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

You Nailed the Future, Joe—Why Didn’t You See This Coming? You Were Right, Joe by J. T. McIntosh. That’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast.

We start the podcast today with a huge THANK YOU to you, our listeners around the world. We’ve just reached a new milestone — we’re now the #2 Science Fiction Podcast in Japan! That makes 44 countries where we are #1 or #2. We are thankful for your amazing support.

Today, we’re proud to int...

A man and his cat. A bond… broken. Then came the madness. The Black Cat by Edgar Allan Poe… That’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast.

Here’s another new 5-star review from Apple Podcasts Australia, courtesy of a listener named “Why make it worse?” “Fantastic Podcast - Can’t wait for each story. Every time I get in the car for the commute I check if I can listen to a new one! Brilliant stories, wonderfully read.” 

Thanks fo...

Seeing it in action, anybody would quaver in alarm: What hath Farnsworth overwrought? The Big Bounce by Walter S. Tevis. That’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast.

Today’s tale comes from an author whose name may not be as instantly recognizable as some, but whose work has left a lasting impact on both science fiction and American literature.

Born in San Francisco in 1928, Walter Tevis spent much of his childhood in poor health,...

Super warfare has destroyed the old race of man, but elsewhere a new civilization is dawning… Flight Through Tomorrow by Stanton A. Coblentz. That’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast.

Stanton A. Coblentz was born in San Francisco, California, in 1896. He earned a master’s degree in English literature from the University of California, Berkeley, and began his career as a poet and journalist before turning to science fiction in the ...

Hall and Upjohn had to escape from that "No-man's-land" on Mercury. But to form a plan, they had to think—and their captors could read minds. The Thought-Men of Mercury by Russ Winterbotham. That’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast.

It’s 1942. The world is at war, but on newsstands across America, another kind of battle rages—in the pulp pages of Planet Stories magazine. Crack open the Fall issue, flip to page 42, and step into a ...

Privileged we are to bring you this historic story—one which will warm the manly hearts of the legion of devoted admirers of that venerable fantasist, Arthur Wright Beemis. The Yes Men of Venus by Ron Goulart. That’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast.

Special thanks to Eaten by a Grue. Five months ago Mr. Grue bought us $25 worth of coffee and today chose to become a monthly supporter of The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast. We appreciate each...

Marooned on a world within a world, aided by a slim girl and an old warrior, Patrolman Sisko Rolf was fighting his greatest battle—to bring life to dying Mars. The Hairy Ones by Basil Wells. That’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast.

Basil Wells makes his debut on the podcast today. Born in 1912 in Springboro, Pennsylvania, Wells wrote science fiction, fantasy westerns and detective stories sometimes using the pseudonym Gene Ellerm...

A ruthless metal monster is programmed to destroy—and only one man can stop it. Robot Nemesis by E. E. Doc Smith. That’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast.

Edward Elmer Smith, better known as “Doc” Smith, was born in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, back in 1890. He earned a degree in chemical engineering from the University of Idaho in 1914, and later worked as a chemist for the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Washington, D.C.

While he...

Together they discussed the Nobles—the old prospector and the weary, frightened man. Then—utter terror struck! The Nobles Are Coming by Arthur Jean Cox. That’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast.

Today’s featured fiction is like a bite-sized candy bar—same rich ingredients, just in a smaller package. Arthur Jean Cox, born in 1929, was a science fiction fan before becoming an author. Based in the Los Angeles area, his work appeared ...

A shattered Earth suddenly remembered poor Hathaway, marooned all alone there on Mars by the mad rush homeward. But—was Hathaway alone? Dwellers in Silence by Ray Bradbury. That’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast.

From time to time, we feature stories that were published in more than one magazine—often under different titles. That means we sometimes have to decide which title to use. Today, Ray Bradbury returns to the podcast wit...

The professor invented a perfume that would never come off! He didn't know it was irresistible. The Irresistible Perfume by Harold Lawlor. That’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast.

Author Harold Lawlor was born in 1910—though sources differ on whether his birthplace was Ireland or Chicago. Little is known about his life, but between 1942 and 1953, he wrote 35 short stories, many of which appeared in pulp magazines of the era. Lawl...

When a brilliant inventor tries to control volcanic eruptions with a mechanical valve, his bold experiment threatens to unleash fiery chaos on an unsuspecting world. The Volcanic Valve by W. L. Alden. That’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast.

Is Humorous Historical Science Fiction a real genre? I have no idea—but if it isn’t, someone better invent it fast, because The Volcanic Valve would be its founding father, spiritual guide, a...

A fascinating story about a heinous crime and its strange aftermath. The Thing in the Trunk by Paul Ernst. That’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast.

Calling Paul Ernst a prolific writer barely scratches the surface—he penned over 200 short stories across multiple genres, with around 170 in science fiction alone. He contributed nearly 40 tales to Weird Tales magazine, and the story you’re about to hear is unquestionably one of the ...

When a driven man arrives at a cemetery world, what else can it be but journey's end—and the start of a new one? Dead Man’s Planet by William Morrison. That’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast.

We received this message on our Facebook page from Stevie Fogarty in Tipperary Ireland, “Hi Scott. I stumbled across The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast by total accident & I've been an avid fan since. I've listened with excitement to your excellen...

For ages Mankind labelled Mercury a dead world—a red-hot, seething outpost of hell. Too late Rawley learned of the hideous life that molten, steaming planet spawned! The Mercurian by Frank Belknap Long. That’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast.

A huge thank you to all our incredible listeners! Because of you, The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast is now the #1 Science Fiction podcast in New Zealand—our 28th country to reach the top spot! We’re ...

A Certain Young Man Finds Dying a Profitable Business. The secret of one of the strangest professions in the world. An Adventure of a Professional Corpse - The Artificial Honeymoon by H. Bedford–Jones. That’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast.

I have to admit, I’d never heard of H. Bedford-Jones until I came across this story—and what a discovery! As I started digging into his background, I was amazed to learn that he wrote nearly...

A brief tale of the dismal success of a scientist's experiment. Anton's Last Dream by Edwin Baird. That’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast.

Another podcast, another debut—this time for author Edwin Baird. Best known as the first editor of Weird Tales magazine, Baird helped launch the iconic American fantasy and horror pulp, whose first issue was dated March 1923 and hit newsstands on February 18 of that year.

However, Weird Ta...

When a skeptical professor steps into the mind of a former student’s fiancée, he discovers a surreal landscape shaped by vanity, obsession, and alarming emptiness. A sharp and unsettling exploration of how our inner worlds reveal far more than we intend. The Shoddy Lands by C. S. Lewis. That’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast.

Clive Staples Lewis, one of the most influential writers of the 20th century, was born in Belfast, North...

Before David’s startled gaze the newcomer placed his right hand to his left shoulder and removed the left arm. He then proceeded to dismember himself until only a torso, head and one arm remained. The Artificial Man by Clare Winger Harris. That’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast.

A new debut on the podcast today: the first woman to publish science fiction stories under her own name in the pulp magazines. While Francis Stevens...