100 Words of Astounding Beauty

A flash-fiction podcast where a handful of writers each make a story with a limited wordcount in a limited time. Each writer has just an audio prompt and five minutes to make a first draft. Then a fellow writer will give them the edits and suggestions they need to reach those final one hundred words. Created by Tom McNally for Red Button Audio

s04e01 - Cape Fur Seal 05/09/2025

s04e01 - Cape Fur Seal A flash-fiction podcast where a handful of writers create an original story with a limited wordcount in a limited amount of time. In this episode we wish a happy birthday to Beowulf as we snork at the trough of words. The stories are: 'Cuddle Clone - Build Your Own' by 'Zoo Kept' by , 'The Voyage of USCSS The Sorcerer’s Brain' by 'The Labours of Pigboy' by Ella Brasington, 'Victory of George Island' by Featuring listener submission: 'Coming Tomorrow' by . Visit us on on , and send us a story on Created by Tom McNally, featuring Amelia Armande, Joshua Crisp, Paul Davies and Ella Brasington. Theme tune is by Story music is by , released under a CC-BY license, featuring: Track art by Tom McNally. /episode/index/show/100wordsofastoundingbeauty/id/36506005

s03e10 - Sequels III 01/06/2025

s03e10 - Sequels III A flash-fiction podcast where a handful of writers create an original story with a limited wordcount in a limited amount of time. In this episode we put a hat on a hat and write sequels to each other's stories. The stories are: 'Changes' by , a sequel to ' by Joshua Crisp. 'Breathless' by , an homage to '' by Paul Davies. 'And Her Decree' by a sequel to '' by Ella Brasington. 'Amazon Cinematic Universe Episode Two: Echoes Rising' by Ella Brasington, a sequel to by Tom McNally. 'The Moebius Marble Marvel of Monkwearmouth Glassworks' by , a sequel to 'Marble Run,' by Amelia Armande. Featuring listener submission: 'His Human's Muzzle' by Visit us on on , and send us a story on Created by Tom McNally, featuring Amelia Armande, Joshua Crisp, Paul Davies and Ella Brasington. Theme tune is by Story music is by , released under a CC-BY license, featuring: Music for 'Raising a Child,' 'The Amazon Cinematic Universe,' and 'At the office of the second specialist' was generated by the now-defunct Computoser. Rest in Peace, Computoser. Your strange auto-generated MIDI ditties were too beautiful for a world as cruel as this. Track art by Tom McNally. /episode/index/show/100wordsofastoundingbeauty/id/34710540

s03eXX - Christmas Special 2024 (Spoggle Page 1) 12/24/2024

s03eXX - Christmas Special 2024 (Spoggle Page 1) A flash-fiction podcast where a handful of writers create an original story with a limited wordcount in a limited amount of time. In this episode we run the 100 Word Cycle backwards to make three alternate first pages of a story yet to be written. The REAL Page 1 will be decided by the will of you, the listener! Cast your votes immediately. The stories are: 'Remembering the Dismembering' by 'Spoggle's Excellent Adventure' by Marina Crisp, 'Different Drummer' by Featuring listener submission: 'Fighting for the Territory' by Visit us on on , or mail us at Created by Tom McNally, featuring Ali B and Marina Crisp. Theme tune is by Story music is by , released under a CC-BY license, featuring: Track art generated by /episode/index/show/100wordsofastoundingbeauty/id/34593205

s03e09 - Homages III (Phonecall) 11/30/2024

s03e09 - Homages III (Phonecall) A flash-fiction podcast where a handful of writers create an original story with a limited wordcount in a limited amount of time. In this episode we scream tributes to each other's stories down the phone in a playground. The stories are: 'Syracuse' by , an homage to 'Carnival Showdown' by Joshua Crisp. 'You’re just not trying hard enough' by , an homage to 'Whirling Pinocchio' by Marina Crisp. 'Tears of a Clown' by , an homage to 'No Good Bozo' by Tom McNally. 'Staged Revolution' by Marina Crisp, an homage to 'Nothing to Lose But Your Chains' by Amelia Armande. 'Update' by , an homage to 'Flake' by . Featuring listener submission: 'Guns' by Visit us on or our . Submit a story of your own to [email protected] Created by Tom McNally, featuring Amelia Armande, Joshua Crisp, Fran Bushe and Marina Crisp. Theme tune is by Story music is by , released under a CC-BY license, featuring: Track art by Tom McNally /episode/index/show/100wordsofastoundingbeauty/id/34202530

s03e08 - Rockhoppers 10/31/2024

s03e08 - Rockhoppers A flash-fiction podcast where a handful of writers create an original story with a limited wordcount in a limited amount of time. In this episode we march, smash and waddle our way through a pelican police state. The stories are: 'The Bill' by 'Rainbow (A gracious covenant with man and beast)' by , 'Battersea Power Differential' by 'The fog finally enveloped Hastings permanently' by 'Victory of George Island' by Featuring listener submission: 'Amitriptydream' by Visit us on or our . Created by Tom McNally, featuring Amelia Armande, Joshua Crisp, Reanna Valentine and Elana Crowley. Theme tune is by Story music is by , released under a CC-BY license, featuring: Track art by Tom McNally. /episode/index/show/100wordsofastoundingbeauty/id/33668347

s03e07 - Morris Men 10/01/2024

s03e07 - Morris Men A flash-fiction podcast where a handful of writers create an original story with a limited wordcount in a limited amount of time. In this episode we jingle, jangle and babble in the traditional way. The stories are: 'Dance Magic Dance' by 'Tongue Tied' by , 'Hurgle Biggle Babble Rabble' by , 'Riding to the Red Planet' by , 'Equinox on the Green' by Featuring listener submission: 'Is it my Brother' by . Visit us on or our . Created by Tom McNally, featuring Amelia Armande, Joshua Crisp, Fran Bushe and Ali B. Theme tune is by Story music is by , released under a CC-BY license (except for 'Streets of Valencia, which is CC-BY-ND), featuring: Track art generated by /episode/index/show/100wordsofastoundingbeauty/id/33279162

s03e06 - Hammering 08/30/2024

s03e06 - Hammering A flash-fiction podcast where a handful of writers create an original story with a limited wordcount in a limited amount of time. In this episode we dig deep, drill down and stir up a beehive of words. The stories are: '3.15 at the High Street HSBC' by 'Murder on the Dancefloor' by Joshua Crisp, 'The Consultation' by Ella Brasington, 'RE: Employee Fun Room Concerns' by Marina Crisp, 'Interrogation' by Featuring listener submission: 'Pleistocene Prank King' by Enrico Webb. Visit us on or our . Created by Tom McNally, featuring Amelia Armande, Joshua Crisp, Ella Brasington and Marina Crisp. Theme tune is by Story music is by , released under a CC-BY license, featuring: Track art generated by /episode/index/show/100wordsofastoundingbeauty/id/32807677

s03e05 - Sausage Turner 07/31/2024

s03e05 - Sausage Turner A flash-fiction podcast where a handful of writers create an original story with a limited wordcount in a limited amount of time. In this episode we string up the meats and regress to some wacky childhood fears. The stories are: 'Reclaimed Footage 408PXJ' by 'You are not forgotten' by Joshua Crisp, 'The way to do it' by 'The Dance' by 'Dinner with the Ambassador of Sirius' by , Featuring listener submission: 'My Lady, Petrichor' by Ella Brasington. Visit us on or our . Created by Tom McNally, featuring Amelia Armande, Joshua Crisp, Murray Simon and Marian Hilditch. Theme tune is by Story music is by , released under a CC-BY license, featuring: Track art generated by /episode/index/show/100wordsofastoundingbeauty/id/32333972

s03e04 - Ob Ob 07/01/2024

s03e04 - Ob Ob A flash-fiction podcast where a handful of writers create an original story with a limited wordcount in a limited amount of time. In this episode we make Britain Ballard again while visiting the rainiest places on Earth. The stories are: 'A Dugong Love Song' by 'All Creatures Great and Swarm' by Gavin Haynes, 'Horns through bathroom jungle trees' by 'Wet Plate' by Amy Macintyre, 'Weathervane' by , Featuring listener submission: 'Searching for alien civilisations' by Visit us on or our . Created by Tom McNally, featuring Fran Bushe, Gavin Haynes, Mano Camatsos and Amy Macintyre. Theme tune is by Story music is by , released under a CC-BY license, featuring: Track art generated by /episode/index/show/100wordsofastoundingbeauty/id/31959252

s03e03 - Change Machine 05/31/2024

s03e03 - Change Machine A flash-fiction podcast where a handful of writers create an original story with a limited wordcount in a limited amount of time. In this episode we are split into hundreds of smaller pieces that gush into a cup. The stories are: 'The Price of a Ticket Home' by 'Paradise Lost' by 'In 1994' by Paul Davies 'Splinters' by 'Family Time at the Lido' by , Featuring listener submission: 'Memento Mori' by Pour your love and scorn on , or by mailing us on Created by Tom McNally, featuring Amelia Armande, Joshua Crisp, Paul Davies and Colette McCormick. Theme tune is by Story music is by , released under a CC-BY license, featuring: Track art generated by /episode/index/show/100wordsofastoundingbeauty/id/31514927

s03e02 - Bingo 04/30/2024

s03e02 - Bingo A flash-fiction podcast where a handful of writers create an original story with a limited wordcount in a limited amount of time. In this episode we turn around and around, clinging to each other for stability. The stories are: 'Marble Run' by 'Fill it up, Derek!' by 'Green Collar' by Peter Gardiner 'Superpower' by 'The Property Cycle' by , Featuring listener submissions: 'Experiencing This State' by Pour your love and scorn on , or by mailing us on Created by Tom McNally, featuring Amelia Armande, Joshua Crisp, Peter Gardiner and Nóra Blascsók. Theme tune is by Story music is by , featuring: Track art generated by /episode/index/show/100wordsofastoundingbeauty/id/31048573

s03e01 - Belfort 04/01/2024

s03e01 - Belfort A flash-fiction podcast where a handful of writers create an original story with a limited wordcount in a limited amount of time. In this episode we get to grips with life, death and the bell that tolls. The stories are: 'The Squeaky Wheel' by 'Send in the clowns' by 'In the Bathyscaphe' by Paul Davies 'A Cautionary Tale for the Fearfully Flatulent' by 'The Vortex' by , Featuring listener submissions: 'The Great Bell Master' by Mano Camatsos Pour your love and scorn on , or by mailing us on Created by Tom McNally, featuring Amelia Armande, Joshua Crisp, Paul Davies and Fran Bushe. Theme tune is by Story music is by , under a CC-BY license, featuring: Track art generated by /episode/index/show/100wordsofastoundingbeauty/id/30621718

s02e10 - Sequels II 07/14/2023

s02e10 - Sequels II A flash-fiction podcast where a handful of writers create an original story with a limited wordcount in a limited amount of time. In this episode we write sequels to each other's stories from previous episodes. The stories are: 'I Love You With All of my Cephalothorax' by , a sequel to 'My Proventriculus Overflows with Love' by Tom McNally, from 'Roe vs Wade' by , a sequel to '31 Weeks' by Claudia Treacher, from itself a sequel to '1 Swiss Court, Leicester Square' by Tom McNally from 'The Defaced Volume' by Paul Davies, a sequel to 'Telltale' by Amelia Armande, from 'Gauges' by Claudia Treacher, a sequel to 'Prospectors' by Paul Davies, from 'Metempsychosis' by , a sequel to 'Meat Slave' by Joshua Crisp, from Featuring listener submissions: 'The Masochists' by 'Taxus bacchanalia' by Ella Brasington Visit us on follow us on , and send us a story of your own on . Created by Tom McNally, featuring Amelia Armande, Joshua Crisp, Paul Davies and Claudia Treacher. Theme tune is by Story music was taken from Track art by Tom McNally. /episode/index/show/100wordsofastoundingbeauty/id/27458286

s02e09 - Homages II (Wringing) 06/23/2023

s02e09 - Homages II (Wringing) A flash-fiction podcast where a handful of writers create an original story with a limited wordcount in a limited amount of time. In this episode we pop a marble in the cultural run by homaging each other's homages. The stories are: 'The Crab King' by , an homage to 'Crabalocker' by Paul Davies. 'Happiness is Just A Warpway Away' by , an homage to 'Old Medicine' by Claudia Treacher. 'The Archaeotheologists' by , an homage to 'Dies Iudicii' by Joshua Crisp. 'Saurian Wash' by Claudia Treacher, an homage to 'The Last Steak Bake on the Hot Plate' by Tom McNally. 'Confundamubulus approaches' by , an homage to 'From the Margins' by Amelia Armande. Featuring listener submissions: 'véttr' by Noah Bradbury 'The Last Bastion of Creativity' by Christopher T. Dabrowski Visit us on follow us on , and send us a story of your own on . Created by Tom McNally, featuring Amelia Armande, Joshua Crisp, Paul Davies and Claudia Treacher. Theme tune is by Story music was taken from Track art by Tom McNally. /episode/index/show/100wordsofastoundingbeauty/id/27244203

s02e08 - Nibbles 04/24/2023

s02e08 - Nibbles A flash-fiction podcast where a handful of writers create an original story with a limited wordcount in a limited amount of time. In this episode we gnaw ever so carefully at the things poked between the bars of our cage. The stories are:‘Birth Day' by ‘A carpet of snowdrops’ by ‘NO ACCIDENTS’ by 'Apple of my eye' by 'Ray of Sunshine' by Featuring listener submissions: 'Jimmy Boy' by 'Plague' by Visit us on follow us on , and send us a story of your own on . Created by Tom McNally, featuring Amelia Armande, Joshua Crisp, Charlie Dinkin and Sally Vanderpump Theme tune is by Story music was taken from Track art by Tom McNally. /episode/index/show/100wordsofastoundingbeauty/id/26628159

s02e07 - Bell Pepper 03/19/2023

s02e07 - Bell Pepper A flash-fiction podcast where a handful of writers create an original story with a limited wordcount in a limited amount of time. In this episode we sink our teeth into something fleshy and hollow. The stories are:‘The Bunny Beast' by ‘Space Soup’ by ‘Clogged’ by 'Hot Girl Summer' by 'My Proventriculus Overflows with Love' by Featuring listener submissions: 'Complaining in the Airplane' by 'The King of Crowds' by anonymous Visit us on on , and send us a story of your own on . Created by Tom McNally, featuring Amelia Armande, Joshua Crisp, Alex Lynch and Fran Bushe. Theme tune is by Story music was taken from Track art by Tom McNally. /episode/index/show/100wordsofastoundingbeauty/id/26269755

s02e06 - Ode to Titan 02/01/2023

s02e06 - Ode to Titan A flash-fiction podcast where a handful of writers create an original story with a limited wordcount in a limited amount of time. In this episode we cheer with the crowds as the machines do as they please. In this episode we have:‘The Supers Parade' by ‘The Amalgamated Amusement Arcade Awoke and Attacked’ by ‘The London Underground’ by 'We're a Team' by Paul McNally'The assembly on North Carolwood Drive' by . Featuring listener submissions: 'The Love-Song of J. Alfred Snail' by 'The Lonely Whale' by Visit us on on , and send us a story of your own on . Created by Tom McNally, featuring Amelia Armande, Joshua Crisp, Joe Bunn and Paul McNally. Theme tune is by Story music was taken from and Track art by Tom McNally. /episode/index/show/100wordsofastoundingbeauty/id/25797423

s02e05 - Test Tubes 01/03/2023

s02e05 - Test Tubes A flash-fiction podcast where a handful of writers create an original story with a limited wordcount in a limited amount of time. In this episode we zip gleefully through pipes from world to world, and take out some frustrations on a whale. In this episode we have:‘Tourist' by ‘Whalescream’ by ‘The London Underground’ by 'Bottleman' by Marina Crisp'Penny' by Featuring listener submissions from : '12 Days of Torture' by Declan Kirkwood 'Inside' by Visit us on on , and send us a story of your own on Created by Tom McNally, featuring Amelia Armande, Joshua Crisp, Jason Buck and Marina Crisp. Theme tune is by Story music was generated by Track art by Tom McNally. /episode/index/show/100wordsofastoundingbeauty/id/25488549

Christmas Special 2022 - Christmas Cards to the Departed 12/22/2022

Christmas Special 2022 - Christmas Cards to the Departed A Christmas message from the flash-fiction podcast where a handful of writers each make a story with a limited wordcount in a limited time. Today we hang on string around the drawing room a bitter bunting of Christmas Cards to the Departed. The cards are written and sent by listeners, addressed to those who will hear no more. Those cards were sent in by: 'Kill Screen' by Tom McNally'Colorise' by Deron Shirley'Perfect Light' by Aevar Gudmundsson'Password' by Ben Estepand'Christmas Letter to the Deceased' by Colette McCormick. All our card senders Cheer us up on or by mailing us on Created by Tom McNally. Theme tune is by Story music was generated by Track art generated by /episode/index/show/100wordsofastoundingbeauty/id/25409688

s02e04 - Ghost Train 11/30/2022

s02e04 - Ghost Train A flash-fiction podcast where a handful of writers create an original story with a limited wordcount in a limited amount of time. In this episode we skate on the ice rink of chaos on the hottest day of the year. In this episode we have:‘We're All Ghosts Here' by ‘More Than Paper’ by ‘Hell’ by 'The Hunt' by Ella Brasington'Migrant Labour' by Featuring listener submissions: 'The House of my Dreams' by CatGirl (Adimverse member) 'Echo' by Dorrie Smith Visit us on on , and send us a story of your own on Created by Tom McNally, featuring Amelia Armande, Paul McNally, Noah Martin and Ella Brasington. Theme tune is by Story music was generated by Track art generated by /episode/index/show/100wordsofastoundingbeauty/id/25175682

s02e03 - Clickety Click 11/01/2022

s02e03 - Clickety Click A flash-fiction podcast where a handful of writers create an original story with a limited wordcount in a limited amount of time. In this episode we get to freely exchange pathogens with each other by all being in the same room. In this episode we have:‘O.R.C.A.' by ‘Song of Achilles’ by ‘Crumbs’ by 'Hawkmoth' by Featuring listener submissions: 'I'm sorry it's the end' by (Translated by: Julia Mraczn) 'Beak and Feather' by Ben Estep (BGEE1234) Visit us on on , and send us a story on Created by Tom McNally, featuring Amelia Armande, Joshua Crisp and Marina Crisp. Theme tune is by Story music was generated by Track art by Tom McNally. /episode/index/show/100wordsofastoundingbeauty/id/24867141

s02e02 - Secret Book 09/30/2022

s02e02 - Secret Book A flash-fiction podcast where a handful of writers create an original story with a limited wordcount in a limited amount of time. After some time away, we are back for a second season. In this episode we have:‘Telltale' by ‘Raising a child’ by ‘At the Office of the Second Specialist’ by ‘Paper Girl' by Claudia Treacher'For the Good of All Mankind and Me' by Featuring listener submissions from: 'Step Up' by Dorrie Smith 'Beak and Feather' by Dec (LazyWolf) Visit us on on , and send us a story on Created by Tom McNally, featuring Amelia Armande, Joshua Crisp, Paul Davies and Claudia Treacher. Theme tune is by Story music was generated by Track art by Tom McNally. /episode/index/show/100wordsofastoundingbeauty/id/24514254

s02e01 - Bird Chat 08/31/2022

s02e01 - Bird Chat A flash-fiction podcast where a handful of writers create an original story with a limited wordcount in a limited amount of time. After some time away, we are back for a second season. In this episode we have:‘The Dove and the Crow' by ‘Electric Bicycle Birds Madman’ by ‘Prospectors’ by ‘The Tauntening' by Claudia Treacher'The Reckoning of the Awks' by Featuring listener submissions from: 'Kindred Shadow' by Elana Crowley 'The ad brake' by Congratulate us on our triumphant return after a suspiciously long absence on , click about on , and send us a Created by Tom McNally, featuring Amelia Armande, Joshua Crisp, Paul Davies and Claudia Treacher. Theme tune is by Story music was generated by Track art by Tom McNally. /episode/index/show/100wordsofastoundingbeauty/id/24225267

s01e10 - Sequels I 02/09/2021

s01e10 - Sequels I A flash-fiction podcast where a handful of writers create an original story with a limited wordcount in a limited amount of time. In this episode the writers make a sequel to story from a previous episode. /episode/index/show/100wordsofastoundingbeauty/id/17875070

s01e09 - Homages I (Flagpoles) 01/20/2021

s01e09 - Homages I (Flagpoles) A flash-fiction podcast where a handful of writers create an original story with a limited wordcount in a limited amount of time. In this episode the writers make homages to homages. /episode/index/show/100wordsofastoundingbeauty/id/17622653

s01e08 - Madeira Car 01/06/2021

s01e08 - Madeira Car A flash-fiction podcast where a handful of writers create an original story with a limited wordcount in a limited amount of time. /episode/index/show/100wordsofastoundingbeauty/id/17446652

Christmas Special 2020 Pt 2 - Report on an Unidentified Space Station by JG Ballard 12/25/2020

Christmas Special 2020 Pt 2 - Report on an Unidentified Space Station by JG Ballard A Christmas treat from the flash-fiction podcast where a handful of writers create an original story with a limited wordcount in a limited amount of time. To lead us through the winter dark towards even winter dark, Tom McNally reads us ‘Report on an Unidentified Space Station’ by JG Ballard. /episode/index/show/100wordsofastoundingbeauty/id/17327345

Christmas Special 2020 Pt 1 - The Library of Babel by Jorge Luis Borges (1941) 12/24/2020

Christmas Special 2020 Pt 1 - The Library of Babel by Jorge Luis Borges (1941) A Christmas treat from the flash-fiction podcast where a handful of writers create an original story with a limited wordcount in a limited amount of time. To round out our year with some excellent dread, Amy Sutton is reading us The Library of Babel by Jorge Luis Borges. /episode/index/show/100wordsofastoundingbeauty/id/17320337

s01e07 - Windup Jaybird 12/17/2020

s01e07 - Windup Jaybird A flash-fiction podcast where a handful of writers create an original story with a limited wordcount in a limited amount of time. This time we're joined by writers from Devil’s Dyke Network. /episode/index/show/100wordsofastoundingbeauty/id/17232872

s01e06 - Otters 12/02/2020

s01e06 - Otters A flash-fiction podcast where a handful of writers create an original story with a limited wordcount in a limited amount of time. /episode/index/show/100wordsofastoundingbeauty/id/17033891

100 Words of Astounding Beauty

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