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.
Law And Order: SVU Has A Podcast.
The show celebrates the TV program’s 21 years of innovative storytelling with interviews with the cast and crew. The really interesting part? They promise that they’ll be putting out “radio-style episodes.” I’m excited!
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-law-order-svu-podcast/id1480917617
- STRUCTURE
Stepping Through the Narrative Door: An Essay on Contemporary Audio Fiction.
Ella Watts, Executive Producer of the podcast, The Orphans, turns out one of the best examinations of the structure of successful audio fiction that I have yet read. Last year about this same time she wrote a more general analysis of audio fiction. Both are must reads. By the way, visit The Orphans website for an outstanding example of how to do it right.
https://www.internationalpodcastmonth.com/blog/the-art-of-the-invisible-wall
- LISTENERS, WE NEED MORE LISTENERS.
Podcast Promotion: 8 Ways to Grow Your Audience.
This article provides the deepest dive into podcast promotion that your humble correspondent has seen yet. Don’t let the constant reference to nonfiction throw you. These points apply just as well to fiction. You want to gain listeners who aren’t currently podcast consumers? Instead of saying “subscribe to my podcast,” say “listen to my show.” All of the links in this article are well worth clicking.
https://comealivecreative.com/podcast-promotion/
- LISTENERS, WE NEED MORE LISTENERS, PART 2.
You Must Be Everywhere – Offline Too!
Despite the rather hyperbolic title, this article contains some good advice, Number Two being the most important of the seven ideas. You don’t need thousands of downloads to give a presentation at libraries, churches, senior citizen centers, just a recording of your show and talk about the process. You WILL have anecdotes to share.
https://podcastbusinessjournal.com/you-must-be-everywhere-offline-too/
- IF YOU WANNA WRITE, YOU GOTTA LISTEN.
Cryptids: A Science Fiction/Horror Podcast
Releasing weekly episodes from September 29 through October. From the Google Podcasts listing: “Cryptids tells the story of a conspiracy radio show host and an avid listener who go in search of an afterlife. Instead they find a truth beyond their wildest nightmares. In this female driven, scripted, sci-fi audio drama, you’ll meet monsters, aliens… and the ultimate grim reaper.”
Worth a listen.
https://podcasts.google.com/?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9jcnlwdGlkc3BvZGNhc3QucG9kYmVhbi5jb20vZmVlZC54bWw=
- OPPORTUNITY.
Forever Dog Unveils New Slate.
Forever Dog, an alternative comedy podcasting network, announced its new season with six shows including two all-new scripted comedies and four returning shows.This will make scripted content half of their total new season. If they added two new scripted shows this year, it’s time to start pitching for next year.
https://podcastbusinessjournal.com/forever-dog-unveils-new-slate/
- RESOURCES.
Visit the BBC Writer’s Room.
The number of resources here are mind-boggling, not the least of which is a script library where you can download scripts from the BBC’s most popular radio and TV series. The Writer’s Room deserves a permanent place in your browser tabs.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/
So, until next week, same Pod-time, same Pod-channel, keep listening and keep creating.
SPEAKING OF AUDIO FICTION…
Did you know that all audio fiction entries in TVWriter™’s PEOPLE’S PILOT 2019 pilot script competition are eligible for the two major category prizes plus special prizes and a reduced entry fee?
Learn all about it at: https://peoplespilot.com