In a dark dystopian future, a courier must make a timely delivery while nefarious forces try to slow him down. Will he miss his deadline? This episode features "Twenty-One-Oh" by Ari Marmell (mouseferatu.com), first published in 2012 anthology Foreshadows: Ghosts of Zero (http://foreshadows.net/).Music (and some sound effects) comes from Looperman (looperman.com) and YouTube's audio library.This is the first episode also appearing on YouTube, where you can see the readers stare off camera while they act out the parts. https://youtu.be/fgpXZulZzSYFollow the show on Facebook (@Skiffilypodcast), Twitter (@SkiffilyPodcast), and Instagram (@SkiffilyPodcast). Additional voice talent provided by Heather (T: @carpediem422761), Kasey (FB: @kasey.pierce.9), and Rylie (FB: @rylie.rimmer)."Twenty-One-Oh" Copyright © 2012 Ari Marmell, reproduced with permission from the author.

What's a humble salvage captain to do when a beautiful woman in a warsuit asks for his help? This episode features "Laying the Ghost" by Eric Brown (https://ericbrown.co.uk/), first published in the October 2010 issue of Clarkesworld Magazine.Music (and some sound effects) comes from Looperman (looperman.com), specifically users JoFunktastic, abelouis...Follow the show on Facebook (@Skiffilypodcast), Twitter (@SkiffilyPodcast), and Instagram (@SkiffilyPodcast). Additional voice talent provided by Crissy (I: @crissyscurious), Joanna (FB: @joanna.martinez524), and author Ashley R. Carlson (www.ashleyrcarlson.com).Read along here: http://clarkesworldmagazine.com/brown_10_10/"Laying the Ghost" Copyright © 2010 Eric Brown, reproduced with permission from the author.

Does Guy Burckhardt have what it takes to push through his trauma to fiind out the truth? This episode features "The Tunnel Under the World" by Frederick Pohl. First published in the January 1955 issue of Galaxy magazine, this story is about a man who realizes his whole town is reliving the same day over and over again.Some of the music comes from Looperman (looperman.com), specifically users JoFunktastic, abelouis, and rasputin. Otherwise, the source of Music: http://www.purple-planet.com. Great thanks to all of them for providing that royalty free. Follow the show on Facebook (@Skiffilypodcast) and Twitter (@SkiffilyPodcast). If you have Instagram, feel free to follow AE (@SkiffilyPodcast). Additional voice talent provided by Logan (T: @Muschache_Mayor) and author Ashley R. Carlson (www.ashleyrcarlson.com).

Will zombies help the aliens stop universe-ending technology? This episode features "Plan of the Space-Borne Grave Robbers" by S. R. Algernon (sralgernon.wordpress.com), a poetic retelling of the plot of Plan 9 from Outer Space (the 1959 Ed Wood classic) in the form of "Rime of the Ancient Mariner." It helps to be familiar with that movie.This episode was released in coordination with S.R. Algernon, whose book Souls and Hallows (where the poem can be found) comes out November 1, 2018 (which is, like, tomorrow). You can order a copy at Amazon here.Some of the music comes from Looperman (looperman.com), specifically users simondeporter, kdparkham, Levalebeatz, KiestyleProductions, laurentwirz, Rootch, and mykahc. Otherwise, the source of Music: http://www.purple-planet.com. Great thanks to all of them for providing that royalty free. Follow the show on Facebook (@Skiffilypodcast) and Twitter (@SkiffilyPodcast). If you have Instagram, feel free to follow AE (@SkiffilyPodcast) and girlfriend Mona (@sewagainsthegrain). "Plan of the Space-Borne Grave Robbers" Copyright © 2018 S.R. Algernon, reproduced with permission from the author.

Time travelers are the worst friends. This episode features "10^16 to 1" by James Patrick Kelly (jimkelly.net) originally published in the June 1999 issue of Asimov's Science Fiction, ultimately winning the 2000 Hugo Award for Best Novelette. This story is about a young teen who befriends a time traveling robot from a terrifying future.After reading the story, AE and girlfriend Mona (@sewagainsthegrain) discuss whether they would've gone through with Ray's mission.Some of the music comes from Looperman (looperman.com), specifically users baroza, suicidecc5702, minor2go, josephfunk, chrisneal, danke, and kiestyleproeductions. Otherwise, the source of Music: http://www.purple-planet.com. Great thanks to them for providing that royalty free. Follow the show on Facebook (@Skiffilypodcast) and Twitter (@SkiffilyPodcast). If you have Instagram, feel free to follow AE (@SkiffilyPodcast). "10^16 to 1" Copyright © 1999 James Patrick Kelly, reproduced with permission from the author.

Who needs kids, anyway? This episode features "The Children of Crèche" by James Alan Gardner (jamesalangardner.com). Originally an entry in the 1989 Writers of the Future Contest (where it won Grand Prize) and later anthologized in Gardner's 2005 book, Gravity Wells, this story is about an art critic who comes to an isolated colony of artists able to flourish artistically because they didn't have to take care of children. After reading (dramatizing?) the story, AE and girlfriend Mona (@sewagainsthegrain) discuss what happens to art when its creation comes from something terrible.Some of the music comes from Looperman (looperman.com), specifically users Garuketo, sushilbawa, MINOR2GO, and CallMeKing. Otherwise, the source of Music: http://www.purple-planet.com. Great thanks to them for providing that royalty free. Follow the show on Facebook (@Skiffilypodcast) and Twitter (@SkiffilyPodcast). If you have Instagram, feel free to follow AE (@SkiffilyPodcast). "The Children of Crèche" Copyright © 1989 James Alan Gardner, reproduced with permission from the author.

Get ready to listen to the wettest science fiction story ever featured on AE Reads Skiffily. This episode's story, "The Long Rain” by Ray Bradbury (originally published in the September 1950 issue of Planet Stories and later anthologized in Bradbury’s 1951 collection The Illustrated Man), is about some soldiers who crash on a rainy planet Venus, all of them having forgotten to bring an umbrella. After reading the story, AE (IG: @SkiffilyPodcast, FB: @SkiffilyPodcast, Tw: @SkiffilyPodcast) and girlfriend Mona (IG: @sewagainsthegrain) discuss the relevance of a story that has become scientifically accurate now that we know Venus is inhospitable.Some of the music comes from Looperman (looperman.com), specifically users Fayz, 3rdnipplemusic, callmeking, therealnickwood, and acoustic678. Much love to them for providing that royalty free.

In this episode, AE and girlfriend Mona join with Mona's sister, Sara, to read "Stuffing" by Jerry Oltion (jerryoltion.com). First published in the 2006 Mammoth Book of Extreme Science Fiction , this story is about a group of photosynthetic humans who decide to rediscover eating just in time for the holidays.  Get your ears ready, sit back, and relax (unless you are driving) and enjoy this Thanksgiving/Christmas episodeThe science fiction works mentioned in the post-reading discussion include: "Hair" (2009) by Adam Roberts, a story about the development of photosynthesetic hair, which rebalances the class dynamic by easing the burden of poverty."Oral Argument" (2015) by Kim Stanley Robinson, which has the same premise but it's tattoos instead of hair. Follow the show on Facebook (@SkiffilyPodcast) and Twitter (@SkiffilyPodcast). If you have Instagram, feel free to follow Mona (@sewagainsthegrain), myself (@SkiffilyPodcast), and Mona's sister Sara (@sqafisheh). "Stuffing" Copyright © 2006 Jerry Oltion, reproduced with permission from the author.

When all our needs are met, the remaining problems become more frivolous. In this episode, AE and girlfriend Mona read "Utopia, Lol" by Jamie Wahls (jamiewahls.com). Originally published in the June 2017 issue of Strange Horizons, this story is about a cryogenically frozen man waking up to a digital utopian future and the guide who helps him.Sit back and get ready for a Halloween episode that is tangentially related to Halloween. You can read along to the story here: http://strangehorizons.com/fiction/utopia-lol. You can also listen to Anaea Lay's reading of the story here: http://strangehorizons.com/podcasts/podcast-utopia-lolSome of the music comes from Looperman (looperman.com), specifically users alayan10, cheesydjanonymouse, auver, and romanul12341 (all used in the LOTR U sequence). Otherwise, the source of Music: http://www.purple-planet.com. Great thanks to them for providing that royalty free. Follow the show on Facebook (@SkiffilyPodcast) and Twitter (@SkiffilyPodcast). If you have Instagram, feel free to follow Mona (@sewagainsthegrain) and myself (@SkiffilyPodcast). "Utopia, LOL" Copyright © 2017 Jamie Wahls, reproduced with permission from the author.

Addiction comes in many forms, including strange monstrous beings. In this episode, AE and girlfriend Mona read the "A Greater Power" by Benjamin Crowell (lightandmatter.com). Originally published in the Spring 2008 issue of Electric Spec, this story is about a guy who becomes addicted to a tentacle monster.  After reading the story, Mona and AE also weigh in some of the issues brought up in the story, particularly addiction and the 1980s setting.  Sit back and get ready for a Halloween Eve Month episode. You can read along to the story here: http://www.electricspec.com/Volume3/Issue1/Crowell.htmlShow Notes:  The science fiction works mentioned in the post-reading discussion include: "The Game" (1991) from Star Trek: The Next Generation (season five, episode six), where everyone gets addicted to a VR game. Dune (1965) by Frank Herbert, which features Melange, an addictive narcotic that makes people  smarter and long-lived. Blood Music (1985) by Greg Bear, where a bacterial infection makes a scientist smarter and stronger."Parasites Lost" (2001) from Futurama (season three, episode 2), where a colony of parasitic worms make Fry smarter and stronger. Phenomenon (1996), where John Travolta has a brain tumor that makes him smarter and telekinetic. Some of the music comes from Looperman (looperman.com), specifically user ajayluded7, so mad props to them for providing that royalty free. Also featured briefly is "Hot Stuff" (1979) by Donna Summer. Follow the show on Facebook (@SkiffilyPodcast) and Twitter (@SkiffilyPodcast). If you have Instagram, feel free to follow Mona (@sewagainsthegrain) and myself (@SkiffilyPodcast). "A Greater Power" Copyright © 2008 Benjamin Crowell, reproduced with permission from the author. This work is created under the terms of a self-service license given at lightandmatter.com. Benjamin Crowell, the original creator from whom this work is derived, has not reviewed or approved it, though he is compensated for its sale.

Viruses are way worse with virtual reality hardware. In this episode, AE, Mona, as well as newcomer Robert Valenzuela, read the topical story "Pay Phobetor" by Shale Nelson (shalenelson.com). Originally published in the December 2014 issue of Lightspeed Magazine, this story is about a ransomware virus infecting someone's brain implant. You can read along here: http://www.lightspeedmagazine.com/fiction/pay-phobetor/After reading the story, Mona and AE also weigh in some of the issues brought up in the story, particularly the threat of too much dependence on technology. Now, get ready for what is probably the best episode yet. In the words of the story, "Find a safe place to sit, away from moving objects and other hazards. Remember, think-apping while walking or driving is dangerous and unlawful."Show Notes: Some of the music comes from Purple Planet (http://www.purple-planet.com), so mad props to them for providing that license-free.Follow the show on Facebook (@SkiffilyPodcast) and Twitter (@SkiffilyPodcast). If you have Instagram, feel free to follow Mona (@sewagainsthegrain) and myself (@SkiffilyPodcast). Robert has a photography portfolio that you can check out at robertvalenzuela15.wixsite.com/valenzuelaphoto "Pay Phobetor" Copyright © 2014 Shale Nelson, reproduced with permission from the author.

In war, soldiers get eaten up and spat out. In this episode's story, "Her Husband's Hands" by Adam-Troy Castro, a woman's soldier husband is killed in combat, but brought back via digital backup to operate what is left of his body, the eponymous hands.Episode 7 features another first for AE Reads Skiffily; after reading the scifi story, Mona and AE discuss some of its content and weigh in on issues the brought up in the story, such as whether a copy of you can really be youand how people respond to grief. You can see the show notes in my blog post if you would like to follow up on the pieces mentioned in this discussion (http://aeusoes1.blogspot.com/2017/06/ae-reads-skiffily-episode-7-her.html#show_notes) You can also read along to the story here: http://www.lightspeedmagazine.com/fiction/her-husbands-hands/Follow this science fiction podcast on Facebook (@SkiffilyPodcast) and Twitter (@SkiffilyPodcast). If you have Instagram, feel free to follow Mona (@sewagainsthegrain) and myself (@SkiffilyPodcast). "Her Husband's Hands" Copyright © 2011 Adam-Troy Castro, reproduced with permission from the author.

Does the difference between natural and artificial matter when they are indistinguishable? In Episode 5, AE and Mona read "Beneath Impossible Circumstances" by Andrea Kneeland, first published in the April 2012 issue of Strange Horizons. In this story, a lesbian cyborg tries to deal with her wife's desires for a "natural" baby. You can read along here http://strangehorizons.com/fiction/beneath-impossible-circumstances/Follow this science fiction podcast on Facebook (@SkiffilyPodcast) and Twitter (@SkiffilyPodcast). If you have Instagram, feel free to follow Mona (@sewagainsthegrain) and myself (@SkiffilyPodcast). "Beneath Impossible Circumstances" Copyright © 2012 Andrea Kneeland, reproduced with permission from the author

How can one keep a tight budget (or waistline) when even the local food truck has innovative culinary delights? From the August 2016 issue of Lightspeed Magazine, Nico (the narrator) is trying to save up to become a freelance accountant, but must battle with his love of food trucks. He discovers that Alberto, an acquaintance from a cooking class he took as a child, is a vendor of a popular food truck near his work. Alberto has invited Nico to the exclusive food truck circus.Read along here: http://www.lightspeedmagazine.com/fiction/taste-singularity-food-truck-circus/Follow this science fiction podcast on Facebook (@SkiffilyPodcast) and Twitter (@SkiffilyPodcast). If you have Instagram, feel free to follow me (@SkiffilyPodcast). "Taste the Singularity at the Food Truck Circus" Copyright © 2016, Jeremiah Tolbert, reproduced with permission from the author

Can love fight past the intolerance of the 1950s? What if it's between a human and an alien? For our first episode of AE Reads Skiffily, AE shares an except from Dale Bailey's "Teenagers from Outer Space,"which first appeared in Clarkesworld Magazine in August of 2016. The excerpt depicts Nancy Miller's (the narrator) visit to Bug Town, an alien enclave that popped up in Milledgeville, Ohio in the early 1950s. Nancy's best friend Joan Hayden has run away to Bug Town to escape her overbearing father. Joan's ex-boyfriend Johnny Fabriano wants to take Joan from Tham (the alien's name is actually Sam, but the aliens have a lisp and Nancy is quite the irreverent narrator) for stealing his girlfriend and ruining the top of his Mercedes Coupé. I chose this story and this excerpt because Bug Town sounds so evocative. The alien ghetto sounds both enticing and dangerous, like a dangerous narcotic or really good cheese dip.Read along here: http://clarkesworldmagazine.com/bailey_08_16/Follow this science fiction podcast on Facebook (@SkiffilyPodcast) and Twitter (@SkiffilyPodcast). If you have Instagram, feel free to follow me (@SkiffilyPodcast). "Teenagers from Outer Space" Copyright © 2016 Dale Bailey, reproduced with permission from the author.