The Stage

BBC3 beckons writing talent

Published Tuesday 30 March 2004 at 11:25

Aspiring writers are being given the chance to put their talent to the test in a new BBC3 initiative entitled End of Story - part of the BBC’s spring/summer season.

Viewers will be asked to complete a short story written by one of eight leading authors. The stories by Sue Townsend, Ian Rankin, Fay Weldon, Marian Keyes, Shaun Hutson, Ed McBain, Alexei Sayle and Joanne Harris will be compiled into a pamphlet and deposited at various locations across the country on April 19.

Writers who wish to enter must first locate one of the 20,000 pamphlets by solving clues on the competition website, leaving six weeks before the deadline on May 31.

Entries will be shortlisted by a panel of judges and each author will choose their preferred ending. Winning stories will be broadcast on BBC3 in the autumn and may also be aired on Radio 4.

“This project is very exciting for anyone who has read a book and thought they could do better. With stories covering a variety of genres there is something to suit everyone’s style of writing. This series could change the path of some people’s lives for ever. We hope it is one of the programmes which unquestionably sets BBC3 apart from other channels in this market place,” said Stuart Murphy, controller of BBC3.

The initiative reflects BBC3’s ongoing development of new talent across the country.