The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast - Vintage Sci-Fi Short Stories
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
She was just a sweet, kind-hearted old landlady who couldn't keep her nose out of other people’s business. This was very unfortunate for Mr. Thobal. The Man Who Was Pale by Jack Sharkey. That’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast.
Let’s step back in time to December 1959, when Fantastic Science Fiction Stories delivered eerie, unforgettable tales. On page 78, Jack Sharkey delivers an atmosphere of dread that creeps in quietly a...
That man beside you may be a Martian. They own our world, but only a few wise and far-seeing men like Lyman know it! Don’t Look Now by Henry Kuttner. That’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast.
It’s not uncommon for a good vintage science fiction story to appear in anthologies years after its initial publication. But very few can be found in more than 40 publications. Henry Kuttner himself chose today’s story for the anthology My Be...
Behind closed doors and under the cover of night, a spacecraft rises. Conceived in confidence and launched in silence, this is the unforgettable tale of Friendship Eleven. The Secret Flight of Friendship Eleven by Alfred Connable. That’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast.
Special thanks to Paul Morris, one of our loyal podcast listeners. Paul designed a graphic for the show, and when another listener mentioned she’d love to have i...
An ancient intelligence stirs, locked in a struggle for survival against forces both familiar and alien. But when outsiders arrive with their own secret agenda, the battle takes an unexpected and perilous turn. Process by A. E. Van Vogt. That’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast.
There are two stories today on the podcast, a short story and a really short story. First up from Fantasy & Science Fiction magazine in December 1950,...
A man flees his tedious modern life by traveling back to the age of dinosaurs, convinced he’ll find freedom in prehistoric adventure. But his dream of escape soon reveals just how small—and fragile—he truly is. Poor Little Warrior! By Brian W. Aldiss. That’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast.
Because of your support, The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast continues to grow in amazing ways across the globe. We’re now ranked #2 in Japan and India,...
It doesn't take a heap of leaving to make any house a nightmare. One vanishing door will do nastily. Thirty Degrees Cattywonkus by James Bell. That’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast.
Author James Bell joins a long list of vintage sci-fi authors we know nothing about. He wrote two stories that were published in the 1960s and that’s that.
By the way, in case you were wondering, the word Cattywonkus does not appear in the Merria...
Humanity’s reach for the stars promised glory, but destiny had other plans. In the vast silence of space, triumph and tragedy walk side by side. Cosmic Tragedy by Thomas S. Gardiner. That’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast.
Thank you to all of our listeners who have already filled out our survey. For those of you who have yet to do so if you would be so kind as to find the time to fill it out we would really appreciate it. There’...
Patch Merrick and Zaarrgon Try to Win a Stake in Order to Escape the Vengeance of a Dazzling but Dangerous Beauty! Gambler's Asteroid By Manly Wade Wellman. That’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast.
Today’s episode marks the debut of Manly Wade Wellman here on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast! Wellman was born in West Africa, in 1903, where his father was a medical officer. His early years surrounded by stories of strange places and people...
Narant's personal problem seemed of more importance than his mission as an interstellar investigator. But they combined when he met—The Incredible Aliens by William Bender Jr. That’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast.
We are so thankful for you! More 5 star reviews from Apple Podcasts US. This from orcababe, “Amazing show, AI images and all. Long time listener and big fan. Wanted to say that I appreciate the use of AI with how har...
People were trampled underfoot, people were crunched by ten-foot teeth in huge, fanged jaws - people died by the hundreds that day were eaten like tidbits! The Day the Monsters Broke Loose by Robert Silverberg. That’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast.
In June 1959, Super Science Fiction magazine published its second Monster Issue. We’ve got one of those chilling tales for you today, while saving a few others as we creep closer to...
Manning had spent his life exposing mail order frauds. But Forsythe's outfit topped them all. Its products were too good to exist—yet! Guaranteed—Forever! By Frank M. Robinson. That’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast.
It was November of 1953 when this story was published in Imagination Stories of Science and Fantasy on page 104, Guaranteed—Forever! By Frank M. Robinson…
Next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, People were trampled und...
It's much later. The question is ... how late? Later Than You Think by Fritz Leiber. That’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast.
We have some amazing news to share—thanks to you, The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast has reached another new milestone! Out of thousands of science fiction podcasts, we just hit #14 in the United States—our highest ranking ever in the US. Even more incredible, we’ve already climbed to #1 in 28 countries around the wo...
The Laws of Physics State That Two Bodies Cannot Occupy the Same Space at the Same Time-but Dr. Halday Finds a Loophole! The Broken Axiom by Alfred Bester. That’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast.
Alfred Bester was just 25 years old in 1939, already a devoted reader of science fiction for over a decade. When Thrilling Wonder Stories announced a $50 prize contest, Bester took his shot—and won. That victory marked the beginning of ...
Shakish was the last of his kind. If the insulting Earthmen had only bothered to find out why he was a rare being they would have lived a whole lot longer. The Old Timer by Richard R. Smith. That’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast.
We’re running a quick listener survey to help make The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast the best it can be. Huge thanks to everyone who’s already taken a few minutes to fill it out—we really appreciate it! If you h...
Along the quiet Devon coast, something stirs beneath the waves—something with tentacles, teeth, and a hunger for flesh. When it rises, the seaside will never be the same… The Sea Raiders by H. G. Wells. That’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast.
Thanks for your ratings and comments. We found this on Spotify, commenting on Two Black Bottles, David Szunyog says, “I loved this one! Perfect one for the coming of spooky season! I’v...
Old Dominie Vanderhoof was dead, but he did not rest in his grave, for evil was afoot in the old Dutch church. Two Black Bottles by H. P. Lovecraft. That’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast.
To be fair today’s story was actually written by H.P. Lovecraft and Wilfred Blanch Talman. When our story was published in Weird Tales it was credited solely to Talman.
As the story goes, in the summer of 1926, Talman submitted the draft of...
It's obvious that, a fight between one man in a space-suit, and a full-fledged space cruiser is, certainly, "no contest". True-but you've got the wrong slant! Hide and Seek by Arthur C. Clarke. That’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast.
If you’ve already filled out our survey, thank you, if you haven’t done so yet, would you please? There’s a link in the description or go to lostscifi.com and click on survey.
Seventy-six years a...
From Xebico a strange and uncanny story came over the wire in the wan hours before the dawn. The Night Wire by H. F. Arnold. That’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast.
Author H. F. Arnold is perfect for The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast because he is often referred to as a “Lost” author. Born in Galesburg, Illinois, a place where I once wrestled a bear, true story, the bear won. Henry Ferris Arnold only wrote three stories that were publishe...
Rogers was a hero . . if only he hadn't come back alive! The First Spaceman by Gene L. Henderson. That’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast.
We’ve heard from author Gene L. Henderson before on the podcast in a wonderfully strange tale first published in a 1953 issue of Fantastic Universe. Henderson introduced us to an alien species that, at first glance, seem adorable. But don’t let their cuteness deceive you. If you'd like to give...
Trust Lancelot Biggs to get his ship into a mess just when speed and good navigation meant the prize contract of the year…! Lancelot Biggs: Master Navigator by Nelson S. Bond. That’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast.
I really enjoy the writing of Nelson S. Bond, especially his offbeat character Lancelot Biggs. There’s just something about the way Bond mixes humor with wild sci-fi ideas that makes narrating these stories so much f...
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