I hit a dry spell last year in getting short stories published so I redoubled my efforts this year, tackling a 12 stories in 12 months challenge, researching new markets, and whoa, I got two acceptances in the last two weeks. Feels good to be getting some new stuff out there!

I've been so fortunate when it comes to agents - I've never in my 20 year+ screenwriting career had to send a query letter. But I'm just getting started as a fiction writer so I sent my first query letter ever today. Putting myself out there feels weird and good.

Taking a lil break from Disney plus & Hulu. It may not change how they handle this situation, but perhaps the next giant corporation that's asked to bend the knee will be inspired to find a backbone and fight.

Everything feels like an unending trash-fire right now and there's some personal stuff that's really bumming me out but I got on a zoom with a friend and put some cards on the board (ie breaking story) and after a couple hours, I at least feel a little more like myself. Which I'm counting as a win.

While there are plenty of tremendous candidates for the WGA board of directors, I'd like to give a shout-out to @reallymighty.bsky.social Myles was an iconic presence at the Radford line during the '23 strike and a fighter for writers everywhere. More here: elections.wga.org/2025/myles-w...

Hey I'm the (very short) story of the day at @365tomorrows.bsky.social! 500 words about an alien invasion where the aliens offer a fair fight. Though their definition of fair may not be the same as ours. Check it out at: 365tomorrows.com/2025/09/14/f...

This publication is dark and delicious. And by helping them, you're helping a bunch of great writers, too. Everyone wins!

I read this story on an airplane, a delicious gaze into the heart of cosmic madness. Not being able to step out for a breath of fresh air afterwards gave it an immersive quality that haunts me still. Highly recommended.

Spent a solid few days with @benrock.com putting cards on the board for our scary new audio show. May I introduce our secret weapon, Sophie, the best writer's assistant in town? #SheHasNoSkills #WhoCares #ILoveHer

I saw Radiohead on their first US tour, opening for Belly in a tiny club. Close runner-up: seeing Pearl Jam on their first tour in a small venue and when Eddie stage dove from a higher floor into the crowd, I helped carry him back to the stage.

Today it begins with two blank 36 x 24 cork boards. @benrock.com & I are gonna write some scary stuff on cards, put them on the boards, write a script, and if our studio likes it, we'll make an audio show. It feels good to be back home again, making stuff with one of my best friends.

I'm honored to have been a guest on this incredible show. The team at @pastduepodcast.com are doing very special work, shining a light on the endless work and financial anxiety that come with making a living in the creative economy. Essential listening every week.

Been submitting some short stories to publications lately and it just amazes me that with all the terrible garbage happening in the world, there are still people reading stacks of submissions, curating a passionate vision, and making something special for people who like reading. So damn inspiring.

Signed a deal for a new audio show yesterday! Excited to write something scary with @benrock.com!

Every script I write is too long. Current project - 121 page first draft, then a couple weeks of tweaking, polishing. Cut no scenes really but the same story is now 105 pages. And that's fine. #WritingIsRewriting

Anyone who thinks screenwriting is writing some pages, handing them to an agent, and saying "go sell that" needs to take a long hard look at this very accurate list and do the math. The business of screenwriting is a grind that NEVER lets up.

My new feature script is off to first readers! I always ask a few questions to guide the type of feedback I'm looking for, but it's usually some variation of "Is this working?" And if it's not, "where did I fail?" And if the answer is "everywhere" then I thank them for their time and hide.

This is now my most-read post on Substack! Always down to share my career by the numbers. I wrote 38 scripts, made money on 10, 3 got made. Could be better, but those stats feel pretty good. What are your numbers? #scriptsky bobderosawriter.substack.com/p/the-numbers

Our show CATCHERS made the list! Check out our "monster movie for the ears" with an all-star cast. And if you're an audible subscriber, it's FREE. www.audible.com/blog/top-100...

Caught up with an actress friend who has also written/released several books through her own publishing company. She doesn't call herself a writer cuz she doesn't write every day. I don't buy the myth that you have to write daily. Everyone creates on their own schedule. If you write, you're a writer

Here's something from my career by the numbers: After I sold Killers and co-wrote Kane & Lynch, I wrote ELEVEN scripts that didn't make a buck! Many were written cuz I thought they'd sell (wrong). Three I love but are beyond dead. Two I love and are close to getting made. There are NO shortcuts!

I love this so much! Theater used to be my creative hobby (I called it my "writers gym"). But I haven't written theater in years. Fiction's been my new creative hobby but now that I'm trying to get stuff published, it leaves me wondering: what's the writing I do just for the fun of it?

I've written 38 feature scripts. Made money on 10. I wrote a new post breaking down the numbers and how it all leads to this: there are no shortcuts! bobderosawriter.substack.com/p/the-numbers

Just in time for the weekend -- my novel was rejected by my screenwriting agency and my new short story was rejected by TWO fave new publications. Rejection is part of the game, I know, but yeesh. I think I will hide in my office now under a pile of furry pets if that's okay with everyone.

No one talks about the long stretch in a screenwriting career when the phone stops ringing and no one wants what you're writing. But I'll talk about it any time, including on my favorite new podcast. If you're in a slump right now, then this one is for you: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/h...

From episode 1, I was shouting about how much I love this podcast. Then they asked me to be a guest! Loved our deep conversation about weathering the ups and downs of a career in Hollywood, including writing my way out of a six-year slump. Give it a listen!

If you're like me and always looking for ways to be a better literary citizen, then this amazing post from @charliejane.bsky.social is for you!

Waiting for our deal to close on the new gig so chipping away at various projects. This month finished a draft of my new script, revised a short story & sent to some cool publications, and yesterday finished up my first novella and submitted to an interesting opportunity. #CautiouslyOptimistic

The creators of my favorite new podcast asked me to be a guest and I am THRILLED to finally share. Their Patreon supporters can listen now! Toss em a few bucks if you're able and listen to us get deeeeep.

I can really appreciate a Superman who only loses his temper when someone messes with his dog.

A charity that gives books to sick kids in honor of a great writer's wonderful daughter? TAKE. MY. MONEY. And yours too, if you have a few bucks to spare. givebutter.com/evie22

If anyone's putting together a "cute kittens who journal" calendar, we call dibs on July.

My good friend started an email newsletter that delivers info on geek-friendly events close to you and it's FREE! Check it out at www.letsgeekout.net

Finished a very rough first draft of my new script. 120 pages. Been chipping away at this one for many months. New writing gig starting up soon so I wanted to get this one to a place where I could take a break. Look at it again later in the year with fresh eyes. I hope it's something. We'll see.

FREE SHIPPING at Bookshop.org til Friday! Support writers and the indie bookstore of your choice. Everyone wins!

Chatting with @jasonoliveri.bsky.social at a party and he mentions indie animation. I ask if he's into Don Hertzfeltd. He casually pulls up his sleeve to reveal a tattoo from Billy's Balloon - Don's short that I helped program at the Florida Film Fest in '99. As fandom goes, it was a perfect moment.

Happy milestone 1000th episode from #717!

This post led to a guest spot on one of my absolute favorite podcasts. Recorded the interview this morning. I love talking about the realities of making a living (or trying to) in this insane business. Can't wait to share the ep when it comes out! #ThereAreNoShortcuts

What actor’s expression in a movie will stay with you for the rest of your life?

I'm at the age now where I can look back on creative eras in my life and see them for what they are: amazing chapters that came to an end. But what chapter am I living in now? bobderosawriter.substack.com/p/chapters

"Describe a favorite movie in the most misleading way possible." A bumbling waitress gets caught in a triangle between a shy loner who secretly loves her and a relentless alpha-male who will stop at nothing to possess her.

For the first time in my life, I dreamed something last night and then saw a scripted page of that thing and immediately REWROTE the f-ing page in my dream. I did this TWICE. So if I say I'm working all the time I MEAN IT.

10 years ago today @adamgreen.bsky.social released the first episode of 20 Seconds to Live - the web-series I co-created with @benrock.com. This one was a game-changer for us and made with pure joy. WARNING: gleeful bloody stuff ahead. www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRFL...

I went to the library to get a book, and a librarian and a clerk worked together to find it for me. Then I got to take it home for free. Those places are gold and the people who run them are champions. Seriously, anyone who messes with libraries and librarians is a garbage person.

Former Orlando film nerds unite! Had a blast at the MILLERS CROSSING screening last night with the epic Gabriel Byrne sharing some amazing stories afterwards. Thank you @amcinematheque.bsky.social!

Went to Kenpo class this morning, came home to my wife making pumpkin bread. Chilled on the couch for a while until I realized I'd completely forgot my thousand words today. Came into my office and took care of it. Still a nice, lazy Sunday for the most part. #1000wordsofsummer

I've been noodling on this sci-fi screenplay idea for a while and decided to use Jami Attenberg's #1000wordsofsummer to give it a shot as a novella. Just wrapped my 1012 words for the day. There's still time to jump in and write 1000 words a day for 14 days straight. It's free and fun!

Today: Discussing audio deal with reps. Wrapping up second act of current feature script. Prepping to start #1000wordsofsummer tomorrow. Have notes on a novella that I need to address. Plus: 2 packaged features out to financiers and my book is out to reps. #scriptsky #AlwaysBeCreating

More screenwriting fun with search engines: I typed out "How long does it take..." and it quickly filled in "...to dig a shallow grave?" Which is what I needed to know. For work purposes, I swear. #BadCharactersDoingBadThings

Saw some posts today about the conflict of interest in managers who also produce their clients' projects. As with anything in this biz, it's a complicated situation and new writers can get taken advantage of. But there can also be an upside. Here's my two cents: 1/12 #scriptsky