Storytelling for Audio

What do Doctor Who, Malory Towers, and Manchester’s ALL FM 96.9’s continuing drama ‘Station Road’ all have in common?

Me and my love for stories that come to life through the medium of sound.

I’m thrilled to represent the University of Salford’s Northern School of Writing by running my Writing for Audio workshop ‘Movies for the Mind’ as part of this year’s Festival of Libraries.

Broadcasting legend Terry Wogan once said, “Television contracts the imagination and radio expands it”, and I agree with that statement. When I listen to an audio drama, I actively visualise the narrative I’m hearing, which will look different to the next listener and the next.

When I write for audio, I imagine one listener. That one person who is wearing a set of headphones and listening to my story. My characters, words, and chosen sounds playing into a person’s ears make writing for audio a magical, personal and intimate experience.

No costumes to consider. No sets. No huge budget. Just voices, sound, silence—and the listener’s imagination. Whether I’m dreaming up an episode of sci-fi, a school-based story, or a brand new continuing drama set in Manchester, audio storytelling is the most intimate and visual form of writing there is.

Who Am I?

Over the past few years, I’ve written for:

• Big Finish’s Doctor Who audio series
  
• BBC Sounds Tales from Malory Towers podcast

• For two years, I was part of the writing team behind Station Road, a much-loved soap on ALL FM 96.8, a Manchester community radio station
  
• Wythenshawe FM’s first audio nativity play A Wythenshawe Tale

I’ve learned loads about what makes audio tick—and I want to give my top tips to budding audio writers.

What You’ll Learn

In this hands-on, friendly and welcoming workshop, we’ll explore:

• Writing dialogue that feels real and alive
• How to create atmosphere and tension with sound cues and silence
• Structuring stories for the ear, not the eye

Whether you’re a writer curious about audio, a podcaster looking to sharpen your storytelling, or just someone who loves a good story, this session is for you.

Event Details

📅 Thursday 5 June 2025
🕒 17:00 – 19:00
📍 Prestwich Library, Longfield Centre, Prestwich, Manchester, M25 1AY
🎟️ Book here

Bring your ears, ideas, pen, and love of story.

#FestivalofLibraries

Listen to the trailer for my episode of Susan’s War Family Ties.