A SPRINGBOARD
FOR SCRIPT WRITERS
Submissions
Whether you're a first time writer or a seasoned pro, we want to hear from you. INK celebrates diverse voices and fresh ideas. We welcome scripts from writers of all ages and all levels of experience. The submissions portal for plays at INK Festival 2026 is now open.
how ink works with writers
Short plays are terrific calling cards for writers. They don’t overburden or inhibit in the way that larger stage, radio and screen projects can. We can’t tell you what to write or how, but key highlights are that we produce more new plays than any other platform in the UK, we support writers with our free script writing courses both online and in- person and the INK Festival acts as a marvellous springboard to future opportunities.
We produce 70 plays ourselves each year at our annual 5-day festival. (April 16 – 19 2026). INK has formed an exciting partnership with Criterion New Writing in the West End. Eight writers are selected by them each year, from the festival, giving highly prized opportunities for emerging playwrights to make their mark in London.
INK also partners The Pleasance at Edinburgh and Aldeburgh Comedy who cherry-pick the festival for their events.
Our festival plays have also proved fruitful ground for other radio and theatre producers.
Upcoming writers’ workshops
Our workshops are conducted by skilled mentors who have proven records in the industry. The classes are specially designed to encourage brand new writers, or to improve the skills of writers who already have experience. A handful of these scripts usually go on to be showcased at the festival.
Please watch this space for details of our Autumn 2025 free script writing courses.
feedback
“The course content and exercises were great and kept me engaged and very happily writing. Most importantly for me, it helped me realise that although I’m only beginning my playwriting journey, I’m finally on the right path, no matter how it turns out.”
Workshop Attendee
“New writing platforms are the lifeblood of theatre, and INK sets the standard.”
Writer
A FEW TIPS FOR WRITING INK PLAYS
Over the course of nine festivals we have marvelled at the flexibility of the short play format. The only rule we insist on is that short plays should remain exactly that: short.
The majority of plays we stage fall shy of twenty minutes and can be as short as four minutes. Plays can have any number of parts but be aware that each venue hosts a mini ensemble of actors — usually between three and five actors — so having large numbers of characters on stage at any one time is extremely problematic. There are no hard and fast rules how to write an INK play.
HAVING READ THOUSANDS OF SCRIPTS HERE ARE OUR TOP TIPS.