Circuit 04: Firsts

Circuit 04: Firsts is now closed. Thanks to everyone who submitted a first-inspired story!

Audio Flux is a home for independent audio, new voices, and big ideas in podcasting. We invite people far and wide to create short audio works in response to a set of prompts. For each “circuit” we work with a creative partner who inspires these prompts. You can learn more about and listen to our first three Circuits here.

Our creative partner for Circuit 04: Firsts is acclaimed DC-based writer and literary artist, Jason Reynolds. We’re grateful for 04 support from our friends at Canadaland.

Circuit 04 is now closed for submissions. We’ll announce our fifteen finalists in early October, then reveal this year’s four Circuit Selects at the RESONATE Podcast Festival, October 26th. **

HOW THIS ALL WORKS:

In addition to commissioning four original fluxworks for Circuit 04, we once again welcomed and encouraged public submissions. Fluxworks were sent by September 15, 2024, in response to the following prompts that are directly inspired by Jason’s writing practice and his upcoming novel Twenty-Four Seconds from Now — “an unfiltered and undeniably sweet story of a teen boy about to experience a huge (!) first.” 

Each fluxwork must:

  • Run exactly three minutes

  • Reference an object related to a “FIRST” (yours or someone else’s)

  • Include the sound of time passing (forwards or backwards, no clocks please)

  • Be accompanied by a handwritten document (i.e. outline, title page, transcript, or something else entirely, provided digitally)

Fifteen submissions will be selected as finalists and from this slate, four submissions will be chosen as Circuit Selects. These fluxworks will receive $750 and debut at the RESONATE Podcast Festival alongside four commissioned Circuit 04 fluxworks. They will also be featured on audioflux.org, and The Audio Flux Podcast (coming Fall 2024). And big thanks to the indie-audio-supporter AIR Media, who is offering free one-year memberships to all four Circuit Selects, and free three-month trial memberships to everyone who submits a fluxwork! Questions about all of this or something else? Check out our FAQs.

But wait, there’s more! Jason Reynolds will respond in writing to each Circuit Select and commissioned fluxwork. Cool, right?

MORE DETAILS:

All formats and genres are welcome, as long as your submission follows the prompts listed above, and is an original production created for this Circuit. We recommend listening to Fluxworks from Circuit 01 or 02 or 03 to get a sense for the range of style and approach these may take. Importantly: have fun.

Your submission should include: 

  • Mp3 audio file (if we select your work we’ll request a higher resolution audio format)

  • Title for your fluxwork

  • One sentence description

  • Brief bio (200 words max)

  • If your submission is chosen as a Circuit Select we’ll request an accompanying image.

We’ll ask you to acknowledge reading our Official Rules before you submit, which include terms that are applicable only if your fluxwork is chosen as a Circuit Select.

Questions? Check out  our FAQ, and if you don’t find your answer, shoot us an email: info@audioflux.org