PodJam is back for its third year, and signups are officially open! ✨
If you’ve been saying “I want to make a fiction podcast someday,” here's your chance! PodJam is an event in which teams and individuals create the pilot episode of a brand-new fiction podcast in one month.
Rules, additional info, and the FAQ can be found on our website. Questions can be directed to Event Support tickets in the Discord. Follow @podcastjam for event updates here on Tumblr!
Participant Sign-up
Team Submissions
Schedule:
Sign-ups: March 10th - March 17th
Team submission deadline: March 24th
Team announcements: March 29th
Kickoff: March 30th
Withdraw deadline: April 7th
Jam period: March 30th - April 27th
Submissions due: April 27th
Closing ceremony & Show marathon: May 9th
PodJam is hosted entirely online and is free to join! If you're so inclined, however, we suggest a Ko-Fi donation of $5/participant or $20/team; all money raised goes back to support the work we do here at PBC!
SYNOPSIS
A tourist in a magical city tries to find the perfect souvenir for her mother. (Runtime: 11 min 20 sec.)
CREDITS:
Writing by Rocky Breen.
Dialogue Editing by Lea Lawson.
Sound Design by Cass.
Lea Lawson voiced the Tourist.
Cassie Fox voiced the Shopkeeper.
Rocky Breen voiced the other customers.
TRANSCRIPT BELOW
If you prefer the transcript in google docs, we're hyperlinking it in this sentence.
Transcript for Imagined Economies, Episode 1: The Souvenir
CITY NOISES. HORSES, CARRIAGES, MURMURING VOICES. CHURCH BELLS.
TOURIST: (VOICEOVER) Hey mum. This letter should reach you before I return-
PEN SCRATCHES ON PAPER.
TOURIST: -courtesy of cousin Cal. Did you know he's all grown up now-
A SHOP BELL JINGLES, DOOR OPENING.
TOURIST: -and running the courier business? Crazy.
SHOP BELL JINGLES, DOOR CLOSING. A SHEAF OF PAPER IS SHOVED ASIDE.
SHOPKEEPER: (TO ANOTHER CUSTOMER) Thank you.
SHOPKEEPER: (TO TOURIST) Hello and welcome. Can I help you find anything?
ANOTHER OTHER CUSTOMER LEAVES THE SHOP, BELL JINGLING AS THEY DO. THE CITY SOUNDS OUTSIDE THE TOWN ARE MUFFLED AS THE DOOR CLOSES.
TOURIST: Yes, hello. It might be a long shot, but I was hoping you had some of the snow drop charms?
FOOTSTEPS.
SHOPKEEPER: No, sorry, I'd be surprised if there's any left in the city.
TOURIST: (SIGHING) I thought as much. Thank you.
SHOPKEEPER: Well, feel free to look around. Maybe you'll find something else you like.
PEN SCRATCHING ON PAPER.
TOURIST: (VOICEOVER, THE SOUND OF PEN ON PAPER) I went to the gift shop Aunt Bevel told us about.
THE TOURIST TOUCHES SOME LODESTONES WHICH CLACK TOGETHER.
SHOPKEEPER: (LOUDLY, FROM ACROSS THE SHOP) Please don't touch the lode stones!
TOURIST: Sorry! Sorry.
SHOPKEEPER: Touch the necklaces, if you must, but not the loose stones. That's what the trowels and little bottles are for.
TOURIST: Oh, sorry, it's the opposite where I'm from.
SHOPKEEPER: Where are you from?
TOURIST: Uh, Green Valley, near Fox-head Shrine.
SHOPKEEPER: Oh, that's quite a journey. What brings you to Opal-anne?
TOURIST: Oh, my mum and I always wanted to come visit. My aunt has lived here for a while, and we heard good things. We always planned to come together, but ... it just didn't work out for her to join me.
SHOPKEEPER: (NOT ACROSS THE SHOP ANYMORE) Ah. Then that's who the snow drops are for.
TOURIST: Yeah. Yeah, my aunt used to send them our way every few months, and it... helped. But it makes sense that they're gone with Old Farraday dead.
SHOPKEEPER: You know, I've got something else. If you can tell me what symptoms your mother has...?
TOURIST: She has pain every day. Migraines.
PAPER RUSTLES. THEN SOMETHING CERAMIC IS SET ON THE COUNTER.
SHOPKEEPER: This is a stone mushroom that only grows right after wildfire in the mountains. It isn't cheap, but it could help your mom better than snow drops would. The priests at Foxhead Shrine should know how to prepare it into a treatment for her.
TOURIST: Oh, that's um… that’s really ... thoughtful of you. But if I came home with medicine my mum would be so sad. She just wants me to have a good time, since she couldn't join me. The snow drops didn't cost much, and they're pretty-- they're technically a charm from the temple with blessings... So I was hoping to get a good souvenir for her. 'Wish you were here' type of thing.
SHOPKEEPER: Ahh. I see.
THE SOUND OF PEN ON PAPER.
TOURIST: (VOICEOVER) The shop had so many things I wish I could show you.
THE SHOP BELL JINGLES, DOOR OPENING AND CLOSING AS ANOTHER CUSTOMER ENTERS.
SHOPKEEPER: (TO ANOTHER CUSTOMER) Hi, can I help you find anything?
CUSTOMER 1: No, I'll just take a look around.
A METALLIC CLICK. A COLD WIND HOWLING. A MECHANICAL WIND-UP SOUND. A MUSIC BOX PLAYS. ICE CRACKS AND CRUNCHES
NARRATOR: You're listening to Imagined Economies, Episode 1: The Souvenir.
THE MUSIC BOX TUNE CONTINUES WITH ICY CRUNCHES.
TOURIST: (VOICEOVER) There was this winter music box, with an ice dragon rotating inside. It was a little sad, to me, but-
TOURIST: (ACROSS THE SHOP) Do these ... actually sell?
SHOPKEEPER: (LAUGHS GOOD-HUMOREDLY) You'd be surprised. A lot of folks here were fond of Old Farraday. I bet even his critics will miss him, in time. His influence made winter bearable. Cozy. That song was made for him.
TOURIST: It's a kind of ... what.... funeral souvenir?
ICE SPLINTERS, METAL CLINGS, AND THE MUSIC STOPS.
TOURIST: Memorial of the dead? It's a little... macabre…
SETS THE MUSIC BOX DOWN.
TOURIST: …don't you think?
SHOPKEEPER: (GIGGLING) If you think that's macabre, then it's a good thing you weren't here for the line of people trying to get one of Farraday's scales. I was too late to snag one. But they're good luck! My gran lived to a hundred and twenty because of the scale she got when Old Cameron died.
GRAVEL SCRAPES AS ANOTHER CUSTOMER DIGS LODESTONES.
TOURIST: Huh. I'll take your word for it.
STONES INTO LITTLE GLASS BOTTLES. PEN SCRATCHING ON PAPER.
TOURIST: (VOICEOVER) More than the shop, though, the whole city was inspiring. Even when my feet felt tired, I visited one more place, since I don't know when I'll be able to visit again. I'm taking your wish, to say hello to all of the sights for you, pretty seriously. I can rest when I'm back home.
SHOPKEEPER: Well..
IN THE BACKGROUND, A SOUND LIKE WOOD BEING FIDDLED WITH, A RATCHET WINDING.
SHOPKEEPER: ... if you're looking for some good souvenirs for mom, I have some other ideas. Those postcards there animate when you tap them twice. Check out the one of the temple. A pilgrimage enters the picture-
PAPER SLIDES PAST OTHER PAPER.
SHOPKEEPER: -and goes up the steps.
TOURIST: Ah, that's … (STALLS) cute. Uh, but that's not quite what I'm looking for, either.
SHOPKEEPER: You know... Sometimes when I travel and want to get someone a nice souvenir... I get it in my head that the gift I get has to be perfect.
SHOPKEEPER: Because it's not just a souvenir.
THE SHOP DOOR OPENS, BELL JINGLING.
SHOPKEEPER: It's a statement about my care for them. It's a statement about-
THE SHOP DOOR CLOSES.
SHOPKEEPER: -what they mean to me.
CUSTOMER 2: (FROM ACROSS THE SHOP) Hello.
SHOPKEEPER: (TO NEW CUSTOMER) Hello!
FOOTSTEPS.
SHOPKEEPER: (LOWER, TO TOURIST) And I get so in my head, trying to find the perfect gift to say all that - that I love them, that I'm thinking of them, that I know them and understand them… That getting a good grade in gift-giving is Both Normal To Want And Possible To Achieve... I get so in my head that I stop enjoying my travel. Not permanently. Maybe just for a moment. A half hour. But no matter what I buy, it feels disappointing.
FOOTSTEPS.
TOURIST: (EXHALING, A LITTLE ANNOYED) Okay. Okay, I get it.
CUSTOMER 2: (NEARER NOW BUT STILL A BIT AWAY) Are these from Cheshire Grove?
SHOPKEEPER: (TO CUSTOMER 2) Of course!
SHOPKEEPER: (TO TOURIST) I think it's similar to funerals, actually. Getting in line for a scale from our dead dragon lord's body? It helps us process the change. It diverts the energy, the anxiety of the unknown-
TOURIST: I …feel like that's different, though.
SHOPKEEPER: Maybe. But when my gran died, those same sort of feelings popped up. What's the exact right thing to say at a funeral?
FOOTSTEPS.
SHOPKEEPER: How do I mark the moment perfectly? It matters. And because it matters-
GLASS CLINKS TOGETHER.
SHOPKEEPER: -it's so easy for it to feel like it's all that matters.
SHOPKEEPER WRAPS THE OTHER CUSTOMER’S BOTTLES IN IN PAPER.
TOURIST: (LAUGHING ANXIOUSLY) Is everyone from Opal-anne this generous with their life advice?
CUSTOMER 1: (SING-SONGY) Pretty much.
SHOPKEEPER: (LAUGHS EARNESTLY) Well, maybe. (TO CUSTOMER 1) Four and a half bits, dearie.
COINS CLINK.
CUSTOMER 1: Thank you.
SHOPKEEPER: (TO CUSTOMER 1) Thanks and come again.
THE SHOP DOOR OPENS AND THE BELL JINGLES AS CUSTOMER 1 LEAVES. WHILE THE DOOR IS OPEN, THE SOUNDS OF CITY LIFE FLARE AND THEN QUIET AS THE DOOR SHUTS.
SHOPKEEPER: How many more days will you be in Opal-anne? I might have just the thing for you.
TOURIST: Uh, just today and tomorrow.
SHOPKEEPER: Well, that should be enough time.
A THIN METAL CHAIN CLINKS AND A GLASS DISC SHIFTS.
SHOPKEEPER: This spyglass has a button, under this panel, and when you press it, it will record everything you see, smell, hear, feel - even taste. Only about ten seconds. Only one slot, so re-recording will erase the previous one. But here.
SHOPKEEPER: This is our sampler, with a recording from the temple foot-baths. Take a look.
THE CHAIN CLINKS AS TOURIST TAKES IT. A ROCK DROPS IN WATER. A METAL CHIME BOWL IS STRUCK, THEN A CALM GONG. WATER RIPPLES AND SWISHES. THE METAL BOWL CHIMES AGAIN AND THE TEMPLE SOUNDS CEASE.
TOURIST: (GASPS, LIKE COMING UP FOR AIR IN A LAKE, THEN LAUGHS WILDLY, GLEEFULLY) I saw it! I… felt it. My feet in the baths. The smell of sulphur. Saw the garden wall behind the temple. Oh, that's... that’s incredible. So I could take my own recording, take the spyglass home, and when my mum looks through it, it (LAUGHS AGAIN, BREATHLESS) it will be... as if she were really here?
SHOPKEEPER: Yes! You can test it out, to make sure it's recorded. The scene is triggered when it detects an eye up at the eyepiece.
TOURIST: (EMPHATICALLY) Yeah, this is... perfect. (HESITANT NOW) And... uh... how much is it?
SHOPKEEPER: Fifteen bits.
TOURIST: (EXHALES) That's... a completely fair price for what it is... but it's also the whole of my budget for this gift. No fees or anything, for wrapping it up, right?
SHOPKEEPER: Nope, no, just fifteen.
TOURIST: (SIGHS, RELIEVED) Great.
COINS CLINK.
SHOPKEEPER: Thank you. What do you think you'll record?
THE SHOPKEEPER WRAPS THE SPYGLASS UP IN PAPER.
TOURIST: Mum would love the foot-baths... The only thing missing from your sampler recording was something to taste.
SHOPKEEPER: Yeah, rotten egg smell doesn't really mix with food very well.
TOURIST: That's a …good point.
SHOPKEEPER: You could always dip your feet in the river. There's some stones in the water near Calloway Bridge big enough for a little picnic. And sometimes the singing fish hang out nearby.
TOURIST: Oh, I wish I had stopped here first.There's so many places to choose from…
SHOPKEEPER: No spiraling. No perfectionism. Just pick the thing you want to do most, and record that for Mom. She'll love it.
TOURIST: Yeah. Okay. Okay. (INHALE, EXHALE) I think I can do that. Thank you.
SHOPKEEPER: Safe travels.
CUSTOMER 2: Hi.
FOOTSTEPS.
SHOPKEEPER: (TO CUSTOMER 2) Yes, can I help you?
CUSTOMER 2: Do you all do portraits here?
SHOPKEEPER: No, this is .... just a gift shop. (THEIR CONVERSATION FADES)
CUSTOMER 2: Right, well the portrait would be a gift…
THE SHOP BELL JINGLES AND THE DOOR CLOSES. THE SOUNDS OF CARRIAGES AND VOICES FROM MERCHANT STALLS COME TO LIFE, THEN CUT OFF UNDER THE SCRATCHING OF A PEN ON PAPER.
TOURIST: (VOICEOVER) I got you something I think you'll really like.
WATER RIPPLES AND SWISHES. PEN ON PAPER CONTINUES.
TOURIST: (VOICEOVER) Did you know you can visit the foot-baths here at night? They're seen as a public good so they never close. And the night was... well,
CALM WATER NOISES FADE INTO CRICKETSONG, PEN ON PAPER CONTINUING.
TOURIST: (VOICEOVER) you'll see for yourself soon enough.
A SCONCE CRACKLES. CRICKETS CHIRP ON. WRITING SOUNDS CONTINUE.
TOURIST: (VOICEOVER) But I was lucky enough to see a shooting star! What wish would you make, if you saw one? You should think about it, so you have one ready. Maybe you'll see one soon. (EXHALES)
BACKGROUND SOUND AND WRITING NOISES FADE OUT.
TOURIST: (VOICEOVER) I love you, Mum.
THE MUSIC BOX TUNE PLAYS.
NARRATOR: Thanks for listening to Imagined Economies. Lea Lawson was the voice of the Tourist. Cassie Fox was the voice of the Shopkeeper. Rocky Breen was the voice of the other customers.
NARRATOR: This episode was written by Rocky Breen, with Dialogue Editing by Lea Lawson and Sound Design by Cassie Fox.
THE MUSIC BOX CONTINUES AND THEN FADES. END OF EPISODE.
online numbers can really fuck you up when it comes to your creative work because you're sharing something you worked on with all your heart but it's very important to remember there's actual people behind those numbers. even if it's 1. that's one whole actual person. that's a human being who said "haha nice". that's a connection with a REAL person with a REAL life and REAL thoughts and feelings and experiences. like. damn. that should mean something
Good time zone, folks! Here are the links to the pilot episode of our psychological horror audio drama inspired by "Yellow Wallpaper" by Charlotte Perkins Gilman:
RSS Feed
Hosting by Podcast Bookclub on Acast since we made our pilot as part of their April Podcast Jam!
Wallpaper is a modern-day adaptation of "The Yellow Wallpaper" by Charlotte Perkins Gilman. Our psychological horror story comes with the following content warnings:
Minor physical injury;
A detailed exploration of living with mental illness, especially psychosis;
Unstable reality;
Death, ghosts, and the undead;
Hallucinations and hearing voices of ambiguous origin;
Intrusive thoughts of self injury;
Controlling romantic relationships.
Headphones are recommended for the intended listening experience. Furthermore, this pilot incorporates hypnotic techniques in its imagery and sound design to increase immersion. We advise against listening while driving or operating heavy equipment. Listener discretion is advised.
Further information as well as the transcript link can be found in the show notes, and we hope you enjoy the House we've built.
I participated in @podcast-bookclub's Podcast Jam this year and I didn't get the chance to listen to everything during the marathon weekend. Which means I couldn't leave comments for everyone in the chat.
so I've decided to listen to everything via the feed: https://shows.acast.com/podcast-jam
Lakesong is a horror-mystery podcast, originally written for @podcast-bookclub's 2026 podjam event. It is currently in production to be extended into a full series !
In a quiet town on the shores of Lake Superior, strange things happen... a whale song in the night, a suspicious amount of salt sales to one customer in particular, and an email sent to two paranormal investigators pleading for their help.
You can listen to the podjam pilot here (spotify) or here (acast).
The team behind Lakesong is comprised of @thelemonsnek (writing, voice acting, audio editing), @chemickid (voice acting), @curiostars (UTAU voices), and @drawnecromancy (writing, voice acting, composing, illustrating). We're a small team, and frequently trade around roles as needed.
If you would like to listen to... *checks notes* 18 BRAND NEW audio drama pilots, you're in luck!
The 2026 PodJam, hosted by us (hi!) has officially just wrapped up yesterday with our final closing ceremony, and all of the newly-created pilots are publicly available on the PodJam feed now 🎙️
These shows were created in one month during our collaborative event, with this being a first jump into the podcast-making world for many of our participants, so be sure to go show the creators and their projects some love! Liveblogging extra encouraged in the PBC Discord :), or under the #2026 podjam tag here on Tumblr
Podjam Day 2 is almost upon us! There's about 1 and a half hours before @podcastjam goes live for day two on @podcast-bookclub 's Twitch!
If you're interested in listening to Knightfall live with everyone else and seeing our gaggle of queer knights Go Through It ™️ come and join the stream!
And I will definitely reccomend you stick around for all the other shows as well because Day 1 was great and Day 2 looks like it's shaping up to be the same (and we're definitely not biased)
If you can't join the livestream check out the episode on the Podcast Jam's Acast feed or wherever you get your podcasts!
⚔️ From everyone in the @knightfallpod team, thank you for following along with us and we hope you enjoy the episode ⚔️
You'll be able to check out this show, (and listen to all the other 2026 Jam entries!) during the 2-day PodJam marathon on May 9th & 10th, 2026, live on the PBC Twitch channel!
Podcast Jam projects have been submitted!🎉 Until the marathon stream we'll be sharing excerpts from projects that were sent in by the teams.
Have You Tried Turning The Ritual Off And On Again?
Art concepts made on the artist's phone
You'll be able to check out this show, (and listen to all the other 2026 Jam entries!) during the 2-day PodJam marathon on May 9th & 10th, 2026, live on the PBC Twitch channel!
