eBook out now

The BBC has launched its first ebook for aspiring comedy writers.

Entitled Writing For Radio Comedy, the book aims to teach the tricks of the trade through clips, videos, scripts and specially commissioned articles. 

The guide, created as part of a BBC ebook trial, features sections on writing non-commissioned topical and non-topical sketches, through to additional writing on flagship series like The Now Show and The News Quiz, on to how to develop a full BBC radio comedy.

BBC comedy chief Shane Allen said: ‘Radio comedy is a crucial breeding ground - it gives new writers a chance to hone and define their voice. I’m so pleased we’ve got a new way of showing young writers that the BBC wants to work with them.’

Jane Berthoud, head of BBC radio comedy, added: ‘BBC radio comedy has given huge numbers of people in comedy their first writing break, from Douglas Adams to Stewart Lee and Miranda Hart. And through shows like Newsjack and The Show What You Wrote we continue to do this.

‘Now here is a brilliantly practical aid for these new writers: a fully interactive book that will help you to see what we do and talk you through, step by step, how to get started on this journey.’

Writing For Radio Comedy, produced by Frankie Ward, is available as a website as part of the BBC Academy and via Apple’s iBook store.

Published: 12 Mar 2014