MonkeyTales

We meet Faith and Eliza rappelling down the side of a crumbling skyscraper, tending to the gardens they’ve planted inside. Why, and how, and what comes of the paradise they’ve built … that’s what we’re here to find out.

Content Warning: Gun violence

Transcript available here.

• Eliza (she/her) – Gabrielle Adkins (she/her)
• Faith (she/her) – Socks Whitmore (they/them)
• April (she/her) – Chiara Santella (she/her)
• Joshua (he/him) – Brandon Nguyen (he/him)
• Faith’s Song – composed by David Devereux (he/they) of Tin Can Audio and Socks Whitmore (they/them) 
• Producer, Sound Designer and Composer – David Devereux (he/they) of Tin Can Audio
• Writer and Director – Ella Watts (she/her)
• Executive Producer – D. J. Sylvis (they/them)

Episode cover photo by Andy Wang on Unsplash

MonkeyTales cover art is by Cora May. Our theme song is “Follow the Muse,” by Deborah Linden.

You can find more information on our website, or on Twitter under Monkeyman Productions or MonkeyTales. Our Patreon backers make the show possible – join them in support of independent audio fiction at https://www.patreon.com/monkeymanproductions; we’ve got some great perks including early access to all our shows and behind-the-scenes glimpses at what’s coming next.

We’ve made it through to another new year, continuing to find our way together. If there’s any way we can support you or make your life better, we’re always here, sharing the light we find. Take care and keep safe. 

Welcome to the monster world of October, where weres run free and the Moon is always overhead. Karo, born in this world but living in ours, has brought their girlfriend for a first visit … and perhaps, something more. 

Transcript available here.

Written by D.J. Sylvis; with Liz Morey as Karo and Tina Daniels as Yvonne, with Dallas Wheatley and Leeman Kessler. Produced by D.J., Tina, and Sarah Müller. Audio production and original music by Trace Callahan. Our October cover art is by Grendel Menz.

MonkeyTales cover art is by Cora May. Our theme song is “Follow the Muse,” by Deborah Linden.

You can find more information on our website, or on Twitter under Monkeyman Productions or MonkeyTales. Our Patreon backers make the show possible – join them in support of independent audio fiction at https://www.patreon.com/monkeymanproductions; we’ve got some great perks including early access to all our shows and behind-the-scenes glimpses at what’s coming next.

We’re back, and we hope to be back again soon. Keep an eye out for future episodes from Ella Watts, H.E. Casson, and hopefully some more stories from October as well. Until then, friends! 

Two friends are cleaning out a storage area to use as a greenhouse. What they find in the process leads them to contemplate their past and future, and the community that any two of us can create. 

Episode written by Luísa Lopes; featuring JayJay and Mandy Wong; directed by D.J. Sylvis. Audio production by Trace Callahan. 

MonkeyTales cover art is by Cora May. Our theme song is “Follow the Muse,” by Deborah Linden.

You can find more information on our website, or on Twitter under Monkeyman Productions or MonkeyTales. Our Patreon backers make the show possible – join them in support of independent audio fiction at https://www.patreon.com/monkeymanproductions; we’ve got some great perks including early access to all our shows and behind-the-scenes glimpses at what’s coming next.

Welcome to a new year, with new hope and new battles to be fought. We’ll be beside you all the way – and back soon with more stories to share. Take care, friends, and light a bonfire. 

Trey and Tali hide out in a doorway recovering from the fear and flight of a bigoted attack. Their date ended before it really had a chance; but the conversation is only beginning.

Content Warning: Discussions of violence and transphobia

This episode was written and directed by Evan Tess Murray, creator of the deeply touching audio fiction This Planet Needs a Name, among others, and featured Charlie Pacheco and Khalila Roney. Audio production was by Cass McPhee.

MonkeyTales cover art is by Cora May. Our theme song is “Follow the Muse,” by Deborah Linden.

You can find more information on our website, or on Twitter under Monkeyman Productions or MonkeyTales. Our Patreon backers make the show possible – join them in support of independent audio fiction at https://www.patreon.com/monkeymanproductions; we’ve got some great perks including early access to all our shows and behind-the-scenes glimpses at what’s coming next.

Thank you for returning for another hopepunk story. We’ll be back again next month with another new writer. Take care, fight back where you can, and keep finding love.

Are monsters tramping down your marigolds? Creatures of the night making it difficult to have a few friends over for a cookout? Who you gonna call? Never fear, there’s a solution close at hand!

Today’s episode was by Maddy Searle, creator of another piece of fine audio fiction, The Prickwillow Papers! It was directed by Tal Minear, and featured Robin Howell and Caroline Mincks. Audio production was by Claudia Elvidge. MonkeyTales is produced by D.J. Sylvis.

MonkeyTales cover art is by Cora May. Our theme song is “Follow the Muse,” by Deborah Linden.

You can find more information on our website, or on Twitter under Monkeyman Productions or MonkeyTales. Our Patreon backers make the show possible – join them in support of independent audio fiction at https://www.patreon.com/monkeymanproductions; we’ve got some great perks including early access to all our shows and behind-the-scenes glimpses at what’s coming next.

Thank you for joining us again! We’ll have another story from another new writer a month from now. Be good to one another and keep hope alive.

“YOU find yourself sitting in a chair in a small, featureless room …” in this tribute to the most old-school style of gaming, and the connections inherent in telling a story. 

This episode was written and produced by D.J. Sylvis. Tal Minear and D.J. Sylvis co-starred. D.J. Sylvis did the dialogue edit, and Tal Minear did the sound design. All music and effects used are in the public domain.

MonkeyTales cover art is by Cora May. Our theme song is “Follow the Muse,” by Deborah Linden.

You can find more information on our website, or on Twitter under Monkeyman Productions or MonkeyTales. Our Patreon backers make the show possible – join them in support of independent audio fiction at https://www.patreon.com/monkeymanproductions; we’ve got some great perks including early access to all our shows and behind-the-scenes glimpses at what’s coming next.

Today’s story co-starred Tal Minear, who also did the sound design and is just a generally wonderful person. You can find their work in many places as a part of many works of audio fiction, but two we particularly love and find hopeful are Sidequesting, a delightful fantasy about avoiding the main plot – in the most interesting ways – and Light Hearts, a queer sitcom about friendship and love and ghosts and working together and – just go listen to both, they’re well worth your time and will lift your spirits.

We’ll be back again next month with our own hopeful stories! Until then, take care of one another and keep finding ways to be a part of the resistance.

“The Littlest Bugbear lived in a side corridor far from the heart of the dungeon, with his Mother and Father and 1d8 siblings.” This month we take a trip into a familiar fantasy scenario, but not from a familiar point of view …  

This episode is narrated by Tom Zalatnai, and was written / edited / produced by D.J. Sylvis. Ambiences provided courtesy of Tabletop Audio; additional effects from Freesound.org (CC0 licensed).  

MonkeyTales cover art is by Cora May. Our theme song is “Follow the Muse,” by Deborah Linden.

You can find more information on our website, or on Twitter under Monkeyman Productions or MonkeyTales. Our Patreon backers make the show possible – join them in support of independent audio fiction at https://www.patreon.com/monkeymanproductions; we’ve got some great perks including early access to all our shows and behind-the-scenes glimpses at what’s coming next.

Thanks for sharing another one of our hopepunk stories, in another whole different world! It’s been wild seeing how many directions we can take things. Please note that after this, we’re taking a month or two off while we get into heavy pre-production on our sibling show, Moonbase Theta, Out. Don’t worry, we’ll be back – lots more stories to tell! And some new writers coming soon! Take care, and be good to you …

Twenty years ago, Lila and Jovette went to high school together. Neither had come out, life was far less than perfect, and they were far less than friends. Today they’ve met again for the first time – and sparks fly, but not necessarily the good kind. 

This episode features Jas LaFond and Cap Blackard, with a special appearance by Evan Tess Murray. It was edited by Gabriel Taneko, and written / produced by D.J. Sylvis.

MonkeyTales cover art is by Cora May. Our theme song is “Follow the Muse,” by Deborah Linden.

You can find more information on our website, or on Twitter under Monkeyman Productions or MonkeyTales. Our Patreon backers make the show possible – join them in support of independent audio fiction at https://www.patreon.com/monkeymanproductions; we’ve got some great perks including early access to all our shows and behind-the-scenes glimpses at what’s coming next.

I hope you enjoy – this was a really special one to put together, and there’s no question it draws a lot on my own high school experiences. This script was originally set to be produced on stage last month as well here in Toronto – but the production had to shut down because of the pandemic. I’m glad this version was already recorded to share, and they do an amazing job with it. 

Today’s episode is a tribute to a beloved and influential author in my personal pantheon, Douglas Adams. His work has entertained and amused me for most of my life – so this month I’ve dusted off a short story I wrote some years back called, “A Man Who Wasn’t There,” asked my friend and fellow enthusiast Shannon Perry to give it a dramatic reading, and here we are. Share and Enjoy!  

This episode is read by Shannon Perry, and was written, edited and produced by D.J. Sylvis.

MonkeyTales cover art is by Cora May. Our theme song is “Follow the Muse,” by Deborah Linden. Full additional music and effects credits below.

You can find more information on our website, or on Twitter under Monkeyman Productions or MonkeyTales. Our Patreon backers make the show possible – join them in support of independent audio fiction at https://www.patreon.com/monkeymanproductions; we’ve got some great perks including early access to all our shows and behind-the-scenes glimpses at what’s coming next.

Now I’m back to my work which includes sorting out the details of next month’s episode, a short piece that’s also being produced on stage this month called, “Platypus.” Thanks for all you do to support our stories! See you on April 9th!

Additional Credits:

Umbrella Pants by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4559-umbrella-pants/

Pamgaea by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4193-pamgaea/

Thinking Music by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4522-thinking-music/

License for the above three tracks: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Sound effects from Freesound.org, including “Steam Leaking Stereo” by PatrickLieberkind

In a possible future, a scout ship orbits a distant planet. While the two women inside perform their duties, they reveal to one another more of their selves than ever before – and along the way, they discover what it truly means to take a chance.

This episode features Tina Daniels and Danielle Shemaiah, and was written by D.J. Sylvis

MonkeyTales cover art is by Cora May. Our theme song is “Follow the Muse,” by Deborah Linden.

You can find more information on our website, or on Twitter under Monkeyman Productions or MonkeyTales. Our Patreon backers make the show possible – join them in support of independent audio fiction at https://www.patreon.com/monkeymanproductions; we’ve got some great perks including early access to all our shows and behind-the-scenes glimpses at what’s coming next.

Thanks so much for listening to our latest episode! I know it pushed the boundaries a bit of what you might think of as hopepunk – but I believe these two characters truly brought hope to their story. Next month we’ll have something a bit lighter – a tribute to a very favourite author of mine called, “A Man Who Wasn’t There,” arriving in your feed on March 9th! Until then, dear listeners …