The Westside Fairytales Podcast
We at the Westside Fairytales have written a story for you. Not you in that broad sense where you just means anybody, but you, Dear Listener. We know all about you. What makes you nervous, what sickens you, what keeps you from leaving your house sometimes for the maddening worry of it. And we’ve put it in a story. A story we’ll read for you.
Demons, desperate souls, and eldritch horrors… These strange and varied original tales will linger long after you've finished listening. The Westside Fairytales horror and dark fiction podcast is an award-winning audiodrama written, read, and produced by author Tyler Bell.
Seasons 1-4 contain a variety of short stories; Seasons 5 and 6 are novels broken into chapters. While each story can stand on its own, all take place in the extended Westside Fairytales universe, with continuing themes, characters, and connections. The Horror and Lit Club episodes are discussions, interviews, and reviews independent of the fiction episodes. Original art by Yui Breedlove.
Latest Episodes
Dog Star
In today's episode, a massive industrial accident involving a space station orbiting a distant star imperils the lives of the few workers remaining aboard during a skeleton shift. But as one of the workers tries to make his way out of the floundering station, he finds there might be something inhuman hunting for the remaining survivors.
HLC - "Remains of the Day" by Kazuo Ishiguro and "Session 9"
This Horror and Lit Club discusses "Remains of the Day" by Kazuo Ishiguro and "Session 9" directed by Brad Anderson. I also talk about some stuff I've been enjoying during quarantine, including the film "Soap Dish," the 1973 version of "The Wicker Man," and the video game Doom Eternal.
HLC - "Night of the Hunter" by Davis Grubb and "Night of the Hunter" dir. by Charles Laughton
A discussion of this month's dual recommendations, Davis Grubb's debut 1953 novel "Night of the Hunter" and its 1955 film adaptation by Charles Laughton.
Within as Without
In today's story, a lone soldier stalks the ruins of a post-apocalyptic city, following the last orders he was given at the end of an unknown war. But as he hunts his quarry through broken buildings and desolate streets, he realizes he's not just the hunter, but the hunted as well.
HLC - "The House on Mango Street" by Sandra Cisneros and "REC"
This month's horror and lit club is a discussion of "The House on Mango Street" by Sandra Cisneros and "REC" directed by Jaume Balaguero and Paco Plaza.
Ojos Oscuros
In this story, a peasant girl working as an agave farmer is given a second chance at a new life, but the sacrifices she'll have to make may not be worth it.
HLC - "The Terror" by Dan Simmons and its TV adaptation
In this episode of the Westside Fairytales Horror and Lit Club, we discuss Dan Simmons’ 2007 novel "The Terror," and its 2018 adaptation written and produced by David Kajganich. Also, I talk about and review "The Lighthouse" directed by Robert Eggers and the 2020 reboot of "The Grudge."
Oh, Heaven
In this story, a longtime sailor slips into madness as his obsession with a small Pacific island intensifies.
HLC - "Me Talk Pretty One Day" by David Sedaris and "The Witch"
An off-the-cuff discussion of December's recommendations, "Me Talk Pretty One Day" by David Sedaris and "The Witch" dir. by Robert Eggers.
Mud of the Heart
In this episode of the Westside Fairytales, we join a young man contracted as a hospice nurse to a mute, elderly woman living in an aged mansion beside a swamp. As the woman in his care slips closer to death, he finds himself plagued by haunting visions.
HLC - "Beloved" by Toni Morrison and "Society"
In this month’s Horror and Lit Club is a discussion on Toni Morrison’s seminal work, “Beloved,” and the 1989 body-horror film “Society” directed by Brian Yuzna.