First Draft with Sarah Persson

First Draft is a podcast and radio show for writers in the Vale and beyond. Each month, the programme gives writers at any stage of their career an opportunity to listen to a range of authors, publishers and performers talking about writing. The Vale of Glamorgan is a creative place, with an arts scene which is really taking off. Bro Radio is based in the Vale and is led with a real focus on community, when many other stations are being centralised. Living in the Vale means that the success of the arts here really matters to me, and I want to share the experience of those in the community.

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Episodes

• February - Hanan Issa and Natalie Ann Holborrow

  Thursday, 26 February 2026

  30 minutes

  On First Draft this month, Sarah will be chatting to the National Poet of Wales, Hanan Issa and award-winning author Natalie Ann Holborrow, who won the Mslexia short story prize. Plus a round-up of submission opportunities and events.Originally broadcast on Bro Radio on Thursday 26th February 2026

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• March - Rhiannon Oliver and Tracy Harris

  Thursday, 26 February 2026

  27 minutes

  In this edition, Sarah speaks to Rhiannon Oliver about her brand new collection of Children's poetry and Cardiff based Tracy Harris who shares her tips about writing for performance.This episode was originally broadcast on Bro Radio on Thursday 26th March 2026

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• Bonus - Jade E Bradford

  Thursday, 29 January 2026

  6 minutes

  Jade E Bradford who chats to Sarah during the January edition of First Draft, gives a little bit more extra insight for your writing journey!For more, go to https://www.broradio.fm/on-air/podcasts/first-draft-with-sarah-persson/

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• January - Tom Bullough and Jade E Bradford

  Thursday, 29 January 2026

  33 minutes

  Exclusive to Bro RadioIn this edition of First Draft with Sarah Persson, Tom Bullough talks all things 'Mr Burton' and Jade E Bradford who's from Barry, chats about her writing journey!First broadcast on Thursday 29th January 2026 on Bro Radio

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• November - Gosia Buzzanca and Dominic Williams

  Thursday, 27 November 2025

  32 minutes

  Exclusive to Bro RadioIn this episode, Sarah chats to Gosia Buzzanca and Dominic Williams about all things writing!Originally broadcast during November 2025

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• October - Carly Regan, George Hobbs & Phil Caradice

  Friday, 31 October 2025

  26 minutes

  On this month's edition, Sarah is joined by Carly Regan, who's represented by Curtis Brown. She'll talk about her new gothic novel, The Afirmary and give some tips on how to write a ghostly novel.Upcoming spoken word artist George Hobbs, who'll be telling us how he got into poetry and how he gets over his nerves to perform.Welsh Author and broadcaster Phil Caradice talks about his 103rd book, which is about the fire of London and a round-up of local events for writers.

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• September - Keza O'Neill

  Friday, 31 October 2025

  26 minutes

  On this month's edition, Sarah is joined by the winner of the 2025 Rhys Davies Short Story Competition, Keza O’Neill, who gives some tips for writing short stories.Penarth-based author Sophioe Bouchard on what it's like moving from writing novels to writing poetry, along with the lowdown on writing opportunities and events in the Vale of Glamorgan and South Wales.

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• August - Lottie Williams, Taz Rahman

  Friday, 31 October 2025

  30 minutes

  On this month's edition, Sarah will speak to award-winning author Lottie Williams, who'll be speaking about her debut book, The Edge of Everything.Award-winning Poet Taz Rahman also sits down with Sarah to talk through his writing journey, one for aspiring poets.

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More episodes...