224 episodes
The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast - Vintage Sci-Fi Short Stories Scott Miller
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- Fiction
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. Our spacefaring odyssey takes us beyond the confines of light-years, venturing into the unknown to unveil the secrets of distant planets and the enigmatic beings that inhabit them.
Join us three 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, Fritz Leiber, Alan E. Nourse, Frederik Pohl, and countless others, we bring you short stories that have shaped the genre for generations.
Prepare to journey back in time, sixty, 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.
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The Unfinished City by Donald A. Wollheim - Science Fiction Short Story From the 1950s
A Fantasy of perfection and imperfection. A tale of a quaint city in the jungle and the curious fate that overtook a very clever thief who came there. The Unfinished City by Donald A. Wollheim, that’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast.
Another 5 star review on Apple Podcasts, just so you know, your 5 star reviews never get old! This from Slacker Jake, “Hooked. Hooked on the first episode the narration is great I can’t wait to listen to them all.” Thanks Slacker Jake. Just so you know, we are working hard to make sure you never get caught up!!
And a shout out to YouTube listener scotleoqueen704 who had this to say, “Wonderful. My #1 fave sci-fi, DUNE and I'd give my right arm to have that 1st printing in the magazine. You're my #1 fave narrator of sci-fi.” Thanks scotleoqueen704! I don’t think you are alone in wishing you had the first appearance of Dune in the December 1963 issue of Analog science fiction magazine. Although it’s been said that Frank Herbert rewrote most of what originally appeared in Analog before releasing Dune in 1965. And thanks for your compliment saying that we were your #1 favorite narrator of sci-fi. That is quite a compliment. Thank you.
Donald A. Wollheim makes his 4th appearance on the podcast with an interesting short sci-fi story about a most unusual little city. Stirring Science Stories first appeared in February 1941, four issues later the 15 cent magazine was gone for good. Until now, we had never featured a story from the magazine.
Wollheim had an advantage over every other author who appeared in this, here today, gone tomorrow magazine, he was also the editor! Today’s story can be found in the last issue, and it is the last story ever to appear in the magazine. From March 1942, on page 60, The Unfinished City by Donald A. Wollheim…
Next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, Mad with despair, they fought back from the ruins. Whoever these invaders were, they should not have a world which its defenders themselves had destroyed! The Burnt Planet William Brittain
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The Portable Star by Isaac Asimov - Isaac Asimov Short Story
Holden made love to his friends wife. Because he couldn’t help it. The Portable Star by Isaac Asimov, that’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast.
There will come a time when we will run out of stories in the public domain to share with you that were written by Isaac Asimov, fortunately today, is not that day.
Considering when it was published in 1955 this story was more than a little risqué. By today's standards not so much.
Our story appeared in the final issue of Thrilling Wonder Stories Magazine in the Winter of 1955. There were 111 issues of the publication which began in August 1936. The magazine was born in 1929 as Wonder Stories but the name was changed when the publication was sold.
Turn to page 54, The Portable Star by Isaac Asimov…
Next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, A Fantasy of perfection and imperfection. A take of a quaint city in the jungle and the curious fate that overtook a very clever thief who came there. The Unfinished City by Donald A. Wollheim
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Fluorocarbons Are Here To Stay! by Donald E. Westlake - Short Sci Fi Story From the 1950s
What happened to the Smith Wrecking and Salvage Company when it tried to tear down the all fluoryl plastic City Hall is enough to make a man with a heart of stone laugh. Fluorocarbons are Here to Stay! By Donald E. Westlake, that’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast.
Sometimes you read a story and fall in love with the author. Such was the case when I read Donald E. Westlake’s The Spy in the Elevator. So I went in search of another clever Westlake story to narrate and here it is.
If you’ve got it, open your March 1958 issue of Science Fiction Stories Magazine to page 92, go ahead we’ll wait for you, okay maybe not, Fluorocarbons are Here to Stay! By Donald E. Westlake…
Next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, Holden made love to his friends wife. Because he couldn’t help it. The Portable Star by Isaac Asimov.
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The Fearsome Touch of Death by Robert E. Howard - From the Author Who Created Conan the Barbarian
As long as midnight cloaks the earth with shadows grim and dark, God save us from the Judas kiss of a dead man in the dark. The Fearsome Touch of Death by Robert E. Howard, that’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast.
Your 5 star reviews on Apple Podcasts are appreciated, nospammers2010 gave us 5 Stars and says, “Expert curation of the golden age. I’ve been a fan of sci-fi for decades, and very much appreciate the quality of the golden age writers. What sets this podcast apart is that the curator and narrator has a perfect discerning eye for the really good stuff--by which I mean his tastes match mine... This is a podcast to cherish.” Thanks for your excellent review nospammers2010!
Today marks the debut on the podcast of a man who made his mark on the world in a short 30 years. Robert E. Howard was born in Peaster, Texas in 1906. Over the next 11 years young Robert would live in 10 Texas towns. He started writing stories at the age of 9. Sold his first story for $16 to Weird Tales magazine when he was 19.
Howard would most likely be forgotten except for diehard sci-fi fans if not for three characters he created that live on to this day. Arnold Schwarzenegger's breakthrough film was the sword and sorcery epic Conan the Barbarian in 1982. The movie was based on the character Robert E. Howard created in a series of short stories half a century earlier.
Before Conan, Howard created Kull the Conqueror, which also appeared on the big screen starring Kevin Sorbo in 1997. And his creative universe also included Solomon Kane, you guessed it, it too got the Hollywood treatment in 2009 starring James Purefoy.
He wrote more than 70 short stories with most of them published in Weird Tales magazine. Today’s horrifying tale can be found in the February 1930 issue of Weird Tales on page 269, The Fearsome Touch of Death by Robert E. Howard…
Next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, What happened to the Smith Wrecking and Salvage Company when it tried to tear down the all fluoryl plastic City Hall is enough to make a man with a heart of stone laugh. Fluorocarbons are Here to Stay! By Donald E. Westlake.
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Mimic by Donald A. Wollheim - A Spooky Sci-Fi Short Story From the 1940s
He walked alone in the dawn and the dusk, and no one knew his name. But the day he perished, and the way he perished–a world will never forget! Mimic by Donald A. Wollheim, that’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast.
Special thanks to podcast listener Marwin de Haan who bought us 5 coffees and says “Thank you so much for making my daily commute pleasurable. I love the stories you pick to narrate, and think your voice and style are perfect for the era of sci-fi you have chosen. Also, the reason you do this is heart-warming, and reminds me of my father who did something similar before he passed away. Best regards from the Netherlands.” Thank you for buying 5 coffees for us and for your kind words Marwin! We appreciate you!!
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Donald A. Wollheim made his debut on the podcast with Pogo Planet almost 3 months ago. He’s back today with a terrifying tale of discovery. Let’s turn back the clock almost 82 years to the December 1942 issue of Astounding Stories. Turn to the last story in the issue on page 58, Mimic by Donald A. Wollheim…
Next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, As long as midnight cloaks the earth with shadows grim and dark, God save us from the Judas kiss of a dead man in the dark. The Fearsome Touch of Death by Robert E. Howard.
☕ Buy Me a Coffee https://www.buymeacoffee.com/scottsV
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Old Rambling House by Frank Herbert - A Short Story From the Author of Dune
All the Grahams desired was a home they could call their own ... but what did the home want? Old Rambling House by Frank Herbert, that’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast.
Thanks for all you do to help promote our podcast. In the last few days, thanks to you, more people have listened than ever before. We have our highest ranking ever in Canada, Great Britain, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, The Philippines and the United States. Thank you!
Another 5 star review on Apple Podcasts! August100 says, “Terrific Dose of Sci Fi, I have been reading this old pulp sci fi for decades. It is a refreshing treat to hear it read by such a skilled storyteller. The more I listen, the more it grows on me. Keep it up. Please.” August100 we will keep it up and we thank you for your wonderful review.
Today’s author wrote one of the best selling science fiction books of all time, Dune. Frank Herbert was born in Tacoma, Washington in 1920. His lied about his age to get the first of many newspaper jobs in 1939. Herbert loved photography, buying his first camera at the age of ten. In 1942, during World War II, he was a photographer in the U.S. Navy’s Seabees. He served for six months but suffered a head injury and was given a medical discharge.
Frank Herbert said he had been reading science fiction for about ten years, before he began writing sci-fi, and said some of his favorite authors were H. G. Wells, Robert A. Heinlein, Poul Anderson and Jack Vance.
His first science fiction story Looking for Something, was published in the April 1952 issue of Startling Stories.
He began researching Dune in 1959 and the novel was published six years later. But, did you know the world was first exposed to the Dune World in a December 1963 issue of Analog science fiction magazine. It was featured on the cover. That 1963 issue contained Part One of Thee Parts of Dune World.
Dune was then rejected by almost twenty book publishers, and in his rejection letter one editor wrote, "I might be making the mistake of the decade, but…”
Sterling Lanier of the Chilton Book Company, the company most often associated with automobile repair manuals, was exposed to Dune World in Analog and offered Herbert a $7,500 advance plus future royalties for the rights to publish Dune.
Obviously Dune was a success, winning the Nebula Award for best novel in 1965 and sharing the Hugo Award in 1966 with Call Me Conrad by Roger Zelazny. However, Dune, was not an immediate bestseller, and following its publication he went back to writing for newspapers. He didn’t become a full-time author until 1972.
In addition to his numerous novels Herbert wrote about 30 short stories, six of them are in the public domain. Let’s turn to page 89 in the April 1958 issue of Galaxy Science Fiction Magazine, for, Old Rambling House by Frank Herbert…
Next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, He walked alone in the dawn and the dusk, and no one knew his name. But the day he perished, and the way he perished–a world will never forget! Mimic by Donald A. Wollheim.
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