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

All human history shows that not all humans are men; some are mules, and some are wolves–and there are always a few rats. The Stainless Steel Rat by Harry Harrison, that’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, with at least one lost vintage sci-fi short story in every episode. The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast is growing like a weed out of control, all over the world, and baby there ain’t no pesticide! We’re seeing phenomenal growth in Australia which now boasts 3 out of the top 10 cities for weekly listens to our podcast. There are more downloads every week in Melbourne, Australia than any other city in the world. Brisbane is 7th and Adelaide is 9th. Thanks Australia! And we thank you, no matter where you are listening to The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast. Harry Harrison has been on the podcast before with the short story “The Robot Who Wanted To Know”.  That story is only 18 minutes long. What you’re about to hear today is considerably longer, about an hour, and it’s the first of two stories you will hear by Harry Harrison in the next 5 days. “The Stainless Steel Rat”  is a series of science fiction short stories and novels written by Harrison over four decades. Today’s story is the first of twelve in the series featuring James Bolivar diGriz, the fictional character created by Harrison. Let’s turn to page 41 in the August 1957 issue of Astounding Science Fiction Magazine for “The Stainless Steel Rat” by Harry Harrison… In two days on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, something was tapping on the window. Blowing up against the pane, again and again. Carried by the wind. Tapping faintly, insistently. Lori, sitting on the couch, pretended not to hear. She gripped her book tightly and turned a page. The tapping came again, louder, and more imperative. It could not be ignored. Of Withered Apples by Philip K. Dick. That’s this week on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, with at least one lost vintage sci-fi short story in every episode.Support the showPlease participate in our podcast survey https://podcastsurvey.typeform.com/to/gNLcxQlk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The most dangerous game, said one writer, is Man. But there is another still more deadly! Seventh Victim by Robert Sheckley, that’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, with at least one lost vintage sci-fi short story in every episode.The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast is growing like crazy, thanks to you, so we’re delivering two bonus episodes this week, to say thank you. In two days, we’re featuring the work of Harry Harrison and two days after that, Philip K. Dick returns.Thousands of you listen to us on podcast players like Apple, Spotify and Overcast and thousands more enjoy us on YouTube. Recent YouTube comments include this from Bob, “Thank you so much for these fabulous stories! I have a solitary job as a night custodian. I thoroughly enjoy these stories and the wonderful voice, who narrates them, as I work the graveyard shift. Thank you so much! Bob in Oregon” Thank you Bob!0therun1t21 says, “Well read! I love these stories, had to subscribe. Thank You!” Thank you for your comment 0therun!Dimitrikorsakov2570 had this to say, “Your narration is so damn good. You're so easy and pleasant to listen to.” Thanks Dimitri! Leave us a comment on YouTube or send us an email, scott@lostscifi.com. In the last couple of months, we’ve heard from Robert Sheckley twice, Watchbird and Beside Still Waters. Our Sheckley story today comes from the pages of Galaxy Science Fiction Magazine in April 1953. Let’s go to page 38 for Seventh Victim by Robert Sheckley…In two days on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, James diGriz lives a life of crime, and he’s good at it. Perhaps not as good as he thinks he is! The Stainless Steel Rat by Harry Harrison. And two days later we’ve got a story for you from Philip K. Dick. That’s this week on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, with at least one lost vintage sci-fi short story in every episode.Support the showPlease participate in our podcast survey https://podcastsurvey.typeform.com/to/gNLcxQlk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

One man's retreat is another's prison... and it takes a heap of flying to make a hulk a home! Spacemen Die At Home by Edward W. Ludwig, that’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, with at least one lost vintage sci-fi short story in every episode.We appreciate your 5-star reviews on Apple Podcasts. Gtree10 says. “Always a joy when a new story drops. Such a wonderful podcast, being able to listen to these great lost sci-fi stories from a range of authors (some well-know, some unknown). The reader does an incredible job bringing the stories to life. I eagerly look forward to next show dropping."Thank you Gtree10!!Kaydon Tye says, “A must listen to for sci-fi fans! I found the lost sci-fi podcast shortly after having a conversation about Philip K Dick with the attendant at the Holter Museum of Art in Helena Montana and looked for more about him. Being a big fan of classic and vintage literature I was pleasantly surprised to find your podcast. I was thrilled to see Philip K Dick as the pilot episode. I’ve been enjoying the narrator bring to life the story like an old time radio drama. From “The Plagiarist of Rigel IV” to “The Mind Digger” I hang on to every word to the end. I give the sci-fi podcast five stars and say it is a must listen for sci-fi fans.”Thanks Kaydon Tye!!If you like what we’re doing you can help us by leaving a 5 Star review, if you think we deserve it, on Apple Podcasts. Or you can give us 5 stars on Spotify.Born in Tracy, California in July 1920, Edward William Ludwig had 16 short science fiction stories published in the 1950s, 6 in the 60s, 1 in the 70s and 2 short sci-fi stories in the 80s. We know he died in 1990 at the age of 69 and that’s about it. The story we’re about to hear was his 5th published story in the 1950s. Turn to page 75 in the October 1951 issue of Galaxy Science Fiction Magazine for Spacemen Die At Home by Edward W. Ludwig…Next week on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, The most dangerous game, said one writer, is Man. But there is another still more deadly! Seventh Victim by Robert Sheckley. That’s next week on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, with at least one lost vintage sci-fi short story in every episode.If you like vintage science fiction stories from Philip K. Dick, Isaac Asimov, H.G. Wells, Harlan Ellison and others, you will love The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast!Support the showPlease participate in our podcast survey https://podcastsurvey.typeform.com/to/gNLcxQlk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The climate was perfect, the sky was always blue, and–best of all–nobody had to work. What more could anyone want? Planet of Dreams by James McKimmey Jr., that’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, with at least one lost vintage sci-fi short story in every episode.Thanks for your 5-star reviews on Apple Podcasts. SouthernSands says. “What a gem! This podcast has been a fantastic find. The golden age Sci-fi stories have always been a great mix of cautionary tale and hope for the future. Scott Miller is the perfect narrator to bring them to life. Thanks, and keep up the great work.” Thank you SouthernSands!!TealCoffeeMug says, “Great. I am really enjoying your podcast. I’ve enjoyed sci-fi since I was a kid. You do a great job of choosing interesting stories and reading them. Keep it up please.”Thanks TealCoffeeMug!!And thanks to all of you who have rated us on Spotify. We now have 48 ratings with an average rating of 4.9!!Today’s author, James McKimmey Jr. is a favorite of mine. He’s not a famous sci-fi author but I like narrating his stories.We’ll find our story on page 67 in the September 1953, If Worlds of Science Fiction, Planet of Dreams by James McKimmey Jr. …Next week on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, One man's retreat is another's prison ... andit takes a heap of flying to make a hulk a home! Spacemen Die At Home by Edward W. Ludwig. That’s next week on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, with at least one lost vintage sci-fi short story in every episode.Support the showPlease participate in our podcast survey https://podcastsurvey.typeform.com/to/gNLcxQlk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Achieving immortality is only half of the problem. The other half is knowing how to live with it once it's been made possible—and inescapable!. Second Childhood by Clifford D. Simak, that’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, with at least one lost vintage sci-fi short story in every episode.Clifford D. Simak worked as a newspaperman for most of his life and only became a full-time science fiction author after his retirement. However, what he accomplished part time was more than most. He won 3 Hugo Awards and a Nebula and The Science Fiction Writers of America made him its third Grand Master. Simak was born in Millville, Wisconsin in 1904. He was a public school teacher until leaving to work at the Minneapolis Star and Tribune until he retired at 72. He became interested in sci-fi after reading H. G. Wells.His first short story, “The World of the Red Sun” appeared in the December 1931 issue of Wonder Stories magazine. He would go on to write more than 120 short stories. Let’s turn to the pages of Galaxy Science Fiction in February 1951. We’ll find our story on page 81, Second Childhood by Clifford D. Simak…Next week on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, The climate was perfect, the sky was always blue, and–best of all–nobody had to work. What more could anyone want? Planet of Dreams by James McKimmey Jr. That’s next week with at least one lost vintage sci-fi short story in every episode.Support the showPlease participate in our podcast survey https://podcastsurvey.typeform.com/to/gNLcxQlk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

History was repeating itself; there were moats and nobles in Pennsylvania and vassals in Manhattan and the barbarian hordes were overrunning the land. The Barbarians by Algis Budrys, that’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, with at least one lost vintage sci-fi short story in every episode.“He was in some ways the best writer of his kind around. He made sentences come alive better than most writers. I’m not talking just about science fiction writers.” The words of writer, editor, and literary agent Frederik Pohl–at 89 about Algis Budrys.Budrys was born in 1931 in what was then East Prussia, Germany. At the end of his life Budrys still remembered what he had seen from the second-story window of his parents’ apartment on a spring day in 1936. Adolf Hitler, “in an open black Mercedes with his arm propped up. I’m sure he had an iron bar up his sleeve, because he couldn’t have kept his arm that particular way for so long otherwise.”In 1936, when his father failed to get the Paris posting he’d requested, he was assigned to New York instead. Budrys’s parents, desperate to survive in Depression-era America, ended up running a chicken farm in rural New Jersey.“My big breakthrough came when Miss Anderson, who owned the general store in Dorothy, New Jersey, gave me a bunch of unsold magazines, including Astonishing Stories, edited by Frederik Pohl,” Budrys said. And his love for science fiction began.He wrote 10 novels and about 135 short stories.When you turn to page 58 in If Worlds of Science Fiction in February 1958 you might be surprised to see John Sentry’s name as the author, but you will know the man who wrote The Barbarians is Algis Budrys… Next week on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, Achieving immortality is only half of the problem. The other half is knowing how to live with it once it's been made possible—and inescapable! Second Childhood by Clifford D. Simak. That’s next week on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, with at least one lost vintage sci-fi short story in every episode.Support the showPlease participate in our podcast survey https://podcastsurvey.typeform.com/to/gNLcxQlk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A zoo is a place where some people make sport of lower animals. That included Kemper, but for him people were the lower animals! The Man Who Liked Lions by John Bernard Daley, that’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, with at least one lost vintage sci-fi short story in every episode.We are going live on YouTube in 2 days on Thursday, July 20th at 4 PM US Eastern time. We’ll be narrating some of Harry Harrison’s The Stainless Steel Rat, answer any questions you have, and everything else is up to you. If you want to send us questions in advance please do so, scott@lostscifi.com. That’s in two days, July 20th at 4 PM in New York, Atlanta and Toronto, 3 PM in Chicago, 1 in Los Angeles and Seattle, and 9 PM in Leicester, Manchester and London. It should be fun; I hope you will join us. There’s a link to our YouTube channel in the description https://www.youtube.com/vintagescifiaudiobooksJohn Bernard Daley makes his debut on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast today. Daley was born in Pittsburgh in 1918 and died at age 92 in 2011. He wrote three short sci-fi stories in the 1950s and that’s all we know about him. This story is the very definition of Lost Sci-Fi. Turn to page 70 in the October 1956 issue of Infinity Science Fiction Magazine for The Man Who Liked Lions by John Bernard Daley… Next week on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, History was repeating itself; there were moats and nobles in Pennsylvania and vassals in Manhattan and the barbarian hordes were overrunning the land. The Barbarians by Algis Budrys.That’s next week on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, with at least one lost vintage sci-fi short story in every episode.Support the showPlease participate in our podcast survey https://podcastsurvey.typeform.com/to/gNLcxQlk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“Only Shervane dared to learn the mind-shattering truth of that incredible barrier!” The Wall of Darkness 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.Last week was a record for us, more podcast listeners, and more YouTube listeners than ever before. We also received more emails, comments, ratings, and reviews. Thanks for your support.keithstump1712 commented on a YouTube video, “These stories are greatly welcome here in the High Andes of Peru during our long winter nights.” Thanks Keith. Stephen sent us an email, “Greetings from Vancouver Island on the west coast of Canada!”It's been a delight to discover your podcast and storytelling. These stories have been keeping me company on my commute to work. Keep up the wonderful work bringing these old stories back to life and inspiring our imaginations.” Thank you, Stephen.Arthur C. Clarke has been on the podcast before with “A Walk in the Dark”. Today’s story can be found on page 66 of “Super Science Stories” in July, 1949, 74 years ago. “The Wall of Darkness” by Arthur C. Clarke… Next week on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, A zoo is a place where some people make sport of lower animals. That included Kemper, but for him people were the lower animals! The Man Who Liked Lions by John Bernard Daley. That’s next week on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, with at least one lost vintage sci-fi short story in every episode.https://lostscifi.com/podcast/the-wall-of-darkness-by-arthur-c-clarke-episode-83/Please participate in our podcast survey https://podcastsurvey.typeform.com/to/gNLcxQlk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today’s episode is a combination of two requests. You asked for more super short science fiction stories and you asked for longer episodes. So, why not both? We’ve got 9 kinda short sci-fi stories for you in an episode that’s almost two hours long! That’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast.Special thanks to Love the Vibe for yet another 5-star rating and review on Apple Podcasts. “My two cents. Scott Miller lifts everything to a higher—more artistic—level. Probably would elevate the humble phone book to Shakespearean heights!!!! Many thanks.” Thank you, Love the Vibe. If you haven’t already left a review on Apple Podcasts we’d appreciate it if you would. And for our Spotify listeners if you’d give us a 5-star rating on the Spotify app, if you think we deserve it, that would be awesome.We begin with a story from “Weird Tales - A Magazine of the Bizarre and Unusual” in July 1938. Let’s go to page 91 for Escape from Paul Ernst.Our next story was written by one of those guys we know almost nothing about. In addition to 6 short science fiction stories in the 1950s, Robert Zacks wrote TV episodes for 7 shows in the 50s. From “Startling Stories Magazine” in May 1952, the first story ever published written by Robert Zacks, From Outer SpaceAugust Derleth grew up in Sauk City, Wisconsin. He wrote his first fiction story at 13. His stories were rejected 40 times over 3 years before he sold “Bat’s Belfry” to “Weird Tales Magazine” in 1926. “Birkett’s Twelfth Corpse” can be found in “Strange Stories Magazine” in August 1940.Evan Hunter has been on the podcast before. He wrote one of my favorites, “The Plagiarist From Rigel IV”. “Only one question seemed important in this huge space venture: Who was flying where?” We’ll find our story on page 57 of the May 1952 issue of “If Worlds of Science Fiction”, Welcome, Martians!Up next a short tale about a strange entity on a distant world. Our strange story was written by Henry Kuttner and this is his first short sci-fi story on the podcast. He sold his first story, “The Graveyard Rats” to “Weird Tales Magazine” in 1936. Kuttner contributed several stories to the Cthulhu Mythos genre including today’s story. Open your January 1937 copy of“Weird Tales Magazine” to page 93 for “The Eater of Souls” Our next story was written by I. M. Bukstein. An exhaustive search for the author found absolutely nothing. “No, sir, we wasn't fooled by them lights in the night sky. Illusionations, we call 'em. Funny though, Willie disappeared that night!” From “Imagination Stories of Science and Fantasy” in October 1952, turn to page 112 for “Hey Ma, Where’s Willie”Fredric Brown is known for his mastery of the super short sci-fi stories.Would you try to save your wife from a killer? Seems like a. simple question, but to Mandy's husband, it was one to stump the experts. We’ll find our story on page 100 of “Black Mask Magazine” in November 1948. Cry SilenceWe heard from Fritz Leiber only a week ago. “This is how it all began—the terrible civil strife that devastates our world!” Turn to page 57 in the debut issue of “Worlds of Tomorrow Magazine”, in April 1963 for “X Marks the Pedwalk”Robert Sheckley, made his debut on our podcast just two days ago. We’ll find our story on page 19 of the October-November issue of “Amazing Stories Magazine.” Beside Still Waters“ Support the showPlease participate in our podcast survey https://podcastsurvey.typeform.com/to/gNLcxQlk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Strange how often the Millenium has been at hand. The idea is peace on Earth, see, and the way to do it is by figuring out angles.  Watchbird by Robert Sheckley, that’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, with at least one lost vintage sci-fi short story in every episode.We added 3 episodes to the podcast last week, and we’re doing it again this week, to say thank you for the explosion of new listeners and to reward you, our listeners who have been with us for a long time.I had never read a science fiction story by Robert Sheckley until Jesse recommend him. Sheckley was born to a Jewish family in Brooklyn, New York on July 16th, 1928. After graduating high school, he hitchhiked across country to California.He worked several jobs, joined the Army and left military service just two years later. Sheckley graduated from New York University in 1951 and within months his career as a writer took off. In late 1951 he sold his first story, “Final Examination” to “Imagination Stories of Science and Fantasy” magazine. He wrote more than 120 short stories in the 1950s and he continued writing until he died in 2005.He not only wrote short stories and novels but TV series episodes too. His 1953 short story “Seventh Victim” was the basis for the Italian film The 10th Victim. It starred Ursula Andress. You will hear “Seventh Victim” in a few weeks here on the podcast.The movie “Robots” which came out a few weeks ago starring Shailene Woodley is based on the Robert Sheckley short story “The Robot Who Looked Like Me”The short story you’re about to hear was adapted for the short-lived TV series Masters of Science Fiction. We’ll find our story in the February 1953 publication, “Galaxy Science Fiction” magazine. Turn to page 74 for Watchbird by Robert Sheckley…In 2 days on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, you asked for it and we’re doing it. A combination of two requests. You asked for more super short science fiction stories and you asked for longer episodes of The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast. So, why not both? We’ve got 9 kinda short sci-fi stories for you in an episode that’s a little over two hours! That’s in 2 days on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, with at least one lost vintage sci-fi short story in every episode.Support the showPlease participate in our podcast survey https://podcastsurvey.typeform.com/to/gNLcxQlk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.