HUMANS of the FUTURE Host: R. B. Wood Show Notes: HTTP://www.rbwood.com Ten years, 100 podcasts--it all comes down to this very last show. To our listeners, I say thank you for allow is to entertain you with our stories--nearly 700 of them--we wrote these for you. To the authors who have shared stories on the show--there would have been NO "Word Count Podcast" without you. Thank you for your time and your talent. The Prompt: GUESTS: Rob Edwards – “100 Humans of the Future” M. J. King – “They Don...
Nov 02, 2020•1 hr 19 min•Season 10Ep. 100
HOST: R. B. Wood SHOW NOTES: http://www.rbwood.com As I mentioned last time, after the 100th show, the sun will finally be setting on the Word Count Podcast after ten years. Ten years. My God. But before I tear up and get all "old man nostalgic," we still have two shows left to knock out of the park. Episode 99 continues our "Human" trilogy of shows and we have six brand new stories about Humans of the present. The #WordCountIrregulars certainly have outdone themselves this time 'round! The pict...
Sep 28, 2020•53 min•Season 10Ep. 99
Humans of the Past Host: R. B. Wood Show Notes: www.rbwood.com Episode 98 begins our "Human" trilogy of shows, and we have five brand new stories about Humans of the past. The WordCountIrregulars certainly have outdone themselves this time 'round! The Picture for the prompt and inspiration? GUESTS: Bill Kirton – “The Dig” Eden Baylee - "How to Get A Head" Rob Edwards – “Professor Prodigious' Discovery“ Jack Gwaltney & John McCaffrey – “Modern Man” W. B. J. Williams – “The Girl and the Unicor...
Sep 01, 2020•38 min•Season 10Ep. 98
Host: R. B. Wood Show Notes: www.rbwood.com Finally. The "Year of Hell" as I'm calling 2020, took a personal turn over the summer. The details are unimportant. But suffice to say that there were troubles and they were addressed (or continue to be addressed). Prompt: GUESTS: Bill Kirton & Eden Baylee – “A Tale of Two Geralds” Maria Haskins – “ The Rules of Meerkats “ Jack Gwaltney & John McCaffrey – “Saturday Morning”...
Aug 07, 2020•33 min•Season 10Ep. 97
"WHO GOES THERE?" HOST: R. B. Wood SHOW NOTES: http://www.rbwood.com Time flies when you're in quarantine, I guess. But my bright spots each month include receiving stories from the Word Count Irregulars based on a theme posted earlier in the month, and putting those stories in a FREE to Listen podcast just for you! Our theme this year is Animals and I gave our intrepid author's this creepy picture to get the creative juices flowing: GUESTS: Bill Kirton – “Who Am I?” W. B. J. Williams – “What th...
May 26, 2020•35 min•Season 10Ep. 96
"Sssssilence" Host: R. B. Wood Show Notes: http://www.rbwood.com I hope this post finds you and your families all well and safe. 2020 has been a nightmare so far, hasn’t it? I hope the coming months see better times ahead for us all. Our theme this year is Animals and the Word Count Irregulars were given the task of writing a story based on this picture: I have a secret love of snakes and the writers have an amazing show for you this time around! GUESTS: Eden Baylee & Bill Kirton – “Invasion...
Apr 28, 2020•35 min•Season 10Ep. 95
Isolation HOST: R. B. Wood Show Notes: http://www.rbwood.com What a fitting title for episode 94 in this era of "social distancing." I hope this note finds you and your families all well and safe. 2020 has been a nightmare so far, hasn't it? I hope the coming months see better times ahead for us all. Our theme this year is Animals and the Word Count Irregulars were given the task of writing a story based on this picture: GUESTS: Bill Kirton – “Wolf” Tim Meredith - "After Ashfall" Eden Baylee – “...
Mar 30, 2020•34 min•Season 10Ep. 94
HOST: R. B. Wood SHOW NOTES: http://www.rbwood.com Climate change is happening all around us. In recent years, we've seen record temperatures across the planet, significant melting at the poles, the accelerated extinction of many species, and an increase in the violence of major storms. Nothing epitomizes these accelerating changes more than the recent devastating fires in Australia. So with recent events and our theme of Animals in mind, this was the prompt to challenge our authors--the Word Co...
Feb 25, 2020•25 min•Season 10Ep. 93
Welcome to the start of SEASON 10 episode 92 of the #WordCountPodcast! HOST: R. B. Wood SHOW NOTES: www.rbwood.com The theme for this season is Animals and we start with new stories all written about this cute little guy (and in some cases, his friends): GUESTS: Bill Kirton – “It's a Question of Image” Maria Haskins– “Maze and Buttons” W. B. J. Williams – “The Rat who is Chaos” Eden Baylee – “Infestation”...
Jan 31, 2020•34 min•Season 10Ep. 92
Murder, Mayhem, and Horror Welcome to the 9th Halloween Special of the #WordCountPodcast! HOST: R. B. Wood SHOW NOTES: http://www.rbwood.com A few stories for your listening terror this time around. The theme, along with the picture below, is all about Murder, Mayhem, and Horror. I've just finished the edits on my Supernatural Thriller Bayou Whispers and that inspired this season's Halloween Special prompt: GUESTS: Bill Kirton - "The Path" Maria Haskins – “Essie's Chain” R. B. Wood - "Balloon An...
Oct 31, 2019•35 min•Season 9Ep. 91
HOST: R. B. Wood Show Notes: http://www.rbwood.com Here in New England, the evenings are getting colder and the trees are donning their "technicolor dream-coats." My favorite season is here. I wanted to select a prompt for our #WordCountIrregulars that would show the transition And as you know, the theme this year is Landscapes. GUESTS: Maria Haskins – “Becca and the River” W. B. J. Williams – “A Fall into Autumn” Eden Baylee & Bill Kirton – “A Walk In the Woods”...
Sep 30, 2019•34 min•Season 9Ep. 90
Where Giants Walk HOST: R. B. Wood SHOW NOTES: www.rbwood.com A lovely follow-up show to our LIVE show last month is in store for you, dear listener! I lived in the Republic of Ireland for five or so years back in the late nineties, early aughts. While a wonderful experience in of itself, my favorite bit about living in Europe was the amount of travel I got to do. As you know, the theme this year is Landscapes. This is a shot of the famous 'Giant's causeway' in Northern Ireland--those six counti...
Aug 29, 2019•28 min•Season 9Ep. 89
A couple of the Word Count Irregulars read their stories to an audience at Readercon 30 based on this prompt: SHOW NOTES: www.rbwood.com Host: R. B. Wood GUESTS: W. B. J. Williams – “Untitled” R. B. Wood – “Dear Dad”
Jul 15, 2019•51 min•Season 9Ep. 88
Host: R. B. Wood SHow Notes: RBWOOD.COM A short, but delightful show this time around. I thought I'd have a bit of fun with the photo this month. As you know, the theme is Landscapes. I took a picture from my archive of the gardens at The Ogunquit Museum of American Art over-looking the sea, and this particular photo caught my eye: Guests: Maria Haskins – “When the Dragons Came” W. B. J. Williams – “The Guardian in the Garden” Eden Baylee & Bill Kirton - "Freedom"...
Jun 26, 2019•28 min•Season 9Ep. 87
This month, our intrepid authors--the Word Count Irregulars are continuing the season of Landscapes with this photo of crocuses in a forest: HOST: R. B. Wood SHOW NOTES: http://www.rbwood.com Guests: Bill Kirton - "Flower Power" Maria Haskins – “After the Fall” Rob Edwards - "Treeson" R. B. Wood – “The Crocuses are in Bloom” Eden Baylee – “Dream of Fields” W. B. J. Williams - "The Lavander Path"...
May 26, 2019•42 min•Season 9Ep. 86
This month, we have five stories from our intrepid authors, called the Word Count Irregulars--and you even have a little something from me for a total of six delicious tales based on the picture of Cherry blossoms in full bloom with Mt Fuji in the background: HOST: R. B Wood SHOW NOTES: http://www.rbwood.com GUESTS: Bill Kirton- " A Matter of Love and Death - the sequel" Maria Haskins – “Knock Knock” R. B. Wood – “The Ink-Washed Cat” Eden Baylee- "Place to Die" W. B. J. Williams – “A Poem to Def...
May 05, 2019•50 min•Season 9Ep. 85
Episode 84 of the Word Count Podcast continues our season of Landscapes with this beautiful shot of Bryce Canyon in early Spring: HOST: R. B. Wood SHOW NOTES: www.rbwood.com GUESTS: Maria Haskins – “The Body” R. B. Wood - "The Traveler" Eden Baylee & Bill Kirton - "A Matter of Love and Death"
Apr 02, 2019•31 min•Season 9Ep. 84
Welcome to episode 83 of the #WordCountPodcast! HOST: R. B. Wood Show Notes: http://www.rbwood.com This month, we have four stories from out intrepid authors, who I lovingly call the Word Count Irregulars. Starting in March, I'll be featuring one of our irregulars per month with a new segment called "12 Questions with..." And you'll only be able to find that right here! So bookmark my site and look for that new feature beginning next month! The theme for this season is Landscapes and we have a h...
Feb 25, 2019•34 min•Season 9Ep. 83
Welcome to the start of SEASON 9 of the #WordCountPodcast! Host: R. B. Wood Show Notes: www.rbwood.com We hope that you all enjoyed your holiday season, I know we enjoyed our time away--yet that burn of creativity flared up after the New Year and here we go with a new season! The theme for this season is Landscapes and we start with new stories all written around this beautiful lake in Norway: GUESTS: Bill Kirton - "The Void" Maria Haskins – “Catching the Train” Karl Dandenell - "Burial Detail" ...
Jan 27, 2019•50 min•Season 9Ep. 82
Welcome to the 8th Halloween Special of the #WordCountPodcast! Our prompt: HOST: R.B. Wood Show Notes: http://www.rbwood.com Guests this week: Bill Kirton - "The Ball" and "Halloween" ***NOTE: "The Ball" is performed by Bill, but was written by Dutch author Anneke Klein*** Maria Haskins – “Big Bad”
Oct 31, 2018•24 min•Season 8Ep. 81
Episode 80 of the Word Count Podcast explores three stories based on this prompt: HOST: R. B. Wood SHOW NOTES: http://www.rbwood.com Guests: Eden Baylee - "Final Ride" Bill Kirton - "School Bus" Maria Haskins – “The Monster Hunter's Last Lament”
Sep 26, 2018•25 min•Season 8Ep. 80
Four stories inspired by the picture below and The Smile Factory by Todd Keisling. Host: R. B. Wood (with commentary by Porno Batman) Show Notes: http://www.rbwood.com Guests: Eden Baylee - "Life is sweet" Bill Kirton - "It's All Relative" Maria Haskins – “Fräulein Maria” Special Guest: Todd Keisling - "Human Resources"
Aug 20, 2018•36 min•Season 8Ep. 79
Our first live show done as a panel at Readercon 29 in Boston, MA Host/Moderator: R. B. Wood Show Notes: http://www.rbwood.com Prompt: Guests: W. B. J. Williams M. J. King Eden Baylee Bill Kirton Kathleen Kayembe R.B. Wood
Jul 14, 2018•54 min•Season 8Ep. 78
The 77th episode of the #WordCountPodcast was inspired by this picture: HOST: R. B. Wood SHOW NOTES: http://www.rbwood.com GUESTS: Eden Baylee - "The Playground" W. B. J. Williams - "Where The Children Are" Cameron Garriepy – “The Mermaid and the Seabird“ Maria Haskins – “Sunlit Surface, Depths Below”...
Jul 01, 2018•29 min•Season 8Ep. 77
The 76th episode of the #WordCountPodcastwas inspired by this picture: Sakurajima Volcano erupts spectacularly in southern Japan (Credit: Asahi Shimbun via Getty Images) Host: R. B. Wood Show Notes: http://www.rbwood.com GUESTS: Eden Baylee - "Submission" Jack Gwaltney & John McCaffrey– “A Milonga for Manual Flores” Maria Haskins – “The Princess and the Dragon” W. B. J. Williams - "The Lightning of Mt. Etna" Bill Kirton– “A Disaster in the Making”...
May 30, 2018•37 min•Season 8Ep. 76
The 75th episode of the #WordCountPodcast was inspired by the book Mongrels by Stephen Graham Jones and this picture: HOST: R. B. Wood SHOW NOTES: http://www.rbwood.com Guests: Eden Baylee - "Harbinger" Jack Gwaltney & John McCaffrey – “Life After Death” Maria Haskins – “Una's Hand” Bill Kirton – “Predators”...
Apr 23, 2018•36 min•Season 8Ep. 75
The 74rd episode of the #WordCountPodcast was inspired by the book Stranded by Bracken Macleod and this picture: HOST: R. B. Wood Show Notes: http://www.rbwood.com Guests: Jack Gwaltney & John McCaffrey – “The Hustler” Cameron Garriepy – “Security Protocol 42" Maria Haskins – “Recovered Audio File #27 From Research Ship Trident [classified]” Eden Baylee & Bill Kirton – “Wrecked”...
Mar 25, 2018•37 min•Season 8Ep. 74
"Over the Bridge" The 73rd episode of the #WordCountPodcast is all predicated around this picture: HOST: R. B. Wood Show Notes: http://www.rbwood.com GUESTS: Bill Kirton – “Love Story” W. B. J. Williams – “Over the Hill and Down to the Bridge” Jack Gwaltney & John McCaffrey – “The Weary Blues” Maria Haskins – “The Troll Bridge” Eden Baylee – “Crossing Over”...
Feb 25, 2018•41 min•Season 8Ep. 73
Welcome to the season 8 opener where we welcome five authors to the show. Host: R. B. Wood Show notes: www.rbwood.com The prompt for this week: Guests: Maria Haskins – “Mabel's Pack” Rob Edwards - "Cold Pursuit" Jack Gwaltney & John McCaffrey – “A Burnt-Out Case” W. B. J. Williams – “Johnny Talon and the God of Pestilence” Eden Baylee – “Frozen Memories”...
Jan 26, 2018•40 min•Season 8Ep. 72
Welcome to the 7th Halloween Special! Four creepy tales of dread and woe too horrific to hear during the evening! Host: R. B. Wood Notes: http://www.rbwood.com Prompt Photo: Guests: Bill "Spectre" Kirton – “Guilt” Maria "Fangs" Haskins – “Angel's Heart” Cameron "Undead" Garriepy – “The Eastman Asylum“ Jack "Wolfie" Gwaltney & John "Frankie" McCaffrey – “The Trial”...
Oct 25, 2017•28 min•Season 7Ep. 10