> Why should I participate in Radio Ephemera?

Well firstly, why NOT?

Secondly, you may end up one of four producers chosen to attend the Third Coast Festival Conference happening October 9th-11th in Evanston, IL (near Chicago) where you'll present your submission as an official
2008 TCF ShortDoc. There are also a few other reasons / incentives:

- Your submission may end up on the radio (the TCF’s Re:sound, for example), on the TCF website, or presented during a public listening event.

- Here’s a chance to explore your own potential for making compelling, sound-rich radio, and to stretch beyond your usual approach to production. Or to pick up a microphone for the very first time.

- To be part of a collective international audio challenge!


> What if I’ve never made a radio story before but I want to give this a try?

We totally applaud your ambition. There’s a lot of information to help you get started at websites like transom.org and radiocollege.org. Go for it!

> Why do I have to choose TWO books from the Prelinger Library to be inspired by? Why can't I just pick one?

One of the reasons the Prelinger Library is so special is because it's arranged in a way that facilitates serendipitous discovery. Once you start wandering amongst its shelves, you're bound to find materials you didn't even know you were looking for. In keeping with this spirit, we're inviting the production of stories that connect random books in ways you may have never considered, otherwise. That's why you need to choose two books.


> Must my Radio Ephemera be DIRECTLY inspired by two Prelinger Library books?

"Directly" is relative. You have the book covers and titles to start with as inspiration points and you can also browse through the books digitally for more fodder. The two books you choose may be featured literally, or as catalysts for story ideas, or they may occupy a metaphorical presence in your story. But, and importantly, they have to be somehow identifiable in your submission. You'll be asked to list the two books you've been inspired by, along with other information and your mp3, when you submit your story. (See submission guidelines)


> What's this "voice of a stranger" rule all about?

We're interested in how multiple sounds (beyond your OWN voice) can help tell a story. Hence, the "voice of a stranger" rule. Plus- it sounds intriguing.

This 'stranger' can be someone who you approach (nicely) on the street, or the toll booth operator in the far left lane, or some other person who you don't (yet) know. Including a pre-recorded song with lyrics technically counts but kind of seems like cheating, doesn't it? Frankly, we'd rather you actively seek the voice of stranger, than download one from the Internet.


> Does my Radio Ephemera submission really have to be 2:30 - 3:00 minutes long ?

Yes. We won't include stories longer or shorter than this time span in the archive, nor will they be eligible for 2008 ShortDoc selection.


> Can I produce a Radio Ephemera story with a friend?

Sure, co-productions are welcome. But if your submission is chosen as a ShortDoc, you’ll have to decide who gets the free trip to Chicago. Good luck with that.


> Is there a limit to how many Radio Ephemera stories I can submit?

Yes - you can submit up to three RE stories.


> Will every Radio Ephemera submission be archived on the site?

Yes. Well mostly. The TCF reserves the right to NOT include RE submissions if they contain inappropriate content, if there’s no tangible connection between two of the five pre-selected books, if we can't identify the voice of a stranger in the piece, or if the technical production falls below an acceptable level.

> Do I maintain the rights to my story, after it’s submitted?

Yes. You retain all rights to your story, and are welcome to shop it around to other radio shows or podcasts. But we do ask that you credit the TCF Radio Ephemera audio challenge whenever your submission appears elsewhere in public. And we'd love to know all about it.