Big Finish has announced its annual Short Trips writing opportunity, an opportunity for writers to create a Doctor Who short story to be released as an audiobook at Christmas 2020. 

The Paul Spragg Memorial Short Trips Opportunity is named after the cheerful, much-loved heart of the Big Finish production office, who passed away suddenly on 8 May 2014. 

Now in its fifth year, the competition is open again until the end of June 2020. The full list of terms and conditions can be found on the Big Finish website, and should be read by anyone planning to send in a new story submission over the coming weeks. 

Big Finish creative director Nicholas Briggs says:

“It’s that wonderful time of year again when we remember our great friend and colleague, Paul Spragg.   

“Although it’s always painful to remember the loss, it’s a great consolation to recall his incredible positivity, sense of fun and, to honour the way in which he was always keen to encourage new talent.  

“It’s for that reason that our former colleague and Doctor Who Short Trips producer Ian Atkins proposed this Memorial Writers’ Opportunity, and I’m so impressed with how our current Short Trips producer Alfie Shaw has picked up the baton and continued to find the most creative and exciting new writers out there. 

“I’m looking forward to reading some great new entries. Good luck to you all!” 

Prospective entrants should listen to previous winning entries, to understand what kind of adventures the Big Finish judges are looking for.   

The first winning story, selected in 2016, was Forever Fallen by Joshua Wanisko. The finished production, narrated by Nicholas Briggs, can be downloaded for free from the Big Finish website, as can the subsequent three winning stories, Landbound  by Selim Ulug, The Last Day at Work  by Harry Draper, and The Best-Laid Plans by Ben Tedds.

Prospective writers must submit their entries before 23:59 (UK time) on 30th June 2020. Full details of how to enter, including writers’ guidelines and competition terms and conditions are listed at the Big Finish website.