The winning entry of Big Finish’s 2018 Short Trip Writing Opportunity, in memory of Paul Spragg, is The Last Day at Work by Harry Draper.
Synopsis:
Constable Bernard Whittam is in for a special evening. Finally retiring from a lifetime in the police force, he’s celebrating with friends, family and the woman he loves. It’s all perfect. Apart from the noise in his head, the wheezing, groaning noise that has haunted his entire life. That and the unusual gatecrashers.
It’s going to be a night to remember…
Best known for his work on the Lethbridge-Stewart book series, you can also download Harry’s short story The Cruel Oil (ebook) to get a flavour of his storytelling.
Here is what he had to say about submitting his entry:
“My passion for Doctor Who is the reason I became a writer. I’m currently studying at Edge Hill University in Lancashire for an MA in Creative Writing. I never expected that during that time, I would be asked to write the words, ‘There was a wheezing, groaning noise’…!
“On 8th July 2006, I caught Doctor Who on BBC One, as Daleks and Cybermen waged war in Doomsday, and only the Doctor could stop them. And after all that time, here am I – penning a Doctor Who for Big Finish!
“This Short Trip is very much a love letter to the Doctor and the TARDIS – the two emblems of the show. It’s particularly exciting that over fifty years since his debut, we’re still telling stories about Patrick Troughton’s Doctor. Above all else, it is an absolute pleasure, and indeed an honour, to contribute to the Short Trips Opportunity, which continues to celebrate the memory of the wonderful Paul Spragg.”
Congratulations to Harry, and all who entered this year!
Narrated by Nicholas Briggs and directed by Alfie Shaw, The Last Day at Work is now available to download for free. In the meantime, you can also have a listen to the previous winning entries: Forever Fallen by Joshua Wanisko and Landbound by Selim Ulug. And if you’re interested in entering in 2019, why not check out some tips I wrote earlier this year.
