Whispers from the Star River is a weekly journey into the heart of Australian speculative fiction. Each episode, we navigate the vast expanse of genre fiction, showcasing the incredible home-grown talent shaping our new mythologies.
Join presenter Sarah Xu each week and be transported by atmospheric, immersive readings of original works of brand-new sci-fi, fantasy, and horror, read by the authors and captured by Karena Wynn-Moylan for the Narratives Library. From dystopian futures on familiar streets to epic fantasy in ancient landscapes, we celebrate the full spectrum of the (im)possible, and contemplate how these works reflect our current political climates and address the more confronting aspects of our collective humanity.
More than a review show, this is a chance to discover your next favourite author directly and hear the stories behind the stories. For fans of speculative fiction, it’s a rare opportunity to tune into a curated blend of music, storytelling, discovery, and connection to the local scene. Whispers from the Star River is a 60-minute escape into the extraordinary.
Dispatch 25 features the short story "The Face God Gave" by Shirley Jackson and Ditmar Award winning Canberian author J. Ashley Smith.