OK for Kids – Escape Pod

Author : Aidan Doyle Narrator : Austin Learned Host : Alasdair Stuart Audio Producer : Mat Weller Discuss on Forums This story was originally published in 2014 in Cosmos. Undeleted By Aidan Doyle One of Saito’s guys led Kentaro through the arcade. They passed row after row of black game pods, silent except for the hum […] Source

Author : Diana Wynne Jones Narrator : Emma Newman Host : Alasdair Stuart Audio Producer : Mat Weller Discuss on Forums This story has appeared in Stories: All-New Tales Edited by Neil Gaiman and Al Sarrantonio. Our Drone Future – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CgLkWT246qU Andrew Reid – http://mygoditsraining.co.uk/ Joan De La Haye – http://joandelahaye.com/ Liz De Jager – http://www.lizdejager.co.uk/ Jennifer Williams – http://sennydreadful.co.uk/ Mhairi […] Source

Author : J. M. McDermott Narrator : Grant Baciocco Host : Norm Sherman Audio Producer : Mur Lafferty Discuss on Forums First appeared in Apex Magazine Rated PG-13: For blood and revolution and missing fingers. Show Notes: Sponsored by Audible – get a free book today when you sign up for your free trial! Feedback […] Source

Author : Jeffrey R. DeRego Narrator : P.G. Holyfield Host : Mur Lafferty Audio Producer : Mur Lafferty Discuss on Forums Escape Pod 257: Union Dues: The Sum of Its Parts is an Escape Pod original. Rated PG Show Notes: Show your love for Union Dues at the new website! Union Dues: The Sum of […] Source

Author : Jacob Sager Weinstein Narrator : Tim Crist Host : Mur Lafferty Audio Producer : Mur Lafferty Discuss on Forums First appeared in Popcorn Fiction Rated PG for minor police excitement. Show Notes: Feedback for Episode 245, The Moment Next week… Talent agencies and regret Eugene By Jacob Sager Weinstein As he puts the […] Source

Author : Ray Tabler Narrator : John Cmar Host : Mur Lafferty Audio Producer : Mur Lafferty Discuss on Forums Escape Pod 252: Billion-Dollar View is an Escape Pod original. Rated PG for peril and heartbreak and ballads. Show Notes: Hugo award winner Cheryl Morgan launches Wizard’s Tower Press for bringing out-of-print books to ebooks. […] Source

Author : Tim Pratt Narrator : Tom Rockwell Host : Norm Sherman Audio Producer : Mur Lafferty Discuss on Forums Originally published in: Interzone Rated PG for ennui and futility of life. Show Notes: Tim Pratt is serializing a Marla Mason novel, Broken Mirrors at his website. His first anthology is out this summer from […] Source

Author : Vylar Kaftan Narrator : Mur Lafferty Host : Mur Lafferty Audio Producer : Mur Lafferty Discuss on Forums Simultaneously appearing in Lightspeed Magazine, Issue 1, June 1, 2010. Rated PG-13: for sexual description.   Show Notes: Thanks to John Joseph Adams and Lightspeed Magazine for the opportunity to run this fantastic story at […] Source

Author : Robert T. Jeschonek Narrator : John Cmar Host : Mur Lafferty Audio Producer : Mur Lafferty Discuss on Forums First appeared in Space and Time Magazine, issue 108. Rated PG: for innuendo-heavy snack cake desire.   Show Notes: Mur will be at Balticon this week, along with Drabblecast’s Norm Sherman! Come by and […] Source

Author : Stephen Gaskell Narrator : Chris Miller Host : Mur Lafferty Audio Producer : Mur Lafferty Discuss on Forums Escape Pod 241: Thargus and Brian is an Escape Pod original. Rated F: for two f-bombs and some serious munchies.   Show Notes: We’re now on Twitter! Follow us @escapepodcast Enter the Escape Pod Flash […] Source

Author : David D. Levine Narrator : Serah Eley Host : Serah Eley Audio Producer : Serah Eley Discuss on Forums First appeared in Asimov’s, January 2006. Special closing song: “Blue,” by Yoko Kanno. Rated PG. Contains some violence and is high in saturated fats. The Last McDougal’s By David D. Levine As the old […] Source

Author : David D. Levine Narrator : Meg Westfox Host : Serah Eley Audio Producer : Serah Eley Discuss on Forums First appeared in Bones of the World, ed. Bruce Holland Rogers. Rated PG. Contains sacrifice and space battles. Of a sort. Wind From a Dying Star By David D. Levine After a time she […] Source

Author : Geoffrey A. Landis Narrator : Serah Eley Host : Serah Eley Audio Producer : Serah Eley Discuss on Forums First appeared in Asimov’s, December 2008. Rated PG. Contains a little profanity and a lot of beat. Still On the Road By Geoffrey A. Landis Turns out, you know, that old dharma bum never […] Source

Author : Jeffrey R. DeRego Narrator : Serah Eley Host : Serah Eley Audio Producer : Serah Eley Discuss on Forums Escape Pod 233: Union Dues: The Threnody of Johnny Toruko is an Escape Pod original. Rated PG. Contains mature themes, violence, and some profanity. You know. Teenage stuff. Referenced Sites: Official Union Dues Web […] Source

Author : Merrie Haskell Narrator : Sara Tolbert Host : Alasdair Stuart Audio Producer : Jeremiah Tolbert Discuss on Forums Previously appeared in Asimov’s. Rated PG-13 for adult concepts and alien recruiters. An Almanac for the Alien Invaders By Merrie Haskell In January, there will be an annular solar eclipse, with the path of annularity […] Source

Author : Charles Stross Narrators : J.R. Blackwell, Jadzia Axelrod, Evo Terra, Sheila Dee, Dee Reed, Laura Burns, John Cmar and Earl Newton Host : Serah Eley Audio Producer : Serah Eley Discuss on Forums First appeared in Source

Author : Ian McHugh Narrator : Frank Key Host : Alasdair Stuart Audio Producer : Jeremiah Tolbert Discuss on Forums First appeared in Hub #24. Rated PG-13 for violence and mad cow disease. Requiem in D-minor (for prions, whale and burning bush) By Ian McHugh Kevin switched the audio over to the projector. The lecture […] Source

Author : Mercurio D. Rivera Narrator : Serah Eley Host : Serah Eley Audio Producer : Jeremiah Tolbert Discuss on Forums First appeared in Interzone Rated PG-13 for cloning and some adult themes. The Fifth Zhi By Mercurio D. Rivera Zhi 4’s scream pierces the Siberian night. My spiked metal boots crunch through the snow […] Source

Author : Michael Bishop Narrator : John Meagher Host : Serah Eley Audio Producer : Serah Eley Discuss on Forums Rated PG for a worryingly low miles per gallon Tired By Michael Bishop One morning, Gordon Pointer received an e-message from the left-front Goodstone tire on his old Callisto sedan. (He had bought the car […] Source

One Trick Dog By Bruce Boston Read by J.C. Hutchins Mr. Wayne was taking his daily exercise, walking Arthur around the lake in Nevley Park, when the sky darkened and a light snow began to fall. A few flakes fluttered against his cheeks. He could feel the cold through his heavy topcoat. He enjoyed the […] Source

Author : Nancy Kress Narrator : Steve Anderson Patent Infringement By Nancy Kress Kegelman-Ballston Corporation is proud to announce the first public release of its new drug, Halitex, which cures Ulbarton’s Flu completely after one ten-pill course of treatment. Ulbarton’s Flu, as the public knows all too well, now afflicts upwards of thirty million Americans, […] Source

Author : Greg van Eekhout Narrator : John Meagher Rated PG for a possibly edible messiah Taco By Greg Van Eekhout “Hey, tell me, this look like Jesus to you?” I come to Tito’s Tacos for a lot of reasons. The freeway overpass ambience, the way the old men in the kitchen wrap the burritos […] Source

Author : Wenonah Lyon Narrator : Elie Hirschman Host : Serah Eley Audio Producer : Serah Eley Discuss on Forums Rated PG for frequent golf horror Betting the Family Farm By Wenonah Lyon It had originally thought the goal was to hit the two small creatures in the distance. They appeared to be identical to […] Source

Off Base By Stevens R. Miller Read by Steve Anderson Her boyfriend put a slim hand to his forehead, as though shielding his eyes from sunlight, even though the sun had set some minutes before. Where the girl had pointed was a bright star, moving east. Rated PG for frequent golf horror Source

Author : Catherine M. Morrison Narrator : Ben Phillips Host : Serah Eley Audio Producer : Jeremiah Tolbert Discuss on Forums First appeared in SCIFICTION. Rated PG: contains Elvii. Elvis in the Attic By Catherine M. Morrison We had an Elvis in the attic.  Again. Echoing in the ducts, his voice woke me around 2 […] Source

Author : Daniel Braum Narrator : Serah Eley Host : Serah Eley Audio Producer : Serah Eley Discuss on Forums First appeared in Abyss & Apex, 2005 Rated PG. Contains death, betrayal, hauntings, and a challenging amount of Japanese. Sumo21 By Daniel Braum “Oh great Emperor,” the gyoji said, continuing the ritual. “These two honorable […] Source

Author : Ian Creasey Narrator : FNH Host : Tony C. Smith Audio Producer : Serah Eley Discuss on Forums First appeared in Asimov’s, March 2008 Rated PG. Contains themes of death and child endangerment. This Is How It Feels By Ian Creasey Nathan’s eyes stung as he remembered how Jenny used to do just […] Source

Author : Tim Pratt Narrator : Serah Eley Host : Serah Eley Audio Producer : Serah Eley Discuss on Forums Escape Pod 190: Origin Story is an Escape Pod original. Rated PG. Contains sibling rivalry and comic book deconstruction. Special closing music: “Skullcrusher Mountain” by Jonathan Coulton. Origin Story By Tim Pratt He didn’t call […] Source

Author : Liz Shannon Miller Narrator : Dani Cutler Host : Jeffrey R. DeRego Audio Producer : Serah Eley Discuss on Forums Escape Pod 189: The Botox School of Acting is an Escape Pod original. Rated PG. Contains profanity and shallow motivations. The Botox School of Acting By Liz Shannon Miller Only the best gain […] Source

Author : Mary Robinette Kowal Narrator : Cunning Minx Host : Serah Eley Audio Producer : Serah Eley Discuss on Forums Originally appeared in Aoife’s Kiss (2008) Rated G. Contains alien emotional drama. Sponsored by CONTAGIOUS, by Scott Sigler. Chrysalis By Mary Robinette Kowal People ask me if I ever get involved with the subjects of […] Source

Author : Jeffrey R. DeRego Narrator : Serah Eley Host : Serah Eley Audio Producer : Serah Eley Discuss on Forums Escape Pod 185: Union Dues: All About the Sponsors is an Escape Pod original. Rated PG. Contains some profanity, some violence, and strong rhetoric. Sponsored by CONTAGIOUS, by Scott Sigler. Union Dues: All About […] Source

Author : Richard K. Lyon Narrator : Frank Key Host : Rachel Swirsky Audio Producer : Rachel Swirsky Discuss on Forums Rated G. Contains proven impossibilities. Statement from Rachel Swirsky: Richard K. Lyon died on November 21. When I contacted him last month to ask if he still wanted this piece to run on our […] Source

Author : Mur Lafferty Narrator : Christiana Ellis Host : Serah Eley Discuss on Forums Rated G. Contains Santa revisionism and aerial combat. Special Closing Music: “Chiron Beta Prime,” by Jonathan Coulton. As Dry Leaves That Before the Wild Hurricane Fly By Mur Lafferty Comet and Cupid were fifteen, and took after their father, both […] Source

by Rachel Swirsky. Read by Ann Leckie.   Whatever the midwife told you, it’s not true. I cannot walk through walls. I cannot conjure a chicken and make it dance or start a fire with my fingers. I cannot shape familiars from fog or examine entrails to see if a man will die. I cannot resurrect your son. […] Source

By Katherine Sparrow. Read by Rachel Swirsky. All stories by Katherine Sparrow All stories read by Rachel Swirsky “Junk DNA? I’ll junk your DNA!” Sofia glared at Zorg. “Apologies. It is only, don’t you find it interesting? Most of it is unused–“ “Junk? You supercilious aliens come to Earth to rein snottiness on us lowly […] Source

By Anna Schwind Read by Ann Leckie When Chasca turned eleven, her father took her to a ship farm, to choose her vessel.  She stood on the observation deck, evaluating the herd.  Chasca selected the farthest ship.  It faced away from the others and bumped the edges of the corral.  She understood.  Rated  G. Source

by Rachel Swirsky read by Ann Leckie Summers, I sleep on rooftops. Under smokestacks, beside stairs, in the sudden green of precarious gardens. Rated PG. Contains mythical figures. Source

Author : H.G. Wells Narrator : Alasdair Stuart Host : Serah Eley Discuss on Forums Originally published in 1876 Rated PG. Kids, don’t do drugs. Also, some profanity in the outro. The Story of the Late Mr. Elvesham by H.G. Wells “I must tell you, then, that I am an old man, a very old […] Source

Author : Jeremiah Tolbert Narrator : Philippa Ballantine Host : Serah Eley Discuss on Forums First appeared in Seeds of Change, ed. John Joseph Adams Rated PG. Contains some harsh slang and violence against the system. Referenced Sites: The Dispatches of Dr. Roundbottom Philippa Ballantine’s official site Audible.com Promotion! Get your free audiobook at: http://audible.com/escapepodsff […] Source

Author : Will McIntosh Narrator : Serah Eley Host : Serah Eley Discuss on Forums Originally published in: Asimov’s, January 2008. Rated PG. Contains profanity. Including in the closing song. Special closing music: “Mandelbrot Set” by Jonathan Coulton. Unlikely by Will McIntosh “The mayor seems to believe there’s something to this,” Tuesday said. “He’s desperate. […] Source

Author : Ari Goelman Narrator : Anna Eley Host : Serah Eley Audio Producer : Graeme Dunlop Discuss on Forums Originally published in Strange Horizons Rated PG. A somewhat dark kid’s story; contains parental tragedy and complex social issues. Private Detective Molly By A.B. Goelman That’s when I see my new boss. Four feet of […] Source

Author : Sara Genge Narrator : Alasdair Stuart Host : Serah Eley Discuss on Forums First appeared in Cosmos, August/September 2007 Rated PG. Contains alien reproduction, politics, and other sordid topics. Referenced Sites: The Daily Cabal Family Values By Sara Genge Senator Wu accepted Twing’s seed out of courtesy, although she had no intention of […] Source

Author : Frank Wu Narrator : Serah Eley Host : Serah Eley Discuss on Forums First appeared in Abyss & Apex, 4th Quarter 2007. Rated PG. Contains violence on a grand scale and illness on a human scale. Referenced Sites: GUIDOLON The Giant Space Chicken Well-Told Tales Special closing music: “Showdown in Shinjuku” and “Incognito” […] Source

Author : David Brin Narrators : Anna Eley and Serah Eley Host : Serah Eley Audio Producer : Serah Eley Discuss on Forums Rated PG. Contains some sexual situations and scattered profanity in both English and Spanish. Those Eyes By David Brin “…So you want to talk about flying saucers? I was afraid of that. […] Source

Author : Janni Lee Simner Narrator : Anna Eley Host : Serah Eley Discuss on Forums First appeared in Bruce Coville’s Book of Aliens II, ed. Bruce Coville Rated G. This is a young adult SF story. Referenced Sites: Secret of the Three Treasures by Janni Lee Simner Bones of Faerie by Janni Lee Simner […] Source

Author : Cat Rambo Narrator : Serah Eley Host : Serah Eley Discuss on Forums First appeared in Asimov’s Science Fiction, March 2008 Rated G. Contains shady commerce and dim relations. Audible.com Promotion! Receive your free audiobook at: http://audible.com/escapepodsff Referenced Sites: Wiscon 2008 The Surgeon’s Tale and Other Stories by Cat Rambo & Jeff Vandermeer […] Source

Author : Carole McDonnell Narrator : Serah Eley Host : Serah Eley Discuss on Forums First appeared in Jigsaw Nation, ed. Edward J. McFadden III and E. Sedia. Rated PG. Contains heavy racial and political themes. Referenced Sites: Decoder Ring Theatre Homecoming at the Borderlands Café By Carole McDonnell We don’t see a lot of […] Source

Author : Jeff Carlson Narrator : Graydancer Host : Serah Eley Audio Producer : Serah Eley Discuss on Forums First appeared in Strange Horizons, August 2003. Rated PG. Contains moderate violence. Audible.com Promotion! Receive your free audiobook at: http://audiblepodcast.com/escapepod Referenced Sites: PodCastle Closing music: “I Crush Everything” by Jonathan Coulton. Pressure By Jeff Carlson I […] Source

Author : Ken Scholes Narrator : Serah Eley Host : Serah Eley Audio Producer : Serah Eley Discuss on Forums First appeared in Talebones, Spring 2001. Rated PG. Contains strong images of death and violence. Almost certainly not appropriate for small children. Edward Bear and the Very Long Walk by Ken Scholes “Do you know […] Source

Author : Jeremiah Tolbert Host : Serah Eley Audio Producer : Serah Eley Discuss on Forums First appeared in All-Star Zeppelin Adventure Stories (ed. David Moles & Jay Lake). Rated PG. Parental guidance suggested for violence and ennui. Audible.com Promotion! Receive your free audiobook at: http://audiblepodcast.com/escapepod Referenced Sites: Jared Axelrod’s Commissions Instead of a Loving […] Source