Those Familiar Spirits

That's right - 2019's greatest doomsayer, Ian De Vries, is back! And he's here to share important news! There's a new audio fiction series called Hit Singles, made by Zero Hours creators and co-producers Zach Valenti, Sarah Shachat, and Gabriel Urbina! It's a romantic comedy all about friendship, love, the struggles of trying to make it in a big city, and loving music way too much. You can listen to the show over on Audible. If you have an Audible Plus membership, you can listen to it at no additional cost. (And if you still have a free trial, you can listen to it for free for 30 days!) Within the show's episodes, you'll hear a lot of familiar voices from the world of podcasting - lots of alumni from previous Long Story Short shows and from our beloved sibling series like The Bright Sessions. It was a real labor of love put together by an amazing team, and we'd love to help it find as wide an audience as it can. So please check it out, and, if you love it as much as we think you will, please leave a rating and a review. Here is the official description for Hit Singles: From the creators of the hit audio drama Wolf 359 and with original music by Jeremy Warmsley comes a modern story about friendship, love, and chosen family starring Evangeline Young (Emergence), Nicholas Podany (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child), Simone Policano (Blue Bloods), Julia Rehwald (Fear Street), Briggon Snow (Masters of Sex) and a full cast. A captivating listen perfect for fans of New Girl and High Fidelity. When struggling DJ Faith Adler comes to couch surf with her best friend Tori in NYC, she finds herself drawn into the world of Tori's eclectic friend group. Right from her chaotic first night, Faith's new friends take her under their wing and help her navigate the ups and downs of trying to make it as an artist in the big city. There's Tori, the bubbly one; Ginah, the high-strung but loyal one; Matt, the flirtatious one; and David, the cynical one. Tori and Ginah's apartment becomes a sanctuary where lasting bonds are forged over late nights, drink-filled conversations, impromptu dance parties, and the occasional Sense and Sensibility marathon. Falling in love definitely isn’t part of Faith's plan, but that all changes when she meets David, a former law student (and current bartender) who has recently come to the conclusion that romance is for suckers and sworn it off altogether. From the moment they meet at a New Year's in the Summer party, their will-they-or-won't-they chemistry is electric. As Faith and David grow closer over whiskey-soaked nights and heart-to-heart talks on the fire escape, their flirtation deepens into something more meaningful. Are they friends? Lovers? Romantic partners? Casual sex acquaintances? The answer is, simultaneously, all and none of the above. Let the overthinking commence! With rich character development and an ensemble cast that feels like friends you've known forever, Hit Singles deftly balances comedy, romance, and poignant drama. It's a beautifully rendered celebration of the family we choose, the cities that choose us back, and the life-altering power of human connection. * * *

Hello Dear Listeners!  We are returning to this apocalyptic feed for a very special, very exciting announcement! The creators of Zero Hours have just released a brand-new audio fiction fantasy series called Unseen.  The premise behind the show is simple: in a world where magic is real but invisible to almost everyone, the few magical beings that do exist struggle, every day, just to be seen. We're very proud of this new series, and so we wanted share the first episode with all of you. We hope you enjoy "Never-Ending Circles," written and directed by Gabriel Urbina, and starring Dottie James!  And if you do enjoy this first installment, and you can check out the rest of Unseen at www.Unseen.Show. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A special announcement from the creators of Zero Hours! Thank you all so much for making the launch of our little show such a success. It’s been just under a month since the premiere of "Zero Hours," and we’ve been blown away by the reaction to these seven stories about the end(s) of the world.  Now, if you loved these stories and want to get a little more "Zero Hours" content in your life - good news! We’ve got a couple of new things just for you.  First of all, we just launched a Bandcamp for the official Zero Hours score! It features all of composer extraordinaire Alan Rodi’s original music for the show, now available for your listening pleasure. And, if you want to own your very own copy of the files and support Alan, you can do both of those things at once for a low, low price. Check that out at zerohours.bandcamp.com. But wait, there’s more! What if you want some Zero Hours swag that you can take with you into the real world? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered: we have an official Zero Hours store for all your merch needs. It has shirts, tote bags, mugs, and posters, all featuring gorgeous original art by the amazing Mikaela Buckley. So if you’re looking to treat yourself to an early Thanksgiving present, you should check that out at zerohourspodcast.com/merch. Thank you all so much for tuning in, and for helping us spread the word about these seven stories about the end(s) of the world. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode 7: 2316. In the wake of the death of the last human being and with the imminent destruction of the Earth upon them, two mysterious beings consider both the dying world and their unique relationship with one another - as well as the question of, "What comes next?" Written and Directed by Gabriel Urbina. Be advised: this episode contains a depiction of a natural disaster and discussions of death. Zero Hours is brought to you by Outliers: Stories From The Edge of History. Listen to Season 1 now at rustyquill.com/outliers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode 6: 2217. In a floating city above the clouds, a young researcher must convince a figure of authority to end his current research project, even though it may hold the solution to an imminent crisis. Written by Zach Valenti and Gabriel Urbina. Story by Zach Valenti. Directed by Sarah Shachat. Be advised: this episode contains mentions of body horror and human experimentation.    Zero Hours is brought to you by Outliers: Stories From The Edge of History. Listen to Season 1 now at rustyquill.com/outliers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode 5: 2118. A couple weighs the pros and cons of a “miracle drug” that could enhance their ability to love... at the risk of discovering that they may not be compatible after all.  Written by Sarah Shachat. Directed by Zach Valenti.  Be advised: this episode contains explicit language.  Zero Hours is brought to you by Outliers: Stories From The Edge of History. Listen to Season 1 now at rustyquill.com/outliers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode 4: 2019. In present-day Palo Alto, a negotiator must talk down a young man who is taking drastic and dangerous measures to fix what he sees as the soon-to-be-irreparable trouble with the world.   Written and Directed by Gabriel Urbina. Be advised: this episode contains explicit language, a tense, menacing situation, and discussions of hate groups, online harassment, and persecution. Zero Hours is brought to you by Outliers: Stories From The Edge of History. Listen to Season 1 now at rustyquill.com/outliers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode 3: 1920. Shortly before Prohibition goes into effect, two soon-to-be-unemployed bartenders in New York City find their friendship tested when one presents a dangerous proposition to the other. Written by Sarah Shachat. Directed by Gabriel Urbina. Be advised: this episode contains hateful language, gun violence, and mentions of mob activity. Zero Hours is brought to you by Outliers: Stories From The Edge of History. Listen to Season 1 now at rustyquill.com/outliers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode 2: 1821. In the dangerous waters of the South Atlantic Ocean, an experienced sailor encounters an explorer optimistic about the opportunities which will arise from a lucrative new discovery. Written by Sarah Shachat. Directed by Gabriel Urbina. Be advised: this episode contains explicit language, gunshots, mentions of survival at sea, and the dangers of exposure. Zero Hours is brought to you by Outliers: Stories From The Edge of History. Listen to Season 1 now at rustyquill.com/outliers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode 1: 1722. In the American colonies, a naive priest has his world turned upside down when a woman comes into his church, claiming to be a witch and in possession of knowledge about the imminent end of the world. Written by Gabriel Urbina. Directed by Sarah Shachat. Be advised: this episode contains discussion of witchcraft and religious persecution.  Zero Hours is brought to you by Outliers: Stories From The Edge of History. Listen to Season 1 now at rustyquill.com/outliers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.