Not About Lumberjacks

10 Episodes
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By: Christopher Gronlund

A monthly fiction podcast by Christopher Gronlund, a writer whose stories contain truths, but are mostly made up. Sometimes the stories are funny -- other times they're serious. Occasionally, the stories are odd. But you have Christopher's word about one thing: he will never -- EVER -- share a story about lumberjacks.

It's Never Too Late
#52
03/21/2024

When Stanley Gladstone takes his time machine for a test run, he gets more than he bargained for when it breaks down, leaving him stranded in 1983.

Content Advisory: “It’s Never Too Late” deals with regret, death (including a decayed body), personal loss, and the sound of someone vomiting. Also, if you’re driving, be aware there’s a scene with the main character following someone on foot that contains skidding tire sounds. I don’t want you to be driving and freaking out, thinking something’s coming at you! It’s just that moment in the story.


Behind the Cut - Christmas Miscellany
#51
12/17/2023

In this behind-the-scenes look at the latest Not About Lumberjacks story, I talk about why I do an annual Christmas episode [even though I’m a life-long atheist] and the importance of committing to a bit.

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Also, don’t forget that I’m doing a Not About Lumberjacks t-shirt giveaway in honor of November’s 50th full story episode.

All you have to do is email NALStories@gmail.com and tell me a favorite episode or something about the show for one entry. Check out the shownotes for “Old Growth” for full details...


Christmas Miscellany 7
#51
12/10/2023

This year’s Christmas episode consists of three stories — one of them a Christmas tale.

“The World Beneath Her Brush”: This one’s about a globemaker—and I really like it! “The King of French Fries”: Not only a story from the point of view of a parking lot-dwelling grackle, but it’s also accompanied by an original song. “Suburban Home”: Aging punk rockers battling their homeowners’ association over Christmas decorations.

Content Advisory: “The World Beneath Her Brush” and “The King of French Fries” barely merit content advisories. At most, they are about personal struggle in the hope of having a better life. “S...


Behind the Cut - Old Growth
#50
11/22/2023

In this behind-the-scenes look at the latest Not About Lumberjacks story, I talk about what it was like to write my first story in second-person point of view.

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Also, don’t forget that I’m doing a Not About Lumberjacks t-shirt giveaway in honor of November’s 50th full story episode.

All you have to do is email NALStories@gmail.com and tell me a favorite episode or something about the show for one entry. Check out the shownotes for “Old Growth” for full details.

Transcript >>


Old Growth
11/09/2023


You are a lumberjack alone on the side of a mountain with whomever—or whatever—killed your fellow loggers.

(Yep! This one’s in second person…)

Content Advisory: “Old Growth” deals with death, gore, anguish, being lost in a forest, being alone in the dark, and…creatures. But hey, at least there’s no swearing!

There’s really only one rather unpleasant horror scene. The rest is more just…creepy in its intent.

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Before getting into the tale, I want to thank everyone for supporting Not About Lumberjacks and helping make thi...


Behind the Cut - Lakeview Estates
#49
10/07/2023

In this behind-the-scenes look at the latest Not About Lumberjacks story, I talk about little Easter Eggs in the story…as well as the time-honored tradition of writers sneaking references into their tales. Listen, and you’ll hear a few inside things about past Not About Lumberjacks stories as well.

Episode Transcript >>


Lakeview Estates
#49
09/26/2023

The residents of Lakeview Estates Mobile Home Community battle the city and developers in an attempt to save their homes from demolition to make way for a golf course.

Content Advisory: “Lakeview Estates” deals with loss of homes, corruption, mention of drug and alcohol addiction (including teen marijuana use), death, arson, violence, incarceration, and infidelity. Also: after a six-episode run with no swearing, that’s back, too!

Also: There is a brief moment of emergency vehicle sounds, so if you’re driving…don’t panic!

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Credits:

Music: Theme – Ergo...


Behind the Cut - Firing the Muse
#48
07/29/2023

In this behind-the-scenes look at the latest Not About Lumberjacks story, I talk about the things I wanted to be when I grew up (before deciding the become a writer). I share stories about writing rejection, the friend who convinced me to begin recording and releasing fiction, and how a different friend’s prediction about “The Death of Literature” factors in what I’m doing today.

Episode Transcript >>


Firing the Muse
#48
07/16/2023

When Warren Quinn trades his existing workaday muse for a more literary muse, he gets much more than he bargained for.

Content Advisory: “Firing the Muse” deals with stresses and job loss around creative work. There’s casual alcohol consumption and smoking—and a very brief allusion to combat PTSD. Unless you consider “dammit” swearing, this is the sixth Not About Lumberjacks story with no language advisory. (I can already tell you there won’t be a seventh.)

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Credits:

Music: Theme – Ergo Phizmiz. Story – Jackie Martin, licensed through Epidemic Sound.

Story and Narrat...


Behind the Cut - The Song of the Stone
#47
06/03/2023

In this behind-the-scenes look at the latest Not About Lumberjacks story, I talk about the audiences I imagine when I write — and how the struggle to live a life true to oneself is not a new concept.

Episode Transcript >>