Producing Audio Drama

Turn sound into storytelling magic. Whether you're an indie creator, media student or creative professional eager to dive into audio drama, this guide gives you everything you need to produce professional-quality work that captivates listeners. Drawing on nearly two decades of award-winning experience, the author lays out a clear, step-by-step roadmap for every stage of audio production, from idea to finished masterpiece. Learn how to develop and format scripts that shine; direct actors and manage recording sessions like a pro; edit, mix and arrange sound for maximum impact; and budget, promote and publish your projects effectively. Whether you're producing for radio or podcasting, this book delivers proven production techniques illustrated with real-world examples and includes a comprehensive glossary of essential terms to strengthen your professional vocabulary. It combines industry insights from several award-winning professionals with an accessible writing style that makes complex processes easy to understand and master. This book is ideal for both beginners and those looking to develop their skills within radio and podcast production and offers transferable skills for related media professions.

Daithí McMahon, PhD, is Associate Professor of Media & Culture, specialising in media practice, at the University of Derby, UK, and a critically acclaimed and multi-award-winning radio playwright, director, producer and sound artist. His research interests lie in radio and audio media theory and practice, media sociology, digital culture and the critical political economy of the media industries.

1. Introduction 2. Writing Radio and Audio Drama 3. The Pre-Production Phase 4. The Production Phase 5. The Post-Production Phase 6. Promotion and Distribution 7. Success and Professionalism 8. Funding and Budgeting 9. Final Remarks and the Road Ahead