‘I believe in the power of community, and also in the power of stories to bring about change.’ Wilder Voices workshop attendee
In 2025, following the paperback and ebook publication of Wild Seas, Wilder Cities, we received funding from Portsmouth Creates to invite people across Portsmouth to learn performance skills and join many of the book’s contributing authors and poets to record the upbeat and diverse environmental fiction, articles and poetry contained within the book.
‘… proud to be a part of making this book more accessible and able to reach a wider readership – or listenership I should say!’ Wilder Voices workshop attendee
The audiobook was created as part of the Portsmouth Creates In Our Words festival of literature, literacy, and storytelling – designed to inspire, engage and connect people of all ages. We’re grateful for the inspiration this brief gave us to reach out and involve people from all walks of life in our recordings, including teachers, actors, authors, poets, artists, environmentalists, environmental volunteers, and other members of the public.
‘I have been reading the book and love it. The whole idea of all these authors coming together to create such a masterpiece is truly inspiring and reading some of the work enabled me to be part of that.’ Wilder Voices workshop attendee
From mid-October to early December 2025, fifty different people took part in the recordings, and we’re thrilled with how the diverse voices bring to life the ‘rising chorus of voices’ previously described by Nicola Chester in her 2024 review of our published book.
‘Really great to meet new creative souls, great morning, all learnt from each other.’ Wilder Voices workshop attendee
It was a joyous bringing together of people across communities. We started with three workshop and recording days led by Christine Lawrence on 25th and 28th October and 8th November. These took place at Casemates Studios, and we’re very grateful to Paul and everyone at Casemates for making us welcome in their vibrant and friendly venue, and for hosting our workshops in one of their rehearsal rooms.
‘This was an amazing day; I went home buzzing. All the other participants were lovely and friendly. We all supported each other and helped boost each other’s confidence.’ Wilder Voices workshop attendee
Two of the workshops were open to people across the communities of Portsmouth. The third workshop (which became a series of workshops) was specifically for the young people of Motiv8. Christine also visited Motiv8 on a number of occasions and many of the young people had a go at the readings. Four young people from Motiv8 later joined us at Casemates to record.
We’re very grateful to Christine Lawrence for leading these workshops and supporting the recordings, and to everyone who helped to make the workshop and recording days so joyous and successful. We’d like to say a special thank-you to all the young people at Motiv8 who helped in this project. Particular thanks to the youth leaders, including Chloe, Collette, Megan and Mariella, who all came along to the studios to support the young readers. Thanks also to Sophie, the project leader, and Karen.
‘Christine Lawrence was a fantastic facilitator. Pushed us a little bit but in an encouraging and friendly way. Was really good at getting everybody to relax and get to know each other … The workshop helped me feel more comfortable and confident before making the recording.’ Wilder Voices Workshop attendee
Later in November, we recorded our Wild Seas, Wilder Cities contributors, welcomed back some of our workshop participants who were eager to read more, and invited a number of volunteers from the local acting and spoken word communities. One-to-one support was offered during these sessions from Kia Wilson, Christine Lawrence and Richard and Helen Salsbury.
‘The sound engineer … was very professional and friendly and put me at ease.’ Wilder voices participant
The Casemates audio engineers, Sean Keneally and Jim Harding, guided us through each recording session and set us all at our ease. We’re hugely grateful to them for their encouragement, warmth and professionalism.
‘It felt very comfortable to be in the studio with a microphone and it was great to learn more about the process and audio engineering and I got to act directly on the feedback I was given and feel like I improved from the workshop and was more confident by the end of the experience. It was a great time!’ Wilder Voices workshop attendee
The final two pieces (which we didn’t have time for on our last official recording day) were recorded on December 15th by Kath Dugan, who works at Casemates. We’re very grateful to Sean and Kath for giving this time to the project, and want to say a big thank you to all at Casemates Studios for your generosity and support for our project. It’s been such a delight to work with you.
Sean Keneally is now engaged in post-production editing of the recordings. We plan to launch the audiobook in Spring 2026. Watch this space!
Finally, thank you to everyone who helped spread the word, especially Rachel Birchley, who ran our Facebook page, and Peter Brown, who posted for us on Instagram and designed our eye-catching poster.