Success Stories
Success: John Darbonne’s Reader Gigs
John Darbonne went from student to professional script reader after just one class! John says, “After taking Barney Lichtenstein's script reader course at UCLA Extension, I was able to become a volunteer reader at the Austin Film Festival. From there, the Los Angeles...
Success: Tamika Thompson’s Publications
Fiction Writing Certificate alum Tamika Thompson has had a string of successes since graduating. Of her achievements Tamika says, “Since completing the program, I have had several stories published, some of which I workshopped in class with Stephen Cooper and Reyna...
Success: Monica Furman’s Script Placement
Current TV Writing Certificate student Monica Furman recently had another script she's worked on in our classes receive a competition placement. Monica says, "My workplace comedy, Please Hold, was recently named an Honorable Mention in Barnstorm Media's BOLT...
Success: Tana Douglas’ Debut Memoir
Certificate student Tana Douglas’s debut memoir, LOUD, releases in the US on 9/20. Tana says, “Success is such a personal thing. I was happy with the completion of LOUD and heralded that a success, but to now be in a position where my book has been published in...
Success: Ron Dowell’s Poetry Collection
Certificate alum Ron Dowell recently published a poetry collection, Watts UpRise. Ron says of the work, “Mention ‘California,’ and most people think of sun-kissed beaches, star-studded glamour, and Hollywood success or the Silicon Valley. However, the poems and prose...
Success: Stacie Hawkins Accepted into TV Writing Lab
Former student Stacie Hawkins recently was accepted into a writers' lab for a script she developed in Writers' Program courses. Stacie says, " My one-hour fantasy script, Night Watchers, was selected for the 2022 Gotham TV series lab. In September, I will go to New...
Success: Douglas Hosdale’s Short Story Publication
Former student Douglas Hosdale recently had a story published by Limit Experience. He says, "In the Spring of 2022 my short story, "Nebraska" was accepted by The Limit Experience Journal. It was super satisfying to have my piece featured in LEJ's issue on The Sacral...
2022 Allegra Johnson Prize
The Writers’ Program is thrilled to announce Andrea Bitunjac the winner of the 2022 Allegra Johnson Prize. The final judge panel included Writers’ Program instructors Eileen Cronin, Daniel Jaffe, and Sehba Sarwar. From our semifinalists, the panel selected Andrea...
Feature Articles
Instructor Interviews: Alexandra Alessandri and Dianne White
Welcome new Writers’ Program instructors Alexandra Alessandri and Dianne White! Alexandra and Dianne are both teaching sections of Picture Book I. Dianne is teaching in our asynchronous, deadline-driven online format starting January 18, and Alexandra is teaching in...
Instructor Interview: Tim Cummings
Welcome new Writers’ Program instructor Tim Cummings! Tim is teaching Middle Grade Novel I (Reg# 389703) this Winter. Tim is teaching in our Remote online format on Thursdays, 6-9pm PT starting January 19. He sat down with us to offer some insight into creative life...
Welcome New WP Work Study Lupita
Work studies are an integral part of the Writers’ Program team. They provide a lot of program support by assisting staff with various administrative, event, and social media tasks. We’re excited to introduce our newest work study Lupita! Writers’ Program: Lupita, tell...
We’re Dreaming of a Spooky Season
Though the Writers’ Program is based in Los Angeles where seasonal changes are basically from hot and dry to fire to less hot and maybe a little wet, we do love the idea of seasonal shifts. In the past, for the period of fall dubbed Spooky Season, our staff has made...
Welcome Intern Alice Zheng
The Writers’ Program is thrilled to add an events and community engagement intern to our team, thanks to a generous opportunity through the LA County Arts Commission Arts Internship Program. Alice will be working on event and community related planning and execution...
In Memoriam: Barbara Abercrombie
Barbara Abercrombie was an instructor with the Writers’ Program for thirty-one years. She was a beloved and dedicated member of the Writers’ Program community, so much so that despite an ongoing battle with cancer, she was planning to teach our Creative Nonfiction...
How to Support NaNoWriMo Participants (Including Yourself)
National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) is an annual event where writers from around the world spend the month of November attempting to write a novel. Initially, and traditionally, NaNoWriMo was for those attempting a brand new project. First drafts are something...
Welcome New WP Work Study Alyssa
Work studies are an integral part of the Writers’ Program team. They provide a lot of program support by assisting staff with various administrative, event, and social media tasks. We’re excited to introduce our newest work study Alyssa! (Look for our second new work...