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About Hugh Fraser
Hugh Fraser is Storynory’s editor and producer. He writes the original stories and adapts many of the myths and legends. He is also webmaster and oversees the development strategy for Storynory.
This is what Hugh says about himself:
“I split my time (and my brain) between writing and recording stories for Storynory, and doing technical stuff for websites. The English language is my first love, but I also have to cram in a good smattering of computer languages. Sometimes it all drives me a bit crazy.
These days I write almost all the stories for Storynory that aren’t actually by classic authors. I adapt stories from around the world – Greek Myths, Japanese legends, Arthurian romances, etc, and I write the stories about Prince Bertie, Katie the Witch, The Unpopular Beauty, Gladys, and so forth (if you listen to Storynory you will know who these characters are).
I have found that working with Natasha for four years, listening to her frank and very perceptive comments, and listening to her read my words back so beautifully, has been a great privilege. She’s helped my writing enormously. These days I am also very lucky to work with Elizabeth and Richard.
The weekly schedule for Storynory is demanding, but I always compare it to the early days of the Beatles. Long ago, I read that the Fab Four weren’t very Fab when they went to Hamburg before they were famous. In Germany, they had a regular slot playing in a club, night after night after night, and that’s how they became good. Storynory is a bit like that. We just keep going, keep to the schedule, make our mistakes, learn, and move on.
I’m also the sound-engineer. I record the narration and spend a surprisingly large amount of time editing and mastering the audio, finding a picture, and uploading the final result to the site and into iTunes. I aim to get this done every Sunday, but have been known to let the deadline slip to Monday lunchtime. At any rate, I do make sure we get our story out every week, come what may.
And then, believe it or not, I think. I think about where Storynory is going, and how we are going to get there. Right now I am thinking about more music, more pictures, more audio “theatre”, and all about that little buzz-word “app”.
I used to be a journalist. I spent some time in Russia (1990-1993) and am married to a Russian. I am planning a “magnum opus” for Storynory that will be set in Russia, but somehow I haven’t quite written it yet.
I have a small son and another on the way. I did ten years at the BBC World Service where I got my background in all things audio and started to write for the net. Now I try to get all that journalese out of my head and write proper English.
A very long time ago I did Classics at Oxford. Regular listeners to Storynory will recognise my interest in the ancient world.
But one thing many Storynory listeners won’t really know is my name. All the stories are written under the pen-name of “Bertie.”
Halvin We have some books on Kindle
http://www.amazon.com/Katie-witch-spells-ordinary-ebook/dp/B0083CFO8A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1337167313&sr=8-1
can you publish book
Hi I <3 storynory.but i would like some myths on here too,if that is okay….
Hello
This is a wonderful new myth on Storynory and great pictures
Thanks for listening
Bye Bye
N *
[...] by Richard Scott. Pictures by Nick Hayes. Written by Bertie. Music by Gabriella [...]
Dear Mr.Hugh are you Bertie u have very nice sense of tast I love the Greek and norse myths best.
i like ur name hugh/birtie
i said i like this p
HI Emma, I’m sorry to disappoint you. I don’t want to spoil the magic. I do try to keep a low profile. You have to look to find me !
Honestly I’m sort of disappointed because I like to pretend bertie was a real frog but now that I know he is not its hard for me to pretend it. Please answer me back.
yes yes i knew it! you ARE Bertie! Still, I won’t tell my friends so they will keep on listening
great job
can you biring new books
Hiya!
Hi Sunniva, I’ve lost count of the stories I’ve written for Storynory, I suppose it must be in the 100s now.
How many books have you written?
i like pie do you
I like pie
Why doesn’t Natasha read the stories anymore Bertie???
I like this! :P
Hi Kauyleigh, Natasha reads the stories so beautifully, as do the others…. I can’t match them for that.
well can u do storys in ur voise like ntasha plz that would just be great so plz replay and say yeeah i will plz i will be waitin for ur replay:) here
Dear Little Cat
I’d be glad to take down any comments you ask for, but I can’t find the ones you mention. I saw some on the Mermaid and the Merman but under a different name – perhaps your other name? Or can you point me to the comments you would like me to take down – give me the stories and I should be able to find them.
Dear Hugh,
I apologise for causing you a problem. This is my fault. I will try not to do it again.
Please take down my two “love comment” and you will be fine.
By the way, may I say “Thank You” to Prince Bertie the Frog for his kindness.
Dear Sam, in a sense.
are you bertie??? please reply!!
Dear Kid, I write the stories… so in that sense, the answer to your question is yes
i understand u r busy. ;( :( thanks anyways
pleeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaassssssssssseeeeeeeeee reply
r u bertie? ~reply~
i want to read lots of you other myths and legends ifit is avalible