Biome

In a fate worse than death, Benny is buried alive by his gang on Halloween night. What happens next is stranger and more chilling than he could have dreamed.

The Box Born Wraith is by Kevin David Anderson

Kevin David Anderson is a genre-bending author celebrated for blending horror and comedy, most notably in his breakout cult classic Night of the Living Trekkies. His unique work has gained such cultural traction that it became required reading for university-level "zombie apocalypse" courses. Beyond novels, Anderson's short stories have been published in 60 anthologies, 30 magazines, translated...

When they die, they go to the Glasshouse. Sofia cares for the dead - those with loved ones and those without, cultivating beauty in the soft, slow decay.

The Glasshouse is by Thane Hespera

​Thane Hespera is a Vietnamese fiction writer with a deep passion for speculative horror, dark fantasy, and surreal ecosystems. Their stories often explore the delicate intersections of human grief, memory, and transformation.

I deeply appreciate your support on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/BiomeSpec

Have questions, comments or thoughts? I'd love to he...

Drought has left the land brittle and parched - a controlled burn is needed to restore the land to balance. The only problem? Flora's abuela has left notes that the Cinderbloom, possibly the very last of its kind, lies at the heart of the land about to go up in flames.

Cinderbloom is by Cristina Farinas

Cristina is a Florida-based writer whose work often explores themes of environmental and wildlife conservation, belonging, and journeys of self-discovery. Her short fiction has been recognized in competitions, including winning the 2026 MagicFest Mock Event and shortlisting in...

The old Swamp Witch is dead. What hope does her apprentice, Reed, have of filling such big shoes?

Instructions for a Swamp Witch Funeral is by JA Logwood

JA Logwood can be found lurking in the woods of New England where she's raising feral children and friendly goats with her wife. She adores speculative fiction, cozies of any genre and all things queer. Her work has appeared in A Coup of Owls, Rat Bag and Pulp Literature.

Find her at @jalogwood.bsky.social

I deeply appreciate your...

War-forged but vulnerable, wise with the memories of another life, another body, a tiny alien returns to its own kind. But can it keep the pieces of itself long enough to share the tale of its lost progenitor? Should it even try?

Homecoming by Proxy is by Erin Cullen

Erin Cullen is a neuroscience researcher and speculative fiction writer based in New York City. Erin’s writing has appeared in various magazines and anthologies plus scientific journals even experts only look at for the pictures. Erin is nominally on BlueSky @erinrcullen.bsky.social bu...

J. M. J. Brewer, author of the unsettling "Anemone" (Season 1, Episode 7) joins us for a fascinating conversation about trauma, pain, and its expression in fiction.

Support Biome on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/BiomeSpec

Have questions, comments or thoughts? I'd love to hear from you: [email protected]

Make sure to also check out our most recent written interview with Toshiya Kamei:

https://www.patreon.com/BiomeSpec/posts/interlude-1-161022506/

Special thanks to our Biosphere Patreon supporter Shanella!

How does Biome pick the stories we publish? What's the value of prizes and recognition?

Your host and Biome editor Alex Zoubine discusses the value of curation and prizes in Sci-Fi and literature more broadly

Check out the Biome submissions portal here if you're curious: https://biomespec.wordpress.com/submissions/

Learn more about the Hugo Awards in Science Fiction: https://www.thehugoawards.org/hugo-history/2026-hugo-awards/

Learn More about the Nebula Awards here: https://nebulas.sfwa.org/award-year/2025/

And of course, check out the official Nobel Prize website here: https...

Season 2 launches September 29th

Follow now to enjoy stories that will captivate and amaze you

Support us on Patreon for ad-free listening and early access:

https://www.patreon.com/cw/BiomeSpec

If you loved "After You Catch Them All" (Season 1, Episode 4), you won't want to miss our interview with the author of the story, Grigory Lukin! Hear what inspires Grigory and learn a bit about what it takes to balance humor in science fiction.

I deeply appreciate your support on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/BiomeSpec

Have questions, comments or thoughts? I'd love to hear from you: [email protected]

Please make sure to check out last week's written interview with Nissa Harlow at: https://www.patreon.com/BiomeSpec...

The world is ending!

Your host and Biome editor Alex Zoubine reviews the storied history of Apocalypse in fantasy and scifi.

Check out our recent written interviews with some of our Season 1 authors:

Steve Zisson: https://www.patreon.com/BiomeSpec/posts/interlude-1-160923806/

River S: https://www.patreon.com/BiomeSpec/posts/interlude-1-s-161019051/

Nissa Harlow: https://www.patreon.com/BiomeSpec/posts/interlude-1-161020047/

Nicholas Packwood: https://www.patreon.com/BiomeSpec/posts/interlude-1-161021396/

Have questions, comments or thoughts? I'd love to hear from...

Christopher Thomas joins Biome to discuss the haunting story The Winnowers (Season 1, Episode 3).

During our interview, Christopher mentioned Milkman by Anna Burns. Check out this wonderful title as well!

I deeply appreciate your support on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/BiomeSpec

Have questions, comments or thoughts? I'd love to hear from you: [email protected]

Please make sure to check out last week's written interview with Nissa Harlow at: https://www.patreon.com/BiomeSpec/posts/interlude-1-161020047/

Special thanks to our Biosphere...

Why the biological theme? Why now?

Your host and editor Alex Zoubine shares some thoughts on the state of literature and short stories -- and why I think now is the perfect time to start listening to more short stories.

Support Biome on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/BiomeSpec

Have questions, comments or thoughts? I'd love to hear from you: [email protected]

Be sure to check out last week's written interview with River S at:

https://www.patreon.com/BiomeSpec/posts/interlude-1-s-161019051/<...

M.D. Smith IV joins Biome to share the story behind Bright Eyes and the Lantern Path (Season 1, Episode 8) - winner of listener's top Season 1 Story!

I deeply appreciate your support on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/BiomeSpec

Have questions, comments or thoughts? I'd love to hear from you: [email protected]

Please make sure to check out last week's written interview with Steve Zisson at: https://www.patreon.com/BiomeSpec/posts/interlude-1-160923806/

Special thanks to our Biosphere Patreon supporter Shanella!

Jordan Hirsch sits down with Biome to tell us the story behind Writing on the Wall (Season 1, Episode 1).

I deeply appreciate your support on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/BiomeSpec

Have questions, comments or thoughts? I'd love to hear from you: [email protected]

Special thanks to our Biosphere Patreon supporter Shanella!

10 amazing stories. 10 talented authors. Season 1 wraps up with a reveal of the #1 fan favorite story of Season 1 followed by an overview of themes and ideas that tie the season together. Join your host, Alex Zoubine, as we send off Season 1 in style and kick off a summer of author interviews.

I deeply appreciate your support on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/BiomeSpec

Have questions, comments or thoughts? I'd love to hear from you: [email protected]

Special thanks to our Biosphere Patreon supporter Shanella!

What do ancient trees say when you can finally listen in on their conversations? Just as he is about to retire, an old forester finds out.

Vote (for free) for your favorite Season 1 story here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/157737523 and drop us a line at [email protected]

Old Growth is by Steve Zisson

Steve Zisson is a biotech journalist whose fiction has appeared in Nature’s Future, Daily Science Fiction, and Little Blue Marble, among other places. He edited a science fiction anthology, A Punk Rock Future. He lives no...

Rosita boils with fury and has nowhere to put it. So when a hurricane comes bearing down on her beloved city, she does the only logical thing: she steals her dads' airship and flies straight into it.

Vote (for free) for your favorite Season 1 story here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/157737523 and drop us a line at [email protected]

Storm Chaser is by Toshiya Kamei

Toshiya Kamei (she/they) is a queer Asian writer who takes inspiration from fairy tales, folklore, and mythology.

This story originally featured in...

New Orleans has always had its share of darkness. Tarantulena and her cat, Bright Eyes, have seen it all. When poison starts felling the city's finest families, the witch sets her trap - and something older and more evil takes notice.

Vote (for free) for your favorite Season 1 story here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/157737523 and drop us a line at [email protected]

Bright Eyes and the Lantern Path is by M. D. Smith IV

M.D. Smith IV of Huntsville, Alabama, writer of over 350 flash stories, has published digitally...

Strange growths appear where violence has happened. Everyone can see them. Not everyone wants to. This is a story about what we do with the things we can't pretend away.

Join us on Patreon and get early access to all episodes: https://www.patreon.com/c/biomespec/ and drop us a line at [email protected]

Anemone is by J. M. J. Brewer.

J. M. J. Brewer is a staunch supporter of nature conservation. His cats are named after lyrics in John Prine, Guy Clark, and Little Feat songs. You can...

Ship-heart-girl. Hero. Legend. They're making a movie about her and she's earned every frame of it. So why does Alice - new and naive - feel like a threat?

Join us on Patreon and get early access to all episodes: https://www.patreon.com/c/biomespec/ and drop us a line at [email protected]

The Girl Who Shouted ‘Yes!’ at the Heart of Her Ship is by River S.

River is a YouTuber and writer far too obsessed with giant machines and the fragile people who pilot them. Their analysis on t...

Contaminated pods get destroyed. No exceptions. That's what she wrote. That's what she's transmitting to Harlan, hundreds of years from Earth, along with one quiet addition: she was wrong.

Join us on Patreon and get early access to all episodes: https://www.patreon.com/c/biomespec/ and drop us a line at [email protected]

The Pull of the Dough is by Nicholas Packwood

Nicholas Packwood has taught narrative design in Game Design at George Brown Polytechnic, Toronto since 2009 and been program coordinator for Screenwriting & Narrative Design since 2015. Currently on hiatus...

Planetary Administrator Worthington built the perfect system for eliminating every last invasive species from the planet. It worked exactly as designed.

Join us on Patreon and get early access to all episodes: https://www.patreon.com/c/biomespec/ and drop us a line at [email protected]

After You Catch Them All is by Grigory Lukin

Grigory Lukin (rhymes with "story" and "win") is an award-winning filmmaker and an internationally published author of fiction and nonfiction. He’s also a vagabond with three passports and far too much free time. His wr...

Every marriage has moments where you wish your partner were a little different. Marge never expected to be handed the list.

Join us on Patreon and get early access to all episodes: https://www.patreon.com/c/biomespec/ and drop us a line at [email protected]

The Winnowers is by Christopher Thomas

Christopher Thomas lives in eastern Kentucky and has published short fiction in the Los Angeles Review, The Eckleburg Review, Eclectica Magazine, WENSUM and elsewhere. He has one published novel, Never Sated, Never Sane (Chromium Press, 2005).

Check...

She crossed the stars to start over. She didn't expect the planet to give her daughter back to her — even if only for a moment on the petals of a flower.

Join us on Patreon and get early access to all episodes: https://www.patreon.com/c/biomespec/ and drop us a line at [email protected]

Find Me Again is by Nissa Harlow

Nissa Harlow lives in British Columbia, Canada where she dreams up strange stories and writes some of them down. Her short fiction has appeared in Rat Bag Li...

In a cracked and thirsty land, a doubting monk learns that divine wisdom doesn't always announce itself — sometimes it just grows quietly.

Join us on Patreon and get early access to all episodes: https://www.patreon.com/c/biomespec/ and drop us a line at [email protected]

Writing on the Wall is by Jordan Hirsch

Jordan Hirsch writes speculative fiction and poetry in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Her debut poetry chapbook Both Worlds is available with Bottlecap Press, and Four Women of Saint Paul--a collection of short fiction--is out with Red Bi...

Biome Launches April 21st, 2026

Follow now and be the first to hear our first episodes when they drop.

Support us on Patreon and get early access to all episodes:

https://www.patreon.com/posts/season-1-trailer-154466297