by Bob Tinsley
Why should you as a visitor to TVWriter™ be interested in making audio fiction? Why should you be interested in making podcasts? Discoverability, that’s why.
The meaning of the word podcast is evolving to include any episodic, audio-only production whether nonfiction or fiction. Agents and major studios have started trawling through podcasts and their creators for new content and talent.
So here’s the latest news to help you and your podcast get discovered:
Music from https://filmmusic.io
“The Builder” by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com)
License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
- I TOLD YOU SO.
Hunted Writer Jeffrey Baker On How He Crafted The Dick Wolf Audio Drama.
This is an excellent article on the differences and similarities between writing for TV and writing for audio. Jeffrey Baker, one of the writers on Law & Order: SVU, knows whereof he speaks. It turns out there are more similarities than differences. On how he liked writing for audio Baker said: “I would just say I’m super excited that this kind of storytelling’s come back and audiences are into audio fiction.”
https://onechicagocenter.com/2019/12/27/hunted-podcast-jeffrey-baker-interview/
- I TOLD YOU SO, PART 2.
Podcaster Kenneth Vigue On Chad: A Fallout 76 Story.
If Forbes Magazine isn’t the Big Time, I don’t know what is. Forbes has been following podcasts and audio fiction for a while now, even publishing a regular column by the wonderful Sarah Rhea Werner, podcaster and creator/showrunner of the Girl in Space audio fiction show. Alex Kane interviews Vigue about how he turned fanfic for the video game, Fallout 76, into a full-blown audio fiction show with up to 18 voice actors and pro quality sound design. If he can, you can.
- RESOURCES.
All of 2019’s Audio Drama/Fiction Podcast Debut Releases.
A list fromThe Cambridge Geek detailing all 660+ audio fiction, RPG, audio fiction shows that released a debut episode in 2019, separated by genre. One hell of a list. Thanks to The Cambridge Geek for this epic work.
- RESOURCES, PART 2.
How To Podcast For Free (Or As Little Money As Possible).
You can spend a lot of money producing and hosting an audio fiction show. Or you can do it for nothing out of pocket. Matthew McClean, one of the creators of A Scottish Podcast, gives you the skinny on how to do it in this short but informative article. Read it.
https://www.thepodcasthost.com/planning/how-to-podcast-for-free/
- WE NEED MORE LISTENERS.
How To Grow Your Podcast With Facebook Ads.
This article from Gavin Bell at The Podcast Host tells you why and how to make Facebook ads that will increase your audience. The best thing about Facebook ads is that you can target your specific audience. Some people aren’t thrilled with the performance of FB ads, but this article tells you how to do it economically.
- WE NEED MORE LISTENERS, PART 2.
Extra, Extra: The Power Of Supplementary Material For Podcasts.
Wil Williams strikes again! If you want to attract, maintain, and even increase your listening audience, providing supplemental material relating to your show is one proven way to do it. In spite of the fact that your main content is audio, the more text and images you have on your website the better your Google-fu will be. Think about posting your scripts, production logs, even fan art and fan fic from your listeners. As Jean-Luc Pickard would say: Engage!
- IF YA WANNA WRITE, YA GOTTA LISTEN.
Moonbase Theta, Out.
Created by D. J. Sylvis this show follows the skeleton crew of five people tasked with shutting down the last moonbase. The first season follows the crew through the reports of Communications Officer Roger Bragado-Fischer to the management team on Earth. Season 1 consists of 20 episodes that average about 5 minutes each, so it’s easy, and fun, to binge the whole thing in a couple of sessions. Season 2, which just concluded, consists of the personal logs of the five crew members as they experience the events covered in Season 1.
From the website: “Join the crew of Moonbase Theta, as well as Roger’s husband Alex from back on Earth, as they reach out to share the beauty, the isolation and frustration, the love and enmity, the humour, and the tragedy, as they all count down to the operation’s end.” Listen and enjoy!.
https://monkeymanproductions.com/moonbase-theta-out/
Until next week, same Pod-time, same Pod-channel, keep listening and keep creating.