Midwest Weird

Welcome the newest Broads and Books Production, and cousin to Midwest Weird: Past Ten! This audio nonfiction journal asks writers: "Where were you on this date ten years ago?"Follow Past Ten wherever you get your podcasts!------In the first episode, Heather Gudenkauf reads her essay, "I Am Struck by How Upbeat I Sound."Heather Gudenkauf is the Edgar Award nominated, New York Times & USA Today bestselling author of ten novels, including The Overnight Guest and her most recent thriller Everyone is Watching. Her debut novel, The Weight of Silence, was an instant NYT bestseller and remained on the list for 22 weeks. Gudenkauf’s critically acclaimed novels have been published in over 25 countries and have sold over 2.5 million copies worldwide._________Past Ten asks writers to answer the question: "Where were you on this date ten years ago?"Get more Past Ten at our website, and our anthology.Want your work to appear on Past Ten? Submit today!

Today on Midwest Weird: “Bob," by Mario Senzale.Buy Mario a coffee in support of his work! Be sure to leave a message and note who the coffee is for : )Mario Senzale is a South American writer and mathematician currently living in Indianapolis, Indiana.For a full transcript of this episode, visit www.midwestweird.com._____Midwest Weird is an audio literary magazine from Broads and Books Productions. We’re the home of weird fiction and nonfiction by Midwestern writers.Submit your own work to Midwest Weird at www.midwestweird.com.

Today on Midwest Weird: “Small Town Inc Goes Public," by Joe Prosit.Buy Joe a coffee in support of her work! Be sure to leave a message and note who the coffee is for : )Joe Prosit writes sci-fi, horror, and psycho fiction. He has independently published six novels and two short story collections. He lives with his wife, kids, and dog in Brainerd, Minnesota.For a full transcript of this episode, visit www.midwestweird.com._____Midwest Weird is an audio literary magazine from Broads and Books Productions. We’re the home of weird fiction and nonfiction by Midwestern writers.Submit your own work to Midwest Weird at www.midwestweird.com.

Today on Midwest Weird: “I Wanna Be Sedated," by Melissa Ford Lucken.Buy Melissa a coffee in support of her work! Be sure to leave a message and note who the coffee is for : ) Melissa Ford Lucken holds an MA in Special Education from Eastern Michigan University and an MFA in Creative Writing from Lasell University. She is a professor of creative writing and composition at Lansing Community College, where she serves as the fiction and creative non-fiction editor of The Washington Square Review, the college’s literary journal.For a full transcript of this episode, visit www.midwestweird.com. _____Midwest Weird is an audio literary magazine from Broads and Books Productions. We’re the home of weird fiction and nonfiction by Midwestern writers.Submit your own work to Midwest Weird at www.midwestweird.com.

Today on Midwest Weird: “Before the Rain" by Betty Stanton.Buy Betty a coffee in support of her work! Be sure to leave a message and note who the coffee is for : ) Betty Stanton (she/her) is a Puschart nominated writer who lives and works in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Her work has appeared or is forthcoming in various journals and collections and has been included in various anthologies. She received her MFA from The University of Texas - El Paso and holds a doctorate in Educational Leadership. She is currently on the editorial board of Ivo Review. Reach Betty at @fadingbetty.bsky.For a full transcript of this episode, visit www.midwestweird.com. _____Midwest Weird is an audio literary magazine from Broads and Books Productions. We’re the home of weird fiction and nonfiction by Midwestern writers.Submit your own work to Midwest Weird at www.midwestweird.com.

Today on Midwest Weird: "Dark Earth," by Sarah L. Parris.Buy Sarah a coffee in support of her work! Be sure to leave a message and note who the coffee is for : ) Sarah Parris writes short speculative and fantasy fiction. She is also an instructor of English and Creative Writing, which she believes is the best job ever. Sarah lives in Missouri with her wife and cats. In her free time, Sarah can often be found playing Dungeons & Dragons.For a full transcript of this episode, visit www.midwestweird.com. _____Midwest Weird is an audio literary magazine from Broads and Books Productions. We’re the home of weird fiction and nonfiction by Midwestern writers.Submit your own work to Midwest Weird at www.midwestweird.com.

Today on Midwest Weird: “the oven of america," by Gabriella Fryer. Buy Gabriella a coffee in support of her work! Be sure to leave a message and note who it's for : ) Gabriella Fryer is a mother, wife, and writer located in New England, but she was born and raised all over the Midwest. She started her family in Illinois, and finds her writing often starts or ends in its familiar landscapes. Gabriella enjoys writing poetry, short fiction, essays, and creative nonfiction about magic, food, ecology, queerness, and the nonhuman. Her chapbook, Muted Red, was published by Bottlecap Press and her creative writing can also be found at Gramarye, Crow & Cross Keys, 12 Willows Press, and Shemom Poetry Zine, among others.For a full transcript of this episode, visit www.midwestweird.com. _____Midwest Weird is an audio literary magazine from Broads and Books Productions. We’re the home of weird fiction and nonfiction by Midwestern writers.Submit your own work to Midwest Weird at www.midwestweird.com.

Today on Midwest Weird: “The Move Out from Marbury Drive” by Shiv Majmudar. Buy Shiv a coffee in support of his work! Be sure to leave a message and note who it's for. Shiv Majmudar has published fiction in the Alabama Literary Review. His stories have been recognized by the Writers of the Future Contest. A senior at Olentangy Orange High School, he lives in Westerville, Ohio.For a full transcript of this episode, visit www.midwestweird.com. _____Midwest Weird is an audio literary magazine from Broads and Books Productions. We’re the home of weird fiction and nonfiction by Midwestern writers.Submit your own work to Midwest Weird at www.midwestweird.com.

Today on Midwest Weird: "How to Survive Being Brought to Church by Your Grandparents," by Ryan Van Ells. Buy Ryan a coffee in support of his work! Be sure to leave a message and note who it's for. Ryan Van Ells (he/him) is a queer lawyer and author of dark fiction from Milwaukee, WI. His work has appeared in State of Matter, Tiny Terrors and Drabbledark III. He is an affiliate member of the HWA. You can find him at ryanvanellsauthor.wordpress.com.For a full transcript of this episode, visit www.midwestweird.com. _____Midwest Weird is an audio literary magazine from Broads and Books Productions. We’re the home of weird fiction and nonfiction by Midwestern writers.Submit your own work to Midwest Weird at www.midwestweird.com.

Today on Midwest Weird: “Bruno and His Classmates," by Sophie Anne Hinkson.Buy Sophie a coffee in support of her work! Be sure to leave a message and note who it's for. Sophie Ann Hinkson relocated to Chicago from Paris a few years ago. In France, she worked as a bookseller and journalist for a literary magazine and radio station. She is now teaching ESL and French at various colleges in Chicago. She holds an MA in Modern Literature from France and is currently an MFA candidate in Creative Writing at UC Riverside’s Low Residency Program. She lives in Chicago with her husband, one cat, and six pet rats.For a full transcript of this episode, visit www.midwestweird.com. _____Midwest Weird is an audio literary magazine from Broads and Books Productions. We’re the home of weird fiction and nonfiction by Midwestern writers.Submit your own work to Midwest Weird at www.midwestweird.com.

Today on Midwest Weird: “Why I Don't Deserve to Be in Jail This Halloween” by Itto and Mekiya Outini.Buy Itto and Mekiya a coffee in support of their work! Be sure to leave a message and note who it's for. Itto and Mekiya Outini write about America, Morocco, and all those caught in between. They’ve published in The North American Review, Modern Literature, Fourth Genre, and elsewhere. Their work has also received support from the MacDowell Foundation, the Steinbeck Fellowship Program, the Edward F. Albee Foundation, and the Fulbright Program. They’re collaborating on several books and running The DateKeepers, an author support platform. For a full transcript of this episode, visit www.midwestweird.com. _____Midwest Weird is an audio literary magazine from Broads and Books Productions. We’re the home of weird fiction and nonfiction by Midwestern writers.Submit your own work to Midwest Weird at www.midwestweird.com.

Today on Midwest Weird: The first episode of a new audio drama by Amy Lee Lillard. All episodes of the show, A Woman is a God, will be available on July 9, wherever you listen to podcasts. The show and its original music comes from Amy Lee Lillard, the co-creator and producer of Midwest Weird. She is also the author of three books: Exile in Guyville, A Grotesque Animal, and Dig Me Out. And she’s the founder of Rebel Yell Creative, helping writers, community groups and small businesses build, create and resist, through creative consulting, courses and community. _____Midwest Weird is an audio literary magazine from Broads and Books Productions. We’re the home of weird fiction and nonfiction by Midwestern writers.Submit your own work to Midwest Weird at www.midwestweird.com.

Today on Midwest Weird: "Pants Free in St. Paul," by Erin Johnston.Erin Johnston is the co-creator and editor of Midwest Weird. And with Heath Smith and Amy Lee Lillard, she hosts the 80s and 90s pop culture podcast Fuzzy Memories.For a full transcript of this episode, visit www.midwestweird.com. _____Midwest Weird is an audio literary magazine from Broads and Books Productions. We’re the home of weird fiction and nonfiction by Midwestern writers.Submit your own work to Midwest Weird at www.midwestweird.com.

Today on Midwest Weird: A special reading of Donzerly Light, our pop culture column from Heath Smith. Heath Smith is a special pop culture contributor to Midwest Weird. Read his column, Donzerly Light, at midwestweird.com, and get it direct to your inbox when you sign up. Heath is co-host of Fuzzy Memories, the 80s and 90s pop culture podcast. For a full transcript of this episode, visit www.midwestweird.com. _____Midwest Weird is an audio literary magazine from Broads and Books Productions. We’re the home of weird fiction and nonfiction by Midwestern writers.Submit your own work to Midwest Weird at www.midwestweird.com.

Today on Midwest Weird: “How to Grow a House" by LL Kelly. LL Kelly currently lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota with her family. When not writing (or reading), she can be found working on new tricks with her dog, crafting, or gardening.For a full transcript of this episode, visit www.midwestweird.com. _____Midwest Weird is an audio literary magazine from Broads and Books Productions. We’re the home of weird fiction and nonfiction by Midwestern writers.Submit your own work to Midwest Weird at www.midwestweird.com.

Today on Midwest Weird: Three short works by Mathew SerbackMathew Serback is a re-educated goblin from the lower west side of Cleveland, OH, whose art and writing delve into the complexities of trauma, identity, and societal dissonance. Through his YouTube channel, he shares his creative journey, posting audio-visual poems and stories, including the popular documentary What to Do When Surviving Violence. For a full transcript of this episode, visit www.midwestweird.com. _____Midwest Weird is an audio literary magazine from Broads and Books Productions. We’re the home of weird fiction and nonfiction by Midwestern writers.Submit your own work to Midwest Weird at www.midwestweird.com.

Today on Midwest Weird: “Flood” by Stephanie Frazee. Stephanie Frazee's work is forthcoming from Variant Literature and has appeared in Marrow Magazine, Pithead Chapel, The Evergreen Review, Bayou Magazine, Juked, SmokeLong Quarterly, and elsewhere. She is online at www.stephaniefrazee.com and @stephieosaurus.bsky.social.For a full transcript of this episode, visit www.midwestweird.com. _____Midwest Weird is an audio literary magazine from Broads and Books Productions. We’re the home of weird fiction and nonfiction by Midwestern writers.Submit your own work to Midwest Weird at www.midwestweird.com.

Today on Midwest Weird: “Eviction Notice” by Joshua Grasso. Joshua Grasso (he/him) is a professor of English at East Central University (OK), where he’s taught since getting his PhD in 2006. He teaches courses in writing, Shakespeare, world literature, and when he can, comic books. His works have appeared most recently in the anthology The Speculative Teachers Lounge, and magazines such as On Spec, Androids & Dragons, and Allegory.For a full transcript of this episode, visit www.midwestweird.com. _____Midwest Weird is an audio literary magazine from Broads and Books Productions. We’re the home of weird fiction and nonfiction by Midwestern writers.Submit your own work to Midwest Weird at www.midwestweird.com.

Today on Midwest Weird: “The Death of the Dinosaurs” by Kristin Harley. Kristin Harley's fiction has appeared in Haunted MTL, Parcham Magazine, and most recently Third Name's a Charm: Tales of Trios and Triple Threats. She works at a library and freelances as a journalist, fiction writer, and science writer. Two novels in her four-book series about the surrealist poets Antonin Artaud and Robert Desnos were published in 2023 (Traitor Comet) and 2024 (L'Etoile de Mer, or The Starfish).For a full transcript of this episode, visit www.midwestweird.com. _____Midwest Weird is an audio literary magazine from Broads and Books Productions. We’re the home of weird fiction and nonfiction by Midwestern writers.Submit your own work to Midwest Weird at www.midwestweird.com.

Today on Midwest Weird: “The Shape of Her Life” by E.F. Schraeder. A Rhysling and Pushcart nominated poet, E.F. Schraeder is author of The Price of a Small Hot Fire (Raw Dog Screaming Press, 2023), What Happened Was Impossible (Ghoulish Books, 2023), and several other works. Schraeder’s creative work and nonfiction has appeared in Mystery Weekly Magazine, Ghoulish Tales, Vastarien: A Literary Journal, and other journals and anthologies. They believe in ghosts, magic, and dogs and hold an advanced degree in Library Science and PhD in ethics.For a full transcript of this episode, visit www.midwestweird.com. _____Midwest Weird is an audio literary magazine from Broads and Books Productions. We’re the home of weird fiction and nonfiction by Midwestern writers.Submit your own work to Midwest Weird at www.midwestweird.com.

Today on Midwest Weird: “The Ghosts of Us” by Daniela Barzallo. An Ecuadorian-American writer from Peoria, Illinois, Daniela Barzallo is currently pursuing her MFA in Creative Writing at the University of Missouri - Kansas City. She has a special love for speculative fiction, but she enjoys writing poetry and autofiction as well. You can find some of her work in Broadside Literary Journal, Kansas City Magazine, and in the forthcoming Fall issue of Pleiades Magazine.For a full transcript of this episode, visit www.midwestweird.com. _____Midwest Weird is an audio literary magazine from Broads and Books Productions. We’re the home of weird fiction and nonfiction by Midwestern writers.Submit your own work to Midwest Weird at www.midwestweird.com.

Today on Midwest Weird: “Carnation” by Gabriella Paz Hoggatt. Gabriella Paz Hoggatt is an MFA candidate at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where they work as an Editorial Assistant for Ninth Letter Magazine. Their work has previously appeared or is forthcoming in BarBar and elsewhere.For a full transcript of this episode, visit www.midwestweird.com. Listen to an interview with Gabriella, and other bonus episodes, at our Patreon! _____Midwest Weird is an audio literary magazine from Broads and Books Productions. We’re the home of weird fiction and nonfiction by Midwestern writers.Submit your own work to Midwest Weird at www.midwestweird.com.

Today on Midwest Weird: “My Pretend Husbands” by Sara Spry Sara Spry is a barista, pet sitter and writer living in Chicago, Illinois. She spends most of her time working and writing, but also enjoys arts and crafts, going to the movies, and relaxing at home with a hot drink and a vintage Saturday Night Live episode.For a full transcript of this episode, visit www.midwestweird.com. Support more weird art in 2025! Join us at Patreon for behind the scenes bonuses, including an interview with Sara Spry. _____Midwest Weird is an audio literary magazine from Broads and Books Productions. We’re the home of weird fiction and nonfiction by Midwestern writers.Submit your own work to Midwest Weird at www.midwestweird.com.

Today on Midwest Weird: “Transcendental Boy” by Nick Thornton. Nick Thornton is a speculative fiction writer whose work explores the intersection of cosmic weirdness and human connection. He lives in Michigan.For a full transcript of this episode, visit www.midwestweird.com. _____Midwest Weird is an audio literary magazine from Broads and Books Productions. We’re the home of weird fiction and nonfiction by Midwestern writers.Submit your own work to Midwest Weird at www.midwestweird.com.

Today on Midwest Weird: A special behind-the-scenes discussion with our editors, Amy Lee Lillard and Erin Johnston. Mentioned in the show: Fuzzy Memories PodcastBroads and Books PodcastWyrd Woman Audio DramaDonzerly Light, a column by Heath SmithBooks: Exile in Guyville, A Grotesque Animal, Dig Me Out_____Midwest Weird is an audio literary magazine from Broads and Books Productions. We’re the home of weird fiction and nonfiction by Midwestern writers.Submit your own work to Midwest Weird at www.midwestweird.com.

Today on Midwest Weird: A special reading of Donzerly Light, our weird pop culture column from Heath Smith. Heath Smith is a special pop culture contributor to Midwest Weird. Read his column, Donzerly Light, at midwestweird.com, and get it direct to your inbox when you sign up. Heath is co-host of Fuzzy Memories, the 80s and 90s pop culture podcast. Keep listening to the end of this episode for a short clip from the show, and listen to the new season in your favorite podcast player. For a full transcript of this episode, and all of Heath's columns, visit www.midwestweird.com. _____Midwest Weird is an audio literary magazine from Broads and Books Productions. We’re the home of weird fiction and nonfiction by Midwestern writers.Submit your own work to Midwest Weird at www.midwestweird.com.

Today on Midwest Weird: “Corporeal” by Amy Lee Lillard. Amy Lee Lillard is the co-creator and producer of Midwest Weird. She is the author of three books: Exile in Guyville, A Grotesque Animal, and Dig Me Out. Her fiction podcast, Wyrd Woman, has all episodes available now. And with Erin Johnston and Heath Smith, she hosts the 80s and 90s pop culture podcast Fuzzy Memories.This story originally appeared in Exile in Guyville, and is included here with permission from BOA Editions. For a full transcript of this episode, visit www.midwestweird.com. _____Midwest Weird is an audio literary magazine from Broads and Books Productions. We’re the home of weird fiction and nonfiction by Midwestern writers.Submit your own work to Midwest Weird at www.midwestweird.com.

Today on Midwest Weird: “In-Home Party” by Erin Johnston.Erin Johnston is the co-creator and editor of Midwest Weird. And with Heath Smith and Amy Lee Lillard, she hosts the 80s and 90s pop culture podcast Fuzzy Memories.For a full transcript of this episode, visit www.midwestweird.com. _____Midwest Weird is an audio literary magazine from Broads and Books Productions. We’re the home of weird fiction and nonfiction by Midwestern writers.Submit your own work to Midwest Weird at www.midwestweird.com.

Today on Midwest Weird: “Gabriel's Horns” by Kip Knott. Kip Knott is a writer, poet, teacher, photographer, and part-time art dealer living in Ohio. His most recent book of poetry, The Misanthrope in Moonlight, is available from Bottlecap Press. You can follow him on Instagram at @kip.knott and read more of his work at www.kipknott.com.For a full transcript of this episode, visit www.midwestweird.com. _____Midwest Weird is an audio literary magazine from Broads and Books Productions. We’re the home of weird fiction and nonfiction by Midwestern writers.Submit your own work to Midwest Weird at www.midwestweird.com.

Today on Midwest Weird: “Red Velvet” by Aarushi Bahadur.Aarushi Bahadur is a senior at St. Paul Academy in Minnesota. She’s a Scholastic writing award winner, a student journalist, a theater kid, and an ardent vinyl collector. Her work has previously been featured in Iris: Art + Lit Magazine.For a full transcript of this episode, visit www.midwestweird.com. _____Midwest Weird is an audio literary magazine from Broads and Books Productions. We’re the home of weird fiction and nonfiction by Midwestern writers.Submit your own work to Midwest Weird at www.midwestweird.com.

Today on Midwest Weird: “We Knew a World” by JP Solheim. JP Solheim’s short fiction has earned recognition in contests held by Glimmer Train and Craft, and their short fiction has been published in Bellevue Literary Review, Confrontation, MQR: Mixtape, and The Pinch. They are part of the MFA in Creative Writing and Literature faculty at Stony Brook University, where they also serve as Associate Director of the BookEnds novel revision fellowship. They live in Oak Park, Illinois.For a full transcript of this episode, visit www.midwestweird.com. _____Midwest Weird is an audio literary magazine from Broads and Books Productions. We’re the home of weird fiction and nonfiction by Midwestern writers.Submit your own work to Midwest Weird at www.midwestweird.com.

Today on Midwest Weird: “Drug Test” by Sam Sharp. Sam Sharp grew up in the low hills of north central Ohio. He writes essays and stories about complicated relationships between people, places, and the animals who call them home. He recently earned his MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Wyoming with a concurrent degree in Environment and Natural Resources. You can read his work in Western Confluence Magazine, The Trek, Deep Wild journal, and elsewhere.For a full transcript of this episode, visit www.midwestweird.com. _____Midwest Weird is an audio literary magazine from Broads and Books Productions. We’re the home of weird fiction and nonfiction by Midwestern writers.Submit your own work to Midwest Weird at www.midwestweird.com.

Today on Midwest Weird: “Destroying Angels” by Russell Brakefield. Russell Brakefield is the author of Field Recordings (Wayne State University Press), My Modest Blindness (Autofocus Books) and Irregular Heartbeats at the Park West (Wayne State University Press). He received his MFA in poetry from the University of Michigan’s Helen Zell Writers’ Program.For a full transcript of this episode, visit www.midwestweird.com. _____Midwest Weird is an audio literary magazine from Broads and Books Productions. We’re the home of weird fiction and nonfiction by Midwestern writers.Submit your own work to Midwest Weird at www.midwestweird.com.

Today on Midwest Weird: “36 Hours in the SPAM® Museum” by Graham Marema. Graham Marema received her MFA at the University of Wyoming with a concurrent degree in Environment & Natural Resources. She is an activist, traveler, and musician. Her work has appeared in the American Literary Review, Litro Magazine, and 3Elements Review.For a full transcript of this episode, visit www.midwestweird.com. _____Midwest Weird is an audio literary magazine from Broads and Books Productions. We’re the home of weird fiction and nonfiction by Midwestern writers.Submit your own work to Midwest Weird at www.midwestweird.com.

Today on Midwest Weird: “You’re Invited” by Jane Lovell. Jane Lovell is a writer and zine maker from St. Louis, Missouri. Her work has previously appeared in Abyss & Apex Magazine.For a full transcript of this episode, visit www.midwestweird.com. _____Midwest Weird is an audio literary magazine from Broads and Books Productions. We’re the home of weird fiction and nonfiction by Midwestern writers.Submit your own work to Midwest Weird at www.midwestweird.com.

Today on Midwest Weird: “Negation” by Jessica Klimesh. Jessica Klimesh (she/her) is a US-based writer and editor whose creative work has been published or is forthcoming in Cleaver, Flash Frog, trampset, Atticus Review, Brink, Club Plum Literary, Ghost Parachute, and Bending Genres, among others. Her work has been nominated for the Pushcart Prize, Best Microfiction, Best Small Fictions, and Best of the Net. Learn more at www.jessicaklimesh.com.Find a full transcript for this episode at www.midwestweird.com. _____Midwest Weird is an audio literary magazine from Broads and Books Productions. We’re the home of weird fiction and nonfiction by Midwestern writers.Submit your own work to Midwest Weird at www.midwestweird.com.

Today on Midwest Weird: “The Highway” by Maxine Firehammer. Maxine Firehammer is a horror writer living in Saint Paul. She has previously had work appear in Hash Journal, The Molotov Cocktail, and The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction. She is a 2024 Pushcart Prize nominee.For a full transcript of this episode, visit www.midwestweird.com._____Midwest Weird is an audio literary magazine from Broads and Books Productions. We’re the home of weird fiction and nonfiction by Midwestern writers.Submit your own work to Midwest Weird at www.midwestweird.com.

Today on Midwest Weird: “Growth” by Keira Perkins. Keira Perkins writes both short fiction and poetry, most of it speculative. She is also a scientist, which is mostly not speculative. Keira lives in Indiana with her husband, dogs, cats, and whichever stray animal she’s brought home that week. Keira can be found at keiraperkins.com, where she blogs about knitting, ghosts, miscellaneous trivia and occasionally, writing.For a full transcript of this episode, visit www.midwestweird.com. _____Midwest Weird is an audio literary magazine from Broads and Books Productions. We’re the home of weird fiction and nonfiction by Midwestern writers.Submit your own work to Midwest Weird at www.midwestweird.com.

Midwest Weird is an audio literary magazine featuring weird fiction and nonfiction by Midwestern writers. From strange styles to unique identities, from written tales to oral tradition, from Iowa to Indiana and everywhere in between, we’re the podcast home for stories that stick with you. Listen every other week for the edge of creation, come to life.Season 2 premieres February 12!Listen and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts, or at MidwestWeird.com. And support more weird art in 2025 by joining us on Patreon!