The best short fiction, handpicked by the best voice in podcasting and presented in 3D immersive audio. In every episode, host LeVar... more
A young woman must decide her future: planting seeds and forging civilization on Mars, or caretaking for future generations on... more
The self-proclaimed Graffiti King of Mexico brandishes his magical paintbrush, providing commentary on small-town sins. This story appears in the... more
An exploration of the depth of a father's love, and his attempts to keep his son happy, healthy and safe... more
A human street performer breaks out his boombox for an unauthorized and unwelcome performance on Planet Drx. For more from... more
A trickster storyteller brings camaraderie and hope to the land of the dead. Find more from the author at ktbryski.com. Content advisory: Death... more
A scientist explores (and transcends) the limitations of the human body, using her daughter as a test subject. This story... more
LeVar Burton Reads is back with all-new episodes starting February 20th, but if you don't want to wait, you can get... more
We champion the work of librarians at LeVar Burton Reads, not least because they preserve books and maintain archives of... more
If you’ve been listening to LeVar's new podcast Sound Detectives, you know there's something irresistible about a missing sound. That’s... more
Adrift in a mysterious time and place, and with the ground roiling and churning beneath their feet, a brother and... more
A mysterious pub draws in lost souls on Christmas Eve. This story appears in the author's collection ADD CYANIDE TO... more
An angel surprises a humble coffee shop owner in Cairo. This story appears in E. Lily Yu's collection JEWEL BOX, published... more
A teenage thief embarks on a mission to reclaim her people's sacred treasures. First published in A UNIVERSE OF WISHES in 2020 in the United States... more
Enjoy more LeVar, more Detective Hunch, and more Audie with Episode #2 of LeVar's new podcast, SOUND DETECTIVES! SOUND DETECTIVES is... more
A superhero returns home for Thanksgiving. Find more from Aleksandra Hill at aleksandrahill.com and khoreomag.com.
LeVar Burton presents SOUND DETECTIVES – a funny, engaging, and thought-provoking podcast that invites elementary school-aged kids to explore the... more
Siblings try to jog their ailing father's memory through his sense of taste. They discover that as much as he's... more
A robot "sin eater" is called to perform a vital service for the last human on earth. This story appears... more
A chain-smoking psychic is ready to retire, but first, she's got to see one last client. Find more from the... more
A story about the bond between father and daughter, cities both big and small, clocks, trees, and hope in a... more
A young magician is given the opportunity to learn real magic, but it comes with consequences. This story appears in Sarah... more
Knick-knacks are tagged, life choices are interrogated, and secrets are revealed after the family matriarch passes away. This story appears... more
Neighborhood kids help a curmudgeonly old man with a family curse. This story appears in The Essential Peter S. Beagle:... more
The sole survivor of a pandemic must determine the true intentions of a robot who arrives to save her. This... more
LeVar Burton Reads is back September 19th! We've got stories from Peter S. Beagle, Sarah Pinsker, Tobi Ogundiran and more.... more
Hoping to make their fortune (or at least climb out of debt), a trio of space traders travel on a... more
In a small German village, an orphaned boy lives at a home for "displaced persons," and puzzles over where he... more
As a generation ship hurtles toward a distant star, one of its crew members receives a rare and precious opportunity.... more
An artist works as a dream concierge, creating augmented dream packages for clients. For more from Violet Allen, visit her... more
A time traveler is stranded in a small town. This story appears in SOMEONE IN TIME: TALES OF TIME-CROSSED ROMANCE,... more
A hapless salesman flees the librarian hell-bent on retrieving her lost library book. This story appears in Africa Risen: A... more
A story of a stolen wok, magic, and manipulation. This story was originally published in Strange Horizons. You can find... more
A financial advisor meets his new client: a hardworking, unassuming man with a curious and potentially life-changing secret.
A waitress is jolted from her morning routine when she's visited by a mysterious child.
A struggling college student gains new perspective on her studies from her classmate, who's come to study from another planet.... more
A young girl explores her own power, and finds kinship with a bird of prey.
A family matriarch takes up residence in the Underworld.
A group of mall Santas celebrating Christmas Eve discover that there is a stranger in their midst. "The Usual Santas" appears... more
A mystical phenomenon brightens the dreary days of winter — until one year, when it suddenly stops.
A boy discovers his father's hidden kingdom. This story appears in the anthology Small Odysseys: Selected Shorts Presents 35 New Stories,... more
A tale of complicated family relationships and magical cooking. This story was first published in Uncanny Magazine.
An adventurer carried back spoils from a journey to the center of the earth. Now, his family joins him on... more
When an Instagram-famous rock climber comes to an untimely death, his friends and admirers gather to memorialize him. This story appears... more
While on a quest to beat the high score at his local arcade, a sixth grader has an unusual, life-altering... more
LeVar Burton Reads is back November 1st with stories from Stephen Graham Jones, Kim Fu, Tobias Buckell and more, in... more
A man remembers a supernatural force from his childhood.
A reporter travels to Miami to investigate the fringes of science and faith. This story appears in THE ASSIMILATED CUBAN'S... more
A rideshare driver must spring into action when his passenger casts a dangerous and deadly spell. Content advisory: explicit language,... more
LeVar Burton Reads is coming back! Plus, an immersive remix of Shirley Jackson's story about a recently widowed woman who... more
A new immersive remix of a season one classic. An immigrant mother tries to bond with her American-born son by... more
William Andrews, an investment banker with Goldman Sachs, dies on September 23, 2012, and finds himself confronted with his life... more
This week: the first place winner of the LeVar Burton Reads writing contest, as co-presented by FIYAH Literary Magazine and... more
An aging barbarian sets out to battle a bridge troll, mano a mano, and thus prove his mettle. “Troll Bridge”... more
Public Enemy Number One, John Dillinger, looks to escape the feds with the help of a cunning wizard. Content advisory: Gunfire
A sentient house, haunted by its own loneliness, exercises its powers on a skeptic. This story was published by Diabolical... more
An AI-controlled avatar built to entertain patients in deep space performs innocuous magic tricks for patients... until one day, he... more
Get a sneak peek of our immersive sound! A cab driver spends an ordinary day ferrying passengers around Manhattan --... more
What's the weirdest temp job you can imagine? One outside time and space... This story appears in Tobias Buckell's collection SHOGGOTHS... more
A spy narrates his thoughts as he jumps from an airplane and freefalls toward his government target. If you enjoyed this... more
A sentient government surveillance drone is ensnared, and must determine his captor's motives. For more from Sarah Gailey, visit www.sarahgailey.com.
A group of mall Santas celebrating Christmas Eve discover that there is a stranger in their midst. "The Usual Santas" appears... more
A man begins a relationship with a woman who has fled from a disintegrating parallel universe. For more from the... more
When Joy revisits her family's old cabin, she's reminded of childhood memories of a pond in the woods and its... more
LeVar Burton Reads is back December 7th, featuring work from Tananarive Due, Stephen Graham Jones and Sarah Gailey, a winter holiday... more
A kindergartner travels through a portal to a fantastic and eerie new world. This story appears in Ellen's collection WICKED... more
A tour guide leads virtual reality “experiences” for tourists who want to know what it’s like to be Native American.... more
An immigrant mother tries to bond with her American-born son by creating a magical paper menagerie. This story appears in... more
A young woman is hired to look after an ailing man who's been ostracized by his family and sent to... more
An anthropologist copes with the passing of her beloved tía abuela, experimenting with her own method of honoring her. This... more
A man questions his current existence -- and the life he remembers from before. Originally published in Asimov's Science Fiction,... more
A veteran pilot revisits memories, and searches for remnants of her old experimental smartship. Content advisory: War Submissions are now open for... more
A woman recounts the story of her birth as a surprise twin and adoption by a Native American couple, and... more
An athlete trains to win a prize that would ensure her survival. Content advisory: Discussion of degenerative illness, death Submissions are now... more
A young boy feuds with a muralist who has taken over a beloved hangout in his neighborhood. Don't forget! The LeVar Burton... more
A girl visits a bazaar in Cairo, seeking a favor from a mysterious angelic being. This story first appeared in the... more
Marty brings his family to his hometown of Lucban for the annual festival to witness a miracle: lab-grown, synthetic food... more
A woman has her memories catalogued for the historical record, and must decide whether or not to divulge a painful... more
A man dies and finds himself reincarnated as a parrot. This story appears in Robert Olen Butler's collection TABLOID DREAMS. His... more
What if those spammy emails from princes about overseas banks were... real? An exiled prince teams up with the widow... more
LeVar Burton Reads is back June 22nd, featuring stories from P Djeli Clark, Anjali Sachdeva, Ekaterina Sedia, Isabel Yap and more.... more
Theresa Anne has spent years watching her mother tell fortunes and work magical spells. But when she asks to protect... more
In a post-pandemic future where scientists have made great strides in eliminating disease, a young boy faces his fears and... more
A getaway driver and her crew are hired to steal a mysterious artifact, and inadvertently get locked into a time... more
A teenage girl is exiled to a penal colony on an icy, inhospitable island. But the island contains secrets, and so... more
Hoping to make their fortune (or at least climb out of debt), a trio of space traders travel on a... more
Guided by an angel, a writer pens his greatest -- and perhaps most dangerous -- work. "Killer of Kings" appears in Anjali... more
Adolescent boys are faced with the reality of friendships, old and new, as they work on plans to build their... more
A woman helps to test the artificial intelligence based on the mind of her mother, a brilliant thinker. "The Regression... more
A government contractor deals with everyday frustrations in a small town. "Alluvial Deposits" appears in Percival Everett's collection DAMNED IF... more
A woman struggles to understand why her elderly father has begun to spontaneously teleport. Content advisory: drug addiction, illness, death
A teenage thief embarks on a mission to reclaim her people's sacred treasures. First published in A UNIVERSE OF WISHES in 2020 in the United States... more
A waitress is jolted from her morning routine when she's visited by a mysterious child.
The wait is nearly over! Join us for Season 8 of LeVar Burton Reads, beginning next week and featuring stories... more
LeVar talks to Africanfuturist Nnedi Okorafor about the visceral nature of her writing, writing a beautiful and green future for... more
Join us for the conclusion of this smart house story set in a future Nigeria. Will Anwuli and her child... more
A young woman in a future Nigeria finds herself in a deadly pollen storm, alone but for her smart home.
LeVar announces a special three-part series featuring one of his favorite authors!
A 200-year-old gnome desperately wants to become a father. "Little Man" is from A WILD SWAN AND OTHER TALES by Michael... more
A recently widowed woman vanishes overnight. Content advisory: violence, death “The Story We Used to Tell” is from DARK TALES by Shirley... more
A chance encounter in a bar leads to an eventful Good Friday for a devout woman and a playboy.
An asteroid miner on a solo space mission finds his sense of purpose. This story appears in the anthology CONSOLATION SONGS.
A young Black girl in 1880s New Mexico territory seeks vengeance, risking life and love in the process. Content Advisory: violence,... more
A young girl must negotiate her own path out of a strict community in a post-disaster desertland. Visit www.suyidavies.com for... more
A woman discovers her grandmother is being haunted by unearthly spirits. Find more of Ana Hurtado's work at www.anahurtadowrites.com. Content Advisory:... more
A family is both delighted and troubled by the visitation of a peculiar insect. "Cricket" was published in Lauriat: A... more
A family in dire straits must share their new home with a different species. This story was published in Latinx... more
A girl escorts her younger sister on an important and life-altering journey, while thinking back on their relationship and the... more
A rideshare driver must spring into action when his passenger casts a dangerous and deadly spell. Content advisory: explicit language, violence,... more
What could it mean to reach into your pocket and pull out... something that wasn't there before? Find more from... more
You heard that correctly -- we're coming back for a new season starting August 11! So make sure to hit... more
A financial advisor meets his new client: a hardworking, unassuming man with a curious and potentially life-changing secret. "The Foster Portfolio"... more
Join us for the conclusion to Toni Morrison's tale. Twyla and Roberta's longstanding and complicated friendship becomes more challenging as... more
Two young girls, abandoned by the world, are drawn together. Content advisory: archaic/derogatory language
A dystopian society tackles fake news. Content advisory: violence
In order to live an urban lifestyle as a father and husband, a domesticated vampire must suppress his darker urges.... more
As humanity tiptoes toward the Singularity, what happens to those who are left behind? This story appears in Ken Liu's... more
A tabloid reporter sets out to investigate a fast-talking con man who may or may not be the trickster Coyote.
A man becomes obsessed with quieting the thoughts and static in his brain. You can find this story in FOUNTAIN... more
A misanthropic B&B owner is unsettled by an encounter with one of his guests. Follow Savannah Burney on Twitter @savannahburney.
A young couple tries to make sense of an influx of mythic creatures. This story was first published in THOSE... more
A smart, stubborn high school student sets her own rules in a near-future dystopia. This story appears in N.K. Jemisin's... more
A sentient robot searches for her purpose in a post-war world. This story was originally published in Asimov's Science Fiction magazine... more
Get ready for Season 6! Get a peek behind the curtain as LeVar talks about story selection, vocal exercises, and... more
Embark on audio adventures through The Paris Review's fiction, poetry, interviews, archival recordings, and sonic imaginings with the likes of... more
A boy studies magic and escape artistry in 1930s Prague, hoping to become a member of an illustrious magicians' club.... more
Twin girls are left with a babysitter in a haunted house. “The Specialist’s Hat” © 1998 by Kelly Link. Originally... more
An ordinary couple experiences an extraordinary event during a walk in the park. "Jump" was first published in LIGHTSPEED MAGAZINE.... more
In Stories with Friends, LeVar invites one of his friends to sit down for a conversation inspired by a short... more
The owner of an unusual private museum picks up a hitchhiker sent to assassinate her. This story appears in Nisi... more
A castle's mysteries begin to slowly unravel. Content advisory: mentions of death, eugenics This episode is sponsored by Mythical Monsters podcast... more
A woman is haunted by her dreams of being a tiger. This episode is sponsored by Betterhelp (www.betterhelp.com/levar code: LEVAR) and... more
A woman in a troubled relationship loses her glasses at a rest stop along the highway, and the world shifts... more
A team of peace-keepers investigate an inventor with an astonishing claim. This episode is sponsored by Betterhelp (www.betterhelp.com/levar code: LEVAR)... more
A girl scrutinizes the line between humans and robots when her grandmother is replaced with a replica. Content advisory: Death or... more
A themed restaurant presents a very unique opportunity to its patrons. This story appears in N.K. Jemisin's collection HOW LONG... more
Two co-workers repossess a car to make some quick cash, and get mixed up in a surprising and much larger... more
A struggling college student gains new perspective on her studies from her classmate, who's come to study from another planet.... more
A young woman sets out on a quest to find all of the impossible materials needed to build a kite... more
Join us for the conclusion of this time travel tale set in medieval Baghdad. “The Merchant and the Alchemist's Gate”... more
A wandering merchant in medieval Baghdad is brought before the Caliph, and recounts tales of ingenious gates that allow time... more
A man remembers a summer from his youth, filled with rides on a flying carpet. “Flying Carpets” is from Steven Millhauser’s collection THE... more
A man finds something strange going on at a rural train station. “Toward Happy Civilization” is from MOUTHFUL OF BIRDS... more
A cab driver spends an ordinary day ferrying passengers around Manhattan -- until an incident involving a wealthy alien tourist... more
A ten year old boy is enlisted to help a blind man beg at a traffic intersection, and is exposed... more
A bounty hunter reminisces about his escapades with an old mentor and friend in this weird western. This story appears... more
A scientist fights for the investigation of an unidentified object in space. "The Best We Can" appears in Carrie Vaughn's... more
A martial arts instructor meets his match. "Kwoon" appears in Charles Johnson's collection DR. KING'S REFRIGERATOR AND OTHER BEDTIME STORIES. This... more
In pursuit of freedom from slavery, a young couple must gather up their courage and spend a night underground. "Free... more
A congregation eagerly anticipates the healing powers of a blind prophet. "Miracle" © 2019 by Tope Folarin. From Harvard's Transition magazine, Issue... more
A space traveler flashes back to memories of his childhood in Japan, before the world ended. Recorded live at the... more
A scientist fights for the investigation of an unidentified object in space. "The Best We Can" appears in Carrie Vaughn's collection AMARYLLIS... more