Australian Writers’ Guild and Audible announce $20,000 podcast writing competition
05 May, 2020
The Australian Writers’ Guild in collaboration with Audible, the world’s leading provider and producer of audiobooks and spoken word entertainment, and with support from Screen Australia, have launched an exciting new podcast competition and development opportunity for Australian writers.
On Air will see writers from across the industry given the opportunity to broaden their creative prospects and turn their screen and stage writing skills towards new avenues in the podcast space, expanding the scope of contemporary non-fiction and fiction audio storytelling.
The initiative kicked off on Monday 4 May with an exclusive In Conversation from three of Australia’s scripted podcast pioneers, Marc Fennell, Dan Ilic and Kacie Anning, discussing the rich opportunities to be found in this booming creative sector.
This was followed by the launch of the podcast writing competition On Air, which invites writers to submit ideas for a 3-6 hour podcast concept of premium quality and global audience appeal. Entries are open to all AWG members, with writers encouraged to pitch strong narratives that attest to the power of audio storytelling to entertain and spark conversations.
A maximum of eight project ideas will be shortlisted, with up to $20,000 distributed across the successful project/s, and the potential for these projects to form part of Audible’s original content program.
'There’s incredible storytelling potential to be found in podcasts and audio, especially as the world adapts to our new normal and people seek immersive and inventive stories via different formats. We believe this is a strong growth sector for our members and we’re excited to collaborate with Audible and Screen Australia to provide this tangible development opportunity,’ said Susie Hamilton, Professional Development Manager at the Australian Writers’ Guild.
‘Audible entertains, inspires, and informs our millions of listeners around the world through outstanding audio storytelling. Australians have a keen interest in locally produced audio that captures their unique stories in the Australian voice, and we’re thrilled to work with the Australian Writers’ Guild and Screen Australia to develop exciting local talent and ideas,’ said Ben Naparstek, Director of Content for Audible Australia and New Zealand.
Notable local Audible Original productions include It Burns by Marc Fennell, The Goodbye Party by Louis Nowra, Riot Act by Dan Ilic, Kacie Anning, Mark Humphries and Evan Williams, Habits for Happiness by Dr Tim Sharp and Second Skin by Christian White.
Notable international Audible Originals include Evil Has a Name: The Untold Story of the Golden State Killer Investigation, Esther Perel’s Where Should We Begin: The Arc of Love, West Cork, and The Butterfly Effect with Jon Ronson.
On Air opened for entries Monday 4 May 2020 and will close Monday 1 June 2020.
For terms and conditions and to enter head here.
On Air is managed and promoted by the Australian Writers’ Guild Ltd (ABN 38 002 563 500) and any queries relating to the competition should be directed to the Australian Writers' Guild at [email protected].
ABOUT AUDIBLE
Audible Australia is dedicated to serving our Australian and New Zealand customers with audiobooks sold by Audible Australia Pty Ltd. Audible, the world’s leading provider and producer of audiobooks and spoken word entertainment, invented and commercialised the first digital audio player in 1997, and has since been at the forefront of the explosively growing world of spoken-word entertainment. In 2019, Audible Australia customers downloaded an average of 22 audiobooks during the year. Audible Australia content includes more than 400,000 audio titles from leading publishers, broadcasters, entertainers, magazine and newspaper publishers, and business information providers.
ABOUT THE AUSTRALIAN WRITERS’ GUILD
The Australian Writers’ Guild is the professional association for Australian screen and stage writers principally in film, television, theatre, radio and digital media and has protected and promoted their creative and professional interests for more than 50 years.
The Guild’s vision is to see stage and screen writers thrive as a dynamic and integral part of Australian storytelling: shaping, reflecting and enhancing the Australian cultural voice in all its diversity.
The Guild fights to improve professional standards, conditions and remuneration for Australian stage and screen writers, to pursue a thriving industry environment, and to protect and advance the creative rights of our members.
