One of the earliest podcasts around, Escape Pod is the internet’s best source for short stories read aloud.
Each week, Steve Eley introduces a science fiction or fantasy short story. Usually these will have appeared in some other print or web magazine, such as Asimov’s or Strange Horizons.
Some weeks, Eley reads the story himself; in other weeks, he’ll recruit other members of the podcasting community, like Mur Lafferty, Jared Axelrod, or Rich Sigfrit, to read the story.
The stories range from light-hearted fairy tales (like Squonk the Dragon) to inspiring, insightful stories (like the recent Friction) to dark cautionary tales (like the entire Union Dues series).
And for parents or those who might be listening at work, Eley has rated the stories with a movie-style rating. Most of the stories are rated PG.
For providing the world with a consistent weekly source of thoughtful, entertaining fiction, Escape Pod rides on an invisible pink float through the Parade of Awesomeness.
