The Drabblecast Audio Fiction Podcast

Come walk the road (or unsettling staircase leading down into the earth) less traveled this week on the Drabblecast, as we present author Rory Say’s story “The Bridge.” Enjoy! Episode Art by Bo Kaier The Bridge by Rory Say Before they were let loose on the beach, the boy […]

The Quantum Doctor is in! …on this week’s Drabblecast. We bring you “Fatal Conditions,” by Chris Campbell. Read by Onicia D Mueller. Want to find more of this episode’s author Chris Campbell’s work? Find them on Bluesky : https://bsky.app/profile/chriscampbell.bsky.social or on their website: https://www.clundycampbell.com Like many good stories, Chris Campbell’s (he/him) starts with a wrong turn, […]

Silosibyn Sandalhemp (Cryptkeeper Norm) returns to host the Drabblecast Hallowellness Special, and the Drabblecast presents a production of Thomas Ha’s creepy short story, “Window Boy.” This story originally appeared in Clarkesworld. Did you know Norm is working on an album? More details here. Thomas Ha is a Nebula, Ignyte, Locus, and Shirley Jackson Award-nominated writer […]

⁠The Strangies⁠ Would you like to look on the inside of the Drabblecast to see if we look like what the outside does? Come look for fresh insides at our Patreon. We have ad-free episodes and bonus content to sate your curious mind. Narrator: Norm Sherman⁠Norm Sherman’s latest CD, “The Instruction Book” Author: J. […]

We can, as well. Create. Respect. His. Might. This story originally appeared in Clarkesworld. Go here to learn more and vote for your favorite stories of 2023 and 2024: ⁠The Strangies⁠ ⁠Norm Sherman’s latest CD, “The Instruction Book” Thomas Ha is a Nebula, Ignyte, Locus, and Shirley Jackson Award-nominated writer of speculative short fiction. You […]

Listen to the Diggerman, the crooked music in his steps, the muddled drumbeat in his cusses. He can’t walk straight or talk straight. All those years of digging left him bent. A story of change and renewel and supernatural bears on this week’s Drabblecast! We bring you “The Bleeding Tree,”by Joe Koch. Also, Norm announcies […]

At last! Another touching dog story on the Drabblecast! This week we bring you an original by H. Robert Barland. Enjoy! H. Robert Barland is a teacher, Viking re-enactor and black belt martial artist. A former climber, film extra, and resident of the UK, he has now returned to Newcastle, Australia where he lives with […]

In a little pastel house, a seer and a psychopomp have questions. This week on Drabblecast– something’s fishy in a curious small town. We bring you a paranormal murder-mystery byCormack Baldwin & EV Smith. Enjoy! Cormack Baldwin (he/him) and EV Smith (he/she/they) are a daring duo of authors and editors. Together, they run Archive of […]

We made it everyone! On this, the 500th episode, a commissioned original from a Drabblecast favorite– Shaenon Garrity. Episode Art: Bo Kaier Your Local Repairers of Reality By Shaenon K. Garrity When Oreos came out in Red Bull flavor, Jojo decided it was time to take action. There were bigger problems in the world, obviously, […]

John Brown wears brown John Brown pants, on this week’s Drabblecast! We present an original story by Kay Vaindal called “Nowhere.” Enjoy! Kay Vaindal (she/her) is a coastal ecologist and weird fiction writer. Her work has appeared in Seize the Press, Dark Matter, and anthologies including This World Belongs to Us and Death’s Other Kingdom: […]

A lesson on loneliness on this week’s Drabblecast– an original story by Arasibo Campeche called “The Sol Searching Fool.” Arasibo Campeche (he/him)”Arasibo is originally from Puerto Rico and has a Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Biophysics. He writes science fiction, fantasy, and horror that’s often inspired by scientific principles. His work has appeared in numerous venues. […]

This week on the Drabblecast- a melancholy story about loss, abandonment, and the perils of old magic. Avra Margariti is a queer author, Greek sea monster, and Rhysling-nominated poet with a fondness for the dark and the darling. Avra’s work haunts publications such as Strange Horizons, The Deadlands, F&SF, Podcastle, Asimov’s, Vastarien, and Reckoning. You […]

Stop asking so many damn questions. Come and listen to the newest weird story from Pop-Pop. He’s got something important to tell you. Zachary Olson(he/him) is a freelance writer and composer from Phoenix, Arizona currently residing in Chicago. Updates on his work can be found on Twitter @obfuscatingGod and here. Steve Lillie Find them here: […]

Lights! Wheels! Wipers! Curtain! This week, a marvel of machines and carbureted choreography awaits you. Kay Vaindal (she/her) is a coastal ecologist and weird fiction writer. Her work has appeared in Seize the Press, Dark Matter, and anthologies including This World Belongs to Us and Death’s Other Kingdom: Horror Tales of WWI. Find them here. […]

You have a ring on your door bell, and laid on your stoop is a brown papered parcel, tied with damp twine. You bring the package inside, noticing that the sky is tinged a weird green. You smell burning hair. You pull the ends of the twine, which is warm and wet and reminds you […]

Your curiosity and your inner voyeur are calling. Will you be able to meet their gaze? This week on the Drabblecast we bring you “China Doll,”by Kelsea Yu. Our artists is Matt Driver. Sydney based artist. Instagram @mdriverart Read by the Word Whore. Kelsea Yu (she/her) is a Taiwanese Chinese American writer and mother living […]

This week on the Drabblecast, become something new! We bring you two stories about transformation by author Christine Nogle. Narrated by The Word Whore. Reach your full biological potential at the Drabblecast’s patreon. FALL INTO WATER, BECOME SOMEONE NEW by Christine Nogle Lines after lines of picnic tables are set on the plain, […]

One, two, three, what’s that staring back at me? Four, five, six, I know what this viscera predicts… This week on the Drabblecast, we are going on a journey. Pack your bags, and bring extra socks for the clown. “Learn to Count with the Doomed Expedition” is a reprint story by T.B. Jeremiah. T. B. […]

This week on the Drabblecast, we have arrived in the seedy side of space. The sign on the front says, “Boffel’s”, and the sensation on your back you don’t recognize. “Slime on My Hackles” is an original story by Jessica Jewell. Jessica Jewell (she/her) is a science fiction writer. She lives in Hamilton, Ontario with […]

This week on the Drabblecast, we bring you a dark ancient tale from a distant lost land called “The Black Waters of Lethe,” by Oliver Buckram. Also, exciting news! Norm is launching a new Kickstarter for his 3rd album, “The Instruction Book.” And how! Follow the upcoming campaign here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/drabblecast/the-instruction-book The Black Waters of Lethe […]

Tickets, please! Tickets! Right this way! Coupons to the right, and fast passes to left. NO pushing, folks. Watch your tendrils! Keep your goo to yourself. All lines will get you to the newest episode, “From Earth, to Io with Love. ” by Adelehin Ijasan! Adelehin Ijasan is a Nigerian writer living […]

Our story this week is spoiling for a good time. Enjoy a delicious exploration of the human condition, “Bad Meat” by Chip Houser! Chip Houser (he/him) has stories in Bourbon Penn, PodCastle, Daily Science Fiction, and various other markets. “Dark Morsels,” a chapbook of his very short fiction, is forthcoming from Red Bird Chapbooks. He’s […]

Our story this week is “Those Who Forget and Those Who Perish” by K. W. Colyard. Enjoy! Cover art by Steve Lillie Do you long to be a part of the mob? Did this week’s story give you mob-envy? Then do we have something akin to a mob, but less angry, and less muddy, and […]

Let us quell your unease with our favorite platitude, “When God closes a door, he opens a window, but when Tom Floss squints at the mob through his window, Roy boards up the door for him.” Our story this week is “He Who Ruined Everything” by L. N. Clarke. Cover art by Bo Kaier Do […]

The Drabblecast hits the lanes this week with original story, “Cosmic Bowling” by Mike James Davis. Cover art by Shane Bevin! Drabblecast Patreon Cosmic Bowlingby Mike James Davis I’m a frequent bowler, very frequent in fact, and nothing tickles me more than when my local lanes fire up an old throwback: Cosmic Bowl. The nostalgia […]

The Drabblecast wraps up 2023 with a Drabbleganza, followed by a story about tough decisions and leaving things behind– a Drabblecast original by Em Liu, called “Snow.” Happy New Year! Drabblecast Patreon Cover art by Bo Kaier Snow by Em Liu I step out into the deep snow. In my right hand is a flashlight, […]

The Drabblecast Weird West Event closes out this week with another original story– this time with epic train shoot-outs, centaurs, and manifest destiny! We bring you, “That Bloody Frontier” by Sasha Brown. Drabblecast Patreon Cover art by Tristan Tolhurst That Bloody Frontier by Sasha Brown August 2, 1855 The bones of the railroad […]

The Drabblecast Weird Wild West continues, with “The Alamo” by Cedrick May. Cover art by Tristan Tolhurst The Alamo by Cedrick May The wounded man raised his hand to point, and Sam watched as blood dribbled like raindrops from the end of his finger. “Water, boy… gimme’ some of that water there…” Sam turned to […]

The Drabblecast Weird West event continues, with “Rusty Sue” by Arthur H. Manners. Cover art by Tristan Tolhurst Rusty Sue by Arthur H. Manners The last townsfolk bolted in the night, fleeing for their lives. Gen and I had watched the evacuation all day from the overlook, though I’d ordered us abed earlier. Fatigue didn’t […]

The Drabblecast kicks off the Weird West event, with Avra Margariti’s story “Headhunting” and 100 word Drabble Quickdraw Contest winner “Taming the Larvalands” by Matt Blairstone. Enjoy! Cover art by Tristan Tolhurst Headhunting by Avra Margariti The tinfoil sun scorched the desert road as a figure rode on horseback, carrying a disembodied head by its […]

As the summer winds down and things cool down, the Drabblecast brings you a story that will give you chills! We present, “Cool Air” by H.P. Lovecraft. Cover art by Catriel Tallarico Cool Air by H.P. Lovecraft You ask me to explain why I am afraid of a draught of cool air; why I shiver […]

Mountain climbing might be more treacherous than you think. This week on the Drabblecast, we bring you Jason Sanford’s “The Eight-Thousanders.” Cover art by Bo Kaier The Eight-Thousanders by Jason Sanford He spoke once, the words whispered by frozen lips on a face so frostbitten he looked like a porcelain doll. I found him below […]

Norm talks birds on this week’s episode, before presenting Drabblecast’s production of “The Pigeon” by Michelle Knudsen. Enjoy! Cover art by Bo Kaier The Pigeon by Michelle Knudsen The pigeon stood on the concrete ledge outside the library, bobbing its head at passerby and very clearly saying the words “egg salad.” Robert froze on […]

A merry hanging and a game of jacks, this week on the Drabblecast! Cover art by Bo Kaier

This week on the Drabblecast– mutant hillbillies! Cover art by Bo Kaier Exit the Professor by Henry Kuttner and C. L. Moore We Hogbens are right exclusive. That Perfesser feller from the city might have known that, but he come busting in without an invite, and I don’t figger he had call to complain afterward. In […]

The Drabblecast brings you an original tale of interspecies aid. We present “Trunk to Trunk,” by P.B. Yeary. Enjoy! Art by Bo Kaier Trunk to Trunk by P. B. Yeary The seed that fell from the heavens did not belong where it was planted. […]

#Hivelife this week on the Drabblecast! We bring you “The Hard Problem of Consciousness” by Andrew Giffin. The Hard Problem of Consciousness by Andrew Giffin Rain fell and the air reeked of communication. Chemical signals trailed behind every scurrying figure. Pat shuddered at their segmented legs working in unison, a group of them passing her […]

The Drabblecast takes you on an expedition you’re gonna have to see with your own eyes to believe! We bring you The Monster-God of Mamurth by Edmond Hamilton. Cover art by Bo Kaier The Monster-God of Mamurth by The Edmond Hamilton Out of the desert night he came to us, stumbling into our little circle […]

The Drabblecast presents an original story by Michael Bettendorf about football and growing up the hard way. Read to you by Renee Chambliss. Art by DS Oswald Personal Best By Michael Bettendorf It’s hard to see eye to eye with your parents when they’re always looking down on you. I cannot help that I am […]

Dating is weird this week on the Drabblecast. We bring you a Drabblecast original, “Yummy Tummy” by Chelsea Pumpkins, read by The Word Whore. Tasty! Cover art by Michael Butkovich Yummy Tummy by Chelsea Pumpkins The bell over the door chimes as Aaron pushes it open and holds it […]

The Drabblecast returns with a sinister tale of generational ick. We present “The Bad Ones Are Always the Best,” by Michelle Ann King. The Bad Ones Are Always the Best by Michelle Ann King Marty’s grandson takes the cup of tea he’s offered — without saying thank you, mind — and stares at it dubiously, […]

On this week’s Drabblecast, Dendrology meets Criminal Psychology. A story by Harley Carnell. Art by Bo Kaier. Woods For the Trees by Harley Carnell On the second day of our search for John Shaw, John Shaw joins our search party. Frustrated after years of incompetence and inaction from the authorities, and after Shaw recently committed […]

Ever feel Déjà vu on the road supposedly less traveled? Truth and lies on this week’s Drabblecast, we bring you an original story from Bob McHugh called “Is This a Plate?” Enjoy! Produced by Adam Pracht Read by Dominick Rabrun Beyond this point, two paths lie One you live, one you die Ask one […]

This week’s show has it all: vampires, evolutionary biology, and quivering jacked up Taylor Swifts. We bring you three flash fiction pieces about the complications of being in love: Taylor Swift by Hugh Behm-Steinberg, The Evolution of a Breakup by Etgar Keret, and May I Come In by Adrienne Ryan. Narrations provided by Avery Alexander, […]

This week we the Drabblecast brings you some interesting original historic found footage uncovered by author Jonathan Louis Duckworth called, “The Follower’s Revel.” Enjoy! Art by Bo Kaier.

Episode Sponsor– Mothmen 1966 The secret’s out on this week’s Drabblecast, and nothing will ever be the same. We bring you an original Drabblecast story called “A Hymn Upon the Lips of the Dead,” by Mav Lux. Oh and Norm sings us a song about singing that he should have just told you. Enjoy! Cover […]

An uncanny episode of original fiction this week on the Drabblecast– we bring you, “The Tenant” by Sarah E. Stevens. Cover created by Bo Kaier in concert with the midjourney text-to-image AI (and unidentifiable, scraped contributors). We hope to experience your enjoyment. The Tenant by Sarah E. Stevens Vanessa […]

Finally, a Drabblecast episode for weird foodies. We bring you a Drabblecast original called, “How to Impress a Top Food Critic and Put Your Restaurant on the Galactic Map” by P.A, Cornell. Enjoy… Episode Sponsor– Mothmen 1966 Cover created by Bo Kaier in concert with the midjourney text-to-image AI (and unidentifiable, scraped contributors). How […]

Episode Sponsor: Mothman 1966 In this week’s Drabblecast story, the only scenes that aren’t sex scenes are crime scenes. We bring you an original Drabblecast story by Tim Pratt about a dark future of vigilante justice sex toys, called “The Distributed Denial of Sexytime.” Also, Norm and guest Executice Producer Bart Epstein treat us to […]

Norm is cryptic this week in terms of offering information on the featured story, “7099 Brecksville Road, Independence Ohio,” by JR Hamentaschen. He will say that that’s the story, and that’s the author. And to listen with headphones on. And also, check out our episode sponsor this week, pixel-pulp video game Mothmen 1966! Available on […]