The big news last night was the announcement of this year’s deadline: July 31, 2008. Finalists will be chosen in November and they will start in February 2009. Out of the 2007 Fellowship, all 10 of the 10 television writers went on to get staff gigs on shows (something that isn’t guaranteed.)

Along with a spec of a current show (no "Friends" or "Mary Tyler Moore") for the tv program, you will also have to write a Letter of Intent. Frank emphasized that this letter goes a long way in getting you into the program. In 500 words or less, they are looking for why the program is right for you and what you bring to the table. For the latter part, they want to see you sell yourself by being clear about your writing voice and how you can contribute in the collective experience that is being a staff tv writer.

In fact, they have found that writers’ ability to sell themselves to be lacking in most applicants and part of getting in is not only doing a one on one interview, but attending a mixer party where your ability to mingle, be friendly and personable are part of your overall score. And if you get into the program, improv classes and pitching classes await you.

All the details for applying can be found at abctalentdevelopment.com. If you need to contact the program directly, you can either leave voice mail at 818-560-6894 or send an email to abc.fellowship@abc.com. They mentioned that email gets responded to faster than voice mail, but eventually they get back to every one who contacts them.

There is a LiveJournal community comprised of published authors including high profile ones like Holly Black. You can check out their front page at Fur, Fangs & Fey. It aggregates the blog entries of all the authors on the list.

Two links to other Urban Fantasy website resources are on that LiveJournal community page as well: Urban Fantasy Land and Urban Fantasy Fan. Both blog current news about Urban Fantasy authors and their titles, appearances and workshops.

If you are interested in the writing process behind Urban Fantasy novels, be sure to check out Jim Butcher’s site. The Dresden Files author has blogged extensively about his writing process that has led him to be one of the top authors in the field. Plus, he is putting up sample chapters of his next Dresden book, Small Favor, due in hardcover later this year.

She also recommends other TV writer blogs you should check out, particularly Ken Levine, Doris Egan (not updated regularly, but definitely check out the Archives for excellent advice from this ‘House’ writer) and Lisa Klink’s blog which specializes in advice about breaking in, including entires addressing questions about being a writer’s assistant.

"Actually, based on a conversation I had with their director of development in 2005…

They used, as a perfect example for tone, an excellent Brit flick called DOG SOLDIERS. They loved that movie."

Every channel is gong to have their own needs, but if you’re writing something you think the SciFi channel would be interested in reading, then it never hurts to know what they are looking for.

You can always apply next year, but be sure to check their official websites for the exact deadline and submission requirements.

If you missed the deadline, or submitted and are waiting to hear back, the question is: what do aspiring TV writers do now? Of course, accomplished TV writer and blogger Jane Espenson has the answer. Actually, she has a lot of answers. And they are all excellent. Check it out.

This is a perfect resource if you, like me, are looking for an artist to work with for the Zuda Comics contest.

If you are writing or making a SciFi, Fantasy or Horror short film, check out the special effects video tutorials at: IndyMogul.com. They take you step by step in making inexpensive special effects on their You Tube station Backyard FX.

Episodes include transforming your actors into cyborgs or zombies, creating fake brains and breakable glass for stunts  and how to use green screen backgrounds and blood spurting from gunshot wounds. It’s updated regularly and also posts short films around the net.

Don’t forget to check out their links in the ABOUT page for more resources.

This year they are taking 10 applicants total ("more drama than comedy because that’s the current marketplace"). For fifteen weeks the Fellows will meet every Wednesday night from 7p-10p on the Warner Bros lot. During that time, they will receive revision notes on their spec script from Warner Bros Current executives as well as write another sample piece, preferably original (not a pilot, but a short story, 1 act play or short film.)

At the end of the 15 weeks, there will be an agent mixer where Warner Bros will pitch you for representation. You will also be optioned by Warner Bros so they have the exclusive right to staff you during the next staffing season.

They WANT to staff you on one of their shows. They have an incentive program in place that goes like this: if a showrunner on one of their shows wants to staff you, Warner Bros will not make that showrunner pay for you for the first 14 weeks (note: you will get paid, it just won’t come out of the showrunner’s budget.) That’s a no brainer for a showrunner with a strained budget and not enough bodies in the writer’s room.

What are they looking for in a script?

1. That you know the show well (the stories, characters, dialogue and script formatting are dead on for the show)
2. That your own voice comes through (have something to say)
3. A story that stands out (the storytelling is on par with a sweeps episode of that show)

What are they NOT looking for?

1. No scripts for cancelled shows.
2. Don’t write a spec of a "hot" show if you don’t like or watch that show. They would prefer you spec a lesser known show that you love rather than a better regarded show you don’t watch. Passion trumps trend chasing.
3. No original material (though they may require it next year.)

Other notes:

1. Writing Partnerships are encouraged, but you will be treated as one entity and will have to split your pay.
2. You can submit more than one spec, but you have to pay the entry fee for each one.
3. They are looking for people that can go on to become show runners with Warner Bros in 10+ years.

That’s it. Deadline is August 15. Program starts end of October.

More information about the Fellowship can be found here.

DC Comics is launching a WebComic competition starting in October called Zuda Comics. Every month they will take 10 user submitted webcomics that meet their formatting requirements and let their users vote on them. The winner is given a paid contract to produce 52 weekly installments of that comic. Six additional submissions throughout the year will be given contracts immediately at the discretion of the DC Comics editors that are running the site.

SciFi, Fantasy and Horror stories do very well in illustrated formats such as comics. If you have an idea you’re itching to write, you may want to consider this avenue to get your name and ideas out in the public eye. And get paid for it.

If you have no illustration talents, you can always approach an artist to work with you. There are many great sites out there where you can contact both new and established artists. Check out sites like DeviantArt. If you want to use an exisiting illustration you see on those sites, make sure you get permission first. The artists own the copyright and control the use of their work.