Behind the Scenes of a Fiction Podcast with 1 Million+ Downloads
Lessons in audio fiction from D.J. Sylvis of Moonbase Theta, Out
Hi Besties!
Fiction podcasts are like movies for your ears, and they're one of the most creative corners of the podcasting world. Making a great fiction podcast means crafting dialogue, world-building with sound, and collaborating with actors and sound designers to create a fully immersive experience.
We’ve previously learned from fiction podcasters including Jasmine Romero, J S Mayank, and City of Ghosts co-creators Ryan Patch and Carina Green. Check out their Q&As here:
Q&A with D.J. Sylvis
Today I want to introduce you to D.J. Sylvis, the mastermind behind the acclaimed fiction podcast Moonbase Theta, Out. With over a million downloads and four seasons of thought-provoking, character-driven drama under their belt, D.J. is sharing the secrets behind their success.
In this Q&A, D.J. dives into the art of writing for audio fiction, from borrowing techniques from playwriting to avoiding common pitfalls like over-directing sound design. They also reveal their favorite show that inspires them, their best advice for connecting with the podcasting community, and why immersing yourself in the world of audio fiction is the ultimate first step.
What's your experience with fiction podcasting?
DS: I've been writing and producing fiction podcasts for the last five years. My first show, Moonbase Theta, Out, ended its run with over a million downloads over four seasons and two miniseries. And we've just launched a new series, Waiting For October. I've also written for and acted on a number of other shows.
What are your top tips for writing for scripted narrative podcasts, especially fiction?
DS: The same as writing for any other genre, I suppose—immerse yourself in what's already being done in the field before you start! Listen to a LOT of audio fiction if you want to become a creator yourself. But in terms of the writing itself, it's a lot like playwriting in that you need to hear your words out loud to really understand their impact—read to yourself, have other people read them back to you, work with the actors who will play these parts until you have their voices in your head while you write. Especially if you're coming in from a more visual medium like screenwriting, you really, really need to listen the whole way through your writing process.
Do you do any world-building in terms of SFX at the scripting stage, or do you wait for post-production to do that?
DS: I try to keep it to what's necessary to understand the story. I'll give a brief description of the background of a particular scene—for instance, a small cubicle in a quiet office—and then describe key plot-specific sounds as things progress. But I try not to micromanage the sound design through my writing; it throttles another creative professional when we get to production!
Do you have any favorite fiction podcasts that have been influential on you?
DS: Greater Boston is probably my favorite show, and it's been a huge influence as my own story has expanded—they balance a huge, diverse cast with intimate, socially aware storytelling. It's everything I've tried to get better at through my own work.
What’s your number one tip for making and/or marketing a fiction podcast?
DS: I mentioned immersing yourself in the field before you write—the same is definitely a HUGE part of putting your show out into the world! Listen, comment, join Discord boards for creators, follow other shows on social media, and enter the conversation with them. I made the mistake of thinking I could launch my show based on our theatre followers without really getting involved with other people doing this thing—when I finally did get out there and get involved with the community, my audience expanded almost overnight!
Anything you’d like to add?
DS: I think I've babbled enough. Just listen to audio fiction! It's something that you probably weren't raised with (unless you had a taste for old radio dramas), so you don't have this built-in understanding of how it tells stories like you might for TV or movies. You really need to get out there and listen a lot before you write.
Thanks so much, D.J.!
➡️ Make sure you listen to Moonbase Theta, Out, and check out D.J.’s website Monkeyman Productions.
So… ROLL CALL! 🗣
Have you ever made a fiction podcast? Drop a link in the comments below and tell us about it!
 |
|