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The database overhaul continues. We're about 75% there, and Allie and I will keep working on it through the long weekend. But I've done something pretty cool in the interim.

A few weeks ago, I published an article that states, with evidence provided, which podcast listening apps are the best for audio fiction listeners. Not long after that, I followed through with my promise to recommend just those podcast listening apps that do a good job of presenting audio fiction podcasts to listeners. While I'll still list to as many apps as I can, you'll see this new badge denoting the apps I recommend:

What's most cool is that Apollo, the only podcast listening app dedicated to audio fiction, now allows for deep linking, making my list complete. And my thanks to AJ, CEO of Apollo, for signing up to be a Supporting Creative Shop!

So now when you visit any show page, you can be listening to that show in one of those podcast listing apps with a single click. Check it out. And maybe see what you've been missing if your current preferred podcast listening app isn't one I recommend.

With that... let's get into it, shall we?

- Evo

What a week!

The database upgrade continues. We're about 41% done, and we've been trying to tackle the hardest ones first. I expect things to speed up as we go along, so... maybe it'll be all done by the next newsletter issues? If you only experience The End via the newsletter, you really should check out how and where these listings appear on the website. It's pretty nifty.

I'm calling out—in a good way—two very special fiction fans. The first is Twiglets, an avid fiction podcast consumer who lets me know when season finales are posted well ahead of creators. I thought I listened to a lot, but Twiglets has me beat. Keep up with their listening by following them on Mastodon. Next is Robert Kingett, a blind listener and writer who very graciously lets me know when I've done something to the website that negatively impacts people who use screen readers. He, too, is on Mastodon, and worth a follow.

As The End is many, many dollars away from covering its very real costs, I'm grateful for amazing people like these who volunteer some of their precious time to help me make this site better. And, of course, I also am very appreciative of those who choose to support The End financially. Which can be you. Now, please and thank you.

In theory, I'm helping organize some audio fiction performances at Phoenix Fan Fusion next weekend. If you're attending, I hope you'll stop in and enjoy the performances. Or at least say hello.

Let's get into it, shall we?

- Evo

As I teased last week, we've started overhauling the database that powers our directory and these newsletters. It's quite a process, so my faithful assistant Allie is splitting the load with me. You should expect some wonkiness for the next several days until we get all the things ironed out. But it'll be much, much more clear for you, the listener. And perhaps something a bit more manageable for the creators who submit their shows to us. We appreciate your patience while we get through the slog.

Some changes are apparent right now, as in the format of this newsletter. I'll still give you two recommendations, but I'm also recommending Collections in each issue. As in their own section, not just a mention here in the preamble, which, let's face it, you have skipped from time to time. I do the same thing, so I won't take it personally.

Also, I've tightened up the time-blocks for each section from 30-days to a week. That will primarily impact the "Coming Soon" section. Which, let's once again face it, was way too long looking out 30 days. It'll also mean the "Just Added" section—formerly "ICYMI..."—will be a bit longer. But I think it'll be a good way to highlight what's truly new and coming soon, while still letting me tell you about the cool shows that aren't newly finished but are new to the directory. Your feedback on any change is welcome, good or bad.

Let's get into it, shall we?

- Evo

May is my favorite month of the year for many reasons, but mostly because of these three specific days: The First of May (which is as funny as it is naughty), Star Wars Day, and my wedding anniversary. And, it's just damned nice outside in most places around the world. But, with the very real reality of global climate change, YMMV on that last bit.

A huge shout-out to Ian from Caspian Studios for becoming the latest Supporting Creative Shop! They are the studio that made The Hacker Chronicles, which you'll recall I had as one of my Featured Recommendations last week. Ian tells me there are some other cool shows in the works, so look for more from them soon. Thank you, Ian. Your contribution means a lot. (And yes, you too can be like Ian, and I will also say nice things about you!)

One final note before I get into this week's announcements: Last night's insomnia was productive, as I came up with an idea to dramatically overhaul the site and the newsletter. Don't panic! The mission remains the same, and the outcome will also be preserved. But, I think, if I can pull it off, it'll be more streamlined and, ultimately, better. Also, there's no way I used all those commas properly, so should just get on with it.

Let's get into it, shall we?

- Evo

In case you hadn't noticed, the world is kinda on fire right now. And while staying connected to the various conflicts is a Very Good Idea, so is taking a break from the existential dread that is life at the end of April 2024. May you find some solace in these new listings of completed audio fiction on The End.

Alternately, you could do what I do and consume some post-apocalyptic audio fiction, where things are probably much worse than we're currently experiencing. Because sometimes, vicariously experiencing an even more terrifying hellscape gives a helpful perspective. Or motivational, depending on your proclivities.

So check out my collection of apocalyptic and post-civilization tales that show life goes on, entitled We Had A Good Run, People. The stories contained in the collection give a variety of takes on the topic and the severity of which we are... well, screwed. Enjoy (?) these selections of the darker side of "what happens next?"

I'm too tired to even beg for more of you to become Individual Supporters today, so with that...

Let's get into it, shall we?

- Evo

Hooray! Tax day is behind us. Last year was... woof. Here's to better figures in 2024!

Speaking of money, I must give a huge thanks to the fiction podcast powerhouse that is Lindsay Harris Friel for signing up ADWIT—the Audio Drama Writer's Toolkit—as a Supporting Creative Shop! It's a podcast with a simple premise: better writing leads to more good audio drama podcasts for all of us to enjoy. I appreciate your support, Lindsay. It means a lot. And if you're inspired by Lindsay's action and have a spare $25 bucks in your pocket, that's all it takes to become a supporter of The End! 100% of the proceed go back into running the site, and I'm nowhere near break-even just yet. So if you can help, please do.

Speaking of help, a very gracious long-time fan of The End asked if they could do more. Like, a lot more. Like, 10x more! So yes, I happily accepted that wonderful and thoughtful contribution to the cause. So if you look at the support options and think, "Well, that's too cheap," know that I agree completely! Just drop me a note and I'll send you a link so you can contribute as much as you'd like.

One last thing: I dropped a bomb on the podcast-listening app developer community last Sunday, with an article titled Unlocking the Potential of Fiction Podcasts: A Call to Podcast App Developers. If you'd like to understand the challenges new listeners of fiction podcasts face, give it a read. And if you read that last sentence thinking "I have no problems listening to fiction podcasts," you should read it just to see all the hoops you've trained yourself to go through to improve your listening experience. Send your hate mail to [redacted].

There are plenty of newly and not-so-newly completed shows/seasons to let you know about, so let's get into it, shall we?

- Evo

No, I did not stand in the path of totality last week. The cloud cover in my planned destinations—all 16+ hours away—didn't give me confidence. So I stayed in Phoenix and watched the partial. I'm now making plans to travel to Spain in 2026 to watch the next total eclipse, rather than wait until the event occurs in the States again in 2045!

I've no new supporters to thank this week. Boo. Compound that with my finalized tax returns, which have both my wife and my accountant really suggesting I get a job. Did I mention boo? Fortunately, I have been working with a few fiction creators, big and small, on some strategic initiatives. I have special rates for indies and non-profits, so if you're considering hiring a consultant, let's talk for 30 minutes for free to see if I can help. Or if you have a spare $24.99 lying around, that's all it takes to become an Individual Supporter of The End for an entire year.

By the end of the weekend, I hope to have a new article posted that unveils, with definitive proof, which podcast listening apps work the best—and worst—for fiction podcasts. It'll probably ruffle some feathers, though I'm working hard to take out all of my normal snark. A feat that is really, really hard for someone as snarky as me.

Let's get into it, shall we?

- Evo

Ok, that title was a bit of a stretch. But if the weather plays nice, I'll make the 16-hour drive—one-way—from Phoenix to south Texas so I can see Monday's total eclipse with my own eyeballs. Rest assured I've queued up plenty of audio fiction to listen to for the drive!

It looks like Ryan Murphy of Your Horror Show fame is trying to buy my love after the grief he's put me through on this upcoming season of the show, as he recently signed up as a Supporting Creative Shop, helping to financially support our efforts here at The End. And it totally worked! Thank you, Ryan. (Now—drop the damned next season!) For the rest of you lot, as I am fond of saying, BE LIKE RYAN!

Before I get into the new listings in our directory, I want to highlight two more collections of finished audio fiction for you:

• A.I. Is Going Great! - From Skynet to HAL9000, synthetic sentience was supposed to make our lives better. Yeah, right. Here in the real world, it feels like "A.I" (ironic quotes intentional) is encroaching on many aspects of our lives. This is nothing new to the world of science fiction, where synthetic life forms and assistive "robots" live alongside us human beings. But we've a long way to go before we get to that utopia. Here are some shows that highlight when things go—perhaps predictably—bad.
• TV Tropes (But For Your Ears) - Sitcoms, soap operas, police procedurals, fake reality shows, and other types of storytelling popularized on the small screen. From the golden days of 3-channel broadcasting to today's fractured world of streaming services, TV shows are a staple for billions of viewers around the world. This collection of audio fiction shows take their inspiration from formats that were originally conceived of and perfected (?) for TV viewers.

Browse those or the other collections to find your next fix when you're in between newsletters. And speaking of newsletters...

Let's get into it, shall we?

- Evo

A bit of good news before we start: Fiction podcasts buck the trend of declining downloads. Where other categories showed an average decline of 15% and as much as a 40% (Health & Fitness), fiction podcasts showed an increase of more than 36%! I'm not so egotistical to claim all the credit for that. But... maybe just a little? 

A special note of thanks to Jane and the team who make Spiked Eggs. The podcast, not some booze-infused Easter dish. They are the latest team to sign up as a Supporting Creative Shop, and I thank them for their support. I recently revamped all the supporting tiers, so please take a look and BE LIKE SPIKED EGGS!

Today's issue has more shows than ever before, so let's get into it, shall we?

- Evo

I'm having a heck of a lot of fun curating collections of shows, and I have two more to share with you before we get into the latest crop of audio fiction shows that have reached an ending:

• ‍It's a Musical! - Musicals on the big screen, small screen, and the stage capture our hearts and minds. Here's a collection of 20—for now—audio fiction shows that feature original musical numbers performed by the talent. Now available for your ears!‍
• I'm Thinking Zombies - Whether you like them fast or slow, zombies are a major trope in popular media. Here's a list of all the finished audio fiction shows (10 for now, with more coming) that feature the walking dead or other mindless creatures that may or may not want to eat your brains.

Feel free to make suggestions of titles I may have missed in either of those. Yes, even shows we don't yet have in our directory. It's one of the ways we grow!

And a huge thank you to Sarah and Thomas, both of whom became Individual Supporters this week! Thank you very, much, Sarah and Thomas. It means a lot to me that you find The End worthy of your support. For the rest of you lot, BE LIKE SARAH AND THOMAS!

Let's get into it, shall we?

- Evo