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Posts Tagged ‘audio fiction’

Happy Questing!

Posted in Writing, tagged , , , , , , , , , on June 27, 2026| 2 Comments »

I started two posts for today but neither have come together (yet!), so let me share a story from David Hankins (a fabulous and funny author from my Writers of the Future cohort!), with a bonus short from Lisa Para. 

Quest Tropes | Cast of Wonders: The audio for David’s story begins at 10m20s. Read the transcript or listen to the audio version, your choice!

The Last Quest of Corbin the Coward, by David Hankins

Corbin collapsed outside the dragon’s lair, acrid smoke wafting from his armor. He was getting too old for this. He’d never asked to be the gods’ favored champion.

Sunlit forests spread out below him, a peaceful world unaware and unconcerned that he’d almost been eaten. Twice.

Corbin drew a shuddering breath and wrenched a dragon tooth from his armor. Yet another pointless quest completed. What the hell did the gods want with a dragon tooth anyway?

No more. Corbin was done.

Enjoy!

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Photo by Daniel Dalea on Unsplash

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Dangerous Professions

Posted in Writing, tagged , , , , , , , on July 28, 2023| Leave a Comment »

Posting Elaine Midcoh‘s story recently brought another audio story to mind. Do you enjoy free fiction, aliens with bad attitudes, and unexpected moments of redemption? Then you might enjoy this story as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Originally published as “Heaven’s Lot” in Not One of Us, it was also produced in audio by the fabulous folks at Cast of Wonders.

Taxidermy and Other Dangerous Professions | Cast of Wonders

Author: J.R. Johnson Narrator: M.K. Hobson (transcript included for those who prefer text; story starts at 1:51)

By late afternoon the day was hot, hot and hot, my feet burning up through flimsy red canvas shoes. My skin too, even with its built-in mocha café au lait sunscreen, out all day with no protection but a nondescript outfit topped with my stifling jean jacket. I kept that between me and prying eyes, always.

Enjoy!

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Photo by Arturo Esparza on Unsplash

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Hissing Eels

Posted in Entertainment, Writing, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , on May 9, 2016| Leave a Comment »

For today’s free fiction I’ve chosen George R.R. Martin’s “A Night at the Tarn House.” First published in the Songs of the Dying Earth anthology, you can read this story at Clarkesworld (there’s a free audio version too, if you prefer). Does Martin need an introduction at this point? I think not:)

TARN HOUSE
Half a League On
Famous for Our Hissing Eels

Who doesn’t love hissing eels? Honestly!

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And the Truth Shall Set You Free

Posted in Entertainment, Likes, Writing, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on February 22, 2016| Leave a Comment »

One of the best ways to understand writing and how to connect with an audience, I find, is to read. A lot. As I read, I ask myself which stories stick with me and why, which annoy me and why, which suck me in so completely that I forget to think about the how and focus only on the what.

For today’s free fiction we have the winner of the 2010 Hugo Award for Best Short Story, “Bridesicle”* [audio available from Escape Pod], by Will McIntosh. It’s a lovely twist on the classic science fiction theme of cryogenics, and it’s exactly the sort of story that sticks with me.

Originally published in Asimov’s, this touching tale also won the 2010 Asimov’s Reader Poll and was a finalist for the 2010 Nebula Award. If you like the story and want to explore the world further, the author also expanded the story into a full-length novel titled Love Minus Eighty.

Enjoy!

 

* Update: I originally posted a link to what I thought was a freely available version of the story text but! as it’s copyrighted material the link has been removed. It’s still a great story and it’s still available through Escape Pod, narrated by Amy Sturgis, or check out Love Minus Eighty.

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Audio Fiction! Story Now at Cast of Wonders

Posted in Writing, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on May 4, 2014| Leave a Comment »

I’m very pleased to announce that I have a story now up at Cast of Wonders, the speculative fiction podcast for young adults. The story is “Taxidermy and Other Dangerous Professions” (originally published as “Heaven’s Lot” in Not One of Us), and it is narrated by the marvelous MK Hobson. Free to listen or read along, check it out!

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