The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast - Vintage Sci-Fi Short Stories

Scott Miller
undefined
Jan 15, 2024 • 16min

Doorstep by Keith Laumer - Short Sci-Fi Story From the 1960s

The general was bucking for his other star–and this miserable contraption bucked right back! Doorstep by Keith Laumer, that’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast.Doorstep marks the debut of Keith Laumer on the podcast. Laumer was born in Syracuse New York in 1925. Before becoming a full-time writer, he was an officer in the United States Air Force during World War II and a diplomat in the United States Foreign Service.He is perhaps best known for the character James Retief, a cynical spacefaring diplomat, who is based or at the very least inspired in part on Laumer’s service as a diplomat. We will meet Mr. Retief in future episodes of the podcast.Was today’s story influenced by Laumer’s time in the military? We’ll let you decide. Let’s peruse the pages of the February 1961 issue of Galaxy Science Fiction Magazine and on page 64 we will find Doorstep by Keith Laumer… Next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, The fey Mr. Young continues his scholarly researches in the scientific origins of our myth and legend with this tale of an agile—and avaricious—one-man Boarding Party. Boarding Party by Robert F. Young.Support the Show https://www.buymeacoffee.com/scottsVMerchandise https://lostscifi.creator-spring.com/Facebook https://www.facebook.com/TheLostSciFiPodcastTwitter https://twitter.com/lost_sci_fiSign up for our newsletter https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/266431/102592606683269000/share Please participate in our podcast survey https://podcastsurvey.typeform.com/to/gNLcxQlk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
undefined
Jan 14, 2024 • 14min

I Bring Fresh Flowers by Robert F. Young - Short Sci-Fi Story From the 1960s

A touching tale of an Astronette–and why the gentle rain from Heaven has the quality of mercy. I Bring Fresh Flowers by Robert F. Young, that’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast.Special thanks to James van Maanenberg who bought us $25 worth of coffee! “I was craving some sci-fi short stories a while ago. I searched high and low, and found very few podcasts that combined high production values and a quality selection. Here at the Lost Sci-fi Podcast, we have both! I've been a huge fan, since I discovered the channel on YouTube and I recommend it to all my friends. Thank you Scott, for the attention to detail in the production and respect paid to the source material.”Thank you James! If you’d like to support The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast you can buy a cup of coffee, there’s a link in the description.Robert F. Young makes his second appearance on the podcast with a beautifully written story first published in Amazing Stories Magazine in February 1964, not quite 60 years ago. Let’s turn to page 107 for I Bring Fresh Flowers by Robert F. Young…Next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, The general was bucking for his other star–and this miserable contraption bucked right back! Doorstep by Keith Laumer.Support the Show https://www.buymeacoffee.com/scottsVMerchandisehttps://lostscifi.creator-spring.com/listing/dystopia-today-utopiahttps://lostscifi.creator-spring.com/listing/parallel-universes-2024https://lostscifi.creator-spring.com/listing/time-travel-9665https://lostscifi.creator-spring.com/listing/warp-speed-2024https://lostscifi.creator-spring.com/listing/probe-fashion-not-humanshttps://lostscifi.creator-spring.com/listing/in-a-world-full-of-humansFacebook https://www.facebook.com/TheLostSciFiPodcastTwitter https://twitter.com/lost_sci_fiSign up for our newsletter https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/266431/102592606683269000/share Please participate in our podcast survey https://podcastsurvey.typeform.com/to/gNLcxQlk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
undefined
Jan 13, 2024 • 44min

The Gifts of Asti by Andre Norton - Andre Norton Short Stories

She was the guardian of the worlds, but HER world was dead. The Gifts of Asti by Andre Norton, that’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast.The first story we ever narrated by Andre Norton, All Cats Are Gray, was so popular that we decided to do another one of her stories as soon as possible.I had never heard of the publication Fantasy Book which, like many publications of the time, didn't last long. Fantasy Book published 8 issues from 1947 thru 1951 and disappeared for more than 30 years with an issue in 1985 and another in 1986.From Fantasy Book Volume 1 Number 3 in July, 1948 our story is found on page 8, The Gifts of Asti by Andre Norton…Next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, A touching tale of an Astronette–and why the gentle rain from Heaven has the quality of mercy. I Bring Fresh Flowers by Robert F. Young.Support the Show https://www.buymeacoffee.com/scottsVMerchandise New Designshttps://lostscifi.creator-spring.com/listing/get-psychedelic-alienhttps://lostscifi.creator-spring.com/listing/blue-alien-with-headphoneshttps://lostscifi.creator-spring.com/listing/earth-sagas-alien-earshttps://lostscifi.creator-spring.com/listing/in-a-world-full-of-humansFacebook https://www.facebook.com/TheLostSciFiPodcastTwitter https://twitter.com/lost_sci_fiSign up for our newsletterhttps://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/266431/102592606683269000/sharePlease participate in our podcast survey https://podcastsurvey.typeform.com/to/gNLcxQlk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
undefined
Jan 9, 2024 • 38min

Jokester by Isaac Asimov - Isaac Asmiov Sci-Fi Short Story

What really happened to the traveling salesman and the farmer’s daughter–and why? Here’s the ultimate, horrifying answer… Jokester by Isaac Asimov, that’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, with at least one lost vintage sci-fi short story in every episode.Support the Show https://www.buymeacoffee.com/scottsVWe have a lot of new merchandise in our store, there are direct links to several new designs in the description.https://lostscifi.creator-spring.com/listing/in-a-world-full-of-humanshttps://lostscifi.creator-spring.com/listing/probe-fashion-not-humanshttps://lostscifi.creator-spring.com/listing/warp-speed-2024https://lostscifi.creator-spring.com/listing/dystopia-today-utopiahttps://lostscifi.creator-spring.com/listing/time-travel-9665From Infinity Science Fiction Magazine in December, 1956 let us go to page 39 and discover Jokester by Isaac Asimov…Next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, She was the guardian of the worlds, but HER world was dead. The Gifts of Asti by Andre Norton.Facebook https://www.facebook.com/TheLostSciFiPodcastTwitter https://twitter.com/lost_sci_fiSign up for our newsletter https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/266431/102592606683269000/share Please participate in our podcast survey https://podcastsurvey.typeform.com/to/gNLcxQlk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
undefined
Jan 7, 2024 • 19min

Castaway by Arthur C. Clarke - Arthur C. Clarke Short Stories

Caught in a storm he is thrown far from home and his very existence is in doubt. Castaway by Arthur C. Clarke, that’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, with at least one lost vintage sci-fi short story in every episode.In the UK in 1938 a new magazine appeared, Fantasy would publish an issue that year and two the next and then disappear. It reappeared in 1946 with 3 issues over the next two years and, poof, it was gone again, this time for good. Our story appeared in the April 1947 issue but it was credited to Charles Willis. Almost 20 years later it reappeared in a collection of science fiction stories called Strange Signposts. You’ll find it on page 303, Castaway by Arthur C. Clarke…Next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, What really happened to the traveling salesman and the farmer’s daughter–and why? Here’s the ultimate, horrifying answer… Jokester by Isaac Asimov.Support the Show https://www.buymeacoffee.com/scottsVMerchandise https://lostscifi.creator-spring.com/Facebook https://www.facebook.com/TheLostSciFiPodcastTwitter https://twitter.com/lost_sci_fiSign up for our newsletter https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/266431/102592606683269000/sharePlease participate in our podcast survey https://podcastsurvey.typeform.com/to/gNLcxQlk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
undefined
Jan 6, 2024 • 23min

All Cats Are Gray by Andre Norton - Andre Norton Short Stories

An odd story, made up of oddly assorted elements that include a man, a woman, a gray cat, a treasure—and an invisible being that had to be seen to be believed. All Cats Are Gray by Andre Norton, that’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, with at least one lost vintage sci-fi short story in every episode.Thank you for making us one of the most popular science fiction podcasts in the world. According to Apple Podcasts we are #2 in Romania, and #3 in Portugal. More 5-star reviews on Apple Podcasts, this from NJ Short Story Fan, “Excellent Podcast. Thank you for narrating “The First Man on the Moon” - it reminds me of that Twilight Zone episode “I Shot an Arrow into the Air.” However, I think you left out the end of Alfred Coppel’s story. There is an epilogue that explains the presence of the figure as Sargon of the spacefaring Lemurians. Thank for bringing these wonderful stories from the Golden Age of Sci Fi to life. I don’t mind the ads, please keep doing what you are doing.” Thanks for your review!Oops! Thank you for letting us know about our omission at the end of “The First Man on the Moon” NJ Short Story Fan, we also received an email from Matthew McWhorter informing us of our mistake. We will record the ending and add it to the podcast and let you know here when the correct version is available. For those of you who listen on YouTube we’re not sure what we’re going to do. If you have a suggestion please email us an scott@lostscifi.com, or comment on The First Man on the Moon.Andre Norton makes her debut on the podcast today. Born Alice Mary Norton in Cleveland Ohio in 1912. Most of her stories appear under the pen name Andre Norton, but she also used Andrew North and Allen Weston. To say she was a pioneer for women writing science fiction would be a huge understatement. She was the first woman to be Gandalf Grand Master of Fantasy, to be SFWA Grand Master, and to be inducted by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame.She chose to write most often under Andre Norton because she thought there was prejudice against female writers and most people thought she was a man.She would write more than 30 novels and more than 50 short stories. What you are about to hear was the second short story that published more than 70 years ago. Taken at face value the author of today’s story is Andrew North, but we know better. From the pages of Fantastic Universe Science Fiction, August–September 1953 let’s turn to page 129, All Cats Are Gray by Andre Norton…Next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, Caught in a storm he is thrown far from home and his very existence is in doubt. Castaway by Arthur C. Clarke.Support the Show https://www.buymeacoffee.com/scottsVMerchandise https://lostscifi.creator-spring.com/Facebook https://www.facebook.com/TheLostSciFiPodcastTwitter https://twitter.com/lost_sci_fiSign up for our newsletter https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/266431/102592606683269000/share Please participate in our podcast survey https://podcastsurvey.typeform.com/to/gNLcxQlk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
undefined
Jan 3, 2024 • 42min

Happy Ending by Fredric Brown and Mack Reynolds - Science Fiction Short Stories

A world had collapsed around this man—a world that would never shout his praises again. The burned-out cities were still and dead, the twisted bodies and twisted souls giving him their last salute in death. And now he was alone, alone surrounded by memories, alone and waiting… Happy Ending by Fredric Brown and Mack Reynolds, that’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, with at least one lost vintage sci-fi short story in every episode.It is good to be back after a trip to the beach here in Costa Rica where we met sci-fi fans everywhere, including two young women from Canada, Adele and Paige and Erik and Pia from Germany. Welcome to the ever growing list of listeners around the world to The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast.Thanks for making us one of the most listened to science fiction podcasts in the world, and thanks for making us #1 in Belgium and #2 in Hungary. We’ve featured stories by Fredric Brown and by Mack Reynolds before but they wrote this story together. From Fantastic Universe magazine in September 1957, our story can be found on page 105, Happy Ending by Fredric Brown and Mack Reynolds…Next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, An odd story, made up of oddly assorted elements that include a man, a woman, a black cat, a treasure—and an invisible being that had to be seen to be believed. All Cats Are Gray by Andre Norton.Support the Show https://www.buymeacoffee.com/scottsVMerchandise https://lostscifi.creator-spring.com/Facebook https://www.facebook.com/TheLostSciFiPodcastTwitter https://twitter.com/lost_sci_fiSign up for our newsletter https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/266431/102592606683269000/share Please participate in our podcast survey https://podcastsurvey.typeform.com/to/gNLcxQlk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
undefined
Dec 27, 2023 • 30min

The Most Sentimental Man by Evelyn E. Smith - The Last Man on Earth

Once these irritating fare-wells were over with, he could begin to live as he wished and as he’d dreamed… The Most Sentimental Man by Evelyn E. Smith, that’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, with at least one lost vintage sci-fi short story in every episode.Today marks the first appearance of Evelyn E. Smith on the podcast. Smith was born in New York City in 1922. She wrote more than 50 short stories, almost all of them appeared in science fiction pulp magazines in the 1950s. She is probably best known for her Miss Melville Mystery series in the 1980s and early 90s.Peruse page 68 in the August 1957 publication of Fantastic Universe magazine and you will find The Most Sentimental Man by Evelyn E. Smith…Next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, Sometimes the queerly shaped Venusian trees seemed to talk to him, but their voices were soft. They were loyal people… Happy Ending by Fredric Brown and Mack Reynolds.Support the Show https://www.buymeacoffee.com/scottsVMerchandise https://lostscifi.creator-spring.com/Facebook https://www.facebook.com/TheLostSciFiPodcastTwitter https://twitter.com/lost_sci_fiSign up for our newsletter https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/266431/102592606683269000/share Please participate in our podcast survey https://podcastsurvey.typeform.com/to/gNLcxQlk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
undefined
Dec 26, 2023 • 17min

The First Man on the Moon by Alfred Coppel - Murder in Space

John Thurmon swore he'd be the first man on the moon. But he wasn't. He was only the first murderer. The First Man On The Moon by Alfred Coppel, that’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, with at least one lost vintage sci-fi short story in every episode.In recent weeks with the addition of commercials in our podcast some listeners have told us they have chosen to lower their rating, solely based on commercials and not because they dislike the podcast.Because of that I’m going to take a few seconds and explain why those commercials are there. Upon my death my wife will not receive my social security and will be left with no income. That bothers me, so two years ago I started narrating these stories with the hope that audiobook sales would provide her with some money. Then I added the podcast with the desire that it too might eventually generate some money so that my wife could live out the rest of her days with dignity.That’s one of the reasons why we value you and every listener we have, and everything you do to help us promote the podcast, we appreciate every one of you who buys us a coffee, or purchases merchandise from our store. You are helping me fulfill the promise I made to my wife to take care of her. I love my wife and my promise to provide for her when I’m gone is something I take very seriously. Thank you for your understanding and your support.Regarding those who choose to rate and review our podcast, I respect your right to say and do whatever you choose. Thank you.To say I love our story today would be a huge understatement. From Planet Stories magazine in the spring of 1950, our story can be found on page 36, The First Man on the Moon by Alfred Coppel…Next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, Johnson knew he was annoying the younger man, who so obviously lived by the regulations in the Colonial Officer's Manual and lacked the imagination to understand why he was doing this… The Most Sentimental Man by Evelyn E. Smith.Merch - https://lostscifi.creator-spring.com/Facebook https://www.facebook.com/TheLostSciFiPodcastTwitter https://twitter.com/lost_sci_fihttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/scottsVSign up for our newsletter https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/266431/102592606683269000/share Please participate in our podcast survey https://podcastsurvey.typeform.com/to/gNLcxQlk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
undefined
Dec 23, 2023 • 32min

Encounter in the Dawn by Arthur C. Clarke - Arthur C. Clarke Short Stories

A lot of glib fiction has been written about life on other planets, with space ships dropping down among alien races, zap guns decimating the enemy, while Our Hero goes after a Beautiful Princess. But Mr. Clarke takes the realistic approach. Encounter in the Dawn by Arthur C. Clarke, that’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, with at least one lost vintage sci-fi short story in every episode.Another 5 star review on Apple Podcasts. This time from Australia, Zapzoom FBC says, “Great. This is a great podcast. The narrator is a great reader. All stories are extremely good.” Thanks Zapzoom and thanks to all of you have who given us a 5 star rating and review this year from all over the world.Arthur C. Clarke is back on the podcast today with a story of space travelers connecting with, well we don’t want to spoil it for you. From Amazing Stories Magazine in June and July 1953 our story can be found on page 4, Encounter in the Dawn by Arthur C. Clarke…Next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, John Thurmon swore he'd be the first man on the moon. But he wasn't. He was only the first murderer. The First Man On The Moon by Alfred Coppel.Merch - https://lostscifi.creator-spring.com/Facebook https://www.facebook.com/TheLostSciFiPodcastTwitter https://twitter.com/lost_sci_fihttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/scottsVSign up for our newsletter https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/266431/102592606683269000/share Please participate in our podcast survey https://podcastsurvey.typeform.com/to/gNLcxQlk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The AI-powered Podcast Player

Save insights by tapping your headphones, chat with episodes, discover the best highlights - and more!
App store bannerPlay store banner
Get the app