The winners of the Imison and Tinniswood Awards for 2018 were announced by Society of Authors’ President, Philip Pullman, during BBC’s Audio Drama Awards on 28 January 2018.

Tinniswood Award

The ALCS-sponsored Tinniswood Award, worth £3000 for the best original script went to Borderland by Sarah Woods (left).

The judges commented: This was a dark and original dystopia that took an inspired perspective on issues of migration and identity. Set in the near future, the current situation is reversed and refugees are desperate to escape the UK. In their attempt to cross the border and navigate a passage over the Irish Sea, Layla and her daughter are pursued by the chilling forces of state security. This was an absorbing thriller, with Orwellian echoes, that had the judges gripped.

Borderland was directed by James Robinson, BBC Cymru Wales, for Radio 4. It will be repeated on Friday 2 February, 14.15, on BBC Radio 4. Listen to a preview.

Highly Commended was Penguin Diplomacy by John Finnemore.

The judges said: This is a perfectly formed piece of comic dramatic writing. While the play functions as a gentle satire of empire and colonialism, it never loses sight of the humanity of those minions who must service such a grasping cause.

Penguin Diplomacy was produced by David Tyler, Pozzitive, for BBC Radio 4. Listen to a preview.

Also shortlisted for the 2018 Tinniswood Award was Jenny Lomas by David Eldridge.

Imison Award

The £3000 Imison Award, sponsored by the Peggy Ramsay Foundation for the best original script by a writer new to audio drama was won by The Book of Yehudit by Adam Usden (left).

The judges described Usden’s debut as: A strikingly compelling story of an ultra-Orthodox Jewish couple in their close-knit community and the ties that bind them together. Tightly observed, it offers unique insight whilst adeptly exploring current and universally relevant modern gender politics. A thought-provoking winner.

The Book of Yehudit was produced by Charlotte Riches, BBC Radio Drama Salford, for BBC Radio 4. will be repeated on Wednesday 7 February, 14.15 on BBC Radio 4. Listen to a preview.

Also shortlisted for the Imison Award was Wide Open Spaces by Jane Wainwright which will be repeated 31 January, 14:15 on BBC Radio 4.

The 2018 judges for both Awards are committee members of the Society of Authors Broadcasting Group: Stefan Buczacki, Isla Gray, Christopher William Hill, Catherine Johnson, Jamila Gavin, Nell Leyshon, David Morley, Hilary Robinson, Mike Walker and Elizabeth-Anne Wheal. The Awards are administered by the Society of Authors. Full details can be found here.

2018 judges are: Hardeep Singh Kohli, Colin Teevan and Jane Thynne. Jointly administered by the Society of Authors and the Writers’ Guild of Great Britain. Full details can be found here.