Category: about writing

Writing for TV & Film – For Apex

Writing for TV & Film presentation covers for APEX Writers Group 2022

I just finished two Saturdays of presentations for the APEX writers group. This is a great group of mostly science fiction and fantasy writers who are trying to learn to be better at what we do. I’ve met a lot of new friends in SFF who are, like me, interested in getting better at their creative writing.

My presentations were on Writing for Film and TV. The first one was about the field in general, answering a lot of questions about ‘who’s who’ and what ‘pitching’ is. The second presentation was on how to turn a short story into a script.

For those interested in being part of APEX, you find them at https://www.apex-writers.com/. Originated by David Farland, an award-winning writer of fantasy and science fiction, the group continues on after his passing, providing encouragement, motivation and learning opportunities for members.

Finalist WOTF #39 Quarter 1 2022

WOTF #39 Quarter 1 2022 finalist win

So pleased to announce that I am a Finalist for the Writers of the Future, Vol 39, Quarter 1, 2022 competition!

It’s the highest level I’ve achieved, and means I was in the top 8 for this quarter.

–> WOTF blog

Writers of the Future 1st Quarter Winners Announced for Volume 39

“Rachel’s Vacation” Sale!

So pleased to announce that my short story, “Rachel’s Vacation” has been sold! I’m awaiting a contract for it so I won’t go too far into it yet, but it is to a newish SFF USA magazine headquartered in California, called “Synthetic Reality”.

“Rachel’s Vacation”

to appear in “Synthetic Reality” in mid-2022.

January 2022

Sales

It’s been an eventful month here! On the positive side, I’ve gained a sale to Neo-opsis. Then I had a win for “Garden Variety Aliens” on PitchNow Screenwriting Competition and it gained a coveted spot on Coverfly’s Redlist! In 2021, I also won another WOTF #9 for me, for “Daze” my film industry portal to hell story!

Sad News

I’m also grieving with the rest of the APEX writers group due to the death of our leader, Dave Wolverton / Farland January 14, 2022. He was a wonderful example of what a great writing teacher can accomplish. He was also a well known fantasy and science fiction author whose work I love to read. I didn’t know him personally, unlike many in APEX who had worked with him a lot over the years, but I benefited from his compassionate devotion to excellence in all he did. A great father and husband, his obituary is available at the funeral home site.

It’s a difficult time for those of us who were members of #APEX WritingCommunity His memory is a blessing. He was kind, encouraging, and full of writing wisdom. As a primarily scriptwriter, you’d think he would not have good advice for me, but his writing courses are stellar and useful in whatever format you write in. Also, his inclusiveness was wonderful for all who wanted to write.

2021 Quarter 4 #WOTF Cat Girczyc HM for “New Tudors”

WOtF WIn for story The New Tudors

#WOTF Writers of the Future 2021 Q4 – Honorable Mention for my story “The New Tudors”. This is a tale of first contact marred by a historian, leading to very strange transactions for the Trading ship, the Quotidian, and Captain Abraya.

Photo by Tom Podmore on Unsplash

Jessica Fraser short film at Fungi Film Festival 2021

Jessica’s short film “A Mushroom Poem” is featured in the upcoming Fungi Film Festival from Nov 11-28th 2021. She’s part of the Session 3-A(Manita) group.  Tickets are $8 USD per viewing or $40 for the whole festival. There are three 3-day blocks so there are viewing times #film #studentfilm go to https://www.fungifilmfest.com/tickets/p/fffticket

Screening times for “A Mushroom Poem” are:

  • Saturday November 13, 2021 at 6 p.m. PST
  • Thursday November 18, 2021 at 10 a.m. PST
  • Sunday November 28, 2021 at 7 p.m. PST

These times are great because they allow for decent viewing times in more time zones. Europe, Australia, North America and other places on the globe have films entered.

Coverfly Pitch Week 2021

Excellent news! LCPA and my profile have combined to get me noticed! I’m part of Coverfly’s excellent Pitch Week program. We had an information call this week and then the invitations were sent out. I’m really excited to have a meeting as only about half of those chosen get actual meetings. They do a lot of work to interest industry professionals and get our materials in front of them.

For more information on Coverfly click here.

Auroras Coverfly
Aurora Awards – always hoping for a third!

DEAL at Banff

We signed up today for the lottery to get some great Buyers and Production Partners Meetings at the Banff World Media Festival via their #BANFFXchange platform. Put up the new graphic that Jessica did for DEAL our 2nd #project at #Banff2021. She is working as my PA on the Banff project this year. We’ll pitch my scripts: “Lights, Camera, Paranormal Action!” and “Deal”. #BanffMedia

Banff is also about learning and there are many interesting webinars available that we have signed up for.

DEAL at Banff