Love the Words

What’s domestic abuse really like for victim-survivors? And what are the harmful narratives that need to be changed? Voices from Leeds Domestic Violence Service reflect.

The People’s History of Leeds captures the story of the city through the voices of its citizens. Volume 1, published last week, includes stories from joyful Goths, Leeds United fans and many more.

Two young poets from West Yorkshire, Jacob Davies and Finny, are both gaining exciting reputations both locally and nationally. Poems and discussion from these passionate new voices.

Episode from a new poetry series on ELCR, Poetry Unseen, in which three poetry-heads present poems they like, and which the others don't know, for an in-the-moment, in-depth response, with Peter Spafford, James Fernie and Jaimes Lewis Moran.

Lateral G is an off-grid, travelling poet who lives on the road and writes about life, ageing and the strange things that happen in her weird world.

Storyteller Vickie Orton makes a happy return to Chapel FM to tell some seasonal stories and talk about her craft, honed after many years.

Young writers from Bishop Young Academy in East Leeds, with committed teacher Miss Abbott, share moving & powerful poetry on the theme of Threshold and talk about hope and friendship.

Love The Words hears from a group of visiting youth workers from Dortmund, Leeds' twin city in Germany. How are young people faring in Dortmund? And where can you get the best pizza in town? And which city has the tallest Christmas tree?

Powerful radio drama by Martin Riley with music by Jack Glover from last year's Writing On Air festival. A child with polio discovers his voice and presence in the world.

The Only High I Need is a new novel by Ria Tocsin out very soon. It's Darcy’s first story. Darcy's a recovering alcoholic and drug addict but, behind the addiction and bravado, she's a just a woman trying to survive. A funny, sad, shocking but cathartic read for anyone, providing useful resources for any readers who find themselves resonating with the story.

Erin and Josh grew up together in Yorkshire and now are on opposite sides of the globe. Can their love survive? Melanie Taylor talks about her new novel, Love Digitally, and tells us why the genre of Romance fiction matters. Plus an interview with Isabella Gellis, composer of The Devil's Den, a new opera with Morris Dancing at the heart of it.

A foretaste of Leeds City of Languages, a vibrant festival celebrating our languages and global connections, plus soundscapes from Czech artist based in Ostracva, Nela Bartova.

Poetry! Alan Smith has taught in universities & prisons. Now he's writing his own poetry. Jaimes Lewis Moran, Seacroft poet, reads from his brand new collection themed around hospitality. What is it about poetry? What can a poem do?

‘Eyes closed, deep inhale: the smell of freshly battered fish takes him back to his dad’s old shop’… Actor Rayyah McCaul on an evocative journey around Leeds with her father.

Michelle Heighway has won awards for her documentary making and photography. But now she's published her debut poetry collection, Step Into My Flow. Why poetry? Why now?

Peter Spafford's audio diary of his visit to Ostrava in Czechia (Sept 2025) where he was invited to read poetry & talk about the perception of Czech writing in the UK. Interviews with Czech writers & organisers plus music from Dalava, a Czech/Canadian band re-interpreting Moravian folksong.

Trevor Wishart is a composer based in York internationally known for his work with digital audio media. He has also written extensively about 'sonic art'. He talks about his work.

Julia Sherwood has, with her husband Peter, translated a number of Slovak & Czech works of fiction. She talks about the rise of modern Slovak literature in translation & the delicate art of translating.

Maz Sultan and three writers contributing to the upcoming collection of writing from Leeds, Manthology talk about this exciting new project and read their work. Poems from Joe Spivey, Huw Parlor and Paul Proctor and Maz Sultan.

The First Ever Yorkshire ThriddingsFest happens soon. A celebration of Yorkshire’s communities and their cultural heritage; poetry, folklore, Punjabi Dhol, Roma music. Learn more.

Writer Charlotte Carrick talks to young writers Seren Delahaye and Kiera Gibson about her writing journey, from The Writing Squad through Chapel FM to Emmerdale. If earning a living as a writer is challenging, where do you start, who advises and supports you along the way?

Adam Farrer talks about his critically acclaimed new book of essays, Broken Biscuits And Other Male Failures, published by Harper North. What do men really want? Or need? Adam's book Cold Fish Soup was the 2023 Readathon choice.

Poets Maia Elsner, Tallulah Howarth and Seren Delahaye discuss poetry and read their work. What does a young poet need? Is 'finding your mind' more important than finding your voice?

Todd Murphy is a writer living in East Leeds. He writes prose and poetry that twist the everyday into work that is tough, tender and often uncanny.

Carol Atherton, author of Reading Lessons, Chapel FM's Readathon 2025 book, talks about the power of literature to change lives. Plus Leeds Lit Fest preview with Fiona Gell.