Authoring & Playwriting

For all the authors and playwrights in our community, a place to discuss, share content and post tips and advice.

Check out today’s blog post: “How Did You Get That Gig?” by Ronika Meri

For many people starting out, the idea of a producer reaching out to you is the unicorn we all dream of. What? No pitching, querying, praying, begging? They just… come to you? Yes. I’ve found that often it is that way around. What helps to get to that point is relatively straightforward. You have to...

Expand post

Lisa Monks

The author of Younger by Darren Star told me she got the Hollywood miracle. Her book ended up on Darren's desk and he decided to turn it into a series. I think Netflix reached out to the author of Maid. I'm praying I'm next!

Leonardo Ramirez

I pray you are next as well Lisa Monks!

Lisa Monks

Thank you, I really appreciate that!

Want To Work With A Top Showrunner On Your TV Pilot Script?

Here's your chance!

In this new Stage 32 screenwriting lab, you will write your television series pilot episode in 10 weeks while being mentored directly by multi Emmy nominated TV showrunner Todd Slavkin.

Todd is a showrunner/writer/director with over 35 years of experience in both film and televisio...

Expand post

Lisa Monks

Sounds like a great opportunity

Sam Sokolow

It is, Lisa Monks - Todd is amazing and such a generous educator and creative spirit. You'll get so much out of working with him if you jump into his lab.

Ready to write your screenplay under the mentorship of a top executive?

If so... here's your chance... but there are only 3 spots left to work one-on-one with Thomas Pemberton on your original screenplay. If you want to work with this world-renowned executive and be held accountable to get your screenplay written to completion, here's a link where you can sign up and gr...

Expand post

Today’s AMA in the Cinematography Lounge - Neil Watson, Camera Operator

Check out today’s AMA in the Cinematography Lounge- Neil Watson, Director, Cinematographer, Camera Operator (AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER), and Winner of Stage 32's Short Film Contest 2023, will be answering questions about "Working as a Professional Camera Operator".

Get your questions ready!

https://www...

Expand post

Kenneth Adrian Ellis

Sure to be a great deep delve!

Leonardo Ramirez

It's a really good AMA, Kenneth Adrian Ellis !

Steven Gamella
Almost done with my 42nd book in the "Sojourn" saga: question about book word counts.

After a whole year of hard work, I'm almost finished with my 42nd "Sojourn" book, and it's a long one. I have a question: I'm ready to start pitching this book to agencies and publishers, because I've been told that once a book is self-published and selling, it is difficult to convince an agent to r...

Expand post

Sam Sokolow

I'm not in the publishing world (mostly because I can never finish a book I'm trying to write) but friends who are have told me that anything over 120K words can be a challenge for some publishers. If...

Expand comment
Pidge Jobst

Sam is correct. Anything over 120K is a lofty print and read. 70K-116K is a feel-good place to land for publishers and a coming in-on-the-dime word count. Keep in mind, that 80K word count places you...

Expand comment
Are you ready to write your feature film screenplay?

Internationally renowned executive Thomas Pemberton is working with a small group of writers exclusively here at Stage 32 starting on January 13th to mentor you as you write your feature film screenplay to completion.

This is a rare opportunity to work directly with Thomas - including in one-on-one...

Expand post

Kenneth Adrian Ellis

Obviously a deep delve!

John Guinn
Authoring & Playwriting Lounge

When I was in Acting School, we read a lot of plays, I found them to be interesting and fascinating.

John Guinn

That is great Debbie, are you during any writhing at this time.

Sam Sokolow

Plays are the root. Movies are the tree. There cannot be one without the other. I would rather see a great production of The Glass Menagerie or ART or Glengarry Glenross than almost any movie.

Debbie Croysdale

Hi @John I write around the clock both for myself & other people. (My own Transmedia is Vintage Noir & Horror) Got some shorts out of development hell too coming up in 2024. Merry Christmas!

John Guinn

Hello Sam, I agree with you 100% they are the backbone of film making.

John Guinn

Hello Debbie, I have to get back to writing, I have a few things going on now, but as soon as I can see my way clear I will start. getting out of development hell is not easy, I know what you are speaking of.

Today's AMA - Sabelo Mgidi on writing action movies!

Hey everyone - I love today's Ask Me Anything ("AMA")... Sabelo Mgidi, Screenwriter and Producer (Silverton Siege & Kings of Joburg), Stage 32 Educator & Thought Leader is hosting a 24-hour AMA in the Writer's Room Lounge today, focused on Writing a Hit Action Movie.

Here is the link to his AMA so y...

Expand post

Penelope Fox

Turning my historical fiction novels into a TV series:: Daisy in a Gun Barrel: Peace & Freedom, Love & War, Rock & Roll the 1960s (on Amazon, B&n) and the sequel 1970s Aftermath: Where Have All the Flowers Gone? I am not a screen/play writer so I'm not sure where to start. Suggestions?

Expand post

Simon Rose

Thanks for this, Penelope. I've published a number of novels as well, including ones in the historical fiction genre, and am interested in opportunities for TV series.

David Abrookin

These sounds like really cool novels! What inspired you to write them?

Debbie Croysdale

@Penelope Sounds very interesting. I’m into 40s/50’s/60’s/70’s so will check out your novels when got spare time. Have you thought of going Transmedia? Novelettes, comic, poetry etc.

Sam Sokolow

I recommend this Stage 32 webinar on this very subject: https://www.stage32.com/webinars/How-to-Write-Historical-Fiction-Televis......

Expand comment
Check out today’s AMA with Alexia Melocchi, film and TV Producer!

Alexia Melocchi, an international film and television producer, Stage 32 Educator, and Thought Leader, is hosting a 24-Hour Ask Me Anything ("AMA") in the Distribution Lounge today, focused on Understanding International Distribution.

Bring your questions and post them here: https://www.stage32.com/l...

Expand post

Ashley Renee Smith

Thanks for sharing, Leonardo Ramirez! This is a great one!

Kenneth Adrian Ellis

Sure to consist of a deep delve!

Sam Sokolow

Alexia is awesome!!

We also have a class sale happening today - you can get 50% off Alexia's Stage 32 class called HOW YOU CAN PRODUCE IN THE GLOBAL MARKET. Here's a link so you can check it out and ta...

Expand comment
Terrence Sellers
Plot Summary Length?

As I prepare my now completed trilogy of fantasy novels for query, I'm in the process on writing plot summaries them. In screenwriting, which I'm more experienced and familiar with, it basically boils down to 3-page and 1-page summaries. Is that the same for novels? What is the standard expected len...

Expand post

Jonathan Jordan

Terrence Sellers it's definitely not the same as with film. Your query letter for a novel should be no longer than 400-500 words and that includes introducing yourself and providing the comp titles. T...

Expand comment
Terrence Sellers

Jonathan Jordan I was not referring to the pitch in the query letter. I was referring to the requested full synopsis as you mentioned at the end of your comment.

Kenneth Adrian Ellis

Best wishes with this!

Steven Gamella
Just released my 41st "Sojourn" book: "Sojourn: Shattered Avarice:" Staying On Target

Phew. Back in July, I set a goal that I would have at least one of the two books I was working on finished and published before Christmas, and, against all odds, I accomplished that goal. What generally helps me stay productive is proactive time management. For novels, I try to write at least one th...

Expand post

Sam Sokolow

That is so cool - way to go, Steven Gamella - love that you set that goal and achieved it!

Maurice Vaughan

Congratulations on finishing and publishing your book, Steven Gamella! One strategy that I use to stay productive on long projects is thinking about how much I've written in the script instead of thin...

Expand comment
Kenneth Adrian Ellis

Congrats

Mario Leone

Congratulations on achieving your goal! Proactive time management, setting daily writing targets, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance are excellent strategies. A little old Italian trick! Good...

Expand comment
register for stage 32 Register / Log In