Short Stories from Jesus College, Cambridge

Historical Fiction part 2: Too Son Made Glad, and Ladies' Night

Two stories of mid-twentieth-century fictional crime. Credits: ‘Too Soon Made Glad’ was written by Rachel Gardner (2021), who studied English at Jesus College. The narrator is Ssegawa-Ssekintu Kiwanuka (2005), best known as Love Ssega, musician, producer and performing artist who studied Chemical Engineering at Jesus and completed a PhD in Laser Spectroscopy. In 2024, ‘Too Soon Made Glad’ tied for Best Historical Storytelling. ‘Ladies’ Night’ was written by Molly Becker, Communication Coordinator for the Intellectual Forum at Jesus College. The narrator is Eleanor Mack (2013), actor and community dance artist who studied English at Jesus. Ladies’ Night tied for Best Historical Storytelling in the 2024 competition. Stories recorded at Pixiu Studio, 18 Charlotte Rd, London EC2A 3PB, and edited by Finn Ranson (2017). Episode introduction recorded at Jesus College, Cambridge, by Finn Ranson, and featuring the Master of the College, Sonita Alleyne, and Emily Winslow, author and teacher in Cambridge. Podcast project management Clelia McElroy and Sarah Richey.

Historical Fiction part 1: The Hyacinth Girl, and Space Songs for Ikeya-Seki

Two stories set in the 1960s, one in the context of the Vietnam War and one about the visit of an awe-inspiring comet. Credits: ‘The Hyacinth Girl ‘was written by Eliza Powers (1994), who was an Undergraduate visiting student from Pomona College, California.The narrator is Dr Matt Wilkinson, current Director of Studies in Natural Sciences at Jesus College, specialising in Zoology, and also a freelance popular science writer and speaker, voice artist, and actor. In 2024, ‘The Hyacinth Girl ‘ was awarded Best Fantastical Historical Fiction ‘Space Songs for Ikeya-Seki’ was written by April Egan (2021), who studied English at Jesus College. It was narrated by Arabella Jacobson (2013), stage and screen actor who studied Psychological & Behavioural Sciences at Jesus. In 2024, ‘Space Songs for Ikeya-Seki’ was awarded Best Descriptive Historical Fiction. Stories recorded at Pixiu Studio, 18 Charlotte Rd, London EC2A 3PB, and edited by Finn Ranson (2017). Episode introduction recorded at Jesus College, Cambridge, by Finn Ranson, and featuring the Master of the College, Sonita Alleyne, and Emily Winslow, author and teacher in Cambridge. Podcast project management Clelia McElroy and Sarah Richey.

Science Fiction part 2: Enhanced, and Feel no Evil

Two stories of future horror, one physical and one psychological Credits: ‘Enhanced’ was written by Arabella Tedder (2020), who was studying English at Jesus College. The narrator is Grainne Dromgoole (2016) who is a stage and voice actor who studied English at Jesus. ‘Enhanced’ was awarded Best Physical Horror Science Fiction Story in the 2023 competition. ‘Feel No Evil’ was written by Deborah Omolegan-Obe (2022) who studied Law at Jesus College. The narrator is Ssegawa-Ssekintu Kiwanuka (2005), best known as Love Ssega, musician, producer and performing artist who studied Chemical Engineering at Jesus and completed a PhD in Laser Spectroscopy. ‘Feel No Evil’ was awarded Best Psychological Horror Science Fiction Story in the 2023 competition. Stories recorded at Pixiu Studio, 18 Charlotte Rd, London EC2A 3PB, and edited by Finn Ranson (2017). Episode introduction recorded at Jesus College, Cambridge, by Finn Ranson, and featuring the Master of the College, Sonita Alleyne, and Emily Winslow, author and teacher in Cambridge. Podcast project management Clelia McElroy and Sarah Richey.

Science Fiction part 1: Major Moon, Astroentomologist, and Echoes in the Chapel

Science Fiction part 1: Major Moon, Astroentomologist, and Echoes in the Chapel Credits: ‘Major Moon, Astroentomologist’ written by Ella Curry (2019), who was Communication and Marketing Assistant in the Intellectual Forum at Jesus College between completing her English BA at Jesus, and going on to pursue a Master’s degree in entomology. It was narrated by Francesca Beard (1986) who is an internationally acclaimed spoken word artist who studied English at Jesus. In 2023 it was awarded Best Heroic Science Fiction Story. ‘Echoes in the Chapel’ written by Kate Coghlan, Editor of Publications at Jesus College. The narrator is Arabella Jacobson - a stage and screen actor who studied Psychological & Behavioural Sciences at Jesus. ‘Major Moon, Astroentomologist’ was awarded Best Tragic Science Fiction Story in the 2023 competition. Stories recorded at Pixiu Studio, 18 Charlotte Rd, London EC2A 3PB, and edited by Finn Ranson (2017). Episode introduction recorded at Jesus College, Cambridge, by Finn Ranson, and featuring the Master of the College, Sonita Alleyne, and Emily Winslow, author and teacher in Cambridge. Podcast Project Management Clelia McElroy and Sarah Richey.

Love Stories: Abide with me and Misjudgement

Two stories that contrast the hope and the pain of love relationships. Credits: ‘Abide with Me’, written by Anika Goddard (2021), who studied Undergraduate English at Jesus College. It was narrated by Francesca Beard (1986), an internationally acclaimed spoken word artist who studied English at Jesus College. 'Abide with Me’ was awarded Best Hopeful Love Story in the 2022 competition. ‘Misjudgement’ written by Rachel Gardner (2021), who studied English at Jesus College. Narrated by April Perrott (2021) who studied English and is a musical theatre artist. Misjudgement’ was awarded Best Painful Love Story in the 2022 competition. Stories recorded at Pixiu Studio, 18 Charlotte Rd, London EC2A 3PB, and edited by Finn Ransom (2017). Episode introduction recorded at Jesus College, Cambridge, by Finn Ranson, and featuring the Master of the College, Sonita Alleyne, and Emily Winslow, author and teacher in Cambridge. Podcast Project Management Clelia McElroy and Sarah Richey.