The Drabblecast Audio Fiction Podcast

Listen to the Diggerman, the crooked music in his steps, the muddled drumbeat in his cusses. He can’t walk straight or talk straight. All those years of digging left him bent. A story of change and renewel and supernatural bears on this week’s Drabblecast! We bring you “The Bleeding Tree,”by Joe Koch. Also, Norm announcies […]

Transcribed - Published: 29 May 2025

At last! Another touching dog story on the Drabblecast! This week we bring you an original by H. Robert Barland. Enjoy! H. Robert Barland is a teacher, Viking re-enactor and black belt martial artist. A former climber, film extra, and resident of the UK, he has now returned to Newcastle, Australia where he lives with […]

Transcribed - Published: 31 March 2025

This week on Drabblecast– something’s fishy in a curious small town. We bring you a paranormal murder-mystery byCormack Baldwin & EV Smith. Enjoy! Episode Art: Shane Bevin Pastorale Cormack Baldwin & EV Smith It was supposed to be a perfect vacation. No, it was going to be a perfect vacation. Horatio had peered into every […]

Transcribed - Published: 21 March 2025

We made it everyone! On this, the 500th episode, a commissioned original from a Drabblecast favorite– Shaenon Garrity. Episode Art: Bo Kaier

Transcribed - Published: 27 February 2025

John Brown wears brown John Brown pants, on this week’s Drabblecast!  We present an original story by Kay Vaindal called “Nowhere.” Enjoy!  Kay Vaindal (they/she) is a coastal ecologist and weird fiction writer. Her work has appeared in Seize the Press, Dark Matter, and anthologies including This World Belongs to Us and Death’s Other Kingdom: […]

Transcribed - Published: 22 January 2025

A lesson on loneliness on this week’s Drabblecast– an original story by Arasibo Campeche called “The Sol Searching Fool.” Arasibo Campeche (he/him)”Arasibo is originally from Puerto Rico and has a Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Biophysics. He writes science fiction, fantasy, and horror that’s often inspired by scientific principles. His work has appeared in numerous venues. […]

Transcribed - Published: 9 January 2025

This week on the Drabblecast- a melancholy story about loss, abandonment, and the perils of old magic. Avra Margariti is a queer author, Greek sea monster, and Rhysling-nominated poet with a fondness for the dark and the darling. Avra’s work haunts publications such as Strange Horizons, The Deadlands, F&SF, Podcastle, Asimov’s, Vastarien, and Reckoning. You […]

Published: 10 December 2024

Stop asking so many damn questions. Come and listen to the newest weird story from Pop-Pop. He’s got something important to tell you. Zachary Olson(he/him) is a freelance writer and composer from Phoenix, Arizona currently residing in Chicago. Updates on his work can be found on Twitter @obfuscatingGod and here.  Steve Lillie Find them here: […]

Published: 29 November 2024

Lights! Wheels! Wipers! Curtain! This week, a marvel of machines and carbureted choreography awaits you.  Kay Vaindal (they/she) is a coastal ecologist and weird fiction writer. Her work has appeared in Seize the Press, Dark Matter, and anthologies including This World Belongs to Us and Death’s Other Kingdom: Horror Tales of WWI. Find them here.  […]

Transcribed - Published: 29 October 2024

You have a ring on your door bell, and laid on your stoop is a brown papered parcel, tied with damp twine. You bring the package inside, noticing that the sky is tinged a weird green. You smell burning hair.  You pull the ends of the twine, which is warm and wet and reminds you […]

Transcribed - Published: 14 October 2024

This week on the Drabblecast we bring you “China Doll,”by Kelsea Yu. Read by the Word Whore. Drabblecast’s patreon.      China Doll by Kelsea Yu   Your limbs entwine themselves with his, creating a rhythm half familiar. This is our first encounter; I have yet to learn the pulse of you. His, I know […]

Transcribed - Published: 27 September 2024

This week on the Drabblecast, become something new! We bring you two stories about transformation by author Christine Nogle. Narrated by The Word Whore. Reach your full biological potential at the Drabblecast’s patreon. FALL INTO WATER, BECOME SOMEONE NEW by Christine Nogle Lines after lines of picnic tables are set on the plain, […]

Transcribed - Published: 25 August 2024

One, two, three, what’s that staring back at me? Four, five, six, I know what this viscera predicts… This week on the Drabblecast, we are going on a journey. Pack your bags, and bring extra socks for the clown. “Learn to Count with the Doomed Expedition” is a reprint story by T.B. Jeremiah. T. B. […]

Transcribed - Published: 25 July 2024

The Drabblecast explores the seedy side of space this week with an original story by Jessica Jewell called “Slime on My Hackles.” Enjoy! Norm Sherman Kickstarter

Published: 27 June 2024

This week on the Drabblecast, we bring you a dark ancient tale from a distant lost land called “The Black Waters of Lethe,” by Oliver Buckram. Also, exciting news! Norm is launching a new Kickstarter for his 3rd album, “The Instruction Book.” And how! Follow the upcoming campaign here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/drabblecast/the-instruction-book The Black Waters of Lethe […]

Published: 16 June 2024

Tickets, please! Tickets! Right this way! Coupons to the right, and fast passes to left. NO pushing, folks. Watch your tendrils! Keep your goo to yourself. All lines will get you to the newest episode, “From Earth, to Io with Love. ” by Adelehin Ijasan! Adelehin Ijasan is a Nigerian writer living […]

Transcribed - Published: 24 May 2024

Our story this week is spoiling for a good time. Enjoy a delicious exploration of the human condition, “Bad Meat” by Chip Houser! Chip Houser (he/him) has stories in Bourbon Penn, PodCastle, Daily Science Fiction, and various other markets. “Dark Morsels,” a chapbook of his very short fiction, is forthcoming from Red Bird Chapbooks. He’s […]

Transcribed - Published: 21 April 2024

Our story this week is “Those Who Forget and Those Who Perish” by K. W. Colyard. Enjoy! Cover art by Steve Lillie Do you long to be a part of the mob? Did this week’s story give you mob-envy? Then do we have something akin to a mob, but less angry, and less muddy, and […]

Transcribed - Published: 23 March 2024

Let us quell your unease with our favorite platitude, “When God closes a door, he opens a window, but when Tom Floss squints at the mob through his window, Roy boards up the door for him.” Our story this week is “He Who Ruined Everything” by L. N. Clarke. Cover art by Bo Kaier Do […]

Transcribed - Published: 1 March 2024

The Drabblecast hits the lanes this week with original story, “Cosmic Bowling” by Mike James Davis. Cover art by Shane Bevin! Drabblecast Patreon Cosmic Bowlingby Mike James Davis I’m a frequent bowler, very frequent in fact, and nothing tickles me more than when my local lanes fire up an old throwback: Cosmic Bowl. The nostalgia […]

Transcribed - Published: 6 February 2024

The Drabblecast wraps up 2023 with a Drabbleganza, followed by a story about tough decisions and leaving things behind– a Drabblecast original by Em Liu, called “Snow.” Happy New Year! Drabblecast Patreon Cover art by Bo Kaier Snow by Em Liu I step out into the deep snow. In my right hand is a flashlight, […]

Transcribed - Published: 1 January 2024

The Drabblecast Weird West Event closes out this week with another original story– this time with epic train shoot-outs, centaurs, and manifest destiny! We bring you, “That Bloody Frontier” by Sasha Brown. Drabblecast Patreon Cover art by Tristan Tolhurst That Bloody Frontier by Sasha Brown August 2, 1855 The bones of the railroad […]

Transcribed - Published: 19 December 2023

The Drabblecast Weird Wild West continues, with “The Alamo” by Cedrick May. Cover art by Tristan Tolhurst The Alamo by Cedrick May The wounded man raised his hand to point, and Sam watched as blood dribbled like raindrops from the end of his finger. “Water, boy… gimme’ some of that […]

Transcribed - Published: 24 November 2023

The Drabblecast Weird West event continues, with “Rusty Sue” by Arthur H. Manners. Cover art by Tristan Tolhurst Rusty Sue by Arthur H. Manners The last townsfolk bolted in the night, fleeing for their lives. Gen and I had watched the evacuation all day from the overlook, though I’d ordered us abed earlier. […]

Transcribed - Published: 5 November 2023

The Drabblecast kicks off the Weird West event, with Avra Margariti’s story “Headhunting” and 100 word Drabble Quickdraw Contest winner “Taming the Larvalands” by Matt Blairstone. Enjoy! Cover art by Tristan Tolhurst Headhunting by Avra Margariti The tinfoil sun scorched the desert road as a figure rode on horseback, carrying a disembodied head by its […]

Transcribed - Published: 9 October 2023

As the summer winds down and things cool down, the Drabblecast brings you a story that will give you chills! We present, “Cool Air” by H.P. Lovecraft. Cover art by Catriel Tallarico Cool Air by H.P. Lovecraft You ask me to explain why I am afraid of a draught of cool air; why I shiver […]

Transcribed - Published: 26 September 2023

Mountain climbing might be more treacherous than you think. This week on the Drabblecast, we bring you Jason Sanford’s “The Eight-Thousanders.” Cover art by Bo Kaier The Eight-Thousanders by Jason Sanford He spoke once, the words whispered by frozen lips on a face so frostbitten he looked like a porcelain doll. I found him below […]

Transcribed - Published: 14 August 2023

Norm talks birds on this week’s episode, before presenting Drabblecast’s production of “The Pigeon” by Michelle Knudsen. Enjoy! Cover art by Bo Kaier The Pigeon by Michelle Knudsen The pigeon stood on the concrete ledge outside the library, bobbing its head at passerby and very clearly saying the words “egg salad.” Robert froze on […]

Transcribed - Published: 21 July 2023

A merry hanging and a game of jacks, this week on the Drabblecast! Cover art by Bo Kaier

Transcribed - Published: 25 June 2023

This week on the Drabblecast– mutant hillbillies! Cover art by Bo Kaier Exit the Professor by Henry Kuttner and C. L. Moore We Hogbens are right exclusive. That Perfesser feller from the city might have known that, but he come busting in without an invite, and I don’t figger he had call to complain afterward. In […]

Transcribed - Published: 19 June 2023

The Drabblecast brings you an original tale of interspecies aid. We present “Trunk to Trunk,” by P.B. Yeary. Enjoy! Art by Bo Kaier Trunk to Trunk by P. B. Yeary The seed that fell from the heavens did not belong where it was planted. […]

Transcribed - Published: 30 May 2023

#Hivelife this week on the Drabblecast! We bring you “The Hard Problem of Consciousness” by Andrew Giffin. The Hard Problem of Consciousness by Andrew Giffin Rain fell and the air reeked of communication. Chemical signals trailed behind every scurrying figure. Pat shuddered at their segmented legs working in unison, a group of them passing her […]

Transcribed - Published: 17 May 2023

The Drabblecast takes you on an expedition you’re gonna have to see with your own eyes to believe! We bring you The Monster-God of Mamurth by Edmond Hamilton. Cover art by Bo Kaier The Monster-God of Mamurth by The Edmond Hamilton Out of the desert night he came to us, stumbling into our little circle […]

Transcribed - Published: 17 May 2023

The Drabblecast presents an original story by Michael Bettendorf about football and growing up the hard way. Read to you by Renee Chambliss. Art by DS Oswald Personal Best By Michael Bettendorf It’s hard to see eye to eye with your parents when they’re always looking down on you. I cannot help that I am […]

Published: 18 April 2023

Dating is weird this week on the Drabblecast. We bring you a Drabblecast original, “Yummy Tummy” by Chelsea Pumpkins, read by The Word Whore. Tasty! Cover art by Michael Butkovich Yummy Tummy by Chelsea Pumpkins The bell over the door chimes as Aaron pushes it open and holds it […]

Published: 31 March 2023

The Drabblecast returns with a sinister tale of generational ick. We present “The Bad Ones Are Always the Best,” by Michelle Ann King. The Bad Ones Are Always the Best by Michelle Ann King Marty’s grandson takes the cup of tea he’s offered — without saying thank you, mind — and stares at it dubiously, […]

Published: 22 March 2023

On this week’s Drabblecast, Dendrology meets Criminal Psychology. A story by Harley Carnell. Art by Bo Kaier. Woods For the Trees by Harley Carnell On the second day of our search for John Shaw, John Shaw joins our search party. Frustrated after years of incompetence and inaction from the authorities, and after Shaw recently committed […]

Published: 25 February 2023

Ever feel Déjà vu on the road supposedly less traveled? Truth and lies on this week’s Drabblecast, we bring you an original story from Bob McHugh called “Is This a Plate?” Enjoy! Produced by Adam Pracht Read by Dominick Rabrun Beyond this point, two paths lie One you live, one you die Ask one […]

Published: 11 February 2023

This week’s show has it all: vampires, evolutionary biology, and quivering jacked up Taylor Swifts. We bring you three flash fiction pieces about the complications of being in love: Taylor Swift by Hugh Behm-Steinberg, The Evolution of a Breakup by Etgar Keret, and May I Come In by Adrienne Ryan. Narrations provided by Avery Alexander, […]

Published: 9 January 2023

This week we the Drabblecast brings you some interesting original historic found footage uncovered by author Jonathan Louis Duckworth called, “The Follower’s Revel.” Enjoy! Art by Bo Kaier.

Published: 23 December 2022

Episode Sponsor– Mothmen 1966 The secret’s out on this week’s Drabblecast, and nothing will ever be the same. We bring you an original Drabblecast story called “A Hymn Upon the Lips of the Dead,” by Mav Lux. Oh and Norm sings us a song about singing that he should have just told you. Enjoy! Cover […]

Transcribed - Published: 11 November 2022

An uncanny episode of original fiction this week on the Drabblecast– we bring you, “The Tenant” by Sarah E. Stevens. Cover created by Bo Kaier in concert with the midjourney text-to-image AI (and unidentifiable, scraped contributors). We hope to experience your enjoyment. The Tenant by Sarah E. Stevens Vanessa […]

Transcribed - Published: 3 November 2022

Finally, a Drabblecast episode for weird foodies. We bring you a Drabblecast original called, “How to Impress a Top Food Critic and Put Your Restaurant on the Galactic Map” by P.A, Cornell. Enjoy… Episode Sponsor– Mothmen 1966 Cover created by Bo Kaier in concert with the midjourney text-to-image AI (and unidentifiable, scraped contributors). How […]

Transcribed - Published: 30 September 2022

Episode Sponsor: Mothman 1966 In this week’s Drabblecast story, the only scenes that aren’t sex scenes are crime scenes. We bring you an original Drabblecast story by Tim Pratt about a dark future of vigilante justice sex toys, called “The Distributed Denial of Sexytime.” Also, Norm and guest Executice Producer Bart Epstein treat us to […]

Transcribed - Published: 24 August 2022

Norm is cryptic this week in terms of offering information on the featured story, “7099 Brecksville Road, Independence Ohio,” by JR Hamentaschen. He will say that that’s the story, and that’s the author. And to listen with headphones on. And also, check out our episode sponsor this week, pixel-pulp video game Mothmen 1966! Available on […]

Transcribed - Published: 3 August 2022

The Drabblecast is molting! Norm shares some exciting news in the intro this week, Drabblecast has launched a Patreon, and a new quarterly magazine, “The Tentaculum.” Also, welcome new Managing Editor Cameron Howard! Finally, we close out HP Lovecraft “Month” with an original story by Aliya Whitely called, “Plans for Expansion.” Stones contain stories. The […]

Transcribed - Published: 11 July 2022

This week’s show brings you an original commissioned HP Lovecraft mythos story by Nick Mamatas called “When the Sun Hits.” Afterwards, Nick talks about the story in an Author’s Note and Norm gives everyone an existential crises in a Drabble News presentation on The Boltzmann Brain. When the brain is liberated from the body, only […]

Transcribed - Published: 13 April 2022

Shark week on Drabblecast has never been so unnerving! Enjoy an original Drabblecast story this week from Evie Mae Barber about what lurks even deeper in the depths… The great white looked like he was having a good time, swimming upside down, bone-white belly above water, teeth gnashing playfully. Like a puppy dreams of finally […]

Transcribed - Published: 8 February 2022

Norm closes out the year and existence as we know it, due to the phenomena known as “The Continuation,” with the Drabblecast annual holiday Tim Pratt story, an original commission called “How Lovely Are Your Branches.” Enjoy! Somebody was murdering people, but the killer’s name wasn’t showing up on my naughty list. That got me […]

Transcribed - Published: 1 January 2022

The Drabblecast kicks off H.P. Lovecraft Month with the grandfather of Weird Fiction’s cautionary dark fantasy, “The Doom That Came to Sarnath.” There is in the land of Mnar a vast still lake that is fed by no stream and out of which no stream flows. Ten thousand years ago there stood by its shore […]

Transcribed - Published: 8 November 2021