014 The White Spirit

Wed, 22 Feb 2023 18:00:28 GMT

How is it that, in this podcast, we so often dabble in the paranormal and supernatural? In this story, my good friend and most esteemed Henri Rennie takes us once again into the interesting and intriguing world of Renoir; the writer, not the painter. Another great Northern Rivers talent.

This is an early story from the dubious MAGIC series. Set during the early events of book 1, “The Wizard of Warramanga”, in which the character, Wilco gets a little foretaste of the weirdness he’ll come to know around the character John B Stewart

013 Nine Concubines

Wed, 15 Feb 2023 18:00:35 GMT

A student of so many different disciplines that he wryly describes himself as

“probably over-qualified for jobs that haven’t been invented yet”, Karl Johnston is a

writer fascinated by how things work.

That fascination extends to people and relationships. This story has some of the

style and overtones of the Arabian Nights and Arthurian legend, and more than a

touch of whimsy, as it delves into the mind of a powerful but lonely man.

012 Lani, Sky of the Sea

Wed, 08 Feb 2023 18:00:16 GMT

Ogres have layers, Onions have layers, and yes, Parfet, has layers too. But how often have you considered the distinct layers of Earth itself? And to visit these layers and experience them firsthand, is something only a select few will ever do. But sometimes a story will take you places you've never been before, and may never be able to go in the flesh. This one takes you on a journey through the uppermost reaches of our atmosphere then plunges into the depths of the sea, only to follow the humble journey of a tiny bubble through the stratifications of the ocean and up to the surface.

011 Stupid Little Bird

Wed, 01 Feb 2023 18:00:21 GMT

There are days that we just don't want to do what's in front of us. Where it just doesn't seem to make sense. It's days like these where an extra word or two of encouragement can make the world of difference and help us move in the direction we need to go. In today's short story, we're invited to witness an interesting meeting between a young boy and an old woman, where the boy needs just a little bit of encouragement to follow through with a very important choice. A choice that has far longer-reaching consequences than may initially meet the eye.

010 Proud

Wed, 25 Jan 2023 18:00:14 GMT

After a working life of having more jobs than some people have hot meals, Renoir retired to the simple delights of being a writer. His head is full of stories, many of them fiction. Sometimes, though, he writes about himself, which may be stranger than fiction. When he does, it's because it's something that really matters to him. Proud is just such a story.

009 The Spirit of the Act

Wed, 18 Jan 2023 18:00:19 GMT

In the film industry, finding child actors can be a bit tricky. There are a lot of things to consider that you would normally take for granted with adults. So imagine not only finding the perfect child actor, but finding a child who is 130 years old totally independent, and, shall we say, living impaired, is something else. Yep, she's a ghost. Today's short story follows Marjorie, a young ghost girl who finds herself acting alongside a very intriguing old man. Join Marjorie as she navigates the mystery of her co-star and finds herself facing the most important decision of her death.

008 PDP

Wed, 11 Jan 2023 18:00:19 GMT

This unique and hilarious short invites you into a professional development plan meeting between a high school principal and a fascinatingly apocalyptic teacher with extremely unique solutions to the apparently changing world. Or perhaps this is just how it feels when you find yourself teaching a bunch of modern-day teenagers. A warning, though, you may find yourself giggling in public with this one.

Read by Nicole Sullivan

Ken Sharp is a Lismore local and occasionally does find himself in front of a classroom full of teenagers guiding them in the intricacies (sometimes successfully) of how the physical world works. Ken also writes the occasional short story, among other things, and practices being an awesome human being.

007 It Was Raining

Wed, 04 Jan 2023 18:00:20 GMT

We've all had one. A moment that at first glance seems fairly mundane, fairly every day, but sticks with us in profound and life-altering ways. In this short story, Darius takes us into one of these real experiences. Beautifully written and revealing a raw and vulnerable edge, we're invited to sit in on this fragile exchange between the writer and a young hitchhiker.

Darius Devas is a producer and director of feature films and other film content including "Unravelling", his latest feature drama. He is also a poet and writer in various forms and tops it off by being a really nice guy. Take it from me.

006 *BONUS* Dear Next Year - Italian Version

Fri, 30 Dec 2022 18:00:49 GMT

The transition between one year and the next can be more profound than we give it credit for., and we're about to go through it once more.

In this episode, along with a small insight into my thoughts on anthropomorphizing things, family, and my wife's Italian heritage, I give you a short piece of prose beautifully read in Italian by my sister-in-law, Rosaria Sharp, which honours the relationship between ourselves, this year and the coming year.

Almost an invocation or a blessing, this very short piece is a lovely way to farewell this year, welcome the next year, and prepare yourself for the transition between the two.

005 Monty

Wed, 28 Dec 2022 18:00:18 GMT

Like most good writers, Maggie Wildblood is a keen observer of life. It’s said that

‘every person has a story’, but if you don’t know the person the opportunity is there

for the imagination to go to work.

‘Monty’ is based on a chance encounter with a man who was interesting enough to

inspire contemplation. Some people try not to look at the less fortunate in the

community, perhaps thinking if they’re ignored they’ll just somehow go away.

Maggie on the other hand looks deeper – how does that person feel, and think?

Maggie Wildblood is an author living in Ballina NSW

004 The Dying Room

Wed, 21 Dec 2022 18:00:23 GMT

Death is something we all are a part of at various times in our lives. Sadly, we'll have to say goodbye to people close to us, and eventually, and inevitably, we'll be saying goodbye to the ones we hold as most precious. It's a delicate and precious part of life and, over the millennia, we as people have wrestled with the most effective ways to handle this transition. In this story, David invites us into the fragile world of the dying in our modern culture, and the unique environment we find ourselves as loved ones at this delicate time of our lives. It's a beautiful and touching reflective piece that is extremely relevant and poignant to anyone who has ever found themselves in this place.

Originally from Canberra, David Lowe has been living off-grid near The Channon since 2007. He is a filmmaker and photographer who also writes history, articles, and short stories.

003 The 365th Night + bonus Dear Next Year

Sat, 17 Dec 2022 23:19:38 GMT

Perspective is one of the most important things we can ever have. Being able to see things from someone else's point of view makes life not only easier for everyone but also gives us a far richer experience of life. So what if we extend this perspective beyond the realm of other people and into a much larger and more ethereal scale? What if we saw things from the perspective of Night? In today's story, we Follow the Night on her final round of the planet for the year The 365th night.

Following this will be another very short piece of writing. Almost an invocation or a blessing, this very short piece is a lovely way to farewell this year, welcome the next year, and prepare yourself for the transition between the two.

Steve Nossiter is an author of mainly short fiction stories bringing life to facets of the world not normally attributed to character and emotion. He’s also exploring new ways to spin stories to make you think outside the box, or inside it, depending on which side you find yourself to begin with.

Steve is also a sound recordist taking him to interesting places and meeting plenty of amazing people. You can contact Steve via email at soundlifeaudio@gmail.com or via Instagram @Steve Nossiter.

002 The Trudger

Sat, 17 Dec 2022 23:21:09 GMT

If you've ever been walking in the bush, especially alone, you'll be familiar with the sensation that there's more out in the sticks than meets the eye. Things peering in at us from the bush, and perhaps, hunkering down and observing while we peer out at them. In today's short story, Author Hadley Perkins takes on an intriguing journey into the mind of a hiker who finds himself in a position to witness something mysterious, and a touch troubling. This story is a psychological thriller and as such, will twist your mind in ways you might not want it to twist. I personally got goosebumps as I was recording it.

Hadley Perkins is a social entrepreneur, writer, artist, and director investigating the unfolding mystery of the nature of things. You will find Hadley creatively absorbed in pottery, drawing, absurd poetry, designing locally made clothing, and running writing, and discussion groups.

Inspired by Gandhi’s philosophy and seeking magic through experience, Hadley’s focus is to establish a depth of relationship and a mentality of abundance through social engagement and creative expression.

001 The Fathers Line

Sat, 17 Dec 2022 23:21:12 GMT

Have you ever wondered how others mourn? How about how other species mourn? Death is an integral part of every life on Earth, Here, we're invited to share the perplexing nuances of death and loneliness from the perspective of a magpie in outback Australia. Join Myrul on this journey of loss, mourning, and discovery.