Dorothy Parker Reads Her Poems And Short Stories

Dorothy Parker, acidic wit of the Algonquin Round Table in 1920s New York, has recently become one of my favourite writers since reading her Collected Short Stories. They’re wonderful snapshots of urban twenties (and beyond) city life, often monologues or dialogues that are painfully honest and fiercely well-observed. People don’t change too much and the characters are still recognisable today.

Here are some clips of her poetry and prose courtesy of the world web.

Dorothy herself reads one of her more disturbing poems, a comedic take on suicide (she was known for her attempts on her own life) Resume:

Here is a reading of probably her most famous story A Telephone Call. It’s something most people at one time or another can relate to.

Anne Hathaway reads from her short story The Garter:

Dorothy wishing for more in One Perfect Rose:

A man with a crazily husky voice reads her funny and painfully true insight of a man afraid of what he did the night before in You Were Perfectly Fine:

A Few Audio Horror Stories Via Chilling Tales For Dark Nights

Good day! There are many horror podcasts out there including NoSleep, Drabblecast, Pseudopod and the Monster Club (Old Time Radio site), but I have a special place in my heart for Chilling Tales For Dark Nights as it opened my weirdly little mouse ears to the joys of audio internet horror. I can pretend I’m tuning into the radio in the time of vintage, ready to be thrilled and chilled.

The stories aren’t always to my taste – we all have our own unique tastes don’t we, my little bottles of sauce – but there are enough I liked to share with you my favourites.

This is a translation from a Japanese story and I think it has all the right levels of spooky weirdness. It may get a little ‘explainy’ at the end but, for me, that’s part of the charm of some of these internet stories:

This one is very creepy with a nice twist at the end:

Some of the best stories have an image that stays with you. I think this is one of those:

Here’s a classic Twilight Zone-esque ‘be careful what you wish for’ story:

This one has a nice gothic feel to it:

The little voice in this is quite cute. I like the story too:

I like abandoned town stories. Here is one of those:

More Horror Audio: 7 Spectacularly Spooky Podcasts

It’s coming up to Christmas and, for me, that always means spooky stories. OK, everything to me means spooky stories. Anyway, here’s a list I found of some particularly good ones. Enjoy!

Free horror and spooky online audio resources

Look at all these places offering free audio tales of terror! Go on, look at them. I said look at theeeeeemmm…oh, now look what you made me do, I spilled my tea. Now run along and listen to things.

Write for Frequency Theatre

Although based in Colchester, Essex (come to the Slack Space gallery and learn audio production if you’re in the area) Frequency Theatre are looking for scripts from all across the UK. Visit their website here to learn more. Plus here’s what they say to those with a script or thinking of writing one:

“Frequency Theatre puts new, engaging stories at the heart of our work. We want new plays by writers of all ages and levels of experience. We are looking for a refreshing voice, with a play delivered with verve and/ or wit. Plays that we’ll take notice of will utilise the medium, focusing on building atmosphere through the relationship of dialogue, sound effects and silence.

Plays should be 10 to 15 minutes long, as a guide this is between 1800 – 2700 words. Only plays around this length will be considered.

1. All plays should be in English.
2. Plays should ideally be written using the standard BBC Radio Format. For guidance this can be found at BBC Writersroom.
3. Plays should be submitted in Word formats only.
4. Only plays written for radio will be considered. Screenplays or play texts will be rejected.
5. Plays should be complete, self contained works.
6. Plays can be written by more than one writer.
7. Previously submitted plays will not be considered, only new drafts that we request will be read.
8. We are unable to enter into feedback with unsuccessful writers.
9. Copies will only be available following the broadcast.
10. All successful writers will be notified in advance of broadcast.
11. Writers retain copyright in respect of their script. Frequency Theatre retains ownership of copyright for all recorded works produced under the name Frequency Theatre Podcast. All recorded works may be edited for any reason including broadcast or promotional purposes.

If you have a script you would like to send to us, please email it to Rich Chilver at literary@frequencytheatre.co.uk

We look forward to reading your work.”

Good luck Pumpkins!

Teaser trailer for Little Grimton, upcoming comedy podcast

Keep your eyes and mouths open for an upcoming podcast called Little Grimton featuring characters in a rural community. Remember The Archers on a Sunday? It’s not like that. Here’s a little taster and more info will be added soon.

Jason: Ian Willingham

Queen of Hollywood/Lydia: Madeleine Swann (me!)