Irish audio producers Zoë Comyns & Regan Hutchins are collaborating on a storytelling project related to water. It’s called The Water Library where objects on shelves tell stories about water around the world.

 

We’d like you to join us. We’re asking you to record a very short audio piece about a river, lake, pond, puddle, leaky tap, giant flood, ocean, wave, drought, thirst, teardrop or bodily fluids. You could record an interview, a script, an original poem, song or story. You could record a short feature with multiple voices. These stories may range from lyrical writing celebrating the natural world to addressing the urgent climate crisis. 

 

You will send us an object related to this story, ideally a small bottle with the water of your story but the object could be from the location - a stone, a feather or a mudlarked treasure. When the visitor to the library chooses this object, they will hear your story.

Your story can be on any theme related to water. 

 

A duration guide would be 1-3 minutes but we would be happy to feature longer pieces. If you are unsure about how to record we can guide you for your location recording and record remotely with you for your written contribution. 

 

The process: 

 

We will record the intro to the piece so you only have to do the following: 

1. Record 5 minutes on location. Take a photo.

2. Write and record your contribution separately. 

3. Please include your credits with your contribution. This was recorded and written by [name] at the [waterbody] in [year]. 

   1. Eg The Yellow Shell was recorded by photographer Frankie Davies at the broken bench by Lake Tahoe in 2026

4. If you are happy to mix the two please upload as an mp3 or upload the soundscape and voice separately. We will mix it. 

5. You can upload your audio, photo and description in the form below on this page

6. Post your small bottle/item or give it to Regan or Zoë. 

 

Deadline: 11pm GMT Friday 10th April 2026

 

Please fill the small vial with water from your chosen waterbody (we’ll send you the address).

 

If the object or vial is of particular sentimental value please discuss before posting. 

 

We are not being paid for this but would like to bring it to an upcoming festival as a small installation. We cannot offer a fee but you will receive full credit in the audio piece. 

We would ask that you give use of your audio to The Water Library permanently but you retain copyright and further usage rights over it. 

 

If you have any questions please contact Regan: (safarikent@gmail.com) or Zoë (zoecomyns@gmail.com)​​

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