Clarkesworld Magazine

Navigating a web of bureaucratic chaos, Lyle Renzelli discovers a comms glitch and missing work orders that lead to a frightening emergency. As ore shipment demands surge, tensions rise and sabotage is revealed. With incoming threats from a mysterious audit ship, Lyle must take control of engineering systems and confront supervisors. Amid the chaos, a surprising job offer emerges, highlighting the precarious nature of her situation. This story dives deep into challenges of communication and authority in a high-stakes environment.

Explore a whimsical tale where evolution meets family ties as a grandmother transforms into a gigantic elephant. Experience her surprising journey as she navigates a world of change, grappling with memory and identity. Delight in her new pleasures, from cinema to ice cream, while confronting the moral complexities of evolution. The story dives deep into untranslatable knowledge and the bonds of family, culminating in a thought-provoking reflection on nature, morality, and personal evolution. A unique blend of science fiction and heartfelt connection awaits!

This episode features "Understudies" written by Greg Egan. Published in the October 2025 issue of Clarkesworld Magazine and read by Kate Baker. The text version of this story can be found at: https://clarkesworldmagazine.com/egan_10_25 Support us on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/clarkesworld/membership

In a fantastical tale, a clerk recording the last moments of Earth slips through time, adopting a borrowed identity. Torn between duty and the allure of a human commuter, they grapple with ethics and personal desire. Amidst bureaucratic changes, they're drawn into a void encounter with a monstrous worm that threatens the archives. With a timely rescue and promotion, the clerk ultimately seeks solace as a crab, embracing love and solitude on Tea Garden. This poignant story explores the balance between responsibility and human connection.

This episode features "The Cancer Wolves" written by Fiona Moore. Published in the October 2025 issue of Clarkesworld Magazine and read by Kate Baker. The text version of this story can be found at: https://clarkesworldmagazine.com/moore_10_25 Support us on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/clarkesworld/membership

A young woman navigates her complex relationship with her digital mother, Amy, in a world where emotional contagion shapes familial dynamics. Struggling with a sense of connection, she rebels against digital companions and immerses herself in vintage films and old tech. A night gone wrong leads to a confrontation with trauma and shame, propelling her toward a drastic decision: to delete her digital mother from existence. It’s a thought-provoking exploration of human connection, technology, and the quest for autonomy.

This episode features "A World of Their Own" written by Robert Falco. Published in the September 2025 issue of Clarkesworld Magazine and read by Kate Baker. The text version of this story can be found at: https://clarkesworldmagazine.com/falco_09_25 Support us on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/clarkesworld/membership

This episode features "Five Impossible Things" written by Koji A. Dae. Published in the September 2025 issue of Clarkesworld Magazine and read by Kate Baker. The text version of this story can be found at: https://clarkesworldmagazine.com/dae_09_25 Support us on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/clarkesworld/membership

This episode features "The Fury of the Glowmen" written by David McGillveray. Published in the September 2025 issue of Clarkesworld Magazine and read by Kate Baker. The text version of this story can be found at: https://clarkesworldmagazine.com/mcgillveray_09_25 Support us on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/clarkesworld/membership

Dive into a frozen world where Prosper grapples with the challenges of rebuilding a social habitat. She navigates icy fortifications, explores cultural ruins, and confronts mysterious manipulations of airflow. Amidst social gatherings and friendships, tension rises as she faces Tremont's sabotage. Watch as her teamwork with the crew leads to an exhilarating rescue mission from a dangerous ice dam, ultimately unveiling stunning Coriolis water displays and a bright future on Ekbatan.