I have been writing these fortnightly newsletters for over a decade on many different aspects of screenwriting and storytelling. So this has grown into a fairly huge online resource for screenwriters.
We have tried to break the newsletters into useful categories so that you can access the subjects that interest you.
I have covered many subjects over the years – including PITCHING, CHARACTERISATION, LITERARY AGENTS, many recommendations of inspiring and brilliant shows and scripts; and interviews with many fascinating screenwriters and producers.
I hope you will have fun dipping into some of the old newsletters; and I hope that they will be helpful and energising for your screenwriting.
* by entering your e-mail address you are agreeing to receive regular newsletters. You can opt out by clicking unsubscribe at any time.
Dear All, SCREENWRITING – THE CRAFT AND THE CAREER by PHILIP SHELLEY https://www.nickhernbooks.co.uk/screenwriting Following up on last Friday’s newsletter teaser, I’m delighted to be able to share with you that
Hi There, This fortnight – a teaser and more recommendations. TEASER! I’ve been reading a LOT of these (teasers) in the scripts submitted for the 2025 Channel 4 screenwriting course
Hi There, This fortnight – some recommendations of writing about writing. I’ve recently read these excellent books – LIKE BROTHERS by Mark and Jay Duplass Part memoir and part instructional
Hi There, It’s blindingly obvious that the most important thing for budding screenwriters is your writing – your ability to tell a story compellingly and entertainingly. But my experience working
BIOPICS It seems to me that BIOPICS are one of the hardest genres to nail. There are just so many pitfalls to avoid with this – extremely well-worn – genre.
How to get an agent By: Jenny Takahashi Stark How do you get an agent? Like, how the HELL do you get an agent?? That’s the question I kept asking
Hi There, Please bear with this – there is a story telling reason for it!… In August last year (2023) I went to watch my son running in a very
Hi There, CHANNEL 4 SCREENWRITING COURSE 2025 I hope you have had an enjoyable and productive summer. I’m delighted to be able to announce that we will again be running
MONTAGE IN SCREENPLAYS I’ve been thinking about MONTAGE recently – when does it work? What makes a good montage? What makes a bad montage? Montage is used very much
Hi There, SCRIPT READING & DEVELOPMENT Q&A July 18th 6pm – 2 ½ hour session on zoom for max 8 people. As of Thursday July 11th, there is one spot
I have been creating industry relevant blog posts and newsletters for many years. These posts provide invaluable insight and advice to both scriptwriters and producers. I’ve included a selection below, but to find specific categories and posts click on the link to visit my news page.
DRAMATIC IRONY by Tom Hanham HELP! I don’t have much time. I’m being held hostage and Philip Shelley is forcing me to write a newsletter, I don’t even know what dramatic irony is…
Hi There, As you will see, this newsletter is very much longer than usual. This is a short story sent to me by writer DAVID ARMSTRONG. David is one of my favourite novelists.
Hi There, This fortnight, some reader feedback from the excellent MATT MCNALLY, who covered 280 of your script entries for the 2025 Channel 4 screenwriting course – ‘I thought I’d write something for
Hi There, 2 more courses – 2 DAY SCREENWRITING COURSE, LONDON June 21-22 https://script-consultant.co.uk/2-day-screenwriting-course/ I’m really pleased to be running my 2 day / weekend screenwriting course again for the first time in
Hi There, This fortnight, some of the notes I made as I was reading script submissions for the 2025 Channel 4 screenwriting course. None of these are ‘rules’ (there are no rules!), just
Yes, it’s a cheery one. At the risk of being extremely depressing, I have been thinking, for various reasons, about death quite a lot recently. And that led onto thinking about the
* by entering your e-mail address you are agreeing to receive regular newsletters. You can opt out by clicking unsubscribe at any time.
Copyright © 2008-2025 Philip Shelley - Script Consultant
