<img src="https://www.drabblecast.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/drabblecast_base_logo_circle_bw.png"> The Drabblecast

On October 5, 2018

In Drabblecast, Mystery, Romance, Sci-Fi

As the Drabblecast Reborn Kickstarter campaign continues, we bring you another Fan Pick: The Belonging Kind. Drabblecast fan Kyle Sellers introduces this eerie story about how hard fitting in can be sometimes…

It might have been in Club Justine, or Jimbo’s, or Sad Jack’s, or the Rafters; Coretti could never be sure where he’d first seen her. At any time, she might have been in any one of those bars. She swam through the submarine half-life of bottles and glassware and the slow swirl of cigarette smoke… she moved through her natural element, one bar after another.

Now, Coretti remembered their first meeting as if he saw it through the wrong end of a powerful telescope, small and clear and very far away.

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Drabblecast Presents: Globes

On October 3, 2018

In Comedy, Drabblecast

A very special throwback story from our editor/founder/host and general bon vivant Norm Sherman.

Listen to 11 year old Norm take us to the edge of the unknown with a story he wrote for 7th grade English class back in the day.

And speaking of mishearing those words as “Backing Today,” check out the Drabblecast Reborn Kickstarter and help us hit our next stretch goal, to bring Drabblecast Classics back each month!

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/drabblecast/the-drabblecast-reborn

The moon-lit tide was without peace on this particularly awkward Wednesday night. It wasn’t the ocean’s unmerciful beating of the soft sand underneath it that made it an awkward Wednesday night…

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Drabblecast Presents: Editor Lagerklatsch

On September 16, 2018

An Editor Lagerklatsch!

Just what the hell is a Lagerklatsch?

Well if you’ve been to a convention or two you might be familiar with the phrase “coffee klatsch.”

You can probably do the linguistics from there, replacing coffee with something…hoppier.

Made up German words are fun! In fact, that’s a special charm of the German language, it encourages these creations. Ever notice that Germans are able to encapsulating a nuanced but recognizable concept into a single word? Compound words. It’s a thing.

Or in German: Mammutwörter (“mammoth words”)

Anyways…drinks and shop talk with short fiction editors John Joseph Adams (Lightspeed Magazine), Neil Clarke (Clarkesworld), Scott K. Andrews (Beneath Ceaseless Skies) and Norm Sherman (The Drabblecast, formerly Escape Artists)!

Enjoy!

The Drabblecast Presents: Editor Lagerklatsch

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Drabblecast Fan Picks: The Last Dog

On September 12, 2018

In Drabblecast, Drama, Sci-Fi

The leadup to our Relaunch Kickstarter campaign continues with this Fan Pick: The Last Dog.

This was a favorite of one of our newest team members, Jen Fisher, d(r)abbler of all things and master of none. We’ll be doing more of these with opportunities for fans to record their own introductions to their favorite stories in the future. Hit us up on Facebook and Twitter or give us a shout out in our forums to tell us your favorite stores.

In “The Last Dog,” the titular ultimate canine and his master, the last man on Earth, form a strong bond helping one another to survive on a war-ravaged planet. When they encounter an alien assassin, they are forced to make hard choices.

Story Excerpt:

He was panting now, his breath coming in a never-ending series of short spurts and gasps. His sides ached, his eyes watered, and every now and then he would trip over the rubble of the decayed and ruined buildings that lined the torturously fragmented street…

Enjoy:

Drabblecast Fan Pick: The Last Dog

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Drabblecast Compilation: Top 5 Drabbles and Twabbles

On September 11, 2018

Top 5 Drabbles and Twabbles imagery As a lead up to our Relaunch, The Drabblecast brings you a compilation of our Top 5 Drabbles and Twabbles. That’s 100-word stories and 100-character stories, for those new to the show. They might also known as “flash fiction.”

This compilation comes from you, our listeners and fans. Wanna tell us your favorite? Have some new flash fiction to send us? Find us on Facebook or Twitter and give us all the goods!

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Drabblecast Presents: The Parasite Parade

On September 9, 2018

Drabblecast Presents the Parasite Parade Cover The Drabblecast presents “The Parasite Parade,” an audio version of an original children’s book written by Norm Sherman. The illustrations are by Caroline Parkinson.

It’s a children’s book about—you guessed it—parasites! Why, you ask? Seriously, kids these days just seem too normal. With their green energy and their social awareness. Children need disturbing realities too and we figured why not illustrate that?

Fortunately for all the naive mini-adults out there, Caroline felt the same way!

How ar’ diz kidz nawt f*&ked up enuff?!

-Caroline Parkinson
(hypothetical quote… in marginally offensive British cockney)

And so there it was, folks. The Parasite Parade was born. The audiobook and hardcover versions will be available soon through the Drabblecast Kickstarter!

Drabblecast Presents: The Parasite Parade

Drabblecast Compilation: Drabble News

On September 1, 2018

This week, The Drabblecast brings you a compilation of our “Drabble News” segments, including songs and skits from the past 10 years.

We’ve mined through the years to dig up some our favorite subjects, including fan favorites expressed to us through social media.

Subjects might include:

Monster Jellyfish
Utah Fast Food Rap
Zombie Ants
RPS: The RPG
Prehistoric Monster Croc
Ducks Are Bastards Part I & II
Pimp My Satellite
Little Shop of Stem Cells

Wanna tell us your favorites? Find us on Facebook or Twitter.

So how about it, folks? Do you really wanna know what’s going on in the world? We suspect you do. So check out the show below:

Drabblecast Compilation: Drabble News

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Drabblecast Director’s Cut: Jimmy’s Roadside Cafe

On August 16, 2018

In Director's Cut, Drabblecast, Drama, Sci-Fi

“Birds are what come after…”

We present to you a special Relaunch Prelaunch episode—”The Director’s Cut: Jimmy’s Roadside Cafe.”

This story was written by Ramsey Shehadeh and originally aired back in 2012.

In it, Norm and author Ramsey Shehadeh talk about grief, Mr. Rogers, the apocalypse, and his popular story about compassion in the end times.

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Drabblecast Presents: The Top 10 Post Apocalypse Short Films

On August 12, 2018

In Drabblecast, Video

Relaunching and Prelaunching continues: Norm shares and reviews his top 10 best (and free online!) post apocalypse short films in this special video podcast.

#10– “Sepsis” written and directed by Artur Llobell

#9– “Senior” directed by Noel Paul & Stefan Moore, music by Royskopp

#8– “Cargo” written and directed by Ben Howling and Yolanda Ramke

Drabblecast Director’s Cut: Flying On My Hatred of My Neighbor’s Dog

On August 7, 2018

In Comedy, Director's Cut, Drabblecast, Interview, Sci-Fi

The Relaunch Prelaunch continues with another listener-requested “Director’s Cut: Flying On My Hatred of My Neighbor’s Dog.”

When this story originally aired in 2013 it was an immediate hit with the Drabblecast Community, winning Best Story in the People’s Choice Awards of that year. It seems the potentially energizing power of hate is still a relevant topic here in 2018.

In this episode, Norm sits down with the author, Shaenon Garrity.

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Drabblecast Presents: Inside Drabblecast Audio

On July 30, 2018

In Drabblecast, Uncategorized

This episode takes you inside Drabblecast audio production. Ever wonder how we produce an episode of the Drabblecast? Wonder no more!

We dig into all the technical aspects like voice acting, sound editing and mixing, foley effects, music and more.

Preproduction? Reading? Acting? Yeah, it’s all here folks, all the blood sweat and tears that go into every production of the Drabblecast.

This Episode originally aired as part of our B-Sides paid premium content. You can subscribe for this content by signing up for our $10/month B-Sides membership!

Really, this episode speaks for itself, so enjoy:

Drabblecast Presents: Inside Drabblecast Audio

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Drabblecast Presents: Bases Covered

On July 24, 2018

In this week’s Relaunch Prelaunch a chunk of classic Drabblecast musical joy: Bases Covered – “For His—or Her—or Its—or Their Glory”

This (fake) album unites all faiths (fake or not) into one perfectly fine and marketable sales campaign!

Maybe we’re all just part of some weird baby mouse dream, or maybe Zeus is going to turn into a giant bull to have His way with us… maybe you worship the Thetins trapped inside. Or maybe you hail Bast, the ancient goddess of warfare.

Whatever faith you adhere to, whatever gods you bow down before, we’ve got your bases covered.

If you fancy these musical droplets of exultation, you can find a few more of Norm’s ditty’s here.

So please enjoy this special presentation, and of course, “praise be… (to whatever):”

Drabblecast Presents: Bases Covered

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The Drabblecast: 10 Years of Strange Stories (Part II)

On July 17, 2018

And now we present the thrilling conclusion, Drabblecast: 10 Years of Strange Stories (Part II).

The Drabblecast had several editorial shifts over the years. We made friends. We won awards. And we were off to the races.

What kind of races?

I like to think they were wiener dog races (yes, that’s a thing). Tiny, beady-eyed wiener dogs racing on the backs of skeletal thoroughbreds around a sprawling abyss. But we digress.

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The Drabblecast: 10 Years of Strange Stories (Part 1)

On July 14, 2018

In honor of the ~~eleventh~~ tenth year of the podcast, we thought we’d take you back in time through 10 years of strange stories for strange listeners.

That’s right we’re going back to our oh-so-humble beginnings. And they’re pretty humble. And humiliating. Ain’t that show business, folks?

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Drabblecast Director’s Cut: Morris and the Machine

On July 7, 2018

In Director's Cut, Drabblecast, Interview

The Relaunch Prelaunch marches forward as we present the listener-requested “Director’s Cut: Morris and the Machine.”

This fan-favorite story originally aired in 2010. It is a haunting tale about relationships, time travel, and the poisonous nature of nostalgia.

Author Tim Pratt lives in Berkely, CA and has been featured on the Drabblecast many times. He is a Hugo Award winner alongside many other accolades and is currently working on a space opera series for Angry Robot.

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Drabblecast Compilation: Holiday Specials

On July 2, 2018

A compilation of our holiday highlights, including songs, skits and intros from 10 years of Drabblecast Holiday Specials, including:

~ “How the Government Saved Christmas”
~ Conclusion of the Mongolian Deathworm Saga
~ Cryptkeeper Norm segments
~ “Here Comes Phantom Claus”
~ “Twas the Night”
~ “The Thirteen” (Yule Lads)

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Drabblecast Director’s Cut: Charlie the Purple Giraffe Was Acting Strangely

On July 1, 2018

In Director's Cut, Drabblecast, Interview

As a part of the Relaunch Prelaunch we revisit a listener favorite with special insight from the author, David D. Levine. Enjoy the “Director’s Cut: Charlie the Purple Giraffe Was Acting Strangely.”

Our feature originally aired in Episode # 113 way back in 2009. It is a unique tale set inside a televised cartoon world. Our main character, Charlie the purple giraffe, has a disturbing and profound view of his world, one not shared by his best friend Jerry the orange squirrel. Floating question marks, colored word balloons, it may not be as light, airy, and humorous as appears at first blush.

Stick around or skip ahead to minute 22:00 for Part 2 of the episode, with Special Commentary and conversation with David and Norm.

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Drabblecast Director’s Cut: Teddy Bears and Tea Parties

On June 26, 2018

In Director's Cut, Drabblecast, Interview

As a part of the Relaunch Prelaunch we revisit a listener favorite for the “Director’s Cut: Teddy Bears and Tea Parties.”

This story was written by S. Boyd Taylor and was originally aired in 2010. It’s a heart-breaking horror story about little girls, stuffed animals, and hunger.

Excerpt:

Shadows move on the mantelpiece and the end tables. She freezes. The family pictures are moving. Brass frames buckling into bow-shaped mouths. They want to eat her.

Don’t be scared, she says. Of course they’re hungry. Everything must eat. And there isn’t much food…

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The Relaunch Prelaunch

On June 22, 2018