An audio drama is like a TV show… but without the TV. (Think bingeable episodes, multiple actors, music, and sound effects that sweep your listeners away—no camera crew required!) It’s a ridiculously fun and wildly immersive storytelling format that doesn’t require you to win the lottery before producing.
Why Write an Audio Drama?
Because it’s awesome, yes. But also because:
- It’s cheaper and easier to make than film or TV. Want to showcase your story on a budget? Audio drama is your new best friend. It’s an incredible way to get your IP out in the world. (And hey, Hollywood LOVES something that “was something else first.” Case in point: Limetown started as a podcast and later became a TV show.)
- It’s immersive in the best way. Your audience gets to see your story in their minds, complete with all the goosebumpy details.
- It’s a fantastic creative playground. Writing and producing audio dramas is an excellent training ground if you want to sharpen your storytelling chops—or prep for that future TV showrunner gig.
Writing for Audio: Same But Totally Different
Writing an audio drama isn’t like writing a novel or a screenplay. It’s… kinda like both, but also its own delightful beast.
Like a TV script, it has action lines, settings, and dialogue, but it also packs in more sensory detail than your average film script. Why? Because listeners don’t get visuals. You’re painting with sound.
Writing for audio means constantly asking yourself, “What can I tell through sound, and what absolutely must go in the dialogue?”
Your toolkit has three parts:
- Dialogue: This carries a LOT of weight. Characters can (and should) interrupt and overlap. Real life, not a tidy tennis match. Consider giving characters different accents and speech patterns to make it easy for the audience to follow who is speaking. Find creative ways to let the listeners know where your characters are and what is happening.
- Sound effects/music: Doors creaking, storms raging, dogs barking—sound builds your world.
- Unspoken actor cues: These little notes help your actors nail the emotional beats.
Pro tip: Need a character’s inner monologue? Have them record a journal entry, or leave a voice memo.
Multi-voice performance and killer sound design are audio drama’s superpowers. Lean into them.
Adapting Your Existing Work
Got a screenplay or novel you’re itching to adapt? Awesome! Just be honest about how well it fits the audio format:
- Is it heavy on visuals that won’t translate?
- Does it rely on a rich inner monologue that might be tricky to “show” in dialogue?
- Will a narrator feel natural or clunky?
Pro Tip: Final Draft has a podcast template and Scrivener has an audio play template.
Audio Production 101 (Don’t Panic, You Got This)
1. Casting Actors:
- Post a casting call on sites like Actors Access or Backstage. Be upfront about your budget and audition requirements.
- Decide if you want union (SAG-AFTRA) or non-union talent. Union actors widen your pool but add rules and costs.
- Pro Tip: Many actors already have pro-level recording equipment. They can work with you over Zoom, and send you the recorded audio files.
2. Recording:
- If your actors have home studios, you’re golden.
- If not, you might need to rent studio time or let actors record in yours.
3. Sound Design:
- Make your own sound effects (Zoom recorder, anyone?) or use royalty-free resources like freesound.org, A Sound Effect, or for music.
- For music try royalty free sites like: Incompetech and Artist. Want something custom? Hire a composer for that perfect theme song.
4. Editing:
Editing is where the magic happens (and where time disappears). It’s also usually your biggest expense. Can’t afford a pro? Partner with a college student in media arts who needs portfolio work.
Why Audio Drama Rocks
When you strip away the visuals, you’re left with the raw, intimate power of sound. Listeners become co-creators, building the world in their heads as your story unfolds in their ears.
You’ll be amazed at how freeing—and fun—this medium is.
What are you waiting for? Your story wants to be heard. Literally.
Listen to Audio Dramas
Wicked Dames– (Thriller) In World War II Germany, a group of women seduces and kills Nazi officers.
Edith – (Historical comedy) When President Woodrow Wilson has a stroke, his wife runs the country.
As an old movie fan, I also love old radio dramas from the 1940s and 50s. Sirus XM has an old timey radio drama channel – Radio Classics - that is a lot of fun. Listen to the radio plays that started it all.
The Thrilling Adventure Hour – (Comedy) New audio dramas in the style of old radio plays.
A list of some popular scripted podcasts
Just for fun: Remember WENN is a television show about a radio station in the 1940s creating shows that you can stream on AMC+.
Read Audio Scripts
More How to Information
How to Write a Killer Audio Drama
The Creative Penn: Writing and Directing Audio Drama
The Creative Penn: Writing and Producing Audio Drama
How to Make a Fiction Podcast by Matthew McClean & Robert Cudmore
Bombs Aways Beep: Creating Modern Audio Theater by KC Wayland
Writing Audio Drama by Richard Toscan
Stories Told Through Sound by Barry M. Putt, Jr
Check it Out!
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