Welcome to Death by Footnote

What is this?

In this historical fiction podcast, three authors are challenged each month with a two-sided prompt: a historical topic and a genre.

They have three weeks to research and write a short story before facing the arbitrary, demanding, and sometimes silly standards their peers have set for them.

Follow along each week to hear a new short story, and head to our website to rate each story on its historical and narrative quality. Watch as good stories are killed by the footnotes!

Why Make Such a Podcast?

Historical fiction is a difficult genre. Writers and media producers face a constant struggle between getting the facts correct and maximizing narrative appeal.

Different authors strike different balances depending on the available research, genre, or the characters in play. But no matter which balance historical fiction writers strike, one thing is certain: someone will take issue!

Now, it’s your turn to take issue. Check out the episodes below and be sure to sign up for our newsletter to rate the stories each month on narrative quality and historical efficacy.