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Deep Sky Anchor

Deep Sky Anchor

By Mary E. Lowd

A podcast of bite-size sci-fi.

Speculative fiction short stories, written and read by Mary E. Lowd.

For even more stories, visit deepskyanchor.com.
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Currently playing episode

Ecto-Busters One

Deep Sky AnchorAug 24, 2020

00:00
08:32
No Catch

No Catch

Some things seem too good to be true.

A science-fiction story originally published in Queer Sci Fi's Innovation.

Aug 18, 202102:54
Treasure in the Sky

Treasure in the Sky

A badger-like alien wrestles with a larger universe than he'd imagined.

A Deep Sky Anchor original story.

Jun 08, 202105:06
Crystal and Rainbow

Crystal and Rainbow

Musings on the power of an accurate metaphor.

A science-fantasy story originally published in New Myths.

Jun 02, 202104:04
I Am Mazillion

I Am Mazillion

A sentient swarm finds a new home and way of life.

A science-fiction story originally published in All Worlds Wayfarer.

May 25, 202109:38
The Empty Empire

The Empty Empire

World after world is built, but who will live in them?

A science-fiction story originally published in Daily Science Fiction.

Mar 14, 202102:58
Courtship FTL

Courtship FTL

Buying a spaceship is harder when it has a mind of its own.

A science-fiction story originally published in Analog.

Mar 12, 202107:31
The Screen Savior

The Screen Savior

What happens when a screen saver comes to life...?

A science-fantasy story originally published in Bards & Sages Quarterly.

Mar 05, 202110:51
One Alien's Wings

One Alien's Wings

A roboticist helps a butterfly-alien become her true self.

A science-fiction story originally published in Empyreome.

Nov 01, 202005:52
On The Eve Of The Apocalypse

On The Eve Of The Apocalypse

A letter written as the world ends.

A science-fiction story originally published in Theme of Absence.

Oct 27, 202004:50
Pegacornus Rex

Pegacornus Rex

Never leave your 3D printer running unattended.

A science-fiction story originally published in Daily Science Fiction.

Oct 19, 202002:50
When The Ghost Of The Future Catches Up

When The Ghost Of The Future Catches Up

When a demon rides a unicorn, all hell breaks loose on an alien world.

A science-fantasy story originally published in Fantasia Divinity Magazine.

Oct 15, 202009:17
Missing: Friendly Spook

Missing: Friendly Spook

What do you do when your friendly feline ghost goes missing?

A fantasy story originally published in Fantasia Divinity Magazine.

Oct 11, 202006:03
Galactic Garden

Galactic Garden

Ariadella spins galaxies with her silk.

A science-fiction story originally published by Furvana.

Oct 08, 202009:08
The Spider In Her Lungs

The Spider In Her Lungs

Moira struggles to complete her greatest work of art before the source of her own talent consumes her.

A science-fiction story originally published in Abyss & Apex.

Oct 05, 202007:09
Catacomb's Orchestra

Catacomb's Orchestra

When a cat can control the minds of mice, she can make them sing for her.

A fantasy story originally published in Daily Science Fiction.

Oct 01, 202006:31
Sparky

Sparky

A little girl and her robo-nanny must find her missing robo-dog during the chaos of battle between the president of Earth and the queen of the moon.

A science-fiction story originally published in Galactic Goddesses.

Sep 30, 202006:46
The Unicorn Keeper

The Unicorn Keeper

The magical and the mundane meet when a mythical creature becomes a daily responsibility.

A fantasy story originally published in Theme of Absence.

Sep 28, 202004:10
Excerpt from Purride and Purrejudice

Excerpt from Purride and Purrejudice

It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a cat in sight of an empty box, must sit in it.

A Deep Sky Anchor Original Story.

Sep 26, 202002:23
The Nebula Was Empty

The Nebula Was Empty

Fear the love of a mega-dimensional nebula beast.

A science-fiction story originally published in Spaceports & Spidersilk.

Sep 20, 202005:13
The Fire In Her Claws

The Fire In Her Claws

No one will take this cat's claws.

A fantasy story originally published in Daily Science Fiction.

Sep 14, 202008:39
Veins of Black, Dust of Gold

Veins of Black, Dust of Gold

A metamorphosis.

A science-fiction story originally published in Daily Science Fiction.

Sep 07, 202007:05
Hypercrystal Wish

Hypercrystal Wish

An elephantine alien spends her recess playing board games alone, until a couple other students come back to the classroom early.

A science-fiction story originally published in Daily Science Fiction.

Sep 06, 202008:40
Memory Sprites

Memory Sprites

Phyllis takes her sister on a camping trip full of memories.

A fantasy story originally published in Fantasia Divinity.

Sep 05, 202004:55
Jetpack of a Different Color

Jetpack of a Different Color

Wendy's ready for a day of atmo-surfing with her friend Flooffle, but first, she's in for a big surprise.

A science-fiction story originally published in Renewal: Queer Sci-Fi's Fourth Annual Flash Fiction Contest.

Sep 04, 202002:46
My Fair Robot

My Fair Robot

A patron at the All Alien Cafe tells a tall tale of the pitfalls in looking for true love by constructing it.

A science-fiction story originally published in Luna Station Quarterly.

Sep 03, 202006:43
Femcloud, Inc.

Femcloud, Inc.

A simple doctor appointment goes terribly wrong.

A science-fiction story originally published in Daily Science Fiction.

Aug 31, 202003:47
Take Them To The Happiness Zoo

Take Them To The Happiness Zoo

A tired mother considers an impossible choice.

A science-fiction story originally published in Theme of Absence.

Aug 29, 202003:22
Elephantine Daydream

Elephantine Daydream

Jeko is the only elephantine sentient in a classroom full of canine and robotic students.

A science-fiction story originally published in Fantasia Divinity.

Aug 28, 202005:08
Treasure Moon

Treasure Moon

The squirrel-like Rikkita chases down the clues to the final phase of her heist.

A science-fiction story originally published in Fantasia Divinity.


Aug 26, 202008:01
Fetching Asteroids

Fetching Asteroids

Jordan is a Labrador Retriever with a dream.

A science-fiction story originally published in Allasso.

Aug 24, 202002:36
Hidden Feelings

Hidden Feelings

A reptilian alien with a hot temper keeps her cool around annoying humans.

A science-fiction story originally published in Daily Science Fiction.

Aug 24, 202003:21
Sky River

Sky River

Today, the ice rings melt.

A science-fiction story originally published in Theme of Absence.

Aug 24, 202004:42
Welcome to the Arboretum, Little Robot

Welcome to the Arboretum, Little Robot

Chirri's robot is malfunctioning.

A science-fiction story originally published in Analog Science Fiction & Fact.

Aug 24, 202004:18
Wing Day

Wing Day

Lee-a-lei hosts an unusual party and rite of passage for her daughter.

A science-fiction story originally published in Daily Science Fiction.

Aug 24, 202010:00
In a Cat's Eyes

In a Cat's Eyes

A Collie pup can never comprehend the depth and mystery behind a Siamese cat's eyes.

A furry story originally published in Dancing in the Moonlight.

Aug 24, 202006:52
Panda-Mensional

Panda-Mensional

If your spaceship is powered by a panda, you'd better keep the panda happy.

A science-fiction story originally published in Neo-Opsis.

Aug 24, 202009:23
Heart of the Gas Giant

Heart of the Gas Giant

Arellnor dives into the heart of a gas giant, hoping the rumors are true.

A science-fiction story originally published in Daily Science Fiction.

Aug 24, 202006:24
Go High

Go High

A mouse-like alien gets lost in the clouds of New Jupiter.

A science-fiction story originally published in Daily Science Fiction.

Aug 24, 202005:59
Winged Folk Only

Winged Folk Only

A mouse-like alien wants to fly with the avians.

A science-fiction story originally published in Daily Science Fiction.

Aug 24, 202007:13
Of Cakes and Robots

Of Cakes and Robots

Chirri gets her biggest order for a cake yet, from a surprising customer.

A science-fiction story originally published in Theme of Absence.

Aug 24, 202006:19
The Ugly Sapling

The Ugly Sapling

Not all trees grow the same way.

A fantasy tale originally published in Empyreome.

Aug 24, 202004:32
The Emperor's New Bird

The Emperor's New Bird

A bio-engineer and a roboticist bring offerings to the Doraspian emperor.

A science-fiction story originally published in Daily Science Fiction.

Aug 24, 202003:56
Sandbeard the Pirate Otter

Sandbeard the Pirate Otter

An intrepid pirate must rescue an ocean world from boiling under blaring sunlight.

A science-fiction story originally published by Furvana.

Aug 24, 202005:44
Ecto-Busters One

Ecto-Busters One

Sunny wants to stop for a snack, but the demons pouring out of a portal on the top of the Great Dane building will not wait.

A furry story originally published by Midwest Furfest.

Aug 24, 202008:32
Cyclops on Safari

Cyclops on Safari

A normal day on safari -- in a different world.

A fantasy story originally published by the Penn Cove Literary Arts Award.

Aug 24, 202005:00
Weremoose

Weremoose

Darkfoot attacks a moose in the dead of winter, and his relationship with his pack will never be the same.

A fantasy story originally published in Untied Shoelaces of the Mind.

Aug 24, 202004:01
Hidden Intentions

Hidden Intentions

A reptilian alien with her cool temper is clearly an ideal choice for babysitting the human captain's larval offspring.

A science-fiction story originally published in Analog Science Fiction & Fact.

Aug 23, 202005:28
The Best Puppy Ever

The Best Puppy Ever

Gloria, the Bernese Mountain Dog, would do anything for her masters, but she doesn't know how much she's already done.

A science-fiction story originally published in AE: The Canadian Science Fiction Review.

Aug 23, 202006:20
For the Sake of the Mushrooms

For the Sake of the Mushrooms

Irudy struggles with her inner demons as she flies her cargo ship past the red giant that swallowed her home world.

A science-fiction story originally published in All Worlds Wayfarer.

Aug 23, 202004:35
Hot Chocolate for the Unicorn

Hot Chocolate for the Unicorn

The Dragon and Unicorn come calling.

A fantasy story originally published in Untied Shoelaces of the Mind.

Aug 23, 202006:57