Authoring & Playwriting

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

Leonardo Ramirez
FREE Awards Season Script Giveaway!

For those of you who are both screenwriters and authors, check this out..

Stage 32 is thrilled to announce our FREE Awards Season Script Giveaway, where we’re offering 55 scripts from this year’s top nominated movies for The Oscars, Golden Globes, SAG Awards, and BAFTAs!

Reading screenplays is one of...

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Awards Season 2025: Awards-Nominated Scripts
Awards Season 2025: Awards-Nominated Scripts
Hollywood "Awards Season" is one of the most exciting times of the year! The world's best actors and filmmakers step out in their finest fines to strut the red carpet amid the flashing lights and ador…
Ashley Renee Smith

Thank you for sharing, Leonardo Ramirez!

Leonardo Ramirez

Absolutely Ashley Renee Smith ! Downloaded some myself!

Fatema Elmahdy
Writing addiction

Have you ever felt a craving to write,and how do you cope with it?

Maurice Vaughan

Hi, Fatema Elmahdy. I've had cravings to write. I will either write my main script, think of ideas for my main script, write random scenes, write a short script, outline a story, or do research for a...

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Fatema Elmahdy

mmm ,that's nice, I liked this part " write randomly" cause sometimes i feel that when we put a frame for our writing will kill the creativity flow

Ashley Renee Smith

Yes, Fatema Elmahdy! I've been totally addicted to my writing for the last two weeks. I find myself trying to power through as much work and house chores as possible during the day just so I can dive...

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Debra Holland
Coping With Your Reactions to the Fires

Hi, I’m Debra Holland, a psychotherapist, corporate crisis and grief counselor, and the author of The Essential Guide to Grief and Grieving. I’m also a New York Times and USA Today bestselling fiction author, who’s slowly adapting some of my books into pilots and screenplays.

I spoke with Ashley ab...

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Coping After a Fire
Coping After a Fire
In September of 2020, as large fires blazed across twelve Western states in the U.S., thousands of people were forced to evacuate their homes, and millions more waited, fearful and helpless as the...
Sam Sokolow

Thank you so much for this post, Debra Holland. This is an unconscionable occurance and so many friends and family members are hurting and dealing with the loss of their homes, businesses and valued p...

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Debra Holland

Thanks, Sam Sokolow. I'm doing what I can to help.

Virginia Youngren

The suspense and uncertainty add to the problem here; what is the magnitude of the loss? It is still going on.

Debra Holland

Exactly, Virginia Youngren. We still have winds to worry about, with increasing the fire risk. And magnitude can keep increasing. First we mourn this loss and then the next loss, and the next....

Ashley Renee Smith

Thank you again for taking the time to start this conversation, Debra Holland. I’m glad to know that these posts—and you—are here in the community for anyone who needs it. It’s so important to have sp...

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Mark Kelly
Looking for a recommendation for a book publisher.

Finishing a book of political satire and need ideas of publishers to approach.

Lindbergh E Hollingsworth

Probably best if you tackle this ... head over to Amazon and search for political satire books, and find out whom published them. Great starting point. There's also a book of publishers that lists all...

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Laurie Woodward

Look at the Writer's Market. It is the best book for lists. Good luck!

Banafsheh Esmailzadeh
Writer’s block

Hello everyone, hope you had a nice weekend~

Was wondering, how do y’all deal with writer’s block personally?

William Joseph Hill

For me, stepping away and not thinking about writing helps to clear my mind. A lot of my best ideas come when I'm exercising. It's like a Zen meditation.

Jon Shallit

I've never had writer's block. Listen to the characters talking and just write what they say and do. Divorce yourself from interfering with their authentic voices. Hope that helps.

Debra Holland

I don't have writer's block. But I do have writer's avoidance. To get through that, I make myself THINK about what comes next in the story or what A (not THE) next point in a nonfiction piece can be. If I can't start writing or write down notes, I'll dictate my ideas into an app on my iphone.

Mark Deuce

Chatgpt helps me...

Laurie Woodward

I force myself to sit down and write every day so don't have block. Sometimes I do research. Others I choose to write a poem or a blog post or a letter to a friend. But if you keep that muscle working daily, those times will be less and less.

Why do so called companies offer to turn your book into a movie ?

Having publish my first book re living with an, (at times)harrowing phobia 13 years ago, I felt it had run its course. This week out fo the blue I received an email explaining that a 'company' felt the content was worthy of turning it into a film. I responded and agreed there hasn't been a film that...

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Philip David Lee

Hey Caroline.

For the most part, studios think a movie based on your novel will equate to ticket sales if you have good circulation numbers and depending on the genre of the book. Action stories, while Expand comment
Jonathan Jordan

You're right to be superdy duper cautious here Caroline Dowdall. Lots of scammers out there these days trying this crap, preying on writers' hopes and dreams and then duping them into paying some kind...

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William Joseph Hill

Hi Caroline Dowdall ! Developing a book into a film is a very lengthy process that takes years to pull off. I would be suspicious of any unsolicited company offering to turn your book into a film. Jus...

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David E. Gates

I've had numerous scammers try and approach me this way. A quick search on the "deal" they're offering reveals them to be the charlatans they are.

Laurie Woodward

Be careful, there are MANY scammers out there who will take your money. Always check out the sender and their company on Linked In and on line. If they ask you for any money, run!

Samuel Minier
Publishing a horror short story collection

Anyone have experience publishing a collection of previously published stories? Most were published years ago so I have all the rights back at this point. Curious for opinions if it is worth taking the time to pursue small press publishing options, or if just better to dive into self-publishing options (whether Amazon or others).

Jonathan Jordan

Debra Holland definitely agree with you that most small presses aren't worth it. At best, they're new and don't know what they're doing yet. At worst, they're scams. But yes, some genre presses are le...

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David E. Gates

If you have the files ready to go, then self-publishing is probably the best/easiest way to get them back into the world. Gives you complete control and likely better royalties too.

Susan Wile

I agree with David Gates. Meantime, check out Jane Friedman. Former head of a major publishing company, she's a book publishing expert with a WEALTH of information. She includes a line by line checkli...

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Samuel Minier

Susan Wile thanks so much, this is great!

Laurie Woodward

I have had friends publish anthologies themselves and while not terribly lucrative did help their online presence.

Joy Behar's revolving cast

I haven't seen a play with a revolving cast in a long time. I remember LOVE LETTERS on Broadway did it. Can you recall a play that had a set revolving cast during it's run? https://deadline.com/2025/01/joy-behar-play-my-first-ex-husband-susie-es......

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Pamela Jaye Smith
Show AND Tell...?

So Netflix is "telling writers to dumb down shows since viewers are on their phones"...

What happens then to the adage about visual media of "Show don't tell?"

Opinions?

Examples?

https://www.pcmag.com/news/netflix-is-telling-writers-to-dumb-down-shows......

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Netflix Is Telling Writers to Dumb Down Shows Since Viewers Are on Their Phones
Netflix Is Telling Writers to Dumb Down Shows Since Viewers Are on Their Phones
Amid a push to perfect 'casual viewing,' creatives say streaming execs are requiring them to remove nuance and visual cues, and do things like announce when characters enter a room.
Mike Childress

Matthew Kelcourse Caveat: I know taste/preferences is/are subjective... Is there a level below dumb? Like a legitimate dumb sub-level?... Netflix has some great original programming, buttttttt some of...

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Norman Welthagen

It explains so much.

Leonardo Ramirez

At the end of the day, I'm going to write from the soul Pamela Jaye Smith. If I was working for Netflix on a show, I'd be a paid employee that would need to heed their request even if it's not somethi...

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Mike Childress

Matthew Kelcourse I mean streaming and triaging in 2024 is not videotaping (over your sister's ballet recital) on Beta and VHS in 1994! Much easier to sample and abort these days. Re: the aforementioned series I tried to watch it, but definitely not my cup o' tea (witches brew).

Eon C. Rambally

My first comment is a good example of, when you "Dumb Down" presentations. Q; Should anyone want that for themselves or "recommend" for another? Great conversations collectively!

Debbie Elicksen
A List of Publishers to Avoid at All Costs

I've been subscribing to WritersWeekly for decades and have also used their Booklocker to publish one of my 20 book. I've also used KDP, which is through Amazon, but this list includes web addresses from snakes in the business who try to pass themselves off as Amazon. If you choose to use Amazon, go...

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Lois Sullivan

Thank you very much. It's good to know who the bad guys are.

Debbie Elicksen

Lois Sullivan If it feels too good to be true, it absolutely is. Publishing is cutthroat and traditional publishers aren't much better. They pay zip for royalties (5 to 10%) and you own nothing....

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Leonardo Ramirez

Wow. Super interesting, Debbie Elicksen. Most of these I've never heard of so good to know. I used to use KDP and D2D exclusively but I also added in Ingram which is the bookstore distributor. They're...

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David E. Gates

I've used Amazon KDP and D2D (who incorporated SmartWords that I also utilised into their fold) - no complaints from either here.

Deadline's Best of Broadway 2024

I saw OH, MARY! in November when I last went to NYC and it was beyond hysterical. I loved it. Hard to argue with that show topping the list. I would have kept STEREOPHONIC on the list myself but that's why we love to discuss these things. Have you seen any Broadway shows or tours this year that you...

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Deadline's Broadway Critic Picks The Best Of 2024 & Looks Ahead To 2025
Deadline's Broadway Critic Picks The Best Of 2024 & Looks Ahead To 2025
The Broadway season doesn't lend itself comfortably to Best of the Calendar Year Stories - my choices for the first six months of 2024 were made and announced last June in a Tony Award predictions col…
Dawn Prato

I was in NYC in October and unfortunately couldn't get tickets to Oh! Mary - I wish I could have! I wish I was a bit closer so I could go and see more off-Broadway shows too, though I did absolutely love the "Twenty Sided Tavern" D&D improv show :)

Ashley Renee Smith

I wish I could see Death Becomes Her on stage! I'm a big Megan Hilty fan. It's not mentioned, but I'd also love to see The Outsiders.

Dawn Prato

Did you hear, I'm pretty sure they're (finally!!) bringing Smash! to Broadway?? I may have to book a trip just for that, honestly (and the Phantom of the Opera immersive experience...)

Ashley Renee Smith
11 Tips To Navigate The Publishing World

To empower first-time authors, 11 members of Forbes Coaches Council Book Authors, share their top tips to understand and navigate the complex publishing world in the below article:

https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbescoachescouncil/2023/08/22/first-ti......

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William Joseph Hill

Thanks for sharing, Ashley Renee Smith ! While I think a lot of these tips apply mainly to non-fiction work, I can see them useful for fiction writers too. I always approach writing a book as first wr...

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Debra Holland

This article has some great tips for non-fiction authors, which can be a much different experience if you're a fiction author.

Also, I'd strongly caution you to be careful about self-publishing throug...

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Jonathan Jordan

Debra Holland agree with practicing caution. One dirty secret of publishing is that if the press is on the cheaper side (less than $25K to publish with them), you'll likely be disappointed. The only l...

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Ashley Renee Smith

Great advice, Debra Holland! Thank you!

Ashley Renee Smith

Thank you for providing those insights, Jonathan Jordan! You're the best!

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