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Artwork for Ursa Short Fiction

Ursa Short Fiction

Ursa Story Company
Reproductive Justice
The Final Revival Of Opal & Nev
Black History
Deesha Philyaw
Forced Sterilization
Historical Fiction
Telling Stories
Creative Writing
Bodily Autonomy
Nonfiction
Essays
Memoir
Kiese Laymon
Self-Identity
James Baldwin
Sonny's Blues
Rion Amilcar Scott
Literature
Race
Library Research

We love short stories. Join authors Deesha Philyaw (The Secret Lives of Church Ladies) and Dawnie Walton (The Final Revival of Opal & Nev) for author interviews, book club discussions, and immersive short stories. We celebrate storytelling from some of today's most thrilling writers, with an emphasis on spotlighting underrepresented voices. (Photo credits: Vanessa German / Rayon Richards) Support ... more

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Artwork for Ursa Short Fiction

Latest Episodes

Ursa Short Fiction is proud to present an original audio production of “Bitch Baby,” written by Halle Hill, from her debut collection, Good Women, and performed by Nytia Nikole. “Bitch Baby” is about two siblings, Celine and Reggie, in the aftermath ... more

YouTube

In this Member Bonus episode, Deesha Philyaw and Dawnie Walton talk about what they’re reading, writing, watching, and what they’re celebrating. What books and anthologies should we be on the lookout for in 2025? What newsletters should we be followi... more

YouTube

Deesha and Dawnie talk with Destiny O. Birdsong, author of the poetry collection Negotiations and the novel Nobody’s Magic. Last year, Birdsong published a short story, “The Jump,” only to have it pulled from publication less than a day later over di... more

YouTube

An Ursa Member Bonus! In a new recurring feature we call First Chapters, Dawnie and Deesha dig into the memorable opening chapter of Dawnie’s debut novel, The Final Revival of Opal & Nev. Dawnie talks about her journey to becoming a writer, as well a... more

YouTube

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Destiny Birdsong
Author of the poetry collection Negotiations and triptych novel Nobody's Magic.
Episode: Destiny O. Birdsong on Navigating Censorship in Storytelling
Stacie Denetsosie
Author of The Missing Morningstar and Other Stories
Torrey House Press
Episode: Story: ‘Snow Bath Season,’ by Stacie Denetsosie
Rion Amilcar Scott
Author of The Story Collections, The World Doesn't Require You and Insurrections
University of Maryland
Episode: Rion Amilcar Scott: ‘It Has to Be Fun, It Has to Be Funky’
S.A. Cosby
Anthony Award-winning writer from southeastern Virginia, author of 'Razorblade Tears' and 'Blacktop Wasteland'.
Episode: S.A. Cosby on the Art of the Thriller
Kiese Laymon
Black Southern writer from Jackson, Mississippi
Rice University
Episode: Ursa Presents: Reckon True Stories, with Deesha Philyaw and Kiese Laymon
Dolen Perkins-Valdez
Author of the historical fiction novel, Take My Hand
Berkeley Publishing
Episode: Shows We Love: Black & Published

Hosts

Dawnie Walton
Co-host and author, recognized for her contributions in literature, including works like 'The Final Revival of Opal & Nev.'
Deesha Philyaw
Co-host and author, celebrated for her work 'The Secret Lives of Church Ladies,' and a significant presence in exploring contemporary narratives.

Reviews

3.9 out of 5 stars from 248 ratings
  • This is the best podcast out here!!!

    Don’t miss a chance to listen one of the best podcasts out here! This is not just for fiction lovers, but anyone who admires literatures and see it as a channel to elevate life. PLEASE GIVE IT A LISTEN!!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Leodmartinez
    United Statesa year ago
  • Amazing narration of a story that touched my soul

    This was my first time hearing of Nana Nkweti but I pray it is not the last. This story had heart wrenching components, humor, colorful characters, secrets that made you feel close to our protagonist. The narrator took it to another level with her velvety smooth voice and ability to give each character life. A must listen, buy, read. Thank you Ursa!

    Audible
    5
    Jennydagreat
    United States2 years ago
  • Love this!

    Absolutely! This is something that I have been looking for. I love the interviews with the writers you’ve introduced. I’ve read most of the books over the summer and thoroughly enjoyed them. Please continue the great work you are doing!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    lingrl
    United States2 years ago
  • For the Love of Short Stories

    I absolutely love this podcast and the beautiful behind the stories perspectives Ursa provides.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    beast live home
    United States2 years ago
  • Incredible

    I was drawn to this podcast because of my love for short stories and a desire to work on mine more and this just did what it needed to do. after listening the first time i made the decision to begin writing my first collection and novel and i’ve been consistent since. i feel like their insight, process, guests, and analysis has made me a better writer and pushed me to go deeper.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Aspiring writer 🤩
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

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

The vibe is often described as warm and engaging, fostering a community for aspiring writers and literature lovers alike.
Some have noted a desire for more detailed explorations on certain subjects, but overall enthusiasm remains high for the content being produced.
Listeners appreciate the deep literary discussions and the diverse array of voices highlighted throughout the episodes.
Many express excitement for the insights shared by both hosts and guests, calling the content enriching and uplifting.

Top Books Podcasts

The Book Review
The Book ReviewThe New York Times
Myths and Legends
Myths and LegendsJason Weiser, Carissa Weiser, Nextpod
Selected Shorts
Selected ShortsSymphony Space
Fantasy Fangirls
Fantasy FangirlsFantasy Fangirls
The New Yorker: Fiction
The New Yorker: FictionWNYC Studios and The New Yorker

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Destiny O. Birdsong on Navigating Censorship in Storytelling
Q: What advice do you have for emerging writers who might be afraid to push back on an editor?
It's important to walk away if your work isn't being treated as it deserves and believe in the power of your stories.
Rion Amilcar Scott: ‘It Has to Be Fun, It Has to Be Funky’
Q: Can you tell us a little bit more about Rebecca Montana, your favorite character?
She is just so earnest and honest... She reminds me a lot of my niece.
Rion Amilcar Scott: ‘It Has to Be Fun, It Has to Be Funky’
Q: How do you describe this very unique thing that you do? What would you say makes a Rion Amilcar Scott story?
There's always something kind of just off kilter. I'm kind of trying to be honest and true to how I see things.
S.A. Cosby on the Art of the Thriller
Q: What do you think is important to making heroes and villains visceral and memorable?
Heroes must face strong, intelligent villains who push them to their limits, which ultimately reveals their true nature and strength.
S.A. Cosby on the Art of the Thriller
Q: What can writers of all genres learn from crime, from thrillers, from suspense?
Writers can learn how to move a story and create a narrative that keeps readers engaged, as crime fiction emphasizes decisions and consequences promptly.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Location
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Frequently Asked Questions About Ursa Short Fiction

What is Ursa Short Fiction about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Focused on the art of short fiction, this series features in-depth conversations with authors, as well as engaging discussions around immersive stories. Hosts are accomplished writers themselves, likely creating a platform that emphasizes storytelling from diverse and underrepresented voices. The episodes often include readings of original tales, combined with author interviews, offering insights into their craft and the literary landscape. This unique approach not only serves to entertain but also seeks to uplift new and established writers alike, making it attractive for listeners who are passionate about literature and the creative process.

Where can I find podcast stats for Ursa Short Fiction?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Ursa Short Fiction. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Ursa Short Fiction and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Ursa Short Fiction get?

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What are the audience demographics for Ursa Short Fiction?

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How many subscribers and views does Ursa Short Fiction have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Ursa Short Fiction has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Ursa Short Fiction?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Ursa Short Fiction:

1. The Stacks
2. Between The Covers : Conversations with Writers in Fiction, Nonfiction & Poetry
3. Vibe Check
4. The New Yorker: The Writer's Voice - New Fiction from The New Yorker
5. The New Yorker: Fiction

How many episodes of Ursa Short Fiction are there?

Ursa Short Fiction launched 3 years ago and published 53 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Ursa Short Fiction?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Ursa Short Fiction?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Ursa Short Fiction from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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What guests have appeared on Ursa Short Fiction?

Recent guests on Ursa Short Fiction include:

1. Destiny Birdsong
2. Stacie Denetsosie
3. Rion Amilcar Scott
4. S.A. Cosby
5. Kiese Laymon
6. Dolen Perkins-Valdez

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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