Success Stories
Lisa Kors Awarded Launchpad Mentorship
Former student Lisa Kors was a 2019 Launchpad Pilot Mentorship winner with her script Princes' Hospital, which was started during her time in the Writers' Program. Of the script's journey she says, "Having my script, Princes' Hospital, selected as the Best Original...
Announcing the 2019 Screenwriting Competition Winners
Congratulations are in order for all our 2019 Screenwriting Competition Winners. Deadline published the below ad in December announcing the winners (and you may have seen some digital ads on their site). Feature Film Writing Competition Winners Frank del Aguila | 1st...
Success: Liska Jacobs’ Latest Novel
Former student Liska Jacobs had her second novel published in November of last year (her first was a success story, too). Of her newest book Liska says, "The Worst Kind of Want is my ode to womanhood, death, and sex. It's received critical acclaim and is long-listed...
Success: Jennifer Chow’s Mystery Series
Former student Jennifer Chow is about to have the first book in her new mystery series published and has already been featured in book lists on CrimeReads and She Reads. Jennifer says, "My new #ownvoices Sassy Cat mystery series will be published by Berkley/Penguin...
Success: Ruthie Marlenée to Publish Novel
After receiving her Certificate in Fiction Writing, Marlenée has found a home for her novel Curse of the Ninth with WiDo Publishing. The e-book is available now, and the hard copy will be released later this week (1/27/20). Ruthie says of the book, “Inspired by real...
Success: Raquel Ramsey’s Publishing and Documentary Filled Life
Former student Raquel Ramsey has had significant success with nonfiction work based on her family members. Raquel says, "When my husband passed way in 2013... I became Executive Producer of Never Surrender: The Ed Ramsey Story which premiered on Nov. 13, 2016 at the...
Success: Instructor Valerie Brandy Publishes First Novel
Screenwriting instructor Valerie Brandy has just published her first novel! Valerie says, “I've spent the last decade writing screenplays. I've also spent the last decade harnessing my inner strength-- my inner animal. This book is the result of both those journeys....
Success: Instructor Donald Martin Eyes 2020 Release for New Feature Film
At the recent American Film Market (AFM), the feature film Never Too Late was introduced to the industry, written by instructor Donald Martin. The film stars Ellen Burstyn, Loretta Devine, Ann-Margret, James Caan and Christopher Lloyd. Shot in Atlanta, the film is...
Feature Articles
An Update From The Writers’ Program
Dear Writers’ Program Students, Graduates, Instructors, and Everyone Else, First, we hope you are doing well, that your loved ones are safe and protected from contact with the pandemic, and that despite the rapidly changing environment around us, your mental and...
2020 Writers Studio Recap
A couple weeks ago, we held our annual Writers Studio. With a record twelve classes on offer, and six new instructors, it was an exciting four days of intense (and fun!) workshopping. Check out some highlights below: Thanks to all our instructors and staff for...
Instructor Interview: Aatif Rashid
Welcome new Writers’ Program instructor Aatif Rashid! Aatif is teaching Setting and Description onsite at UCLA (Reg# 372851) this Spring and sat down with us to offer some insight into creative life and his upcoming course. What do you rely on for those times it’s...
Instructor Interview: Angela Bole
Welcome new Writers’ Program instructor Angela Bole! Angela is teaching a new course, Self-Publishing, onsite in Westwood (Reg# 373030) this Spring and sat down with us to offer some insight into creative life and her upcoming course. What’s your favorite book? This...
Announcing the 2019 Screenwriting Competition Winners
Congratulations are in order for all our 2019 Screenwriting Competition Winners. Deadline published the below ad in December announcing the winners (and you may have seen some digital ads on their site). Feature Film Writing Competition Winners Frank del Aguila | 1st...
Instructor Interview: Linda Camacho
Welcome new Writers’ Program instructor Linda Camacho! Linda is teaching a new course: Contracts, Rights, and Signing Authors, online (Reg# 372898) this Spring, which is part of our new Literary Representation Certificate. She sat down with us to offer some insight...
NEW Spring Courses for 2020
It's hard to believe we're more than a week into February. Winter classes are well underway. The Writers Studio is coming soon. And for anyone who's been hemming and/or hawing about how to get started on their writing goals for 2020, registration for Spring is now...
Let’s Talk About Romance…
Romance novels are one of the most consistent types of genre writing to stay in the market, and romantic themes in film never go out of style (especially around the holidays – you know, through Valentine’s Day). While some writers use strict methodologies and...