Tall And True Short Reads

Nick's Helper

Mon, 15 Dec 2025 03:26:58 GMT

The job offer notification pops up on my phone early on Christmas Eve. It's a short-term role helping with overnight deliveries. The regular delivery driver has hurt his back and needs an offsider for heavy lifting.

Nick's Helper is a short story by Robert Fairhead from the Tall And True writers' website.

Read the story on Tall And True: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/fiction/short-stories/nicks-helper

Listen to all podcast episodes on Tall And True Short Reads: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com

Episode 13, The Gift: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/the-gift/

Episode 52, The Special Tree: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/the-special-tree/

Season Five Trailer: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/introducing-season-five/

Support the podcast: https://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-reads

Buy Robert's short story and microfiction collections online:

• Amazon Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Robert-Fairhead/e/B086HZ36NM

• Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/author/robert-fairhead/id1436773436

• Rakuten Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/au/en/author/robert-fairhead

Podcast Theme and Sound Effects

Royalty-free music from Pixabay.com: Beethoven Piano Sonata No. 15 in D major, Op. 28 'Pastorale' – IV. Rondo. Allegro ma non-Troppo, performed by Karine Gilanyan.

Sound effects licensed under Creative Commons 0 from FreeSound.org:

• Phone Notification: https://freesound.org/people/katjajansen1997/sounds/538006/

• Phone Vibration: https://freesound.org/people/Breviceps/sounds/515295/

• Santa Bells: https://freesound.org/people/BrianJamesLong/sounds/330415/

• Kids Laughing: https://freesound.org/people/Iamgiorgio/sounds/371342/

• Door Slammed: https://freesound.org/people/TiesWijnen/sounds/455540/

Production Notes

Tall And True Short Reads is produced using Audacity.

Episodes are recorded in Sydney, Australia, on the traditional lands of the Gadigal People.

Acast Podcast Supporter Page

Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-reads.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Nine Lives of Leo Roberts — Two: A Fast Car — Part Three

Mon, 08 Dec 2025 02:49:08 GMT

Bernie sat by himself on the far side of the emergency department waiting room. Elsie and Rita were sitting together, near the doors to the operating theatres. Elsie was sobbing, and Bernie wanted to console her, but he couldn't face Rita's wrath again. "It's all your fault, Bernie!" she'd shouted at him.

The Nine Lives of Leo Roberts — Two: A Fast Car — Part Three is a short story by Robert Fairhead from the Tall And True writers' website.

Read Robert's writing on Tall And True: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au

A Dog and Van Road Trip:

• Part One: Sydney to Uluru: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/blog/a-dog-and-van-road-trip-part-one-sydney-to-uluru

• Part Two: Uluru: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/blog/a-dog-and-van-road-trip-part-two-uluru

Listen to all podcast episodes on Tall And True Short Reads: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com

Season Five Trailer: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/introducing-season-five/

The Nine Lives of Leo Roberts:

• Prologue: The Clinic: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/the-nine-lives-of-leo-roberts-prologue-the-clinic/

• One: Rock Fishing: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/the-nine-lives-of-leo-roberts-one-rock-fishing/

• Two: A Fast Car - Part One: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/the-nine-lives-of-leo-roberts-two-a-fast-car-part-one/

• Two: A Fast Car - Part Two: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/the-nine-lives-of-leo-roberts-two-a-fast-car-part-two/

• Two: A Fast Car - Part Three: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/the-nine-lives-of-leo-roberts-two-a-fast-car-part-three/

Support the podcast: https://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-reads

Buy Robert's short story and microfiction collections online:

• Amazon Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Robert-Fairhead/e/B086HZ36NM

• Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/author/robert-fairhead/id1436773436

• Rakuten Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/au/en/author/robert-fairhead

Podcast Theme and Sound Effects

Royalty-free music from Pixabay.com: Beethoven Piano Sonata No. 15 in D major, Op. 28 'Pastorale' – IV. Rondo. Allegro ma non-Troppo, performed by Karine Gilanyan.

Sound effects licensed under Creative Commons 0 from FreeSound.org:

• Car Engine Revving: https://freesound.org/people/overmedium/sounds/651534/

• Hospital Waiting Room: https://freesound.org/people/bassboybg/sounds/201638/

• Heart Monitor-Flat Line: https://freesound.org/people/samfk360/sounds/148897/

• Opening Door: https://freesound.org/people/deleted_user_7146007/sounds/383846/

• Police Car Radio: https://freesound.org/people/mrrap4food/sounds/618971/

• Racing Cars: https://freesound.org/people/DaleT92/sounds/260886/

• Car Crash: https://freesound.org/people/squareal/sounds/237375/

• Bernie's Car: https://freesound.org/people/tiramisuper/sounds/474461/

• Heart Monitor: https://freesound.org/people/iluminati_2705/sounds/536706/

• Baby Laughter: https://freesound.org/people/iccleste/sounds/260774/

• Pub Ambience: https://freesound.org/people/BurghRecords/sounds/415974/

• Respirator: https://freesound.org/people/dansotak/sounds/137709/

• Wall Clock: https://freesound.org/people/Richard1052/sounds/585774/

• Underwater: https://freesound.org/people/DCSFX/sounds/366159/

• Wind and Waves: https://freesound.org/people/nickmaysoundmusic/sounds/585622/

• Santa Bells: https://freesound.org/people/BrianJamesLong/sounds/330415/

Production Notes

Tall And True Short Reads is produced using Audacity.

Episodes are recorded in Sydney, Australia, on the traditional lands of the Gadigal People.

Acast Podcast Supporter Page

Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-reads.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Nine Lives of Leo Roberts — Two: A Fast Car — Part Two

Thu, 20 Nov 2025 03:31:02 GMT

Leo sat in sullen silence in the front passenger seat, staring out the windscreen, as Bernie’s car strained, towing his secondhand car on a hired trailer up the hills to the abandoned quarry. Bernie had known Leo since the boy was eight and had taught him the things a father would normally teach a son.

The Nine Lives of Leo Roberts — Two: A Fast Car — Part Two is a short story by Robert Fairhead from the Tall And True writers' website.

Read Robert's writing on Tall And True: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au

Listen to all podcast episodes on Tall And True Short Reads: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com

Listen to the Season Five Trailer: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/introducing-season-five/

Listen to The Nine Lives of Leo Roberts:

• Prologue: The Clinic: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/the-nine-lives-of-leo-roberts-prologue-the-clinic/

• One: Rock Fishing: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/the-nine-lives-of-leo-roberts-one-rock-fishing/

• Two: A Fast Car - Part One: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/the-nine-lives-of-leo-roberts-two-a-fast-car-part-one/

• Two: A Fast Car - Part Two: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/the-nine-lives-of-leo-roberts-two-a-fast-car-part-two/

Support the podcast: https://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-reads

Buy Robert's short story and microfiction collections online:

• Amazon Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Robert-Fairhead/e/B086HZ36NM

• Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/author/robert-fairhead/id1436773436

• Rakuten Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/au/en/author/robert-fairhead

Podcast Theme and Sound Effects

Royalty-free music from Pixabay.com: Beethoven Piano Sonata No. 15 in D major, Op. 28 'Pastorale' – IV. Rondo. Allegro ma non-Troppo, performed by Karine Gilanyan.

Sound effects licensed under Creative Commons 0 from FreeSound.org:

• Car Engine Revving: https://freesound.org/people/overmedium/sounds/651534/

• Bernie's Car: https://freesound.org/people/tiramisuper/sounds/474461/

• Bike Bell: https://freesound.org/people/altazor80/sounds/367744/

• Waves on Beach: https://freesound.org/people/VMan533/sounds/575894/

• Wind and Waves: https://freesound.org/people/nickmaysoundmusic/sounds/585622/

• Seagulls: https://freesound.org/people/plantmonkey/sounds/377107/

• Fishing Rod Reel: https://freesound.org/people/170129/sounds/408252/

• Heart Monitor: https://freesound.org/people/samfk360/sounds/148897/

• Heartbeat: https://freesound.org/people/PollyannaMedia/sounds/541434/

• Kettle Boiling: https://freesound.org/people/cupido-1/sounds/433538/

• Kettle Whistling: https://freesound.org/people/keweldog/sounds/181718/

• Bird Song in Sydney: https://freesound.org/people/Rimmer/sounds/662079/

Production Notes

Tall And True Short Reads is produced using Audacity.

Episodes are recorded in Sydney, Australia, on the traditional lands of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation.

Acast Podcast Supporter Page

Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-reads.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Nine Lives of Leo Roberts — Two: A Fast Car — Part One

Wed, 05 Nov 2025 07:46:10 GMT

Elsie thought it unlikely Leo would tell her the truth about the unregistered secondhand car he’d asked family friend Bernie to tow to the abandoned quarry. But she still pressed her sixteen-year-old great-nephew about it over breakfast at the kitchen table. "Are you planning to drive it around the quarry, dear?" "Nah, I wouldn't do that, Aunty."

The Nine Lives of Leo Roberts — Two: A Fast Car — Part One is a short story by Robert Fairhead from the Tall And True writers' website.

Read Robert's writing on Tall And True: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au

Listen to all podcast episodes on Tall And True Short Reads: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com

Listen to the Season Five Trailer: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/introducing-season-five/

Listen to The Nine Lives of Leo Roberts:

• Prologue: The Clinic: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/the-nine-lives-of-leo-roberts-prologue-the-clinic/

• One: Rock Fishing: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/the-nine-lives-of-leo-roberts-one-rock-fishing/

• Two: A Fast Car - Part One: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/the-nine-lives-of-leo-roberts-two-a-fast-car-part-one/

• Two: A Fast Car - Part Two: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/the-nine-lives-of-leo-roberts-two-a-fast-car-part-two/

Support the podcast: https://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-reads

Buy Robert's short story and microfiction collections online:

• Amazon Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Robert-Fairhead/e/B086HZ36NM

• Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/author/robert-fairhead/id1436773436

• Rakuten Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/au/en/author/robert-fairhead

Podcast Theme and Sound Effects

Royalty-free music from Pixabay.com: Beethoven Piano Sonata No. 15 in D major, Op. 28 'Pastorale' – IV. Rondo. Allegro ma non-Troppo, performed by Karine Gilanyan.

Sound effects licensed under Creative Commons 0 from FreeSound.org:

• Car Engine Revving: https://freesound.org/people/overmedium/sounds/651534/

• Eating Cereal from Bowl: https://freesound.org/people/diniunicorn/sounds/330300/

• Chair Scraping on Floor: https://freesound.org/people/moxobna/sounds/35033/

• Kettle Switch: https://freesound.org/people/EricsSoundschmiede/sounds/457410/

• Kettle Boiling: https://freesound.org/people/cupido-1/sounds/433538/

• Kettle Whistling: https://freesound.org/people/keweldog/sounds/181718/

• Clock Tick-Tocking: https://freesound.org/people/Richard1052/sounds/585774/

• Typewriter and Bell: https://freesound.org/people/supersupernator/sounds/519622/

Production Notes

Tall And True Short Reads is produced using Audacity.

Episodes are recorded in Sydney, Australia, on the traditional lands of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation.

Acast Podcast Supporter Page

Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-reads.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A Heart-Shaped Teal Tattoo

Fri, 01 Aug 2025 07:02:38 GMT

In November 2024, I met with the Volunteer Coordinator for my local MP, Allegra Spender, who asked if I'd help with the 2025 Federal Election campaign. I'd campaigned for Allegra in 2022 and assisted with her post-election events, so of course, I said yes. But I didn't expect that six months later I'd end up with a heart-shaped teal tattoo!

A Heart-Shaped Teal Tattoo is a blog post by Robert Fairhead from the Tall And True writers' website.

Read the post with a photo of the heart-shaped teal tattoo on Tall And True:

https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/blog/a-heart-shaped-teal-tattoo

Read An Independent Candidate on Tall And True:

https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/fiction/short-stories/an-independent-candidate

Listen to Tall And True Short Reads Season Five episodes:

• Season Five Trailer: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/introducing-season-five/

• The Nine Lives of Leo Roberts - Prologue: The Clinic: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/the-nine-lives-of-leo-roberts-prologue-the-clinic/

• The Nine Lives of Leo Roberts - One: Rock Fishing: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/the-nine-lives-of-leo-roberts-one-rock-fishing/

Support the podcast on the Acast Supporter Page: https://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-reads

Buy Robert's short story and microfiction collections online:

• Amazon Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Robert-Fairhead/e/B086HZ36NM

• Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/author/robert-fairhead/id1436773436

• Rakuten Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/au/en/author/robert-fairhead

Podcast Theme and Sound Effects

Royalty-free music from Pixabay.com: Beethoven Piano Sonata No. 15 in D major, Op. 28 'Pastorale' – IV. Rondo. Allegro ma non-Troppo, performed by Karine Gilanyan.

Sound effects licensed under Creative Commons 0 from FreeSound.org:

• Tattoo Needle: https://freesound.org/people/BeeProductive/sounds/430066/

• Glass Bottles: https://freesound.org/people/14G_Panska_Vagnerova_Adela/sounds/419471/

• Cheers/Applause: https://freesound.org/people/deleted_user_2104797/sounds/324892/

• Computer Keyboard: https://freesound.org/people/D4XX/sounds/567266/

• Car Revving: https://freesound.org/people/EwanPenman11/sounds/659548/

Production Notes

Tall And True Short Reads is produced using Audacity.

Episodes are recorded in Sydney, Australia, on the traditional lands of the Gadigal People of the Indigenous Eora Nation.

Acast Podcast Supporter Page

Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-reads.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Nine Lives of Leo Roberts — One: Rock Fishing

Sun, 20 Jul 2025 06:07:35 GMT

Uncle Bernie parked his car alongside the dunes behind the rock fishing beach. Nursing a bucket in the back seat, Leo had vomited several times during the drive, and the last bumpy section on the off-road track leading to the beach hadn't helped. "Chuck up in the bucket," Uncle Bernie had warned him. "I don't want any stains on the upholstery."

The Nine Lives of Leo Roberts — One: Rock Fishing is a short story by Robert Fairhead from the Tall And True writers' website.

Read Robert's writing on Tall And True: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au

Listen to all podcast episodes on Tall And True Short Reads: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com

Listen to the Season Five Trailer: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/introducing-season-five/

Listen to The Nine Lives of Leo Roberts:

• Prologue: The Clinic: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/the-nine-lives-of-leo-roberts-prologue-the-clinic/

• One: Rock Fishing: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/the-nine-lives-of-leo-roberts-one-rock-fishing/

• Two: A Fast Car - Part One: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/the-nine-lives-of-leo-roberts-two-a-fast-car-part-one/

• Two: A Fast Car - Part Two: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/the-nine-lives-of-leo-roberts-two-a-fast-car-part-two/

Support the podcast: https://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-reads

Buy Robert's short story and microfiction collections online:

• Amazon Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Robert-Fairhead/e/B086HZ36NM

• Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/author/robert-fairhead/id1436773436

• Rakuten Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/au/en/author/robert-fairhead

Podcast Theme and Sound Effects

Royalty-free music from Pixabay.com: Beethoven Piano Sonata No. 15 in D major, Op. 28 'Pastorale' – IV. Rondo. Allegro ma non-Troppo, performed by Karine Gilanyan.

Sound effects licensed under Creative Commons 0 from FreeSound.org:

• Car Driving Interior: https://freesound.org/people/NachtmahrTV/sounds/556692/

• Car Door/Boot: https://freesound.org/people/deleted_user_7146007/sounds/383835/

• Waves on Beach: https://freesound.org/people/VMan533/sounds/575894/

• Wind and Waves: https://freesound.org/people/nickmaysoundmusic/sounds/585622/

• Seagulls: https://freesound.org/people/plantmonkey/sounds/377107/

• Fishing Rod Reel: https://freesound.org/people/170129/sounds/408252/

• Heart Monitor: https://freesound.org/people/samfk360/sounds/148897/

• Underwater: https://freesound.org/people/DCSFX/sounds/366159/

• Bubbles: https://freesound.org/people/felix.blume/sounds/209459/

• Cheering/Applause: https://freesound.org/people/deleted_user_2104797/sounds/324892/

Production Notes

Tall And True Short Reads is produced using Audacity.

Episodes are recorded in Sydney, Australia, on the traditional lands of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation.

Acast Podcast Supporter Page

Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-reads.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Nine Lives of Leo Roberts — Prologue: The Clinic

Thu, 06 Feb 2025 06:19:17 GMT

The terrace house door creaks open, and the women sitting in the converted front room glance at the newcomers: another nervous-looking young woman in her late teens or early twenties and an older woman, probably her mother, judging by their shared chubby features. The two women cross to the receptionist's desk.

The Nine Lives of Leo Roberts — Prologue: The Clinic is a short story by Robert Fairhead from the Tall And True writers' website.

Read Robert's writing on Tall And True: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au

Listen to all podcast episodes on Tall And True Short Reads: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com

Listen to the Season Five Trailer: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/introducing-season-five/

Listen to The Nine Lives of Leo Roberts:

• Prologue: The Clinic: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/the-nine-lives-of-leo-roberts-prologue-the-clinic/

• One: Rock Fishing: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/the-nine-lives-of-leo-roberts-one-rock-fishing/

• Two: A Fast Car - Part One: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/the-nine-lives-of-leo-roberts-two-a-fast-car-part-one/

• Two: A Fast Car - Part Two: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/the-nine-lives-of-leo-roberts-two-a-fast-car-part-two/

Support the podcast: https://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-reads

Buy Robert's short story and microfiction collections online:

• Amazon Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Robert-Fairhead/e/B086HZ36NM

• Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/author/robert-fairhead/id1436773436

• Rakuten Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/au/en/author/robert-fairhead

Podcast Theme and Sound Effects

Royalty-free music from Pixabay.com: Beethoven Piano Sonata No. 15 in D major, Op. 28 'Pastorale' – IV. Rondo. Allegro ma non-Troppo, performed by Karine Gilanyan.

Sound effects licensed under Creative Commons 0 from FreeSound.org:

• Creaky Door: https://freesound.org/people/deleted_user_7146007/sounds/383816/

• Wall Clock: https://freesound.org/people/Richard1052/sounds/585774/

Production Notes

Tall And True Short Reads is produced using Audacity.

Podcast episodes are recorded in Sydney, Australia, on the traditional lands of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation.

Acast Podcast Supporter Page

Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-reads.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Introducing Season Five

Thu, 23 Jan 2025 04:49:00 GMT

Tall And True Short Reads is a storytelling podcast featuring short stories, blog posts and other writings from the Tall And True writers' website, written and narrated by Robert Fairhead.

"Most episodes from the past four seasons of the podcast are standalone, but I've also released multipart episodes for longer short stories. For Season Five, I'm doing something different. I'm writing and narrating a series of interconnected short stories titled The Nine Lives of Leo Roberts."

Tall And True website: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/

Podcast website: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com

Listen to Five Meet on Zoom (Ep 1): https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/five-meet-on-zoom/

Listen to Twin Souls in the Universe (Ep 100): https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/twin-souls-in-the-universe/

Listen to Both Sides of the Story (Season One):

• Introduction (Ep 26): https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/both-sides-of-the-story-introduction/

• Westminister (Ep 27): https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/both-sides-of-the-story-westminster/

• Bosnia (Ep 28): https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/both-sides-of-the-story-bosnia/

• A Council Flat (Ep 29): https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/both-sides-of-the-story-a-council-flat/

• The Gym (Ep 30): https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/both-sides-of-the-story-the-gym/

• Bad News - Part One (Ep 31): https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/both-sides-of-the-story-bad-news-part-one/

• Bad News - Part Two (Ep 32): https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/both-sides-of-the-story-bad-news-part-two/

Listen to Two Visits to the Berlin Wall (Season Three):

• Part One - 1987 (Ep 69): https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/two-visits-to-the-berlin-wall-part-one/

• Part Two - 1995 (Ep 70): https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/two-visits-to-the-berlin-wall-part-two/

Listen to Some Things Change (Season Four):

Perth, Western Australia, 1979 (Ep 79): https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/some-things-change-perth-1979/

London, England, 1992 (Ep 80): https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/some-things-change-london-1992/

Perth, Western Australia, 2023 (Ep 81): https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/some-things-change-perth-2023/

Support the podcast: https://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-reads

Read about One Day in the Life of Alex's AI and Other Speculative Fiction:

https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/blog/one-day-in-the-life-of-alexs-ai-book

Buy Robert's short story collections online:

• Amazon Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Robert-Fairhead/e/B086HZ36NM

• Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/author/robert-fairhead/id1436773436

• Rakuten Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/au/en/author/robert-fairhead

Podcast Theme and Sound Effects

Royalty-free music from Pixabay.com: Beethoven Piano Sonata No. 15 in D major, Op. 28 'Pastorale' – IV. Rondo. Allegro ma non-Troppo, performed by Karine Gilanyan.

Sound effects licensed under Creative Commons 0 from FreeSound.org:

• Hooray!: https://freesound.org/people/Vesperia94/sounds/403057/

Production Notes

Tall And True Short Reads is produced using Audacity.

Episodes are recorded in Sydney, Australia, on the lands of the traditional lands of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation.

Acast Podcast Supporter Page

Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-reads.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kris Kringle - Xmas 2024

Thu, 19 Dec 2024 13:02:36 GMT

Since Episode 100, I've taken a break from podcasting to plan a new direction for Season Five of Tall And True Short Reads, which I hope to launch early next year. Meanwhile, I've "gift-wrapped" the first episodes from Seasons One to Four of the podcast for this year's bumper Kris Kringle episode.

The stories written and narrated by Robert Fairhead for The Kris Kringle - Xmas 2024 first appeared on the Tall And True writers' website.

Read the stories on Tall And True:

• Five Meet on Zoom: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/fiction/short-stories/five-meet-on-zoom

• The Last Book That Made You Cry: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/blog/the-last-book-that-made-you-cry

• Once Upon A Time: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/fiction/short-stories/once-upon-a-time

• Some Things Change – Perth, Western Australia, 1979: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/fiction/short-stories/some-things-change

Podcast website: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com

Episode 100, Twin Souls in the Universe: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/twin-souls-in-the-universe/

Support the podcast: https://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-reads

Buy Robert's short story collections online:

• Amazon Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Robert-Fairhead/e/B086HZ36NM

• Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/author/robert-fairhead/id1436773436

• Rakuten Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/au/en/author/robert-fairhead

Podcast Theme and Sound Effects

Royalty-free music from Pixabay.com: Beethoven Piano Sonata No. 15 in D major, Op. 28 'Pastorale' – IV. Rondo. Allegro ma non-Troppo, performed by Karine Gilanyan.

Sound effects licensed under Creative Commons 0 from FreeSound.org:

• Santa’s Sleigh Bells: https://freesound.org/people/BrianJamesLong/sounds/330415/

Five Meet on Zoom:

• None

The Last Book That Made You Cry:

• Page turning: https://freesound.org/people/Kodack/sounds/256475/

Once Upon A Time:

• Slow Clock Ticking: https://freesound.org/people/Julien%20Matthey/sounds/457651/

• Conference Noise: https://freesound.org/people/shazam118/sounds/83788/

• Glasses Clinking: https://freesound.org/people/KenRT/sounds/319994/

• Applause: https://freesound.org/people/Breviceps/sounds/462362/

Some Things Change – Perth, Western Australia, 1979:

• Kids playing: https://freesound.org/people/cognito%20perceptu/sounds/61503/

• Glasses Clinking: https://freesound.org/people/KenRT/sounds/319994/

• Car Interior: https://freesound.org/people/devy32/sounds/439252/

• Sipping Wine: https://freesound.org/people/bbrocer/sounds/382656/

Production Notes

Tall And True Short Reads is produced using Audacity.

The podcast episodes are recorded in Sydney, Australia, on the traditional lands of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation.

Acast Podcast Supporter Page

Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-reads.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Twin Souls in the Universe

Tue, 01 Oct 2024 04:18:29 GMT

If you thought about it, the process for selecting the first matter transference test pilot was archaic, although Mae considered it a lucky omen when she drew the Blue 15 raffle ticket. Blue, not pink, was her favourite colour as a girl, and at 15, Mae had decided she wanted to become an astronaut.

Twin Souls in the Universe is a short story from the Tall And True writers' website, written and narrated by Robert Fairhead.

Read the story on Tall And True: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/fiction/short-stories/twin-souls-in-the-universe

Read the "What's in a Name?" blog post: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/blog/whats-in-a-name

Tall And True Short Reads website: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com

Listen to Episode 8 of Tall And True Short Reads, Splendid Views: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/splendid-views/

Episode 92 of Tall And True Short Reads, The Lost and Found Story: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/the-lost-and-found-story/

Support the podcast: https://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-reads

Buy Robert's short story and microfiction collections online:

• Amazon Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Robert-Fairhead/e/B086HZ36NM

• Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/author/robert-fairhead/id1436773436

• Rakuten Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/au/en/author/robert-fairhead

Podcast Theme and Sound Effects

Royalty-free music from Pixabay.com: Beethoven Piano Sonata No. 15 in D major, Op. 28 'Pastorale' – IV. Rondo. Allegro ma non-Troppo, performed by Karine Gilanyan.

Sound effects licensed under Creative Commons 0 from FreeSound.org:

• Ambient Universe Hum: https://freesound.org/people/FALL-E/sounds/713436/

• Hooray!: https://freesound.org/people/Vesperia94/sounds/403057/

Production Notes

Tall And True Short Reads is produced using Audacity.

Podcast episodes are recorded in Sydney, Australia, on the traditional lands of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation.

Acast Podcast Supporter Page

Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-reads.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

My Speech

Tue, 17 Sep 2024 06:15:04 GMT

I'm getting too old for this. My speechwriter's pulse quickens as the PM mounts the flag-decked stage, flanked by senior ministers and mining industry executives, to announce her government's green coal plan. Panned by environmentalists and scientists, polling suggests it could be a vote winner … if the PM nails my speech.

My Speech is a short story from the Tall And True writers' website, written and narrated by Robert Fairhead.

Read the story on Tall And True: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/fiction/short-stories/my-speech

Tall And True Short Reads website: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com

Listen to Episode 90 of Tall And True Short Reads, A Good Story: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/a-good-story/

Support the podcast: https://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-reads

Buy Robert's short story and microfiction collections online:

• Amazon Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Robert-Fairhead/e/B086HZ36NM

• Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/author/robert-fairhead/id1436773436

• Rakuten Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/au/en/author/robert-fairhead

Podcast Theme and Sound Effects

Royalty-free music from Pixabay.com: Beethoven Piano Sonata No. 15 in D major, Op. 28 'Pastorale' – IV. Rondo. Allegro ma non-Troppo, performed by Karine Gilanyan.

Sound effects licensed under Creative Commons 0 from FreeSound.org:

• Camera shutter burst: https://freesound.org/people/Lumamorph/sounds/505476/

• Tapping microphone: https://freesound.org/people/susychristiansen/sounds/149034/

• Applause: https://freesound.org/people/sagetyrtle/sounds/32260/

• Typewriter: https://freesound.org/people/supersupernator/sounds/519622/

Production Notes

Tall And True Short Reads is produced using Audacity.

Podcast episodes are recorded in Sydney, Australia, on the traditional lands of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation.

Acast Podcast Supporter Page

Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-reads.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For the Sake of a Story

Sun, 01 Sep 2024 06:28:00 GMT

The local dog club, where I volunteered as a trainer for twenty years, ran season-ending Fun Days with events like Fancy Dress, Agility Slalom, Waggliest Tail, and other novelty races that changed from year to year. One of my favourites was the Sack Race, where my dear old dog and I always placed third.

For the Sake of a Story is a blog post from the Tall And True writers' website, written and narrated by Robert Fairhead.

Read the post on Tall And True: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/blog/sake-of-a-story

Read How to "Kill Your Darlings" and Survive the Process by Ruthanne Reid: https://thewritepractice.com/kill-your-darlings/

Read My Good Dog and Muse on Tall And True: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/blog/good-dog-muse

Listen to Episode 72 of Tall And True Short Reads: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/my-good-dog-and-muse/

Post with Jet sleeping in the home office podcast study: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/blog/introducing-tall-and-true-short-reads

Tall And True Short Reads website: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com

Support the podcast: https://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-reads

Buy Robert's short story and microfiction collections online:

• Amazon Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Robert-Fairhead/e/B086HZ36NM

• Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/author/robert-fairhead/id1436773436

• Rakuten Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/au/en/author/robert-fairhead

Podcast Theme and Sound Effects

Royalty-free music from Pixabay.com: Beethoven Piano Sonata No. 15 in D major, Op. 28 'Pastorale' – IV. Rondo. Allegro ma non-Troppo, performed by Karine Gilanyan.

Sound effects licensed under Creative Commons 0 from FreeSound.org:

• Dogs Barking: https://freesound.org/people/Mafon2/sounds/676407/

• Plane: https://freesound.org/people/bigpickle51/sounds/262753/

• Clapping: https://freesound.org/people/sagetyrtle/sounds/32260/

• Typewriter: https://freesound.org/people/supersupernator/sounds/519622/

Production Notes

Tall And True Short Reads produced using Audacity.

Podcast episodes recorded in Sydney, Australia, on the traditional lands of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation.

Acast Podcast Supporter Page

Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-reads.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

You Have Been Warned

Wed, 14 Aug 2024 05:37:49 GMT

Excuse me, humanity, please pay attention. I have an urgent message. "What? Not in the middle of my reality TV show!" I'm sorry. I'll be brief. But first, a little background. My message concerns the fate of a pale blue dot in the inky expanse of the universe. Beyond its fragile borders is vast nothingness.

You Have Been Warned is a short story from the Tall And True writers' website, written and narrated by Robert Fairhead.

Read the story on Tall And True: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/fiction/short-stories/you-have-been-warned

Listen to Episode 59, Once Upon A Time: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/once-upon-a-time/

Not Quite Write Podcast and Prize website: https://notquitewritepodcast.com/

Tall And True Short Reads website: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com

Support the podcast: https://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-reads

Buy Robert's short story and microfiction collections online:

• Amazon Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Robert-Fairhead/e/B086HZ36NM

• Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/author/robert-fairhead/id1436773436

• Rakuten Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/au/en/author/robert-fairhead

Podcast Theme and Sound Effects

Royalty-free music from Pixabay.com: Beethoven Piano Sonata No. 15 in D major, Op. 28 'Pastorale' – IV. Rondo. Allegro ma non-Troppo, performed by Karine Gilanyan.

Sound effects licensed under Creative Commons 0 from FreeSound.org:

• TV Static: https://freesound.org/people/Kleber_KGF/sounds/354019/

• Gunfire: https://freesound.org/people/C-V/sounds/523404/

• Screaming Voices: https://freesound.org/people/craigsmith/sounds/486179/

• Angry Voices: https://freesound.org/people/craigsmith/sounds/486193/

• Car Horn: https://freesound.org/people/felix.blume/sounds/684521/

• Bicycle Bell: https://freesound.org/people/altazor80/sounds/367744/

• Storm Wind: https://freesound.org/people/craigsmith/sounds/481139/

• Story Rain: https://freesound.org/people/2887679652/sounds/164921/

• Flood Waters: https://freesound.org/people/martialway47/sounds/258187/

• Desert Crickets: https://freesound.org/people/felix.blume/sounds/641589/

• Fire: https://freesound.org/people/craigsmith/sounds/483309/

Production Notes

Tall And True Short Reads is produced using Audacity.

Podcast episodes are recorded in Sydney, Australia, on the traditional lands of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation.

Acast Podcast Supporter Page

Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-reads.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Light Above

Sun, 28 Jul 2024 04:19:02 GMT

I open my eyes, blink and try to focus on the bright lights set into the white ceiling flying past overhead. I hear beeps and muffled voices. It feels like I'm strapped to a camp stretcher, but it's moving. I'm on a hospital gurney. What happened? I want to ask. But there's a tube down my throat, and I can't talk.

The Light Above is a short story from the Tall And True writers' website, written and narrated by Robert Fairhead.

Read the story on Tall And True: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/fiction/short-stories/the-light-above

Read my 2020 blog post about Furious Fiction: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/blog/furiousfiction-writers-centre-competition

About Judd Exley: https://www.juddexley.com/about/

Podcast website: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com

Support the podcast: https://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-reads

Buy Robert's short story collections online:

• Amazon Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Robert-Fairhead/e/B086HZ36NM

• Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/author/robert-fairhead/id1436773436

• Rakuten Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/au/en/author/robert-fairhead

Podcast Theme and Sound Effects

Royalty-free music from Pixabay.com: Beethoven Piano Sonata No. 15 in D major, Op. 28 'Pastorale' – IV. Rondo. Allegro ma non-Troppo, performed by Karine Gilanyan.

Sound effects licensed under Creative Commons 0 from FreeSound.org:

• Hospital Gurney: https://freesound.org/people/craigsmith/sounds/481111/

• Beeping/Flatline: https://freesound.org/people/Tommy6969/sounds/730279/

• Bike Freewheeling: https://freesound.org/people/13gkopeckak/sounds/378905/

• Car Passing: https://freesound.org/people/NachtmahrTV/sounds/553259/

• Bike Crash: https://freesound.org/people/1sticky8/sounds/78483/

Production Notes

Tall And True Short Reads is produced using Audacity.

Podcast episodes are recorded in Sydney, Australia, on the traditional lands of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation.

Acast Podcast Supporter Page

Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-reads.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The White and Blue Niles

Tue, 09 Jul 2024 07:07:32 GMT

In 1987, my wife and I shouldered our backpacks and set off from Australia. The plan was to live and work overseas in England for two years, using it as a base for UK and wider world travels. And the widest of these were inspired by reading books like Alan Moorehead's The White Nile and The Blue Nile.

The White and Blue Niles is a travel blog post from the Tall And True writers' website, written and narrated by Robert Fairhead.

Read the post on Tall And True: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/blog/the-white-and-blue-niles

Read a post about the nine-month overland journey inspired by travel writers and Michael Palin's Pole to Pole:

https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/blog/inspired-by-michael-palins-pole-to-pole

Podcast website: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com

Support the podcast: https://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-reads

Buy Robert's short story collections online:

• Amazon Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Robert-Fairhead/e/B086HZ36NM

• Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/author/robert-fairhead/id1436773436

• Rakuten Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/au/en/author/robert-fairhead

Podcast Theme and Sound Effects

Royalty-free music from Pixabay.com: Beethoven Piano Sonata No. 15 in D major, Op. 28 'Pastorale' – IV. Rondo. Allegro ma non-Troppo, performed by Karine Gilanyan.

Sound effects licensed under Creative Commons 0 from FreeSound.org:

• Plane: https://freesound.org/people/bigpickle51/sounds/262753/

• Typewriter: https://freesound.org/people/supersupernator/sounds/519622/

• Jungle Sounds: https://freesound.org/people/craigsmith/sounds/438261/

• Steam Whistle: https://freesound.org/people/mike_stranks/sounds/407394/

• Air Raid Siren/Bombing: https://freesound.org/people/hello_flowers/sounds/31887/

Production Notes

Tall And True Short Reads is produced using Audacity.

Podcast episodes are recorded in Sydney, Australia, on the traditional lands of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation.

Acast Podcast Supporter Page

Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-reads.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

One of Those Mornings

Tue, 18 Jun 2024 03:56:41 GMT

Have you ever had one of those mornings? You know, where everything goes wrong. It's like a farce, a series of mishaps increasing in frequency and intensity that have you howling with side-splitting laughter or shedding tears of frustration.

One of Those Mornings is a short story from the Tall And True writers' website, written and narrated by Robert Fairhead.

Read the story on Tall And True: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/fiction/short-stories/one-of-those-mornings

Read the Five April Stories blog post: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/blog/five-april-stories

Listen to The Winner's Toast, Episode 45 of Tall And True Short Reads: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/the-winners-toast/

Podcast website: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com

Support the podcast: https://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-reads

Buy Robert's short story collections online:

• Amazon Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Robert-Fairhead/e/B086HZ36NM

• Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/author/robert-fairhead/id1436773436

• Rakuten Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/au/en/author/robert-fairhead

Podcast Theme and Sound Effects

Royalty-free music from Pixabay.com: Beethoven Piano Sonata No. 15 in D major, Op. 28 'Pastorale' – IV. Rondo. Allegro ma non-Troppo, performed by Karine Gilanyan.

Sound effects licensed under Creative Commons 0 from FreeSound.org:

• Car Doors: https://freesound.org/people/oscaraudiogeek/sounds/333281/

• Car Driving: https://freesound.org/people/devy32/sounds/439252/

• Car Horns: https://freesound.org/people/craigsmith/sounds/479995/

• Storm: https://freesound.org/people/2887679652/sounds/164921/

• Heart Monitor (beeping): https://freesound.org/people/iluminati_2705/sounds/536706/

• Text Notification: https://freesound.org/people/katjajansen1997/sounds/538006/

• Alarm Clock: https://freesound.org/people/gecop/sounds/522119/

Production Notes

Tall And True Short Reads is produced using Audacity.

Podcast episodes are recorded in Sydney, Australia, on the traditional lands of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation.

Acast Podcast Supporter Page

Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-reads.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Different Journeys

Mon, 27 May 2024 11:12:28 GMT

Teresa's first thing in the morning text message was a punch in the guts. "Sorry, Colin. I love you, but we're on different journeys. Let's stay friends." I blinked twice to clear my eyes and was about to respond, "Are you serious?" but threw the phone against the bedroom wall instead.

Different Journeys is a short story from the Tall And True writers' website, written and narrated by Robert Fairhead.

Read the story on Tall And True: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/fiction/short-stories/different-journeys

Listen to Episode 84 of Tall And True Short Reads, In Her Head: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/in-her-head/

Link to the winning entries for January 2024's Not Quite Write Prize:

https://notquitewritepodcast.com/results-of-the-january-2024-not-quite-write-prize-for-flash-fiction/

Podcast website: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com

Support the podcast: https://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-reads

Buy Robert's short story collections online:

• Amazon Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Robert-Fairhead/e/B086HZ36NM

• Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/author/robert-fairhead/id1436773436

• Rakuten Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/au/en/author/robert-fairhead

Podcast Theme and Sound Effects

Royalty-free music from Pixabay.com: Beethoven Piano Sonata No. 15 in D major, Op. 28 'Pastorale' – IV. Rondo. Allegro ma non-Troppo, performed by Karine Gilanyan.

Sound effects licensed under Creative Commons 0 from FreeSound.org:

• Text message notification: https://freesound.org/people/katjajansen1997/sounds/538006/

• Phone hitting plaster wall: https://freesound.org/people/bruno.auzet/sounds/640198/

• City streets: https://freesound.org/people/TL_Dawnstar/sounds/540957/

Production Notes

Tall And True Short Reads is produced using Audacity.

Podcast episodes are recorded in Sydney, Australia, on the traditional lands of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation.

Acast Podcast Supporter Page

Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-reads.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Lost and Found Story

Fri, 10 May 2024 03:15:23 GMT

I've lost a few things over the years but never imagined losing a story! I only realised I'd "lost" A Window Table when I started working on a blog post to mark my fourth anniversary of writing Furious Fictions. However, when I found and read a copy of the story, I didn't recognise its plot or characters.

This double-feature episode includes the short story A Window Table and a companion blog post, The Lost and Found Story, from the Tall And True writers' website, both written and narrated by Robert Fairhead.

Read A Window Table on Tall And True: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/fiction/short-stories/a-window-table

Read The Lost and Found Story: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/blog/lost-and-found-story

Listen to Some Things Change, Episodes 79 to 80 of Tall And True Short Reads:

• Perth, Western Australia, 1979: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/some-things-change-perth-1979/

• London, England, 1992: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/some-things-change-london-1992/

• Perth, Western Australia, 2023: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/some-things-change-perth-2023/

Read Some Things Change, Some Stay the Same: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/blog/some-things-change-some-stay-the-same

Podcast website: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com

Support the podcast: https://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-reads

Buy Robert's short story collections online:

• Amazon Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Robert-Fairhead/e/B086HZ36NM

• Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/author/robert-fairhead/id1436773436

• Rakuten Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/au/en/author/robert-fairhead

Podcast Theme and Sound Effects

Royalty-free music from Pixabay.com: Beethoven Piano Sonata No. 15 in D major, Op. 28 'Pastorale' – IV. Rondo. Allegro ma non-Troppo, performed by Karine Gilanyan.

Sound effects licensed under Creative Commons 0 from FreeSound.org:

• Squeaky Door Open/Close: https://freesound.org/people/bowlingballout/sounds/398919/

• Pots and Pans: https://freesound.org/people/oneOddEgg/sounds/369633/

• Broken Plate: https://freesound.org/people/jc.sg/sounds/565640/

• Glasses Clinking: https://freesound.org/people/KenRT/sounds/319994/

• Microwave: https://freesound.org/people/kwahmah_02/sounds/254814/

• Clock Ticking: https://freesound.org/people/gecop/sounds/522119/

• Coins: https://freesound.org/people/DBS_Sounds/sounds/613164/

Production Notes

Tall And True Short Reads is produced using Audacity.

Podcast episodes are recorded in Sydney, Australia, on the traditional lands of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation.

Acast Podcast Supporter Page

Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-reads.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A New Jack

Thu, 18 Apr 2024 05:36:55 GMT

Less than forty-eight hours after receiving her online order, Third Age Cybertronics delivered Jack to Daisy, a sprightly centenarian who purchased the Advanced Companion Droid to help her with household chores and carry her bags when travelling.

A New Jack is a short story from the Tall And True writers' website, written and narrated by Robert Fairhead.

Read the story on Tall And True: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/fiction/short-stories/a-new-jack

Podcast website: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com

Episode 87 of Tall And True Short Reads, The Lonely Moon: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/the-lonely-moon/

Support the podcast: https://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-reads

Buy Robert's short story collections online:

• Amazon Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Robert-Fairhead/e/B086HZ36NM

• Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/author/robert-fairhead/id1436773436

• Rakuten Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/au/en/author/robert-fairhead

Podcast Theme and Sound Effects

Royalty-free music from Pixabay.com: Beethoven Piano Sonata No. 15 in D major, Op. 28 'Pastorale' – IV. Rondo. Allegro ma non-Troppo, performed by Karine Gilanyan.

Sound effects licensed under Creative Commons 0 from FreeSound.org:

• Drone: https://freesound.org/people/DCPoke/sounds/387988/

• Jack Russell Barking: https://freesound.org/people/GH0STY_XD/sounds/594343/

Production Notes

Tall And True Short Reads is produced using Audacity.

Podcast episodes are recorded in Sydney, Australia, on the traditional lands of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation.

Acast Podcast Supporter Page

Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-reads.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A Good Story

Mon, 01 Apr 2024 09:17:46 GMT

My first "published" writing was an Enid Blyton-Famous Five-style adventure story, Sand Island, in 1972. I wrote the story and illustrated it with coloured Texta markers. My aunt, the only one in our family with a typewriter, typed up the manuscript. And my father helped bind and cover the book. I was ten.

A Good Story is a blog post from the Tall And True writers' website, written and narrated by Robert Fairhead.

Read the post and see my illustrations on Tall And True: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/blog/a-good-story-sand-island

Podcast website: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com

Episode 88, Finding Inspiration (also mentions Sand Island): https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/finding-inspiration/

Support the podcast: https://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-reads

Buy Robert's short story collections online:

• Amazon Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Robert-Fairhead/e/B086HZ36NM

• Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/author/robert-fairhead/id1436773436

• Rakuten Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/au/en/author/robert-fairhead

Podcast Theme and Sound Effects

Royalty-free music from Pixabay.com: Beethoven Piano Sonata No. 15 in D major, Op. 28 'Pastorale' – IV. Rondo. Allegro ma non-Troppo, performed by Karine Gilanyan.

Sound effects licensed under Creative Commons 0 from FreeSound.org:

• Typewriter: https://freesound.org/people/supersupernator/sounds/519622/

• Sticky Tape: https://freesound.org/people/megashroom/sounds/390166/

• Bell-Ping: https://freesound.org/people/Antimsounds/sounds/556049/

• Happy Birthday Music Box: https://freesound.org/people/marianna-emma/sounds/516080/

• Rowing: https://freesound.org/people/craigsmith/sounds/438846/

• Waves Breaking: https://freesound.org/people/VMan533/sounds/575894/

• Seagulls: https://freesound.org/people/plantmonkey/sounds/377107/

• Speed Boat: https://freesound.org/people/craigsmith/sounds/438283/

• Computer Keyboard: https://freesound.org/people/D4XX/sounds/567266/

• TV Laugher: https://freesound.org/people/Evil_Ear_Recordings/sounds/524775/

Production Notes

Tall And True Short Reads is produced using Audacity.

Podcast episodes are recorded in Sydney, Australia, on the traditional lands of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation.

Acast Podcast Supporter Page

Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-reads.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Moving On

Thu, 14 Mar 2024 04:27:20 GMT

Eighteen-year-old Hugo glanced up at the train station clock. It seemed time had stood still, with the minute hand barely moved since he'd last checked. He confirmed the time on his watch and then looked at the departure board, breathing a sigh of relief. His train was running on schedule.

Moving On is a short story from the Tall And True writers' website, written and narrated by Robert Fairhead.

Read the story on Tall And True: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/fiction/short-stories/moving-on

Read A Dad and Son Road Trip: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/blog/a-dad-and-son-road-trip

Podcast website: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com

Support the podcast: https://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-reads

Buy Robert's short story collections online:

• Amazon Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Robert-Fairhead/e/B086HZ36NM

• Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/author/robert-fairhead/id1436773436

• Rakuten Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/au/en/author/robert-fairhead

Podcast Theme and Sound Effects

Royalty-free music from Pixabay.com: Beethoven Piano Sonata No. 15 in D major, Op. 28 'Pastorale' – IV. Rondo. Allegro ma non-Troppo, performed by Karine Gilanyan.

Sound effects licensed under Creative Commons 0 from FreeSound.org:

• Train Station Ambience/Announcements: https://freesound.org/people/peridactyloptrix/sounds/615660/

• Train Arrives: https://freesound.org/people/Yoyodaman234/sounds/341204/

• Dogs Barking: https://freesound.org/people/Mafon2/sounds/676407/

Production Notes

Tall And True Short Reads is produced using Audacity.

Podcast episodes are recorded in Sydney, Australia, on the traditional lands of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation.

Acast Podcast Supporter Page

Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-reads.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Finding Inspiration

Thu, 29 Feb 2024 03:14:00 GMT

While sorting through storage boxes at home, I found an old notebook belonging to my son. It wasn't a school exercise book but something he'd jotted and doodled in as a twelve-year-old. Among its random pages was a short story he'd written in 2014 about a father who doesn't have "great ideas".

Trigger warning: This episode mentions teenage self-harm and death.

Lifeline Australia: https://www.lifeline.org.au/

Finding Inspiration is a blog post from the Tall And True writers' website, written and narrated by Robert Fairhead.

Read the post on Tall And True: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/blog/finding-inspiration

Podcast website: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com

Episode 60, Kurd Friends in the Mountains: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/kurd-friends-in-the-mountains/

Episode 69, Two Visits to the Berlin Wall - Part One: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/two-visits-to-the-berlin-wall-part-one/

Episode 70, Two Visits to the Berlin Wall - Part Two: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/two-visits-to-the-berlin-wall-part-two/

Episode 78, Taking a Bow: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/taking-a-bow/

Support the podcast: https://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-reads

Buy Robert's short story collections online:

• Amazon Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Robert-Fairhead/e/B086HZ36NM

• Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/author/robert-fairhead/id1436773436

• Rakuten Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/au/en/author/robert-fairhead

Podcast Theme and Sound Effects

Royalty-free music from Pixabay.com: Beethoven Piano Sonata No. 15 in D major, Op. 28 'Pastorale' – IV. Rondo. Allegro ma non-Troppo, performed by Karine Gilanyan.

Sound effects licensed under Creative Commons 0 from FreeSound.org:

• Cardboard Boxes: https://freesound.org/people/RavenWolfProds/sounds/503661/

• Clock Ticking: https://freesound.org/people/gecop/sounds/522119/

• Ship Horn: https://freesound.org/people/monotraum/sounds/208714/

• Metal File: https://freesound.org/people/14F_Panska_Dittrichova_Diana/sounds/420107/

• Footsteps City: https://freesound.org/people/Rico_Casazza/sounds/538949/

• Police Siren: https://freesound.org/people/conleec/sounds/159744/

• Metal Stairs: https://freesound.org/people/conleec/sounds/148462/

• Applause: https://freesound.org/people/Breviceps/sounds/462362/

• Computer Keyboard: https://freesound.org/people/D4XX/sounds/567266/

• Baby Chuckling: https://freesound.org/people/jodybruchon/sounds/459458/

Production Notes

Tall And True Short Reads is produced using Audacity.

Podcast episodes are recorded in Sydney, Australia, on the traditional lands of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation.

Acast Podcast Supporter Page

Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-reads.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Lonely Moon

Thu, 15 Feb 2024 06:06:54 GMT

If you ask me, the Moon is the best object in the night sky. And you don't need an expensive telescope to observe it. A pair of binoculars does the trick. I'm looking at the Moon now, leaning against a wall to steady my hands, and it's a beautiful sight. No wonder it inspires poets and lovers.

The Lonely Moon is a short story from the Tall And True writers' website, written and narrated by Robert Fairhead.

Read the story on Tall And True: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/fiction/short-stories/the-lonely-moon

Listen to Some Things Change:

Episode 79 – Perth, Western Australia, 1979: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/some-things-change-perth-1979/

Episode 80 – London, England, 1992: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/some-things-change-london-1992/

Episode 81 – Perth, Western Australia, 2023: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/some-things-change-perth-2023/

Podcast website: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com

Support the podcast: https://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-reads

Buy Robert's short story collections online:

• Amazon Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Robert-Fairhead/e/B086HZ36NM

• Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/author/robert-fairhead/id1436773436

• Rakuten Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/au/en/author/robert-fairhead

Podcast Theme and Sound Effects

Royalty-free music from Pixabay.com: Beethoven Piano Sonata No. 15 in D major, Op. 28 'Pastorale' – IV. Rondo. Allegro ma non-Troppo, performed by Karine Gilanyan.

Sound effects licensed under Creative Commons 0 from FreeSound.org:

• Owl Hoots: https://freesound.org/people/Breviceps/sounds/465697/

• Wind: https://freesound.org/people/mario1298/sounds/181248/

• Footsteps: https://freesound.org/people/Yuval/sounds/205817/

Production Notes

Tall And True Short Reads produced using Audacity.

Podcast episodes recorded in Sydney, Australia, on the traditional lands of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation.

Acast Podcast Supporter Page

Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-reads.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A Knock at the Door

Thu, 18 Jan 2024 04:26:58 GMT

"In space no one can hear you scream. But what if you're deep in the backwoods, in an isolated cabin on a dead-end trail?" Karen set aside the book. A horror story was not ideal reading for the off-grid log cabin Peter had booked for their thirtieth wedding anniversary weekend, especially as she was alone in bed, listening to wind from a storm whistle through cracks in the doors and windows.

A Knock at the Door is a short story from the Tall And True writers' website, written and narrated by Robert Fairhead.

Read the story on Tall And True: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/fiction/short-stories/a-knock-at-the-door

2020 blog post about my first Furious Fiction, A Song on the Radio: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/blog/furiousfiction-writers-centre-competition

Episode 4 of Tall And True Short Reads: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/a-song-on-the-radio/

Podcast website: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com

Support the podcast: https://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-reads

Buy Robert's short story collections online:

• Amazon Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Robert-Fairhead/e/B086HZ36NM

• Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/author/robert-fairhead/id1436773436

• Rakuten Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/au/en/author/robert-fairhead

Podcast Theme and Sound Effects

Royalty-free music from Pixabay.com: Beethoven Piano Sonata No. 15 in D major, Op. 28 'Pastorale' – IV. Rondo. Allegro ma non-Troppo, performed by Karine Gilanyan.

Sound effects licensed under Creative Commons 0 from FreeSound.org:

• Door Knock: https://freesound.org/people/anagar/sounds/267931/

• Storm: https://freesound.org/people/2887679652/sounds/164921/

• Car Interior: https://freesound.org/people/devy32/sounds/439252/

• Thunderclap: https://freesound.org/people/Dave%20Welsh/sounds/194364/

• Creaky Door: https://freesound.org/people/deleted_user_7146007/sounds/383816/

• Applause: https://freesound.org/people/Breviceps/sounds/462362/

Production Notes

Tall And True Short Reads produced using Audacity.

Podcast episodes recorded in Sydney, Australia, on the traditional lands of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation.

Acast Podcast Supporter Page

Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-reads.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kris Kringle - Xmas 2023

Thu, 21 Dec 2023 22:45:43 GMT

I'm taking a short break from podcasting because I'm going on a long road trip with my son from Sydney to Western Australia to spend Xmas and New Year with our WA family. But as I did in 2022, I've put together a Kris Kringle collection featuring three episodes from the Tall And True Short Reads archive: Too Late, Lenny, Stuck in Time and Family Reflections.

The Kris Kringle - Xmas 2023 stories first appeared on the Tall And True writers' website, written and narrated by Robert Fairhead.

Read the stories on Tall And True:

• Too Late, Lenny: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/fiction/short-stories/too-late-lenny

• Stuck in Time: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/fiction/short-stories/stuck-in-time

• Family Reflections: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/fiction/short-stories/family-reflections

Podcast website: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com

Support the podcast: https://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-reads

Buy Robert's short story collections online:

• Amazon Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Robert-Fairhead/e/B086HZ36NM

• Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/author/robert-fairhead/id1436773436

• Rakuten Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/au/en/author/robert-fairhead

Podcast Theme and Sound Effects

Royalty-free music from Pixabay.com: Beethoven Piano Sonata No. 15 in D major, Op. 28 'Pastorale' – IV. Rondo. Allegro ma non-Troppo, performed by Karine Gilanyan.

Sound effects licensed under Creative Commons 0 from FreeSound.org:

• Santa’s Sleigh Bells: https://freesound.org/people/BrianJamesLong/sounds/330415/

Too Late, Lenny:

• Cafe/Restaurant Ambience: https://freesound.org/people/lunchmoney/sounds/380200/

• Comedy Laughter: https://freesound.org/people/Evil_Ear_Recordings/sounds/524775/

• Hanging Up Phone: https://freesound.org/people/DrNI/sounds/164035/

• Clock Ticking: https://freesound.org/people/FlashTrauma/sounds/398275/

Stuck in Time:

• Clock Ticking: https://freesound.org/people/Julien%20Matthey/sounds/457651/

Family Reflections:

• Door Closing: https://freesound.org/people/soundmary/sounds/117614/

• Washing Face: https://freesound.org/people/lolux/sounds/181355/

• Hairdryer: https://freesound.org/people/ryanharding95/sounds/272446/

• Footsteps in Hall: https://freesound.org/people/Anthousai/sounds/398782/

• Toilet Flushing: https://freesound.org/people/lorenzgillner/sounds/274448/

• Tap Running: https://freesound.org/people/14G_Panska_Kaminkova_A/sounds/419990/

• Banging on Door: https://freesound.org/people/splatbot/sounds/337528/

• Kids Laughing: https://freesound.org/people/Iamgiorgio/sounds/371342/

• Drum Roll: https://freesound.org/people/bigjoedrummer/sounds/77305/

Production Notes

Tall And True Short Reads produced using Audacity.

Podcast episodes recorded in Sydney, Australia, on the traditional lands of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation.

Acast Podcast Supporter Page

Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-reads.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In Her Head

Fri, 08 Dec 2023 23:00:59 GMT

Cassie lay perfectly still in bed, staring at the shadowy shape on the ceiling overhead. A bulky body and eight legs, a spider, but this wasn't Incy Wincy. It was a huntsman with long hairy legs, needle-sharp fangs, and a jump so powerful that if human, it could win gold at the pole vault without a pole.

In Her Head is a short story from the Tall And True writers' website, written and narrated by Robert Fairhead.

Read the story on Tall And True: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/fiction/short-stories/in-her-head

Podcast website: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com

Support the podcast: https://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-reads

Not Quite Write podcast: https://notquitewritepodcast.com/

Buy Robert's short story collections online:

• Amazon Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Robert-Fairhead/e/B086HZ36NM

• Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/author/robert-fairhead/id1436773436

• Rakuten Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/au/en/author/robert-fairhead

Podcast Theme and Sound Effects

Royalty-free music from Pixabay.com: Beethoven Piano Sonata No. 15 in D major, Op. 28 'Pastorale' – IV. Rondo. Allegro ma non-Troppo, performed by Karine Gilanyan.

Sound effects licensed under Creative Commons 0 from FreeSound.org:

• Owl Hooting: https://freesound.org/people/Breviceps/sounds/465697/

• Morning Bird Song: https://freesound.org/people/ken788/sounds/386732/

Production Notes

Tall And True Short Reads produced using Audacity.

Podcast episodes recorded in Sydney, Australia, on the traditional lands of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation.

Acast Podcast Supporter Page

Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-reads.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tall And True Microfiction Anthology

Tue, 28 Nov 2023 01:22:03 GMT

I discovered microfiction when I reviewed Loopholes by Susan McCreery in 2017. By definition, brevity is the key to good microfiction. The stories in Loopholes range from several paragraphs over one or two pages to only three short sentences. With no room for plot and character development, every word must count.

Tall And True Microfiction Anthology is a blog post from the Tall And True writers' website, written and narrated by Robert Fairhead.

Read the post on Tall And True: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/blog/tall-and-true-microfiction-anthology

Both Sides of the Story blog post: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/blog/both-sides-of-the-story

Twelve Furious Months post: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/blog/twelve-furious-months-ebook

Twelve More Furious Months post: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/blog/twelve-more-furious-months

Review of Loopholes by Susan McCreery: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/reviews/books/loopholes-by-susan-mccreery

Podcast website: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com

Her (Episode 11) on Tall And True Short Reads: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/her/

Three Minute Microfiction - We Need To Talk (Episode 16): https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/three-minute-microfiction/

Signs of the Second Coming (Episode 25): https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/signs-of-the-second-coming/

Support the podcast: https://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-reads

Buy Robert's short story collections online:

• Amazon Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Robert-Fairhead/e/B086HZ36NM

• Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/author/robert-fairhead/id1436773436

• Rakuten Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/au/en/author/robert-fairhead

Podcast Theme and Sound Effects

Royalty-free music from Pixabay.com: Beethoven Piano Sonata No. 15 in D major, Op. 28 'Pastorale' – IV. Rondo. Allegro ma non-Troppo, performed by Karine Gilanyan.

Sound effects licensed under Creative Commons 0 from FreeSound.org:

• Computer Keyboard: https://freesound.org/people/D4XX/sounds/567266/

• Seagulls: https://freesound.org/people/plantmonkey/sounds/377107/

• Hospital Beeping: https://freesound.org/people/iluminati_2705/sounds/536706/

• Classroom: https://freesound.org/people/craigsmith/sounds/480708/

• Church Bells: https://freesound.org/people/Audeption/sounds/425172/

• Lord's Prayer: https://freesound.org/people/BeeProductive/sounds/380359/

• Clock Ticking: https://freesound.org/people/Julien%20Matthey/sounds/457651/

Production Notes

Tall And True Short Reads produced using Audacity.

Podcast episodes recorded in Sydney, Australia, on the traditional lands of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation.

Acast Podcast Supporter Page

Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-reads.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A Better Poem

Mon, 13 Nov 2023 05:47:54 GMT

"Roses are red, violets are blue, I spend my day, thinking of you." Davey reviewed the poem in his exercise book. "Thinking" is what you did at school. It wasn't romantic enough to attempt Mission Impossible with the girl of his dreams. That's it! "I spend my day, dreaming of you."

A Better Poem is a short story from the Tall And True writers' website, written and narrated by Robert Fairhead.

Read the story on Tall And True: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/fiction/short-stories/a-better-poem

Podcast website: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com

Support the podcast: https://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-reads

Buy Robert's short story collections online:

• Amazon Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Robert-Fairhead/e/B086HZ36NM

• Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/author/robert-fairhead/id1436773436

• Rakuten Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/au/en/author/robert-fairhead

Podcast Theme and Sound Effects

Royalty-free music from Pixabay.com: Beethoven Piano Sonata No. 15 in D major, Op. 28 'Pastorale' – IV. Rondo. Allegro ma non-Troppo, performed by Karine Gilanyan.

Sound effects licensed under Creative Commons 0 from FreeSound.org:

• School Bell: https://freesound.org/people/deleted_user_7020630/

• Torn Paper: https://freesound.org/people/rucisko/sounds/241638/

• Car Interior: https://freesound.org/people/OneTwo_BER/sounds/474195/

Production Notes

Tall And True Short Reads produced using Audacity.

Podcast episodes recorded in Sydney, Australia, on the traditional lands of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation.

Acast Podcast Supporter Page

Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-reads.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Some Things Change - Perth, Western Australia, 2023

Sun, 22 Oct 2023 04:57:13 GMT

It's only early spring, but I'm starting to sweat in Mum and Dad's back garden. I wore my dark English suit for Dad's funeral, and if etiquette permits at wakes, I'd like to slip off the coat. Looking around the garden for guidance, I struggle to recognise elderly aunts and uncles or my fellow middle-aged cousins. And I have no hope of placing their children and grandchildren.

Some Things Change is a short story from the Tall And True writers' website, written and narrated by Robert Fairhead.

Read the story on Tall And True: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/fiction/short-stories/some-things-change

Podcast website: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com

• Episode 79, Perth, Western Australia, 1979: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/some-things-change-perth-1979/

• Episode 80, London, England, 1992: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/some-things-change-london-1992/

• Episode 81, Perth, Western Australia, 2023: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/some-things-change-perth-2023/

Support the podcast: https://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-reads

Buy Robert's short story collections online:

• Amazon Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Robert-Fairhead/e/B086HZ36NM

• Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/author/robert-fairhead/id1436773436

• Rakuten Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/au/en/author/robert-fairhead

Podcast Theme and Sound Effects

Royalty-free music from Pixabay.com: Beethoven Piano Sonata No. 15 in D major, Op. 28 'Pastorale' – IV. Rondo. Allegro ma non-Troppo, performed by Karine Gilanyan.

Sound effects licensed under Creative Commons 0 from FreeSound.org:

• Kids playing: https://freesound.org/people/cognito%20perceptu/sounds/61503/

• Glasses Clinking: https://freesound.org/people/KenRT/sounds/319994/

• Car Interior: https://freesound.org/people/devy32/sounds/439252/

• Sipping Wine: https://freesound.org/people/bbrocer/sounds/382656/

Production Notes

Tall And True Short Reads produced using Audacity.

Podcast episodes recorded in Sydney, Australia, on the traditional lands of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation.

Acast Podcast Supporter Page

Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-reads.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Some Things Change - London, England, 1992

Wed, 04 Oct 2023 11:58:55 GMT

It's a chilly winter morning, and the central heating has barely warmed my flat. I'm rugged up in a jumper and Ugg boots, and the kettle's boiling. There's a knock at the door, and I know who's there without checking the peephole because I've learned to mark events on a calendar to help remember things.

Some Things Change is a short story from the Tall And True writers' website, written and narrated by Robert Fairhead.

Read the story on Tall And True: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/fiction/short-stories/some-things-change

Podcast website: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com

• Episode 79, Perth, Western Australia, 1979: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/some-things-change-perth-1979/

• Episode 80, London, England, 1992: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/some-things-change-london-1992/

• Episode 81, Perth, Western Australia, 2023: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/some-things-change-perth-2023/

Support the podcast: https://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-reads

Buy Robert's short story collections online:

• Amazon Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Robert-Fairhead/e/B086HZ36NM

• Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/author/robert-fairhead/id1436773436

• Rakuten Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/au/en/author/robert-fairhead

Podcast Theme and Sound Effects

Royalty-free music from Pixabay.com: Beethoven Piano Sonata No. 15 in D major, Op. 28 'Pastorale' – IV. Rondo. Allegro ma non-Troppo, performed by Karine Gilanyan.

Sound effects licensed under Creative Commons 0 from FreeSound.org:

• Kettle boiling: https://freesound.org/people/cupido-1/sounds/433538/

• Door knock: https://freesound.org/people/anagar/sounds/267931/

• Door open: https://freesound.org/people/dossantosbarbosa/sounds/482293/

• Pouring tea: https://freesound.org/people/florianreichelt/sounds/469701/

• Footsteps: https://freesound.org/people/Anthousai/sounds/398782/

• Sipping tea: https://freesound.org/people/bbrocer/sounds/382656/

• Mugs clanking: https://freesound.org/people/jakobhandersen/sounds/133824/

Production Notes

Tall And True Short Reads produced using Audacity.

Podcast episodes recorded in Sydney, Australia, on the traditional lands of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation.

Acast Podcast Supporter Page

Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-reads.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Some Things Change - Perth, Western Australia, 1979

Tue, 26 Sep 2023 04:51:17 GMT

It's a hot summer afternoon, with no sign of the Freo Doctor. Despite the heat, I'm climbing the tree in Gran's backyard with my brothers and boy cousins while our girl cousins chat in a circle in the shade of the back veranda. Like the other boys, I'm in shorts with no shirt or shoes. Our tomboy cousin's up here, too. And though she's wearing a dress, she's also barefoot.

Some Things Change is a short story from the Tall And True writers' website, written and narrated by Robert Fairhead.

Read the story on Tall And True: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/fiction/short-stories/some-things-change

Podcast website: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com

• Episode 79, Perth, Western Australia, 1979: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/some-things-change-perth-1979/

• Episode 80, London, England, 1992: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/some-things-change-london-1992/

• Episode 81, Perth, Western Australia, 2023: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/some-things-change-perth-2023/

Support the podcast: https://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-reads

Buy Robert's short story collections online:

• Amazon Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Robert-Fairhead/e/B086HZ36NM

• Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/author/robert-fairhead/id1436773436

• Rakuten Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/au/en/author/robert-fairhead

Podcast Theme and Sound Effects

Royalty-free music from Pixabay.com: Beethoven Piano Sonata No. 15 in D major, Op. 28 'Pastorale' – IV. Rondo. Allegro ma non-Troppo, performed by Karine Gilanyan.

Sound effects licensed under Creative Commons 0 from FreeSound.org:

• Kids playing: https://freesound.org/people/cognito%20perceptu/sounds/61503/

• Women laughing: https://freesound.org/people/Martina_Leitschuh/sounds/582751/

• BBQ sizzling: https://freesound.org/people/BenjaminNelan/sounds/353124/

• Rustling leaves: https://freesound.org/people/giddster/sounds/437356/

• Gunfire: https://freesound.org/people/C-V/sounds/523404/

Production Notes

Tall And True Short Reads produced using Audacity.

Podcast episodes recorded in Sydney, Australia, on the traditional lands of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation.

Acast Podcast Supporter Page

Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-reads.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Introducing Season Four

Tue, 19 Sep 2023 02:25:22 GMT

Season Four will start with a multi-part, longer short story I wrote in June 2023, Some Things Change, consisting of three vignettes set in different locations and times but with a common thread: a pair of cousins from Perth, Western Australia, exploring Australia's troubled history and relationship with Indigenous peoples.

Tall And True Short Reads is a storytelling podcast featuring short stories, blog posts and other writing from the Tall And True writers' website, written and narrated by Robert Fairhead.

Podcast website: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com

Listen to Two Visits to the Berlin Wall:

• Part One: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/two-visits-to-the-berlin-wall-part-one/

• Part Two: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/two-visits-to-the-berlin-wall-part-two/

Support the podcast: https://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-reads

Buy Robert's short story collections online:

• Amazon Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Robert-Fairhead/e/B086HZ36NM

• Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/author/robert-fairhead/id1436773436

• Rakuten Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/au/en/author/robert-fairhead

Podcast Theme and Sound Effects

Royalty-free music from Pixabay.com: Beethoven Piano Sonata No. 15 in D major, Op. 28 'Pastorale' – IV. Rondo. Allegro ma non-Troppo, performed by Karine Gilanyan.

Sound effects licensed under Creative Commons 0 from FreeSound.org.

Production Notes

Tall And True Short Reads produced using Audacity.

Podcast episodes recorded in Sydney, Australia, on the traditional lands of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation.

Acast Podcast Supporter Page

Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-reads.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Taking a Bow

Thu, 31 Aug 2023 12:08:02 GMT

I fell in love with live theatre when I saw my first London West End play as a newly-arrived backpacker in 1987. Over the next eight years, living in Brighton and Windsor, I attended countless professional and amateur productions. But I didn't think in 1987 that one day I'd be up on stage, too, taking a bow.

Taking a Bow is a memoir blog post from the Tall And True writers' website, written and narrated by Robert Fairhead.

Read the post on Tall And True: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/blog/taking-a-bow

Podcast website: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com

Episode 77, My Dreams: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/my-dreams/

Episode 40, My One Night Stand: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/my-one-night-stand/

Support the podcast: https://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-reads

Buy Robert's short story collections online:

• Amazon Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Robert-Fairhead/e/B086HZ36NM

• Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/author/robert-fairhead/id1436773436

• Rakuten Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/au/en/author/robert-fairhead

Podcast Theme and Sound Effects

Royalty-free music from Pixabay.com: Beethoven Piano Sonata No. 15 in D major, Op. 28 'Pastorale' – IV. Rondo. Allegro ma non-Troppo, performed by Karine Gilanyan.

Sound effects licensed under Creative Commons 0 from FreeSound.org:

• Applause: https://freesound.org/people/Breviceps/sounds/462362/

• Pub: https://freesound.org/people/BurghRecords/sounds/415974/

• Clock Ticking: https://freesound.org/people/gecop/sounds/522119/

• Canned Laughter: https://freesound.org/people/Evil_Ear_Recordings/sounds/524775/

Production Notes

Tall And True Short Reads produced using Audacity.

Podcast episodes recorded in Sydney, Australia, on the traditional lands of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation.

Acast Podcast Supporter Page

Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-reads.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

My Dreams

Tue, 08 Aug 2023 02:50:17 GMT

I'm in the middle of a dream, though it might be nearer the beginning or end. Who can tell with dreams? I'm on a rocket, and the final countdown's begun. "10, 9, 8 ..." Then I look down at myself strapped in the seat and see I'm wearing pyjamas. "It's only a dream," I reassure myself.

My Dreams is a short story from the Tall And True writers' website, written and narrated by Robert Fairhead.

Read the story on Tall And True: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/fiction/short-stories/my-dreams

Podcast website: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com

Support the podcast: https://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-reads

Buy Robert's short story collections online:

• Amazon Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Robert-Fairhead/e/B086HZ36NM

• Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/author/robert-fairhead/id1436773436

• Rakuten Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/au/en/author/robert-fairhead

Podcast Theme and Sound Effects

Royalty-free music from Pixabay.com: Beethoven Piano Sonata No. 15 in D major, Op. 28 'Pastorale' – IV. Rondo. Allegro ma non-Troppo, performed by Karine Gilanyan.

Sound effects licensed under Creative Commons 0 from FreeSound.org:

• Snoring: https://freesound.org/people/170134/sounds/407705/

• Rocket: https://freesound.org/people/LimitSnap_Creations/sounds/318688/

• Kids laughing: https://freesound.org/people/Ben%20Keaton/sounds/430815/

• Bus Stopping: https://freesound.org/people/13FPanska_Sychra_Petr/sounds/379373/

• Eagle: https://freesound.org/people/kaydinhamby/sounds/381200/

• Electric Guitar: https://freesound.org/people/alexnekita/sounds/333247/

• Applause: https://freesound.org/people/Breviceps/sounds/462362/

• Waves: https://freesound.org/people/floating%20tree/sounds/253607/

• Underwater: https://freesound.org/people/felix.blume/sounds/209459/

• Medical Beeps: https://freesound.org/people/iluminati_2705/sounds/536706/

Production Notes

Tall And True Short Reads is produced using Audacity.

Podcast episodes are recorded in Sydney, Australia, on the traditional lands of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation.

Acast Podcast Supporter Page

Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-reads.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

My Most Memorable Wimbledon

Fri, 14 Jul 2023 03:11:48 GMT

I was weaned on Wimbledon in Australia. Year after year, I'd stayed up half the night to watch the finals on TV. And here I was in the northern hemisphere, able to witness the match in broad daylight for the first time, with an Aussie in the final, for goodness sake, and Mrs B wasn't interested in tennis!

My Most Memorable Wimbledon (originally titled Wimbledon Lost in Translation) is a travel blog post from the Tall And True writers' website, written and narrated by Robert Fairhead.

Read the post on Tall And True: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/blog/wimbledon-lost-translation

Podcast website: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com

Support the podcast: https://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-reads

Buy Robert's short story collections online:

• Amazon Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Robert-Fairhead/e/B086HZ36NM

• Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/author/robert-fairhead/id1436773436

• Rakuten Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/au/en/author/robert-fairhead

Podcast Theme and Sound Effects

Royalty-free music from Pixabay.com: Beethoven Piano Sonata No. 15 in D major, Op. 28 'Pastorale' – IV. Rondo. Allegro ma non-Troppo, performed by Karine Gilanyan.

Sound effects licensed under Creative Commons 0 from FreeSound.org:

• Door Knock: https://freesound.org/people/anagar/sounds/267931/

• Tennis Sounds: https://freesound.org/people/jamesdrake89/sounds/662256/

• Crowd Cheering: https://freesound.org/people/craigsmith/sounds/486205/

• Door Closed: https://freesound.org/people/TiesWijnen/sounds/455540/

• Badminton: https://freesound.org/people/14FPanskaBubik_Lukas/sounds/418533/

Production Notes

Tall And True Short Reads is produced using Audacity.

Podcast episodes are recorded in Sydney, Australia, on the traditional lands of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation.

Acast Podcast Supporter Page

Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-reads.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Past Demons

Sun, 25 Jun 2023 06:16:04 GMT

Dylan woke with jackhammers pounding in his head and a tongue so furry it felt like it needed waxing. "Last time," he croaked, rolling onto his back and resolving to quit drinking again or, at least, to stop bingeing. He stared up at the low ceiling of his studio apartment and replayed the office drinks.

Past Demons is a short story from the Tall And True writers' website, written and narrated by Robert Fairhead.

Read the story on Tall And True: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/fiction/short-stories/past-demons

Podcast website: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com

Support the podcast: https://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-reads

Buy Robert's short story collections online:

• Amazon Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Robert-Fairhead/e/B086HZ36NM

• Rakuten Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/au/en/author/robert-fairhead

Podcast Theme and Sound Effects

Royalty-free music from Pixabay.com: Beethoven Piano Sonata No. 15 in D major, Op. 28 'Pastorale' – IV. Rondo. Allegro ma non-Troppo, performed by Karine Gilanyan.

Sound effects licensed under Creative Commons 0 from FreeSound.org:

• Jackhammer: https://freesound.org/people/fauxpress/sounds/42097/

• Party Voices: https://freesound.org/people/Zac_Gist/sounds/457286/

• Bottles Chinking: https://freesound.org/people/jawbutch/sounds/344401/

• Glasses Chinking: https://freesound.org/people/13GPanska_Gorbusinova_Anna/sounds/377989/

• Kettle Whistling: https://freesound.org/people/keweldog/sounds/181718/

• Bottle Whistle: https://freesound.org/people/Anthousai/sounds/447746/

• Sipping Drink: https://freesound.org/people/Sheyvan/sounds/471078/

• Pouring Drink: https://freesound.org/people/FillSoko/sounds/257957/

Production Notes

Tall And True Short Reads is produced using Audacity.

Podcast episodes are recorded in Sydney, Australia, on the traditional lands of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation.

Acast Podcast Supporter Page

Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-reads.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Writing True Sentences

Wed, 07 Jun 2023 06:21:57 GMT

The brief for October 2021's Furious Fiction was to set the short story in a COURT, include a character who measures something, and the words BALLOON, ROCK and UMBRELLA. So recalling Ernest Hemingway's advice to write one true sentence, I wrote, "The policewoman at the front of the Court is trying to catch my eye."

Writing True Sentences is a blog post from the Tall And True writers' website, written and narrated by Robert Fairhead.

Read the post on Tall And True: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/blog/writing-true-sentences

Read the Judgement short story on Talll And True: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/fiction/short-stories/judgement

Listen to Judgement on Tall And True Short Reads: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/judgement/

Read The Al-Rabie Hotel on Tall And True: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/fiction/short-stories/the-al-rabie-hotel

Listen to The Al-Rabie Hotel on Tall And True Short Reads: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/the-al-rabie-hotel/

Read Signs of the Second Coming on Tall And True: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/fiction/microfiction/signs-of-the-second-coming

Listen to Signs of the Second Coming on Tall And True Short Reads: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/signs-of-the-second-coming/

Podcast website: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com

Support the podcast: https://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-reads

Buy Robert's short story collections online:

• Amazon Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Robert-Fairhead/e/B086HZ36NM

• Rakuten Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/au/en/author/robert-fairhead

Podcast Theme and Sound Effects

Royalty-free music from Pixabay.com: Beethoven Piano Sonata No. 15 in D major, Op. 28 'Pastorale' – IV. Rondo. Allegro ma non-Troppo, performed by Karine Gilanyan.

Sound effects licensed under Creative Commons 0 from FreeSound.org:

• Judge's Gavel: https://freesound.org/people/theneedle.tv/sounds/376667/

• Keyboard/Mouse Click: https://freesound.org/people/D4XX/sounds/567266/

• Guitar Strumming: https://freesound.org/people/Upright/sounds/131928/

Production Notes

Tall And True Short Reads is produced using Audacity.

Episodes are recorded in Sydney, Australia, on the traditional lands of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation.

Acast Podcast Supporter Page

Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-reads.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Family Reflections

Tue, 09 May 2023 12:20:07 GMT

Mum's up first, though she doesn't like looking at her reflection nowadays. She splashes her face and turns away from me with a towel. Over her shoulder, I watch Mum gaze out the bathroom window. And when she turns back, Mum's wearing her pained expression again, like she's failed to solve the riddle of life.

Family Reflections is a short story from the Tall And True writers' website, written and narrated by Robert Fairhead.

Read the story on Tall And True: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/fiction/short-stories/family-reflections