The WhistleTree Project:
A Literary Space Where Stories Are Meant to Be Heard
The WhistleTree Project is a sound-forward literary zine and reader’s haven, offering public domain read-alouds, original writing, book reviews, curated reading lists, and creative writing insights.
We bring stories to life—whether they’re whispered through classic pages, shouted in bold new voices, or passed from one writer to another like a well-loved secret.
Whether you're here to deepen your reading life, improve your writing craft, get your work published, or simply unwind with a story read aloud, you’re in the right place.
Read. Listen. Belong.
Welcome to the WhistleTree Project!
We have a few things going on here:
1. An Online & Audio Literary Journal
A read-aloud lit zine featuring original fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction—made for the rest of us. We publish new voices, rebel voices, and beautifully crafted work from anyone with a story to tell. Selected pieces are not just published, but performed—read aloud on YouTube and TikTok so stories can actually be heard.
Whether you’re an emerging writer, an underdog voice, or someone who’s been quietly brilliant for years, we want to read—and share—your work.
2. A Substack for Readers & Writers
A weekly(ish) newsletter for those who want to turn toward stories instead of doomscrolling. Here we dig into bookish essays, reading culture, storytelling craft, forgotten classics, and the practice of reading and writing as a creative, daily act.
If you’ve ever felt like you’ve lost your reading rhythm—or want to start writing again—this is your gentle invitation to rejoin the world of words.
3. A YouTube Channel for Read-Alouds
We bring classic books to life with chapter-by-chapter readings, vocabulary insights, and context-rich conversations—ideal for readers of all ages. Whether you’re building reading skills, expanding your vocabulary, or just love being read to, you’ll find cozy, accessible, and heartfelt storytelling here.
4. And a TikTok to Connect It All
TikTok is where we meet you halfway: with quick book reviews, excerpts, quotes, behind-the-scenes glimpses, and short literary reflections. It’s a window into the WhistleTree world—and a way to draw new readers, listeners, and contributors into the bigger project.
Come for the stories. Stay for the magic. Submit your work, listen to something timeless, or read along with us.
At The WhistleTree Project, we believe stories are meant to be shared out loud—not just shelved and forgotten. Whether you're a reader rediscovering the classics, a writer honing your voice, or someone who just loves getting lost in a good story, there's a place for you here.
We offer chapter-by-chapter read-alouds, curated book lists, literary insights, craft-focused reflections on writing, and a platform for original fiction, nonfiction, and maybe even poetry. Our goal is to make literature more accessible, more joyful, and more alive—one voice at a time.
A Short Story About The Project
Hey. Hi. Hello.
I’m Dawn Davies—an author, writing instructor, and lifelong reader with a deep, slightly obsessive love for literature. I’ve been lucky to have my work appear in many literary journals I admire (we are numbering over 60 at this point) , and every time it happens, I still feel that little thrill: someone picked me.
Recently, one of my essays was published in a high-ranking print journal. A journal that has been on my bucket list. A journal I adore. I'de been trying for 13 years to get in this journal. I was proud, grateful... and then the copies showed up in my mailbox. Five beautiful issues, thick with writing, lovingly made.
But I sat there wondering—who's gonna actually read these?
The truth is, as much as I love litmags (and I really, truly do), the world is changing. Literary journals can feel gatekeepy. Their audiences are small. And the work inside—often incredible work—stays hidden from the readers who might need it most.
That’s why I started The WhistleTree Project.
It’s part book club, part lit journal, part audio zine. A place where stories aren’t just published—they’re read out loud, shared widely, and made beautifully accessible to anyone who wants them.
Maybe you love hearing stories but struggle with reading. Maybe you miss being read to. Maybe you’re an emerging writer looking for a home where your work won’t be buried in a back issue no one finds. Maybe you’re just looking for a literary space that feels a little less... exclusive.
I believe stories are for everyone. I believe they can save lives. I believe they still matter, even in a world built to distract us from them.
Here at WhistleTree, we read books aloud. We talk about language and writing craft. We publish new voices. We review forgotten greats. We help build the kind of literary community I wish existed when I was younger—and honestly, the kind I still wish existed now.
Thanks for being here. I hope you’ll stay a while.
Check out Our YouTube Channel!
Experience captivating read-aloud sessions that bring classic literature to life for all ages. Check out our latest:
Develop a Reading Practice
Build your reading practice with WhistleTree Book Club! Our short videos inspire you to embrace reading, helping you step away from screens, strengthen your vocabulary, and explore timeless classics. Start cultivating a lifelong love of books today!
Jack and Jill
Join WhistleTree Book Club for our first feature read-aloud: Jack and Jill by Louisa May Alcott! This heartwarming classic for middle-grade and up, blends friendship, resilience, and life's lessons in a delightful story perfect for all ages. Discover why this timeless tale continues to charm readers young and old!
Check Out Our Substack
If you want it in writing, head over to our Substack, where we publish weekly(ish) newsletters that explore the transformative power of stories—both reading them and writing them.
Join a growing community of readers and writers as Dawn Davies—award-winning author of Mothers of Sparta: A Memoir in Pieces and 60 other publications—shares essays on reading culture, creative writing craft, forgotten books worth remembering, and the wide, wild world of literature.It’s free, and it’s designed to help you build (or rebuild) a joyful reading habit, think more deeply about how stories work, and stay grounded in art, not scrolly algorithms.
Each post may include practical tips for navigating digital distractions, mini craft talks, deep dives into literary works, short videos, and curated reading lists—plus the occasional reminder that you’re not alone in loving books a little too much.
Whether you’re refining your writing voice, looking for your next favorite read, or just craving a literary space that feels human, weird, and welcoming—The WhistleTree Project is your place.
