"Later Than You Think" is a short story by Fritz Leiber. It was first published in Galaxy Science Fiction in October 1950. Fritz Leiber was one of science fiction's prolific short story writers in the Golden Age and New Wave eras. He was nominated for numerous awards, including 13 Hugos and 11 Nebulas. He won six and three, respectively, all for novellas and short stories. Leiber went on to become the fifth Grand Master of the Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America, and he's even...

"Know Thy Neighbor" is a short story by Elisabeth R. Lewis. It was first published in the February 1953 issue of Galaxy Science Fiction. This is the only recorded work from Elisabeth R. Lewis, and it's a real shame. This is one of my favorite works I've read in the two seasons of Vintage Sci-Fi Shorts. If you know anything about Elisabeth R. Lewis' life or career, please send me a note on Twitter at @SciFiShortsPod. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a...

"Homesick" is a short science fiction story by Lyn Venable. It was first published in the December 1952 issue of Galaxy Science Fiction. Lyn Venable was not a prolific writer, but she achieved lasting success in her short writing career. She's best known for her story "Time Enough at Last," which was later adapted into a classic episode of The Twilight Zone featuring a book-obsessed Burgess Meredith.  "Homesick" is Lyn Venable's first story. She is recorded as having written only seven...

Today's story is "The End," a story written by Charles E. Fritch and published in the first issue of Universe Science Fiction. Charles E. Fritch, a prolific science fiction writer, had his first story published in 1951 and his final published in 1999. He also wrote mystery novels and was the editor of Mike Shayne Mystery Magazine from 1979 to 1985. All issues of Universe Science Fiction are available on the Internet Archive at archive.org. This episode marks the conclusion of season one of...

"Wherein the old and evil Professor devises a new and horrible fate for John." Today's story is "The Soluble Scientist," a story written by Charles Muñoz under the pen name T.P. Caravan. It was published in issue 4 of Universe Science Fiction. "The Soluble Scientist" is just one story in a series entitled "John & the Evil Professor" written Charles Muñoz under the pen name T.P. Caravan. In addition to writing science fiction, he was a poet, with a collection of his work published in...

"Kate and Mike had caused the trouble, so the professor reasoned that it was up to them to do something about it." Today's story is "Minor Miracle," a story written by Richard O. Lewis and published in issue 8 of Universe Science Fiction. "Minor Miracle" is a story written by Richard O. Lewis, a prolific short story writer. While I came into contact with his work through science fiction, he's had plenty of mystery work published, too. Little information is available online about Richard. If...

"To Rachel it was no sacrifice; with no regrets she traded a possible forty years of life on Venus for two years of heaven on Earth." Today's story is "The Last Two Ships," a story written by Fred Samuels and published in issue 5 of Universe Science Fiction. "The Last Two Ships" is the only story written by Fred Samuels listed at the Internet Speculative Fiction Database. If you know more about Fred Samuels, drop me a note on Twitter at @SciFiShortsPod. All issues of Universe Science...

"They were gathered in secret to determine the fate of a world; for their decision would mean life or death to an alien people." Today's story is "Death Sentence," a story written by William C. Hoch and published in issue 10 of Universe Science Fiction. "Death Sentence" is one of just two stories William C. Hoch wrote and had published. I could find very little about him — so if you know more, drop me a note on Twitter at @SciFiShortsPod. All issues of Universe Science Fiction are available...

"Some people say Alexander Graham Bell wasn’t really the inventor of the telephone. Here is a story of the first man to reach Mars — and who, like Bell’s unknown rival, didn’t get the credit — until he came back from the dead!" Today's story is "On Mars We Trod," a story written by Otto Binder and published in Issue 3 of Universe Science Fiction. This story was published under the pen name Eando Binder, used at the time by Otto Binder. Otto shared the pen name with his brother, Earl Andrew...

"When you have a door bell that goes ting ting thunk instead of ringing properly, you get accustomed to unusual visitors. At least, it seemed to Henry Mason that since his doorbell had taken to misbehaving his visitors had been anything but run of the mill." Today's story is "MCMLV," a story written by Wilson Tucker and published in Issue 8 of Universe Science Fiction. Wilson Tucker, the author of "MCMLV," lived from 1914 to 2006. In addition to his fiction writing, he also wrote about...

"Renwick, with too much time on his hands, was bored. He turned to Mead, in his discontent, only to discover some frightening aspects of his friend's hobby of collecting children's games and rhymes." Today's story is "Before the Fact," a story written by Zenna Henderson and published in Issue 9 of Universe Science Fiction. Zenna Henderson, the author of "Before the Fact," was born in 1917 and died in 1983. She was best known for her series of novels about "The People," in addition to over...