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StarShipSofa

Tony C Smith
Science Fiction
Starshipsofa
Genre History
Speculative Fiction
District Of Wonders
Jay Caselberg
Trembling Blue Stars
The Hunger Games
The Subtle Hand Of God
The Glorious Tunnels Of Our Gravitydragons
Nefertim Express
Mary Murphy
Turkish Culture
Amy H. Sturgis
Side Effects May Vary
Rubber Monkeys
Mark Kenneth Hoover
Alien Species
Proxy Vote
Quad Cops

The Audio Science Fiction Magazine

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PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes800Founded20 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
DramaScience FictionFiction

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Artwork for StarShipSofa

Latest Episodes

P.A. Cornell is a Chilean-Canadian speculative fiction writer. A two-time finalist for the Nebula Award, her stories have been published in over seventy magazines and anthologies, including Lightspeed, Apex, and eight “Best of the Year” anthologies. ... more

Kenneth Mark Hoover is a professional writer who has sold over 70+ short stories, and several novels, including those of the Haxan series. He is a member of SFWA and HWA. His fiction has appeared in Beneath Ceaseless Skies, Ellery Queen’s Mystery Mag... more

Kenneth Mark Hoover is a professional writer who has sold over 70+ short stories, and several novels, including those of the Haxan series. He is a member of SFWA and HWA. His fiction has appeared in Beneath Ceaseless Skies, Ellery Queen’s Mystery Mag... more

Carrie Finch is a writer in San Francisco, California. Her published fiction includes fantasy, science fiction, and horror. She has two cats, who take turns lying down on the keyboard and keeping her from writing. carriefinch.com

This story original... more

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Recent Guests

Kenneth Mark Hoover
Professional writer, author of Whales of Amber and other works; member of the Science Fiction Writers of America and Horror Writers of America
Science Fiction Writers of America; Horror Writers of America
Episode: StarShipSofa 779 Kenneth Mark Hoover
Christina Rau
Narrator and poet, described as the yoga poet who leads workshops; serves as narrator for the starship saga
Self-described artist/poet; associated with Christina's Network
Episode: StarShipSofa 779 Kenneth Mark Hoover
Lori Selke
ESL instructor and queer writer, known for her activism and participation in education and social justice
Episode: StarShipSofa 775 Lori Selke
Caren Gussoff Sumption
Author of six books and over 100 short stories, known for her post-colonial, deep-space narratives.
Episode: StarShipSofa 774 Caren Gussoff Sumption
K. Ceres Wright
Author with a master's degree in writing popular fiction and a published cyberpunk novel.
Episode: StarShipSofa 773 K. Ceres Wright
Rudy Verner
Author of 'Quad Cops', a retired software engineer and award-winning writer.
Independent Author
Episode: StarShipSofa 768 Rudy Vener
Kelsey Hutton
Métis author from Treaty 1 territory
Analog Science Fiction & Fact
Episode: StarShipSofa 767 Kelsey Hutton
Jay Caselberg
Australian author and poet known for his contributions to science fiction literature
caselberg.net
Episode: StarShipSofa 766 Jay Caselberg
Richard Dansky
Author with expertise in video game narrative and writing.
Episode: AD Free StarShipSofa 764 Richard Dansky

Host

Tony C. Smith
Host of StarShipSofa with a long-running presence, known for hosting, narrating and discussing genre history and current SF topics.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 543 ratings
  • Episode 775

    This is the most poorly read episode I’ve ever listened to. Was there no rehearsal? This dude rereads sentences so many times! Why is there no editing? Can you not keep in the mistakenly read parts? Holy moly.

    This was my first exposure to this podcast and so far I’m not impressed

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Freshlan
    Canada4 months ago
  • Highly recommended

    Been listening to Starshipsofa since around 2007, I have listened to all Tony’s back catalogue since then. Tony’s podcast made me feel like I was at home, hearing a familiar accent and easy listening commentary. I to am from the north east ( Gateshead ) and was living in Australia at the time of discovery. I loved the post apocalyptic story that mentioned the north east land marks within its griping storylines, will have to hunt that one out again. Thanks Tony, I have donated a couple times a... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Nednil22
    United Kingdoma year ago
  • Always enjoyable audio fiction, fun host, clean audio and lots of variety in stories

    Podcast Addict
    5
    Cptn-prax
    a year ago
  • Like so many from the pioneering era, this podcast is well worth your attention. A high quality science fiction magazine in audio form, it has not only stories by top authors, but poems, commentary, and science articles.

    Podcast Addict
    4
    Lord Gro
    2 years ago
  • Best Sci-Fi magazine out there in any form

    Edit 2024: it’s still so amazing. It’s the best podcast out there. I can’t understand why everyone doesn’t know about it.

    Edit 11/2021: starShipSofa is still the best fiction podcast in existence. I’m incredibly grateful to Tony . I love this show so much. I'm trying to even think of positive criticism...and I can't. Tony is the absolute BEST and does a great job hosting. Find the episode where he gets his super Scottish dad to narrate the fiction. I listened a few weeks ago? And I'm STILL laugh... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    P.TwoBears
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Some listeners request tighter pacing and editing, but overall appreciation for production quality and guest variety.
Fans commend the show's longevity and consistent quality across many years.
Feedback highlights the show's depth in genre history and thoughtful commentary, though a few episodes feel slow or overlong.
Audiences repeatedly mention the community vibe and the enthusiasm for author spotlights and archival exploration.
Listeners praise high-quality narration and storytelling, with many noting strong host warmth and engaging guests.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

StarShipSofa No 734 Molly Tanzer
Q: What are some of the thematic elements of the stories discussed?
Themes include the relationship between technology and desire, voyeurism, and the commentary on societal norms around sexuality.
StarShipSofa No 734 Molly Tanzer
Q: What is Le Cigne Baiseur about?
It is an erotic story involving a mechanical swan created by a toy maker that interacts with women at a party in a rather scandalous manner.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About StarShipSofa

What is StarShipSofa about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show functions as an audio science fiction magazine, blending original short fiction readings with commentary on genre history, author spotlights, and behind-the-scenes notes on production and technology. Episodes frequently feature a main fiction piece, narrated by skilled voice actors, interspersed with host-led discussions about genre trends, publishing updates, and literary context. Guests are often SF authors or poets who discuss their work, world-building decisions, and the broader landscape of science fiction, while the hosts share personal anecdotes and insights into storytelling craft. The format consistently emphasizes a sense of community, with calls for participation, archival exploration, and recommendations for related bo... more

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How many episodes of StarShipSofa are there?

StarShipSofa launched 20 years ago and published 800 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on StarShipSofa?

Recent guests on StarShipSofa include:

1. Kenneth Mark Hoover
2. Christina Rau
3. Lori Selke
4. Caren Gussoff Sumption
5. K. Ceres Wright
6. Rudy Verner
7. Kelsey Hutton
8. Jay Caselberg

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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