Fiction Podcast Script Template

What's Included in the Template

Everything you need to write a production-ready fiction podcast script, from the first scene to the final line.

🎭

Multi-Speaker Dialogue Format

Character names in ALL CAPS with dialogue formatting — the standard audio drama format used by productions worldwide and optimized for ZenMic's voice assignment.

🔊

Sound Cue Notation

Correctly formatted [SOUND CUE] and [MUSIC] notation for ambient effects and transitions — consistent with professional audio drama production standards.

📋

Episode Scene Structure

Pre-built scene headers (SCENE 1, SCENE 2) with opening hooks, rising action beats, climax structure, and closing cliffhanger framework.

👤

Character Sheet Section

A built-in character register to document each speaking role, their voice personality, and their speech patterns before you begin scripting.

📏

Word Count Guide

Episode length reference table built into the template — so you always know if your script is hitting the right length for your target episode duration.

💬

Narrator Format

Properly formatted NARRATOR lines for scene-setting and context — separate from character dialogue so ZenMic assigns narration to the right voice.

The Template

Copy the template below and use it to write your audio drama script. When your script is complete, paste it into ZenMic to generate your finished episode.

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  FICTION PODCAST SCRIPT TEMPLATE
  [Full Episode — ZenMic Audio Drama Format]
===========================================

SHOW TITLE: [Your Podcast Name]
EPISODE:    [Episode Number & Title]
SEASON:     [Season Number, if applicable]
WRITTEN BY: [Your Name]
DATE:       [Date]

-------------------------------------------
  CHARACTER REGISTER
-------------------------------------------

NARRATOR    — [Describe voice: warm/neutral/dramatic]
[CHARACTER 1 NAME] — [Voice personality: e.g., confident, dry wit]
[CHARACTER 2 NAME] — [Voice personality: e.g., anxious, soft-spoken]
[CHARACTER 3 NAME] — [Voice personality: e.g., commanding, authoritative]

-------------------------------------------
  EPISODE LENGTH GUIDE
-------------------------------------------
  5 min  microdrama  = ~750 words
  10 min microdrama  = ~1,500 words
  20 min episode     = ~3,000 words
  30 min episode     = ~4,500 words
  45 min episode     = ~6,750 words

-------------------------------------------
  SCENE 1 — OPENING HOOK
  [Location/Setting: e.g., "A rain-soaked alley, night."]
-------------------------------------------

[SOUND: Opening ambient — e.g., rain, city noise, silence.]
[MUSIC: Optional intro theme — fades under narration.]

NARRATOR
[Set the scene briefly. One to three sentences maximum.
Hook the listener immediately. Drop them into action or tension.]

[CHARACTER 1 NAME]
[First line of dialogue. Make it count — this is the first
impression of this character's voice. Keep it purposeful.]

[CHARACTER 2 NAME]
[Response. Establish the dynamic between these two characters
immediately. Conflict or tension preferred over pleasantries.]

[CHARACTER 1 NAME]
[Continue the scene. Each exchange should advance the situation
or deepen character. No small talk, no filler.]

[SOUND: A sound cue that reinforces the mood or marks a beat.]

-------------------------------------------
  SCENE 2 — RISING ACTION
  [Location/Setting: e.g., "Same alley. Moments later."]
-------------------------------------------

NARRATOR
[Optional: brief transition note if scene continues or time passes.]

[CHARACTER 2 NAME]
[Rising tension. The conflict escalates or a revelation lands.
Push the characters into a more difficult position.]

[CHARACTER 1 NAME]
[React. Character response that reveals something about them.]

[CHARACTER 3 NAME]  [optional — introduce if needed here]
[If introducing a new character, make their voice immediately
distinct from the others. One distinctive line establishes them.]

[SOUND: Sound cue if applicable.]

-------------------------------------------
  SCENE 3 — CLIMAX
  [Location/Setting]
-------------------------------------------

NARRATOR
[Optional: brief scene context.]

[CHARACTER 1 NAME]
[The emotional or dramatic peak of the episode. The confrontation,
revelation, or turning point. This is your best dialogue.]

[CHARACTER 2 NAME]
[Response that matches the weight of the moment.]

[SOUND: Dramatic ambient shift or musical beat if appropriate.]

-------------------------------------------
  SCENE 4 — CLOSING / CLIFFHANGER
  [Location/Setting]
-------------------------------------------

NARRATOR
[Brief closing note — or skip if the dialogue carries the ending.]

[CHARACTER 1 NAME]
[Final line of the episode. For serialized fiction: end on a
question, revelation, or threat. Leave the listener wanting more.]

[SOUND: End sound cue or music sting.]
[MUSIC: Optional outro theme.]

-------------------------------------------
  END OF EPISODE
-------------------------------------------

EPISODE NOTES:
- Next episode setup: [Brief note on what follows]
- Character development this episode: [Brief note]
- Cliffhanger type: [Question / Revelation / Threat / Betrayal]

===========================================
  Generated with ZenMic — zenmic.com
===========================================

===========================================
  MICRODRAMA SCRIPT TEMPLATE
  [5–15 min episode — ZenMic Audio Drama Format]
===========================================

SHOW TITLE: [Your Series Name]
EPISODE:    [Ep. #] — [Episode Title]
WRITTEN BY: [Your Name]

-------------------------------------------
  CHARACTERS (max 3 for microdramas)
-------------------------------------------

NARRATOR        — [neutral/warm/dramatic]
[LEAD NAME]     — [Voice personality]
[SECOND NAME]   — [Voice personality]

-------------------------------------------
  SCENE — [Location, Time]
  Target: 1,000–2,000 words for 8–12 min episode
-------------------------------------------

[SOUND: Opening ambient.]

NARRATOR
[One to two sentences. Set scene and drop into action.]

[LEAD NAME]
[Opening line — high stakes, immediate tension, no warm-up.]

[SECOND NAME]
[Response — establish the central conflict of this episode.]

[LEAD NAME]
[Escalate. Push the conflict forward with every exchange.]

[SECOND NAME]
[React with new information, a revelation, or a counter-move.]

[SOUND: Mid-scene beat if applicable.]

[LEAD NAME]
[Approach the turning point. The moment of highest tension.]

[SECOND NAME]
[The pivot — decision, revelation, or betrayal.]

[LEAD NAME]
[Response to the pivot. Emotional truth of the moment.]

NARRATOR  [optional]
[Brief closing context if needed.]

[LEAD NAME]  [or SECOND NAME]
[Cliffhanger line. End on a question, threat, or revelation
that makes the listener immediately want episode 2.]

[SOUND: Closing sting.]

-------------------------------------------
  END OF EPISODE
-------------------------------------------

NEXT EPISODE HOOK: [One line describing ep. 2 setup]

===========================================
  Generated with ZenMic — zenmic.com
===========================================

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  AUDIO DRAMA SCRIPT — MINIMAL STARTER
  ZenMic Format
-------------------------------------------

[SOUND: Opening ambient.]

NARRATOR
[Scene-setting. One to two sentences.]

CHARACTER A
[First line of dialogue.]

CHARACTER B
[Response.]

CHARACTER A
[Continue scene...]

[SOUND: Sound cue.]

CHARACTER B
[Cliffhanger or closing line.]

-------------------------------------------
  END
-------------------------------------------

TIP: Replace CHARACTER A / CHARACTER B with your
character names. Use ALL CAPS for speaker labels.
Paste completed script into ZenMic to generate audio.

zenmic.com/convert/fiction-to-podcast/

How to Use This Template

1

Copy the template that fits your episode length

Choose Full Episode (20–45 min), Microdrama (5–15 min), or Minimal Starter. Click the Copy button and paste into your writing tool of choice.

2

Fill in the Character Register first

Before writing dialogue, define each character's voice personality in the Character Register. This keeps voices consistent throughout the episode and helps you write more distinctly for each speaker.

3

Write your dialogue — keep speaker names in ALL CAPS

Replace the placeholder lines with your dialogue. Keep character names in ALL CAPS as speaker labels — this is critical for ZenMic to correctly assign voices to each character.

4

Read it aloud before production

Before pasting into ZenMic, read the entire script aloud once. You'll immediately catch unnatural dialogue, pacing issues, and lines that don't work in audio.

5

Paste into ZenMic and generate your episode

Paste your completed script into ZenMic, select Narrative/Drama mode, and assign an AI voice to each character. Your finished audio drama episode will be ready in minutes.

Script Written? Now Produce It.

Have a story idea? Paste it into ZenMic and hear your characters come to life in minutes. No studio, no voice actors, no equipment needed.

Turn Your Script into Audio →

Frequently Asked Questions

What format should a fiction podcast script use?

Audio drama scripts use character names in ALL CAPS above dialogue lines, square brackets for sound cues, and a NARRATOR label for non-character narration. This template follows that standard.

Can I use this template with ZenMic?

Yes. This template is optimized for ZenMic's Narrative/Drama mode. Copy your completed script and paste it into ZenMic to generate your finished audio drama episode automatically.

How long should a fiction podcast script be?

A 10-minute microdrama episode needs approximately 1,500 words. A 25-minute episode needs roughly 3,500 words. A 45-minute full episode typically runs 6,000+ words. Estimate 150 spoken words per minute.

What's the difference between a fiction podcast script and a regular podcast script?

A regular podcast script is typically a monologue or interview outline. A fiction podcast script is a multi-speaker dramatic script with character dialogue, narration, sound cues, and scene structure — similar to a radio play formatted for audio production.