Applications are now open for the 2026 Tinniswood Award, for audio drama scripts broadcast or made available online between 1 October 2024 and 31 October 2025.
The Tinniswood Award is presented annually to the best original audio drama script of the year. The award was established by the Society of Authors (SoA) and the Writers’ Guild of Great Britain (WGGB) to celebrate and encourage high standards in audio drama, and perpetuate the memory of the writer Peter Tinniswood. We are deeply grateful to the Authors’ Licensing and Collecting Society for their generous sponsorship of the £3,000 prize.
The deadline for entries is midnight on 5 October 2025.
Guidelines and application procedure
Entry criteria
- Deadline for entries: midnight on 5 October 2025
- An original audio script of any length, as broadcast
- A standalone drama or the opening episode(s) from an original series or serial*
- Featuring characters and situations that are original to the writer
- Recorded as a UK production
- Broadcast or made available online between 1 October 2024 – 31 October 2025
- Adaptations of works commissioned for any other medium – including stage, television, film, prose fiction or poetry – are not eligible.
* Series submissions should include multiple concurrent episodes up to 45 minutes running time, or the complete series if the overall running time is under 45 minutes. The judges reserve the right to call in the subsequent episodes if required.
Judging
Three judges will be selected in consultation with the SWG committee. Correspondence with the judges is forbidden and their decision is final.
Presentation
The Tinniswood Award will be presented at the BBC Audio Drama Awards in early 2026 (TBC).
Submissions
Submissions will be accepted from any party (producer, broadcasting organisation, writer, agent, etc.) and must consist of all the following items:
- the completed form
- a copy of the final studio script
- a synopsis and author biography (each no more than 150 words)
Contact
If you have any questions, please contact Theo Jones.
- Email: tjones@societyofauthors.org
- Phone: 020 3880 2230