SUNDAY MISCELLANY: SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
What's Sunday Miscellany?
Sunday Miscellany, now on air for almost 60 years, runs throughout the year every Sunday morning at 9am on RTÉ Radio 1, Irish public radio. It is one of the top 10 most listened-to programmes in Ireland, with a listenership of well over 300,000 according to the latest JNLR survey – and many more who listen overseas, on our radio app and on podcast. You can dip into past episodes here
What are you looking for?
Previously unpublished essays, usually tailored specifically to this programme, 800 words approx., from new and established writers alike, on a wide range of subjects. Memory, or memoir pieces, are common,but we are also interested in reflections on contemporary events and ideas; essays with a historical, or geographic, literary or philosophical theme; comic essays; travel pieces, and more.
By "unpublished" we mean in any format, including online.
We don't feature fiction, but we do include short poems sometimes.
We make decisions based on complete scripts only.
Should I enquire first if you are interested in my idea for a piece, or just send in a complete script?
No pitches, just complete submissions please.
When will I hear back?
IMPORTANT NOTE! Shortly after we receive your submission, we will acknowledge it. After that, you’ll only hear from us again if we are interested in recording the piece. Because of limited resources, we don’t get back about all the pieces we can’t use, nor do we provide feedback, or reasons why a script wasn’t chosen.
So please only submit something if you understand and accept these terms.
Scripts remain under consideration for six months. Postal submissions will not be returned.
You may withdraw a script any time if you would like to place it elsewhere.
Equally, you're free to resubmit it, if, for example, its season is approaching. It's best to resend the entire script and say something like, "just making sure you've seen this as it's a good time to use it. If I don't hear back in (eg) a week I'll move on."
We pay a once-off fee for every script we record for the programme. The recording becomes the outright property of RTÉ and may be included in podcasts and other repeat broadcasts on the decision of RTÉ without further payment being made to you.
If my script is chosen, will I be asked to record it myself?
Yes –usually in studio, under direction. We mainly record in our studios in Donnybrook in Dublin, but we have regional studios at our disposal around Ireland, and sometimes book international studios too.
Should I send audio, so you can hear how my voice sounds?
You could send a sample sound file of no more than a minute, or direct us to any link online to you speaking, reading or performing. We're very happy to work with first-timers, though.
What format should I send my script in?
We prefer submissions by email. A Word document as an attachment and the text also copied into the email is ideal, to sundaymiscellany@rte.ie
If you can't access email, postal submissions must be typed, and sent to Sunday Miscellany, RTÉ Radio Centre, RTÉ, Donnybrook, Dublin 4, IRELAND.
In either case, send a cover note providing:
a title and one-line description of the script;
an indication as to whether it’s suitable to a particular season or date;
a line or two about yourself and any writing or broadcasting experience you have,
your geographical location (so we know what studio you might be near) and your phone number. It's in your own interests to include these details, as if a recording slot comes up at short notice, we'll prioritise writers we can get hold of quickly.
May I send multiple submissions?
No more than four essays at a time, or up to six short poems, please.
Will you edit my script?
Yes, the producer often edits the selected scripts for clarity and flow, in consultation with the writer.
If my script is selected, may I pick the music to accompany it?
The producer chooses the music, but suggestions are always welcome.
My script was first broadcast on Sunday Miscellany. Am I now free to publish it elsewhere?
Yes, but please check with us ahead of publishing your piece elsewhere as to an appropriate credit. This is particularly important if you're planning a collection of pieces that were broadcast on this programme.
I'm sending in a script for the first time: any tips?
First, a sobering note. We read all submissions with care and attention, a process which is greatly enjoyable but also somewhat painful: enjoyable, because we receive so many wonderful scripts; painful, because we can only accept a tiny fraction of the excellent material we receive. It's no reflection on the quality of your submission if, as is quite likely, you hear nothing more from us after the initial acknowledgement – see above.
But if you would like to be on this programme, this is the system, and every year, dozens of new contributors make their debut on Miscellany.
Bearing that in mind, some advice:
First, keep the radio listener in mind. Aim for clear, conversational language, even if the ideas are complex. Try not to cram your script full of facts and names and details – decide on the core story you are telling and give it a bit of space. The listener has only your voice to guide them through your essay; do they know where they are at all points, or did you skip over something too quickly, losing them?
Ensure that it's in good shape not just in terms of spelling, grammar, punctuation and required length, but also elegance of expression. Frisk it for unwieldiness, clunkiness, repetition, for round-the-houses ways of saying things. Read it aloud to someone whose judgement you trust. At a most basic level, can they follow it easily? Does it hold their attention, or take too long to get where it's going? Does it still sound like you, like the way you would usually express yourself, or is it overly formal? Are you tripping over words in places? Have you punctuated it in such a way it's easy to know where to take a breath, or are you running out of breath in places? It should flow effortlessly, with its own natural pace and momentum. Rewrite anything that’s not working.
Something else to think about: why this story and why now? Does it mean something to you, and can you tell it in such a way that it will mean something to other people too? Is it, in some way or another, timely?
Those contact details again:
sundaymiscellany@rte.ie or Sunday Miscellany, RTÉ Radio 1, Donnybrook, Dublin 4, Ireland.