I found that I wasn't finding the types of stories that I wanted to tell, so I chose the pain of writing myself. I entered screenwriting competitions and when I started placing and winning, I was able to use that to catch people's attention in the cold emails I would send out. Coverfly sent my work to some reps around town and helped me get a meeting with my new manager, Ryal Saul at The Cartel.  I've also been a part of pitch week and have created some new relationships through those meetings. My Black List script GOOD CHANCE has Janet Yang (Joy Luck Club) attached to produce and we are out looking for financing, and my William Hung music biopic has Don Handfield (The Founder), Tony & Tim Bui (Sundance Grand Jury & Audience Choice Award Winners) attached to produce and are out with that script as well!

- Tricia Lee

After one of my scripts made the BloodList 12: Fresh Blood Edition, my Coverfly score increased and landed me on their Red List. I was later contacted by Geoffroy Faugérolas from their development team about being selected for Coverfly’s Endorsed Writer Program. He wrote an amazing recommendation about my work before adding me to their newsletter. This led to me being signed with an amazing manager!

- Briana Bougard

Coverfly literally changed my life over the course of a week. Through Coverfly Pitch Week, I met Anna Jones from Cloud Nine Productions, who loved my script so much that she shared it with the showrunner of WOKE. Two days after that, they offered me a staff writing job on the show and I started the next week! Once news of the staffing got around, I had over a dozen managers and agents in my inbox requesting meetings. Coverfly has continued to send my scripts to reps and execs, and Lauren Conn has been incredibly helpful in keeping me grounded through this truly wild and unexpected process!

- Kyra Jones

Coverfly is a fantastic platform with people behind it who really care about the writers, and they’re able to be that essential connection between industry and independent writers.

- Alessandro Guarino

I had been on so many shows as a WA and SC for almost 7 years but I never was able to break the barrier of getting that first screen credit. Coverfly introduced me to my manager Jonathan Rakower and I got two other general meetings through Coverfly as well. I'm currently working on a new pilot (my first animated sample) inspired by my dad's experience growing up being a part of the Dogtown and Zephyr surf team.

- Emma Jay

A friend/fellow writer from Magnet Theater, introduced me to the Coverfly team after they had connected her with a manager. Geoffroy, a senior development executive at Coverfly, wrote a testimonial about me and my work. It was the nicest thing anyone's ever written about my writing. He was thoughtful in working with me to target managers and then sent them the testimonial along with my script. Through Geoffroy's advocacy, I met Jeff Portnoy of Bellevue Productions who's now my manager.

- Tea Ho

A Senior Development Executive at Coverfly reached out to me. And with his help and Coverfly's Endorsed Writers Program, I was able to sign with my current manager who quickly got my work to the highest names, studios and companies in the industry. Coverfly supported me and my work in exactly how I needed to elevate my career to the next level.

- Lamar Legend

Coverfly helped me in some unexpected ways. Friends in a writers group I was in while in NYC were on Coverfly and gaining recognition for their scripts so I signed up and started having the same experience. Coverfly made it easy to find contests and fellowships to enter. Once my script was on the Red List I was contacted for potential opportunities. Then a friend connected me with Coverfly Writers exec Geoffroy who really worked hard to help me find a new rep when I needed one.

- Jonterri Gadson

I was working with some wonderful producers  who submitted me to Screencraft's Film Fund Competition. I was fortunate enough to make the finals, and then the Screencraft and Coverfly teams sat down with me in a way I never expected. They helped me get specific about prioritizing my goals and how I was branding myself. How important was breaking into TV? How important was directing? What was I really passionate about in features? What was my unique story and voice? Thanks to them, I began to realize I wasn't really looking for the same thing in management as I was only a few years prior. That is when it all clicked for me, and I found myself with the perfect fit at Bellevue Productions. As an aside, Screencraft and Coverfly also gave me some great notes on my screenplay along the way!

- Norman Lesperance

I wrote my first screenplay while working as a copywriter 15 years ago, But it’s only in the past three years, where I feel like I’ve come to understand the craft of screenwriting. I had a hard time trusting myself to see a story through, but when a production company reached out and said Coverfly shared my work with them because it was a perfect fit – I was blown away. A few meetings later we signed the option agreement. Since then, I’ve partnered with an award-winning director who is helping me to develop “Room Zero” and have just recently completed another screenplay called “The Portage”.

- Jason Partridge

Finding pathways to executives is probably one of the biggest obstacles you can face in the industry, yet it's crucial for a writing career and that's where Coverfly comes in. Coverfly's ease of use and wide-reaching network of collaborators are huge drawing cards for me. Through Coverfly, more than any other platform, I've received script requests and booked meetings with established executives. After participating in Pitch Week and meeting an executive through the platform, I signed a shoppingaAgreement with Citizen Skull Productions my his project 'Call Out'. Right now, I'm very excited about a new supernatural horror feature and a supernatural psychological drama pilot I'm developing.

- Neer Shelter

About Coverfly I can only say wonders… First, it looks beautiful. Second, not only does it help me grow as a writer every day, it has also introduced me with very talented people that like my work. I’m grateful to start a writing career with Coverfly around. Through Coverfly, I met Mario Garza from KoolShiit Productions.

- Guillermo Lozano Martínez

Even though I am relatively new to Coverfly, I’ve already gained a significant amount of industry exposure through the platform. One of the hardest things about being a new writer is getting your material read, and Coverfly makes it easier for industry professionals to find and read your work.

- Amy Hartman

Coverfly literally changed my life over the course of a week. Through Coverfly Pitch Week, I met Anna Jones from Cloud Nine Productions, who loved my script so much that she shared it with the showrunner of WOKE. Two days after that, they offered me a staff writing job on the show and I started the next week! Once news of the staffing got around, I had over a dozen managers and agents in my inbox requesting meetings. Coverfly has continued to send my scripts to reps and execs, and Lauren Conn has been incredibly helpful in keeping me grounded through this truly wild and unexpected process!

- Kyra Jones

The Coverfly Writer Development Team were excellent resources in helping me prep for meetings with managers, in addition to sending my script to various management companies. Their encouragement and advice throughout this process helped me stay the course, and I'm so thankful to have had their guidance and support.

- Erika Kelley

Coverfly has been a crucial part of my career as a screenwriter. I thought only scripts on the Red List got read and taken seriously, but I was wrong! They really care about their writers; my work was read and they invited me to the pitch week. Before I knew, I had a manager all through Coverfly!

- Lore Vazquez Olivera

Coverfly is a fantastic platform with people behind it who really care about the writers, and they’re able to be that essential connection between industry and independent writers.

- Alessandro Guarino

Coverfly is an immensely helpful website for writers looking to rise and really get their careers going. I entered a number of contests through Coverfly’s system and was lucky to be featured on the Red List. When you’re writing in a bubble, it’s incredibly validating to get good feedback. And, it was through Coverfly that I I was fortunate to be introduced me to my managers, who then introduced me to my agents.

- Brian Arnold

I was drawn to Coverfly because their project based system allows one upload to be submitted to multiple competitions. Coverfly even suggests new competitions that would fit the project and I found that extremely helpful and time saving.

ScreenCraft immediately attracted me because their multiple genre competitions really highlight comedic writing. They also provide the most constructive feedback to help you improve each round and resubmit a new draft.

- Christian Wolf

It is no overstatement to say that the team at Coverfly served as an essential sherpa during this sometimes seemingly-impossible journey. They provided a continuous sounding board for advice, guidance, contacts, and perspective throughout the last year and more. I am eternally grateful.

- Sid Patwa

Initially, I found Coverfly as a contest entry platform.  As my scripts placed in competitions, I saw the value of highlighting those accolades on the project’s page and making them discoverable to members of the site.  I’ve also created a profile that offers a quick glance at my writing style, in addition to my background.  It’s important that members hear my voice even before they’ve read my scripts.

The biggest return on investment from Coverfly was when I got the notification that my action feature, SKYFOXES, had made the Red List.  I was able to promote this on social media, garnering more interest in the project.  Ultimately, SKYFOXES won 30 awards!

- Marisa Forrest

I'm a big fan of both The Script Lab and Coverfly! And with TSL's affiliation with Coverfly, I knew there would be actual industry eyeballs on the winners. In short, I knew the contest mattered.

TSL also has an amazing script library! It's my first go to if I'm looking for a specific script. I think it’s a great resource for all writers. And, they're both helping me right now. This is an amazing opportunity and I'm honored to be a featured writer.

- Kevin Dembinsky

After winning the 2020 Austin Film Festival with her sci-fi feature COMPANY MAN, Nancy Duff has signed with a Literary Manager at Cartel Entertainment. Nancy worked with the Coverfly team, who provided career consulting and referred her to her manager.

- Nancy Duff

Congratulations to Coverfly Writer, Hussain Pirani, who signed with Literary Managers at Bellevue Productions after being featured as an Endorsed Writer.

- Hussain Pirani

Coverfly crafted a blueprint that boldly and purposefully led to my relationship with 3 Arts. I am eternally grateful.

Do not drown in notes. Keep the good, toss the bad. And remember - it is YOUR story.

- Deck Metellus

Coverfly makes it easier to organize my work, track progress in contests, and connect me to developers and producers even when I’m stuck at home (you, too?) Honestly, Coverfly has been my pandemic life-saver.

Humility goes a long way. There’s a quote from Lin-Manuel Miranda that I really took to heart, which is “I try to not let my decisions be guided by what I think will succeed or fail, but what I’m going to learn from that process.” The openness to failure is so fundamental to good art. If you’re a perfectionist like me, it is a daily struggle and reality and process to let that ish go. But it makes the work so much better and braver and more interesting if you do.

- Lindsey Gudritz

One big obstacle we faced was just getting our foot in the door! A big part of this industry is about making connections and working with Coverfly has helped us to fill in some of the gaps.

We were recommended by one of Molly's co-workers who had read our pilot and thought we'd be a good fit. We were hoping to gain more exposure for our work, take meetings and find a rep for us as a writing duo.

It was exciting and helpful for us to get used to pitching ourselves as a team!

- Molly Kiernan & Kate Shine

Coverfly provided a ton of resources and knowledge that helped build my confidence in my own screenwriting. Having screenplay contests all in one place helped focus my attention and build a strategy for myself. Covefly’s articles/blog posts also answered the questions I had on how to break into the industry.

I really loved getting direct support from their development staff after placing 2nd in TSL’s Free Screenplay Contest. Speaking with Tom [Dever] about my screenwriting goals totally prepared me for the conversations I’d have with reps around town. It also just helped to know I had someone I could ask stupid questions to since I didn’t have a manager!

- Khaila Amazan

Coverfly is an excellent (free!) resource that writers should absolutely take advantage of. They connected me with a manager that ended up being a great fit and I feel incredibly energized and excited about getting my personal projects out there in the world.

I'd recommend writers put a lot of thought into their goals and what they want out of a potential relationship with an agent or manager before searching for representation. It will make the process so much simpler.

- Meredith Hambrock

The two biggest challenges to breaking in are craft: writing a bulletproof script that gets attention, and access: getting your work in front of industry folks who can help launch your career. There are plenty of solutions to the first challenge, like taking screenwriting classes, workshops, and joining a good writer's group. But the Coverfly development team is committed to opening doors for emerging writers. When I was taking manager meetings, Lauren and her team worked on expanding my options by submitting samples to managers that I didn't have any connections to. It's been great having them in my corner.

A year ago I was living or dying by contest results. I've since learned that while they can play an important role in getting eyes on your work, they are not necessarily a referendum on the quality of your writing. The same script that won a big contest in 2020 and got me repped, failed to make it past the first round in seven different competitions that year. Contests and fellowships are useful tools to get traction, but never tie your self-worth or confidence to those results.

- Amadou Diallo

I'm an endorsed writer at Coverfly and Tom and the team have been an incredible support and constant advocate for me. This was my first time submitting to the Launchpad Feature Contest and, well obviously, I am happy with how I've done!

- Cate Honzl

Coverfly was absolutely instrumental in helping me sign with a representative. They are encouraging, have a wealth of knowledge and industry connections and effortlessly helped me find my perfect match. I would absolutely recommend other writers use Coverfly if they are struggling finding avenues to take their entertainment careers to the next level.   

- Helena Hawkes

I began writing the screenplay 13 years ago after coming out of a serious relationship, and am finally in production on it. The project is a postcard to New York City and all of the women in my life, both past and present, who have helped shape who I am today.

Coverfly provided me with amazing coverage on the project and helped me realize that the project isn't a comedy as originally intended, but rather a drama with a dark comedic tone.

- Bandar Albuliwi

I've found Coverfly to be head and shoulders above other talent discovery programs. Their passion and energy are truly outstanding and the level of support amazing. You just feel like they really have your back, want you to succeed and will do anything to make that happen. To have that kind of passionate support and community spirit behind you is a great feeling. I'd like thank them for all their help. They've been fantastic.

- Patrick Holden

I am beyond grateful that Coverfly connected me with a literary manager that ended up being a wonderful fit for me! I wouldn’t have otherwise had the opportunity to connect, and the folks at Coverfly have been so supportive and forthcoming.

My advice is to keep collaborating! Rewrite and be brave enough to put your work out there. Making your own writers’ groups with friends will allow you to give and receive feedback with your peers and build each other up. Don’t be afraid to keep improving, build your own momentum, and then put your best work out there for others to see!

- Serenity Garcia

Coverfly has been an enormous boon to me as an aspiring screenwriter. Although I came to it merely to use it as a submission platform, I soon discovered the many other services and benefits it offers--at no cost--to authors like myself. After I started submitting, the Coverfly Score and RED LIST immediately increased my script's visibility in the industry.

Because of this exposure, I was able to network with a writer/producer with whom I now have a nonexclusive shopping agreement to pitch my project to studios. I have received other inquiries from industry professionals through Coverfly as well, and Coverfly has offered to promote me and my project further with their community of pros.

- Stephen Woodworth

Working with Coverfly thus far has been a pleasure. The team is dynamic, personable and super reactive.

What drew me at first was the simplicity and efficiency of Coverfly, which was for me a perfect answer to the information overload you can often experience in the screenwriting world. The fact you can find so many great vetted competitions and script coverage services in one place is amazing. It makes it so much easier to map out a development and marketing strategy for a script and to give oneself deadlines through competitions.

- Stéphanie Joalland

I had been many years away from the industry and began my screenwriting career five years ago in a tiny apartment cuddled in the botanical garden of Cape Town, South Africa, led by screenwriter/director Matthew Kalil. Being all the way in South Africa as a writer seemed so distant from the action in Hollywood. How could I ever get my stories heard? Then Coverfly was suggested became the bridge to the gap. Coverfly is a meeting place where storytellers can get their work in the right hands.

Coverfly has an easy application process to contests and great service of reminding writers of contest deadlines.

- Lindiwe Mueller-Westernhagen

Coverfly is a great place to look at your project and your work as a whole. You don’t (and shouldn’t) base everything off one person or competition or festival - it’s more helpful to look at patterns in what’s working and what’s not. That’s where Coverfly comes in and helps you grow as a writer based off a cumulative response.

My experience was excellent. Geoffroy, a development exec, helped me so much in putting all my work together and getting it into the right hands. He really refines writers and prepares them for the next steps.

- Rachel Hein

Coverfly has been instrumental in helping make all this happen. First, their portal: when I found their portal several years ago, I thought it was a perfect place to keep my updated scripts, get connected with other writers, and make entering competitions easier. It became so much more. As my writing improved and I started placing in competitions, the Red List became a place where industry folks and fellow writers could access them. Team Coverfly has actively connected me with managers and producers, helped set up meetings, and provided opportunities to pitch to Industry Professionals during Pitch Week. All of this...from Coverfly...for free. I can't say enough about how Coverfly helps support upcoming writers and gets dreams ignited.

After winning the ScreenCraft True Story Competition in September, the team from Noble Story Co found me through Coverfly and just optioned ENDURANCE, the true story of Master Sergeant Cedric King. who survived an IED in Afghanistan in July 2012, witnessed the Boston Marathon bombings in 2013 while taking his first steps on prosthetics, and then committed his life to bringing hope to wounded veterans by completing the Boston Marathon less than one year later. I'm very excited to partner with Noble Story Co and look forward to helping them get it sold in 2021.

- Rich Orstad

It was great to be able to have a sensible, third-party perspective on the ‘ins and outs’ of the industry where, on the surface of things, everything appears immaculate. I was able to learn as we went along together, picking up certain wisdom and techniques in weaving through every threshold to start a career. if anything, Coverfly pushed me to become the writer that I am today, one who now confidently feels that they are ready.

- Malachi Moore

Coverfly provided a ton of resources and knowledge that helped build my confidence in my own screenwriting. Having screenplay contests all in one place helped focus my attention and build a strategy for myself. Covefly’s articles/blog posts also answered the questions I had on how to break into the industry.

I really loved getting direct support from their development staff after placing 2nd in TSL’s Free Screenplay Contest. Speaking with Tom [Dever] about my screenwriting goals totally prepared me for the conversations I’d have with reps around town. It also just helped to know I had someone I could ask stupid questions to since I didn’t have a manager!

- Khaila Amazan

There are definitely barriers to entry getting writing jobs. Coverfly has helped me push past the cycle of needing representation to get jobs and needing jobs to get representation.

I was pitched to coverfly, so I was happy to learn about the resources you were willing to offer, and the one-on-one support.

- Malloy Moseley

Coverfly was a great and efficient way to meet people and get my story out. It was like speed dating, but for your career.

There is not one way to break into this industry. So try everything. Apply to festivals and fellowships, reach out to alumni, friends, friends of friends. Your third cousins’ sister-in-law. There are multiple paths to this industry, which can be a blessing and curse.

- Brianna Adams

I was compelled to write from a very young age. When I learned that I could combine it with my other passion for film, it was game over and I knew that it was the only thing I wanted to do. I started working in the industry when I was seventeen years old, without any prior connections, so some obstacles that I faced early on were access, and being taken seriously – because of my age and being a woman. I basically learned the politics of Hollywood the hard way. There was also a period where I didn’t write anything new for years, because I got stuck between working myself to death at very demanding industry jobs in order to make rent, and finding more time and energy to write. It was definitely tough to manage that work-life-dream balance. Took a lot of sacrifice and focus.

I began to really target my contest entries to programs where the main prizes or benefits were exposure. Launch Pad competitions kept coming up in recommendations, through other writers and research. So, I gave it a shot! Hoping to gain connections and more direct access to reps and producers.

Guidance! Working with Coverfly’s writer development team was such a great experience. They genuinely care about helping writers who are ready get to where they need to be in order to succeed. There are countless books, blogs, and other resources out there that can advise you on how to write better scripts, how to enter contests, how to network, how to query managers and agents. But there is almost zero information about what happens after that, once you get to the point of being on the brink of breaking in. Like the nitty gritty of what to expect once you’re signing with reps and really getting your work out there. Coverfly was so supportive, and helped guide me through that complicated and stressful period. For me, it was the first time that I really felt like I had someone in my corner, who understood all the struggles that writers go through and have helped many to successfully overcome them. I’m very grateful to them!

To continue building my team with my manager, and keep getting my winning pilot and other specs out to the town while strategizing my next moves. I’m most excited about just finally becoming a real working writer, and to persist on that path wherever it leads.

Having started out in the industry so young, without going to film school and having no connections, I just kind of threw myself into the fire and took jobs to get experience wherever I could. I wish I would have known to try and focus the work more specifically earlier on into areas that would more directly benefit my ultimate goal of becoming a screenwriter. Such as becoming a writer’s assistant or writer’s room PA. The idea of working at an agency terrified me, but in hindsight it might have been a good way to go. Also, keep in touch with literally everyone that you meet and work with! I worked as a set PA for a while and then got hired as a director’s assistant. But when that job ended a couple of years later, I wasn’t as connected with my production contacts anymore and essentially had to start all over again. It really is about who you know, so keep up your relationships genuinely!

- Alexandra Amadio

My biggest obstacle was location. Not being in LA made it much harder to be taken seriously by the industry. Also, I was writing female-driven content for a market owned and operated by men. If anything good can be said about 2020, it’s that these are much smaller obstacles for new writers now than when I was starting out!

Trust your instincts. Your gut is almost always right. (Case in point, back in 2006 I had an idea for a feature that essentially would’ve been BAD MOMS, which released in 2016, but let my reps convince me to write something with a male lead. I’ve lost count of how many ideas from my early files have been made very successfully by someone else.)

I already knew about Coverfly from submitting to competitions. I'm excited that a studio has expressed interest in one of my pilots, and look forward to announcing specifics when I can. It's hard to reconcile having a banner year professionally during what's objectively been the worst year of my lifetime in nearly every other category. The only way I've been able to own it is to keep making this promise: I'm a creator. I have a voice, and I'll continue using it to amplify others'. And to the best of my ability, I commit to making writing and casting choices which allow everyone to see themselves represented on screen.

Study the craft. It's much more than just having cool ideas or being great with words.

And don't aim to write better than 'the crap out there.' Aim to write better than you think you can.

- Leanna Adams

My biggest obstacle was location. Not being in LA made it much harder to be taken seriously by the industry. Also, I was writing female-driven content for a market owned and operated by men. If anything good can be said about 2020, it’s that these are much smaller obstacles for new writers now than when I was starting out!

Trust your instincts. Your gut is almost always right. (Case in point, back in 2006 I had an idea for a feature that essentially would’ve been BAD MOMS, which released in 2016, but let my reps convince me to write something with a male lead. I’ve lost count of how many ideas from my early files have been made very successfully by someone else.)

I already knew about Coverfly from submitting to competitions. I'm excited that a studio has expressed interest in one of my pilots, and look forward to announcing specifics when I can. It's hard to reconcile having a banner year professionally during what's objectively been the worst year of my lifetime in nearly every other category. The only way I've been able to own it is to keep making this promise: I'm a creator. I have a voice, and I'll continue using it to amplify others'. And to the best of my ability, I commit to making writing and casting choices which allow everyone to see themselves represented on screen.

Study the craft. It's much more than just having cool ideas or being great with words.

And don't aim to write better than 'the crap out there.' Aim to write better than you think you can.

- Julie O'Hora

I was drawn to the Endorsed Writer's program because it's a clear way to gain visibility through the industry.

It was very simple and straightforward. The Coverfly team took time to thoroughly understand my career goals and then developed a clear, targeted plan to help set me up for success.

Once my material started to circulate around the industry, I began to chat with the people who responded to it. From there, it was just a matter of finding someone who understood the material and my career goals, and was as excited to build something with me.

Now, we're working on moving the feature forward, with an eye for production as soon as it's safe to shoot next year. I'm also working on a few music videos that will drop next year and developing my other narrative projects.

You have to be used to a lot of rejection. For every 1 program or institution like the Endorsed Writer's program that I've been a part of, I've been rejected by 10 others. Nobody posts about that though, so it's easy to feel like your peers are drowning in accolades while you feel like a failure. But that's not true.

- Ijaaz Noohu

- Sam Josephs

- Tamika Lamison

Before Pitch Week, I was in a stagnant spot and needed direction. I was seeking guidance and really was on the cusp of what seemed to be a turning point. I felt the usual roller coaster, accepting creative life is feast or famine. And it still is that way, but being matched with Eric Borja was eyeopening. Participating in Coverfly’s Pitch week really was the much-needed fill-up! Thanks to Coverfly’s reputation as a legitimized presence in the screenwriting landscape, being selected and engaged in their Pitch Week brought momentum. I had in-depth conversations with Eric and learned a lot about how he evaluates talent. If you’re on the fence about Pitch Week I suggest you just do it. I genuinely feel grateful. They take the navigational process that screenwriters go through seriously, by vetting the competitions, festivals, and the connections they bring. It all lends itself to build a germane space, that has hard-earned credibility.

- Lele Park

I think, like most trying to make a career out of this thing, it's finding an opening in the "yes" door. There seem to be a million ways in and absolutely zero ways in at the exact same time. Add in the fact that I don't reside in LA, and it gets even trickier.

"When I first signed up for Coverfly, it seemed like a convenient way to submit to a screenwriting competition. I wasn't aware of all the other things Coverfly was doing (Red List, Pitch Week, screenplay hosting, etc.). One day I started browsing the site and saw potential for further exposure through the platform. I began working toward getting on the Red List and creating a profile that showcased who I am and what I have to offer.

I was hired to write a feature. It all started with an email from Coverfly notifying me that an industry professional downloaded my script. I gave it little more than a "that's nice" and carried on. Not long after, Rekola Studios reached out to me to strike up a conversation and see if I was a good fit to write a feature they were looking to shoot next summer. We hit it off and turns out he loved my screenplay "The Fuck-It List." Contracts were signed and I'm now developing and writing a feature in an awesome collaborative relationship.

Write every day. It doesn't matter if you're writing in 12-point Courier or not, just write. Writing is a muscle. Don't allow it to atrophy. The more you use it, the stronger your writing and the easier it'll flow. It's really that simple. Everything else will follow.

- Nick Gambino

I’m from the Midwest, but I’ve lived in more states than I have fingers. I live in California now. I write supernatural and psychological horror features, and I’m repped by Scott Faucett of HG5 Entertainment.

The biggest obstacle was being the primary caretaker of my two young children and finding time for my work.

When Coverfly first began I thought it was just a handy way to submit for competition, but they’ve done so much more for me! They’ve been a great resource and support: helping me with my bio and loglines, launching me as a featured writer, being there to give advice, and most importantly, introducing me to my manager.

Coverfly helped me work up a query strategy timed with my “featured writer” release. After initial queries to my researched list, they actually reached out and introduced me to other reps as well, one of them being my current manager. He read my work, we had a couple of phone conversations and really hit it off, and that was all we needed.

There is no secret surefire way to make things happen. The one thing you must have is people that believe in you and will vouch for you. It's not "networking", it's building your tribe. Make friends you love and can depend on. Help people out and be grateful for the help you receive in return.

- Lisa Jay

Placing highly in competitions has had the most significant impact on my career. Competitions are a tough game, but not only they are useful to give you exposure and build a CV, they also help you gauge how ready a script is. If you keep placing in quarterfinals and some semifinals, you know you still need a couple of drafts before sending the script around. Getting professional feedback is vital in taking your writing to a professional level.

Coverfly has been incredibly handy to streamline the competition-entering process. Plus, they offer free extra services, like Pitch Week and the Virtual Live Read. I was lucky enough to be selected for both, and they really gave me a self-esteem boost.

- Eleonora Mignoli

It's tough to get read, to garner support, to build momentum — and then you have to pitch and market yourself, network, sell. It's a lot to ask of a writer! I've found blind persistence and a touch of delusion to be essential for making headway.

I signed up for Coverfly hoping to find an avenue for getting my writing in front of more producers. One day, I just got a message from Elixir Entertainment out of the blue. I'd been updating my Coverfly profile, making sure my scripts were all up-to-date, refreshing my scores just to make sure I wasn't missing anything. Might have added a few points to a screenplay that raised its exposure at just the right time.

- Rob Rex

I’d love for reps and buyers to remember that maturity is also a category of diversity. Mid-career writers should be sought after. Unique perspectives and fresh voices don’t have an expiration date, in fact they can get sharper with time. It would be lovely if the brilliant female and talented artists of color, who have endured tougher times when inclusion was not on everyone’s mind, would be viewed as they should be – a spectacular talent pool.

- Rachel Feldman

Working with Coverfly felt like the best and most comprehensive way to advance in my career. They have the connections and tools to open doors that I did not. It made me feel really supported that I could work diligently on my craft while Coverfly helped with the daunting but imperative task of meeting the right people that understood my voice.

- Emily Cheever

The most important thing is doing the work. I constantly focus on developing my writing skills and projects. I also submit to labs and competitions. They give me deadlines and therefore fire up my writing a bit. What feels the most helpful outside of that is building a community of support around me. When I was connected with the Coverfly team, that gave me a good boost to put into motion a goal I have for a long time; to get repped.

- Paloma Riojas Martinez

Breaking into the entertainment industry, let alone television, is a daunting task. I built up my slate, had some work produced, and then started to submit to contests while I built up my network. It’s still so much about who you know and getting into the right rooms. Which led to placing on The Bitch List, which was very cool. The mission behind that list is something I’m passionate about and it was an honor to be recognized for that work alongside so many other talented and hard-working writers.

Partnering with Women In Film to produce my gender parity comedy series Flip The Script was a game-changer and really set me on the path for writing as a career. Now signing with new management will be the turning point in this next chapter!

Placing on The Bitch List 2020 was very cool. The mission behind that list is something I’m passionate about and it was an honor to be recognized for that work alongside so many other talented and hard-working writers.

- Ally Iseman

I felt that as an Asian American woman, I had very few acting roles of substance available to me, and so I decided to create my own roles. Then I realized I liked the creating side more than the acting side and so I stuck with it.

One of the biggest struggles is just figuring out what to do. How to get an agent? How to get a job? How to get recognized? I submitted to a number of screenwriting contests – not so much for the exposure, but really for me to understand how my writing stacked up against other people. I truly had no concept of whether I was a good writer or not. And while contests are all subjective, so is this whole business! So I figured, it was a good place to start.

I also found great mentors through years of networking, forming friendships, reaching out and cold-calling/emailing. Luckily, a wonderful manager advised me to just keep writing and the rest would come. Very “Field of Dreams”, but it worked.

- Elaine Loh

One of the most formidable obstacles I’ve faced as a writer is the barrier to entry in the industry. It’s difficult to get exposure as a writer while maintaining a full-time job and providing for a family.

I had entered my script in a few competitions and placed in the semi-finals/finals in a few. As a result, my screenplay was made available for industry professionals to review through Coverfly. I had almost forgotten about the script when I received a notice from Coverfly that an industry professional had downloaded my script. A few weeks later, the producer contacted me and we arrived at an agreement for option shortly thereafter.

I truly believe that competitions can generate exposure for writers that are struggling to make industry connections. I would recommend opting for notes and critiques whenever available. Each set of notes or reader comments I received helped me to fine tune my screenplay. Although the screenplay didn’t take the grand prize in any of the competitions, the exposure on Coverfly definitely made the difference in getting it noticed.

- Pedro Fernandez