Question for writers

[Doc Faustus]

I have been instructed by that delightful bastion of vagueness "the Writer's Digest Guide to Literary Agents" that a certain agent requires an outline for a script for a tv series. Do I send an outline of the pilot or the show?

[Roderick Usher]

I have been instructed by that delightful bastion of vagueness "the Writer's Digest Guide to Literary Agents" that a certain agent requires an outline for a script for a tv series. Do I send an outline of the pilot or the show?

I've never used the book, but in a word - no.

An outline is a tool and a tool only. No one wants to read one. Write the pilot, submit the pilot...and a show bible is a good idea too. It's a breakdown of the characters, the show's premise and arc and sample plot lines of the next several episodes.

Are you sending the pilot unsolicited or do you have a recomendation from someone?

[Doc Faustus]

I unfortunately need to send everything unsolicited. I have to send the queries and pray. But of course, I look for who wants outlines and loglines and who wants query letters.

[Roderick Usher]

Have you entered any competitions?

That's how I broke in. We're living in an American Idol/Project Greenlight world in which winning a contest can actually translate to selling a script or at least finding a rep.

Best ones I know of (but I'm sure there are plenty more good ones)
American Accolades
Blue Cat
Screamfest LA

check out moviebytes.com for a complete list of screenplay competitions.

[Doc Faustus]

I should probably try that, too.