![\"opening](\"http:\/\/kalamu.com\/neogriot\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/opening-lines.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nThe BBC Radio Drama Readings Unit welcomes submissions from writers new to radio for their annual series, Opening Lines which is broadcast on BBC Radio 4.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The next window for sending in material to\u00a0Opening Lines<\/a>\u00a0– BBC Radio 4’s showcase for short stories\u00a0is\u00a0January 5th \u2013 February 13th 2015<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n The team\u00a0are unable to respond to unsolicited stories submitted outside this time-frame.<\/span><\/p>\n As well as broadcasting the three strongest stories,\u00a0 transcripts of the best stories submitted within this period are published\u00a0on the\u00a0Opening Lines programme pages<\/a>. The three successful writers will be invited to London for an afternoon in Broadcasting House. They will also have the chance to see their stories being recorded.<\/span><\/p>\n KEY INFORMATION<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n To ensure your story is read and doesn\u2019t miss out on this opportunity, the following criteria must be met:<\/span><\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0Writers who have previously had a story\/stories broadcast on network radio or have substantial writing credits in other areas of radio (e.g. comedy and drama) are not eligible for this series.<\/span><\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0They only accept one story per writer.<\/span><\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0Please don\u2019t re-submit stories that have previously been considered for Opening Lines<\/span><\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0Stories must be between 1,900 and 2,000 words in length.<\/span><\/p>\n CONTENT & FORMAT:<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span> They are interested in seeing stories which cover a broad range of subject-matter but material which explores particularly dark, harrowing themes is not best suited to Opening Lines. We recommend visiting the Opening Lines programme pages to read transcripts of stories which have featured in recent series (bbc.in\/r4openinglines<\/a>).<\/span><\/p>\n Stories must not contain defamatory, obscene or any other unsuitable material which is likely to cause offence to a wide audience of all ages.<\/span><\/p>\n The time allotted for each story is up to 14 minutes, which means submissions must be between\u00a01,900<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a02,000<\/strong>\u00a0words in length.\u00a0They are unable to consider stories which fall outside these parameters.<\/span><\/p>\n SUBMISSION DETAILS & PROCESS:<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span> All eligible submissions will be read\u00a0and the team will\u00a0get in touch with those writers whose stories have been shortlisted for the 2015 series of Opening Lines by\u00a0Friday 15th May, 2015<\/strong>. They are unable to respond to those writers whose stories haven\u2019t been selected.<\/span><\/p>\n If you would like to submit work to the London office you can e-mail your story to\u00a0OpeningLines@bbc.co.uk<\/a>\u00a0or you can send it to: BBC Radio Drama Readings, Room 8015, Broadcasting House, Portland Place, London W1A 1AA.<\/span><\/p>\n DEADLINE PLEASE NOTE:<\/strong>\u00a0This opportunity is not run by BBC Writersroom (we deal with scripts) but by BBC Radio 4. \u00a0Any queries regarding Opening Lines must be directed to the Radio 4 team at\u00a0OpeningLines@bbc.co.uk<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n
\nThe team\u00a0are looking for original short stories which work being read out loud i.e. with a strong emphasis on narrative and avoiding too much dialogue, character description and digression. Pay particular attention to how the story opens and closes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
\nWhen submitting your work, you must include a brief covering letter giving your name, e-mail address (if applicable), the story\u2019s title, word count and details of writing track record. Please could you also\u00a0state how you heard about the creative window and Opening Lines. Stories can be submitted either electronically or typed and double-spaced on A4 paper. Only one submission per writer will be accepted. Please send a copy of your story, not your original work as the team are unable to return submissions.<\/span><\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>Submissions will be accepted between January 5th and February 13th 2015.<\/span><\/p>\n