10 New Fiction Podcasts From Summer 2021
Debut indie fictions to get you through the season
Recently, I’ve noticed a resurgence of all things nostalgic. From the rise in popularity of Y2K fashions, to toy collecting, to even the once embarrassing mullet haircut, things are coming back in the strangest of ways. A huge contributor to this nostalgia — and one’s willingness to embrace the things they loved when they were younger — has definitely been the pandemic. Every time a major streaming service adds a movie or show from the past, I watch people rewatch it in real time through live-tweets or TikTok videos.
It’s all fun and games until the Twilight Saga is trending the top ten watched things that month on Netflix, and I wonder if anyone is okay anymore. Listen, I fell in deep, too, when it got added; Twilight never ceases to take me back to a time when I wasn’t too perpetually burnt out to read a book. And this Twilight renaissance does have its benefits, as it has allowed for a more diverse and nuanced critique of the series, with all its faults. And oh, baby there are many — the biggest being the treatment of the very real Quileute Tribe, who weren’t compensated for the books or films (donate to the Quileute tribe here).
A lot of media these days plays to the comfort that comes from consuming something you already know. This is even true of some fiction podcasts, but a vast majority of fiction podcasts play to our discomfort. The medium allows more diverse voices to tell their stories no matter how uncomfortable they may be. And that’s what the monthly fiction debuts helps me address head on.
The Lost City Prince
Based on The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, The Lost City Prince is a fiction podcast that asks you to acknowledge your inner child. Anthony is a cynical twenty-something who can’t seem to keep a decent roommate to save his life, but things change when the optimistically strange Edward shows up. This is a wonderful and enthusiastic reimagining of the French novella set in modern times, with layered sound design and editing that keeps the story moving forward.
To Starlight We Come
The problem with loving to steal is that you’ll inevitably be caught. Indeed, stealing lands twenty-year-old Kadiatou N’Diaye in some serious trouble. Instead of spending her youth in prison, she opts for a new government initiative to rehabilitate young offenders in space. To Starlight We Come gives us textured sound design and a whodunit plot that has you rooting for Kadiatou (despite her mischievous nature).
Asian Nightmares
Asian Nightmares is a horror podcast that blends magic realism and folklore from Asian cultures. Episode one brings an eerie monologue from Ben, whose relative disappeared under strange circumstances when Ben was just a child. For those who delight in mystery and the unknown, Asian Nightmares will call to you like a disembodied hand reaching out from the void, beckoning you to come closer.
Twenty Forty
Twenty Forty is a five-part science fiction podcast about genetically enhanced athlete Rani, who is set to participate in the 2040 Olympic Games. When tragedy strikes Rani’s family, it’s a race against time to figure out who is trying to harm them. This fast-paced tale plays out like an early 2000s thriller set in a disconcerting future, with excellent world-building and complex sound design.
Solar Postal Services
Space pirates? Raves on the moon? And mail crimes? Solar Postal Services is a delightful podcast that checks all the boxes for a chaotic and fun time. Much like Girl in Space, Solar Postal Services features a snarky lead who is entirely relatable.
Catharsis
Gut-wrenching would be the best word to describe Catharsis, a six-part drama podcast about going through the stages of grief. After Meg’s sister unexpectedly dies, Meg must return from abroad and navigate her grief, which is complicated when she learns her sister’s death was far more tragic than what her parents led her to believe. There are some heavy themes in this tale, and I highly recommend taking breaks between episodes.
The Witch in the Woods
The Witch in the Woods is a horror podcast about four kids who are dared to seek out the mysterious recluse in the forest. This family-friendly tale caters to a middle school audience, but it’s fun for adults and kids alike. If you’re looking for a blend of classics like Scooby Doo and Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, this is a perfect start, with grounded characters and complex sound design.
Blood Rage Mode
Blood Rage Mode is an urban fantasy fiction podcast about three supernatural best friends who are fighting against a fascist group that threaten their livelihood. It has the same modern magical world building as Netflix’s Bright, bringing real-life social issues into a fantasy setting. Blood Rage Mode is written with intent and care, and has a fantastic music score that is as catchy as the Buffy the Vampire intro.
Echobox
Echobox retells the Greek myths in modern-day Los Angeles. Echo, Zeus’s assistant, is tired of all the Olympians and ready to spill their secrets. Listening to Echo is like gossiping with your cool cousin who works in some big city and tells you about their boss’s many indiscretions (and if you know anything about Zeus, you know there are many). Echobox is the self-described Gossip Girl of the Olympians.
Roll for Romance
Sometimes you can’t help trying to romance the NPCs when playing Dungeons and Dragons, and Roll for Romance caters perfectly to those needs. Roll for Romance is an actual play podcast where five friends look for love as single adventurers. Listen for the romance and stay for the mischief.
This playlist was sponsored by Podchaser. Check out Podchaser’s Creator Profiles to find your favorite podcast hosts, producers, editors, guests, voice actors, and more!
The Bello Collective is a publication + newsletter about podcasts and the audio industry. Our goal is to bring together writers, journalists, and other voices who share a passion for the world of audio storytelling.
Subscribe to the Bello Collective fortnightly newsletter for more stories, podcast recommendations, audio industry news, and more. Support our work and join our community by becoming a member.
