Sally Bayley Podcast Series
Donation protected
Thank you for visiting the crowd-funding site for the podcast series, A Reading Life, A Writing Life, with Sally Bayley.
Because of your immensely kind donations so far, we have been able to launch the podcast. We would like to extend a big "thank-you" to everyone who has helped us.
We are still seeking funding to enable us to keep the podcast series going; if you are able to help, your donation will go towards funding every aspect of the ongoing production.
Where can I find the podcast?
The podcast is available on a number of platforms including here:
and
Since our launch, we have received many lovely reviews from our listeners - such as author Will Self, who has recommended it to his social media followers. Here is a selection of quotes from other listeners:
"I've rarely felt so immersed in a podcast. Beautiful and profound." - Hugh Montgomery, Senior Editor, BBC Culture
“The podcast blew me away!! What I want to say feels like it's beyond words. Soul-feeding.” – Dr Chris Laoutaris, poet, historian, Shakespeare Institute
"Utterly spellbinding. You seem to have created Slow Brainfood." - Gayle Bell, poet, Behind the Plots
“Magical. Sally turns everything from mechanical household utilities to daddy long legs, raindrops, water voles, into enchanting descriptions. Words drip off her tongue; she makes writing sound so easy and encouraging.” – Annie Skinner, social historian, Behind Closed Doors
“What a jewel! I had terrible writer’s block but after listening, something melted in me and I could write again.” – Dr Henrietta Lang, therapist and counsellor, BACP
“Just gobbled up three episodes; Virginia Woolf, Shakespeare and more, tenderly treated like friends. Do listen: gentle, astute, quite lovely.” – Galley Beggar Press
“Really wonderful to sit quietly and listen to. A delight. Highly recommended” - Bernice Barry, A Lady’s Pen
“Wonderful. Highly intelligent but also quietly funny and gentle. She has the ability to take the listener right into her world.” Alice Jolly, winner V. S. Pritchett Memorial Prize and PEN/Ackerley Prize
“The soothing voice of the wonderful Sally Bayley … perfect” - Nicole Gilroy, Bodleian Library, Oxford
"A lot of inspiration in 15 minutes." - Prof. Yvonne Jewkes, Media and Crime
"Glorious" - Nathan Filer, The Shock of the Fall, Heartland
"Openness and immediacy, a poetic communication with nature and literature" - James Lee, Something So Precious, I Saw Red
"Beautiful." - Christina Patterson, The Art of Not Falling Apart, Outside the Sky is Blue
"Meditational, even prayerful. A welcome relief” - Prof Ewan Fernie, Shakespeare For Freedom
"I loved this podcast. It feels like a meditation" - Prof Helen Kennedy, Post, Mine, Repeat
“Tranquil and stimulating with a subtle soundtrack of life on the river.” - Laetitia Rutherford, literary agent
"Wise, playful, deeply moving and full of solace." - Amy Winchester, publisher
"Something beautiful!" - Prof, Angelique Richardson, After Darwin
“Superbly done” - Prof. Will May, poetry editor, Steve Smith and Authorship
“Excellent!” – Kate Clanchy, Forward Prize-winning poet, Orwell Prize winner
What is the podcast about?
This podcast explores the connections and links between literature and real life. Acclaimed writer and memoirist Sally Bayley (Girl With Dove, No Boys Play Here) lives on a narrowboat, surrounded by the sights and sounds of nature, sustained by reading and writing. In this series, she records intimate audio diaries, drawing us into her world and showing us how books have the power to change your life. With the teaching and study of English Literature in steep decline in the UK, this is a passionate and urgently needed defence of the possibilities of literature to console, inspire and transform. Each episode is accompanied by extensive "further reading" notes, encouraging listeners to delve deeper into the world of literature.
The environmental message is very important. Sally’s boat is powered almost entirely by solar panels; she regularly updates us on the difficulties and the joys of trying to live a green life, amid the many obstacles thrown up by our modern technological society. Diving into books, she introduces us to some of her favourite nature writers and poets. We also hear about her writing, whose themes include ecological renewal and personal transformation in contact with nature. This is also a therapeutical podcast; Sally has recently been diagnosed with an auto-immune disease; she shows us how literature and a connection to nature can console and give courage and insight even at the most difficult times.
What is the money being used for?
The podcast is being produced and co-created by Emmy and BAFTA award-winning documentary producer Andrew Smith. Your funding pays for Andrew’s regular travel to Oxford. The money also means that we can professionally edit and mix Sally’s podcast episodes, which is a continual, involved and complicated process. We also aim to commission beautiful readings of classic literature from leading actresses Emma Fielding and Emma Pallant. The money also enables us to pay all on-going expenses of running the podcast, such as hosting on sites such as Spotify, Apple Podcasts, designing logos and websites, licensing an extensive library of music, engaging our own music composers,and so on.
Who will appreciate this podcast?
This series has many layers. It's educational, introducing listeners to the variety, power and depth of English literature; it's also life-affirming and therapeutic; Sally's calming, highly articulate and accessible audio diaries will demonstrate how stories and poems can sustain us in the most profound of ways. It has a powerful environmental message, forging connections between personal creativity and sensitivity and respect for the natural world. It will also be of great interest to anyone interested in reading, while creative writers will gain insights about how to approach their own writing, and where to get inspiration.
Of course, podcasts are always just audio, but we have created a video to give a little idea of what the podcast is about - click at the top of this page!
Thank you for your kind support!
Video photo credits: Sally Bayley, Andrew Smith, Andy Jackson, Tany Alexander, Maeve Magnus
Extra voice: Emma Fielding
Organizer
Andrew Smith
Organizer
England