Launch of Wild Seas Audiobook: A Community Storytelling Journey

Wonderful news that Pens of the Earth will be launching a new audiobook version of Wild Seas, Wilder Cities on 29th June 2026 at Portsmouth Guildhall’s Lens Studio.

Here is a little more about their journey …

‘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, Pens of the Earth 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. The inspiration of this brief enabled Pens of the Earth to reach out and involve people from all walks of life in the 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 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

They began with three workshop and recording days led by Christine Lawrence at Casemates Studios in their vibrant and friendly venue, hosting the workshops in one of their rehearsal rooms.

Later in November, they recorded the Wild Seas, Wilder Cities contributors, welcomed back some of the workshop participants who were eager to read more, and invited a number of volunteers from the local acting and spoken word communities.