Podcasts from 3F: Recent Episodes
Third Flatiron Publishing
Changing of the Guard. Fantasy, Science FictionChanging of the Guard by Taylor DyeAs an answer to a prayer, two “children” arrive in an urbanneighborhood looking to help.Third Flatiron podcasts are available on the website atthirdflatiron.com. Story read by Inken Purvis and produced by AndrewCairns.
A Touch of the Grape. Science Fiction, Fantasy, HumorA Touch of the Grape by Sharon Diane KingA woman who has come to dispose of her beloved deceased aunt's possessions finds the key to happiness within the retro space she unwittingly re-creates within her aunt's mobile home community.Third Flatiron podcasts are available on the website atthirdflatiron.com. Story read by Christine Guzy and produced by AndrewCairns.
All Our Signs Align. Science Fiction, Fantasy, HumorAll Our Signs Align by Eve MortonIf humans ever make first contact, it'll be important to find what we have in common. "All Our Signs Align" introduces a translator who teaches aliens ASL and opens real communication.Third Flatiron podcasts are available on the website atthirdflatiron.com. Story read by Juli Rew and produced by AndrewCairns.
Sophie's Parisian Stationery & Parfumerie Magnifique. Science Fiction, Fantasy, Humor
Sophie's Parisian Stationery & Parfumerie Magnifique by Wulf Moon
This hopeful post-singularity tale concerns an intelligent gift shop building who goes above and beyond to serve her customers, even those intent on destroying all AIs.
Third Flatiron podcasts are available on the website at thirdflatiron.com. Story read by Wulf Moon and produced by Andrew Cairns.
Dream Eater. Horror, Fantasy, Humor
Dream Eater by Nemma Wollenfang
Dream Eater revolves around an ancient, filthy crow-like creature that consumes dreams. He's jaded and bitter, shunned by all, but when a human woman shows him the smallest slice of kindness, his attitude begins to alter.
Third Flatiron podcasts are available on the website at thirdflatiron.com. Story read by Keely Rew and produced by Andrew Cairns.
Joey and Rue. Horror, Fantasy, Humor
Joey and Rue by Dominick Cancilla
Joey and Rue are a pair of young, extremely non-identical twins. Joey tends toward misanthropy. Rue is more of a Lovecraftian force of discord indetectable by most living beings. Together they bend reality into an astonishing Rube Goldberg machine.
Third Flatiron podcasts are available on the website at thirdflatiron.com. Story read by Juliana Rew and produced by Andrew Cairns.
The Hunt. Fantasy, Horror, Weird Western
The Hunt by Salinda Tyson
With the advent of superior weaponry, human settlers visited new horrors on the animal kingdom, such as the slaughter of bison from trains in the 1800s American Old West. Perhaps it's time for a new balance to be established.
Third Flatiron podcasts are available on the website at thirdflatiron.com. Story read by Juliana Rew and produced by Andrew Cairns.
The US Portal Service. Fantasy, Horror, Science Fiction
The US Portal Service by Brenda Kezar
Technology comes up with solutions for the growing problems associated with more online buying, like increased transportation costs, increased manpower needs, and porch pirates. Of course, people are often suspicious of any new technology--and sometimes they are not wrong.
Third Flatiron podcasts are available on the website at thirdflatiron.com. Story read by Samuel Osgood and produced by Andrew Cairns.
Toxic. Fantasy, Horror, Science Fiction
Toxic by Eleftherios Keramidas
Imagine an infamous grimoire that brings death to all who try to unlock its secrets. A modern-day occultist uses cutting-edge technology to overcome human imperfection and detect the things that no eye can see.
Third Flatiron podcasts are available on the website at thirdflatiron.com. Story read by Jordan Ashley Moore and produced by Andrew Cairns.
The First Day of Winter. Science Fiction, Climate
The First Day of Winter by Mike Adamson
We've seen a dramatic reduction in Arctic sea ice, and are looking ahead to a day when it's all gone. "The First Day of Winter" ponders what it would feel like to witness the opposite--the day when measures have paid off and the all-important ice makes a come-back.
Third Flatiron podcasts are available on the website at thirdflatiron.com. Story read by Wulf Moon and produced by Andrew Cairns.
The New Mutants. Science Fiction, Postapocalypse
The New Mutants by Angelique Fawns
"The New Mutants" is a short where Lord of the Flies meets Station Eleven. The story was penned before COVID-19 shook the world, but the idea of how masks influence society is even more relevant today.
Third Flatiron podcasts are available on the website at thirdflatiron.com. Story read by Juliana Rew and produced by Andrew Cairns.
The Reinvention of Death. Science Fiction, Artificial Intelligence
The Reinvention of Death by Louis Evans
This story takes place in a far-future post-death utopia, describing how that "garden of eden"-like state might break down and why.
Third Flatiron podcasts are available on the website at thirdflatiron.com. Story read by Louis Evans and produced by Andrew Cairns.
Wishbone. Science Fiction, Longevity
Wishbone by K. G. Anderson
A 79-year-old woman's politician grandson plans to end Medicare and Social Security at age 80 and send the elderly to euthanasia centers. The story begins the week before the grandmother must report to be killed.
Third Flatiron podcasts are available on the website at thirdflatiron.com. Story read by Juliana Rew and produced by Andrew Cairns.
Tunnels. Fantasy, Science Fiction, Immortality
Tunnels by Brian Trent
Niccolo di Venezia is a man who doesn't age. From his youth in 15th century Italy, his is a varied life of loss and longing. Through a relentlessly changing world, he is the constant amid the march of time. As he puts it: "Every blink of my eyes takes away the things I love."
Third Flatiron podcasts are available on the website at thirdflatiron.com. Story read by Brian Trent and produced by Andrew Cairns.
Cold Iron. Fantasy, Science Fiction, Alternate History
Cold Iron by Wulf Moon
The Fountain of Youth has long caught the imagination. Join us in another adventure of the indomitable Spanish conquistador Capricho and his phoenix-like war dog Leoncillo, who put their dip in the fountain to good use.
Third Flatiron podcasts are available on the website at thirdflatiron.com. Story read by Wulf Moon and produced by Andrew Cairns.
Yes, Yes, Yes, We Remember. Fantasy, Science Fiction, Alternate History
Yes, Yes, Yes, We Remember by Elizabeth Beechwood
This is a story about an atrocity of war that people refuse to talk about, or can’t bear to talk about. Hopefully, their burden is lighter because the Mountains share their memory. It's also a story about resilience and hope.
Third Flatiron podcasts are available on the website at thirdflatiron.com. Story read by Keely Rew and produced by Andrew Cairns.
The Fairy's Bell. Fantasy, Science Fiction, Alternate History
The Fairy's Bell by Bruce Golden
Queen Elizabeth I invites Shakespeare to write a play for her and reveals why she never found true love.
Third Flatiron podcasts are available on the website at thirdflatiron.com. Story read by Keely Rew and produced by Andrew Cairns.
Mud. Fantasy, Science Fiction, War
Mud, by Salinda Tyson
A World War I ambulance driver and her faithful terrier do their job in the trenches against terrible odds.
Third Flatiron podcasts are available on the website at thirdflatiron.com. Story read by Inken Purvis and produced by Andrew Cairns.
The Dance of a Thousand Cuts. Fantasy, Sword and Sorcery
The Dance of a Thousand Cuts, by Liam Hogan
A young girl discovers a sword that will teach her to be the greatest swordsman in the kingdom.
Third Flatiron podcasts are available on the website at thirdflatiron.com. Story read by Keely Rew and produced by Andrew Cairns.
War Dog. Historical Fantasy, Science Fiction
War Dog, by Wulf Moon
Join the Spanish conquistador Balboa as he fights to win the New World along with his war dog, Leoncillo. The fighting dogs of fame were almost superhuman in their accomplishments, and they even wore armor like their masters.
Third Flatiron podcasts are available on the website at thirdflatiron.com. Story read by Wulf Moon and produced by Andrew Cairns.
Night on the High Desert. Science Fiction, Weird Western, Space Opera
Night on the High Desert, by Connie Vigil Platt
Our lucky cowboy gets to deliver the payroll after the cattle drive, but runs into some odd goings-on at the old abandoned saloon.
Third Flatiron podcasts are available on the website at thirdflatiron.com. Story read by Keely Rew and produced by Andrew Cairns.
And Yet They Move. Science Fiction, Fantasy, Space Opera
And Yet They Move, by Alex Zalben
A lonely astronaut travels to an impossible planet, where she's determined to just let her life fade away. But the planet may have other plans...
Third Flatiron podcasts are available on the website at thirdflatiron.com. Story read by Keely Rew and produced by Andrew Cairns.
Chicken Monster Motel. Fantasy, Humor, Weird
Chicken Monster Motel, by Keyan Bowes
Recent college graduate Jerry Patel wants to manage a motel. He and his boyfriend Peter visit one that's listed for sale. But the Chicken Monster Motel is no ordinary hostelry.
Third Flatiron podcasts are available on the website at thirdflatiron.com. Story read by Keely Rew and produced by Andrew Cairns.
Blazing Beamard. Fantasy, Humor, Weird Western
Blazing Beamard, by Stanley Webb
Special Agent Bull Wire pursues the air pirate Blazing Beamard into the desert. A Chinese saloon girl named Fang leads Bull toward Superstition Peak, warning that Beamard is not a man, but a gold-starved dragon.
Third Flatiron podcasts are available on the website at thirdflatiron.com. Story read by Jake Austin and produced by Andrew Cairns.
Beast of the Month. Fantasy, Humor
Beast of the Month, by Wulf Moon
A wizard contacts the Beast of the Month Club to report that he wants to return a selection he didn't order.
Third Flatiron podcasts are available on the website at thirdflatiron.com. Story read by the author and produced by Andrew Cairns.
Spooky Action. Science Fiction, Humor
Spooky Action, by David A. Kilman
A university physicist accidentally contacts God while conducting experiments in quantum entanglement, a.k.a. spooky action at a distance. This is the first that God has heard of humans, and he soon learns that some of them are not happy with his creation.
Third Flatiron podcasts are available on the website at thirdflatiron.com. Story read by Keely Rew and produced by Andrew Cairns.
The JPEG of Dorian Gray. Science Fiction, Weird West, Victorian, Horror
The JPEG of Dorian Gray, by Brian Trent
In the enormity of Time, what would it truly mean to be immortal? A continuation of Oscar Wilde's brilliant original.
Third Flatiron podcasts are available on the website at thirdflatiron.com. Story read by Mike Wright and produced by Andrew Cairns.
No County for Young Men. Science Fiction, Steampunk, Weird West
No County for Young Men, by Martin Clark
A gunslinger and his cyberweapon await a duel in the pouring rain.
Third Flatiron podcasts are available on the website at thirdflatiron.com. Story read by Keely Rew and produced by Andrew Cairns.
Rust Never Sleeps. Science Fiction, Horror
Rust Never Sleeps, by Keely Rew
A lone spacefaring caretaker attempts to stay sane while crossing the cold expanses.
Third Flatiron podcasts are available on the website at thirdflatiron.com. Story read by Keely Rew and produced by Andrew Cairns.
Santa Claus Comes Straight to the Sprawl. Science Fiction, Cyperpunk
Santa Claus Comes Straight to the Sprawl, by Andrew Cairns
A Christmas heist story inspired in part by the classic Sprawl cyberpunk of William Gibson, a world of high-tech specialist mercenaries trying to exist in the shadows of a cruel corporate dystopia.
Third Flatiron podcasts are available on the website at thirdflatiron.com. Story read by Keely Rew and produced by Andrew Cairns.
Our Problem Child: Langerfeld the Moon. Science Fiction
Our Problem Child: Langerfeld the Moon by Marilyn K. Martin.
A pair of scientists are tasked with keeping the war-damaged Moon in orbit and are buffeted by feelings about the Moon as an emotional touchstone based on thousands of years of legends and mythology. This story first appeared in the Third Flatiron anthology, "Keystone Chronicles." The anthology is available at thirdflatiron.com. Story read by Marie Boyko and produced by Andrew Cairns.
Dirt Moon. Science Fiction, Space Opera, Military
Dirt Moon by Dan Koboldt. A squad of military commandos lands on a dirt moon, thinking it deserted. Before long, they realize it's not, and whatever lives there is hunting them.
This story first appeared in the Third Flatiron anthology, "Hyperpowers." The anthology is available at thirdflatiron.com. Story read by Ryan Marshall and produced by Andrew Cairns.
Grid Drop. Science Fiction, Climate
Grid Drop by William Huggins. A group of humans decides that we have done enough damage to the biosphere and must leave the planet to heal for 500 years. This story first appeared in the Third Flatiron anthology, "Hyperpowers." The anthology is available at thirdflatiron.com. Story read by Keely Rew and produced by Andrew Cairns.
Midnight on Addison Street. Fantasy/Horror/Humor
Midnight on Addison Street by Wendy Nikel. A seedy politician who believes his life is in danger consults an unusual source for answers about who's behind it. This story first appeared in the Third Flatiron anthology, "It's Come to Our Attention." The anthology is available at thirdflatiron.com. Story read by Keely Rew and produced by Andrew Cairns.
Surplus Army. Fantasy
Surplus Army by Pauline J. Alama is about--garbage. Just because you don't see it in your own neighborhood doesn't mean it's not there. The author's novel, "The Eye of Night," is available on Amazon, and she has had several stories in Sword and Sorceress and other venues. This story first appeared in the Third Flatiron anthology, "It's Come to Our Attention." The anthology is available at thirdflatiron.com. Story read by Keely Rew and produced by Andrew Cairns.
Wolf Call. Fantasy, Humor
Three of the author's favorite things come together in "Wolf Call" by Adele Gardner: werewolves, Elvis, and sushi. This story first appeared in the Third Flatiron anthology, "Ain't Superstitious." The anthology is available at thirdflatiron.com. Story read by Keely Rew and produced by Andrew Cairns.
O Shades, My Woe. Dark Fantasy
O Shades, My Woe by Eric J. Guignard is about the vengeful effects of a great wrong, brought about by a dark chapter in the legends of King Arthur. This story first appeared in the Third Flatiron anthology, "Ain't Superstitious." The anthology is available at thirdflatiron.com. Story read by Russ Rew and produced by Andrew Cairns.
Styx of Norway. Dark Fantasy, Humor
Across the Styx of Norway by Jacob M. Lambert is about a Native American wanting to see the Aurora Borealis. The journey takes him through an emotional gauntlet, one filled with voices--and memories--of the past. This story first appeared in the Third Flatiron anthology, "Ain't Superstitious." The anthology is available at thirdflatiron.com. Story read by Keely Rew and produced by Andrew Cairns.
Wind Chimes. Dark Fantasy, Humor
Wind Chimes by Sean O'Dea is about a group of suburbanites who meddle with the forces of Feng Shui, creating fluctuating prosperity and strife within a cul-de-sac. This story first appeared in the Third Flatiron anthology, "Ain't Superstitious." The anthology is available at thirdflatiron.com. Story read by Ryan Marshall and produced by Andrew Cairns.
Jacked. Science Fiction
Jacked by Steve Coate is about an employee who wakes up to find himself in handcuffs with no clue what he's done wrong. This story first appeared in the Third Flatiron anthology, "Only Disconnect." The anthology is available at thirdflatiron.com. Story read by Keely Rew and produced by Andrew Cairns.
A Rock in the Air. Science Fiction
A Rock in the Air by Neil James Hudson is about a man who is thrown forward in time by the atomic explosion at Hiroshima at the end of the war. This story first appeared in the Third Flatiron anthology, "The Time It Happened." The anthology is available at thirdflatiron.com. Story read by Keely Rew and produced by Andrew Cairns.
False Footfall. Science Fiction
What really happened with Apollo 11? False Footfall by Martin Clark describes a classic case of cognitive dissonance--the gap between what we know to be true and what the world is telling us. Martin is the author of an on-going series of supernatural noir novellas, originally published by Eggplant Literary Productions (now sadly defunct), which have passed into the tender care of Tickety-Boo Press. This story first appeared in the Third Flatiron anthology, "The Time It Happened." The anthology is available at thirdflatiron.com. Story read by Sally Bates and produced by Andrew Cairns.
Going Viral. Science Fiction
A near-future science fiction about two researchers who discover the universal cure for cancer, their struggle to prove it, and how they deal with the fame it brings them. Author and genetic biologist Dan Koboldt hosts a weekly blog, "Science in Sci-fi, Fact in Fantasy," and is represented by Jennie Goloboy of Red Sofa Literary Agency. This story first appeared in the Third Flatiron anthology, "The Time It Happened." The anthology is available at thirdflatiron.com. Story read by Ryan Marshall and produced by Andrew Cairns.
Damfino Plays for Table Stakes by Ben Solomon. Fantasy.
The real story behind the St. Valentine's Day Massacre? Ben Solomon's passion for the tough-guy world of early gangsters and PI flicks led to the creation of his website at thehardboileddetective.com. This story first appeared in the Third Flatiron anthology, "Abbreviated Epics." The anthology is available at thirdflatiron.com. Story read by Bill Patterson and produced by Andrew Cairns.
Thanks, But We Ate Already. Fantasy.
When you become a couple, sometimes it's impossible to keep both families happy at the holidays. See more of Juliana Rew's work on her website, julianarew.com. Story read by Keely Rew and produced by Andrew Cairns.
Blade Between Oni and Hare. Fantasy.
Inspired by the Japanese fable, "White Hare of Onaba." Author Siobhan Gallagher lives in south Texas and grew up in Arizona. She has a political satire piece coming up in Saturday Night Reader, and in December there'll be a podcast of her Unidentified Funny Objects story, "All I want for Christmas..." from Toasted Cake. Her author website is defconcanwrite.blogspot.com. This fable features kickass girl samurai Kazuko, and first appeared in the anthology, "Abbreviated Epics" from Third Flatiron. Story read by Marie Boyko and produced by Andrew Cairns.
On a Train With a Coyote Ghost. Fantasy.
A young Jewish girl journeys into wartime Russia to find a magic broth to help her people. Author Robin Wyatt Dunn lives in California. More of his work is available at his website robindunn.com and on thirdflatiron.com. This story is about a girl on a mission to save her grandmother, bound for Russia by train, accompanied by her coyote ghost. It was inspired by a painting by Barbara Sobczynska and first appeared in the Third Flatiron Anthology, "Abbreviated Epics." Story read by Julie Gussaroff and produced by Andrew Cairns.
The Abstract Heart by Martin Clark. Science fiction.
A cocky AI expert discovers love is just an obsession for beginners. Author Martin Clark is from south-west Scotland and writes supernatural noir novellas. More of his work is available on Eggplant Productions and on ThirdFlatiron.com. This story is set in the near future, where software can simulate, even replicate, the responses of the deceased. The creator of one such "ghost in the machine" wants to make it both sentient and self-aware. This story first appeared in the Third Flatiron Anthology, "Master Minds," and is read by Ian Raynor and produced by Andrew Cairns.
From Here to the Northern Line by Edoardo Albert. Science fiction.
A boy and his dad enjoy the benefits of trainspotting as a hobby. Edoardo Albert is, on paper at least, a surprisingly exotic creature: Italian, Sinhala and Tamil by background, he grew up in London among the polyglot children of immigrants (it was only when he went to university that he actually got to know any English people). He avers that he once reduced a reader to helpless, hysterical laughter. Unfortunately, the piece that did so was a lonely-hearts ad. The first volume of his trilogy on the Dark-Age kings of Britain, The Northumbrian Thrones, is out next March from Lion Fiction, titled Edwin: High King of Britain. He lives online at www.edoardoalbert.com, on Twitter @EdoardoAlbert and Facebook too. This story first appeared in the Third Flatiron Anthology, "Astronomical Odds." It is read by Harriet Whitbread and produced by Andrew Cairns.
In the Blood by Ken Altabef. Science fiction.
Ladies and gentlemen! Presenting Matthew, the Boy Genius in Brother Dill's Traveling Circus and Roadside Carnival. Ken Altabef's "Way of the Shaman," his 5-part series of epic fantasy novels, is published by Blueberry Lane Books. You can preview this work and others at the author's website, www.wayoftheshamanONLINE.com. This story first appeared in the Third Flatiron Anthology, "Astronomical Odds," and is read by Russ Rew and produced by Andrew Cairns.
Eurydice in Capricorn, by Neil James Hudson. Science fiction. A Martian astronomer does the colony's horoscope. More of Neil James Hudson's work is available from neiljameshudson.net and Amazon.com. This story first appeared in the Third Flatiron Anthology, "Redshifted: Martian Stories." It is read by Christine Guzy and produced by Andrew Cairns.
Hogmanay Y2K or: Pay It Backward, by Juliana Rew. Science fiction. If you could fix the changing climate, would you do it, or leave well enough alone? More of Juliana Rew's work is available from julianarew.com and Amazon.com. Story read by Keely Rew and produced by Andrew Cairns.
Concerning That Whole God Thing, by Curtis James McConnell. Science fiction. What would you do if you had an infinity globe in the basement? Now, you can factor either the existence or absence of God into the infinity globe scenario and develop your own ideas about how that changes things. This story appeared in the anthology, "Universe Horribilis," from Third Flatiron (ThirdFlatiron.com). More of Curtis James McConnell's work is available from Alfiedog.com and Amazon.com. Story read by Russ Rew and produced by Andrew Cairns.
The Sun Greeter, by Marilyn K. Martin. Science fiction. A know-it-all documentarian from the distant future goes back to the ancient past and tries to shoehorn an ancient man's beliefs into her preconceived notions of what is "generally accepted or believed" in her time. This story appeared in the anthology, "Lost Worlds, Retraced," from Third Flatiron (ThirdFlatiron.com). More of Marilyn K. Martin's work is available on Amazon.com. Story read by Keely Rew and produced by Andrew Cairns.