Screenwriter’s Almanac: Contests Are Not The Answer (Hint: It's Relationships)

I have some thoughts in response to Stage 32 unveiling their new screenwriting contest hub.

I am making today’s article free for everyone because I’m so determined to get this message out to as many people as possible. I will be adding extras (for my paid subscribers) to my Screenwriters Almanac articles in the future, though. So if you want and are able, upgrade to a paid subscription. I’m offering 25% off!

Let’s get into today’s subject...it’s one I’m very passionate about.

There’s a new headline making the rounds in the screenwriting world:

Stage 32 launches global screenwriting contest hub.

It’s being pitched as the next evolution in competition convenience: one central place to submit to a whole bunch of contests all at once. Easy, efficient, centralized.

And also?

A very well-positioned business strategy. This isn’t anything new.

I’m not against contests entirely. There are a few that genuinely hold weight - Nicholl, Final Draft Big Break, Austin (if you win), and ISA’s Fast Track, which has real meetings attached. They’ve helped a handful of writers open doors.

My Story Farm Fellowship has recently closed for submissions, but the whole idea of that “contest” is for the grand prize winner to join me and fellow writers on a writing retreat in Wisconsin. The “prize” is connection, friendship, new relationships, and community. The top 5 also receive an 8-week workshop hosted by me in order to…you guessed it…support each other in the development or rewrite of their work.

But for the vast majority of contests?

They are not a career strategy. They’re a lottery ticket with nicer branding.

And writers, because we’re hopeful, and tired, and working in the dark most days, too often mistake submitting to contests as the main form of taking action to build a career. We tell ourselves we’re “getting our work out there,” when what we’re actually doing is hiding behind the $65 entry fee and avoiding the real, messy, vulnerable, long-game work of building a career.

Which brings me to the hard truth:

There is no contest that will change your life. But a relationship might.

We don’t get hired only because of a badge on an online profile. We don’t get work because miracles fall into our lap. We get hired because someone who knows us trusts our voice. We build a career not by being declared the winner, but by becoming part of the community.

Look at any working writer today, and you’ll find a trail of friendships and relationships, not just “networking” in the business card sense, but real, authentic, invested human connections. Because this is a people business. It always has been. Look at what you’re attempting to do with your writing. You’re attempting to allow audiences to connect with not just a story, but the characters within your story. Don’t you think you should do the same thing in your own life and career? Connect with people. Make friendships, and/or utilize the current friendships you already have.

So many of my writers are out there actively seeking ways to form connection, work on a set, apply for grants so that they can make a short film. Hey guess what you need when making a short or a feature? Other people!

Thankfully, there are incredible spaces to find those people, and form new connections:

• Lighthouse Ladies: you need to check out this amazing organization. I’ve just recently been made aware of these amazing women who bring together filmmakers and creatives in order to help them get their projects off the ground. They offer so many different services, and yeah, I’ll be cheesy for a second; they really are a light(house) guiding creatives through connection. Definitely check them out. Website.

• Audrey Knox has built a wonderful, supportive community of working writers, and she brings her real-world experience as a manager/rep to everything she teaches. Website.

• Lee Jessup continues to offer honest, career-building advice while creating community spaces that keep writers active and accountable. Website.

• Pilar Alessandra has worked alongside Lee Jessup in forming a community of writers which develop real connection and writing clarity. Plus, she’s just a really smart person! Website.

• And over at The Story Farm, our Circle community is built around honesty, friendship, emotional growth, and a true desire to help each other figure this whole thing out, not just in our writing, but in our lives. And have I mentioned it’s free to join?

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Let’s switch gears just a tad.

I’ve been delving into a lot of spiritual practice over my lifetime, but especially over the past few months. I’ve learned so much about myself, but also about how I relate to others. Here’s a little spiritual truth that I’ve been reflecting on lately - from a book I’m reading and loving. It gets a little woo-woo spiritual, but hey…maybe that isn’t such a bad thing.

“While I considered Spirit as the source of my supply, I didn’t yet understand that Spirit’s primary outlet for manifestation on the physical plane is through people. I hadn’t awakened to the fact that each one of us is Spirit’s channel for each other. Until we reach the level of consciousness where we can instantly manifest form out of substance, our visible supply comes through other souls on this planet.”

In other words: your success will not simply descend upon you from the heavens as if a bag full of success and money will just arrive at your doorstep.

It will show up in the form of other people; writers, mentors, reps, friends, collaborators. People who see you, support you, and want to help you succeed. And you will do the same for them.

This industry is built on people who trust each other.

The energy of abundance - career, money, love, fulfillment - flows through us, not ONLY around us. We are connected to a creative energy - something bigger than ourselves. Whether you want to call it God, or Spirit, or if you don’t believe in any kind of higher spiritual power, there is a literal scientific energy form that we’re swimming in. And guess what. Everyone else is too. How best to connect with that energy? Experiencing it through and with others.

So yes, sure, submit to contests if it’s fun, if it motivates you, if you want feedback. Stage 32 is taking advantage of Coverfly going down and attempting to create this “amazing” new hub. Go ahead and use it, but please do NOT rely on contest submissions as your only source of possibly breaking in. Don’t let it be your only strategy.

Don’t hide behind the act of submitting.

Be seen. Show up. Invest in yourself and your people. Form real relationships. Actively pursue forming new connections…and I don’t care where you live. I have writers/clients who live all over the world, and they are continually finding their own tribes and friends wherever they are…while ALSO working online in communities that support them. In the meantime, they are also actively reaching out to managers, reps, producers, and then some. They don’t always get an answer. They don’t always find success when querying. But so what. It isn’t stopping them from pushing on.

So please remember: you don’t need a trophy or a contest win to matter. But you do need someone who believes in you. And more than anything?

You need to become someone who believes in others AND yourself.

That’s how this whole thing works. Relationships are everything.

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I made today’s post completely for everyone because I felt the need to get this message out to as many people as possible. I will continue to add little extras to our Screenwriters Almanac articles from now on for our paid subscribers. I’m so incredibly grateful that this Story Farm Substack is growing and gaining such a wonderful following. This is a community in and of itself, and I have plans to make it more active soon (through live chats, webinars, and more, just for my paid subscribers.)

If you would like to upgrade your account and be a larger part of this community, I am offering my Substack at 25% off! Take advantage!

And as always, if you would like more specific support, education, or coaching you can either email me - max@thestoryfarm.org - or join my Story Farm Community for free! Click here to create a free account and be a part of an ever-growing community of supportive writers. Check out the community here.

Like I mentioned earlier, I still have room in my September Story Farm retreat in Wisconsin! it’s a fantastic way to make new friends and connections. It’s not just a writing vacation for yourself, but an investment in your career and future. I can offer you a discount to help with your airfare costs, but it’s an all-exclusive writing retreat in a small lake side town in Wisconsin from Sept. 24 - 28. We would love to have you. Email me for more information: max@thestoryfarm.org or go here to check out more info.

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Until next time! Have a great weekend, everybody.

—Max Timm & The Story Farm