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The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast - Vintage Sci-Fi Short Stories

The Last Plunge by S.J. Sackett - Science Fiction Audiobooks Full Length

Ep. 24

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Today’s author, Samuel John Sackett wrote only 6 short sci-fi stories from 1953 to 1955. He spent 25 years as an English Professor. He also wrote a sequel to Mark Twain's Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, entitled Huckleberry Finn Grows Up, published in 2012 when he was 84.


Our story today is the last of his 6 sci-fi stories. From Imagination Stories of Science and Fantasy in October 1955, The Last Plunge by S.J. Sackett


Next week on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast… It was a new and mysterious plant. It could make its own weather; it was sentient, and it prospered on Venus. But Earth needed it desperately. And Bat Kendo, the radar-mutant, was told to bring it in.

That’s next week onThe Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, with at least one lost vintage sci-fi short story in every episode.


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  • 298. Spawn of Inferno Hugh B. Cave - Science Fiction Short Story From Weird Tales Magazine in 1932

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    An unusual story, about the darkness that settled like a black cloud, and the horror that came with it. Spawn of Inferno by Hugh B. Cave, that’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast.Today marks the debut of an author I had never heard of, and yet he was one of the most prolific authors during the pulp fiction era. Some say he wrote more than 1,200 stories, others say it was only 1,000. Our author says he wrote more than 800 stories in the 1930s.Hugh B. Cave was born in Chester, England, in 1910 and relocated during his childhood with his family to Boston, Massachusetts, shortly after the beginning of World War I. After World War II he moved to Jamaica where he rebuilt and managed a successful coffee plantation. He returned to the United States in the early 1970s after the Jamaican government confiscated his plantation.Cave is celebrated for his mastery in horror, fantasy, and science fiction, although his work also included westerns, romance, crime and non-fiction. With an impressive body of work that spans over seven decades, Cave penned hundreds of short stories, more than 20 novels, and screenplays that captivated audiences with their gripping narratives as you are about to discover. Three of his stories were adapted for television in the 1950s.Let’s go back in time to October 1932 and open Weird Tales magazine to page 522, Spawn of Inferno by Hugh B. Cave…☕ Buy Me a Coffee https://www.buymeacoffee.com/scottsVFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/TheLostSciFiPodcastTwitter - https://twitter.com/lost_sci_fi=========================== ❤️ ❤️ Thanks to All Our Listeners Who Bought Us a Coffee$200 Someone$75 James Van Maanenberg$50 Anonymous Listener$25 Anne, Craig Hamilton, Dave Wiseman, Bromite Thrip, Marwin de Haan, Future Space Engineer, Fressie, Kevin Eckert, Stephen Kagan, James Van Maanenberg, Irma Stolfo, Josh Jennings, Leber8tr, Conrad Chaffee, Anonymous Listener$15 Someone, Carolyn Guthleben, Patrick McLendon, Curious Jon, Buz C., Fressie, Anonymous Listener$10 Anonymous Listener$5 Timothy Buckley, Andre'a, Martin Brown, Ron McFarlan, Tif Love, Chrystene, Richard Hoffman, Anonymous ListenerNext on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, In a haunting world where an unforeseen inhabitant resides within an ancient well, he relives the echoes of a forgotten past while waiting for an uncertain future. The One Who Waits by Ray Bradbury.
  • 297. In the Walls of Eryx by H. P. Lovecraft and Kenneth Sterling - The only interplanetary sci-fi story by H. P. Lovecraft

    01:25:10||Ep. 297
    Two Earthmen are trapped in an invisible maze on the planet Venus. In the Walls of Eryx by H. P. Lovecraft and Kenneth Sterling, that’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast.As some of you know our YouTube channel was unjustly taken down due to false copyright claims. An injustice we are working to correct by searching for a lawyer to sue the individuals responsible. Many of you communicated with us regularly on YouTube and we miss that daily interaction. We hope that you will choose to participate on our Facebook page, there is a link in the description. Or you can do a search on Facebook for The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast.https://www.facebook.com/TheLostSciFiPodcastToday’s story is the only interplanetary science fiction story written by H. P. Lovecraft and he did not write this story by himself. Kenneth J. Sterling was only 14 when he met Lovecraft and he shared his draft of a story with him when he was a 16 year old medical student in Providence Rhode Island. The story was rewritten and published two and a half years after Lovecraft’s death in the October 1939 issue of Weird Tales magazine. Let’s turn to page 50 of this 85 year old publication that would have set you back all of 15 cents, In the Walls of Eryx by H. P. Lovecraft and Kenneth Sterling…Next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, An unusual story, about the darkness that settled like a black cloud, and the horror that came with it. Spawn of Inferno by Hugh B. Cave.☕ Buy Me a Coffee https://www.buymeacoffee.com/scottsVFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/TheLostSciFiPodcastTwitter - https://twitter.com/lost_sci_fi=========================== ❤️ ❤️ Thanks to All Our Listeners Who Bought Us a Coffee$200 Someone$75 James Van Maanenberg$50 Anonymous Listener$25 Anne, Craig Hamilton, Dave Wiseman, Bromite Thrip, Marwin de Haan, Future Space Engineer, Fressie, Kevin Eckert, Stephen Kagan, James Van Maanenberg, Irma Stolfo, Josh Jennings, Leber8tr, Conrad Chaffee, Anonymous Listener$15 Someone, Carolyn Guthleben, Patrick McLendon, Curious Jon, Buz C., Fressie, Anonymous Listener$10 Anonymous Listener$5 Timothy Buckley, Andre'a, Martin Brown, Ron McFarlan, Tif Love, Chrystene, Richard Hoffman, Anonymous Listener
  • 296. $1,000 a Plate by Jack McKenty - SciFi Short Story from the 1950s

    18:20||Ep. 296
    When Marsy Gras shot off its skyrockets, Mars Observatory gave it the works—fireworks! $1,000 a Plate by Jack McKenty, that’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast.We are back from vacation, I am physically back but my voice isn’t. Hopefully the voice will be back to normal in a few days and the first story you will hear is In the Walls of Eryx by H. P. Lovecraft. Fortunately I was able to find a story I narrated a while back that has never been on the podcast. Jack McKenty makes his debut on the podcast today. What do we know about McKenty? He had two stories published in the 1950s. No other information can be found. From Galaxy Science Fiction Magazine in October 1954 on page 87, $1,000 a Plate by Jack McKenty…Next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, Two Earthmen are trapped in an invisible maze on the planet Venus. In the Walls of Eryx by H. P. Lovecraft.☕ Buy Me a Coffee https://www.buymeacoffee.com/scottsVFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/TheLostSciFiPodcastTwitter - https://twitter.com/lost_sci_fi=========================== ❤️ ❤️ Thanks to All Our Listeners Who Bought Us a Coffee$200 Someone$75 James Van Maanenberg$50 Anonymous Listener$25 Anne, Craig Hamilton, Dave Wiseman, Bromite Thrip, Marwin de Haan, Future Space Engineer, Fressie, Kevin Eckert, Stephen Kagan, James Van Maanenberg, Irma Stolfo, Josh Jennings, Leber8tr, Conrad Chaffee, Anonymous Listener$15 Someone, Carolyn Guthleben, Patrick McLendon, Curious Jon, Buz C., Fressie, Anonymous Listener$10 Anonymous Listener$5 Timothy Buckley, Andre'a, Martin Brown, Ron McFarlan, Tif Love, Chrystene, Richard Hoffman, Anonymous Listener
  • 295. S as in Zebatinsky by Isaac Asimov - Early Isaac Asimov Short Story

    39:19||Ep. 295
    An unusual short story you’ve probably never heard, from one of the greatest authors in science fiction history. S as in Zebatinsky by Isaac Asimov, that’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast.Have you ever heard of this story by Isaac Asimov? It’s always fascinating to hear from you when you tell us you remember reading a story 50 or more years ago, so we’d love to know somewhere in your past did you read S as in Zebatinsky? Comment where you can, like Spotify and YouTube or send us an email, scott@lostscifi.com. We always love hearing from you!From Star Science Fiction, a magazine edited by Frederik Pohl, open your January 1958 issue to page 33, S as in Zebatinsky by Isaac Asimov…Next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, Two Earthmen are trapped in an invisible maze on the planet Venus. In the Walls of Eryx by H. P. Lovecraft.☕ Buy Me a Coffee https://www.buymeacoffee.com/scottsVYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@VintageSciFiAudiobooksFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/TheLostSciFiPodcastTwitter - https://twitter.com/lost_sci_fi=========================== ❤️ ❤️ Thanks to All Our Listeners Who Bought Us a Coffee$200 Someone$75 James Van Maanenberg$50 Anonymous Listener$25 Anne, Craig Hamilton, Dave Wiseman, Bromite Thrip, Marwin de Haan, Future Space Engineer, Fressie, Kevin Eckert, Stephen Kagan, James Van Maanenberg, Irma Stolfo, Josh Jennings, Leber8tr, Conrad Chaffee, Anonymous Listener$15 Someone, Carolyn Guthleben, Patrick McLendon, Curious Jon, Buz C., Fressie, Anonymous Listener$10 Anonymous Listener$5 Timothy Buckley, Andre'a, Martin Brown, Ron McFarlan, Tif Love, Chrystene, Richard Hoffman, Anonymous Listener
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    21:00||Ep. 294
    She'd paid good money to see the inevitable… and then had to work to make it happen! A Little Journey by Ray Bradbury, that’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast.We are thankful for you. Our audience continues to grow all over the world and we cannot thank you enough for your support. We’d also like to thank Anne who bought 5 coffee’s. Anne had this to say, “Thank you so much for letting us relive the stories written by so many talented story tellers. Your mellifluous voice is a joy to my ears.” Thanks Anne for your amazing compliment and for your support.More Ray Bradbury stories because, well… it’s Ray Bradbury. Our story was published in Galaxy Science Fiction in August 1951 let’s turn to page 152, A Little Journey by Ray Bradbury…Next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, An unusual short story you’ve probably never heard, from one of the greatest authors in science fiction history. S as in Zebatinsky by Isaac Asimov☕ Buy Me a Coffee https://www.buymeacoffee.com/scottsVYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@VintageSciFiAudiobooksFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/TheLostSciFiPodcastTwitter - https://twitter.com/lost_sci_fi=========================== ❤️ ❤️ Thanks to All Our Listeners Who Bought Us a Coffee$200 Someone$75 James Van Maanenberg$50 Anonymous Listener$25 Craig Hamilton, Dave Wiseman, Bromite Thrip, Marwin de Haan, Future Space Engineer, Fressie, Kevin Eckert, Stephen Kagan, James Van Maanenberg, Irma Stolfo, Josh Jennings, Leber8tr, Conrad Chaffee, Anonymous Listener$15 Someone, Carolyn Guthleben, Patrick McLendon, Curious Jon, Buz C., Fressie, Anonymous Listener$10 Anonymous Listener$5 Timothy Buckley, Andre'a, Martin Brown, Ron McFarlan, Tif Love, Chrystene, Richard Hoffman, Anonymous Listener
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    23:52||Ep. 293
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    27:53||Ep. 292
    Kendall Stone had twelve hours to save a thousand lives. It wasn't much time, especially since someone was making sure he didn't use it! The Alien Dies at Dawn by Robert Silverberg, that’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast.Special thanks to Timothy Buckley who bough us a coffee. “Have a nice holiday Scott.” Thanks Timothy, in fact while you're listening to this we are on holiday in Barcelona Spain where we will soon board a cruise ship for a two week transatlantic cruise. We appreciate you Timothy and thanks for the coffee!If you would like to buy us a coffee there is a link in the description.☕ Buy Me a Coffee https://www.buymeacoffee.com/scottsVFrom Imagination Stories of Science and Fantasy in December 1956, turn to page 64, The Alien Dies at Dawn by Robert Silverberg…Next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, At fifteen he was sent to war to fight an enemy he couldn't understand. But more puzzling was the victory to be won—after he met defeat! The Invisible Enemy by Arnold Castle.☕ Buy Me a Coffee https://www.buymeacoffee.com/scottsVYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@VintageSciFiAudiobooksFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/TheLostSciFiPodcastTwitter - https://twitter.com/lost_sci_fi=========================== ❤️ ❤️ Thanks to All Our Listeners Who Bought Us a Coffee$200 Someone$75 James Van Maanenberg$50 Anonymous Listener$25 Craig Hamilton, Dave Wiseman, Bromite Thrip, Marwin de Haan, Future Space Engineer, Fressie, Kevin Eckert, Stephen Kagan, James Van Maanenberg, Irma Stolfo, Josh Jennings, Leber8tr, Conrad Chaffee, Anonymous Listener$15 Someone, Carolyn Guthleben, Patrick McLendon, Curious Jon, Buz C., Fressie, Anonymous Listener$10 Anonymous Listener$5 Timothy Buckley, Andre'a, Martin Brown, Ron McFarlan, Tif Love, Chrystene, Richard Hoffman, Anonymous Listener
  • 291. Shipping Clerk by William Morrison - Short Sci Fi Story From the 1950s

    40:10||Ep. 291
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  • 290. Finis by Frank Lillie Pollock - Apocalyptic Science Fiction

    30:30||Ep. 290
    A story of the last dawn that human eyes would ever see… Finis by Frank Lillie Pollock, that’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast.Thanks to Andre’a for buying us a coffee. She says, “Thank you once again. This story is one of my favourites. Respectfully, Andre'a from Melbourne Australia.” Thank you Andre’a. If you’d like to buy us a coffee there is a link in the description.Ever heard of Frank Lillie Pollock? I hadn’t until I came across this story. The first pronunciation of the title to our story in Merriam Webster pronounces it Finis, another pronunciation is Finis. However you choose to pronounce it, it is an interesting story. Frank Lillie Pollock was born in Canada or in Tennessee, there are conflicting reports, in 1876. He may have written more than 40 short stories but we’re not sure about that either. The story you are about to hear is his most famous which was also known as The Last Dawn.Originally published in Argosy magazine in June 1906, Finis by Frank Lillie Pollock…Next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, If Ollie knew the work he was doing, he would have resigned—if resigning were possible! Shipping Clerk by William Morrison.☕ Buy Me a Coffee https://www.buymeacoffee.com/scottsVYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@VintageSciFiAudiobooksFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/TheLostSciFiPodcastTwitter - https://twitter.com/lost_sci_fi=========================== ❤️ ❤️ Thanks to All Our Listeners Who Bought Us a Coffee$200 Someone$75 James Van Maanenberg$50 Anonymous Listener$25 Craig Hamilton, Dave Wiseman, Bromite Thrip, Marwin de Haan, Future Space Engineer, Fressie, Kevin Eckert, Stephen Kagan, James Van Maanenberg, Irma Stolfo, Josh Jennings, Leber8tr, Conrad Chaffee, Anonymous Listener$15 Someone, Carolyn Guthleben, Patrick McLendon, Curious Jon, Buz C., Fressie, Anonymous Listener$10 Anonymous Listener$5 Andre'a, Martin Brown, Ron McFarlan, Tif Love, Chrystene, Richard Hoffman, Anonymous Listener