Variant Frequencies is one of the first podcasts I found and I have been a subscriber since just about the first episode.
001 (2006-01-24): Variant Frequencies Intro
An audio magazine style podcast, Variant Frequencies features non-traditional science fiction, fantasy, and horror works including “The Failed Cities Monologues” as well as periodic monthly releases.
005 (2006-02-14): The Failed Cities Monologues 01: Ethan
006 (2006-02-21): The Failed Cities Monologues 02: Ferus
008 (2006-03-09): The Failed Cities Monologues 03: Sterne
009 (2006-03-19): The Failed Cities Monologues 04: Truck
011 (2006-04-11): The Failed Cities Monologues 05: Fera
012 (2006-04-23): The Failed Cities Monologues 06: Constable Klimenko
014 (2006-05-14): The Failed Cities Monologues 07: d'Anger
015 (2006-05-27): The Failed Cities Monologues 08: The Maven
017 (2006-06-15): The Failed Cities Monologues 09: Sally
018 (2006-06-25): The Failed Cities Monologues 10: Ethan
020 (2006-07-16): The Failed Cities Monologues 11: Ferus
022 (2006-08-13): The Failed Cities Monologues 12: Sterne
023 (2006-08-23): The Failed Cities Monologues 13: Truck
025 (2006-09-13): The Failed Cities Monologues 14: Fera
026 (2006-09-20): The Failed Cities Monologues 15: Constable Klimenko
028 (2006-10-15): The Failed Cities Monologues 16: d'Anger
029 (2006-10-26): The Failed Cities Monologues 17: The Maven
031 (2006-11-12): The Failed Cities Monologues 18: Operative 853
032 (2006-11-26): The Failed Cities Monologues 19: Ethan
034 (2006-12-17): The Failed Cities Monologues 20: Ferus
035 (2006-12-28): The Failed Cities Monologues 21: Sterne
037 (2007-01-18): The Failed Cities Monologues 22: Truck
038 (2007-01-28): The Failed Cities Monologues 23: Fera
040 (2007-02-09): The Failed Cities Monologues 24: Constable Klimenko
041 (2007-02-22): The Failed Cities Monologues 25: d'Anger
043 (2007-03-12): The Failed Cities Monologues 26: The Maven
Variant Frequencies is probably best known for “The Failed Cities Monologues,”
aseries of episodic
monologues which take in two failed cities.
(Supposedly New York, though I pictured a pair of nameless future
cities.) As each
episode was released, more and more of a plot develops as the characters
encounter each other. These encounters are often described by
multiple characters, providing an increasingly continuous storyline.
Note: there are three character cycles. I pulled the entries out of
order and listed them here for ease of viewing.
Of all the things that I have listened to, I will freely admit that this
series is probably my favorite. And on another entirely personal
note, my favorite character is Ferus.
Probable time involvement:
1 week.
Genre: Podologue.
002 (2006-01-24): Another Man's Run: Part 1
003 (2006-01-24): Another Man's Run: Part 2
This two-part story gives us a glimpse of a future where space travel is neither safe, comfortable, nor entirely sane.
Probable time involvement: 2 hours.
004 (2006-02-12): Absolution Insured
“Absolution Insured” is the winner of the first (2006) Parsec Award in the “Best Fiction (Short)” category, an award it definitely deserves. What would the world be like when one’s emotions can summon supernatural creatures to kill those who have crossed you? What would you do if someone being chased by one of these creatures showed up at your door?
Probable time involvement: 1 hour.
007 (2006-03-01): Any Other Name & Evelyn
This two-part episode begins with “Any Other Name,” which is a slightly horrifying piece about a woman becoming trapped in the mind (and body) of her just-born child. The second piece, “Evelyn,” would be described by an old friend as a fourth-person narration.*
Probable time involvement: 20 minutes.
010 (2006-04-01): Children of the Androphagi
Probable time involvement: 40 minutes.
013 (2006-05-05): Dead of Night
In the hours between sunset and sunrise, there occurs a time when those amongst the living should be wary of strangers.
Probable time involvement: 30 minutes.
016 (2006-06-03): The Spoils of War
How much destruction are warring peoples willing to endure?
Probable time involvement: 40 minutes.
019 (2006-07-04): The Last Frequency
After the Earth is destroyed and humanity is in exile, how will we choose to go into the night?
Probable time involvement: 30 minutes.
021 (2006-08-08): The Dark Harvest [Guest Reader Version]
021 (2006-08-08): The Dark Harvest [Author Read Version]
For whatever reason, there are two different versions of this release. One is read by the author and the other is read by a guest reader. I have yet to figure out why the guest read version was replaced. As always, be wary of pissing off those who don’t fit in.
Probable time involvement: 20 minutes (per version).
024 (2006-09-07): Cell
Trace is the drug of choice at the edge of the solar system. For a trace addict, the new drug Cell may be more than he can handle.
Probable time involvement: 1 hour.
027 (2006-10-03): Satin Widows
If you’ve ever gone to a bar in an old hotel after your wife’s kicked you out of the house, never, I repeat never, help out an old professor in his search for the local hotel ghost, you just might regret it.
Probable time involvement: 30 minutes.
030 (2006-11-02): The Amarant Collection: The Gift
The first story of The Amarant Collection, a series of podologues written by Anne Stringer and Matt Wallace about immortality. When one first realizes that they are not aging, loved ones may get jealous. When those loved ones die, an immortal would sink into depression. When that same immortal realizes what they have available to them, will he ever tire of diversion?
Probable time involvement: 15 minutes.
033 (2006-12-04): A Story of Kindness
In a post-apocalyptic world, beware strangers bearing gifts (or stories about strangers bearing gifts).
Probable time involvement: 25 minutes.
036 (2007-01-05): See
What if you woke up and found that the rules which govern reality had changed?
Probable time involvement: 20 minutes.
039 (2007-02-04): The Amarant Collection: Life Sentence
The second story of The Amarant Collection. What if you wanted to die, but couldn’t? What if you didn’t want to live, but had to? How would you survive?
Probable time involvement: 20 minutes.
042 (2007-03-04): The Amarant Collection: No World For Warriors
The third story of The Amarant Collection and the first written by Matt Wallace. Not unexpectedly, this story is a winner of the 2007 Parsec Award in the “Best Speculative Fiction Story (Short Form)” category. War is one constant on our world, but not for those who fight those wars.
Probable time involvement: 35 minutes.
044 (2007-03-19): Bloody Monday
045 (2007-03-22): We Have Moved to Farpoint Media!
Probable time involvement: 3 minutes (per podmo).
046 (2007-03-25): The Dead Man and The Berserk
When humans begin to become one with their machines, will it be treated as a disease? If so, what is the cure?
Probable time involvement: 25 minutes.
048 (2007-04-02): Sacrifice
Seers of spirits in the employ of the Church should never wander into the heart of the African jungle unless in a single-gender expedition, for distractions of love bring out His jealous side.
Probable time involvement: 50 minutes.
049 (2007-04-15): Notes
Probable time involvement: <10 minutes.
050 (2007-04-20): Slumber Party
The second flash fiction piece released in a row. You should never take your friends for granted.
Probable time involvement: <10 minutes.
051 (2007-04-27): Maidenhead
The third flash fiction piece released in a row. In the darkest parts of human society, can miracles be protected?
Probable time involvement: <10 minutes.
053 (2007-05-11): Firstborn
Having an immortal duty must suck, especially when your boss is nowhere to be seen.
Probable time involvement: 50 minutes.
054 (2007-06-02): Last Flight of the Esperanza
Alone on an alien world, how will one woman survive?
Probable time involvement: 25 minutes.
055 (2007-06-30): Delve
After a plague hidden in our genes almost destroys humanity, will we be willing to cull our dark natures from the minds of the newborn?
Probable time involvement: 55 minutes.
056 (2007-07-31): Mother Tongue
Probable time involvement: 35 minutes.
057 (2007-08-02): Old Tricks
When the Devil takes a job at a Catholic girls school, who would you turn to for help? A graduate-turned-hitwoman, of course!
Probable time involvement: 40 minutes.
058 (2007-09-27): Jailhouse Rock Teaser
059 (2007-10-01): Jailhouse Rock: Part 1
060 (2007-10-11): Jailhouse Rock: Part 2
In the vein of space opera and reminiscent of the tales of Arthur C. Clarke, tag along for a trip across the Martian desert with a cargo of weapons, a band of interplanetary hijackers, and a lone security officer.
Probable time involvement: 1.5 hours (total).
JM mix (http://addcast.net/?p=80)
062 (2007-10-24): The Rut
Day in and day out life as an office IT can be repetitive. Is it any wonder that you could die, not know about it, and still go into work?
Probable time involvement: 30 minutes.
063 (2007-11-07): The Mason's Son
Never, and I do mean NEVER, kill someone who has a close relative who you allow to grow up and get the chance for revenge.
Probable time involvement: 30 minutes.
064 (2007-11-20): The Next Fix
Once in a while, Matt Wallace takes center microphone. Hear what he has to say about his work and his art.
Probable time involvement: 20 minutes.
065 (2007-12-04): The Amarant Collection: Paid In Full
Another episode of The Amarant Collection by Anne Stringer. So far we’ve seen two immortals who want to die and another who doesn’t seem to care one way or another. We now meet an immortal who discovers that life is more precious that she had originally thought.
Probable time involvement: 30 minutes.
The Failed Cities: Hath A Darkness
066 (2008-01-04): Wander Radio: Episode 24
An interview with Anne and Rick Stringer.
067 (2008-01-06): Spired
On a conquered human world, the greatest challenge is a miles-high “mountain” that requires a special drug to climb.
Probable time involvement: 30 minutes.
068 (2008-01-30): Hit Me
069 (2008-01-31): Apology!
070 (2008-01-31): Hit Me [Complete Story]
This episode was released twice. The first release was truncated for some reason, leading to the release of a public apology the following day, which itself was followed by the complete version.
Probable time involvement: 30 minutes (total).
Probable time involvement: 15 minutes (complete episode).
071 (2008-02-26): Murphy's War
A group of computer programmers sets about to stop the nuclear destruction of the world.
Probable time involvement: 1 hour.
Genre: Podella.
072 (2008-03-01): The Next Fix: PRE-ORDER!
Matt Wallace appeals to the audience to pre-order The Next Fix. Those who do so will have their copies personally inscribed. (Hey, I would have bought a copy if I had the money...)
Probable time involvement: 7 minutes.
Genre: Podmo.
073 (2008-03-16): The Amarant Collection: Birth and Death
Another installment in The Amarant Collection. For a midwife, how does the curse of immortality change the perception and experience of the miracle of birth?
Probable time involvement: 30 minutes.
Genre: Podologue.
074 (2008-04-08): Tex's Last Run
On an abandoned, failed world, two people struggle to survive against incredible odds with the help of three predators.
Probable time involvement: 50 minutes.
Genre: Podella.
075 (2008-04-11): Help Sigler
J. C. Hutchins and Seth Harwood pimp Scott Sigler’s book release in an attempt to get Infected on the New York Times Bestseller list for the benefit of all podcasting authors.
Probable time involvement: 5 minutes.
Genre: Podmo.
076 (2008-05-01): Young Junius
Seth Harwood provides a glimpse into the past of Junius Ponds, a character from Jack Wakes Up. In 1980s Boston, can a 14-year old gangster find his brother’s killer?
Probable time involvement: 32 minutes.
Genre: Podella.
077 (2008-05-10): Saint Darwin's Spirituals
078 (2008-06-07): Grounders
079 (2008-07-02): The Tea and Chat Podcast
080 (2008-07-10): The Destruction of Sennacherib
081 (2008-07-27): Cut Man
082 (2008-08-10): Queue
083 (2008-09-18): The Amarant Collection: All The Time
084 (2008-10-05): Under The Bridge Downtown
085 (2008-11-01): Best In Class
086 (2008-12-06): The End of Flesh: Part One
087 (2008-12-13): The End of Flesh: Part Two
088 (2008-12-20): The End of Flesh: Part Three
089 (2008-12-25): The End of Flesh: Part Four
090 (2009-01-24): Creature of God
091 (2009-02-21): Gill Bando
092 (2009-03-14): The Amarant Collection: Prisoners
093 (2009-04-01): Remember Joe 2009
094 (2009-04-04): Under The Bed
095 (2009-04-19): The Last Kayfabe
096 (2009-04-24): Title Fight: Round #1
097 (2009-05-05): Jack Wakes Up
098 (2009-05-09): Title Fight: Round #2
099 (2009-05-10): Penny Ante
100 (2009-06-14): Title Fight: Round #3
101 (2009-06-15): Fuel Pressure
102 (2009-07-06): Title Fight: Round #4
103 (2009-07-18): Naught But Ash
104 (2009-08-09): Title Fight: Round #5
105 (2009-08-18): Title Fight: Round #6