Main fiction: "Trembling Blue Stars" by Richard KadreyRichard Kadrey is the New York Times bestselling author of the Sandman Slim supernatural noir series. Sandman Slim was included in Amazon’s “100 Science Fiction & Fantasy Books to Read in a Lifetime.” Some of Kadrey’s other books include The Dead Take the A Train (with Cassandra Khaw), The Pale House Devil, and Butcher Bird. His work has been nominated for both the BSFA and Locus awards, and appeared in Best Horror of the Year. Aside from books, Kadrey has written for film, games, and comics. Kadrey also makes music with his band, A Demon in Fun City.This story first appeared in Flurb #7, 2009.Narrated by: Randal L. SchwartzRandal L. Schwartz is perhaps best known for his seminal books on the Perl programming language that helped make the world wide web possible and popular. He produced a weekly audio and video podcast on open source software, but has given that up after 13 years to get those five hours per week back again. As a featured conference speaker for his new passion of Dart and Flutter, he’s no stranger to the limelight. He enjoys pulling out his gear to record yet another narration, and likens it to “getting to read bedtime stories to the kids I never had”, and looks forward to future assignmentsSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/starshipsofa. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

StarshipSofa 727 Richard Kadrey

Main fiction: "Dwindling" by Rudy VenerRudy Vener is a retired software engineer and the author of several stories that have appeared in Sci-Fi Shorts online magazine. He has been shortlisted for the Jim Baen Memorial Short Story Award, andbeen selected multiple times as a finalist and as a winner in the Tassy Walden Awards for New Voices in Children's Literature, a statewide literary competition in Connecticut. A cheese lover and a former online pizza marketing entrepreneur, he is hard at work on more short stories and his latest novel.This story is original to StarShipSofa.Narrated by Dan RabartsDan Rabarts is an award-winning author and editor, living in Aotearoa New Zealand, four-time recipient of New Zealand’s Sir Julius Vogel Award and three-time winner of the Australian Shadows Award. Dan’s science fiction, dark fantasy and horror short stories have been published in numerous venues worldwide. Together with Lee Murray, he co-wrote the Path of Ra crime-noir thriller series (Hounds of the Underworld, Teeth of the Wolf, Blood of the Sun) and co-edited the anthologies Baby Teeth - Bite-sized Tales of Terror and At The Edge. He has narrated fiction for the StarShipSofa, Tales to Terrify, Pseudopod and Beneath Ceaseless Skies podcasts, among others, and he produced and co-narrated the audiobook for the first Path of Ra novel.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/starshipsofa. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

StarShipSofa 726 Rudy Vener

Main fiction: "Side Effects May Vary" by Avra MargaritiAvra Margariti is a queer author, Greek sea monster, and Rhysling-nominated poet with a fondness for the dark and the darling. Avra’s work haunts publications such as Vastarien, Asimov's, Strange Horizons, and F&SF. You can find Avra on twitter (@avramargariti).This story originally appeared in Fusion Fragment #8, 2021.Narrated by: Jen AlbertJen Albert is an editor, writer, narrator, and former entomologist. She is an acquiring editor at ECW Press in Toronto, where she specializes in science fiction, fantasy, horror, and speculative fiction. Jen was co-editor of PodCastle, a fantasy-fiction podcast and magazine, for five years and has been nominated for the Hugo Award, the Ignyte Award, the Aurora Award, the World Fantasy Award, and has won the British Fantasy Award for her editorial work.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/starshipsofa. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

StarShipSofa 725 Avra Margariti

Main fiction: "Rubber Monkeys" by Mark Kenneth HooverKenneth Mark Hoover's fiction has appeared in Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, Beneath Ceaseless Skies, Strange Horizons, and many others. He is a member of SFWA and WWA, and divides his time between Texas and New Mexico. This is his first sale to StarShipSofa.This story originally appeared in Destination: Future, 2010.Narrated by: Rikki LaCosteRikki LaCoste is a veteran Canadian narrator from Toronto, of various short story audio magazines such as Tales To Terrify, the No Sleep Podcast, Cast of Wonders, Pseudopod, and StarShipSofa of course, as well as lending his voice—and voice acting—to other projects and podcasts.Fact: Looking Back At Genre History by Amy H SturgisSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/starshipsofa. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

StarShipSofa 724 Mark Kenneth Hoover

Main Fiction: "Landing Day" by Michael CanfieldMichael Canfield has published more than thirty short stories, appearing in Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine, The Mammoth Book of Kaiju, Strange Horizons, and other places.This story originally appeared in Talebones #35, Summer 2007Narrated by: Mark NelsonMark Nelson began audiobook narration in 2006, and now has over 180 titles at LibriVox, and recording as “Harry Shaw,” more than 100 for Audible. While Mark mainly records sci-fi, fantasy, and horror titles, he has also ventured into the classics, including Hugo and Dostoyevsky.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/starshipsofa. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

StarShipSofa 723 Michael Canfield

Main fiction: "Throwing a Haymaker" by Rick NovyRick Novy is an engineer, writer, and musician. In his free time, he enjoys working out, playing guitar, and cooking healthy meals. Rick lives in Arizona, spending time in both Tucson and Scottsdale. Learn more at www.ricknovy.com.This story originally appeared, in slightly different form, in M-Brane SF, March 2010.Narrated by : Nobilis ReedNobilis Reed is the host and narrator of the podcast, "This Kaiju Life" which is entirely safe for work, and the editor and creator of the podcast, "Nobilis Erotica" which is entirely NOT safe for work. In addition, he occasionally narrates audiobooks, publishes novels, and pretends to have "spare time."Fact: Looking Back At Genre History by Amy H SturgisSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/starshipsofa. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

StarShipSofa 722 Rick Novy

Main fiction: "Sassi's Last Ride" by Alethea KontisAlethea Kontis is a storm chaser, adventurer, and New York Times bestselling author of over 20 books and 50 short stories. She has received the Scribe Award, the Garden State Teen Book Award, and is a two-time winner of the Gelett Burgess Children’s Book Award. She was twice nominated for both the Andre Norton Nebula and Dragon Award. She narrates stories for online magazines and reviews books for NPR. Born in Vermont, Alethea currently resides on the Space Coast of Florida where she watches K-dramas with her teddy bear, Charlie. Together they are ARMY, VVS, and Black Roses.This story originally appeared in My Battery is Low and it is Getting Dark, 2020.Narrated by: Deborah Hallett, Rikki and Isis LaCosteDeborah Hallett is NOT an Artificial Intelligence. Believe it or not, she is a flesh-and-blood newcomer to the art of narration and voice acting ... (under her shiny metallic carapace). Deborah is a close colleague of narration-veteran Rikki LaCoste, who also appears in this story, alongside his daughter Isis - a duo that have read stories for us in the past, and for other short fiction audio magazines, like Pseudopod, Cast of Wonders, and a few other podcasts. The trio all reside, and work together, on various artistic projects in Toronto Canada. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/starshipsofa. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

StarShipSofa 721 Alethea Kontis

Main fiction: "Nice For What?" by Dominica PhetteplaceDominica Phetteplace writes fiction and poetry. Her work has appeared in Ecotone, Copper Nickel, PANK, The Los Angeles Review, Zyzzyva, Wigleaf, Best Microfiction and The Year's Best Science Fiction and Fantasy. Her honors include two Pushcart Prizes, a Rona Jaffe Award, a Steinbeck Fellowship and support from MacDowell, Tin House and Djerassi.This story originally appeared in The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction, July/Aug 2019.Narrated by: Mary MurphyMary is a New York based actor/voice-over artist. She loves the world of audio drama and is delighted to be back on board the StarShipSofa. She has performed in theatre, film, TV, animation, radio, and video games. A few of her recent credits include the one-woman play An Evening With Lola Montez, It’s a Wonderful Life, a streamed performance of the piece Near Nellie Bly, Divination of The Three for Asheville Fringe, and the audio dramas Frontier Gentleman, Chinook, and Newfield. She can be heard voicing various characters for Disney, GoKidGo, LeapFrog, the Center For New American Media, Audible, and Audimance. She has also been a regular performer on the audio drama series Fireside Mystery Theatre, The NoSleep Podcast, The Wicked Library, To the Manor Borne By Robots, and Campfire Radio Theater. marymurphyonline.comFact: Looking Back At genre History by Amy H SturgisSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/starshipsofa. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

StarShipSofa 720 Dominica Phetteplace

Main fiction: "Other People's Things" by Jay O'ConnellJay O’Connell is a graduate of Syracuse University, Clarion West, Launchpad, and the school of somewhat hard knocks. He’s worked as a software executive, UI/UX designer, business writer, illustrator, animator, graphic artist, construction worker, house-cleaner and burger flipper.As RAH put it, specialization is for insects.He lives in—and writes about—a world rapidly approaching the event horizon of the fabled SF singularity. He is fortunate to have a supportive spouse, two grown GLBTQ children, and so many wonderful friends along for the ride as we spiral into the beautiful and dangerous unknown.This story originally appeared in The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction, Sept/Oct 2014.Narrated by: Mark NelsonMark Nelson began audiobook narration in 2006, and now has over 180 titles at LibriVox, and recording as “Harry Shaw,” more than 100 for Audible. While Mark mainly records sci-fi, fantasy, and horror titles, he has also ventured into the classics, including Hugo and Dostoyevsky.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/starshipsofa. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

StarShipSofa 719 Jay O'Connell

Main fiction: "Red Oil" by Lincoln MichelBio: Lincoln Michel's debut novel, The Body Scout (Orbit), was named one of the ten best SFF books of 2021 by The New York Times and one of the fifty best science fiction of all time by Esquire. He is also the author of the story collection Upright Beasts (Coffee House Press) and the co-editor of the anthologies Tiny Crimes (Catapult) and Tiny Nightmares (Catapult). His fiction can be found in The Paris Review, Lightspeed, F&SF, One Story, and elsewhere. You can find him online at lincolnmichel.com and his newsletter Counter Craft.Narrated by: Anthony BabbingtonAnthony Babington is a voice actor who looks just slightly off from how he sounds. From his secret volcano lair in Minnesota he narrates podcasts, and leases his soul to corporate America. he can also be heard on the Tales to Terrify podcast, and has recorded for both the "Far Fetched Fables" and "The Cursed Inn" podcasts.Fact: Looking Back At Genre History by Amy H SturgisSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/starshipsofa. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

StarShipSofa 718 Lincoln Michel

My HealthLittle update on myselfTreat me to a coffee as I won’t be doing much physically for a while: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/tonycsmithSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/starshipsofa. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Message from the Captain - My Health

Karl El-Koura lives with his family in Canada's capital city and works a regular job by day while writing fiction at night. This is his second appearance in StarShipSofa (his story "The Undertow Jackpot" was featured in issue #685). Visit www.ootersplace.com to learn more about his work.This story originally appeared in Utopia Science Fiction, October 2021.Narrated by Randal L. SchwartzRandal L. Schwartz is best well known for his seminal books on the Perl programming language that helped make the world wide web possible and popular. He produced a weekly audio and video podcast on open source software, but has given that up after 13 years to get those five hours per week back again. Between the podcast, and bouncing all over the world teaching programming and speaking at conferences, he’s no stranger to the limelight. He enjoys pulling out his gear to record yet another narration, and likens it to “getting to read bedtime stories to the kids I never had”, and looks forward to future assignmentsSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/starshipsofa. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

StarShipSofa 717 Karl El-Koura

Main fiction: "The Orb" by Tara CampbellWith a BA in English, an MA in German, and an MFA in Creative Writing, Tara Campbell has a demonstrated aversion to money and power. Originally from Anchorage, Alaska, she has also lived in Oregon, Ohio, New York, Germany and Austria. She currently lives in Washington, D.C.She is the recipient of the following awards from the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities: the 2016 Larry Neal Writers' Award in Adult Fiction, the 2016 Mayor's Arts Award for Outstanding New Artist, and Arts and Humanities Fellowships for 2018 - 2022. She is also a 2017 Kimbilio Fellow and winner of the 2018 Robert Gover Story Prize.Tara earned her MFA from American University in 2019, and is a fiction editor at Barrelhouse. She teaches fiction with American University, Johns Hopkins University's Advanced Academic Programs, the Writer's Center, Politics and Prose, Catapult, and the National Gallery of Art's Virtual Studio.Narrated by: Tristin Rutherford Tristin Rutherford was born and raised in Alaska and spent her twenties working around the US. She is a poet, writer, voice actor, and educator, and is pursuing her MFA at Goddard College. She currently lives in Massachusetts with her fiance and their cat, Pops.Fact: Looking Back At Genre History by Amy H SturgisSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/starshipsofa. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

StarShipSofa 716 Tara Campbell

Main fiction: "The Unveiling" by Christopher RoweChristopher Rowe's stories have been printed, reprinted, and translated around the world and he has been a finalist for many awards, including the Hugo, the Nebula, and the World Fantasy Award. He lives in Lexington, Kentucky with his wife and many pets.This story originally appeared in Asimov's Science Fiction, January 2015.Narrated by: Drew MalloryDrew Mallory is a professor of organizational psychology and management coach in Bangkok, where he studies workers with unique backgrounds and needs. In addition to his work with neurodivergent, queer, and disabled people, Drew spends his time in his rooftop garden saving green things from a dry death and accompanied, like any good psychologist, by his pet rats. You can learn more about him and his work at coachwithdrew.todaySupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/starshipsofa. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

StarShipSofa 715 Christopher Rowe

William Meikle is a Scottish writer, now living in Canada, with over thirty novels published in the genre press and more than 300 short story credits in thirteen countries. He has books available from a variety of publishers including Dark Regions Press and Severed Press and his work has appeared in a large number of professional anthologies and magazines. He lives in Newfoundland with whales, bald eagles and icebergs for company. When he's not writing he drinks beer, plays guitar, and dreams of fortune and glory.This story originally appeared Transmissions from Punktown, 2018.Narrated by: Josh RosemanJosh Roseman (not the trombonist; the other one) has narrated several stories for StarShipSofa and the District of Wonders over the past fifteen years. In addition, he's an author with more than three dozen books and short stories published (some under pseudonyms). He lives in Georgia (the state, not the country) and absolutely loves to pet dogs (especially pitbulls). Find him online at roseplusman.com or on Twitter @listener42Fact: Looking Back at Genre History by Amy H Sturgis Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/starshipsofa. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

StarShipSofa 714 William Meikle

Main fiction: "I am the Grass" by Jeff SomersJeff Somers (www.jeffreysomers.com) began writing by court order as an attempt to steer his creative impulses away from engineering genetic grotesqueries. He has published nine novels, including the Avery Cates series and the Ustari Cycle series, as well as over fifty short stories, including “Ringing the Changes,” which was selected for inclusion in Best American Mystery Stories 2006. He is a contributing editor at Writer’s Digest Magazine, which also published his book on the craft of writing Writing Without Rules. He lives in Hoboken with his wife, The Duchess, and their cats. He considers pants to always be optional.This story is original to StarShipSofa.Narrated by: Mike BorisMike’s a long-time fan of the show and is always happy to record a story for the “Sofa.” He narrated Adam Troy Castro’s “Of A Sweet Slow Dance in the Wake of Temporary Dogs” 600-some episodes ago in 2009 (Aural Delights 87). He’s an IT consultant and e-learning narrator over in the Colonies, and his neighbors still think the soundproof booth in his basement is for recording…so far, so good. He’s got a wife, kids, cats and all that…. Okay, that’s enough about Mike—let’s get to today’s show!Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/starshipsofa. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

StarShipSofa 713 Jeff Somers

Main Fiction: "The Big Whimper" by Laird BarronLaird Barron, an expat Alaskan, is the author of several books, including The Imago Sequence and Other Stories; Swift to Chase; and Blood Standard. Currently, Barron lives in the Rondout Valley of New York State and is at work on tales about the evil that men do.This story originally appeared in Weird World War IV, 2022.Narrated by: Will StaglWill Stagl is proud to be a member of the StarShipSofa team, recruiting narrators for the podcast’s stellar stories. Will works as a creative professional and occasional musician from his adopted home of Tucson, Arizona.Fact: Looking Back At Genre History by Amy H SturgisSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/starshipsofa. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

StarShipSofa 712 Laird Barron

Main Fiction: "In a Structure Simulating an Owl" by Ander MonsonAnder Monson is the author of eight books, including the forthcoming I Will Take the Answer and The Gnome Stories from Graywolf. He edits the magazine DIAGRAM among other projects, and he directs the MFA program at the University of Arizona.“In a Structure Simulating an Owl” from The Gnome Stories. Copyright © 2020 by Ander Monson. Used with the permission of The Permissions Company, LLC on behalf of Graywolf Press.Narrated by: Lee DaturaLee Datura is an otherworldly creature that resides on the Olympic peninsula. She is a practitioner of somatic psychology with a focus on community liberation & a retired blueberry farmer.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/starshipsofa. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

StarShipSofa 711 Ander Monson

Main Fiction: "Charlie's Angels" by Terry BissonTerry Bisson is a science fiction writer and editor. Currently he is the series editor for PM’s OutspokenAuthor Series. He also writes the This Month in History feature in Locus Magazine. His works and story can be found on his website, Terry Bisson of the Universe.This story originally appeared in SciFiction, August 2001.Narrated by: Mark NelsonMark Nelson began audiobook narration in 2006, and now has over 180 titles at LibriVox. Recording as “Harry Shaw,” he has more than 100 additional titles for Audible. While he mainly records sci-fi, fantasy and horror titles, Mark has ventured into the classics, including Hugo and Dostoyevsky.Fact: Looking Back At Genre History by Amy H SturgisSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/starshipsofa. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

StarShipSofa 710 Terry Bisson

Main Fiction: "With Frank and Lucinda Brewer at the East Pole" by Gregory Norman BossertGregory Norman Bossert is an author and filmmaker based just over the Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco. He started writing in 2009 on a dare and has no intention of stopping anytime soon. His story “The Telling” won the 2013 World Fantasy Award; other stories have appeared everywhere from Asimov’s Science Fiction to the Saturday Evening Post. When not writing, he wrangles spaceships and superheroes for the legendary visual effects studio Industrial Light & Magic.This story originally appeared in The Unquiet Dreamer: A Tribute to Harlan Ellison, 2021.Narrated by: Mike BorisMike’s a long-time fan of the show and is always happy to record a story for the “Sofa.” He narrated Adam Troy Castro’s “Of A Sweet Slow Dance in the Wake of Temporary Dogs” 600-some episodes ago in 2009 (Aural Delights 87). He’s an IT consultant and e-learning narrator over in the Colonies, and his neighbors still think the soundproof booth in his basement is for recording…so far, so good. He’s got a wife, kids, cats and all that…. Okay, that’s enough about Mike—let’s get to today’s show!Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/starshipsofa. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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