Mystery Theme

Tue, 25 Mar 2025 08:00:00 GMT

“To travel far, there is no better ship than a book.” Emily Dickinson

We’ve got a very special treat for you today…

Don’t worry! You’ll still hear two stories from incredible authors, but this time, there’s a catch. The theme has gone missing! And it’s up to you, dear listener, to help us locate it.

If you are the first person to correctly guess the theme that ties these two stories together, you will win personalised feedback from our very own submission team on a piece of your writing! So, what are you waiting for? Give it a listen, and go catch that theme!

For more information on the contributors featured, to submit your own short stories, or to just just a look around, visit our website https://rosewaterpods.wixsite.com/home

‘Fairy Tales’ by Kate Brennan

‘Seascape’ by Michael Smith

For more information about Heimat Review, visit https://www.heimatreview.com/

Additional SFX:

roomtone-classroom.wav by Lorettov -- https://freesound.org/s/507811/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

gentle soft rain night.WAV by mshahen -- https://freesound.org/s/242894/ -- License: Attribution 4.0

newjersey_OC_seagull_24thburps.mp3 by NoiseCollector -- https://freesound.org/s/75689/ -- License: Attribution 3.0

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Dead Serious

Tue, 21 Jan 2025 09:00:00 GMT

“Don’t forget- no one else sees the world the way you do, so no one else can tell the stories you have to tell.” -Charles de Lint

This episode, we dive into the mysterious depths of the mortuary with two stories set in the frigid realms of the post-living. You won't regret taking the time to hear these two phenomenal stories, and you may even get some goosebumps thrown in too!

For more information on the writers featured here, to submit your own short stories, or just to have a look around, visit our website https://rosewaterpods.wixsite.com/home

‘You’ve Got Me Dead Wrong’ by Jasmine Johnstone

‘Dad’s Ghost’ by Mark Rosati

'You've Got Me Dead Wrong' was original published for a Reedsy weekly contest. For more information about Reedsy, visit https://blog.reedsy.com/

'Dad's Ghost' was originally published in Ironclad Creative's 2023 contest. For more information about Ironclad Creative, visit https://blog.reedsy.com/

Additional SFX:

Small_Refrigerator_Refrigeration-For_Freesound.wav by amishman35isbricked -- https://freesound.org/s/108212/ -- License: Sampling+ (used in part)

Door Squeak 2.m4a by callyrobyn -- https://freesound.org/s/417968/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

crowd int small light church spanish voices and movement echo Oaxaca, Mexico.flac by kyles -- https://freesound.org/s/637467/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

summer_in_the_city_20110915_01.mp3 by bobbobbob2013 -- https://freesound.org/s/179840/ -- License: Attribution 4.0

Piano from outside room by IESP -- https://freesound.org/s/340039/ -- License: Attribution 3.0

Door open and close - Low Reverb by deleted_user_7709760 -- https://freesound.org/s/461950/ -- License: Attribution 3.0

fish slap ground or snow writhing wet.flac by kyles -- https://freesound.org/s/637530/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

Horror_Ambience_Atmos-03.wav by Headphaze -- https://freesound.org/s/234508/ -- License: Attribution 4.0

Footsteps_sneakers on wood.wav by speedygonzo -- https://freesound.org/s/235718/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

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Witcraft Special!

Tue, 24 Dec 2024 09:00:00 GMT

"The secret of writing comedy is to know where it's all going, then get ahead of it." -Robert Orben

Is your funny bone looking a little dusty? Well, you're in luck because you've found this special collaboration episode with the brilliant Witcraft.org! Specialising in brief, humourous stories, Witcraft has brought us three outrageously funny short stories from three talented comedy writers. So, what are you waiting for? Dive right in!

For more information on the contributors featured, to submit your own short stories, or to just just a look around, visit our website https://rosewaterpods.wixsite.com/home

‘Aliens’ by Max Gallagher

‘Swipe Right’ by Lucy Brighton

‘Three Divine Sauces’ by Jimmy Hopper

More comedy from Doug Jacquier and Witcraft can be found at the following links:

https://witcraft.org/

https://sixquestionsfor.blogspot.com/2024/07/Witcraft.html

https://witcraft.substack.com

https://www.facebook.com/Witcrafthome

https://storiesout.org/

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Author Reads - Exploration

Tue, 26 Nov 2024 16:54:32 GMT

"The true alchemists do not change lead into gold; they change the world into words." -William H. Glass

Welcome to the first edition of ‘Author Reads’, our special series where we hear short stories read out by the authors themselves!

For more information on the contributors featured, to submit your own short stories, or to just just a look around, visit our website https://rosewaterpods.wixsite.com/home

‘Half a Loaf’ by Etornam Agbodo

‘Genesis’ by Kate Aranda Nye

Musical composition for ‘Genesis’ by Richard Nye

For more information about Globe Soup, visit https://www.globesoup.net/

Additional SFX:

Wooden Door Knock   by TRP.wav by TOMRORYPARSONS -- https://freesound.org/s/699638/ -- License: Attribution 4.0

AMB Ghana Rural,birds,bugs,distant vox LB.wav by daverose -- https://freesound.org/s/130754/ -- License: Attribution 3.0

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Unexpected Visitors

Tue, 29 Oct 2024 09:00:00 GMT

"There is no friend as loyal as a book." -Ernest Hemingway

This episode, get ready to welcome some unexpected visitors to the podcast. But will they be a welcome addition to our little party? Listen along and find out!

For more information on the writers featured, to submit your own short stories, or to just just a look around, visit our website https://rosewaterpods.wixsite.com/home

'The Real Thing' by Deborah Hugill

'The Body in the Basement' by B. D. Bradshaw, first published for a Reedsy weekly contest. For more information, visit https://blog.reedsy.com/

Additional SFX:

20 May 2017 thunderstorm part 2 by csengeri -- https://freesound.org/s/393618/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

AMBIENT - Rain - Near Pavement (LOOP).mp3 by Arctura -- https://freesound.org/s/34068/ -- License: Attribution 3.0 Changes made: shortened clip/add fade

suburban garden spring sounds birds atmo by Garuda1982 -- https://freesound.org/s/562777/ -- License: Attribution 4.0 Changes made: looped

ClockTicking1.mp3 by RandomRecord19 -- https://freesound.org/s/673790/ -- License: Attribution 4.0

turn the newspaper page sound effect by Garuda1982 -- https://freesound.org/s/543949/ -- License: Attribution 4.0 Changes made: shortened clip

storm wind room-tone 4.19PM 231102_0633 by klankbeeld -- https://freesound.org/s/708744/ -- License: Attribution 4.0 Changes made: shortened clip

Distant Car Pass.wav by Geoff-Bremner-Audio -- https://freesound.org/s/669729/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

Church Bells and Seagull.wav by hudson_swan -- https://freesound.org/s/640205/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

Radio_noise_2014-09-06T23-13.wav by AlienXXX -- https://freesound.org/s/259966/ -- License: Attribution 4.0

Door Squeak, Normal, A.wav by InspectorJ -- https://freesound.org/s/342241/ -- License: Attribution 4.0 Changes made: shortened clip

Footsteps Walking Down Stairs by deleted_user_7146007 -- https://freesound.org/s/383661/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

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Curation Library - @literaturewithlydia

Tue, 15 Oct 2024 08:00:00 GMT

"You can make anything by writing." - C. S. Lewis

Congrats! You have stumbled upon the very first episode of our Curation Library series. Here, we speak to a reader, writer, or all-around literature enthusiast about their own taste and then curate an episode of short stories chosen just for them...and for you, of course!

Our special guest for this episode is the lovely @literaturewithlydia, who you can find on Instagram or in her own podcast under the same name. The stories we have chosen highlight a few of her favourite qualities, including mixed media, dystopian settings, and witty main characters.

For more information on the writers featured, to submit your own short stories, or to just have a look around, visit our website: https://rosewaterpods.wixsite.com/home

'The Uncertain Life of Thraym' by Vera N was first published for Reedsy's weekly contest. For more information, visit: https://blog.reedsy.com/

'Someone's Lucky Day' by Julie Brandon was first published in Altered Reality Magazine. More information can be found here: https://www.alteredrealitymag.com/

Additional SFX:

Ocean Chills Loop by YellowTree -- https://freesound.org/s/579507/ -- License: Attribution 4.0 

The Meld by LogicMoon -- https://freesound.org/s/726360/ -- License: Attribution 4.0

LS_33555_SP_Street.wav by kevp888 -- https://freesound.org/s/441338/ -- License: Attribution 4.0

Fenland.wav by Artemis_R_Swann -- https://freesound.org/s/517479/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

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Coming of Age

Tue, 01 Oct 2024 08:00:00 GMT

"That is part of the beauty of all literature. You discover that your longings are universal longings, that you’re not lonely and isolated from anyone. You belong." – F. Scott Fitzgerald

This episode features two stories centred around coming of age; they can be funny, cringey, exciting, and sad, but they always make for important storytelling.

Story reading by: Gareth Balai

For more information on the writers featured, to submit your own short stories, or to just have a look around, visit our website https://rosewaterpods.wixsite.com/home

Dear Aunt Janice by Sophie Pell

Rursus by Daniel Paton

Dear Aunt Janice was originally published on Reedsy's weekly story contest. For more information, visit https://blog.reedsy.com/

Additional SFX:

Turning pages.wav by bdunis4 -- https://freesound.org/s/271459/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

writing - pencil - wide 01.wav by Anthousai -- https://freesound.org/s/337085/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

UK Deciduous Wood in early Spring with Cuckoo by chris_dagorne -- https://freesound.org/s/425315/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

Nostalgic Synths by YellowTree -- https://freesound.org/s/585847/ -- License: Attribution 4.0

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New Beginnings

Tue, 03 Sep 2024 13:45:24 GMT

"Reading gives us someplace to go when we have to stay where we are." -Mason Cooley

This episode on Words from Friends, we're featuring two spellbinding stories which deal with the theme of new beginnings. Follow along as we join these dynamic characters as they face the prospect of a new reality.

For more information on the writers featured here, to submit your own short stories, or just to have a look around, visit our website ⁠https://rosewaterpods.wixsite.com/home⁠

Surrender by Simon Kerr

Squeam-ish by Jasmine Johnstone

Additional SFX:

Water drops in crypt - Arles by frederic.font -- https://freesound.org/s/322268/ -- License: Attribution 4.0

room-tone wind 7bft beach-hut SHORT 170518_1168.wav by klankbeeld -- https://freesound.org/s/565236/ -- License: Attribution 4.0

room-tone windy house 121220_00.wav by klankbeeld -- https://freesound.org/s/172307/ -- License: Attribution 4.0

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Cunning Contrasts

Tue, 06 Aug 2024 12:16:22 GMT

"Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body." -Richard Steele

This week, our episode features two stories involving contrast; will opposites attract or will there be fireworks as worlds collide?

For more information on the writers featured, to submit your own short stories, or to just have a look around, visit our website https://rosewaterpods.wixsite.com/home

Both stories originally published on Reedsy's weekly story contest. For more information, visit https://blog.reedsy.com/

Night and Day by B. D. Bradshaw

Double Act by Sophie Pell

Additional SFX:

Turning pages.wav by bdunis4 -- https://freesound.org/s/271459/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

MSfxP12 - 88_4 - (Ambient Synth Stretched).flac by Erokia -- https://freesound.org/s/691272/ -- License: Attribution NonCommercial 4.0

Crickets and frogs in Camargue.wav by truflabart -- https://freesound.org/s/125875/ -- License: Attribution NonCommercial 3.0

MLB Crowd Cheer - 09032022.wav by tylermyers1992 -- https://freesound.org/s/649156/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

Nostalgic Synths by YellowTree -- https://freesound.org/s/585847/ -- License: Attribution 4.0

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