes “A Case for Remaining in Doors”, performed by Retta.  And Denis O'Hare reads a baseball classic, W.P. Kinsella's “The Thrill of the Grass.” 

Send us a text! We'd love to hear your thoughts on the show.In this heartwarming and insightful episode, I had the absolute pleasure of chatting with Matty Dalrymple—thriller author, podcaster, speaker, and indie publishing pro. Matty's not only the writer behind the Ann Kinnear Suspense Novels and Lizzy Ballard Thrillers, but also a passionate advocate for the power of short fiction—and trust me, she has so much wisdom to share.We kick things off with Matty's love of all things nautical (yes, even boat-watching on vacation!), and quickly dive into how she first began writing short fiction. What started as a way to keep her readers engaged between novels quickly turned into a cornerstone of her writing life. Matty's “snippets” from the Ann Kinnear universe are fan favorites—and she now has a growing collection of suspenseful short reads that offer bite-sized thrills and deep character moments.Matty walks us through the practical side of indie publishing short fiction, sharing tips on affordable cover design, working with beta readers, and even bringing her stories to life through audio narration. Her approach is smart, approachable, and encouraging—perfect for writers who want to do more without burning out or breaking the bank.One of my favorite parts of our conversation? Hearing how short fiction can act as a creative refresh. Whether she's exploring a quirky character like Garak Mazur (Ann's ghostly, curmudgeonly mentor) or experimenting with settings and ideas that don't quite fit a full novel, Matty embraces short stories as a playful way to stay inspired—and sometimes, they even lead to new books she hadn't planned on writing!And if you've ever wondered whether there's a real market for short fiction? Matty's answer is a resounding yes. Her short stories continue to sell (even with minimal promotion!), and they've become an unexpected income stream as well as a way to keep her readers excited and engaged.We wrap up with encouragement for any writer who's curious about short fiction but unsure where to start. Matty's advice? Don't overthink it—just try it out. A short story can be a creative experiment, a reader gift, or even a new path forward in your writing career.Tune in and fall in love with the possibilities of short fiction, all over again

It's June, time to celebrate Pride privately and publicly. Host Meg Wolitzer presents four works that celebrate the complexities of love family and belonging. Ivan E. Coyote's “No Bikini,” read by Becca Blackwell, offers one child's act of quiet rebellion. Lovers drift together, and apart, in Michael Cunningham's “Sleepless,” read by Mike Doyle. A newish couple faces harsh weather in Deesha Philyaw's “Snowfall,” read by Michelle Beck, and poet Kay Ulanday Barrett shares their “Song for the Kicked Out.”

Host Meg Wolitzer is presents two stories from a live SELECTED SHORTS evening celebrating the O'Henry Prize, with guest editor Amor Towles, bestselling author of volumes including A Gentleman from Moscow.On today's show, Allegra Hyde imagines the very near future as a never-ending road trip, in “Mobilization,” read by Jane Kaczmarek.  And a family is disrupted by the arrival of a young woman in “The Import,” by Jai Chakrabarti, read by Arjun Gupta.

Host Meg Wolitzer presents four stories in which characters give, and get, a little assistance, from friends, strangers and family. A daughter copes with a cantankerous parent in “How to Take Dad to the Doctor” by Jenny Allen, performed by Jennifer Mudge. A woman moves to a new town and makes a strange new friend in Laura van den Berg's “Friends,” performed by Roberta Colindrez. A Tyrolean café improbably situated in South America is home to mysterious strangers and new and old romances, in Isabel Allende's “The Little Heidelberg.” It's performed by Kathleen Turner. And a budding singer and socialist gets unwelcome help from Mom in Grace Paley's “Injustice,” performed by Jackie Hoffman.

Send us a textPulling this hot little narrative scene from the exclusive level to the main podcast so all can enjoy it! Erotic audio, erotic storytelling with a power play role play scenario. Let's get hot with erotic romance! Let's go!My Daddy Dom dominates me in the morning. It's a tale of dominance and submission which leads to mind-blowing pleasure for us both. Take the ride with us and ride the journey to high climaxing and deliciousness of moaning pleasure sounds. "Helluva way to start the day."Find more of Ruan's work in the form of erotic books and erotic NSFW audiobooks. Ruan narrates her books and that of other erotic authors. See all the available books here: https://books.ruanwillowauthor.com/Enjoy! I take requests at ruanwillow@gmail.com for topics/stories for this exclusive level of the podcast. Send me your request today and I'll do it!Have a super sexy day...don't forget to come today!Love ya,RuanSexual health is a part of your mental health, don't ignore it! Use your body to make natural feel good hormones through climaxing. It's important for your relationship to yourself and those you share your intimate life with to do so. Consider this your 'permission' to indulge in self care... that is if you need permission.. ;) Marinate in your sexuality today and every day! It's so healthy for you! This is a sex-positive podcast because sex IS positive! Consent is sexy! Caring for yourself is positive and sexy.Subscribe for exclusives: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1599808/sFREE erotica and erotic romance stories today through 5/21/25 https://storyoriginapp.com/to/swdynfrSupport the showSubscribe for exclusives: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1599808/subscribeSign up for Ruan's newsletters: https://subscribepage.io/ruanwillowhttps://linktr.ee/RuanWillowI Dare You book https://books.ruanwillowauthor.com/idareyouthesaturdaysexchallenge NO AI TRAINING

One True Podcast again toasts to the centenary of Hemingway's In Our Time by examining “Cat in the Rain,” one of its so-called “marriage tales.” We welcome John Beall to discuss the story's setting, its composition, the dynamic of the marriage, its autobiographical inspiration, and how this story fits in to Hemingway's other “frosty” marriages. We explore the symbolism of the cat, the omnipresence of the rain, repetition in the story… and we even wonder: what the heck is that guy reading that's so interesting?John Beall – author of the new book Hemingway's Art of Revision: The Making of the Short Fiction – expertly guides us through the ambiguities of this tense, elliptical story. Thanks for listening! 

In this thirty-second installment of fictional horror written and narrated by Dan Cummins.... we head to Bristol County, Massachusetts, where struggling horror author Brad Collins's desperation for another hit book leads him to experiment with the occult. When he realizes that his words - if they even are his words - have tragic real life consequences, will he stop writing? Or will he still finishBurn the Witch?This episode was scored by Logan Keith. We recommend listening with headphones to experience the full effect of all the creepy background noises! If you like this episode, please let us know wherever you rate and review podcasts. Thanks so much!For Merch and everything else Bad Magic related, head to: https://www.badmagicproductions.com

Host Meg Wolitzer presents a program celebrating the 100th anniversary of The New Yorker.  One of the magazine's strengths has always been its fiction, and honor of this winning literary streak, this year saw the release of the collection, A Century of Fiction in The New Yorker. The quartet of stories on this show is drawn from that volume.  The program includes a pithy satire by E. B. White, “Life Cycle of a Literary Genius,” read by Liev Schreiber; “Love,” by William Maxwell, a tender recounting of an collective adolescent crush, read by Fred Hechinger; “Bullet in the Brain,” a powerful reversal of fortune tale by Tobias Wolff, read by Liev Schreiber; and “All Will be Well,” an intriguing tangle of truths and half-truths by Yiyun Li, read by Ann Harada. 

NBN host Hollay Ghadery speaks with award-winning author Gary Barwin about his book, Scandal at the Alphorn Factory: New and Selected Short Fiction, 2024-1984 (Assembly Press, 2024) couples brand new and uncollected stories with selections of the most playful and ambitious of Barwin's previous collections, including Cruelty to Fabulous Animals, Big Red Baby, Doctor Weep and Other Strange Teeth, and I, Dr. Greenblatt, Orthodontist, 251–1457. Known as a “whiz-bang storyteller” who can deliver magical, dream-like sequences and truisms about the human condition in the same paragraph, Barwin's trademark brilliance, wit, and originality are on display in this can't-miss collection of short fiction. About Gary Barwin: GARY BARWIN is a writer, musician and multimedia artist and the author of 34 books including Scandal at the Alphorn Factory: New and Selected Short Fiction 2024-1984 and, with Lillian Allen and Gregory Betts, Muttertongue: what is a word in utter space. His national bestselling novel Yiddish for Pirates which won the Leacock Medal and the Canadian Jewish Literary Award, was a finalist for the Governor General's Award and the Giller Prize and was longlisted for Canada Reads. His last novel, Nothing the Same, Everything Haunted won the Canadian Jewish Literary Award and was the Hamilton Reads choice for 2023-2024. His last poetry collection, The Most Charming Creatures also won the Canadian Jewish Literary Award. His most recent novel, The Comedian's Book of the Dead will be published by Book*Hug in 2026. His art and media works have been exhibited and presented internationally. Be:longings, a $200,000 permanent public art sculpture created with Simon Frank and Tor Lukasik-Foss was installed in Churchill Park (Hamilton). His poetry installation, The Ambitious Sky was projected on a five-storey wall in Hamilton in February 2025, an interactive multimedia poetry exhibition Located in the Ink (created with Elee Kraljii Gardiner) was exhibited at Massy Arts (Vancouver) in Fall 2024, and Bird Fiction, and an interactive multimedia work (with Sarah Imrisek) was presented at Nuit Blanche 2024 (Toronto) and, in an expanded Hamilton-specific version will be featured in Hamilton Arts Week in June 2025. Recordings of his work are available at https://garybarwin.bandcamp.com He lives in Hamilton. About Hollay Ghadery: Hollay Ghadery is an Iranian-Canadian writer living in Ontario on Anishinaabe land. Fuse, her memoir of mixed-race identity mental health, was released by Guernica Editions and won a 2023 Canadian Bookclub Award. Her poetry collection, Rebellion Box was released by Radiant Press in 2023, and her short fiction collection, Widow Fantasies, with Gordon Hill Press in fall 2024. Hollay is a host on The New Books Network and co-host on HOWL on CIUT 89.5 FM. She is a book publicist, the Regional Chair of the League of Canadian Poets as well as the Poet Laureate of Scugog Township. www.hollayghadery.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/literature

Host Meg Wolitzer presents two stories about secrets that are just beneath the surface of the narratives and lives of the characters.  In Walter Dean Myers' “The Beast in the Labyrinth” children must conceal their real selves in a hostile society.  The reader is Jelani Alladin.  And the Shirley Jackson classic “The Lottery” demonstrates how the inconceivable can become the norm in a community if everyone accepts it.  The reader is Amy Ryan. 

Selected Shorts celebrates this important collection each year, and this show, presented by host Meg Wolitzer, reprises works from the 2022 Best American edition selected by guest editor Andrew Sean Greer. Included are “The Little Widow from the Capital,” by Yohanca Delgado, performed by Krystina Alabado, and a second story selected by John Updike for the volume Best American Stories of the Century.  It's Grace Stone Coates' “Wild Plums,” performed by Mia Dillon.

It's this again! In this episode we discuss the following stories: The V*mpire by P.H. Lee   Katya Vasilevna and the Second Drowning of Baba Rechka by Christine Hanolsy  The Witch Trap by Jennifer Hudak Joanna's Bodies by Eugenia Triantafyllou

Host Meg Wolitzer presents three stories by contemporary Japanese writers that were featured during a live program created in collaboration with the Japan Society. Each touches on the idea of letting go.  In “Hawaii,” Aoko Matsuda imagines a afterlife for garments.  It's read by Maria Dizzia.  In “Sunrise,” by Erika Kobayashi, a woman's life parallels the world of nuclear power.  The reader is Rita Wolf.  And Hugh Dancy meets a mermaid in Hiromi Kawakami's “I Won't Let You Go.”

Somewhere deep in the woods, there's a place that only appears when called — a place that promises everything you desire… but takes more than you ever expected.Darkness Syndicate members get the ad-free version. https://weirddarkness.com/syndicateIN THIS EPISODE: It's #Thriller Thursday! “The Room Where The Stars Live” *** “The Trunk” *** “Eight O'Clock In The Morning” *** Wonderland (Carnival of Desires)CHAPTERS & TIME STAMPS (All Times Approximate)…00:00:00.000 = Disclaimer and Show Open (Coming Up In This Episode)00:02:18.112 = Wonderland, Part 100:17:14.822 = Wonderland, Part 200:45:18.219 = Wonderland, Part 301:04:50.017 = Eight O'Clock In The Morning01:18:55.789 = The Room Where The Stars Live01:31:57.520 = The Trunk01:58:15.520 = Show Close, Verse, and Final ThoughtSOURCES AND RESOURCES FROM THE EPISODE…“Wonderland” by Riley Vanderlip: https://www.creepypasta.com/wonderland-2/“Eight O'Clock in the Morning” by Ray Nelson: (Link no longer available)“The Room Where The Stars Live” from Quiet Please: https://tinyurl.com/y6nedu5t“The Trunk” by J.M. Cennamo: https://tinyurl.com/yyt88343=====(Over time links seen above may become invalid, disappear, or have different content. I always make sure to give authors credit for the material I use whenever possible. If I somehow overlooked doing so for a story, or if a credit is incorrect, please let me know and I will rectify it in these show notes immediately. Some links included above may benefit me financially through qualifying purchases.)= = = = ="I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness." — John 12:46= = = = =WeirdDarkness® is a registered trademark. Copyright ©2025, Weird Darkness.=====Originally aired: November 19, 2020EPISODE PAGE at WeirdDarkness.com (includes list of sources): https://weirddarkness.com/CarnivalOfDesires

A lone coroner reads from the diary of a dead man while a jury of weathered woodsmen listens, but as the inquest unfolds, the terrifying truth begins to emerge—something unseen, something impossible, has left its mark on the body, and it's still out there.IN THIS EPISODE: It's #ThrillerThursday (a.k.a. “Creepypasta Thursday) and this week I'm bringing you ELEVEN short horror stories of fiction!CHAPTERS & TIME STAMPS (All Times Approximate)…00:00:00.000 = Disclaimer and Show Open00:02:51.594 = The Damned Thing, Chapter 01 (Ambrose Bierce)00:09:15.468 = The Damned Thing, Chapter 02 (Ambrose Bierce)00:16:14.113 = The Damned Thing, Chapter 03 (Ambrose Bierce)00:20:05.874 = The Damned Thing, Chapter 04 (Ambrose Bierce)00:27:06.144 = My Grandmother Left Behind Some Really Dark Secrets (Evelyn Bertrand)00:43:29.144 = The Blood Keeper (Christopher Maxim)01:01:01.763 = A Diner Open 24-Hours a Day (Christopher Maxim)01:23:35.119 = I Followed Her Home (Christopher Maxim)01:39:12.832 = The Monster In The Pantry (Christopher Maxim)01:54:05.378 = My Wife Has a Removable Face (r/NSLewis)02:09:06.305 = The Asylum In The Woods (r/RLRogers)02:24:36.925 = Secret Bar, Part 1 (K. Banning Kellum)02:45:03.580 = Secret Bar, Part 2 (K. Banning Kellum)02:58:33.479 = The Statement of Randolph Carter (H.P. Lovecraft)03:15:24.625 = Show Close, Verse, and Final ThoughtSOURCES AND RESOURCES FROM THE EPISODE…“The Damned Thing” by Ambrose Bierce: https://tinyurl.com/y6amz952“My Grandmother Left Behind Some Really Dark Secrets” by Evelyn Bertrand: https://tinyurl.com/yy8gx627“I Followed Her Home”, “The Blood Keepers”, “A Diner Open 24-Hours a Day”, and “The Monster in the Pantry” were all written by Christopher Maxim at https://www.reddit.com/r/ChristopherMaxim/ and at http://www.CreepyFiction.com. Christopher is extremely generous to allow me to narrate his stories for free to use in Weird Darkness. Please consider sending him a thank-you donation through PayPal if you enjoyed his stories. You can send a gift to him using PayPal or a credit/debit card by clicking this link: https://tinyurl.com/y3gvvlzg“The Statement of Randolph Carter” by H.P. Lovecraft: https://www.creepypasta.com/the-statement-of-randolph-carter/“My Wife Has a Removable Face” by Redditor N.S. Lewis: https://www.creepypasta.com/my-wife-has-a-removable-face/“The Asylum In The Woods” by Redditor R.L. Rogers: https://www.creepypasta.com/the-asylum-in-the-woods/“Secret Bar” by K. Banning Kellum: https://www.creepypasta.com/secret-bar/ (find more creepiness in K. Banning Kellum's book “Gris Gris and Ju Ju, A New Orleans Horror” https://amzn.to/2EaYeH6)=====Darkness Syndicate members get the ad-free version. https://weirddarkness.com/syndicateInfo on the next LIVE SCREAM event. https://weirddarkness.com/LiveScreamInfo on the next WEIRDO WATCH PARTY event. https://weirddarkness.com/TV=====(Over time links seen above may become invalid, disappear, or have different content. I always make sure to give authors credit for the material I use whenever possible. If I somehow overlooked doing so for a story, or if a credit is incorrect, please let me know and I will rectify it in these show notes immediately. Some links included above may benefit me financially through qualifying purchases.)= = = = ="I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness." — John 12:46= = = = =WeirdDarkness® is a registered trademark. Copyright ©2025, Weird Darkness.=====Originally aired: September 17, 2020EPISODE PAGE at WeirdDarkness.com (includes list of sources): https://weirddarkness.com/TheDamnedThing

Mary Hunter Austin was a U.S. writer known for walking throughout the American Southwest. But her life of activism was far more complicated than brief bios usually mention. Research: "Mary Hunter Austin." Encyclopedia of the American West, edited by Charles Phillips and Alan Axelrod, Macmillan Reference USA, 1996. Gale In Context: U.S. History, link.gale.com/apps/doc/BT2330100082/GPS?u=mlin_n_melpub&sid=bookmark-GPS&xid=6a4f821e. Accessed 26 Feb. 2025. "Mary Hunter Austin." Encyclopedia of World Biography Online, vol. 23, Gale, 2003. Gale In Context: U.S. History, link.gale.com/apps/doc/K1631008133/GPS?u=mlin_n_melpub&sid=bookmark-GPS&xid=ceca42e0. Accessed 26 Feb. 2025. #0840: Willa Cather to Mary Hunter Austin, June 26 [1926]. https://cather.unl.edu/writings/letters/let0840 Austin, Mary Hunter. “Earth Horizon.” Houghton Mifflin. 1932. Austin, Mary Hunter. “Experiences Facing Death.” Bobbs-Merrill Company. 1931. Blend, Benay. “Mary Austin and the Western Conservation Movement: 1900-1927.” Journal of the Southwest , Spring, 1988, Vol. 30, No. 1 (Spring, 1988). https://www.jstor.org/stable/40169782 Davis, Lisa Selin. “The Loneliest Land.” National Parks Conservation Association. Spring 2015. https://www.npca.org/articles/942-the-loneliest-land Egenhoff, Elizabeth L. “Mary Austin.” Mineral Information Service. November 1965. https://npshistory.com/publications/deva/mis-v18n11-1965.pdf Fink, Augusta. “I-Mary: A Biography of Mary Austin.” University of Arizona Press. 1983. Hoffman, Abraham. “Mary Austin, Stafford Austin, and the Owens Valley.” Journal of the Southwest , Autumn-Winter 2011, Vol. 53, No. ¾. Via JSTOR. http://www.jstor.com/stable/41710078 Lanzendorfer, Joy. “Searching for Mary Austin.” Alta. https://www.altaonline.com/dispatches/a8713/searching-for-mary-austin-joy-lanzendorfer/ Online Archive of California. “Austin (Mary Hunter) Papers.” https://oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/c85t3ppq/ Richards, Penny L. “Bad Blood and Lost Borders: Eugenic Ambivalence in Mary Austin’s Short Fiction.” Richards, Penny L. “Disability History Image #3.” 8/30/2005. https://disstud.blogspot.com/2005/08/ Romancito, Rick. “The Image Maker and the Writer.” Taos News. 10/2/2024. https://www.taosnews.com/opinion/columns/the-image-maker-and-the-writer/article_7805f16a-8ab9-5645-9e84-4a189e18ac23.html Siber, Kate. “The 19th-Century Writer Who Braved the Desert Alone.” Outside. 1/22/2019. https://www.outsideonline.com/culture/books-media/mary-austin-mojave-nature-writer/ Stout, Janis P. “Mary Austin’s Feminism: A Reassessment.” Studies in the Novel , spring 1998, Vol. 30, No. 1. Via JSTOR. https://www.jstor.org/stable/29533250 The Ansel Adams Gallery. “Visions of Taos: The Making of “Taos Pueblo” by Ansel Adams and Mary Austin.” https://www.anseladams.com/visions-of-taos-the-making-of-taos-pueblo/ Viehmann, Martha L. “A Rain Song for America: Mary Austin, American Indians, and American Literature and Culture.” Western American Literature , Spring 2004, Vol. 39, No. 1. Via JSTOR. https://www.jstor.org/stable/43022288 Wynn, Dudley. “Mary Austin, Woman Alone.” The Virginia Quarterly Review , SPRING 1937, Vol. 13, No. 2. Via JSTOR. https://www.jstor.org/stable/26433922 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.