A boutique podcast company
If you love podcasts and you’re looking for your new audio obsession, then watch this space…
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SEASON 2 – OUT NOW!
Heyer Today: a podcast exploring the life and work of Regency romance queen, Georgette Heyer
Our first season was 17 episodes long, and covered two years in the life of Ruby, the sugar baby. This year, we’ve given ourselves a massive challenge: we’ve created a series twice as long, with over 39 participants, original music, a cinematic investigation and a book club rolled into one. If you love romance, Jane Austen and film history, you’ll love Heyer Today.
And guess what? Why not try out episode 1, featuring Stephen Fry, now!
What’s it like? Try a mash up of You Must Remember This, Unspooled and the Guardian Books Podcast. It’s hilarious, poignant, insightful, historically fascinating, smart and full of fabulous guests (who? Glad you asked… only Stephen Fry, Joanne Harris, Emma Darwin, Olivia Hetreed, Harriet Evans, Mary Jo Putney…to name a few).
What’s it about?
“I think myself I ought to be shot for writing such nonsense.”
As a bestselling author, Georgette Heyer hasn’t been out of print since 1921 – so why hasn’t Hollywood snapped up her plots for a big screen franchise?
- Jane Austen – 6 best-selling Regency romances; 6 major screen adaptations.
- Georgette Heyer – 34 best-selling Regency romances; 0 major screen adaptations.
One major film producer has been trying to get the first big screen adaptation of Heyer’s ‘The Grand Sophy’ made for years, but what’s been standing in the way? We’ll investigate the difficulties facing film makers when it comes to period work.
Plus, find out what the uber-Heyerites think of Sophy’s choice. We chat to Peter Buckman (agent for Heyer’s estate) about his struggles with trying to get a Heyer film made, and we chart his journey towards adapting one of her books himself.
Join our Regency romance book club!
Every alternate week, we’ll attempt to convert people who’ve never heard of Heyer, including comedians Emma Moran (writer of the incredible tv series ‘Extraordinary’ now out on Disney+), Glen Tickle, Dom Patmore, Rhiannon Shaw and Kate Hinksman.
Discover what Hollywood producers, Australian biographers, British national treasures and worldwide readers think about Heyer’s popularity. And join super-fans and newbies as they discover and discuss some of the top-selling novels of our time – in Heyer Today.
Highlights include:
- Actor Stephen Fry on how he came to be hooked on Heyer
- Author Joanne Harris on why adapting books into film can be problematic
- Producer Andy Paterson discusses a mystery project and the difficulties of bringing Heyer’s work to the screen
- Award-winning screenwriter, Olivia Hetreed talks to us about adapting books for the screen
- Best-selling historical romance novelist, Mary Jo Putney, on writing Regency romance through a 21st century lens
- Peter Buckman, agent for Heyer’s estate, on his joy in adapting Heyer’s work
- Romance novelist Harriet Evans lists her all-time favourite Heyers and why
- Susannah Fullerton, head of the Jane Austen Society in Australia, compares Austen and Heyer
- Acclaimed biographer Jennifer Kloester shares some anecdotes about her journey in discovering never-before-seen letters from Heyer and doing Heyer justice
- Blogger Eleanor Turner (Jane to Georgette) discusses Heyer related on-dits and crim cons
- Comedians who’ve never read Heyer, fall in love (or not!) with her work
- Author Jane Holland and literary agent Alison Bonami from LBA on Heyer’s greatest romantic heroes
- Audio drama inspired by Heyer’s life
- Music from the incomparable Emma Gatrill and Message to Bears, plus original music composed especially for the podcast
PLEASE RATE, REVIEW AND SUBSCRIBE TO KEEP US GOING…
Here are some of the reviews we’ve had so far…
IT’S HERE! FABLE GAZERS SEASON 1: THE SUGAR BABY CONFESSIONALS
This is a true story. Ruby is juggling family life with her new ‘job’ – as a sugar baby. Ruby has three small children and a husband she loves. She also has a hankering for more. Already enjoying an open relationship, she’s decided she wants to try being paid for doing something she’s reeeeeaally good at. What could possibly go wrong?
As her close friend, Sara-Mae helps Ruby process and explore the ups and downs of this alternative lifestyle choice. Along the way, she learns way more about Ruby’s sex life than she ever thought possible, or in fact, necessary.
Add another layer of awkwardness: Ruby’s husband and Sara-Mae’s are good friends. Concerned for Ruby’s wellbeing and the security of her otherwise ‘perfect’ life, Sara-Mae helps Ruby navigate the rocky waters of the sugar baby lifestyle. At first it’s all a laugh as Ruby fills Sara-Mae in on her cheeky antics with various lovers, but then something happens she could never have anticipated…
Join us as ‘vanilla’ and red-hot views on sex and modern love collide.
Binge the whole season here:
Subscribe on iTunes and take a listen from the beginning. Not an Apple user? You can also find the podcast on Spotify, Stitcher, Libsyn, or wherever you like to get your podcasts.
Remember to rate, review and recommend! It really helps to keep us going.
Tweet us: @fable_gazers
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Email us: fablegazers@gmail.com
Press
According to journalists and BBC broadcasters Bibi Lynch, Alix Fox and Rob Crossan, The Sugar Baby Confessionals is: “beguiling and off-kilter”, “thought-provoking”, “charming, funny and candid”.
Awards
- Bronze winner in the 2019 ‘Best Sex & Relationships’ category – British Podcast Awards
- ‘Finger in the Pie’, first published as a short story in The Norwegian American, won through to the Leipziger Hörspielsommer audio drama fest in July
We’ve been featured guests on the following podcasts and radio shows:
- Bibi Does Soho – Soho Radio – Interview with Sara-Mae Tuson on saucy podcast The Sugar Baby Confessionals
- Good Sex, Bad Sex with Bibi Lynch and Miranda Kane – Being a Sugar Baby
- Flixwatcher: Episode#066 Love & Friendship
- Flixwatcher: Episode #056 Their Finest
Podcast review blogs and magazines
- Sara DaSilva of Audible Feast added it to her Best Podcast Series of 2018
- Rivkah Brown recently interviewed Ruby about forthcoming movie, The New Romantic, for Dazed and Confused magazine.
- Featured in the 7 December Podnews newsletter
- The South African – Two antipodean women turn to podcasting to tell stories
- InkTears – Sugar Babies & Writers: an interview with Sara-Mae Tuson
- Jane Austen Society – Two Austen fans podcasting to tell the story of Georgette Heyer today
Reviews:
Sara DaSilva, Audible Feast:
“I am highly addicted to this show right now… I just love it.”
Antonia Reed, writer
Blog post: Tough Love and Cake Puns: the Not-So Sweet Story of a Sugar Baby
“Don’t…be fooled into thinking this is a shallow kiss-and-tell story. Guided by Sara’s thoughtful and considerate moderation, Ruby and sugar baby friend Madeleine’s stories unfold through conversations with the host, accompanied in later episodes by guest experts and other podcasters. Themes include sex work and politics, women’s rights and the law. Refreshingly, the commentators include women who have actually been sex workers.
The Confessionals quickly becomes a deep exploration of sexuality, psychology, romance and loyalty, and of the many things that complicate these aspects of life…Absolutely vital listening.”
Anonymous sugar baby, via email:
“[Your podcast] is such a fun listen. I’ve really enjoyed hearing other women who are so articulate about what they feel regarding the sugaring lifestyle. At times I identify with you, and sometimes with Ruby, and occasionally with Madeline too.”
Poet and fashion maven Bette O’Callaghan (rather delightfully) wrote a review in the form of a poem:
Delusions of grandeur
are inherent in youth
it’s the nightmare
of the tangled bed sheets
the result of reckless actions
that haunts one in old age.
Miss_Troubled says:
5* – “This podcast has intimate details and will satisfy your (voyeuristic) sweet tooth but it’s also a thoughtful look at monogamy, feminism, sexuality, and womanhood. Host Sara-Mae asks all the right questions and does a bit of soul-searching, too. Recommended!”
FOReilly says:
5* – “I learned loads and was enthralled with the journey and especially Ruby’s story. Really well produced, love this series!”
michpsk says:
5* – “Wow this was totally brilliant. I loved the subject and Ruby was refreshingly honest and open about one of our society’s biggest taboos.”
Highlights:
- Lush original music from Danny Green of LAISH and the incredible Kristen MacClement.
- A special interview with The Brit – Ruby’s favourite sugar daddy
- Sex tips from a pro (well, Ruby)
- Interview with a feminist psychology expert who weighs in on the effects of being a sugar baby
- Interviews with US-based sugar baby, Madelaine, on making the most out of your… assets
We’ve had some great reviews so far from journalists Rob Crossan, sexologist and broadcaster Alix Fox and writer and broadcaster Bibi Lynch, why not help us out by giving us a rating and a review of your own?