Constellary Tales is a speculative fiction (SF — science fiction and fantasy) magazine and podcast. The podcast examines SF storytelling on the page and screen and addresses (not too seriously) how SF intersects culture and society. Selected episodes feature interviews with writers and others in the SF world as well as narrated stories from Constellary Tales magazine.
Constellary Tales presents an audio production of "Ambassador," cover story of Issue #2. Contents (00:00) An audio production of Michael Adam Robson's "Ambassador" from Constellary Tales Issue #2, narrated by Laura Lippman. (21:40) Adam talks with us about fungus-like creatures (some fictional, some that should be) and other behind-the-scenes details of his short Continue Reading …
Constellary Tales #7: Interview with Author Joe Haldeman
Contents (0:00) SFWA Grand Master Joe Haldeman takes Brian and Ken behind the scenes of his storied career in an exclusive interview. Among other conversation topics… How "I of Newton" went from the page to The Twilight Zone The unusual origins of Hugo Award–winning short story "Tricentennial" Getting The Forever War published (and bootlegging the stage Continue Reading …
Constellary Tales #6: Philip K. Dick’s “The Minority Report,” Guest Mark Linsenmayer
Contents (00:00) PEL's Mark Linsenmayer joins Brian and Ken to help push through the philosophical thicket of causality and precrime (and prepunishement) in Philip K. Dick's short story, "The Minority Report." (33:12) Mark and Ken square off in a game of trivia about Philip K. Dick movie adaptations Blade Runner and Total Recall. (47:44) Spoiler-free recommendations: Harry Continue Reading …
Constellary Tales #5. Robert Heinlein’s “All You Zombies” and “Predestination”
Contents (00:00) Robert Heinlein pushes the trope of recursive progeny to its absurd extremes in the 1959 short story "All You Zombies" (note: not about zombies). Brian and Ken discuss the story and the subsequent 2014 film adaptation Predestination and even kick around a few real-world (!) examples. (29:45) Spoiler-free recommendations: Charles Burns's Black Hole, Neill Continue Reading …
Constellary Tales #4: “Kill Switch” Audio Story and Author Interview
Constellary Tales presents an audio production of "Kill Switch," cover story of Issue #1. Then we go behind the scenes in an interview with the story's author, Henry Szabranski. Contents (00:00) Audio production of Henry Szabranski's "Kill Switch" from Constellary Tales Issue #1, narrated by Mark Linsenmayer. (20:05) Henry answers our pressing questions about astrophysics, Continue Reading …
Constellary Tales #3: Ray Bradbury’s “There Will Come Soft Rains,” Guest Tex Thompson
Contents Author, teacher, and Lone Star State original Arianne "Tex" Thompson joins our discussion. (00:00) A smart house outlasts humanity in Ray Bradbury's 1950 short story "There Will Come Soft Rains." (24:05) Longswords and lockpicks! Poisons and ponies! Tex describes these and other hands-on experiences at the annual Writers in the Field event in Dallas. (40:55) Continue Reading …
Constellary Tales #2: “Bloodchild,” When Hugo Met Oscar
Octavia Butler's novelette "Bloodchild" and Hugo/Oscar crossover successes fuel discussion by SF writers/publishers Brian Hirt and Ken Gerber in this new podcast for the Partially Examined Life podcast network. Contents (00:00) Octavia Butler's "Bloodchild" is (among other things) a successful example of a certain kind of pregnancy story. Other examples are Continue Reading …
Constellary Tales #1: “Harrison Bergeron,” Writing Advice Quiz
A new podcast for the Partially Examined Life podcast network! Featuring SF authors and editors Brian Hirt (Mark's best friend from all the way back to junior high) and Ken Gerber (Brian's brother, who also drew the PEL logo). Contents (00:00) Submit your stories to Constellary Tales SF Magazine (02:30) Kurt Vonnegut's "Harrison Bergeron" turns up in unusual places, plus Continue Reading …