How to Write for Television

by William Smethurst

Television is a growth industry with an insatiable hunger for writing talent. Soaps, series dramas, plays, situation comedies - television constantly needs new writers. This inspiring book is full of professional tips and techniques that producers, agents and script editors would give you themselves - if only they had the time. Complete with vital information on how to sell your writing - and how much you can earn. Packed with tips for writing and selling. Lists essential contacts and phone numbers. List of Illustrations; The opportunities; 1. The basics; 2. Story & theme; 3. Style; 4. Structure; 5. Plotting; 6. Visual Interest; 7. Dialogue; 8. Characterisation; 9. Situation Comedy; 10. Presentation; 11. From Script to Screen; 12. The difficult Markets; 13. Programmes Looking for Writers; 14. Soap Operas; 15. Other Markets for Scripts; 16. Common Queries; 17. TV Talk; 18. Organisations That Will Help You; 19. Where to Send your Script; Further reading; Index.

240 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Since starting his career as a BBC journalist William has been an award-winning writer of plays for radio, television, the cinema, and the theatre. In his thirties he was a highly successful editor of the BBC’s “The Archers”, and executive producer of serial drama for Central Television. Running his own production company he devised and produced the sci-fi serial drama “Jupiter Moon” which sold to over 20 countries round the world.
He wrote the non-fiction Sunday Times best seller “The Archers - the true story”. His novels include the award-winning satire “Jennifer’s Friends”, and the highly-acclaimed sci-fi time shift trilogy of “Sinai”, “Pasiphae”, and “Woken’s Eye”.

He and his wife Carolynne spend their summers cruising Europe in their boat, and their winters in Devon.