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

Knucklebone Smith has spent his entire life searching for the one thing he was born to do, but nobody believes he’s good for anything. On the frozen surface of Pluto, a desperate emergency may finally give him the chance to prove everyone wrong. The Pluto Lamp by Charles A. Stearns. That’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast.

This is the Lost Sci-Fi Podcast debut for author Charles A. Stearns. He published about 25 science fiction short stories between 1953 and 1959.

He also wrote westerns and later had fiction published in The Saturday Evening Post, bringing his total to at least 37 short stories, but he never published a science fiction novel.

In 2023, Wildside Press brought his science fiction tales together in a collection devoted entirely to his work, introducing a new generation of readers to an author whose fiction had largely disappeared from view.

Published in the Fall 1954 issue of Planet Stories magazine on page 56, The Pluto Lamp by Charles A. Stearns…

Next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, Brent Dalgreen has risked his life trying to paint something no Earthbound artist has ever truly seen. When another painter somehow captures that impossible viewpoint, Brent follows the clue toward an answer that may carry him far beyond the world he knows. An Artist’s Life by Harry Harrison.

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A celebrated space pioneer becomes humanity’s greatest hero, but the story the world believes conceals a devastating deception. As a deadly disease threatens millions, one forgotten man must live with the knowledge that history has honored the wrong person. Synthetic Hero by Erik Fennel. That’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast.

Can you see the egg all over my face? Yikes, our last episode The Holes and John Smith by Edward W. Ludwig was a mess. Sorry about that, it’s fixed now. You may have to refresh you browser or podcast app to get it to play properly.

Special thanks to Deacon Jim who bought us 20 coffees. “Scott, may God bring you consolation with the passing of your mother. Thank you for using the gift of your voice and passion to bring such joy to your listeners. Your show has been a wonderful diversion, so often providing me a respite-on-demand from that occasional stressful and overwhelming day. Thanks for all the resets. May God bless you and your family.”

Thank you Deacon Jim.

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Erik Fennel has appeared on the podcast just once before, more than four years ago, when we featured his story Madmen of Mars.

We’re always searching for science fiction stories that offer something a little out of the ordinary, and today’s story certainly fits the bill.

Today’s tale comes from the same issue of Planet Stories that featured Against the Stone Beasts by James Blish, which we enjoyed narrating not long ago. Blish’s adventure opened the magazine, and today we turn to its final selection. From page 96 of the Fall 1948 issue of Planet Stories, Synthetic Hero by Erik Fennel…

Next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, Knucklebone Smith has spent his entire life searching for the one thing he was born to do, but nobody believes he’s good for anything. On the frozen surface of Pluto, a desperate emergency may finally give him the chance to prove everyone wrong. The Pluto Lamp by Charles A. Stearns.

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A brilliant musician claims he has fallen through a hole in time, but his new friends are more interested in keeping him employed than believing his extraordinary story. As his obsession with finding a way home grows, the struggling musicians face the possibility of losing the one man who can save their careers. The Holes and John Smith by Edward W. Ludwig. That’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast.

Author Edward W. Ludwig returns to The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast today for his third story. Previously, we’ve shared Inheritance and Spacemen Die at Home. Born in Tracy, California, in 1920, Ludwig served in the Coast Guard during World War II, including time in the Philippines. He was also a professional piano player, and his wife, Chris, was a folk singer.

From page 109 of the June 1954 issue of If Worlds of Science Fiction, The Holes and John Smith by Edward W. Ludwig…

Next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, A celebrated space pioneer becomes humanity’s greatest hero, but the story the world believes conceals a devastating deception. As a deadly disease threatens millions, one forgotten man must live with the knowledge that history has honored the wrong person. Synthetic Hero by Erik Fennel.

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John Stevens has survived something no human being was meant to experience, but the greatest danger may still lie ahead. When the military prepares to send him beyond Earth once more, Stevens must confront a terrifying possibility about what waits on the other side of the barrier. The Barrier by Bryce Walton. That’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast.

A big thank you to all of our wonderful listeners in the UK! Thanks to your generous 5-star ratings and reviews, The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast has an incredible average rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars!

Our latest 5-star review comes from MrGW, who writes:

“Great sci fi stories. Unable to sleep, I came across this show and now I’m no longer wanting to sleep & the hours are flying by while i enjoy the stories. Lots I have never heard before. Thank you LOST Sci-Fi.”

Thank you, MrGW! I’m so glad you discovered The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, and I love hearing that you’re enjoying stories you’ve never encountered before. I really appreciate you taking the time to share your experience!

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Bryce Walton is back on the podcast with an interesting story that first appeared in Imagination Stories of Science and Fantasy, in February 1951 on page 58, The Barrier by Bryce Walton…

Next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, A brilliant musician claims he has fallen through a hole in time, but his new friends are more interested in keeping him employed than believing his extraordinary story. As his obsession with finding a way home grows, the struggling musicians face the possibility of losing the one man who can save their careers. The Holes and John Smith by Edward W. Ludwig.

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A race that cannot feel physical pain faces surprisingly terrifying danger. When an alien civilization begins to crumble under human cruelty, a boxing manager and his heavyweight champion must confront an enemy who knows exactly how to hurt them. The Protector by Betsy Curtis. That’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast.

Today, we’re introducing another author to The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast for the very first time, Betsy Curtis.

Born Elizabeth Curtis in September, 1917, in Toledo, Ohio, her science fiction writing career began in 1950, when her first published story, Divine Right, appeared in the summer issue of The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction.

What’s interesting about Betsy Curtis is that she wasn’t a particularly prolific science fiction author. She’s credited with about 16 published science fiction stories between 1950 and 1973, and she never published a full-length novel.

But she certainly made an impression.

In 1969, her story The Steiger Effect, received a Hugo Award nomination for Best Short Story.

Curtis was also deeply involved in science fiction fandom. She was an accomplished costume designer whose creations won awards at World Science Fiction Convention masquerades. In fact, in 1959, she and her family won a group costume award for their portrayal of non-Euclidean geometry. That’s certainly one of the more unusual costume ideas I’ve come across!

From page 75 of the February 1951 issue of Galaxy Science Fiction The Protector by Betsy Curtis…

Next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, John Stevens has survived something no human being was meant to experience, but the greatest danger may still lie ahead. When the military prepares to send him beyond Earth once more, Stevens must confront a terrifying possibility about what waits on the other side of the barrier. The Barrier by Bryce Walton.

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