New Writing Competition! Write a short play to be performed at Jodiworld
What happens when two historical figures meet for tea?
This is your chance to put words into the mouths of two figures from history — and add a little Jodi Taylor chaos to the mix.
The Brief
Your play must feature two historical figures meeting for afternoon tea. What they talk about, argue about, or discover they have in common is entirely up to you.
The play must be set within or make use of one or more of Jodi Taylor’s fictional universes.
Entries may be comic, dramatic, heartfelt, chaotic, or any combination thereof — but should feel at home within the spirit of Jodi Taylor’s worlds.
The Historical Figures
You may choose any two real historical figures from any era or culture.
Both figures must be genuinely historical — deceased persons from the historical record.
The combination of figures is part of your creative challenge. Think about what would make for wonderful drama, comedy, or chaos over a pot of Earl Grey or Darjeeling.
Any historical figures that could cause serious offence or distress to a significant portion of the audience should be avoided. If in doubt, don’t.
Additional Characters
In addition to your two historical figures, you may include up to two additional speaking characters. These might include:
A waitress or attendant — think “Mrs Overall”, but through a Jodi Taylor lens.
A Time Police officer or St Mary’s historian who has arranged (or accidentally caused) the meeting.
Any other supporting character who serves the story.
IMPORTANT: If any additional characters are Time Police officers, St Mary’s staff, or other characters from Jodi’s universes, they must have unique names — i.e. not names already used in any of Jodi’s published books. This applies to both first names and surnames.
Format & Length
Your play should run to approximately 20 minutes when performed.
As a guide, this is roughly 2,000–2,500 words of scripted dialogue and stage directions.
Please write in standard stage-script format: character name (in capitals) on a new line, followed by their dialogue. Stage directions in italics or in brackets.
Your script must be submitted as a single document in either .docx (Word) or .pdf format.
Please include a title page with: the title of your play, your name, and your email address.
One entry per person. Entries submitted as collaborations between two writers are welcome, but please include both names and a single contact email address.
Eligibility
Entrants must be 16 years of age or over. Entrants aged 16 or 17 must have a parent or guardian’s permission to enter.
Key Dates
Closing date: 15th October 2026 at 11:59pm (UK time). No late entries will be accepted.
Winner announced: January 2027
Performance: Jodiworld 2027 (May 28-31)
How to Enter
Send your script to:
jodiworldevents@gmail.com
Please use the subject line: “Jodiworld Play Competition — [Your Name] — [Title of Play]”
You will receive an acknowledgement email within 5 working days of submission. If you do not hear back within that time, please check your junk folder and, if necessary, contact us again.
Judging
All eligible entries will be read by Karin Mallion (Chair, Jodiworld) and Jules Jones (MC and Stage Manager, Jodiworld).
A shortlist will be selected and submitted to Jodi Taylor, who will choose the winner.
Judging criteria will include: originality and wit, “stageability” and practicality for live convention performance, quality of dialogue, and how well the play fits within the spirit of Jodi’s fictional worlds.
The judges’ decision is final. No correspondence will be entered into regarding the outcome.
The Prizes
Your play will be performed live on stage at Jodiworld 2027.
You will receive a credit in the Jodiworld 2027 programme and on all relevant promotional materials.
You will receive one ticket to the Jodiworld 2027 Convention (this does not include your travel or hotel costs).
The play will be videoed and shared on YouTube and Jodi’s social media so all her fans (and yours!) can enjoy it.
Rights & Legal Bits
You retain the copyright in your script.
By entering, you grant Jodiworld / FluffyDodo Ltd a non-exclusive licence to perform your play at Jodiworld 2027, to rehearse it in preparation for the convention, and to record and share footage of the performance for non-commercial fan purposes.
All entries must be original works and must not infringe the copyright of any third party.
Characters, locations, and concepts from Jodi Taylor’s books are used by kind permission for fan purposes only and must not be used in any commercial context.
Jodiworld reserves the right to make minor edits to the winning script for performance purposes, in consultation with the author.
Entries that do not comply with these guidelines will be disqualified.
 | A guest post by
|