Chapter 1: The Rise of Audio Fiction

When prompted to name iconic actors, many think of legends like Olivier, Garbo, Streep, and Nicholson. Yet, a new breed of talent is emerging in the realm of audio fiction, particularly in podcasts. One notable figure in this space is Tal Minear, an actor, sound designer, and producer based in Southern California. Tal is behind popular productions such as Sidequesting, What Will Be Here?, and Someone Dies In This Elevator, and has lent their voice to shows like Tales of the Echowood, Circles, and Deconstructive Criticism. Additionally, Tal contributes sound design to various projects and writes about audio drama on platforms like Medium and The Simplecast Blog.

Tal also curates a monthly newsletter named Podplane, featuring podcasts by trans, nonbinary, and non-cis creators. Often described as "a creative force to be reckoned with," Tal exemplifies how audio fiction is rapidly gaining traction, attracting high-profile actors who once might have viewed involvement in podcasts as a sign of a faltering career.

Surprisingly, many renowned