Anthropomorphic Dreams Publishing

This pair of stories was written for the Midwest FurFest convention conbook. Their theme of “10 Years of MFF” inspired ideas of anniversaries and reunions.

“Ten Years” by Will A. Sanborn
Read by Chris Hvidsten of the Outcast podcast novel

“The Reunion” by Will A. Sanborn
Read by Howler

Music cues by Infinity Squared

“The Reunion” also appeared in Different Worlds, Different Skins the fiction anthology of human/anthro interactions.

Download or listen to the episode here

It’s a hard life for a lone griffin, trying to feed and care for her remaining chick after her mate was killed in a raid. When Sophaaru discovers abandoned dragon hatchlings will she leave them to the wilderness or take them in care for them as one of her own?

“The Sons of Air and Fire” by Xeans

Read by Kemmy

Download or listen to the album here.

Different Worlds, Different Skins
Humanity’s Encounters with Other Races

Print Book, $17.95, available from Amazon and Lulu.
PDF Download, $5.95, available from Lulu.

What if humanity shared Earth with other sentient species? What would first contact with an alien race be like? What wonders or horrors could be wrought by our experiments to create new life-forms, both biologic and mechanical?

This anthology is rated general interest. There are a few stories which cover concepts of romantic love and sex, violence and death, however nothing explicit is shown “on screen.” The ratings of the stories range from G to PG-13.

This anthology examines these ideas, showing humanity’s interaction with the Other, in the form of anthropomorphic animals. The stories cover diverse genres, from science fiction and fantasy, to historical fiction and contemporary fables, exploring themes of race and culture and the endless possibilities of the human condition.

Featuring Stories by Michael Bard, Austen Crowder, Bernard Doove, Seth Drake, William Eakins, Lanny Fields, Phil Geusz, Jason Gillespie, Chris Goodwin, Searska Grey Raven, Renee Carter Hall, Stefan Kaiser, James R. Lane, Alan Loewen, Paul Lucas, Eric Luhman, Brian Miller, Ken Pick, J. Scott Rogers, Will A. Sanborn, Kris Schnee, Sean Silva, Tim Susman and Wookie.

Cover artwork by Sara “Caribou” Palmer.

Khrysha the hangvixen takes some time alone to relive the past and meditate on a particular execution which affected her deeply.

Rated mature for discussion of capital punishment.

“Kill 23″ by Ken Pick

Read by Peter Katt

Music elements by Infinity Squared

Download or listen to the episode here.

If you wanta learn you somethin’, go on down to a place where two roads cross. Get there Saturday ’round midnight, and wait there ’til Sunday morning—do that for nine Sundays, all in a row. The dark man, he’ll send his dog to watch on you while you wait. And on the ninth morning, the dark man will meet you. And he will learn you—anything you wanta learn. But you remember this: that dark man, he don’t work for free.

PodCastle’s story Nine Sunday’s in a Row spins an interesting yarn leading up to one person’s ill-fated deal with the devil. It mixes character drama with a nice southern flavor and is told from the sympathetic viewpoint of the Dark Man’s dog himself.

For Veteran’s Day, we offer this tribute in remembrance of those canines who have served along side human soldiers, offering companionship and protection during wartime.

“Spirits of the Brotherhood” by Vargr Dragonwolf

Read by Belic Bear

Music cue by Infinity Squared

More information on the topic can be found at the United States War Dogs Federation.

Download or listen to the episode here.

Escape Pod ran an interesting story, Little Ambushes, which examines the idea of  a cultural exchange program with aliens from a distant world.  It covers some interesting ideas, like what it would be like teaching art to someone with different senses.  It also deals with a non-human intelligence and culture well, but in an understated way with a nice bit of character drama as well.

Our serialized novella concludes with a mix of action and drama. Happy Halloween!

“The Thing in the Toyshop” Chapter Four by Simon Barber

Read by Peter Katt

Music from the Podsafe Music Network

Intro song: “Restless Spirits – Halloween 2″ by composer David Beard

Outro song: “Creepy Doll” by Jonathan Coulton

“The Thing in the Toyshop” also appeared in the dramatic horror fiction anthology Alone in the Dark.

Download or listen to the episode here.

Escape Pod’s story βoyfriend is another story featuring artificial lifeforms as characters, this time in the form of virtual dating partner apps for your smart phones. It’s an interesting concept that’s wonderfully drawn and fleshed out with some good character drama. This should strike chords with anyone who remembers being a teenager and/or being one of the quirky ones.