Story: ‘Bitch Baby,’ by Halle Hill
Ursa Short Fiction is proud to present an original audio production of “Bitch Baby,” written by Halle Hill, from her debut collection, Good...
Radio and PodcastLive Radio & PodcastsArts
Ursa Short Fiction
Join authors Deesha Philyaw (The Secret Lives of Church Ladies) and Dawnie Walton (The Final Revival of Opal & Nev) for author interviews, book club discussions, and immersive short stories...
Episodes
20 of 44 episodes[Free Teaser] Member Bonus: What Deesha and Dawnie Are Reading Right Now
In this Member Bonus episode, Deesha Philyaw and Dawnie Walton talk about what they’re reading, writing, watching, and what they’re celebrat...
Destiny O. Birdsong on Navigating Censorship in Storytelling
Deesha and Dawnie talk with Destiny O. Birdsong, author of the poetry collection Negotiations and the novel Nobody’s Magic. Last year, Birds...
[Free Teaser] First Chapters: The Final Revival of Opal & Nev, by Dawnie Walton
An Ursa Member Bonus! In a new recurring feature we call First Chapters, Dawnie and Deesha dig into the memorable opening chapter of Dawnie’...
Story: ‘Snow Bath Season,’ by Stacie Denetsosie
Deesha and Dawnie introduce an Ursa original production of “Snow Bath Season,” a short story written by Stacie Denetsosie, and performed by...
[Free Teaser] Member Exclusive: Ask the Agents! PJ Mark and Danielle Chiotti on Getting Published
Deesha and Dawnie sit down with their own agents, Danielle Chiotti and PJ Mark, to chat about the publishing industry. What does it mean to...
Rion Amilcar Scott: ‘It Has to Be Fun, It Has to Be Funky’
Deesha and Dawnie chat with Rion Amilcar Scott, sharing stories, craft advice, 90’s hip-hop references, and how experience as parents, as te...
[Free Teaser] Member Exclusive: 'Sonny's Blues,' by James Baldwin
In this special Member Exclusive episode, Deesha and Dawnie kick off a recurring feature we call Iconic Stories — starting with James Baldwi...
Story: ‘Telling Stories,’ by T.E. Wilderson
Deesha and Dawnie introduce an Ursa original audio production of “Telling Stories” by T.E. Wilderson, published in The Account magazine in 2...
S.A. Cosby on the Art of the Thriller
In the spirit of Halloween, Deesha and Dawnie dig into thrillers, mysteries, and suspense with acclaimed crime fiction writer S.A. Cosby, au...
Season 3 Sneak Preview!
We're back! Dawnie Walton and Deesha Philyaw give us a special sneak preview of what's in store for Season Three. Show notes: Support this s...
Ursa Presents: Reckon True Stories, with Deesha Philyaw and Kiese Laymon
Dawnie Walton and Deesha Philyaw introduce us to Reckon True Stories, a brand new podcast hosted by Deesha and acclaimed author Kiese Laymon...
Shows We Love: Black & Published
While we put the final touches on Season Three, we wanted to share an episode from another podcast that we think you’ll love: Black & Publis...
That's a Wrap on Season Two! A Special Message from Deesha and Dawnie
Thanks to our guests, contributors, and listeners for a wonderful second season! Help us fund Season Three of Ursa Short Fiction by becoming...
What Denne Michele Norris Learned as a Writer and Editor
Deesha and Dawnie chat with Denne Michele Norris, editor-in-chief of Electric Literature and author of the forthcoming debut novel, When The...
[Free teaser] Member Exclusive: Deesha’s 7-Figure Book Deal, Listener Questions
This week we’re excited to share a very special episode of Ursa Short Fiction — a Member Exclusive where Dawnie Walton chats with Deesha Phi...
Story: ‘What Got Into Us,’ by Jacob Guajardo
Deesha and Dawnie introduce “What Got Into Us,” a short story by Jacob Guajardo, performed by Vicki Valdeon. The story is a candid look into...
Rubén Degollado on Writing a Family Story, 25 Years in the Making
Deesha Philyaw and Dawnie Walton go in-depth with Rubén Degollado, author of the novel The Family Izquierdo, which started out as a short st...
Story: ‘The Seven Songs,’ by Rubén Degollado
This week we're thrilled to feature “The Seven Songs,” by Rubén Degollado, from his novel, The Family Izquierdo. The story is performed by C...
Nafissa Thompson-Spires on the Making of ‘Heads of the Colored People’
Deesha Philyaw and Dawnie Walton go deep with Nafissa Thompson-Spires, author of the beloved 2018 collection Heads of the Colored People, to...