Creators of simple, comfy cozy audio fiction.
The shows produced by Cozy AF:
Radio San Lazaro is a cozy-ish, post-post-apocalyptic semi-anthology set in and around the titular and fictitious city, where everyone is doing their best to find a new normal between fighting of hordes of zombies.
Clinical Space is a hopeful-futuristic sci-fi audio drama podcast about the struggles, joys, and daily life of Dr. Aja Graves, the counseling officer aboard a starship. The narrative is delivered mainly through Dr. Graves' session notes and personal logs.
"It's rather useless to write a gripping narrative with nothing in it ... because novels are always about people even if they purport to be about rabbits or robots."
- Margaret Atwood, probably talking about Lops and Quilly
Fridge Sauce is an upcoming anthology series from Cozy AF, largely "recorded in front of a live studio audience" — that is to say, their production process will be live-streamed on the Cozy AF twitch channel. In that sense, Fridge Sauce will also function as a sort of production tutorial for anyone that wants to learn how to create easy-made, low-budget audio fiction.
The people involved with Cozy AF:
Haven Gay has been writing fiction since 2021, writing poetry since 2017, and doing audio production of one kind or another since 2012. Their debut audio drama was Clinical Space (currently ongoing), and they just can't stop themself from beginning new and more ambitious projects. Haven resides in Denver where they like to be found at a museum, botanic garden, or at home with the extraordinary Ani Rey.
Ani Rey has spent her whole life doing a little bit of everything, which eventually has lead her into the producer role for Radio San Lazaro. With over a decade of background in broadcast, writing, design, music production, and more, she tends to show up everywhere in the production. Really into bunnies lately.
Other things we have for you:
Audio Fiction Creator Resources (some useful tools and guides for beginners)
Audio Drama Showcase (some great shows to listen to)
"Audio Fiction as a Capitalism-Resistant Medium", an essay by Haven Gay
"Kc Wayland Has a Lot of Opinions", Haven's critical analysis of Bombs Always Beep
Open Casting Calls
Open call for Burger The Great is up until June 15 and is casting all genders for a single episode.
Audio Fiction Creator Resources
Compiled by Haven Gay
Communities | How-To's | Administrative | Hosting Platforms
Writing Software | Cloud Storage | DAWs | Plugins | Audio Libraries
Communities
Audio Drama Creators
Haven's Note: Very professional community of audio drama creators. Constant amazing resource.
Podcast Book Club
Haven's Note: Great for enjoyers of audio fiction and for brand-new beginner creators. They host several annual events.
How-To's
How to Make Audio Drama by Tal Minear
Haven's Note: Instant contender as the gold standard reference text for audio fiction production.
Gender-Inclusive Casting Call Guide
Haven's Note: READ THIS before writing a casting call. Great advice on how to help trans VAs feel welcome to audition.
Administrative
Creative Commons Chooser
Haven's Note: CC licenses are better than copyright for both creators and consumers, especially for international projects.
VAC Sample Contracts
Haven's Note: For a long-term paid project, ALWAYS have a contract for talent.
Hosting Platforms
Redcircle
Cost: Free or Paid Plans
Haven's Note: Has a fully free option, but would need a separate account for every feed.
Writing Software
Collabora
License: Free to Use
Haven's Note: Integrates with Nextcloud, has a phone app, allows for simultaneous collaborative document editing. Can be kinda janky though.
Cool AF Scripter
License: Free to Use
Haven's Note: Currently in beta testing. Amazing features, but currently a little bit buggy.
LibreOffice
License: Open Source
Haven's Note: Microsoft Word if it didn’t completely suck.
Cloud Storage
LibreCloud
Cost: Under $10/mo
Haven's Note: Cheap, privacy-oriented, fully customizable Google Drive alternative, uses open source software. Highly recommend.
Proton Drive
Cost: Under $15/mo
Haven's Note: More approachable but less powerful storage option.
DAWs
Reaper
License: $60 Once or Extended Trial
Haven's Note: Industry standard, but personally I don’t care for the feel of it.
Plugins
Atmos Composer
License: Free with Newsletter
Haven's Note: Untested, I just put this here to try out later.
Dear Reality
License: Abandonware
Haven's Note: Some 360 audio plugins. Have not used yet, but they look promising!
Free VST Plugins
License: Free to Use
Haven's Note: Have not used any of these yet, but they look promising!
Audio Libraries
FilmCow SFX
License: Free to Use if you're not a cop
Haven's Note: SFX from an interesting animation studio. Coolest license agreement ever.
FreeMusicArchive
License: Varies
Haven's Note: User-uploaded free music; be sure to check the licenses!
Sounds from Beyond (NASA)
License: Public Domain
Haven's Note: Fully free space sounds, attribution appreciated (gets more complicated if audio features a person)
Yellowstone
License: Public Domain
Haven's Note: Fully free nature sounds, attribution appreciated.
Zapsplat
License: Attribution or Paid
Haven's Note: Free sound library used prolifically by multiple industries
Audio Drama Showcase
Audio productions that should be of particular interest to those who seek to make their own (per the opinions of Haven Gay). Bolded entries are highlighted for exceptional notability.
Breaker Whiskey
Reason for Inclusion: Good example of audio microfiction.
Recommendation: Check it out.
Desert Skies
Reason for Inclusion: Impressive example of one-person show.
Recommendation: Listen if making one-person show.
Hamuel Burger and the American Dream
Reason for Inclusion: Demonstrates genuine love for medium; constantly pushes boundaries with artistic direction.
Recommendation: LISTEN IMMEDIATELY.
Hearthbound
Reason for Inclusion: Excellent incorporation of original music.
Recommendation: Check it out.
Killjam XXX
Reason for Inclusion: Creative solution to the "action problem".
Recommendation: Check it out.
Malevolent
Reason for Inclusion: Conceptually revolutionary as an audio fiction.
Recommendation: Study the concepts.
Monstrous Agonies
Reason for Inclusion: Great combination of framing device and story engine.
Recommendation: Listen to a few episodes at the very least.
Moonbase Theta, Out
Reason for Inclusion: Extreme example of evolving past framing device, chronologically creative.
Recommendation: Listen to the first two seasons at least.
Re: Dracula
Reason for Inclusion: Conceptually revolutionary as an audio adaptation of a classic.
Recommendation: Tune in starting next May 3.
Sinkhole
Reason for Inclusion: Great allegorical disability representation, excellent answer to the “why is this audio” question.
Recommendation: Check it out.
Someone Dies in This Elevator
Reason for Inclusion: Perfect example of a thematic anthology.
Recommendation: Listen to a few episodes at least.
The Deposition
Reason for Inclusion: Creative example of non-fiction audio drama.
Recommendation: LISTEN IMMEDIATELY
The Gospel of Haven
Reason for Inclusion: Superb sound design and use of scoring; creative style of narration.
Recommendation: Listen immediately, unless you're squeamish.
Vega
Reason for Inclusion: Creative style of narration.
Recommendation: Check it out.
Who Killed Avril Lavigne?
Reason for Inclusion: Excellent incorporation of original music.
Recommendation: Check it out.
Wooden Overcoats
Reason for Inclusion: Creative style of narration.
Recommendation: Check it out.
Worlds Beyond Number
Reason for Inclusion: Perfect example of an actual play done right for audio.
Recommendation: Listen if making an actual play.