The Society of Authors has announced the launch of a podcast channel, SoA Sounds, to host its The SoA Advisory Clinic podcast and Adventures in Radio, a new limited podcast series about audio drama from playwright and Scriptwriters Group Chair Barney Norris.
Host Barney Norris said:
Radio is for everyone. It breaks down barriers and comes to where you are, and it can be anything – it can be radical, or feel like home. And we don’t talk enough about this amazing medium! So in this series, I’ve talked to some leading contemporary radio dramatists, whose work has made my world bigger.
SoA Sounds will bring these podcasts – and any future podcast series from the SoA – into one easy-to-access channel available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Deezer and other audio streaming services.
Adventures in Radio will launch on 15 January 2024 to coincide with the 100-year anniversary of the first audio drama broadcast and will provide an in-depth look at how a story gets told.
Previous Childrens Laureate of Wales and 2023 Imison Award winner Connor Allen features in the first episode, telling host Barney Norris the step-by-step process of producing his award-winning audio drama The Making of a Monster.
Other guests on the series are actor and writer Fraser Ayres, radio drama veteran and ex-SoA Management Committee Member Nell Leyshon and Tony-nominated playwright Timberlake Wertenbaker. A further two guests will be announced shortly.
Sophia A Jackson, Head of Events and Scriptwriters Group Co Coordinator, said:
It’s wonderful that we are able to add the Adventures in Radio podcast to the existing SoA Sounds podcast channel and provide a valuable resource for scriptwriters looking for tips and insight from key figures in the industry on navigating the audio drama landscape.
Adventures in Radio aims to inspire would-be audio drama storytellers by providing unfiltered access to the behind-the-scenes of creating great radio.
Theo Jones, Senior Publishing Contracts Advisor and Scriptwriters Group Co Coordinator, said:
As we embark upon a new year of theatre both on stage and online, and as we celebrate 100 years of audio drama on the BBC, where better to board than onto a brilliant new Adventures in Radio podcast series from novelist and playwright, Barney Norris. We hope you enjoy it!
The SoA Advisory Clinic podcast, which released its first episode in April 2023, finished its second season last month. The podcast focuses on demystifying the world of publishing for authors and other creatives. It is written and hosted by SoA Contracts Advisors Johanna Clarke and Theo Jones.
SoA Sounds will present a third series of The SoA Advisory Clinic later in 2024.
With thanks to Hawthornden Foundation who have kindly funded the Adventures in Radio podcast.