BBC Radio 4 are looking for talented writers based in the North of England with compelling stories to tell. If you could you write a bold, original story for the network, you could win a bursary of up to ?6,000, a development mentorship and get your work broadcast on BBC Radio 4.
Established to commemorate the life and work of the distinguished radio drama producer Alfred Bradley, the award aims to develop and support new radio writers.
The play can be about anything from comedy to science fiction, but it must be no longer than 7,000 words in length and be suitable for the Afternoon Play slot on Radio 4. Last year’s winner, Anthony Cropper, says: “Winning the Alfred Bradley Award was a very real confidence booster and led directly into the opportunity to write for radio.
“I had no idea how the play would do. I wrote it, sent it in and was delighted that it won. The award encouraged me to write a stage play, which I recently completed, and is currently under consideration by a couple of theatres.
“I’m also currently working on a third novel, Fluke, for which I received an Arts Council Award.”
Jeremy Howe, Commissioning Editor for Radio 4 and one of the judges, says: “Writers are the lifeblood of drama on BBC Radio 4 and we think this is a fantastic opportunity for budding writers who work or live in the North of England to be commissioned by Radio 4.”
Judges include tv and radio writer Sally Wainwright (At Home With The Braithwaites, The Wife of Bath); playwright Simon Stephens; actress Julie Hesmondhalgh; Jeremy Howe; Kate Rowland, BBC Creative Director, New Writing; and Sue Roberts, BBC Executive Producer, Drama North.
Entries need to be submitted by 3 November 2006 and the winner will be announced by the end of February 2007. For further information and details of where to send your finished masterpiece go to bbc.co.uk/writersroom.