January 8, 2025

“From Now” by Rhys Wakefield and William Day Frank

Posted by Ruby Fink in Audio Arts, Featured Posts

If you’re a sci-fi fan, this podcast deserves a spot on your playlist. The story begins with a spaceship that mysteriously vanished in 2025, only to reappear in 2060. When the ship’s door opens, the world is left speechless as crew member Eddie steps out, looking exactly as he did 35 years ago. Experts are baffled, unable to make sense of what’s happened. The only person who might have answers is Eddie’s identical twin, Hunter, now an aging man with a lifetime of distance between him and his brother. The podcast follows their reunion as they piece together the mystery of Eddie’s disappearance and grapple with the implications for their future. Starring Richard Madden and Brian Cox, the show features exceptional performances and immersive sound design that bring the story to life. It’s an easy…

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January 7, 2025

8 Poems by John Grey

Posted by Malik White in Featured Posts, Member Writing & Art, Writing

*Featured image courtesy of Tama66 on Pixabay* Happy New Year! Let’s kick it off with a wonderful set of poems from longtime FC contributor, John Grey. CAR NERD On his wall, he’s hung a poster of an automobile cutaway. It’s his version of Miss August in a swim-suit. The poster’s so detailed you can see the ball joint, the bushings, tie rod, disc brake rotor, universal joint. The tiny boxes with the arrows are unnecessary. He knows each part by name and function. I’m a book worm. I accept that. But he’s this other kind of worm, hatched in floor pans, fed on exhaust, dressed in STP. And, on his dresser, there’s this photograph of a bright red mustang circa 1965. One loving glance at it and he’s on the highway, foot to the floor, …

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December 27, 2024

“Rescuing Ravenstocke” by Svenska Spindlar

Posted by Ruby Fink in Audio Arts, Featured Posts

Happy Holidays, Fictional Cafe listeners! To celebrate this special time of year, we’re thrilled to present a feature-length, full-cast audio drama: Rescuing Ravenstocke. This captivating story masterfully weaves romance, mystery, and speculative fiction into an unforgettable experience. It all begins with artist and designer Ava, who agrees to house-sit for her friend George in his eclectic London apartment. Amid his intriguing collection of vintage TVs and radios, one peculiar item stands out: the Ravenstocke Transopticator—a stunning, mysterious device from the 1930s with a distinct Dieselpunk flair. Drawn in by its intricate design and enigmatic aura, Ava becomes fascinated with the tragic story of its inventor, a young prodigy whose life was cut short under mysterious circumstances. Her curiosity about the device and its creator soon takes on a life of its own, leading Ava on…

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December 13, 2024

“Counterbalance” by Blighthouse Studio

Posted by Ruby Fink in Audio Arts, Featured Posts

“Counterbalance” by Blighthouse Studio is a high fantasy audio drama set in a world disrupted by a catastrophic tear in the magical weave. This rupture allows malevolent spirits to invade the mortal realm, threatening its very existence. The story follows three protagonists, each with unique abilities and secrets, united in their perilous quest to repair the fabric of magic. Along the way, they face trials that test their strength, resolve, and trust, all while uncovering a deeper mystery: who or what caused the tear? As they delve into a world of ancient secrets and magical conflict, each revelation brings new dangers, forcing them to confront choices that could restore balance—or plunge their world into chaos. Aþæanuka – 95th day of Bäkkos, 5th year of the Vær, 101st Generation The journey to the Skundr begins—a perilous…

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December 9, 2024

“Ashes to Ashes” by Brian O’Dea

Posted by Malik White in Featured Posts, Member Writing & Art, Writing

*Featured image courtesy of MiVargof on Pixabay* We start off strong this week with a very unique piece from Brian O’Dea. “Ashes to Ashes” is Brian’s first work on FC, and I sincerely hope he creates another great piece for us to read in the future. Ashley Fetterman When she checked ‘yes’ on the note I slid into her locker, I knew I’d finally found the feeling all the songs and movies promised. Before Christmas break, we were married behind the swing sets in sacred preteen ritual before our teary eyed classmates. Her blue eyes watered as we swore to one another to always share our snacks, to always sit by one another in assembly, and to never let a teacher, principal, or any power pry our hands apart. After just one semester of elementary…

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December 3, 2024

Three Poems by Roger Singer

Posted by Malik White in Featured Posts, Writing

*Featured image courtesy of Michelle_Raponi on Pixabay* Hello FC readers! We’re coming back from the Thanksgiving holiday with three excellent poems from Roger Singer. Roger excels at writing immersive lines that really captivate the reader. Don’t just take my word for it, have a look below! MIDNIGHT DINER fogged windows low lights strangers in and out wooden booths aged vinyl cigarette stains on tables edge unmatched silverware yesterday’s coffee paper towel napkins ketchup fingerprints on the menu the waitress torn hairnet stained apron name tag upside down it’s a harbor for the lost and alone MOTEL ROOM #13 the key turned to the right the door knob to the left a strong aroma walked slowly out the door of the unkept room shattered sunlight coursed through a torn curtain the only window bandaged with black…

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December 1, 2024

Does Not Want the Hill to Die

Posted by Jack B. Rochester in Featured Posts, Member Writing & Art, Writing

Featured Image photo courtesy of Mandana-r at en.wikipedia A Short Story by Fereshteh Rostami We’re pleased to introduce a new voice from Iran to our international Coffee Club membership. Fereshteh Rostami’s native language is Persian, but she wrote this transcendent story in English . . . with a little editorial help from her husband. “Does Not Want the Hill to Die” is a very contemporary narrative, yet one which explores some of the oldest and most fundamental issues humans confront: the nature of life, the delicacy of our relationships with other people, and our responsibility to the land on which we live. Does Not Want the Hill to Die Forestgirl knows that she is gnawed bit by bit; not just her, everything, from the time she was a little girl, she knew. That time things…

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November 22, 2024

“Armageddon Series” Season 2! By Terry Tibke

Posted by Ruby Fink in Audio Arts, Featured Posts

As much fun as it is to dive into new stories (and, let’s be honest, get totally lost in them), it’s just as thrilling to welcome back ones we already know and love. So, even if I’m a bit late to the party (sorry, Terry—I swear I’ll get my timing right someday), I’m excited to present The Armageddon Series, Season 2! I didn’t create this audio adventure, but I’m more than happy to be your enthusiastic tour guide through the mayhem. Season 2 promises just as much fun, drama, and apocalyptic chaos as the first—if not more. So, whether you’re revisiting or tuning in for the first time, brace yourself. The end of the world has never been so entertaining! On a planet of feuding dragon tribes, a young dragonrider named Turim Gliderlance has become…

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November 19, 2024

Five Poems by James Cole

Posted by Malik White in Featured Posts, Writing

*Featured Image courtesy of Aaron Burden on Unsplash.com* This week we have James Cole in his first appearance on FC. James combines his unique style with clever and thoughtful word play. We hope to see more of his work in the future! What would you wonder if wondering was free? What would you wonder if wondering was free? Would you wander in widdershins with stark jubilee? Would you invest in smart rhetoric and declare no designs, and make certain statements your heart undermines? If wonder was easy and you could spare its expense would you wonder like Arp and eschew common sense? If wonder went on sale with a bright yellow tag could you wonder like bread in a shelf-stable bag? If you wondered with warranty and budgeted first would you save your receipts and…

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November 8, 2024

“Punching Out” by Jenni Stukin and Ruby Fink

Posted by Ruby Fink in Audio Arts, Featured Posts

It’s been a while since I promoted my own work, but “Punching Out” was a fun project that I think people might enjoy. Although Halloween has come and gone, there’s no reason we can’t extend the spooky vibes a bit longer, right? So, what possessed me to join the 11th Hour Challenge this year? Honestly, I’m still trying to figure that out. It’s a special form of insanity to voluntarily add more work to an already full schedule, but for some reason, I thought, “Why not?” The challenge? Team up with new people, whip out a 30-page story in a month, and somehow try to survive with some semblance of sanity. Spoiler alert: sanity was not on the final list of accomplishments. It was wildly stressful, and my caffeine intake reached legally questionable levels. But…

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