Over the recent years, we’ve renewed our love affair with captivating stories, thanks to the rise of fiction podcasts. So how are fiction podcasts different from audiobooks? Well, most of the time, fiction podcasts aren’t just audiobooks. They’re a whole new world. They’re usually about as long as your average TV episode, which sets them apart from radio plays too. Plus, they often go on for several seasons. In this article, we’re going to shine a light on the best fiction podcasts, showcasing the wide variety of stories and production styles this cool new medium has to offer.
Dive in and explore the best fiction podcasts with us.
What are the Best Fiction Podcasts?
The Love Craft Investigations
If you’re a fan of murder mysteries, then you’ll love the ‘Love Craft Investigations‘ trilogy. It’s a mystery fiction podcast that adds a touch of humor to the mix. Based on HP Lovecraft’s horror novels, it follows the story of a detective named Daniel Carter who’s deep into investigating spooky happenings in Arkham city.
This podcast was first aired in 2019 and is a modern take on Lovecraft’s original works. It’s presented as a podcast within a podcast, with the hosts of the Mystery Machine, who dig deep into occult-related crimes and conspiracy theories, finding themselves entangled in a much bigger mystery.
The trilogy, made up of ‘The Case of Charles Dexter Ward’, ‘The Whisperer in Darkness’, and ‘The Shadow Innsmouth’, is so gripping that you probably won’t be able to stop listening until you’ve finished all of them. Produced by the BBC, this podcast is praised for its eerie sound design and riveting storytelling.
Homecoming
Homecoming is a psychological thriller audio drama. It’s all about a caseworker, Heidi Bergman, who works at an experimental facility facility. She decides to go against her boss to help a soldier who wants to quit the military life. But things get twisted when Bergman works out what she’s really doing in the program. This leads to a strange secret plot that messes with her mind and puts her in danger.
The podcast has some big names like Catherine Keener, David Schwimmer, and Oscar Isaac. People love it for its intense story, cool sound effects, and movie-like storytelling. There hasn’t been any new stuff since, but the story never gets old. Not surprisingly, they made a TV show out of it on Amazon Prime in 2018, but do check out the podcast first.
Limetown
Limetown is a horror/Science Fiction podcast/Radio Drama by Two-Up Productions. It started on July 29, 2015, and quickly became the top podcast in the US on iTunes within two months.
On February 8, 2004, a scared lady called the emergency hotline, starting an investigation that became America’s most confusing mystery. More than 300 people, men, women, and kids, vanished from a small town in Tennessee without a trace. Reporter Lia Haddock from American Public Radio asks the same question again, “What really happened in Limetown?”
The podcast mixes interviews that sound like documentaries with a story being told. Lia digs deeper into the mystery and uncovers a bunch of secrets and conspiracies surrounding the research that was done in Limetown. The podcast is famous for its cool sound effects, thrilling storytelling, and great acting from the voice cast.
Story Radio Podcast
The Story Radio Podcast is all about promoting and appreciating the craft of short stories. Hosted by Tabitha Potts and Martin Nathan, this monthly podcast features a variety of bite-sized fiction, perfect for bookworms and writers alike who are looking for a dash of creativity and imagination in their everyday lives. The podcast not only serves as a platform for recognized authors but also shines a spotlight on new and emerging writers, giving them an opportunity to showcase their talent in the English language.
The podcast is a treat for those who have a passion for all things bookish. Whether you want to hear a gripping short story on your way to work, or you’re a budding writer seeking inspiration, or even a seasoned author wanting to share your own short story, Story Radio Podcast is your go-to place. They are always open to submissions, allowing everyone a chance to participate in the celebration of literature.
Welcome to Night Vale
WELCOME TO NIGHT VALE is a podcast that comes out twice a month. It’s like updates for a small desert town called Night Vale. They talk about the local weather, news, and stuff from the Sheriff’s Secret Police. There are strange lights in the sky, creepy people with superpowers, and also cultural events. The creators of the show are Joseph Fink and Jeffrey Cranor, and they started it in 2012.
In Night Vale, all the weird stuff is normal. Fink says it’s like a suburban town in the Southwest, but nobody has anywhere to go. The podcast has a big group of fans and it’s known for being funny, scary, and making you think about life. The people who do the voices are really good, and the sounds they make are creepy. The episodes are about 30 minutes long and it’s been going on for a long time.
Wooden Overcoats
Wooden Overcoats is a British sitcom podcast. It was created by David K. Barnes and directed and produced by Andy Goddard and John Wakefield. The show is set in a made-up village called Piffling Vale in the Channel Islands. It focuses on the rivalry between two funeral directors. The main family who used to handle all the funerals in the village have their lives turned upside down when another undertaker moves in across the street to start a competing business.
Wooden Overcoats has gained a big following because of its funny writing and clever storytelling. It’s a mix of comedy, drama, and eccentricity. This award-winning fiction podcast has been on for four seasons so far. The humor and strange storylines keep going strong. If you like British humor and weird stories, you should definitely listen to this podcast.
Dust
This awesome sci-fi series has well-known guest voices and a captivating storyline throughout its seasons.
In Season Three, called CHRYSALIS, an AI wakes up after all humans are killed by aliens and seeks revenge across the universe…and beyond. Season Two, known as FLIGHT 008, features eleven renowned sci-fi writers who each tell a story about a flight from Tokyo to San Francisco that travels through a spacetime rift and arrives in 2040. Season One, named HORIZONS, is a collection of audio stories from classic authors like Philip K. Dick and Ray Bradbury, as well as new voices.
Each episode tells a different story with its own characters, settings, and themes, ranging from thought-provoking to action-packed. Episodes are usually under 20 minutes. This podcast is praised for its high-quality production, diverse range of stories, and innovative storytelling.
The Edge Of Sleep
This cool limited series is a thrilling mystery set in a post-apocalyptic world. After finishing his night shift, a scared night watchman realizes that everyone who slept the previous night has died. Now, he and a group of survivors must stay awake and uncover the secret behind this global epidemic before they fall asleep.
The show stars and is produced by Markiplier, a popular YouTuber. It was created by Jake Emanuel & Willie Block. Markiplier’s captivating and eerie drama has been renewed for a second season in late 2022.
The Boar Knight
The Boar Knight is a cool fantasy audio story that anyone can enjoy. It’s about a guy named Nathaniel who’s a knight and also part boar. He’s on a journey in a made-up world to find adventure, friends, and a cure for his weremanism curse. Even though Nathaniel can’t speak, he still manages to communicate with grunts and growls, and everyone gets him. The folks he meets along the way are either super cute or really sneaky, and it’s easy to cheer for our heroes. Fool & Scholar, the folks behind this, are known for making other mysterious and intense shows like The White Vault, Dark Dice, and Don’t Mind: Cruxmont.
Each episode has a well-crafted song and impressive sound design. The narrator helps young listeners without being condescending. They start and end each adventure, offering a soothing voice after all the excitement. The Boar Knight is a fun audio drama for family trips or solo drives.
The Goblet Wire
The Goblet Wire is a surreal radio show about a game on an old internet. People who figure out this strange thing make a character and get help from the Dictator to explore new places in their mind. Every part of the show explains a bit about how the game works, so you gotta think about the rest.
Picture playing a tabletop RPG through secret phone calls. Each episode is a weird, short story, and the players’ experience is shaped by what they bring to the virtual world. Is the story in the calls themselves or how they happen? Maybe both. Either way, you’ll be captivated by this surreal, experimental dreamscape. If you liked The Dungeon Economic Model’s fantasy vibes, you’ll love The Goblet Wire.
Explore the World of Fiction Podcasts and Unwind with Captivating Stories
Fiction podcasts offer a vast and endlessly entertaining world of gripping thrillers and heartwarming comedies. We hope this list of the best fiction podcasts has introduced you to some new favorites, but it’s just the beginning of your journey. With new shows launching every day, there’s always something fresh to explore. However, these choices will always remain great options to revisit. So sit back, relax, and enjoy the captivating stories that fiction podcasts have to offer.
