The Avram Davidson Universe: Recent Episodes
Seth Davis
This is a podcast dedicated to the life work and impact of award-winning author, Avram Davidson. In each episode, we perform a reading and discussion of his works with a special guest. Join the fan club at www.avramdavidson.com. Avram Davidson (1923–1993) was a writer of fantasy, science fiction, and crime fiction. Davidson was born in Yonkers, NY and and served in the Navy during World War II. His life work includes 19 novels and over 200 short stories, all of which have been widely recognized for their wit and originality. Davidson’s works have won awards in three genres: an Edgar Award for mystery, a Hugo Award for science fiction, and three World Fantasy Awards.
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In this episode, Virgil and Bob discuss Help! I Am Dr. Morris Goldpepper with their friend:
Tim from Secret Fire Books: https://www.youtube.com/
@UCtLngnnEdSAufXIgUbcd5FQ
Originally published in Galaxy Science Fiction (July 1957).
If you'd like a refresher before listening, check out our story reading and discussion with Alan Dean Foster: https://youtu.be/iKnMUFo-Ch0
One of Avram Davidson's funniest science fiction stories begins with a seemingly impossible message hidden inside a denture. What follows is a wild tale of alien infiltration, interplanetary kidnapping, dental ethics, and an unlikely hero: Dr. Morris Goldpepper, D.D.S.
Join us as we discuss Davidson's pitch-perfect satire, his affectionate portrayal of professional organizations, the unforgettable voice of Dr. Goldpepper, and the story's hilarious blend of bureaucracy, science fiction, and dental prosthetics. Along the way, we explore why this oddball classic remains one of the most entertaining and charming stories in Davidson's remarkable body of work.
Featuring discussions of alien immigration schemes, blue-mouthed extraterrestrials, teleportation, dentures as secret messages, and perhaps the most important contribution dentistry has ever made to the defense of Earth.
Keywords: Avram Davidson, Help I Am Dr Morris Goldpepper, Morris Goldpepper, Galaxy Science Fiction, Science Fiction, Classic Sci-Fi, Humorous Science Fiction, Comic Science Fiction, Satire, Speculative Fiction, Vintage Sci-Fi, Book Discussion, Literary Podcast, Science Fiction Podcast, BookTube, Dentistry in Science Fiction, Alien Invasion, Teleportation, Galaxy Magazine, Golden Age Science Fiction, Retro Sci-Fi, Weird Fiction, Science Fiction Humor, Alan Dean Foster, Secret Fire Books, Avram Davidson Universe
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In this episode, Virgil and Bob discuss The House the Blakeneys Built with their friends:
Jake from Pulp Mortem: https://www.youtube.com/ @PulpMortem
Tim from Secret Fire Books: https://www.youtube.com/ @secretfirebooks7894
Originally published in The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction (January 1965).
If you'd like a refresher before listening, check out our story reading and discussion with Emma Speer. https://youtu.be/JuPb6NzR9TM
What begins as a tale of lost travelers arriving at a strange settlement soon becomes one of Avram Davidson's most unsettling explorations of tradition, conformity, isolation, and the fear of change. The conversation examines the remarkable language of the Blakeneys, the decaying grandeur of The House, the clash between progress and custom, and the story's haunting conclusion.
Is the story a warning about inbreeding and isolation? A critique of resistance to change? Or a meditation on how communities preserve themselves at all costs? Join us as we explore one of Davidson's most memorable and thought-provoking science fiction tales.
Keywords: Avram Davidson, The House The Blakeneys Built, Science Fiction, Classic Sci-Fi, Fantasy and Science Fiction, F&SF, Speculative Fiction, Vintage Sci-Fi, Weird Fiction, Literary Science Fiction, Golden Age Science Fiction, Science Fiction Podcast, Book Discussion, BookTube, Short Story Discussion, Gene Wolfe, Jack Vance, Roger Zelazny, Theodore Sturgeon, Cordwainer Smith, Philip K. Dick, Ray Bradbury, Secret Fire Books, Pulp Mortem
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In this episode, Virgil and Bob discuss Sacheverell, originally published in The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction, March 1964.
If you want a refresher, you can listen to the story and our conversation with Ryan Sprinkle.
https://youtu.be/NzyRt4Z3Zbo?si=5s39FQGpHyx2h5gv
Episode Summary:
Virgil and Bob dive into one of Avram Davidson’s wonderfully strange and darkly funny tales, where appearances, assumptions, and human nature all get turned upside down. Sacheverell mixes absurdity, social commentary, and Davidson's trademark oddness into a story that starts with a mysterious figure in a room and unfolds into something far stranger than expected. Along the way, expect discussion about fear, prejudice, manipulation, who the real "beast" might be, and how Davidson somehow manages to make readers laugh while making them slightly uncomfortable at the same time. Also likely: detours into Davidson himself and appreciation for stories that become weirder the longer you think about them.
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#Sacheverell #AvramDavidson #FantasyAndScienceFiction #FandSF #WeirdFiction #ClassicFantasy #SpeculativeFiction #BookPodcast #FantasyPodcast #ScienceFiction #LiteraryPodcast #ShortStories #CultFiction #FantasyReaders #BobAndVirgil #RyanSprinkle #VintageFantasy #BookDiscussion #SurrealFiction #LiteraryFantasy
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In this episode, Virgil and Bob discuss The Hills Behind Hollywood High, originally published in The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction (April 1983), written by Grania Davis and Avram Davidson.
If you want a refresher, you can listen to the story and our conversation with Scott Bradfield: thttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUY9iRDtaIk
Episode Summary: What happens when old Hollywood dreams, strange transformations, satire, and pure absurdity collide? Virgil and Bob wander into the bizarre hills behind Hollywood High, where ordinary teenagers, beauty standards, movie culture, and Davidson-style weirdness crash together in ways only Grania Davis and Avram Davidson could imagine. Expect discussion about Hollywood illusions, identity, transformation, the strange price of fitting in, and why some of the funniest stories can also be deeply unsettling. Along the way, they’ll probably take a few side roads through old Los Angeles, forgotten movie culture, and the delightfully odd corners where fantasy and satire overlap.
FantasyLiterature #AvramDavidson #GraniaDavis #hollywoodhighlights #FantasyAndScienceFiction #bookpodcast #classicfantasy #sciencefiction #weirdfiction #literarypodcast #OldHollywood #speculativefiction #fantasyreaders #podcastepisode
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The second half of our discussion looks at the deeper questions raised by “The Bloody Man”—faith, authority, cultural memory, and moral obligation. We examine how Davidson resists simple answers, allowing ambiguity and consequence to carry the weight of the story.
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In the first half of our discussion of “The Bloody Man,” we focus on atmosphere, language, and the unsettling calm that defines Limekiller’s world. From social tensions to the weight of rumor and belief, this episode explores how Davidson builds meaning through voice and setting rather than exposition.
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Virgil and Bob introduce Jack Limekiller through the lens of Lucius Shepard’s remarkable introduction—part literary appreciation, part personal reflection. This conversation explores Limekiller as character, avatar, and aspiration, and reflects on Avram Davidson’s relationship to place, voice, and imagination.
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Originally published in Asimov’s Science Fiction (June 1986), “The Bloody Man” introduces Jack Limekiller—a restless, observant outsider navigating a place where history, folklore, and uneasy truths overlap. In this episode, we set the stage for Avram Davidson’s singular voice, its rhythms, humor, and moral complexity, and the world Limekiller inhabits.
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Chapters 17–20 bring everything to a rolling boil, as power changes hands, jobs vanish, pressure mounts, and the town’s many moving parts drift toward the same crowded moment. Avram Davidson balances tragedy, farce, and dark humor with astonishing ease—moving from private grief to public spectacle without ever tipping his hand. Old loyalties surface, institutions close ranks, and a few quietly overlooked people turn out to matter more than anyone expected. When celebration, denial, and mechanical inevitability collide, Yokums proves it can turn even a parade into a moral stress test. The result is funny, unsettling, and deeply human, with Davidson letting cause and effect do the talking.
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In this episode, Virgil and Bob discuss “The King’s Shadow Has No Limits,” unpacking Davidson’s portrayal of empire in decline and the quiet, unsettling ways power manifests among the poor, the faithful, and the forgotten. They explore the story’s historical texture, its use of religious ritual and civic tradition, and the unsettling ambiguity at its core. The conversation touches on themes of identity, sacrifice, political decay, and the blurred boundary between ruler and subject—along with why this story feels both ancient and eerily modern.
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Chapters 12–16 widen the lens, moving from the streets and sewers of Yokums into offices, courtrooms, newsrooms, and living rooms where everyone has an opinion and nobody has a clear answer. The mystery grows more elaborate, but Avram Davidson keeps it human—showing how power talks past itself, institutions protect themselves, and ordinary people quietly carry the weight of all that confusion. There’s a wonderful sense here of systems grinding on while individuals improvise, dodge, rationalize, and dream their way through the Depression. Humor and menace sit side by side, and the satire sharpens without ever losing its sympathy. By the end, the story feels larger, stranger, and much harder to contain than anyone first imagined.
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In this episode, we listen to “The King’s Shadow Has No Limits” by Avram Davidson, originally published in Whispers #8 (December 1975).
Set in a fading, multi-ethnic empire straining under age, tradition, and unrest, the story follows Dr. Eszterhazy, a learned observer moving through the city and witnessing moments of labor, devotion, and poverty that quietly echo the fate of the nation itself. Davidson weaves history, politics, religion, and myth into a dense, atmospheric meditation on power, impermanence, and what it means for authority to extend beyond the throne. Subtle, haunting, and deeply human, the story unfolds less through action than through implication—and lingers long after the final page.
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Chapters 9–11 deal with the morning after—when consequences arrive wearing sensible shoes and asking pointed questions. The town of Yokums sobers up just enough for authority, ambition, and self-preservation to reassert themselves, though not always in the order you’d expect. Avram Davidson is at his sharpest here, letting irony do the heavy lifting as plans unravel, alliances shift, and everyone insists they were reasonable all along. The comedy tightens, the satire deepens, and the story quietly pivots from celebration to reckoning. It’s less about beer now, and more about what people do once they’ve tasted the impossible.
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Chapters 6–8 kick the door open on pure, gleeful chaos as Yokums stumbles into an impossible discovery that turns an ordinary workday into a civic fairy tale. The town reacts exactly as you’d expect during hard times: with wonder, hustle, disbelief, and a very practical approach to joy. Avram Davidson leans hard into his gift for turning civic minutiae, oddball characters, and moral gray areas into comedy that feels both mythic and deeply human. There’s laughter, suspicion, authority figures scrambling to look authoritative, and the unmistakable sense that something magical has briefly elbowed its way into the everyday. It’s funny, sharp, and affectionate, with Davidson quietly reminding us how thin the line is between order and delight.
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Chapters 3–5 plunge us deeper into Yokums, where politics, ethnicity, morality, and money collide with the steady thrum of everyday life. We meet larger-than-life civic figures, reformers who truly believe they’re saving souls, and working stiffs just trying to get through the week without losing their jobs—or their dignity. Avram Davidson’s voice shines here: wry, generous, and sharp enough to skewer hypocrisy without ever losing affection for his characters. These chapters quietly braid power, temptation, and history together, setting forces in motion that feel inevitable long before anyone realizes what they’ve touched. Nothing explodes yet—but you can hear the fuse hissing.
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The opening chapters of BEER! BEER! BEER! drop us into a Depression-era New Jersey town that feels loud, crowded, funny, and just a little bruised, seen mostly through the wandering eyes of a sharp, restless kid. Chapter One is a street-level ramble full of smells, characters, rules, and small humiliations, where “go home” becomes a kind of local anthem. Chapter Two zooms out to City Hall, where politics, paperwork, and personality collide in a very Avram Davidson way—wry, talky, and quietly absurd. Together, they set up a world where nothing is simple, authority is slippery, and everyone’s improvising. It’s richly observed, dryly hilarious, and already humming with trouble—without tipping its hand.
#BeerBeerBeer, #AvramDavidson, #ClassicSF, #LiteraryPodcast, #DepressionEra, #AmericanFiction, #CityPolitics, #ComingOfAge
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In this special holiday episode of the Avram Davidson Universe, Virgil & Bob turn the season of giving into a season of reading by hand-picking the perfect Avram Davidson books for friends, creators, family, and fellow weird-fiction travelers. From occult detectives and haunted walls to eccentric wizards and classic science fiction, we match stories to readers with joyful enthusiasm and a little mischief. It’s all in service of one simple holiday wish: MORE PEOPLE SHOULD BE READING AVRAM DAVIDSON.
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#OccultFiction
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#GiveBooks
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#ClassicSF
#FantasyReaders
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Virgil & Bob revisit the hilarious “Milord Sir Smiht, the English Wizard,” as collected in The Enquiries of Doctor Eszterhazy (1975). In this episode of The Avram Davidson Universe Podcast, they return to Bella’s Court of the Golden Hart, where an English “wizard,” a roomful of snuff, and some very dubious odyllic forces somehow add up to one of Davidson’s strangest comic investigations.
We previously featured this story with the great Tim Anderson — you can watch or listen to that reading here:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/1310005/episodes/15173599
https://youtu.be/MibdctVmI2k
This time around, Virgil & Bob try to decide what’s more dangerous: the odyllic machinery, the bureaucracy, or the sheer quantity of Rappee being inhaled. Side effects of this episode may include spontaneous phrenology, sympathy sneezing, and an irrational desire to visit Brothers Swartbloi for “just a pinch” of Imperial.
#fantasybooks , #fantasyhistory , #scifi , #weirdfiction , #booktube , #shortstory , #storytime , #audiobook , #literature , #fiction , #podcast , #podcastclips , #storyanalysis , #readingcommunity , #narration , #classicbooks , #bookdiscussion , #speculativefiction #Snuff @PBSBooks @Tor @PenguinRandomHouse @Nerdwriter1 @crashcourse @WisecrackEDU @britishlibrary @LofiGirl @nytimes
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In this episode of The Avram Davidson Universe Podcast, Virgil & Bob try to figure out what the HELL is going on in “The Church of Saint Satan and Pandaemons,” originally published in Fantastic (December 1975) and later collected in The Enquiries of Doctor Eszterhazy and The Adventures of Doctor Eszterhazy.
This one left them baffled, amused, and occasionally questioning their own sanity.
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In this episode of The Avram Davidson Universe Podcast, we present “The Church of Saint Satan and Pandaemons,” originally published in Fantastic (December 1975) and later collected in The Enquiries of Doctor Eszterhazy and The Adventures of Doctor Eszterhazy.
In the next episode, Virgil and Bob will try to unravel what this story is really about — and they may need a little help from the fans on this tricky one.
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Join Bob and Virgil for an in-depth conversation about Avram Davidson’s unique storytelling. They discuss “The Old Woman Who Lived with a Bear” (from The Enquiries of Doctor Eszterhazy, 1975).
They explore: The strange blend of folklore, satire, and legal reasoning in the Triune Monarchy, Eszterhazy’s role as a rational observer in a world full of myth and superstition, The story’s humor, humanity, and mysterious ambiguity.
Perfect for readers who enjoy literary discussions, speculative fiction, and uncovering hidden gems in classic fantasy.
avramdavidson #DoctorEszterhazy #weirdfiction #FantasyDiscussion #bookpodcast #literarypodcast
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Step into the Triune Monarchy with Avram Davidson’s unforgettable story “The Old Woman Who Lived with a Bear” (from The Enquiries of Doctor Eszterhazy, 1975).
This professional narration brings to life the wit, mystery, and folkloric strangeness of Dr. Engelbert Eszterhazy’s world — where Gothic traditions, superstition, and rational inquiry intertwine.
Whether you’re a longtime Davidson devotee or new to his genius, this is a chance to immerse yourself in one of his finest Eszterhazy adventures.
👉 Stay tuned for our follow-up discussion episode where Bob and Virgil dive into the story’s themes, humor, and deeper meanings.
#avramdavidson #DoctorEszterhazy #weirdfiction #classicfantasy #audiobook #storytelling
@avramdavidson @sffaudio @speculativeFiction @torbooks @Fantasyfaction
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Avram Davidson (himself) warms up for a lecture and pulls you aboard a lateen-rigged dhow to ask the irresistible question: where, exactly, did Sinbad sail—Borneo, Sumatra, Serendib, even Madagascar—or only through our imaginations?
Show notes:
• Paul Bunyan vs. Sinbad: why tall tales can still point to real shores
• Baghdad’s golden age, Harun al-Rashid, and merchants’ cargo lists like poetry
• Dhows, monsoons, “islands” that breathe (whale? turtle?), and apes near Sumatra
• The rukh/roc, Aepyornis eggs, and dagobas that look like giant eggs from afar
• Marco Polo, Ibn Battuta, and the joys of pure serendipity
Hashtags:
#AvramDavidson #AdventuresInUnhistory #sinbad #arabiannights #mythology #indianocean #baghdad #dhow #rock #borneo #sumatra #srilanka #madagascar #historynerd
@FolkloreThursday
@ARABliterature
@britishlibrary
@SmithsonianMagazine
@SFWA
@CaptainSinbad
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Bob and Virgil unpack Avram’s clues—dhows, monsoons, Borneo and Sumatra, Sri Lanka’s dagobas, Madagascar’s giant eggs—and debate how far a fable can take you toward the truth.
• Reading the text like a chart: Kabil/Kasil → Borneo?
• Sumatra’s “island of apes,” ears to the shoulders, and traveler’s overlap with the Odyssey
• The roc vs. Aepyornis: why giant birds matter even when they can’t fly
• Serendip/Anuradhapura: when a white dagoba becomes a “roc egg” on the horizon
• Takeaways for modern readers: how to spot facts hiding in folklore
Hashtags:
podcastdiscussion #AvramDavidson #sinbad #mythology #historypodcast #IndianOceanWorld #borneo #sumatra #srilanka #madagascar #marcopolo #ibnbattutamall
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A polished, front-to-back performance by David Pickering of Avram Davidson’s masterwork on Sinbad: a lyrical, scholarly, and funny voyage that charts the blurred edge where sailors’ yarns become maps.
• From Baghdad to Basra and out across monsoon routes
• Kabil/Kasil and the “drums” of hollow rocks; giants with barge-long ears
• Diamond valleys, sea-horses, and why travelers fib (beautifully)
• Roc feathers, Raphia palms, and the spoor of real geography inside fable
• How “Serendip” gave us serendipity
Hashtags:
#audiobook #AvramDavidson #sinbad #Unhistory #folklore #worldliterature #arabiannights #exploration #maritimehistory #mythology #storytelling
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Adventures in Unhistory is a literary journey into the strange, the mythical, and the half-forgotten—led by the genius of Avram Davidson and explored by Bob & Virgil. Each episode dives into Davidson’s witty and erudite examinations of myths and legends: mermaids, dragons, werewolves, unicorns, the phoenix, Sinbad, Prester John, Aleister Crowley, and more. Davidson’s essays, at once scholarly and playful, reveal the hidden roots of stories that have captivated humanity for centuries.
Expect dazzling digressions, deep dives into ancient texts, and the kind of humor and erudition that make Davidson’s work timeless. As Peter S. Beagle once said, his prose “cries out to be read aloud.” Bob & Virgil bring that spirit to life—part literary salon, part campfire storytelling, part detective hunt through history’s margins.
Whether you’re a scholar, a fantasy fan, or just a curious traveler through the world’s oldest mysteries, Adventures in Unhistory will entertain, educate, and make you wonder: what if the myths were true?
fantasyhistory #podcastcommunity #booktok #dragons #mermaids
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Bob & Virgil go deep on Avram Davidson’s Eszterhazy tale: lurlies vs. Lorelei, undines and baptismal souls, why “Mud” matters, how Davidson blends courtly satire with folklore, and where Eszterhazy fits in the occult-detective lineage (think Hodgson/Machen—but funnier, kinder, and sneakier). We hit publication context (Fantastic, 1975), the expanded Eszterhazy collection, and the story’s quiet ecological thread (buckwheat, wudkey, and the costs of progress). Spoiler-light for newcomers, juicy for devotees.
OccultDetective #AvramDavidson #DoctorEszterhazy #weirdfiction #fantasyhistory #literarydiscussion #SFFPodcast #classicsfeature #mythandmystery #StoryDeepDive #booktube
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Performed by David Pickering. @davidpickering8483
Set in Avram Davidson’s sly, Mitteleuropean corner of the map, this stand-alone performance brings Doctor Eszterhazy to life as he follows a trail from a humble sewing box to lurlies on the Vlox-Minor and a mystery tangled up with folklore, industry, and an undine’s old grief. David Pickering’s rich narration highlights Davidson’s humor, history-deep worldbuilding, and the story’s gentle twist on the “occult detective” tradition—no gore, just genius. Settle in for steam runabouts, button-makers, buckwheat anxieties, and Paracelsian whispers.
Hashtags: #AvramDavidson #DoctorEszterhazy #OccultDetective #weirdfiction #historicalfantasy #speculativefiction #audiofiction #classicsfeature #fantasymystery #shortstory
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In this episode, Bob & Virgil discuss the many genres of Avram Davidson.
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In this episode, we listen to El Vilvoy de las Islas, originally published in Asimov’s (August 1988) and later collected in The Other Nineteenth Century. A follow-up discussion will be led by Virgil and Bob in the next episode.
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In this episode, Bob & Virgil discuss El Vilvoy de las Islas, originally published in Asimov’s (August 1988) and later collected in The Other Nineteenth Century.
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In this episode, Robert from The Wheel of Genre podcast sits down with Virgil from Literally Books for a deep dive into “The Caravan to Illiel,” originally published in Flashing Swords #3 : Warriors and Wizards, Ed. Lin Carter (Dell, 1976)
They explore the story—plus a shoutout to Orbis, which came up in the discussion.
https://www.youtube.com/@wheelofgenrepodcast/videos
https://www.youtube.com/@UCW1FScyVs3JjysB9wiBb3Gw
https://orbis.stanford.edu/
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Virgil & Bob Discuss Their Five Most Anticipated Avram Davidson Stories!
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We are Super excited to have new hosts for the Avram Davidson Universe Podcast. We love where they’re taking us.
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In this episode, Robert from The Wheel of Genre podcast sits down with Virgil from Literally Books for a deep dive into “And Don't Forget the One Red Rose,” originally published in Playboy (September 1975).
Also worth checking out: The Price (1989), a short independent film adaptation of And Don’t Forget the One Red Rose, directed by Fareed Al-Mashat. Highly recommended for fans of the story.
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In this episode, we sit down with S.T. Joshi. S.T. is an American literary critic whose work has largely focused on weird and fantastic fiction, especially the life and work of H. P. Lovecraft.
We listen to “Death of a Damned Good Man,” originally published in Isaac Asimov's Science Fiction Magazine (January 1991), and an excerpt of Avram Davidson on H.P. Lovecraft from his book review column in The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction (January 1963).
To be honest, the story had a much greater impact when read alongside the narration. I also suspect that, although it was published in 1991, it may have been written earlier.
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In this episode, Damon LaTorella sits down with Taj Bin John. Taj is a podcaster, DJ, and ice cream lover.
We listen to “Ogre in the Vly,” originally published in If, July 1959.
For more information see www.avramdavidson.com
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In 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=bk78w
For more information see www.avramdavidson.com
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In 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.
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In 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.
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In 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 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!
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!
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/timnewtonanderson
He 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/timnewtonanderson
He 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_Feeley
We 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_Nimoy
We 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 1957
For 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_Kessel
Originally 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
In this episode we sit down with Michael Kurland
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Kurland
We discuss editing Avram's books, being his roommate, Ray Bradbury and more. We listen to “The Montavarde Camera" and discuss the story. Originally published in The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction, May 1959
For more information see www.avramdavidson.com
In this episode we sit down with Scott Bradfield.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scott_Bradfield
We discuss Avram's writing workshop in Marin. We listen to "Dragon Skin Drum" and discuss the story. Originally published in Kenyon Review, Winter 1961
For more information see www.avramdavidson.com
In this episode we sit down with Gregory Benford.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gregory_Benford
We discuss Avram as a visiting professor and much more. We were having so much fun that we never actually discussed the narration of "Now Let Us Sleep" however Greg wrote the introduction for the story in The Treasury. Originally published in Venture Science Fiction Magazine, September 1957 .
For more information see www.avramdavidson.com
In this episode we sit down with Alan Dean Foster (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Dean_Foster) and listen to a reading of “Help! I Am Dr. Morris Goldpepper". It's a very funny science fiction story about dentists. Originally published in Galaxy Science Fiction, July 1957. We discuss Goldpepper. We also discuss Or The Grasses Grow a fantasy story about the mistreatment of Native Americans well before its time.
For more information see www.avramdavidson.com
In this episode we sit down with Jack Dann and listen to a reading of "Goslin Day".
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Dann
Originally published in Damon Knight's Orbit 6, March 1970. We discuss the story, his brag shelf and editing Everybody Has Somebody In Heaven Essential Jewish Tales Of The Spirit.
For more information see www.avramdavidson.com
In this holiday special, we sit down with Avram's son Ethan Davidson and listen to a reading of "Addrict" by Avram Davidson and Grania Davis. Originally published in The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction, January 1987. We discuss the story, holidays, family and touch on Philip K. Dick.
For more information see www.avramdavidson.com
Welcome to The Avram Davidson Universe - The Philip K. Dick special birthday addition. Today is indeed Philip K. Dick's birthday December 16th 2020 and we thought that a great way to celebrate his birthday would be a narrative of Avram Davidson’s original review of The Man in The High Castle from The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction, June 1963 and a letter to Locus in 1982 written by Avram Davidson. Happy Birthday Phil!
In this episode, we sit down with author Michael Swanwick and listen to a reading of "My Boy Friend's Name Is Jello” from the Avram Davidson Treasury. Originally published in The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction, July 1954 . We discuss the meaning of the story and why Michael is such a huge Davidson fan!
For more information see www.avramdavidson.com
In this episode, we sit down with literary expert Henry Wessells and listen to a reading of“ O Brave Old World!” from Davidson’s “The Other 19th Century” short story collection. We discuss the meaning of the story and the purpose of “alternate history” as well as look back at how Wessell’s became inspired to start www.avramdavidson.org.
In the second episode of “The Avram Davidson Universe” we sit down with science-fiction author and editor Eileen Gunn. Her story ”Coming to Terms was inspired, in part, by a friendship with Avram Davidson. This episode also includes a reading and discussion of “The Affair At Lahore Cantonment.”
Support The Avram Davidson Universe, the official Avram Davidson podcast, by joining our fan club or sharing our stories. Visit www.avramdavidson.com for more info.
In the premiere episode of “The Avram Davidson Universe” Seth Davis sits down with Ethan Davidson, to discuss growing up with Avram Davidson as his father and to listen to a reading of “Or All The Seas With Oysters.”
For more info on Avram Davidson and the Avram Davidson Universe, please visit https://avramdavidson.com