The Hidden Gems Podcast (Classic Tales & Original Short Stories)

What would you do? A man's deathbed confession of a heinous deed that sprang from a moment's decision - kill or be killed.  John Bell is our  was our narrator and he is also the writer, producer, and actor on "Bell's in the Batfry" podcast, which can be found at: [ http://thebatfry.libsyn.com/] We are always looking forward to discovering our next writer, so if you are interested in contributing,...

Our heroine, Marya Vassilyevna, has dark musings on a bright spring day.    Anton Chekhov has been described as the master of the short story. The School Mistress explores the stark difference between the daily realities that we face versus our inner dreams and hopes.   John Bell is our  was our narrator and he is also the writer, producer, and actor on "Bell's in the Batfry" podcast, which can be...

Is it a modern fairy tale from a mind of mayhem, a cautionary marriage tale, or simply an odd little story?  John Bell is our  was our narrator and he is also the writer, producer, and actor on "Bell's in the Batfry" podcast, which can be found at: [ http://thebatfry.libsyn.com/] We are always looking forward to discovering out next writer, so if you are interested in contributing, please send us...

A farmer plagued with bad luck strikes a bargain with the devil - 7 years of prosperity in exchange for his soul - and, to win his soul back, he desperately calls on the great Daniel Webster to wage a one-on-one battle of wits with Mr. Scratch himself.    The Devil and Daniel Webster   was written by Stephen Vincent Benét and first appeared in The Saturday Evening Post on October 24, 1936. The fol...

What do space lichen, Martians, and psychedelic mermaids have in common? Find out in this charming short story that is one part sci-fi, one part pulp, and all fun!  Breath of Beelzebub first appeared in Planet Stories , which was an American pulp sci-fi magazine from the Winter of 1946. Larry Sternig was a writer of short fiction in the 1940s and went on to create The Larry Sternig Literary Agency...

In a small fishing village on the rocky shores of Maine, can two lost souls find temporary comfort - and warmth - in a zero-star motel?  Today's featured short story is "Cold Places," written by your host, Cathy McCarthy, aka C. Mack Lewis.  John Bell was our narrator and he is the writer, producer, and actor on "Bell's in the Batfry" podcast, which can be found at: [ http://thebatfry.libsyn.com/]...

A stranger comes bearing a gift - a mummified monkey's paw that holds a magical spell that allows for three people to make three wishes each. What could go wrong? Today's featured short story is a classic English supernatural tale written by W. W. Jacobs in 1902. I'd like to thank Project Gutenberg for making this cultural work available to the public for use. I highly recommend you check out thei...

Every day is a new starting line, right? Well, maybe not for Brandon, our modern-day renaissance man in search of his own personal evolution that will make anything possible, when his past comes back to haunt him - with interest and penalties.  Join Cathy McCarthy as she features the short stories, Evolution , written by Bob Wallass who currently resides in Sedona, Arizona with his lovely wife, Li...

What would happen if aliens became interested in the Sunday activities of the primitive cultures of that obscure, little planet called Earth?  Today's featured short story is "Game Time," written by Samuel H. Johnson. Samuel is also the author of the historical novel, "The Cherokee and the Slave," which can be found at: ( www.thecherokeeandtheslave.com ). He is also the writer of an online sports...

Exactly how far will Ralph the Exterminator go to get the perfect Christmas tree? And what IS the difference between robbing the homes of Republicans versus Democrats?  Find out in today's short story! Join us for Episode 9 of The Hidden Gems Podcast, which features the short story "The Christmas Tree" which was written by C. Mack Lewis . For more information and writing from C. Mack Lewis, go to...

A roller-coaster ride on steroid-rails that explores the meaning of life, serial killers, and "an overhaul rethinking for the strategic management of the clown college" - because contemporary clown college is not your mother's clown college anymore!  Today's short story was written by Raymond King Shurtz who is a Director, Designer, Playwright, Teacher, Actor, and Musician. He was the Founder and...

Ocean in the Sky is a charming short story that recaptures the nostalgic days of childhood summer vacations, including barbeques and days at the beach with family and friends.   For more information on the podcast or to submit your short story for the opportunity to be featured on the podcast, please go to: https://www.thehiddengemspodcast.com/ To listen to John Bell's podcast, please go to: https...

A young Vietnam soldier finds himself on his first sweep and destroy mission with a commanding officer who may or may not be up for an Article 15 for making a Charlie eat the mud off his boots. Thank you for listening to The Hidden Gems Podcast, which is dedicated to bringing you the best short stories that you've never heard. For more short stories on The Hidden Gems Podcast, please go to: https:...

He couldn't love her in life, but he could avenge her in death! Today's episode features a short story written by Dan Hitt, entitled "Crown Your Hatred," which is set in a brutal, far off world of mysterious assassins and duplicitous tin men. For a chance to have YOUR story featured, please submit your short story of 5,000 words or less to www. TheHiddenGemsPodcast.com If you liked this podcast, c...

Our heroine, Ilene, is doing just fine, thank you very much, slinging hash for the locals at the Silk City Diner - until, that is, she receives a rather unusual profession of true love from an even more unusual admirer.   Cathy McCarthy is your host today as John Bell narrates the short story Pig Eye Poem , which she wrote under the pseudonym C. Mack Lewis. You can read more of Cathy's fiction at...

What happens when Donald, a Herald Angel with an unforgivable hoarse and croaking voice, tries to convince the Angel Gabriel, otherwise known as ‘Mr. G’, to let him sing in the annual Christmas choir down on planet earth?  Join us for today's short story to find out! Today's featured short story is "Hark! The Herald Angels Still Sing," written by Samuel H. Johnson. Samuel is also the author of the...

Craving noir? Dig in and find out what happens when a down-on-his-luck reporter gets caught in the cross-hairs of the one woman he’s never been able to forget. Is it love? Or does she have an ulterior motive that just might get him killed?  I'm your host, Cathy McCarthy, but I also write fiction under the pseudonym C. Mack Lewis and this is my short story. I was born in South Jersey, the land of S...

Arizona is known for many things - the Grand Canyon, spectacular sunsets, the Sonoran forests, but very few people realize that it is also home of a 14-foot giant tiki head named Giganticus Headicus. Join us as we hit Route 66 - in search of Giganticus Headicus - and the true meaning of life! Join Cathy McCarthy as she features one of her favorite short stories, In Giganticus Headicus We Trust (Ju...