The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast - Vintage Sci-Fi Short Stories

The biggest job in history and it had to be done with complete secrecy. It was—which was just the trouble! Project Hush by William Tenn and What thrill is there in going out among the stars if coming back means bitter loneliness? Homesick by Lynn Venable. That’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast. Until today, we had never narrated a story by William Tenn—though, in truth, William Tenn never actually...

What if a single mysterious figure could bring the world’s armies to their knees and reshape society overnight? A future where science becomes the ultimate power—whether humanity is ready or not. Goliah by Jack London. That’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast. We are so thankful for you. The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast continues to grow with new listeners around the world. Special thanks to “Someone” who bo...

The captain of the Martian Maid stared avidly at the torn derelict floating against the velvet void. Here was treasure beyond his wildest dreams! How could he know his dreams should have been nightmares? Captain Midas by Alfred Coppel. That’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast. He’s not widely known, but he’s one of our favorites—Alfred Coppel returns to the podcast today! You’ve enjoyed his thrillin...

Lancelot Biggs was perhaps the worst second mate Captain Hanson had ever shipped, and he was convinced of it when he ruined their cargo. But how dumb a man is, may sometimes be a matter of opinion. F. O. B. Venus by Nelson S. Bond. That’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast. Nelson S. Bond makes his debut on the podcast today with an interesting character, Lancelot Biggs. Bond wrote 14 short stories f...

What if you had the power to change reality with a single thought? An ordinary man discovers his limitless abilities—only to learn that absolute power comes with devastating consequences. Our story was first published in 1898 in The Illustrated London News The Man Who Could Work Miracles by H. G. Wells. Next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, Lancelot Biggs was perhaps the worst second mate Captain Hanso...

In 1927 Amazing Stories had this to say about our next episode, We could wax rhapsodical in our praise, as the story is one of the finest pieces of literature it has been our good fortune to read. The theme is original, and yet fantastic enough to make it rise head and shoulders above many contemporary scientifiction stories. You will not regret having read this marvelous tale. The Colour Out of S...

The aliens wouldn't accept help, though their world was about to explode. They were adolescents. Adolescence is the time when you aren't smart enough to ask for help… The Untouchable Adolescents by Harlan Ellison. That’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast. In a world filled with science fiction one can never ever hear enough Harlan Ellison stories! From the pages of Super-Science Fiction in February...

The men who did dangerous work had a special kind of insurance policy. But when somebody wanted to collect on that policy, the claims investigator suddenly became a member of… The Risk Profession by Donald E. Westlake. That’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast. If you enjoy today’s story by Donald E. Westlake , you might also like The Spy in the Elevator , another Westlake tale we narrated about 10 m...

The island was drowning—if they failed to find some common ground, both of them were doomed. The Good Seed by Mack Reynolds . That’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast. Another 5 Star Review on Apple Podcasts, this from Alec in the Scottish Boarders on Apple Podcasts Great Britain. “Alec had this to say, “Best thing since sliced bread!! My absolute favorite podcast! I love science fiction, this podca...

Today on the Lost Sci-Fi Podcast we will do something we have never done, and something we may never do again. An episode swap with another podcast. That’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast. Several of you have suggested we do an episode swap with another podcast and today your request has been fulfilled. We’ve been approached before but never felt like it was a good fit, until now. We wouldn’t do a...

Mr. Meek was having his troubles. First, the educated bugs worried him; then the welfare worker tried to stop the Ring Rats' feud by enlisting his aid. And now, he was a drafted space-polo player—a fortune bet on his ability at a game he had never played in his cloistered life. Mr. Meek Plays Polo by Clifford D. Simak. That’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast. Another first for our podcast today, ba...

Adventure flamed in Mr. Meek's timorous heart, the surge of battle and singing blades. And so, with a rocket-ship for his steed and a ray-gun for his sword, he sallied forth ... carrying cavalier justice to the resentful shining stars. Mr. Meek—Musketeer by Clifford D. Simak. That’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast. There have been a flood of 5 star reviews in countries all over the world recently....

The mountain men who opened up the frontier in the west weren’t settlers, they were trappers, traders, fighters and gunmen — the men who didn’t fit back home. The kind of men who will be needed on the frontier of space… Collision Orbit by Katherine MacLean. That’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast. As we get ready to celebrate our 3rd anniversary, we thought it was the perfect time to try something...

The tiny asteroid with the frightened girl and the wrecked spacer with the grim young man slowly spun closer and closer ... but the real danger came after the crash! Collision Orbit by Clyde Beck. That’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast. Special thanks to Paul Belcher for his 5 star rating and review on Apple Podcasts, “ My New Favorite Podcast. I’m so impressed with this unassuming, yet extremely...

Though The World May Die, Man Will Go On. Transience by Arthur C. Clark. That’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast. Almost six months ago we shared the first published story written by Arthur C. Clarke, Travel by Wire . Today we bring you another science fiction short story written in the early years of Clarke’s career. The July 1949 issue of Startling Stories magazine features many familiar names, R...

What happens when a secret society demands your fortune—or sacrifices innocent lives instead? An electrifying tale of power, greed, and morality. The Minions of Midas by Jack London. That’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast. It’s been nearly two weeks since we narrated A Thousand Deaths by Jack London , and since then, we’ve received numerous requests for more stories from one of America’s most reno...

All the logical answers to Charcot’s escape and disappearances had come up... but why should an escaped convict be logical? Solitary by Robert Silverberg . That’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast. Thanks to Phee808 for another 5 star review on Apple Podcast, “The perfect narration to a treasure trove of incredible talent. They don’t make them like this anymore but fortunately we can still hear them...

Two Short stories from the 1800s. The Tell-Tale Heart and The Masque of the Red Death by Edgar Allan Poe. That’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast. Did you know we take requests? We do, and both of the stories you are about to hear have been requested a number of times. If there is a vintage science fiction story you’d like to hear send us an email, scott@lostscifi.com. He was born Edgar Poe in Bost...

In a distant, semi-barbaric kingdom, a young lover’s fate hinges on a cruelly ingenious trial: choosing between two doors, one hiding a ferocious tiger and the other concealing a beautiful bride. As the Kings daughter secretly signals her beloved toward a door, we are left to wonder—did her jealousy or love dictate the choice? The Lady, Or The Tiger? By Frank R. Stockton. That’s next on The Lost S...

It was a robots' world, run by soul-less heaps of haughty metal. But among the humans there was one — only one — who aspired to greatness; only one who stood the chance of breaking out of his subservient shell. He was the Time-Window Kid. ... He was James P. Crow. James P. Crow by Philip K. Dick . That’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast. Special thanks to Hamlinsw for a 5 star rating and review on...

Revenge drives John Krenner to risk everything in a world ruled by relentless automation. But on the futuristic Rolling Roads, justice isn’t the only thing waiting at the end of the line. Consignment by Alan E. Nourse. That’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast. Alan E. Nourse has been on the podcast several times, Derelect, Wanderlust, Journey For the Brave and one of my personal favorites The Fifty-...

Don't believe in flying saucers? Neither do we, but that doesn't necessarily mean that there can be no other way for Earth to get its last…. Warning From the Stars by Ron Cocking. That’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast. If you enjoy The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast please rate and review us wherever you listen, share our episodes on social media and thank you for listening!! One story. That’s all we could...

Trapped in a horrifying cycle of death and resurrection, a man becomes the unwilling subject of a mad-mans twisted experiments. A tantalizing tale of science, survival, and the fight for freedom. A Thousand Deaths by Jack London. That’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast. John Griffith Chaney, famously known as Jack London, was born in 1876. He was among the first American writers to achieve internat...

Lost in the pitch-black depths of a cave, a man faces the terror of the unknown—until he discovers he’s not alone. A chilling tale of primal fear. The Beast in the Cave by H. P. Lovecraft. That’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast. Thanks to 1mzk who gave us a 5 star rating and review on Apple Podcasts, “Very well done. I enjoy this podcast, both content and presentation.” And special thanks to bratf...

It was only a tiny scout ship from somewhere beyond the stars; only one alien creature occupied it. But the ship's mission spelled life to its fellow creatures and death to all living creatures on Earth. And against the super-science of the raider stood one terrified old man and his dog…. Nobody Saw the Ship by Murray Leinster. That’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast. Murray Leinster is one of our...