Spec Fic Radio Theatre

In the county of Cornwall in the far southwest of England, a strange game has been played between villages for centuries. When the covid lockdown brings Holly to the area she learns more about the game and the mysterious stone circles dotting the landscape. The county is rich in folklore and Holly's aunt, Helen shares some of it in this tale of folklore and fantasy written by Cornish poet and folklorist, Anna Chorlton. The Silver Ball was recorded and produced during the UK's Covid lockdown using actors from or with close connections to the county of Cornwall. Sound quality varies a little and we hope this does not spoil your enjoyment of the story. The Silver Ball was selected as Cornwall's entry into the British Library's archive of artistic projects created in the Covid pandemic lockdowns. It's a hug pleasure to share this magical story as the final episode in season 2 of Spec Fic Radio Theatre. In the Silver Ball by Anna Chorlton you heard, in order of appearance Tim Cartwright As Conan Michael Fenner as the Vicar of St Cleer Jowan Jacobs as Hedrek Jamie Trotter as Jago Tiffany Clare as Holly Kate Edney as Helen Carly Barnes as Amy and Heather And Sally Walker-Taylor as Mary Other voices were played by members of the cast The music in The Silver Ball was arranged and performed by Mike O’Connor based on traditional Cornish tunes. Additional music is by Chris Gregory Production, sound design and soundscapes were by Chris Gregory Sound effects are from Freesound.org If you would like to find out more about the author of The Silver Ball, the Cornish poet and folklorist Anna Chorlton you can do so by visiting her website here https://annachorlton.com/ And follow Anna on Instagram here https://www.instagram.com/chorltonanna All the locations and customs mentioned in the story are based on real sites and events in Cornwall.  If you enjoy Spec Fic Radio Theatre you might enjoy other Alternative Stories podcasts.  We have a number of drama series including our award winning science fiction drama The Dex Legacy and our podcast about world building 'Writing Worlds'. Find all our shows and links to our social media, website and more here https://linktr.ee/AlternativeStories To get early release and ad-free listening to all alternative stories shows, bonus content, newsletters and more you can join the Alternative Stories Patreon.   You'll get access to our discord where you can connect with other fans, our production team and actors and you'll be supporting us to make more of the shows you enjoy.  To find out more and choose your membership tier please click the link below https://www.patreon.com/AltStories Spec Fic Radio Theatre is an Alternative Stories production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A Memory of Robin by David Green tells the story of Gem, the daughter of a woman called Robin who we follow through extracts from her voice diary as she seeks to escape the confines of an increasingly oppressive and totalitarian government. In A Memory of Robin by David Green you heard: Jackie Jorgenson as Robin Abby Hilden as Gem, Robin's daughter Keli Winkler as the Voice of the Nation A Memory of Robin is based on the short story of the same name by David Green.  Additional material and adaptation were by Chris Gregory. Music, sound design and mixing were by Chris Gregory Find out more about writer David Green by following him on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/davidgreenwriter/ And visit his website www.davidgreenwritercom.wordpress.com Find David on Facebook here   https://www.facebook.com/davidgreenwriter/ If you enjoy Spec Fic Radio Theatre you might enjoy other Alternative Stories podcasts.  We have a number of drama series including our award winning science fiction drama The Dex Legacy and our podcast about world building 'Writing Worlds'. Find all our shows and links to our social media, website and more here https://linktr.ee/AlternativeStories To get early release and ad-free listening to all alternative stories shows, bonus content, newsletters and more you can join the Alternative Stories Patreon.   You'll get access to our discord where you can connect with other fans, our production team and actors and you'll be supporting us to make more of the shows you enjoy.  To find out more and choose your membership tier please click the link below https://www.patreon.com/AltStories Spec Fic Radio Theatre is an Alternative Stories production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There are few things more mysterious in nature than an island in a lake. This psychological drama explores the pull and attraction of one such island in a Highland Loch which we view against the backdrop of the fracturing of a familial relationship. I will arise and go now, for always night and dayI hear lake water lapping with low sounds by the shore;While I stand on the roadway, or on the pavements grey,I hear it in the deep heart’s core. W.B Yeats from his poem 'The Lake Isle of Innisfree' In the Lake Isle you heard Kelsey Griffin as Kirsty Monroe Sophie Macnair as Helena Monroe Carl Wharton as Mr Monroe Warren Graham as Michael, the counsellor Chris Gregory as the man in the coffee shop The Lake Isle was written by Chris Gregory with script review by Sophie Macnair and Kelsey Griffin Music, sound design and mixing were by Chris Gregory If you enjoy Spec Fic Radio Theatre you might enjoy other Alternative Stories podcast.  We have a number of drama series including our award winning science fiction drama The Dex Legacy and our podcast about world building 'Writing Worlds'. You'll find a link in our show notes to find out more To get early release and ad-free listening to all alternative stories shows, bonus content, newletters and more you can join the Alternative Stories patreon.   You'll get access to our discord where you can connect with other fans, our production team and actors and you'll be supporting us to make more of the shows you enjoy.  To find out more and choose your membership tier please click the link below https://www.patreon.com/AltStories Find all our shows and links to our social media, website and more here https://linktr.ee/AlternativeStories Spec Fic Radio Theatre is an Alternative Stories production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the aftermath of her husband's death Martha and her teenage children Emmy and Henry are struggling to adapt to life without him.  Strange things are happening in their lives and whilst things may be starting to look up, no one is quite sure what is causing these coincidences.  Please note : There is some strong language in this audio drama.The Ark is written by Madeleine F White.  It is adapted from her novel 'Mother of Floods' which is published by Crowsnest Books In The Ark you heard:Sarah Golding as Martha Holly Skinner as EmmyHarri Rees Jones as Henry Chris Gregory as DaveOther voices were by Madeleine F White and members of the cast. Music, soundscape, direction and production were by Chris Gregory The Ark is adapted from the novel Mother of Floods by Madeleine F White.  “Mother of Floods” is published by Crows Nest Books and we would like to thank them for their kind permission to adapt the novel in this drama. You can visit their website and purchase Mother of Floods here https://www.crowsnestbooks.com/You can find out more about Madeleine F White by visiting her Good reads page here https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50646333-mothe… Follow Madeleine on instagram here https://www.instagram.com/madeleinefwhite/ The script for The Ark is copyright madeleine F White and may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the consent of the author. If you enjoy Spec Fic Radio Theatre you might enjoy other Alternative Stories podcast.  We have a number of drama series including our award winning science fiction drama The Dex Legacy and our podcast about world building 'Writing Worlds'. Find all our shows and links here https://linktr.ee/AlternativeStories To get early release and ad-free listening to all alternative stories shows, bonus content, newletters and more you can join the Alternative Stories patreon.   You'll get access to our discord where you can connect with other fans, our production team and actors and you'll be supporting us to make more of the shows you enjoy.  To find out more and choose your membership tier please click the link below https://www.patreon.com/AltStories Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a small alpine village Stella contemplates her strange life and origins as a number of mysterious events unfold around her.  Stella's Constellation is a magical realist story by Swiss American author TAK Erzinger.In Stella’s Constellation by TAK Erzinger you heard Sadie Pepperrell as Stella,Simone Low as the NarratorMarie Claire Wood as LagrimasRhys Anderson as Jurgen  Music, sound design, direction and soundscapes were by Chris GregoryNana De Falla was sung by Marie-Claire WoodTAK Erzinger is an American/Swiss poet and artist with a Colombian background. Her poetry has been featured in Bien Acompañada from Cornell University, The Muse from McMaster University, The Galway Review, River South from Wilkes University and more. Her debut poetry collection entitled, “Found: Between the Trees” was published by Grey Border Books, in Canada in 2019 and her forthcoming poetry book “At the Foot of the Mountain” is being published by Floricanto Press.  The audio drama you just heard, “Stella’s Constellation” is an excerpt from a book she is currently writing under the same title, inspired by magical realism and the folklore of South America and central Europe.  She lives in a Swiss valley with her husband and cats.  You can find out more about TAK by visiting her website and following her on social media  https://takerzinger.wixsite.com/poet And follow her on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/takerzinger/ If you have enjoyed this episode of Spec Fic Radio Theatre please subscribe and leave us a like, rating or review wherever you listen to podcasts.  You may like to know that Alternative Stories now has a Patreon page where you can listen to all of our shows ad free and ahead of general release.  You can find out more and join here  https://www.patreon.com/AltStories.To find out more about Alternative Stories and our work you can follow us on social mediahttps://www.instagram.com/stories.alt/or visit our website https://alternativestories.com/and Linktree here https://linktr.ee/AlternativeStoriesContact us by email at office@alternativestories.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Thank you for listening to Spec Fic Radio Theatre. For this episode we're sharing an award winning eco-comedy with a serious message. In orbit around our planet, an alien creature is listening in on Earth noise.  One sound in particular seems to have a greater significance than others but what does it mean and how will Skim and Beta find out more about it?  In our final Alternative Stories episode of 2024 we are bringing you the winner of the 2024 Pen to Print Audio Play Competition “The Earth Serenades” by Emma Griffiths.     In “The Earth Serenades” by Emma Griffiths you can hear  Tiffany Clare as Skim Emily Inkpen as Beta  Sophie Macnair as Pree  And Chris Gregory as Shakarn Other voices were played by Sophie Macnair and Emma Griffiths   The Earth Serenades was Directed by Chris Gregory and Emily Inkpen and recorded at Orpheus Studio in London The sound engineer was Richard 'Orpheus' Campbell Music, sound design and editing were by Chris Gregory  The script for the earth serenades is copyright Emma Griffiths and may not be used in whole or in part except with the permission of the author  If you would like to enter the 2026 Pen to Print Audio Play Competition you need to be an unpublished audio drama writer and resident in the United Kingdom.  The competition is open for entries until March.   You can find out more and download entry terms and conditions via the link below https://pentoprint.org/get-involved/competitions/ If you have enjoyed this episode of Spec Fic Radio Theatre please subscribe and leave us a like, rating or review wherever you listen to podcasts.  You may like to know that Alternative Stories now has a Patreon page where you can listen to all of our shows ad free and ahead of general release.  You can find out more and join here  https://www.patreon.com/AltStories.To find out more about Alternative Stories and our work you can follow us on social mediahttps://www.instagram.com/stories.alt/or visit our website https://alternativestories.com/and Linktree here https://linktr.ee/AlternativeStoriesContact us by email at office@alternativestories.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Thank you for listening to Spec Fic Radio Theatre. For this episode we're sharing three short stories from a new Alternative Stories podcast called "Terror Tapes". The concept behind the show is of short recordings found on a batch of cassettes purchased from a car boot sale. Each double-sided tape contains two stories with no background or context. It's up to listeners to build stories around them and decide how they began or finish For this selection you can hear three stories from our seasonal batch of cassettes. The stories are 'The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year' written by Lewis Carter and starring Kathryn Georghiou and Adam Reilly 'Baby Monitor' written by Ant Moran and starring Kathryn Georghiou, Adam Reilly and Dave McClelland 'Driving Home For Christmas' written by Kathryn Georghiou and starring Kathryn Georghiou and Dave McClelland You can listen and subscribe to Terror Tapes in your favourite podcast app to hear 9 more stories and have new episodes delivered to you on release by following the link below https://pod.link/1862732836 You can follow Terror Tapes on Instagram here https://www.instagram.com/terror_tapes_podcast/ Terror Tapes was created by Kathryn Georghiou, Ant Moran and Dave McClelland Sound design is by Chris Gregory If you have enjoyed this episode of Spec Fic Radio Theatre please subscribe and leave us a like, rating or review wherever you listen to podcasts.  You may like to know that Alternative Stories now has a Patreon page where you can listen to all of our shows ad free and ahead of general release.  You can find out more and join here  https://www.patreon.com/AltStories. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Thank you for listening to Spec Fic Radio Theatre, anthology of full-cast original audio dramas in the genres of science fiction, fantasy and horror. Season Two continues with folk horror set in Cornwall. The Angry House is an award-winning script by novelist Thomas Wrightson. In 'The Angry House' by Thomas Wrightson you can hear: Charlie Richards as Harry Marie-Claire Wood as Agnes David Monteith as Gerald and Sarah Golding as Samantha Gregory Whispers and other voices by the cast and Thomas Wrightson The Angry House was produced and directed by Chris Gregory Casting was by Chris Gregory and Thomas Wrightson The original score for The Angry House was arranged and performed by Chris GregorySound design, mixing and editing are by Chris Gregory for Alternative Stories Thomas Wrightson is a novelist based in Anglesey in North Wales. You can find out more about Thomas and his work by visiting his website here:  https://thomaswrightson.co.uk/ The Angry House was the winning script in the 2025 Pen to Print Audio Play Competition. The competition which is open to audio drama writers who have not previously had an audio drama produced runs annually and a number of the winning scripts can be heard on this podcast. To find out more about the competition and to enter the 2026 version please visit the Pen to Print website here  https://pentoprint.org/get-involved/competitions/ Alternative Stories would like to thank Pen to Print for running the competition and Lucy Kaufman and Emily Inkpen for judging entries alongside Chris Gregory. If you have enjoyed this episode of Spec Fic Radio Theatre please subscribe and leave us a like, rating or review wherever you listen to podcasts. You may like to know that Alternative Stories now has a Patreon page where you can listen to all of our shows ad free and ahead of general release.  You can find out more and join here  https://www.patreon.com/AltStories. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join our Patreon for ad-free podcasts and bonus content ⁠⁠https://patreon.com/AltStories⁠ In the forests of Scandinavia a family is besieged by a malicious raven which watches and follows them everywhere they go.  How will they escape from this curse and at what cost?  The Seeing Trees is a dark Nordic mystery with elements of violence, peril, horror, language and elements that some listeners may find disturbing. Please do not listen if you object to any of the above.    In the Seeing Trees By Kaitlin Felix…  Charlie Richards played Trygve  Lewie Watson was Harleif Tiffany Clare was Mother Amy Forrest played Freja Chris Gregory was Magnus and Townsman Annika Kordes played Townswoman 1 Karen Cooper played Townswoman 2   The incantation was performed by Charlie Richards, Tiffany Clare, Kaitlin Felix and Chris Gregory with coaching, support and counselling by Kaitlin!  Original music and soundscapes were by Chris Gregory The Seeing Trees was adapted from her original short story by Kaitlin Felix and Chris Gregory Find out more about the writer of The Seeing Trees, Kaitlin Felix, by visiting her website here https://katifelix.com/ And follow Kaitlin on Instagram here https://www.instagram.com/kfelix_writes/ Kaitlin will be appearing on our new podcast about world building "Writing Worlds" very soon. Subscribe here to have new episodes delivered to your feed as they are released https://pod.link/1812994751   You can find all our other podcasts and link to Alternative Stories on social media by following this link https://linktr.ee/AlternativeStories Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join our Patreon for ad-free podcasts and bonus content ⁠⁠https://patreon.com/AltStories⁠ Flood survival operations are underway aboard the Ark and Captain Noah has delegated command to his sons and their partners.  But as the voyage begins a spate of mysterious deaths prompt Parphia to turn detective and embark upon the world's first ever murder mystery.  She is determined to record every last clue and discovery as she tries to solve the crimes, but has she bitten off more than she can chew and can she survive the mysterious Ark killer?    In Ark by Stephanie Weston you heard   Tiffany Clare as Parphia Charlie Richards as Japhet Emily Inkpen as Olla Stephanie Weston as Leah And Chris Gregory as Ham  Ark was directed by Chris Gregory and Emily Inkpen   Sound design, music and editing were by Chris Gregory  Ark was recorded at Orpheus Studio in London and by Richard Campbell    Ark by Stephanie Weston was the winner of the 2023 Pen to Print Audio Play competition.     You can find out more about Stephanie Weston by visiting her website  https://tabb.cc/stephanie-weston And you can follow Stephanie on instagram here  https://www.instagram.com/stephanie__weston/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join our Patreon for ad-free podcasts and bonus content ⁠⁠https://patreon.com/AltStories⁠ As a historian in the bleak, climate-ravaged twenty-third century, it's Zoe's job to record and archive the past, not to recreate it. But when she comes across the diaries of Harry and Michelle, who lived two hundred years ago, she becomes fascinated by the minutiae of their lives and decides to write a novel about them, filling in the gaps with her own imaginings.  Listeners are warned that this episode contains explicit language.    In Two Tribes by Chris Beckett you heard  Verity Blyth as Zoe  Rosa Samuels as Cally Charlie Richards as Harry Sadie Pepperrell as Michelle And Marie Claire Wood as Letty The main theme for Two Tribes is by Scott Ander  Sound design, soundscapes and direction are by Chris Gregory Casting was by Chris Gregory and Chris Beckett The script was adapted from Chris Beckett’s original novel by Chris Gregory and Chris Beckett Sound effects are from freesound.org   This audio drama is an adaptation of part of the novel Two Tribes. If you would like to read the full novel it is out in paperback in the UK now and details on how to buy it are posted below   We would also like to thank  Kate Straker of Corvus / Atlantic Books for her help and cooperation in the making of this audio drama.     You can find out more about Chris Beckett by visiting his website here http://www.chris-beckett.com/ Follow Chris on twitter here  https://twitter.com/chriszbeckett And purchase Two Tribes here On Hive  https://www.hive.co.uk/Product/Chris-Author-Becket… And on Amazon  https://www.amazon.co.uk/Two-Tribes-Chris-Beckett/…   You can visit Corvus via their website here  https://atlantic-books.co.uk/corvus/ Follow Corvus on twitter here  https://twitter.com/CorvusBooks   The theme tune for this edition is is called “The Hunt” by Scott Ander, from his EP “The Holocene” which you can listen to here https://soundcloud.com/user-498615231/sets/the-hol… You can follow Scott on Instagram here  https://www.instagram.com/scottandermusic/ To find out more about Alternative Stories and listen to our other audio drama podcasts please visit the link below https://linktr.ee/AlternativeStories Our podcasts are free to listen to but not free to make. If you would like to support the show please visit the link below  https://ko-fi.com/alternativestories Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join our Patreon for ad-free podcasts and bonus content ⁠⁠https://patreon.com/AltStories⁠ In Backdrop by Anna Orridge you heard Marie-Claire Wood as Laura Harri Rees-Jones as Marvin Kelley Costigan as The Administrator Kelli Winkler as the voice of Backdrop and Chris Gregory as Laura's father Backdrop is based on a short story by Anna Orridge and adapted by Anna Orridge and Chris Gregory You can find out more about Anna at: https://annaorridge.com And read more about her anthology - The Utopia of Us - at: https://www.lunapresspublishing.com/post/anna-orridge-the-utopia-of-us-anthology-pre-order-available-now Music, sound design and editing were by Chris Gregory Sound effects are from freesound.org Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join our Patreon for ad-free podcasts and bonus content ⁠⁠https://patreon.com/AltStories⁠ In “Real Boy” by Cailean Steed you heard   Alex White as FoxKelley Costigan as CatKirsty Woolven as CarloCarl Wharton as FatherHadiya Morris as Motherand Verity Blyth as AzureMusic, sound design, direction and editing were by Chris GregroyCasting and character direction were by Chris Gregory and Cailean Steed Sound effects were from freesound.org Real Boy was the winner of the 2021 Pen to Print Audio Play Competition.   To find out more about Cailean Steed and their other work please visit their website here https://www.caileansteed.com/ Writing Worlds is created and presented by Emily Inkpen and Chris Gregory of the audio production company Alternative Stories.  Listen to our other audio drama productions by following this link https://linktr.ee/AlternativeStories   Follow Alternative Stories  on Instagram here https://www.instagram.com/stories.alt/ And Bluesky here https://bsky.app/profile/storiesalt.bsky.social   Find out more about Emily Inkpen and her work by visiting her website here https://www.emilyinkpen.com/ Listen to The Dex Legacy and Wasteland, Emily’s award-winning audio drama series here https://www.emilyinkpen.com/thedexlegacy-home/ And follow Emily on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/emilyinkpen/ And Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/emilyinkpen.bsky.social   If you would like to get in touch with Alternative Stories please contact us via office@alternativestories.com   All of our audio drama productions are free to listen to but not free to make.  If you would like to support the show and receive our eternal gratitude you can do so via this link  https://ko-fi.com/alternativestories   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join our Patreon for ad-free podcasts and bonus content ⁠⁠https://patreon.com/AltStories⁠ Marc Hughes, the larger-than-life presenter of the supernatural investigation TV show Paranormal Takedown, is in Shropshire visiting his friend Jack who claims that the Devil is active in the county.  Alongside co-host Emilie Daniels, Marc has decided to make a special edition about the weird goings-on but upon arrival in the county he starts to realise that the stories he is hearing are stranger and darker than he imagined.  In “The Best of Men: Part 2” by Amy Boucher you can hear Tiffany Clare as Emilie  Alex White as Marc Carl Wharton as Jack Amy Boucher as "Woman in the pub" Chris Gregory as 'Owd Scratch Music, sound design, production and editing are by Chris Gregory for Alternative Stories. The author of today’s episode, Amy Boucher, is a writer and folklorist whose narratives centre on her native Shropshire. Her emphasis tends to focus on the interplay between folklore, history and the paranormal. To find out more about Amy Boucher and her work you can visit her blog at https://nearlyknowledgeablehistory.blogspot.com/  Follow Amy on Bluesky here  https://bsky.app/profile/g0blinegg.bsky.social and on X here https://x.com/g0blinegg   Join us next week for more from the world of Alternative Stories audio drama  Spec Fic Radio Theatre is brought to you by Alternative Stories and presented by Emily Inkpen and Chris Gregory.   Our shows are free to listen to but not free to make. If you would like to support the show you can do so by making a small donation here https://ko-fi.com/alternativestories Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join our Patreon for ad-free podcasts and bonus content ⁠⁠https://patreon.com/AltStories⁠ When the presenter of a popular TV show investigating instances of paranormal activity receives a series of phone messages from an old friend claiming that he knows of supernatural goings-on in the county of Shropshire he is initially sceptical. Intrigued by the possibility of debunking the reports however, he makes plans to visit Shropshire and find out more about the phenomena. In “The Best of Men - Part 1” by Amy Boucher you can hear Tiffany Clare as Emilie  Alex White as Marc and Carl Wharton as Jack Music, sound design, production and editing are by Chris Gregory for Alternative Stories. The author of today’s episode, Amy Boucher, is a writer and folklorist whose narratives centre on her native Shropshire. Her emphasis tends to focus on the interplay between folklore, history and the paranormal. To find out more about Amy Boucher and her work you can visit her blog at https://nearlyknowledgeablehistory.blogspot.com/  Follow Amy on Bluesky here  https://bsky.app/profile/g0blinegg.bsky.social and on X here https://x.com/g0blinegg Join us next week for the second and final part of The Best of Men Spec Fic Radio Theatre is brought to you by Alternative Stories and presented by Emily Inkpen and Chris Gregory. Our shows are free to listen to but not free to make. If you would like to support the show you can do so by making a small donation here https://ko-fi.com/alternativestories Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join our Patreon for ad-free podcasts and bonus content ⁠⁠https://patreon.com/AltStories⁠ Two sisters receive an unexpected ultimatum. In order to inherit their share of the family wealth from their dead mother they must agree to spend a night together in the abandoned family home.   In “The Gathering” by Lewis Carter you heard  Miztli Rose as Sasha  Phoebe Batteson Brown as Gemma  Alex White as Tom  Chris Gregory as Clark Sarah Golding as Mrs Harrington Marie-Claire Wood as Rosie  And Emily Inkpen as the nurse  Other voices were played by members of the cast.   Production,sound design, music and editing were by Chris Gregory   “TheGathering” represented the UK at the International Audio Drama Festival 2022. Since then, Lewis has written a full series for us called Burnout. Burnout is a cyberpunk-thriller about ex-zero gravity racer, Theo Bazerov, a rogue AI nano-bot swarm called IRIS, and a whole cast of delicious, morally grey characters. It’s a lot of fun and you can listen to all of it right now on all platforms or via this link https://pod.link/1798982875   Find out more about Burnout and writer Lewis Carter here https://www.burnoutpod.com/ You can follow Lewis Carter on social media here https://www.instagram.com/fictionist4hire/ https://x.com/fictionist4hire Find out more about Emily Inkpen and her many projects here  ⁠https://linktr.ee/emilyinkpen⁠ Find out more about Chris and Alternative Stories here ⁠https://linktr.ee/AlternativeStories⁠ Subscribe to Spec Fic Radio Theatre wherever you listen to podcasts to receive a new speculative fiction drama each week. Support Spec Fic Radio Theatre here https://ko-fi.com/alternativestories Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join our Patreon for ad-free podcasts and bonus content ⁠⁠https://patreon.com/AltStories⁠ Sage and Elara's friendship grows to something more as they work together on a deep space mission.  Even a near-deadly asteroid impact cannot separate them, but as they dream of a life together on land something begins to change.   In "A Ring Around" by Lyndsey Croal, Tiffany Clare plays Elara and Dina and Emily Inkpen plays Sage.   "A Ring Around" is adapted from a short story of the same name which appears in Lyndsey. Croal's collection "Limelight and Other Stories" (Shortwave Publishing 2024).  Order a copy and find out more here https://shop.shortwavepublishing.com/products/limelight-and-other-stories-paperback   Find out more about Lyndsey Croal and her work by visiting her website here https://lyndseycroal.co.uk/   You can follow Lyndsey on social media here https://www.instagram.com/lyndseycroal https://bsky.app/profile/lyndseycroal.bsky.social   Find out more about Emily Inkpen and her many projects here  https://linktr.ee/emilyinkpen Find out more about Chris and Alternative Stories here https://linktr.ee/AlternativeStories Subscribe to Spec Fic Radio Theatre to receive a new speculative fiction drama each week. Our dramas are free to listen to but not free to make. If you would like to support our work by sponsoring an episode or actor or simply buying us a coffee you can do so here https://ko-fi.com/alternativestories Get in touch with Alternative Stories at office@alternativestories.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join our Patreon for ad-free podcasts and bonus content ⁠⁠https://patreon.com/AltStories⁠ Making a life on a new world following a family tragedy, Lyra and Neeva reflect on their past lines as farmers on Epsilon while coming to terms with the realities of existence on their new home, Lunasetti.  Postcards From Another World by Frasier Armitage was the winner of the 2022 Pen To Print Audio Play Competition.  In Postcards from Another World by Frasier Armitage you heard  Sarah Golding as LyraMarie-Claire Wood as NeevaWarren Graham as ZaboEmily Inkpen as the computerRhiannon Armitage as the Lunasetti spaceport announcer Chris Gregory as Privik.   Production, sound design and editing were by Chris Gregory for Alternative Stories The original score was composed and performed by Chris GregorySound effects were from Freesound.orgCasting advice, actor coaching and beta listening were by Frasier Armitage.   You can find out more about Frasier Armitage and his work by visiting his website here https://frasierarmitage.com/ You can follow Frasier on Bluesky here https://bsky.app/profile/frasierarmitage.bsky.social And Instagram here https://www.instagram.com/frasierarmitage/ Find out more about Emily Inkpen and her many projects here  https://linktr.ee/emilyinkpen Find out more about Chris and Alternative Stories here https://linktr.ee/AlternativeStories Subscribe to Spec Fic Radio Theatre wherever you listen to podcasts to receive a new speculative fiction drama each week. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join our Patreon for ad-free podcasts and bonus content ⁠⁠https://patreon.com/AltStories⁠ Welcome to Spec Fic Radio Theatre, and anthology podcast of standalone or short-run audio drama and audio fiction stories aimed at fans of sci-fi, fantasy and horror. In this preview episode we hear from producers Chris Gregory and Emily Inkpen about what to expect in our first season and listen to trailers from some of the productions we'll be sharing in our first few weeks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to Season Two of Speculative Fiction Radio Theatre and a wonderful fantasy audio drama based on the Selkie stories of Scottish folklore by writer and folklorist Signe Maene. In Selkie by Signe Maene you can hear:Sophie Macnair as The SelkieLewie Watson as AndrewSimone Low as Andrew's MotherKelsey Griffin as a Selkie and singer of Ae Fond KissStevie Skinner as a Selkie Selkie was directed by Chris Gregory Casting was by Signe Maene and Chrs Gregory The music was arranged and performed by John Spiers based on the traditional folk tune "The Great Silkie of Sule Skerry" "Ae Fond Kiss" (trad. with lyrics by Robert Burns) is performed by Kelsey GriffinAdditional music and soundscapes are by Chris GregorySound design, mixing and editing are by Chris Gregory Signe Maene is a Belgian writer of stories mainly inspired by Flemish folklore, and she shares her passion for this frightening yet wonderful world on Substack. She is the author of Flemish Folktales Retold and The Witches of Flemish Folklore. Another short story collection, The Witch's Child, is coming soon. Signe has worked on several folkloric projects for the Alternative Stories and Fake Realities Podcast. Her work has been published in The Copperfield Review, The Seelie Crow and Atrium Poetry, among others. When Signe is not writing, she is sewing, reading, or walking around in dark churches, haunted forests and the melancholic streets of Belgium's medieval cities. You can follow Signe on Substack here: https://signe.substack.com and visit her website here  https://signemaene.com  John Spiers is a folk musician and player of many squeezebox style instruments.  He’s a member of a number of  bands including  Bellowhead, Spiers and Boden and the Gigspanner Big Band.  You can find out more about John and his work by visiting his website here https://www.johnspiers.co.uk/ If you have enjoyed the show please subscribe and leave us a like, rating or review wherever you listen to podcasts.  You may like to know that Alternative Stories now has a Patreon page where you can listen to all of our shows ad free and ahead of general release.  You can find out more and join here  https://www.patreon.com/AltStories Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices