DAIZI RAE has been involved in community radio since 2010 when Erewash Sound gained its first fm licence. Since then she has broadcast with another two local stations, and been a literary guest on BBC Radio Derby.
As well as writing the occasional
piece of flash fiction, Daizi is also a contemporary digital hobby artist, particularly fond of painting robins, but not exclusively.
Author of Flash Fiction and How to Write it. and Editor of Bare Book Anthologies I – IV
APRIL BERRY also became
involved in community radio around 2011, which allowed her to indulge in her passion for Motown, Northern soul and all things from the seventies. April loves cycling, photography and reading, the latter being ideal for the
podcast, introducing her and the wider audience to some amazing authors. Mum to two fur babies, Marina the diva and Clive the hooligan, her two cats, she also enjoys model making which helps to switch off at the end of a stressful working day.
BARE BOOKS was born during lockdown in 2020 when Daizi Rae was on furlough and looking for a passion project to keep her busy. With ten years experience in community radio and a passion for books, it seemed that podcasting was the obvious choice – isolated and community friendly all in one.<br>It took no persuasion whatsoever to get fellow community broadcaster, April Berry, on board.They chose to champion indie authors, giving them a free platform to widen their audience and readership.
In 2022, Daizi and April added flash fiction into the podcast, encouraging writers and non-writers alike to pick up a pen or open their laptops and start writing to a given prompt. This proved to be such a success that, in 2025, Jacqui Jay was brought on board to handle that side of things.
Jacqui is a multi-genre author, whose novels encompass Irish historical books, psychological thrillers and cosy mystery. As a retired printer, she also has many years experience in editing and proof-reading, which makes her a perfect fit for the Bare Books Podcast.
Information about Jacqui’s books can be found on her Amazon Author Page.
Bare Books Podcast has introduced me to many new authors. I like it when both hosts read the same book and review it because it gives an honest perspective. We don’t all like the same books!
I do miss the podcast when it takes a break, especially the flash fiction – a diverse range of stories to listen to. Sometimes, I go back to the early episodes, listen again and am reminded of an author or two that I may have missed. I would like to commend DAIZI and APRIL on a great podcast.
Carolyn Ward Daniels, Indie Author
Having dyslexia, I have never been interested in books. The written word has always been difficult for me to read or even understand. The words merged together and didn’t make sense, so I just didn’t bother.
Bare Books has changed that for me. Listening to the podcast and learning about the authors they interview, gave me a new interest in books. The flash fiction episodes even encouraged me to write short stories, which, with some help in editing, were good enough to be read out on air.
Jayne Love, listener and flash fiction writer
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BARE BOOKS PODCAST: website designed and maintained by
Jacqui Jay Grafton ARPS EFIAP/g BPE5* DPAGB