Mslexia

Mslexia, the magazine for women who write | www.mslexia.co.uk

Essentials

Q: How do I get work broadcast?

A:

◊ When starting out, your priority is to tune in, to hear how other writers exploit the possibilities of the medium.

◊ Become aware of transmission slots – each has its own style and length and it’s pointless sending work blind. The Friday Play on Radio 4, for instance, broadcasts original new writing, some from new writers. The Afternoon Reading, weekdays, broadcasts short stories with an emphasis on narrative. BBC Writers’ Room was set up to encourage new talent, and this is a good place to start finding out about broadcast possibilities, as well as how best to present and submit work.

◊ In the first instance, new scripts are assessed by readers. Shortlisted ones are then offered to radio producers (from BBC Radio Drama departments, or independent production companies). If a producer likes the script s/he will develop it into a proposal, which is then pitched to the Commissioning Editor. If you’ve got this far (but not before), it might be prudent to find yourself an agent.

◊ As with publishing, it’s hard for unknown writers to break through. Your first objective is to get noticed. For this reason, the first three pages of the script you are sending must grab the attention of the script reader and force them to read on. Draft plays benefit from being workshopped, i.e. read aloud and discussed. Or record it and listen for yourself, a red pen to hand.

◊ Get to know different producers’ work. When you hear the kind of play you’d like to write, check the Radio Times for the producer’s name. Short-circuit the submission process by getting their room number and tracking them down (phone your regional office, see Writers’ Room website).

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