In 2014, a young aspiring writer-director decided that he wanted to start a fiction podcast. There was just one problem: he had no idea how audio fiction worked! But over the next ten years, five original series, countless freelance scripts, and endless hours spent in recording studios, Gabriel gave himself an education in all things audio storytelling. Now an award-winning creator and the writer for multiple Audible originals, he wants to pass along what he's learned to help others on their own journeys into the mysteries of fiction podcasting.

In this updated version of his acclaimed online workshop - both an adaptation and an evolution of the fast-paced, irreverently entertaining lectures that he does as a guest speaker at universities and conventions - Gabriel wants to take you through the express version of his first decade in fiction podcasting. Topics include:

• The Tools and Potential of Audio Storytelling

• Using Audio to Create Visual Experiences

• The Listener's Participation in Audio Fiction

• Stories Only Audio Can Tell

• Comparisons to Other Mediums

• Getting Listeners Involved

• Conceptualizing Great Audio Scenes

So if you're interested in writing, producing, or creating the great audio fiction content of tomorrow, join Gabriel at 2:00 PM Eastern Time on February 2nd for an interactive look at the art and craft of making stories that demand active listening.

There are a limited number of tickets for this online workshop, so sign up soon before they're all gone!

Gabriel Urbina is a Costa Rican-American writer, director, and podcast creator. He is best known as the creator of the Webby-Award nominated Wolf 359, and, along with long-time collaborators Sarah Shachat and Zach Valenti, the co-creator of indie classics Unseen, Zero Hours, and Time:Bombs. He has also worked as a guest writer on a number of other audio fiction shows, including Wooden Overcoats, The Bright Sessions, and The Phenomenon. Most recently, he handled the scripting for Gasolina and The Signal, Audible Originals from Skybound Entertainment and Fresh Produce Media respectively. He also created The Fabulists, part of the Tribeca Festival's Official Audio Selection for 2023, and Dracula: The Danse Macabre, a new audio reimagining of Bram Stoker's novel. He has spoken or given presentations at the Austin Film Festival, Podcast Movement, WGA East, Rhode Island Comic Con, Podfest Expo, and PodTales, and has taught workshop and given guest lectures at Wesleyan University and the NYU Production Lab. 

Q: I have already taken Audio Fiction 101, Gabriel's course with Zach Valenti and Sarah Shachat. Will this workshop provide any new content for me?
A: While there will inevitably be some amount of overlap between the two, Writing Stories for Sound has been conceptualized as a new experience that covers new material. Whereas Audio Fiction 101 was focused on the practical realities of creating a work of audio fiction, this webinar will be more focused on the underlying concepts at work underneath that advice. Think of this as the theory to Audio Fiction 101's praxis. The two classes should compliment each other, and they'll work together to make you a more accomplished writer and student.

Q: I took Writing Stories For Sound when it was first offered in the past. Is this the same class?
A: It is an updated version of the class, with some new examples and ideas thrown into the mix, but most of the material and the ground covered will be the same, and, some examples aside, it is the same course that I taught in 2022 and 2024. If you really want to go on the same ride twice nobody will stop you, but if you've already taken the earlier version of this workshop, your interests are probably best served by exploring some of the other excellent resources about fiction podcasting that are out there.

Q: I am interested in taking this webinar, but am inevitably detained on February 2nd. Will a recording of the webinar be made available for viewing after the fact?
A: Yes, a recording of the webinar will be available for viewing (or reviewing) for everyone who buys access to it before it goes live. However, if you are not able to tune in during the livestream itself, you will not be able to submit questions for the Q&A portion of the stream. Note that another, identical version of this workshop is also being taught on Febraury 4th!

Q: Are there scholarships available for this webinar?
A: Yes, a number of full and partial needs-based scholarships are available. If you are unemployed or only employed part-time, a student, or otherwise going through circumstances that make it hard for you pay the full sticker price for this workshop, please let us know what your situation is by emailing contact@gabrielurbina.com with the subject line "Writing Audio Scholarship." We'll do our best to respond quickly to let you know next steps from there.

Q: I work in or am interested in non-fiction podcasts. Will there be anything helpful for me in this webinar?
A: Although the focus and primary lens of this workshop will be fiction podcasts, the underlying topics, trends, and concepts we'll be exploring will all be extremely applicable to non-fiction podcasts. It may take an intuitive leap or two after the fact to connect the dots, but you should find the content helpful for all your non-fiction podcasting needs!

Q: Do I need to be familiar with Gabriel's work (Wolf 359, Unseen, Dracula: The Danse Macabre, etc.) to enjoy this webinar?
A: Not in the least! Some examples of Gabriel's work will be used to illustrate some concepts, but no prior knowledge is assumed or necessary. 

If you have additional questions, please email contact@gabrielurbina.com with the subject line, "Writing Stories For Sound"!