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

Peter Kolin has spent years hiding every disloyal thought from the rulers of Haurtoz. On an uncharted planet, a strangely friendly tree offers him an escape—but Kolin may have found something far more powerful than freedom. The Talkative Tree by H. B. Fyfe. That’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast.

Every so often someone asks why we featured a particular story. For The Talkative Tree, the answer is wonderfully obvious: it’s a talking tree! And as it turns out, it’s got quite a bit to say.

From the January 1962 issue of If Worlds of Science Fiction on page 48, The Talkative Tree by H. B. Fyfe…

Next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, A well-meaning astronomy enthusiast joins an absent-minded professor on a mission that soon carries them beyond every known galaxy. Their only hope is to stop a furious scientist who would rather smash the Solar System than admit Ptolemy was wrong. Battle of the Solar System by Ray Cummings.

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A desperate refugee believes safety waits beyond the mountains, but each mile strips away another piece of the civilized man he once knew. When fear turns into a hunger for power, he may become indistinguishable from the enemy pursuing him. Survivor by Irving Cox Jr. That’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast.

Irving Cox Jr. wrote numerous short stories between 1951 and 1965, including The Guardians, Impact, and two stories we’ve already featured on the podcast, The Pioneer and Export Commodity. He also ventured beyond science fiction, publishing the mystery novel Murder Among Friends in 1956.

Survivor has it all—an alien invasion, relentless suspense, and one man’s desperate struggle to stay alive as the world around him collapses.

Originally printed in the April 1953 issue of Avon Science Fiction and Fantasy Reader on page 28, Survivor by Irving Cox Jr.…

Next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, Peter Kolin has spent years hiding every disloyal thought from the rulers of Haurtoz. On an uncharted planet, a strangely friendly tree offers him an escape—but Kolin may have found something far more powerful than freedom. The Talkative Tree by H. B. Fyfe.

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A breakthrough meant to open the stars threatens to shatter the world before anyone understands what it can really do. One exhausted inventor must decide whether to bury his work—or prove it in front of the very people who want to control it. Passage to Anywhere by Sam Merwin Jr. That’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast.

Sam Merwin Jr. made his debut on the podcast just five months ago and you like his stories so much you keep asking for more so here we are, his fifth story in those five months.

The year was 1956, in February of that year Elvis Presley released Heartbreak Hotel which would become his first #1 pop hit. It stayed at #1 for 7 weeks and topped the country and western charts for an amazing 17 weeks.

Sci-Fi fans in February 1956 went to the newsstands and paid 35 cents for Fantastic Universe magazine which included today’s story on page 54, Passage to Anywhere by Sam Merwin Jr.…

Next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, A desperate refugee believes safety waits beyond the mountains, but each mile strips away another piece of the civilized man he once knew. When fear turns into a hunger for power, he may become indistinguishable from the enemy pursuing him. Survivor by Irving Cox Jr.

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A brilliant mind builds more than one legacy, but the most obedient creation can still reach a breaking point. In a quiet house above Boston, one witness must decide whether he is facing a mad servant, a failed machine, or something far worse. I, Gardener by Allen K. Lang. That’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast.

I could’ve sworn Allen K. Lang had been on the podcast before but I can’t seem to find him anywhere in our 585 episodes.

So let’s call this his debut, even if it isn’t! Allen Kim Lang was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana, in 1928. He wrote 1 novel and about 30 science fiction short stories.

Today’s tale can be found in Fantastic Science Fiction Stories in December 1959 on page 89, I, Gardener by Allen K. Lang…

Next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, A breakthrough meant to open the stars threatens to shatter the world before anyone understands what it can really do. One exhausted inventor must decide whether to bury his work—or prove it in front of the very people who want to control it. Passage to Anywhere by Sam Merwin Jr.

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A strange malfunction in a revolutionary vending machine leaves two worlds trading useless objects while baffled scientists race to understand the impossible connection. As the exchanges grow more deliberate, one risky decision could turn a commercial gimmick into the first bridge between planets. The Cosmic Jackpot by George O. Smith. That’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast.

Most sci-fi fans don’t remember George O. Smith, but maybe they should. He wrote 70 short stories and 9 science fiction novels from 1942 to 1976. This is the 5th time Mr. Smith has been on the podcast, and with most of his work in the public domain we will hear from him again.

From Thrilling Wonder Stories in October 1948 on page 109, The Cosmic Jackpot by George O. Smith…

Next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, A brilliant mind builds more than one legacy, but the most obedient creation can still reach a breaking point. In a quiet house above Boston, one witness must decide whether he is facing a mad servant, a failed machine, or something far worse. I, Gardener by Allen K. Lang.

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Listen without commercials and enjoy exclusive bonus episodes every month with Lost Sci-Fi Premium—start your free 7-day trial today. https://lostscifi.supercast.com/

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