Sleep Stories

This podcast features Pam Alfonso-Miller, a psychologist and Senior Research Assistant at Northumbria University. Pam Alfonso-Miller introduces 'Train Stations', by Romalyn Ante, an arresting journey into the care-system through the lens of an agency nurse. Romalyn Ante is a British-Filipino author, poet and the Writer-in-Residence for the Royal College of Nursing (2026). She is the author of poetry collections Antiemetic for Homesickness and AGIMAT. Her debut novel, The Left-Behind Child, was published in 2026.

This podcast features Diletta De Cristofaro, a literary and cultural studies scholar and investigator on the ‘Writing the Sleep Crisis’ project. Dr De Cristofaro introduces 'Lady Captain', by Sarah Hall, which is a reflection on insomnia, the menopause and niggling grievances. Sarah Hall is the author of novels including the widely acclaimed Helm and Burntcoat, and several award-winning collections of short stories.

This podcast features Cressida Heyes, Professor of Political Science and Philosophy at the University of Alberta. Professor Heyes introduces ‘Practice for the Afterlife’, by Naomi Booth, which meditates on the sleepless interval of night called ‘the watch’. Naomi Booth is the author of novels including Raw Content and Exit Management and is Director of Creative Writing at Durham University.

This podcast features Jason Ellis, Professor of Sleep Science at Northumbria University, and director of the Northumbria Centre for Sleep Research. Professor Jason Ellis introduces 'Encroach', an exclusive short story which dives into the experience of insomnia, written and read by award-winning poet Andrew McMillan.

Sleep Stories is a three-part podcast series, inspired by sleep and the contemporary sleep crisis. It is co-commissioned by Durham Book Festival, Northumbria University and Politecnico di Milano (Italy).

A transcript is available here.

Durham Book Festival is a Durham County Council event, produced by New Writing North with support from Durham University and Arts Council England.

This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie grant agreement 892459. The Agency is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information the 'Sleep Stories' commission contains.

This podcast features Dr Diletta De Cristofaro, a literary and cultural studies scholar and investigator on the 'Writing the Sleep Crisis' research project. Dr Cristofaro introduces 'The Night Watch', an exclusive short story which engages with lack of sleep in our 21st century society, written and read by acclaimed author Jenn Ashworth.

Sleep Stories is a three-part podcast series, inspired by sleep and the contemporary sleep crisis. It is co-commissioned by Durham Book Festival, Northumbria University and Politecnico di Milano (Italy).

A transcript is available here.


Durham Book Festival is a Durham County Council event, produced by New Writing North with support from Durham University and Arts Council England.

This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie grant agreement 892459. The Agency is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information the 'Sleep Stories' commission contains.

This podcast features Dr Eric Hoel, a neuroscientist and author of the Revelations, who introduces 'Daffodilly Dreams', an exclusive short story about the power of dreams, written and read by acclaimed author Salena Godden.

Sleep Stories is a three-part podcast series, inspired by sleep and the contemporary sleep crisis. It is co-commissioned by Durham Book Festival, Northumbria University and Politecnico di Milano (Italy).

A transcript is available here.


Durham Book Festival is a Durham County Council event, produced by New Writing North with support from Durham University and Arts Council England.

This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie grant agreement 892459. The Agency is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information the 'Sleep Stories' commission contains.