January 13, 2023

“Crogan’s Adventures” by Chris Schweizer

Happy 2023 Fictional Cafe Listeners! In honor of the New Year, I thought we’d start the year with a bang. “Crogan’s Adventures” by Chris Schweizer. From the pages of the award-winning graphic novel series comes Chris Schweizer’s The Crogan Adventures! Join us as we follow a line of heroes, villains, grifters and rogues – one extraordinary family’s journey through history! This episode, gunfighter Pyjama Ben Crogan has stared down death and danger with a quick draw and a fine moustache… but he has never faced an opponent quite like The Heart of Mabel Cottonshot! Starring Christopher MottAndrea LyonsGregg Taylor Amidst the spoils of battle, privateer Catfoot Crogan discovers something that will thrust him and his crew headfirst into the clutches of his most dangerous adversary! StarringScott Moyle as Catfoot CroganGregg Taylor as Admiral MonteroChristopher Mott as Tom DanderSloane Woodside as TheresaKevin Robinson as CarlosAndrea…

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January 10, 2023

Writer-in-Residence Rachel Gonzalez

Posted by melanie marston in News

I’m thrilled and proud to be the latest Writer-in-Residence for The Fictional Café. Writing is how I process the world, it’s the only thing I’ve ever wanted to do. And I’ve done everything I can to make sure that my life is absolutely saturated in stories. My publications include “The Baptism of an Atheist” for The Bitchin’ Kitsch and winner of the Samuel LaRue Finley Humorous Writing contest; “Hey, You Know What We Should Do?” for The Tunnels; and “Little Black Dress” and “Collegiate Correspondents” for Fictional Café. “Collegiate Correspondents” once again won the Samuel LaRue Finley Humorous Writing contest. Today I work in a public library and am pursuing a Masters in English Lit to become a professor and engage with young adults who were just like me in college. When I’m not writing and…

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December 23, 2022

“A Holiday Visit” and “Christmas Holiday”

Posted by Ruby Fink in Audio Arts

In celebration of the holidays, (and because I’m a sucker for a good story in front of a crackling fire), here are two vintage classics: “A Holiday Visit” and “Christmas Holiday,” performed by Chesterton Radio. There is a reason why the Golden Age of Radio is still the epitome of storytelling. There was a time when storytelling was a family event, when everyone would gather around the radio to hear the newest audio adventure, the sweet ending to a romantic tale. In times of hardship, radio brought a brief reprieve, in times of joy, additional cheer. So in honor of those long-gone days, please enjoy a few vintages voices from the past. A couple is in an accident on their way to visit her parents for Christmas. As they travel on foot through the snow…

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December 15, 2022

“Mother,” Poetry by Bharti Bansal

Posted by Mike Rochester in Writing

Mother Sometimes I look at the regrets of my mother trailing along the corners of her eyes As she wonders about her place in the world too often There is no secret to motherhood, I suppose Just a constant feeling of doing it wrong My father consoles her, calls her beloved A sincere way of reminding her of their own vows Yet when she wakes up at night, feeling the clutches of past on her throat, she simply lets him sleep without saying a single word I believe it is when a relationship turns into partnership as time moves along the edges of their bodies, Sometimes becoming a game, as they team up together, shake hands, pat each other’s back, constantly reminding themselves about the love that blossomed years ago This is how I see…

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December 9, 2022

“Residents of Proserpina Park” by Angela Yih

Posted by Ruby Fink in Audio Arts

Residents of Proserpina Park is a fiction podcast focusing on mythological creatures mixed with a story just as wild as the past. Learn about creatures you’ve never heard before and follow Alina on her crazy journey to find the truth. Join Alina as she investigates a mysterious park in her town for a school assignment. What she finds there is more than she could possibly imagine. Our hero, Alina, returns to the park and learns more about mythical dogs and why they are perfect (or at least almost as perfect as Cerberus.) Alina sneaks her friend Drew into the park hoping to explore their childhood fantasies. Little do they know, the park has other plans. Residents of Proserpina Park is a production written and produced by Angela Yih. Directed by Angela Yih. Narrated by Vida…

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December 6, 2022

“Monsters Like Us,” by Sarah Normandie

Posted by Mike Rochester in Writing

The New England mid-October air, sharp and crisp, presented itself in a way that said goodbye to summer while promising winter soon. Detective Thicket trudged his feet through the carpet of red and gold fallen leaves as he breathed in the wet, musty smell of the woods. He couldn’t help but notice that nothing had changed since the last time he was here. The trees stood the way they stood each day before, just some taller and stronger while others stood with lost branches from heavy winds or were dying from disease. The squirrels and the birds went about their business on this day, the same way other squirrels and birds went about their business in 1995. If only the forest could talk, he thought, the stories it would tell. Somewhere in Thicket’s mind he…

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December 2, 2022

“Ode to the Wild Daffodil,” Poetry by Birch Saperstein

Posted by Mike Rochester in Writing

Ode to the Wild Daffodil After Ross Gay Come, rise, my friends! The season has shown her fertile belly, turned her deep skin, and now a new portion is facing the sun! Come, join me! Our time growing underground has come to an end, face the world with me! Open your faces to the bees and butterflies and hummingbirds and gnats and let them sing you everywhere! I know you’re scared, terrified to stick your stems out into the air, terrified of frost and collapse and wind and rabbits and I know there’s nothing I can do to change or quell that which you fear. But I know, no, I promise, that we’ll rise together, into a new season. ** Clippers My heart is a pair of hedge clippers wielded by a crow who simply…

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November 25, 2022

“The Flock” by A Ton of Feathers

Posted by Ruby Fink in Audio Arts

The Flock, created by A Ton of Feathers, is a musical audio drama with funding from Arts Council England. The Flock is an audio drama with songs. An environmental fable about the end of the world told from the point of view of the birds. Parrot and Budgie escape from captivity while the wild birds gather. Parrot and Budgie head deeper into the wild, but they’re being watched. There is much chatter of the Wisest Bird, while a monster rumbles into life… The Flock present the case against homo sapiens… The Flock is produced by ‘A Ton of Feathers’ with funding from Arts Council England Scripts & Direction by Jack Sanderson-Thwaite Music, Lyrics & Editing by Gecko In this episode: Lauren Vandike played Parrot Winston J Pyke played Magpie Hannah Bristow played Budgie Gecko played…

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November 22, 2022

Nina Kossman Poetry

Posted by Mike Rochester in Writing

The Tale of Tzarina Alyonushka and Her Brother Ivanushka (a free-verse version of a well-known Russian fairy tale) “I warned my brother not to drink from the lake. I warned him. But, at that age, do they listen? He drank from it. And of course his quick arms and legs became goat limbs, his blond curls became white fleece. –Ivanushka! Beware, kid brother, of the witch and her knives, her pots full of water. Her greed fills them up. Her jealousy heats them. She is the Queen now. She wears my face. She stole my figure, and I– I worked so hard at it! But who can hear my protests? My voice hardly reaches you from these stinky depths. What does she want with us? Ah, my husband, the Tzar. Does she hold his hands…

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November 11, 2022

“Untold Podcast” created by Nathan James Norman

Posted by Ruby Fink in Audio Arts

At the Untold Podcast, created by Nathan James Norman, they want to recapture the power of story and use the weirder genres to do it. Science fiction, fantasy, horror and supernatural stories serve as metaphors for our lives. The distant star systems, the shining knights, the abominable yetis, and the ghosts remind listeners of our own struggles, triumphs and losses. Every month they’ll bring you a new story and flash fiction presented in a unique and dynamic way! “Customer arriving!” announced the robot. The shopkeeper looked up eagerly. The door creaked open with a whistle. Rain blew inside as a small man fought with the door handle. “You have my merchandise?” he rasped. The shopkeeper snorted. He’s a day early. “Yeah, but it’s not ready yet.” Otherworldly gadgets and gizmos in clear displays filled most of the room. A…

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