Science Fiction Story Anthology from Starship Sofa

01 Front_Section.inddThe wonderful science fiction podcasting site, Starship Sofa, in celebration of its 100th episode, has published its first collection of stories as a book. Not just an ordinary book. It’s a book filled with fantastic illustrations and gorgeous layout that hearkens back to the pulp publications of the 1930s through 1950s. It even has vintage advertisements!

The best part is that you can either buy the book or read it as a free ebook in an excellent ebook viewer.

Some of the authors featured are Michael Moorcock, Alastair Reynolds, Ken Scholes, Ruth Nestvold, Elizabeth Bear, and more.

The Pothole: Audio Horror Story from Well Told Tales

Mature Content

The Pothole is the latest offering from Well Told Tales, a blog specializing in the production of pulp fiction podcasts.  They have recently transitioned from offering only their own audio productions to allowing users to upload their own audio stories, films and written stories.  It’s an excellent idea.

I had a blast listening to The Pothole a few evenings ago.  It’s genuinely disturbing and offers a unique perspective on its genre.  I won’t tell you which genre it is because I don’t want to spoil the suspense for you.  The writing by Kris Ashton hooks you immediately.  His characters are vivid.  The story is pulp fiction at its best.  The narrator is John Wooley, actor, author, film teacher and columnist.  His reading is superb, with a relaxed and gravelly voice that lets the story unwind with just the right touch of dread.

These guys are very accomplished and are making some of the best audio stories I’ve heard anywhere.  Give Well Told Tales a visit.

Audio Story: Tom Swift and the Visitor from Planet X

Here’s an excellent audio download of one of the old Tom Swift adventure books, Tom Swift and the Visitor from Planet X.  The reading is by Roy Trumbull at the Story Spieler Podcast.

The Tom Swift adventure books are a series that began in 1910 and continue in some form today.  This particular book was written in 1961.  Tom is a young inventor who dreams up all sorts of high-tech devices and craft in order to win the day.

Apparently, computer developer Steve Wozniak grew up reading the books and credits them with inspiring free and open creative thinking.