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Short Story Radio Interview

Posted on 19 November 2009. © Copyright 2004-2024 WriteWords
A longer version of this interview is available to WriteWords Full and Community Members.
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WriteWords talks to Short Story Radio

Tell us all about the Short Story Radio and the Award

Short Story Radio was launched in 2006. Our aims are to promote the short story genre and short story writers, and to broadcast quality recordings of short stories via the website and our podcast. During the past few years we've worked with numerous writers and writing organisations. This summer we were delighted to be awarded funding from Arts Council England to record a series of twenty new short stories. Some of those stories are already available for you to listen to online and via the podcast, with more to come over the next few months.

We are very excited about our latest competition - The Short Story Radio Romance Award 2010. This is an innovative new writing competition for writers of romantic fiction. We are looking for a 5,000 word romance story, told in two parts, which will be recorded and broadcast in two episodes via our website and podcast. The winner will also receive a £150 cash prize. Full details are at www.shortstoryradio.com/short_story_competitions.htm




How should a writer approach you?

We usually approach writers and ask them to submit work to us. We become familiar with their work through publishers or writing classes. Our competitions have also proved a good means of discovering new talent, and I have contacted a number of competition entrants and commissioned them to write for us.

In 2010 we are planning an open submission round, and will be inviting writers to submit work to us. The writers of the chosen stories will be paid and have their work recorded and broadcast on Short Story Radio. We'll post more details about that early next year.

Is it necessary for a writer to have experience in radio to contact you?


It isn't necessary for writers to have experience in radio, but it is essential that they have studied the website and are familiar with our work.

What advice would you give to a new writer starting out?

My advice to any writer who wants to make money from writing, as opposed to writing purely for pleasure, is to research and know your market. If you want to submit work to a particular publisher or broadcaster you should have a very good understanding of what they are looking for. Take time to study their requirements and the work of writers who have already had success with them. Some writers don't like to think about the commercial aspect of their work. That's fine, but that is when you have to decide whether you want to write as a career or a hobby.

Writing is a solitary business, so a support network of like-minded people is essential for developing your work and saving your sanity! Writing groups can be a great way to hone your craft and have fun in the process.





A longer version of this interview is available to WriteWords Full and Community Members.
Click here to learn more about becoming a member.






Comments by other Members



BillyRoberts at 09:44 on 04 October 2022  Report this post
When you use jargon, it is important to keep your audience in mind. People who are familiar with the terms used in your industry will likely understand it better than the average person. However, people who are unfamiliar with the industry will not understand it, so make sure you define them properly. Otherwise, you may end up alienating your audience.


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