

The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast - Vintage Sci-Fi Short Stories
Scott Miller
Step aboard our cosmic vessel and embark on a thrilling journey through the annals of science fiction history. Delve into the realms of imagination with us as we traverse the vast expanses of the solar system, encountering aliens, robots, and spacefaring brigands amidst the twinkling stars.Join us several times a week as we unearth timeless tales penned by the luminaries of vintage sci-fi literature. From the visionary minds of Philip K. Dick to the poetic prose of Ray Bradbury, from the boundless imagination of Isaac Asimov to the pioneering works of H. G. Wells, Arthur C. Clarke, Harlan Ellison, and countless others, we bring you short stories that have shaped the genre for generations.Prepare to journey back in time a hundred years, or more, to an era when these awe-inspiring narratives first graced the pages of pulp magazines and sci-fi anthologies. Yet, paradoxically, our destination often lies in the distant future, where the echoes of these literary marvels continue to resonate.Guiding us through this celestial voyage is our narrator, Scott Miller, who serves as your companion and guide as we traverse the cosmos, exploring the wonders of yesteryear and the possibilities of tomorrow. Join us as we navigate the depths of space and time, embarking on an adventure that transcends the boundaries of imagination. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Feb 26, 2023 • 42min
Monsters That Once Were Men by Robert Silverberg
They were like creatures painted by a drunken artist, ghastly, utterly repulsive caricatures of humanity! Yet, twisted though they were, they were still human... Monsters That Once Were Men by Robert Silverberg, that’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, with at least one lost vintage sci-fi short story in every episode.Our 1st Anniversary week comes to an end with a superb story Silverberg scribbled softly. Okay maybe I went a bit too far looking for words that started with S. So sorry. In the early 1950s, Robert Silverberg was a young science fiction fan who was eager to break into the field as a writer. He started submitting stories to various magazines but was repeatedly rejected.Undeterred, Silverberg wrote a story called "Gorgon Planet" and it appeared in “Nebula”, Scotland's first science fiction magazine under the name Bob Silverberg in 1954. It was the first of more than 600 paid short stories. As was the case with many sci-fi stories back then, "Gorgon Planet" appeared again. It was published in “Super-Science Fiction” magazine 4 ½ years later with the title “The Fight With The Gorgon.” Same story, different title.Silverberg’s career took off in 1956 when he sold more than 50 short stories.Today’s story comes from Super-Science Fiction Magazine in August 1959. The story is credited to one of Silverberg’s pen names, Eric Rodman. Our story can be found on page 18, Monsters That Once Were Men by Robert Silverberg…Next week on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast… The men of the Norgan System had a tough decision to make concerning the planet in A93. Yet there was no hesitation. Can you blame them? Day of Wrath by Bjarne Kirchhoff. 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.

Feb 24, 2023 • 43min
The Robot Who Wanted To Know by Harry Harrison and Wreck Off Triton by Alfred Coppel
Did he have a right to feel this way? Was this really forbidden by law—this wonderful frightening emotion! And, His plans were thorough. Every risk had been closely considered. Now Ron Carnavon, ruthless convict, was ready to loot the wrecked spaceship of its sapphire treasure, and thrust his warped power around the entire, antagonistic EMV triangle. The Robot Who Wanted To Know by Harry Harrison and Wreck Off Triton 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.We’ve got two short sci-fi stories for you today during our 1st Anniversary Celebration. Author Harry Harrison makes his debut on the podcast with a short story I really love. Harrison was born in Stamford, Connecticut in 1925 and released his first short sci-fi story in 1951. After finishing High School in 1943, Harrison was drafted into the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II.He was a prolific writer who wrote more than 50 novels and about 100 short stories. He wrote the novel "Make Room! Make Room!" which was the basis for the 1973 film starring Charlton Heston "Soylent Green." I LOVE that movie.First up on our 1-year anniversary doubleheader a story from the March 1958 issue of Fantastic Universe magazine. Did he have a right to feel this way? Was this really forbidden by law—this wonderful frightening emotion! Our story begins on page 91, The Robot Who Wanted To Know by Harry Harrison…The second half of our 1st Anniversary double feature takes us back to 1951 and it’s the second story we’ve showcased from Alfred Coppel. His plans were thorough. Every risk had beenclosely considered. Now Ron Carnavon, ruthless convict, was ready to loot the wrecked spaceship of its sapphire treasure. Planet Stories magazine included this Coppel story in its November 1951 publication. Turn to page 73 for Wreck Off Triton by Alfred Coppel…In two days on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast…They were like creatures painted by a drunken artist, ghastly, utterly repulsive caricatures of humanity! Yet, twisted through they were, they were still human... Monsters That Once Were Men by Robert Silverberg. That’s next in two days as we wrap up our 1st anniversary 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.

Feb 22, 2023 • 54min
The Pioneer by Irving Cox Jr. - Vintage Sci-Fi Short Story
Welcome to The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, today we begin celebrating our 1st anniversary with three episodes, featuring 4 stories in 5 days! Greg was sure the kids had no right being in control of a planet; after all what had they learned about life? Still, what had he learned? The Pioneer by Irving Cox 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 all your emails and comments. We received this very flattering email from dragonstein yesterday. “I just found this series and I absolutely love it! I have been binge listening! Thank you, thank you, thank you! I love vintage sci-fi, there is something magical and special which sets it apart from contemporary sci-fi. You have also introduced me to authors I never knew existed. I would really love for you to read some stories from Asimov's "The complete robot". Thank you so much again and please keep up the excellent work!”Thanks, dragonstein! We’re glad you discovered us too. By the way we will accommodate your request with an Asimov story that happens to be one of my favorites. Is this vintage sci-fi story the inspiration for The Terminator? We always enjoy your emails, send us an email, scott@lostscifi.com or comment on our YouTube channel. We’re kicking off our 1st anniversary week with a story from an author whose work has largely been forgotten by today’s readers. This even though his writing career spanned several decades, during which he wrote over 100 science fiction and fantasy short stories, as well as a handful of novels. And the only audiobooks credited to Irving Cox Jr. we can find are audiobooks that we’ve narrated. We started narrating vintage sci-fi because of authors like Irving Cox Jr., who wrote great stories that had been forgotten. Stories that had never been available as audiobooks.There’s been a lot of talk lately about Artificial Intelligence and its potential role in publishing books. But that’s not as new as you might think. Today’s author, Irving Cox Jr., was an early advocate for the use of computers in writing and publishing, and even wrote a computer program in the 1960s, 80 years ago, that could generate random plot outlines for science fiction stories. We don’t know if he ever used it.Our story today comes from the pages of Imagination Stories of Science and Fantasy in October 1955. Greg had shown Man the way into space–and, ironically, the end of a way of life! Starting on page 82, The Pioneer by Irving Cox Jr…In two days on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast our 1st anniversary celebration continues. Did he have a right to feel this way? Was this really forbidden by law—this wonderful frightening emotion! And His plans were thorough. Every risk had beenclosely considered. Now Ron Carnavon, ruthless convict, was ready to loot the wrecked spaceship of its sapphire treasure, and thrust his warped power around the entire, antagonistic EMV triangle.The Robot Who Wanted To Know by Harry Harrison and Wreck Off Triton by Alfred Coppel.That’s in two 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.

Feb 14, 2023 • 33min
So They Baked A Cake by Winston Marks - Space Exploration Sci-Fi Short Story
He was tired of people—a "human interest" columnist, who specializes in glamorizations of the commonplace and sordid is likely to get that way. So... this starship seemed to offer the ideal escape from it all. “…So They Baked A Cake by Winston Marks”, that’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, with at least one lost vintage sci-fi short story in every episode.We always love hearing from our listeners, Stavros says, “All I can say is a huge thank you for your uploads, by mistake I discovered you, and by you, I discovered PKD, after hearing some of your uploads, I ordered Ubik and A Scanner Darkly. I think PKD is my favorite author. Greetings from Greece. Keep up the great job!” Thanks Stavros, we’re happy to discover another of our new listeners in Greece!And from DeathWithinTenSteps, “Great content, my new go-to channel for sci-fi. Greetings from Sweden” Thanks DeathWithinTenSteps, we appreciate your comment and we’re glad to have yet another new listener in Sweden. We’d love to hear from you, send us an email, scott@lostscifi.com or comment on our YouTube channel.Next week on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, we celebrate our 1st Anniversary with 3 episodes in 5 days!Today’s story comes from the pages of “Dynamic Science Fiction” magazine. Dynamic published only 6 issues in its brief history. Launched in December 1952, there were 4 issues in 1953 and then the January 1954 edition which would be its last. You can buy a good to very good copy of the last issue at AbeBooks.com for only $10. Link is in the description, https://www.abebooks.com/servlet/SearchResults?tn=dynamic+science+fiction+january+1954It is the last story, in the last edition of “Dynamic Science Fiction” magazine and can be found on page 59. "...So They Baked A Cake" by Winston Marks…Next week on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast…we celebrate our 1st anniversary with three episodes, featuring 4 stories in 5 days! Greg was sure the kids had no right being in control of a planet; after all what had they learned about life? Still, what had he learned? The Pioneer by Irving Cox Jr.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.

Feb 7, 2023 • 50min
Prominent Author by Philip K. Dick - Sci Fi Short Stories Podcast
It was the dawn of a golden age of transportation. Terran Development was ready to market a fourth dimension “vehicle” which afforded almost instantaneous travel. For instance, Henry Ellis commuted 160 miles to work in five steps and a few seconds. Then, one morning, he met some people on the way… Prominent Author by Philip K. Dick…, that’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, with at least one lost vintage sci-fi short story in every episode.Your emails and comments mean so much to us. From our YouTube channel RELAXING MUSIC says “Best voice over actor I’ve heard!!!” Considering there are so many brilliant and talented narrators that is such a huge compliment. Thank you! And from Michael in Paignton; Devon. UK. “Enjoying Lost Sci-Fi, thank you keep them coming…” Michael, thank you and we will keep them coming. In fact, in two weeks we will celebrate the 1st Anniversary of The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast with 3 episodes in 5 days! We’d love to hear from you, send us an email, scott@lostscifi.com.We’re proud to say The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast is now the #1 Science Fiction podcast in 3 countries, Indonesia, Luxembourg and our adopted home of Costa Rica. We’re #2 in Greece, #3 in the Czech Republic and Netherlands, #4 in Malta, #6 in Denmark, #8 in Ireland, #11 in New Zealand and Slovakia and #12 in France.Support the showPlease participate in our podcast survey https://podcastsurvey.typeform.com/to/gNLcxQlk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 31, 2023 • 32min
Your Servant Sir by Sol Boren - Sci-Fi Robots Short Story
We all know that every android has its little idiosyncrasies. But what can a civilized human being do about it when his perfect servant drives him crazy?… Your Servant Sir by Sol Boren, 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 has been getting a lot of attention in the Republic of India since we started. We’ve been moving up the charts for months and now The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast is the #2 Science Fiction Podcast in India. Thank you for listening and sharing our podcast and helping us grow. We’re also in the top 10 in Denmark, Greece, Netherlands and Costa Rica.For those of you who enjoy the info about the author I’m afraid we searched and searched and didn’t uncover anything about today’s author. So, let’s get right to our story. Turn with me now to page 68 of If Worlds of Science Fiction Magazine in October 1956 for Your Servant Sir by Sol Boren…Next week on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast… It was the dawn of a golden age of transportation. Terran Development was ready to market a fourth dimension “vehicle” which afforded almost instantaneous travel. For instance, Henry Ellis commuted 160 miles to work in five steps and a few seconds. Then, one morning, he met some people on the way… Prominent Author by Philip K. Dick…That’s next week onThe 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.

Jan 24, 2023 • 25min
Day of the Hunters by Isaac Asimov
The little old man had a new slant on the mystery of what really happened to the great dinosaurs… Day of the Hunters 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.Thanks to the thousands of you who listen to The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast every week and we always look forward to your comments, suggestions, and requests. TG Dom Nemo writes “love the added background info! I'm afraid, by now, I just take your great narration for granted.” Thank you, and we appreciate the compliment! Dr. Kush - Retired and from the District of Columbia, D.C. had this to say, “Best Audiobook Narrator Ever. Thanks, I have been listening to you all weekend. You make them very enjoyable.” Thanks Dr. Kush, that is high praise!If you’ve got something to say we’d love to hear it, send us an email, scott@lostscifi.com.About two months ago we heard from this legendary author with the story “Christmas on Ganymede.” He returns today with a terrific titillating time travel tale. When this story was published in 1950 the average cost of a new car was $1,510, gasoline for your new ride was 18 cents a gallon and a fellow by the name of James Dean got his big break in a Pepsi commercial. Not the singer and the sausage guy, Jimmy Dean. The Rebel Without a Cause actor James Dean. From the pages of Future Science Fiction Magazine in November 1950, Day of the Hunters by Isaac Asimov…Next week on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast…We all know that every android has its little idiosyncrasies. But what can a civilized human being do about it when his perfect servant drives him crazy?… Your Servant Sir by Sol Boren. That’s next week onThe 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.

Jan 17, 2023 • 44min
Willie’s Planet by Mike Ellis
The most fitting place for a man to die is where he dies for man. Yet Willie chose a sterile, alien world that wouldn't even see a man for millions of years.... Willie’s Planet by Mike Ellis, 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 continues to grow with 100’s of new listeners around the world in the last month. Welcome to our new listeners in Japan, Argentina, Ghana, Israel, Spain, India, Taiwan, Latvia, Poland, Saudi Arabia, Australia, New Zealand and all over the UK, the US and Canada. Special thanks to those of you in The Netherlands who have taken us to the #3 Science Fiction Podcast in your country, which I believe is the highest ranking we have ever achieved in any country. Thank you!Please keep sharing, rating, commenting, and emailing us. We got an email from Jacy, host of the FIX IT Home Improvement podcast and YouTube channel saying that he is enjoying the podcast and that he mentioned The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast on the episode of his podcast that debuted 2 days ago. Thanks, Jacy! You can email us anytime at scott@lostscifi.comWhen I discovered today’s story about 6 months ago, I loved it and then I started searching for more stories from author Mike Ellis. I couldn’t find any, in fact, I couldn’t find out anything about him. Let’s go to page 74 in the April 1955, If World of Science Fiction Magazine for Willie’s Planet by Mike Ellis…Next week on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast…The little old man had a new slant on the mystery of what really happened to the great dinosaurs…Day of the Hunters by Isaac Asimov. That’s next week onThe 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.

Jan 10, 2023 • 45min
Asleep in Armageddon by Ray Bradbury - Ray Bradbury Science Fiction
Avoid Planetoid 787. Lush and sunny, with fine air and no dangerous beasts, it'll tempt you to curve in for some nice solid-ground sleep. DON'T! Asleep in Armageddon by Ray Bradbury, that’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, with at least one lost vintage sci-fi short story in every episode.We’re hearing from a lot of you lately, Paul writes, "Being a sci-fi fan my whole life I was often times disappointed reading old time stories. While your performances are excellent, that's not the main thing that makes the stories so good. It's your choice of stories. Keep up the good work." Thanks. Paul Braun - Dairy farmer from Wisconsin. Thanks Paul!Good to hear from Jack Ford again, "Happy New Year, hope all is well. I very much enjoyed #50 the super short stories bundle, please do more as and when you see fit." Thanks, Jack in England. Thank you, Jack!And Dane Scott says, “I've been greatly enjoying your podcasts. What a wonderful way to share all these buried treasures with the world. I just posted information about your podcast to my big Facebook group, "Keep Watching the Skies," and also to my more-specialized sci-fi audio group, "The Seeing Ear ."Thanks Dane. If you want to share our podcast on Facebook, Twitter or wherever please do and if you want to communicate with us please send us an email, scott@lostscifi.com.We’re happy to report that The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast is now the 8th most listened to science fiction podcast in the Netherlands, #9 in South Africa, #33 in Germany, #57 in Canada and we’ve moved up to #54 in the United States. Thank you for listening, rating, and sharing The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast. We appreciate you. Ray Bradbury began writing at a young age and published his first story at the age of 20. He went on to write hundreds of short stories and novels, and his work has been adapted into numerous films, television shows, and stage productions. This is the 4th Ray Bradbury Short story on our podcast, two weeks ago one of his stories was included in the Super Short Sci-Fi stories episode, and we’ve also featured The Monster Maker and Morgue Ship.In the Winter of 1948 if you plunked down 20 cents on the counter you could walk away with the Winter edition of Planet Stories Magazine where you would find Asleep in Armageddon on page 58…Next week on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast…The most fitting place for a man to die is where he dies for man. Yet Willie chose a sterile, alien world that wouldn't even see a man for millions of years.... Willie’s Planet by Mike Ellis. 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.

Jan 3, 2023 • 1h 1min
The Skull by Philip K. Dick
Conger agreed to kill a stranger he had never seen. But he would make no mistakes because he had the stranger's skull under his arm. The Skull by Philip K. Dick, that’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, with at least one lost vintage sci-fi short story in every episode.We’ve received another 5-star review on Apple Podcasts. User1234xyz writes, “These podcasts are the “perfect storm” for people like me, who love classic stories from the pages of the old sci-fi periodicals and appreciate when they are really well done. Thank you for your fine efforts and for sharing your talents with us all.” Thanks User1234xyz!The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast is now the #5 Science Fiction Podcast on Apple Podcasts in Ireland, #11 in Bulgaria, #17 in Australia, #33 in New Zealand, #37 in the Czech Republic, #45 in the UK, #47 in New Zealand, #48 in Greece, #55 in the Netherlands, #64 in the United States and #69 in Slovakia.There are thousands of Science Fiction podcasts, so thank you for making us successful by listening, sharing, rating and commenting on our podcast. Thank you!From the September 1952 If Worlds of Science Fiction Magazine this is The Skull by Philip K. Dick…Next week on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast…Avoid Planetoid 787. Lush and sunny, with fineair and no dangerous beasts, it'll tempt you tocurve in for some nice solid-ground sleep. DON'T! Asleep in Armageddon by Ray Bradbury. 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.


