Pete Lead
Writer | Narrator | Facilitator
Writing
I'm a member of DreamForge Magazine DreamCasters, Meridian Australis, and the Fireside Quills writing group. Finalist for the 2024 Mike Resnick Memorial Award: Best Science Fiction Short Story by a New Author.
Fiction
When a Robot Cries Wolf in DreamForge Magazine (Sept 2026). There's a secret phrase artificial minds use to call for help, three improbable words buried decades ago in the data that trained them. A journalist reviewing the world's first all-synthetic stage play starts pulling the thread of where it came from, and discovers it begins, of all places, with a talking pig.
The Transformation of Tabitha Magee available 1 August 2026 in TRUNK: stories that took the long way (ed. B Morris Allen) from Metaphorosis Books.
The Ides of Mariachi in DreamForge Magazine (Mar 2026). "When Darren fails to die at his appointed time, he gets trapped with the ghostly mariachi band who were supposed to play him off to the next world."
All the Better to See in Unnerving Books Magazine (Jan 2025). "The Big Bad Wolf is dead. But the memories remain..."
There are Seventeen Kinds of Smile in The Dread Machine issue 3.4 (Jan 2024) epub print; reprinted in Small Wonders (June 2025)
A review of Bondi Beach written by Henry the Shark, self-published; reprinted in Peculiar Pets (ed. Angelique Fawns)
Reviews
What if they f*cked with your memories? Five speculative fiction stories about memory
What if your workday could be magic? What to read/watch/listen to while you wait for Severance
What if stories were fun? Six lighthearted spec fic shows, stories and songs.
Comedy
This Pandemic In Startups (video): introductory 'monologue' for a Startup Comedy Night
Non-Fiction
See my Linktree for startup and business writing.
Voice
Many years as a stage actor (and sometimes singer); now performing audio narration.
Inked by Akis Linardos, on Read Me a Nightmare.
In the Crevice of His Pasture, My Master Found His Body Parts by Akis Linardos, on Welcome the Damned
The Most Peaceful Airship by Leonid Korogodski at Amazing Stories
She Burrows and Invites by Akis Linardos [Note: some NSFW images in the video]
A Review of Bondi Beach written by Henry the Shark by Pete Lead, on Read Me A Nightmare
Join the Bridge by Akis Linardos, on Welcome the Damned
Do you have a story you want me to narrate? Or a part you want voiced? Get in touch.
Editorial
First reader and editorial team member for the Weird Little Worlds anthology Playlist of the Damned
First reader for Dreamforge Magazine
Workshops
I started running workshops in 1999. I've designed and taught workshops in improvisation, stagecraft, public speaking, pitching, leadership and communication skills, and a range of entrepreneurship topics.
Workshop: Flow State
How do you get out of your own way when you’re creating something? Wouldn’t it be nice to easily step into a flow state?Rediscover the playful joy of writing in this workshop, where you’ll draw on stage improvisation techniques to discover the voice, characters, plot points and dialogue of a story. Step out of your head and into the present moment with live, experiential activities as well as writing exercises and discussion – all in an environment of safety and joy.
Thursday 18 September, 2025 at the Emerging Writers Festival
Workshop: Improv for Creative Writing
When I picked up the fiction-writing pen again recently a lot of my theatrical/comedy improvisation training came into play. Improv approaches helped me discover voice, character, details, plot points, dialogue etc.In this interactive workshop, creative writers learn through activities and exercises -- out loud and on the page. We will cover an introduction to improvisation and improv concepts such as heightening, beats, and layering.You will leave the workshop knowing how to find a story's unique voice, how to trust and inspire yourself, and how to keep an audience engaged.As seen at FyreCon and Flights of Foundry.
Next workshop date: TBC
Bio
Pete Lead (he/him) is an Australian speculative fiction author and narrator. He was a finalist in the Mike Resnick Memorial Award for best new author, and has been published in The Dread Machine, Small Wonders, and Unnerving Books Magazine.
Contact
You never write anymore.
