The Tiny Bookcase Podcast

# 254- P.A. Cornell (@cornellwriter.bsky.social), the wonderful and award-winning Chilean-Canadian speculative fiction author, joins us for our first double-reading! Listen here: pod.link/1524142040/e... Pre-order THE ASTRONAUT AMONG THE FLOWERS (Aug 22nd): www.starsandsabers.com/books/the-as...

# 253- Ben and Nico are back with two new stories built on the prompt 'Foundation'. Listen here: pod.link/1524142040/e...

About a year ago, I wrote a story specifically for @tinybookcase.bsky.social, inspired by the key word "Mosaic". I was really pleased with the way my little Roman story turned out, so am delighted to say it was published today on Horror Tree's terrific newsletter horrortree.com/trembling-wi...

Two bits of news from us! Firstly, we would like to thank everyone in the @britfantasysoc.bsky.social community for the Best Audio (Fiction) nomination. We are delighted! See you all in Glasgow!🎉🍾 Secondly, the Tiny Bookcase will return in July with more stories! 📖 Big Love, Ben and Nico

The shortlisted works for Best Audio Work (Fiction) are: 🎧 The Shape of Monsters, CL Hellisen, Omari Douglas (Audible Originals) / @clhellisen.bsky.social 🎧 The Tiny Bookcase / @tinybookcase.bsky.social 🎧 Podcastle / @podcastle.org 🎧 Pseudopod / @pseudopod.org

# 252: Stephen Fishbach (@stephenfishbach.bsky.social) joins us to read from his debut novel "ESCAPE!", which follows a has-been reality TV star and a disgraced producer through plot twists they'd never imagine. Listen here: pod.link/1524142040/e... Fishbach's site: stephenfishbach.com

Book birthday! COME SING FOR THE HARROWING is out today! Join me on the Tiny Bookcase podcast, reading a story from the collection and discussing how it came into being. (Contains: wasps.) @clashbooks.bsky.social @tinybookcase.bsky.social

# 251- To celebrate the release of Dan Coxon's anthology of Folk-Horror short stories, 'Come Sing for the Harrowing', we hear a tale from the book and discuss all that went into it! Listen here: pod.link/1524142040/e... Out Now - COME SING FOR THE HARROWING: forbiddenplanet.com/491007-come-...

@britfantasysoc.bsky.social award voting has now opened! So go forth and vote for all the cool stuff you liked :) I have a couple of pieces that are eligible that I would be honoured if you would consider. britishfantasysociety.org/voting-opens...

You will recall I mentioned an interview with The Tiny Bookcase? @tinybookcase.bsky.social Nico, Ben and I had a wide-ranging and enjoyable chat. For instance, did you know rumour, early in my writing career, claimed I didn't actually exist? Tune in to find out more... 😁 pod.link/1524142040/e...

In which, amongst other things, Juliet explains how, early in her career, there were rumours that she wasn’t a real person. Also River/n Kingdom news.

The British Fantasy Awards have begun! Learn more about how you can get involved below...

# 250- Ben and Nico interview the prolific and eminent Juliet E. McKenna ( @julietemckenna.bsky.social) and discuss publishing, themes, and prejudices. Listen here: pod.link/1524142040/e... Juliet's Site (with links to buy her books!): www.julietemckenna.com

10.30am, #Eastercon Monday, my reading in Salisbury Wellington will be the first extract from the next Green Man book and you'll learnthe title - coming this September from Wizard's Tower Press. Plus a new extract from The Riven Kingdom, the new epic fantasy novel out this October from Angry Robot.

A reminder: the wonderful @julietemckenna.bsky.social will be reading from the next Green Man book, and announcing the title, at @easterconuk.bsky.social this morning.

# 249- Joined this month by the prodigious and wonderful Juliet E. McKenna (@julietemckenna.bsky.social), Ben and Nico proffer stories written for the prompt 'Whip'! Listen here: pod.link/1524142040/e... Visit Juliet's site here: www.julietemckenna.com

Those of you who are eligible to vote in this year's Hugo Awards, please note that you have just one day left before nominations close. If you are short of ideas for works in the Best Series category, we'd like to remind you that Juliet McKenna's Green Man series is eligible.

Congratulations to Juliet E McKenna whose The Green Man's War is a finalist in the British Fantasy Awards for Best Novel (the Robert Holdstock Award) wizardstowerpress.co...

# 248- Ben and Nico interview the short-story writer & reviewer Benjamin Kurt Unsworth, and dig deep on what makes the young man's story-brain tick! Listen here: pod.link/1524142040/e... Benjamin's Collections: phantasmagoriamag.co.uk/online-store... blackshuckbooks.co.uk/shadows-21/

I'm both overwhelmed and very grateful to have 5 items on the @bsfa.bsky.social award short list. It's an honour to be nominated against pieces from: @foxesandroses.bsky.social @slashnburnett.bsky.social @drfionamoore.bsky.social @bethkesh.bsky.social @emilyinkpen.bsky.social Congrats all 🙌

# 247- Joined this month by the short-story writer Benjamin Kurt Unsworth, Ben and Nico present stories galore written for the prompt 'Magnitude'! Listen here: www.buzzsprout.com/1129067/epis... Benjamin's Collections: phantasmagoriamag.co.uk/online-store... blackshuckbooks.co.uk/shadows-21/

Who's up for a scare? If you don't know Ben Unsworth, you're missing a treat, both as a writer and a person. Check out an exciting young writer! UK: www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0FQ2S7Z1J USA: www.amazon.com/dp/B0FQ2S7Z1J

I was a guest on The Tiny Bookcase podcast. It was a lot of fun, and I highly recommend it to any of my author friends.

# 246: @stevemchugh.bsky.social - bestselling author of Urban Fantasy, Historical Fiction, and SF - joins Ben and Nico for a Showcase + Interview! Link in Stories or Listen here: pod.link/1524142040/e... Steve McHugh's site: stevejmchugh.wordpress.com #Riftborn #Hellequin #CrimesAgainstMagic

Season 11 of The Tiny Bookcase has begun! Last season, we introduced Showcase episodes alongside our classic format and we are continuing to shake things up by changing our release schedule. You can read more about it for free here: www.patreon.com/posts/season...

# 245- Luke Jennings is a London-based bestselling novelist. His KILLING EVE novels are the basis for a worldwide hit TV series. In this episode, Luke reads an excerpt from CODENAME VILLANELLE and is interviewed by Ben and Nico. Listen here: pod.link/1524142040/e... Luke's site: lukejennings.com

Want a sweet story with a menacing spice? My dear friend and award-winning writer @bookdragonauthor.bsky.social reads a Christmas take written by me. Shoutout to @exaggeratedelegy.bsky.social for organising and Nico @tinybookcase.bsky.social for the prompt ‘gingerbread’! Happy holidays all. xxx

A very merry Yule to you! We're excited about the future of the Bookcase in 2026, and you can join our Patreon for free to keep up with the latest news here: www.patreon.com/thetinybookc... The Tiny Bookcase will return on Monday, 12th January! Happy New Year!

# 244- Alexandra Beaumont (@abeaumontbooks.bsky.social), author of folklore and gothic fantasy, gives an interview on storytelling. Listen here: pod.link/1524142040/e... Alexandra's Site: www.alexandrabeaumontauthor.com #shortstory #Folklore #Gothic #interview

# 243- The wonderful Alexandra Beaumont (@abeaumontbooks.bsky.social), writer of lyrical folkloric fantasy, joins Ben and Nico for the prompt 'Jurisdiction'. Listen here: pod.link/1524142040/e... Alexandra's Site: www.alexandrabeaumontauthor.com #shortstory #SF #fantasy

I knew that @rickandwrite.bsky.social and @tinybookcase.bsky.social would be a match made in heaven when in introduced them to each other at World Fantasy in Brighton! Give this a listen people!

# 242- Ben and Nico have an utterly delightful time chatting with Rick Danforth (@rickandwrite.bsky.social), BSFA Winner and champion martial artist. Listen here: pod.link/1524142040/e... Rick's Site: rickdanforth.wordpress.com #fantasy #SF #interview

If you would like to hear my story about unicorn cocaine, followed by me having a lot of fun talking to Ben and Nico. This is the place to go! And if that's not enough, you get two cracking stories by the guys themselves. What's not to love?

# 241- The epic Rick Danforth (@rickandwrite.bsky.social), short fiction author and champion martial artist, joins Ben and Nico for the prompt 'Conservation'. Listen here: pod.link/1524142040/e... Rick's Site: rickdanforth.wordpress.com #shortstory #SF #Unicorns #Mythology

Do you want to hear me read the opening chapter from my upcoming fantasy adventure novel This Is Where The Future Bleeds, then talk nonsense? YOU CAN!

Cause @mikebrooks668.bsky.social is awesome, have a listen you won't regret it. #WritingCommunity #BookSky

# 240- Mike Brooks (@mikebrooks668.bsky.social) joins Ben and Nico to showcase the opening to his new book and talk about writing! Listen here: pod.link/1524142040/e... Mike Brooks appears this Friday @waterstones.bsky.social in Nottingham: www.waterstones.com/events/franc... #author #interview

# 239- Ben and Nico develop two stories to add to the 'Pile'. Listen here: pod.link/1524142040/e... Supporting the Pod: www.patreon.com/thetinybookc... #podcasts #shortstory #storytelling

# 238- Ben and Nico perform two new 'Skeleton' stories. Listen here: pod.link/1524142040/e... Supporting the Pod: www.patreon.com/thetinybookc... #podcasts #shortstory #storytelling

# 237- The tremendous Athena Stevens gives an interview and chats with Ben and Nico about telling stories on the stage and the page. Listen here: pod.link/1524142040/e... Athena's Site: www.athenastevens.com

# 236- Athena Stevens is an Olivier Award-nominated actor, playwright, and author. In this episode, Athena joins Ben and Nico in writing for the prompt "Vintage". Listen here: pod.link/1524142040/e... Athena's Site: www.athenastevens.com

# 235- Nico and Ben go in two very different directions with the prompt "Interest". Listen here: pod.link/1524142040/e... Supporting the Pod: www.patreon.com/thetinybookc... #podcasts #shortstory #storytelling

# 234- Ben and Nico write and perform a brace of stories for the prompt "Keep". Listen here: pod.link/1524142040/e... Support the Pod: www.patreon.com/thetinybookc... #podcasts #shortstory #storytelling

if you don't already listen to Tiny Bookcase, WHY DON'T YOU LISTEN TO TINY BOOKCASE?

My favourite book-related podcast, with some spooky tales for the Witching Season, including a morsel from yours truly! 👻 🎃 😈

October is here, so get your goth on and join us for a collection of tales of terror from previous episodes! Featuring the work of @najpullen.bsky.social, @markbrandon.bsky.social, @rjbarker.bsky.social, and the terrible twosome Ben and Nico. Listen here: pod.link/1524142040/e... #Spooky #Horror

David & Robin chat with Sam K Horton whose 2nd novel Ragwort is out Nov-25. We talk maps, book tour costumes, love of wild places. Dave discovers Friday also is a business day + hear reasons to attend Fantasycon from Ben & Nico of @tinybookcase.bsky.social. britishfantasysociety.org/blog/bfs-pod...

For writers looking for alternatives to NaNoWriMo, here's a list of alternatives (feel free to suggest others!): vanillapapers.net/2025/04/01/n... Includes @storyaday.bsky.social #ShutUpAndWrite #PathfindersWritingCollective #4TheWords #MyWriteClub #Autocrit

# 232- Legendary Horror writer @ramseycampbell.bsky.social reads his story 'Stick-In-The-Mud' and then chats with us about storytelling. A truly unmissable episode! Listen here: pod.link/1524142040/e... Ramsey's site: www.ramseycampbell.com #horror #author #RamseyCampbell #shortstory