Study 126 - The Swords
Listen in as we discuss Robert Aickman's strange short story of sexual trauma, The Swords.
Special thanks to our reader Greig Johnson!
Next up: The Cicerones
Study 123 - The Pilgrimage of Clifford M. - Part 1
We're kicking off March is for Draculas with a FANGER of a vampire story by Bob Leman: The Pilgrimage of Clifford M.!
Special thanks to our reader Andrew Leman!
March 7th: BUY STRANGE ONE AT BANDCAMP!
Study 120 - Window
We're looking into Window by Bob Leman, and we're seeing some scary stuff! Join us as we discuss this crazy scifi-horror-fantasy story!
Special thanks to reader Andrew Leman of the HPLHS!
Here's that bio for Bob Leman from Lesser-Known Writers.
Check out this adaptation of Window on Night Visions, starring Bill Pullman!
A Brief History of Things Were Better 50 Years Ago
Outro music is from a new collection coming this March!
Study 117 - Hyperpilosity
What happens when people suddenly get shaggy like wookies? Find out as we pick through Hyperpilosity by L. Sprague de Camp!
Special thanks to our reader, James Holloway, host of the Monster Man podcast and various gaming pamphlets of high renown!
Next up: We continue Janu-Hairy with two stories adapted for the celebrated Japanese movie Kwaidan: The Reconciliation and The Corpse-Rider by Lafcadio Hearn!
Study 114 - Vasilisa the Fair
It's time for some weird fairy tales, starting with the Russian classic Vasilisa the Fair as presented by Alexander Afanasyev!
Special thanks to reader Kristyna Baczynski! Check out her amazing Baba Yaga print!
Here's that site featuring Russian Secret Tales.
Check out these Baba Yaga Lubki prints (and a lot of other information) from fairy-tale blog A dark rainbow.
Have a look at this Soviet-era animated film, Vasilisa the Beautiful.
Place your eyes on Vasilisa at the Hut of Baba Yaga, by Ivan Bilibin!
This episode features arrangements of Prelude No. 4 of Shostakovich's 24 Preludes and Fugues, Opus 87, as well as Nocturne No. 19 in E Minor, Op. 72, No. 1 by Frédéric Chopin.
Next up: Teig O'Kane and the Corpse
Study 111 - The Summer People
We're still here! Join us for a discussion of Shirley Jackson's The Summer People.
Special thanks to our reader, Madeleine O'Keefe!
Next up: The Birds!
Study 108 - Dress of White Silk / I Can't Help Saying Goodbye
It's an October double feature narrated by two spooky little girls: Dress of White Silk by Richard Matheson and I Can't Help Saying Goodbye by Ann Mackenzie!
Special thanks to reader Heather Klinke, who kills it!
Check out this week's sponsor: The Path of Veins! Grab the soundtrack on Bandcamp!
And while you're there, grab your Halloween Pitch Black Manor for Bandcamp Friday!
Study 105 - The Presentation
Grab a seat as Patton Oswalt returns to discuss The Presentation by Michael Shea!
And don't forget to snag a copy of Momma Durtt while you're at it!
Or how about Barfly, from the World of Minor Threats? (The artist mentioned in the episode is Scott Hepburn, btw)
This is the last story in our coverage on Copping Squid. Can't get an affordable copy of Copping Squid? Check out Demiurge: The Complete Cthulhu Mythos Tales of Michael Shea!
As with most presentations, we apologize for some of the spotty call quality!
Study 101 - Far Below
It's ghouls vs. government grunts in the New York subways! We're discussing Far Below by Robert Barbour Johnson - JOIN US!
Special thanks to reader Rick Sandidge of the Find the Path podcast!
If you haven't yet, dig on our full reading of Pickman's Model featuring Greig Johnson!
Track outro and most music from the show available here.
Next up: The Golden Man by Philip K. Dick
Study 097 - Turkhana Knives
Happy 4th of THEWLY!! We're kicking off a month of sword-and-sorcery stories with a tale about Charles Saunders' IMARO!
Special thanks to reader Osahon Orchard!
Next up: Rogues in the House, featuring CONAN!
Study 093 - The War of the Worlds - Part 1
Nobody would have believed in the early years of the 21st century that we'd be celebrating 15 years of podcasting with The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells, yet here we are!
Please support our excellent reader: Greig Johnson!
Review our conversation with Mason Starr - a Missions Operations Specialist who operates cameras aboard the Perseverance and Curiosity rovers ON MARS!
Also referenced: THE XIPÉHUZ!
And check out this seductive illustration of H.G. Wells playing war games on the floor.
Next up: More WAR OF THE WORLDS!
Study 089 - Amina
Ghouls in session with Amina by Edward Lucas White, kicking off a month of monster madness!
Special thanks to reader Andrew Leman of The H.P. Lovecraft Historical Society. Pick up those prop maps now!
Next up: Love Me Tender by Bob Shaw
Study 085 - Bears Discover Fire
Weird Bear Month begins with a touching tale by Terry Bisson: Bears Discover Fire!
Special thanks to our reader, Craig Johnson of Chad Vader and Welcome to the Basement!
Next up: The Command by L. Sprague de Camp
Study 081 - School for the Unspeakable
March is for Draculas begins with the Manly Wade Wellman story School for the Unspeakable -- special guest Jamie Brittain in attendance!
Thanks to our reader Marsh Davies -- you can pick up his game TEETH here!
Check out that naughty Weird Tales cover!
And here's all the info you could want on the movie if....
Finally, don't forget to tune into The Crate and Crowbar podcast!
Study 077 - The Last Question
We're laser-blasting into a month of science fiction, starting with Isaac Asimov's beloved short story, The Last Question!
Special thanks to reader Ryan Negron!
And don't forget to check out The Key of Dreams - an immersive theater experience with delicious Weird Fiction flavor!
Study 073 - The Thing of a Thousand Shapes - Part 1
We're celebrating 101 years of Weird Tales with a look at The Thing of a Thousand Shapes by Otis Adelbert Kline - straight outta the first issue!
Special thanks to reader Andrew Leman - grab up The Temple of Jupiter Ammon now!
Enjoy Kline's essay "Why Weird Tales?" in full!
Non-Fifer musical selection: Gnossienne: No. 1 by Erik Satie
Next up: more shapes!
Study 069 - Snow White
We're celebrating the holidays with a month on Grimm's Fairy Tales. First up: Snow White, featuring 100% more torture than we anticipated!
Special thanks to our reader, Michelle Sawyer!
We are reading this month's selections in The Complete Fairy Tales of the Brothers Grimm, translated and annotated by Jack Zipes.
Non-Fifer musical selections: Carnival of the Animals: VII. Aquarium by Camille Saint-Saëns | Nocturne in C-Sharp Minor by Frédéric Chopin.
And don't forget to check out Greig Johnson's Etsy shop!
Next up: The Juniper Tree
Study 065 - The Living Dead
Treat that Halloween hangover with a shot of Blochtober! We're discussing Robert Bloch's Nazi vampire fable, The Living Dead!
Special thanks to reader Paul Fricker of Mason and Fricker's Eldritch Stories and The Good Friends of Jackson Elias!
Check out this 90s-lookin' book cover for Great Tales of Madness and the Macabre, compiled by Charles Ardai.
Study 061 - The Fly
Catch the buzz as we discuss George Langelann's short story, The Fly!
Special thanks to reader Andrew Leman!
Here's that Return of the Fly song by the Misfits that Lackey keeps singing.
Next up: The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving
Study 057 - A Walk in the Dark
Join us for A Walk in the Dark by Arthur C. Clarke!
Special thanks to our reader, Mike Mason of Chaosium! Check out his new podcast: Eldritch Stories!
Speaking of which - check out the Eldritch Abominations over at Cryptocurium!
Wanna link your Patreon to Spotify? Here's how!
And here's Michael Bukowski's illustration of the monster from this story!
Next up: Allamagoosa by Eric Frank Russell