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 into several languages, and adapted into audio by award-winning podcasts.

Follow him on http://www.kevindavidanderson.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KevinDavidAnderson/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kevindavidanderson/

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: biomespec@gmail.com

Special thanks to our Biosphere Patreon supporter Shanella!

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 hear from you: biomespec@gmail.com

Special thanks to our Biosphere Patreon supporter Shanella!

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 2026 Parsec Short Story Contest. Her stories are published or forthcoming in Certain Age, 101 Words, Rat Bag Lit, and Quotidian Bagatelle. A passionate storyteller, Cristina also enjoys photography, hiking, and curating her travel blog, Wander Florida.

Follow her on her socials:

https://www.instagram.com/what.cris.writes/

https://bsky.app/profile/criswrites.bsky.social

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: biomespec@gmail.com

Special thanks to our Biosphere Patreon supporter Shanella!

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 @http://jalogwood.bsky.social

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: biomespec@gmail.com

Special thanks to our Biosphere Patreon supporter Shanella!

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 @http://erinrcullen.bsky.social but more often coming up with excuses to be offline and outdoors.

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: biomespec@gmail.com

Special thanks to our Biosphere Patreon supporter Shanella!

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: biomespec@gmail.com

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://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/literature/

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

Jordan Hirsch: https://www.patreon.com/BiomeSpec/posts/interlude-1-161200342/

M.D. Smith IV: https://www.patreon.com/BiomeSpec/posts/interlude-1-m-d-162930361/

Grigory Lukin: https://www.patreon.com/BiomeSpec/posts/interlude-1-165750671/

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

Have questions, comments or thoughts? I'd love to hear from you: biomespec@gmail.com

Special thanks to our Biosphere Patreon supporter Shanella!

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: biomespec@gmail.com

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 Patreon supporter Shanella!

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 you: biomespec@gmail.com

Special thanks to our Biosphere Patreon supporter Shanella!

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: biomespec@gmail.com

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 Patreon supporter Shanella!

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: biomespec@gmail.com

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

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

Special thanks to our Biosphere Patreon supporter Shanella!

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: biomespec@gmail.com

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: biomespec@gmail.com

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: biomespec@gmail.com

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 biomespec@gmail.com

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 north of Boston.

Special thanks to our Biosphere Patreon supporter Shanella!

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 biomespec@gmail.com

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 Worlds of IF Magazine: https://worldsofifmagazine.com/

Special thanks to our Biosphere Patreon supporter Shanella!

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 biomespec@gmail.com

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 in Spillwords, Flash Fiction Magazine, Flash Phantoms, and many more. Retired from running a television station, he lives with his wife of 64 years and three cats.

Find more of his work at: https://mdsmithiv.com/

If you loved this story and want to read another Bright Eyes story, check out:

"They Don’t Walk Alone" here: https://literallystories2014.com/2026/03/29/sunday-whatever-they-dont-walk-alone-by-m-d-smith-iv/

Special thanks to our Biosphere Patreon supporter Shanella!

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 biomespec@gmail.com

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 find more of his fiction at http://jmjbrewer.com.

Special thanks to our Biosphere Patreon supporter Shanella!

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 biomespec@gmail.com

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 the mecha genre can be found on their YouTube channel Pyramid Inu. Currently they are working on a novel that combines their love of mecha angst, realpolitik, and weird fiction.

Special thanks to our Biosphere Patreon supporter Shanella!