How to Sell Your Screenplay: A Realistic Guide to Getting a Television or Film Deal

by Lydia Wilen, Joan Wilen

In today’s topsy-turvy world of film production, getting a screenplay sold and produced is no easy task. How to Sell Your Screenplay not only lets you in on the rules, but also lets you in on the secrets of winning the game. Written by two veteran screenwriters, this book is a complete guide to getting your screenplay seen, read, and sold. It begins with an insider’s look at how the business works. Later chapters guide you in putting your script into the proper format to make a professional first impression, introduce you to the roles of the industry “players,” help you prepare a perfect pitch, and provide you with a proven system for query submission. Throughout, tips from experts will show you how to swim with the sharks without getting eaten by them.

Genres: Writing, Film, Nonfiction

320 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2001

Reviews

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this book was really well designed and very easy to understand. Obviously I'm not a published screenwriter or anything, but I do feel that at least I know more about the system and how to go about things than I did before. And, if I ever decide to actually do more than just read about selling a screenplay I feel that I now have a good idea of where to start.

This is the first book on script writing/selling that I've read. So that said, while I don't have any comparisons to other books that I can make, I can say that this books was a good introduction to a world I was pretty unfamiliar with.

I liked the easy to follow format and structure of the book, as well as the authors' realistic but optimistic approach. I was pleased that the authors' presented varying points of view regarding various topics (i.e. sending scripts vs. query letters). Also, the resource list in the back, and glossary at the beginning, are wonderful for someone (like myself) who doesn't know where to start.

An interesting and fun read, and a seemingly practical approach. I felt like I learned something!

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent guide to basic formatting/story generation and an essential introduction to marketing.