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As aspiring TV writers are busily preparing their applications for those highly coveted Writer Mentorship programs in L.A, I thought I would put together a collated list of recommended reading from three of the prestigious mentorships.
For Canadian writers, I’m afraid I wasn’t able to find a recommended reading list for the CFC’s Bell Media Prime Time TV Program, but I suspect all recommended reading below would be helpful. Studying any of these titles would also be helpful for anyone applying to our PSP Scripted Series Lab!
*Please note that there are duplicate titles because I wanted to keep each list intact.
The CBS Writers Mentoring Program Recommended Reading List:
“Writing the Television Drama Series” by Pamela Douglas
“The Hero Succeeds: The Character-Driven Guide to Writing Your TV Pilot” by Kam Miller
“Creating Character Arcs: The Masterful Author’s Guide to Uniting Story Structure, Plot, and Character Development” by K.M. Weiland.
“The Art of Dramatic Writing: Its Basis in the Creative Interpretation of Human Motives” by Lajos Egri “The Hidden Tools of Comedy: The Serious Business of Being Funny” by Steve Kaplan.
“Hollywood Game Plan: How to Land a Job in Film, TV and Digital Entertainment” by Carole Kirschner.
Writer’s Wright Journal. A journal to help you stay motivated.
Nickelodeon Animation Writing Program, Recommended Reading List:
“Writing for Episodic Television: From Freelance to Showrunner” by John Wirth and Jeff Melvoin
“Small Screen, Big Picture” by Chad Gervitch
“Story” by Robert McKee
“Making a Good Script Great” by Linda Seger
“Created By…Inside the Minds of TV’s Top Show Creators” by Steven Priggé
“Inside the Room” by Linda Venus
“Change Your Story Change Your Life” by Jennifer Grisanti
“Creating Unforgettable Characters” by Linda Seger
“Successful Sitcom Writing” by Jurgen Wolff
“Crafty TV Writing: Thinking Inside the Box” by Alex Epstein
Walt Disney Television Writing Program and the NLMC/NHMC Latino Television Writers Program Recommended Reading List:
“Aristotle’s Poetics for Screenwriters” By Michael Tierno
“Creating Unforgettable Characters” By Linda Seger
“How to Manage Your Agent” By Chad Gervich
“Making a Good Script Great” By Linda Seger
“Successful Sitcom Writing” By Jurgen Wolff
“The Art of Dramatic Writing” By Lajos Egri
“The One-Hour Drama Series” By Robert Del Valle”
“Crafty TV Writing: Thinking Inside the Box” By Alex Epstein
“Story Line” By Jennifer Grisanti
“Story” By Robert McKee
“Save The Cat!” By Blake Snyder
“Inside the Minds of TV’s Top Show Creators” By Steven Priggé
“Elephant Bucks” Sheldon Bull
“Writing the TV Drama Series” By Pamela Douglass
“Inside the Room” By Linda Venus
“Change Your Story Change Your Life” By Jennifer Grisanti