Authoring & Playwriting

What a really inspiring backstory Carlos, wow. How impressive that you've had eight stage plays published and even more produced. How are you finding it now acting and performing during COVID?

I'm continuing to write and submit work. I'm not doing much of it with a company now, but I do think things could be done thru Zoom or on a Podcast. I'm still learning how to navigate that world. I've also shifted more from playwriting to writing fiction instead. I love writing short stories and flash fiction.

Thank you for sharing, Carlos Perez! I love stories where creatives aren't finding the material they're looking for (whether as an actor, director, or producer), so they start writing themselves. Has a particular monologue or scene become a fixture for you? Something actors might highlight and practice?

You need ti actively search for agents. See my blog here: Seeking an Agent.

Here's the link to Jeff's blog: https://www.stage32.com/blog/Seeking-an-Agent

Amanda Toney i see

Contact me at gregorj3 at gmail dot com. I provide free advice on the topic, as I am going through this myself.

Thanks Jeff E. Gregory, I will contact you.

Noureddine Hifad thanks for the advise, though I am from Italy, so I don't know if I am eligible to protect my work through WGA. Anyway there is similar organizations in Italy, I think.

Through the Berne Convention signed by most countries, a US Copyright is good worldwide. Don't bother with the WGA.

I seem to recall an Italian writer who said any work finished in Italy had very strong protection upon completion. Double check this, but register in the US.

First and most important question, Marco Frisan is what's your goal? Writer? Director? Producer? Cinematographer? A hyphenate of these? Your answer will determine next steps, as each "profession" has its own path.

I always advise people to really think about where they want to end up, before starting the journey.

You'll need an agent to get an adaptation done.

yes i need agent are you ?

Welcome. Visit Stage 32 FAQ about adapting it to film. Until it is available in English, people can use Google translate. Do you want to pitch it and obtain producers or raise funding?

@Nabil congratulations your sales are kicking off, your stories look intriguing. Your right that social media is a great way to get your brand across and Transmedia also opens gateways. Never before has there been so much opportunity for free worldwide exposure via Eg podcast, novelettes, video blogs etc. As you point out the only thing stopping us, is finally getting around to learning how to do it!

Funny you saying that because I'm doing a podcast for an Australian Doctor Who fan club in a few days, reaching out to Tasmania. And only two days ago someone in Minneapolis was enquiring about booking me for a online convention appearance.

Love the covers and sounds like you are on your way - congratulations!

Hello Daisy, I've only known two Daisys in my life. One was very dear to me when I was a child in a special home and school for disabled kids. She was one of the most outrageous grown-ups I knew. She cheeky, very comical with a seaside postcard humour, wrote poems and funny short stories, and when I asked her to rewrite the words of Christmas Carols, for a Cowboy and Indian Nativity pay I was writing, she did it at the drop of a hat. The other Daisy I know is equally talented, and is the daughter of the late great Ken Campbell.

As for me being on my way, I'm currently a self-publisher but I need to attract a literary agent to represent me as my new historical fantasy novel, "Saga of Ivarr the Boneless" needs to be publshed by a proper mainstream publisher, who has the marketing, distribution and storage space. Do you have any suggestions?

Hi I would like to check it out. I started out book club 2 years ago but I had to put it on hold. I'm opening a new one, would you like to be a part of it?

Yes Catherine !

it would be a pleasure

Find out what your learning styles are. Here is a resource The Way they Learn by Cynthia Tobias.

I'm no expert, but think of this - any idea that lingers in your mind quite a lot it's probably worth developing. Human brain is designed in a way so it's impossible not to think, hence impossible not to receive dozens ideas at once and all of them might be beautiful. Only the ones that linger are worth an effort.

I use the voice memo app on my iPhone to record ideas, or I jot them down in the notes apps. The trick, however, is to remember to go back and review them.

As far as I see it, when an idea lingers, that’s the one to go on, but that takes some patience. First see how you can generate more details to go along with the idea. If it falls into place you probably have a project to work on. If it doesn’t, like others said above, jot the ideas down and move to the next.

BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) and journal your thoughts and ideas.

If I don't get a response I assume they're not interested, and scratch them off the list. Having said that, I got a request to option a script 18 months after a request to read - so strange things have happened. I used to want to 'force' an answer - but a forced answer is almost always 'no', so I'm okay to leave things open. The more lines in the water, the more chances for a bite.

But that's just me.

I have my agent do the submitting and follow up on my behalf.

See Stage 32 FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions).

I had the same thing happen just a few months ago. They liked the idea and asked for more. I waited a month and then sent a few emails but got nothing back. My guess is they changed their minds on it. Really not much you can do but just keep moving on and try to get someone interested. They have no claims on it so if someone else is interested go with it.

Thanks everyone!

take a look at this site it might help. https://www.raindance.org/10-rules-of-copyright-for-screenwriters/

and

https://www.copyright.gov/video/script.html

Catarina's bio says she's based in Lisbon, Portugal. Copyright laws vary from country to country - and even from treaty to treaty between countries. She doesn't list where the author of the book is located. Without knowing the very difficult specifics of her case - it would be unhelpful to assume the US Copyright laws apply, or that even WGA standards might be in play. It's complicated.

Richard P. Alvarez Portugal is a signatory to the Berne Convention. She's probably in a stronger position than she would be in the US, which has far weaker copyright laws not having been a signatory until relatively recently.

Richard P. Alvarez the author of the book is based in the UK, although he is naturally from Nigeria and I am from Portugal.

Catarina S. César It matters where the contract is signed more than where the writers live.

I think it depends on the target audience? A picture book for younger children/a Middle Grade book/or something for Young Adults. I don't write for younger children but I did some YA and it's basically just adapting your plot for and understanding your audience. Good luck!

Well, I am no expert but based on the children's books I've seen, you don't necessarily need a full plot/ story, more of a theme and way to share values (at least for kids 2-8 or 9). Or even just good fun, like everything by Mo Willems, who I love. You might want to pull a selection and read them to see the range. Also, it depends on the age - so I'm thinking of young children's books that may or may not have a story so much as they have a fun event happening or some teachable stuff. A YA novel, however, for sure will have much more developed plot, story, character arcs, etc. Enjoy your writing! I think children's books would be super fun to write.

I don't write children's books, but I came across this course sometime back: https://www.udemy.com/course/how-to-write-a-great-childrens-book

Some good advice here: https://medium.com/@michaelhingston/picture-books-101-from-alison-hughes-9b9eec235b19

Search Stage 32 for query letter resources. If you would like to earn while you search, bing.com and pch.com.

Review my blog post here: Seeking an Agent.