New Listener? Here's our top 5 episodes
Are you an Actor who's had a long day? Perhaps a writer or an artist who's at the end of their tether.
Whatever you do for a career, if you're new to Sleepless Creatives and don't know where to start, here are our top five recommendations to help you settle in.
Ranging from fan favourites to episodes particularly beloved by our host, just click play and let us transport you to a world of relaxation where you'll hopefully find your inspiration renewed.
Check out the Listener Favourites playlist on Spotify
Carmilla
Category: Halloween, sapphic, gothic
Sink your teeth into this gothic novella about friendship, temptation and bloodlust.
Published in 1872 and written by Irish author Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu, Carilla is the first book of its kind featuring a female vampire and themes of sapphic romance.
It predates Bram Stoker's Dracula by over 20 years, but remains the lesser-known story, despite being adapted into a few screen versions in recent years.
2. Don Quixote
Category: whimsical, classic, comical
If comedic whimsy is your thing, look no further than one of the most beloved classics of all time, written by the Spanish writer Miguel De Cervantes.
This novel, published in 1605, tells the story of Don Quixote, an ailing yet energetic man determined to live out his final years as a Knight Errant, much like the tales of the heroes of yore found in his library.
Adapted into films, plays and musicals, Don Quixote makes for an easy read and relaxing listen for both younger and older audiences alike.
3. The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
Category: spooky, Halloween, mystery
Always a spooky favourite, Sleepy Hollow has made spines shiver since the American writer, Washington Irving, wrote it in 1820.
It tells the story of Ichabod Crane, a harmless and romantic schoolteacher in the town of Sleepy Hollow, Massachusetts, who has a terrifying run-in with one of their most feared local spectres, the legendary Headless Horseman.
A very well-known short story, Sleepy Hollow, has gone on to be adapted into many stage, film and animated productions, and is still an inspiration today.
4. Anne of Green Gables with Sarah McPhee
Category: cosy, classic, heart-warming
An episode from our exciting Guest Reader series, Voice Actor Sarah McPhee, reads us the first chapter of this timeless tale.
Anne Shirley is a 9-year-old orphan, adopted by brother and sister Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert, who take her to live at their farm, Green Gables.
The chapters that follow take us through the years of Anne's life, from finding her feet and making friends as a child, to leaving home as a teenager.
Sarah masterfully reads us the first chapter and takes us through her connection to the story, and who knows? Maybe we'll continue the book as a series.
5. The Tale of Jemima Puddleduck
Category: nostalgia, easy-listening, cosy
Raise your hand if you read Beatrix Potter growing up!
I had (and still have) the whole set as a child, which my mum read to me almost every bedtime.
Part of being a creative is taking inspiration from the stories we loved as children, and Jemima Puddle-Duck stands strong as a regular favourite among our listeners, so why not treat yourself to a bit of nostalgia?
Do you work or train in the arts?
We are a podcast for creative minds, designed to help you find solace after a long day and return to the words that inspire you.
About the Author
Florence St Leger
Florence is an actor, voice actor and writer from the UK.
She founded the Sleepless Creatives podcast in 2020 to create a safe space for people in the arts, allowing them to rekindle their love for their craft.
Instagram: @florencestleger
www.florencestleger.co.uk
