EscapeBOD, episode 1,025. Flashback Friday, Samantha's Diary by Diana Wynne Jones. Welcome to Escape Pod and Merry Christmas.

I'm Raleafrity, your host and co-editor.

Today's story is a flashback, Samantha's Diary by Diana Wynne Jones.

Diana Wynne Jones was a British novelist, poet, academic, literary critic, and short storywriter.

She principally wrote fantasy and speculative fiction novels for children and young adults.

Some of her better known works

are Howells Moving Castle and Dark Lord of Durkholm, not to mention the tough guide to Fantasyland.

She has been cited as an inspiration and muse for several fantasy and science fiction authors.

It's narrated for us by Emma Newman, who writes short stories, novels, and novellas in multiple speculative fiction genres.

She won the British Fantasy Society Best Short Story Award in 2015 for a Woman's Place,

and between two thorns, the first book in her Split World's Urban Fantasy series was shortlisted for the BFS Best Novel and Best Newcomer

2014 awards. She is a professional audiobook narrator and also co-wrote and hosted the Hugo

and Alfie winning podcast, Tea and Jeopardy, which involves tea, cake, mild peril, and singing

chickens. This story originally ran in

Stories, All New Tales.

It's the first day of Christmas,

and you know what that means.

It's story time.

Samantha's Diary by Diana Wynne Jones.

Recorded on BSQ Speakakeasy series 2-8987BQ and discovered in a skip in London's

Regent Street. December 25, 2233. Tired today and having a lazy time. Got back late from Paris last night, from

Mother's party. My sister is pregnant and couldn't go. Besides, she lives in Sweden, and Mother

...