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Fixative, by Jonathan Olfert

November 11, 2026 · 33 min

Show notes

First publication, Analog (Jan/Feb 2025 issue) Performed by Nicole Swanson

Dainy Merced is a Counter, an obsessive compulsive starship maintenance tech who uses medication to turn herself into her job. When she can't let go of he last one, she struggles to decide her own identity and make a living on a planetoid without a sun.


Jonathan Olfert is the author of over fifty short stories. His work has appeared in Lightspeed, Analog, On Spec, Strange Horizons, and more. His novelettes Fletcher's Flights and Under White Air are forthcoming from Beneath Ceaseless Skies. His writing has been shortlisted for the Rhysling Award and featured twice in Year's Best Canadian Fantasy and Science Fiction. He comes from Alberta and lives in Atlantic Canada.


Nicole Swanson is an actor and producer from Augusta, GA, who has discovered she loves hiding away in her closet and telling stories to her loyal companion, Blackjack the Studio Dog. An occupational therapist in the Georgia Corrections system, when not narrating, Nicole enjoys a good cup of coffee while sitting on her porch swing and listening to the rain on a dark and stormy night. Discover more of Nicole’s adventures at www.NicoleSwansonVO.com


This episode was sponsored by Navigator Karen Pelczar

Audio production by Andrew Gibson.

First reading by Nathaniel Matthews Lee.

Music by Ardie Son.

And art by Addi Studio and grandfailure.

Season One hosted and produced by Seth Williams.


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