Welcome to our handpicked rundown of the best screenwriting websites we think you should be super familiar with as a writer. We've personally used each one of these sites and they're guaranteed to help either your writing craft or career, so let’s dive right on in.
Here's what's coming up:
• Best screenwriting blogs
• Best screenwriting resources
• Best screenwriting websites for pitching
• Best screenwriting websites for networking
• Best screenwriting websites for industry news
(Affiliate disclaimer: a few links may contain affiliates meaning we make a small commission if you purchase something, but at no extra cost to you.)
In this section you’ll find things that will make your life easier as a writer. Simple.
1. The Black List Loglines. See what kind of scripts are gaining traction in Hollywood by reading these loglines to the scripts that made it onto the Black List—the yearly roundup of the best unproduced screenplays in Hollywood.
The archive goes all the way back to 2005 and also includes info on associated management companies. You can read our favorites from the Black List here.
Check out Black List Loglines >>
Is your character’s gun just “a gun”? Or does it say reveal something about their character or situation?
If you want to get specific about firearms, or be inspired by the weapon of choice of your favorite movie character, this should be your go-to website. IMFDB is a Wiki-style site where you can cross-reference weapons by various metrics, such as by movie, actor or firearm and apply to your script accordingly.
3. ISA Legal Services List. In a dispute with a writing partner over credits? Wondering if a writer's contract you’ve been offered is legit?
Chances are your best option is to hire an entertainment lawyer, and the International Screenwriters Association has a great little section of their website that lists dozens of them based in Los Angeles and beyond.
Check out ISA Legal Services List >>
This site gets it—coming up with an original and exciting idea for a movie or TV show is the most important first step when writing a script.
Logline It is the only screenwriting website we know of devoted solely to loglines. Post your own, receive feedback on them and review other writers’ loglines. It’s the perfect place to hone your ideas and come up with new and better ones.
Want to see what a script that's good enough to win the Nicholl contest looks like? Here's a list of some past winners that'll do just that.
And if you're confused by screenplay formatting, you can download this PDF too that gives instructions on how to do it within a short scene.
Check out the Nicholl Scripts & Formatting Sample >>
We all get stuck for names in our stories sometimes. This website takes the pain out of trying to come up with new ones for the multiple characters that inhabit our scripts’ worlds.
The best thing about this name generator as opposed to all the others out there, is that it has a clean, easy-to-use interface and offers the best filtering methods.
Check out the Random Name Generator >>
7. Save the Cat Beat Sheets. Save the Cat Strikes Back is on our list of best screenwriting books to read as it’s packed full of Blake Snyder’s famous beat sheets.
If you liked that book, you’ll love this website where you can search for Save the Cat beat sheets on films and TV shows by date, name or search field.
Check out the Save the Cat beat sheets >>
John August, writer of Go, Charlie’s Angels and Big Fish has created one of the best screenwriting websites online for answering basic questions on the craft and business of writing.
Type in any question you like in the search bar and, nine times out of ten, there’s your answer.
Here at Script Reader Pro we’ve curated a mega list of all our personal favorite resources for screenwriters in one place: the best screenwriting software, podcasts, books, as well as our library of screenplays to read and download from around the web.
Check out our screenwriting resources >>
10. Slanguage Dictionary. If you don’t know your DGA from your HFPA, or your “reup” from your “syndie,” this is the place for you.
Make yourself familiar with all the Hollywood lingo before you head into your first pitch meeting and avoid looking like a newbie, courtesy of Variety’s slanguage dictionary.
Check out Slanguage Dictionary >>
Let’s say you’re writing a sitcom. Wouldn’t it be great if there was somewhere you could go where you could discover every conceivable trope surrounding sitcoms—from the “Accidental Hug” to the “Zany Scheme”?
This Wiki-style website is an invaluable tool in every TV writer’s toolbox because, as they say on the site, “It's pretty much impossible to create a story without tropes.”
12. Your Screenplay Sucks! Another one of our favorite screenwriting books is William Akers’ book of the same name as this site.
And this page contains eleven handouts that are just as useful—from a hand-annotated script edit to a script checklist and much more.
Check out Your Screenplay Sucks! >>
This part comes with a caveat: most of these pitch websites cost money, so be careful not to sign up for too many at once. Maybe try one or two at first, but if after a few months you’re not having any luck with them, it could be the script needs a rethink.
Don’t waste money on a script that needs work but is being hosted on six different pitch websites.
You can read more on the pros and cons of pitch sites here.
Coverfly operates in a similar way to screenwriting pitch websites like the Black List and InkTip, where you can showcase your work in a database that’s perused by managers, agents, execs, etc.
What sets Coverfly apart, however, is that you can also track your script’s performance across every major screenwriting contest, fellowship and talent-discovery platform. And, unlike the others, it’s 100 percent free.
As you probably know, it’s best to research and only contact the execs, agents and managers who are most likely connect with your material and Done Deal Pro is the perfect place to do just that.
With a super-low $29.95 per-year fee, you will be able to figure out who to target for queries related to your script’s specific genre.
3. IMDb Pro. IMDb Pro offers a very similar service to Done Deal Pro, except access requires a much higher paid subscription. ($20 a month as of writing.)
It makes the list, however, as it does offer a 30-day free trial and also gives you access to their Pro Casting service and ability to create an IMDb profile. If all you want to do is compile a database of possible industry targets, though, you’re probably better off going with Done Deal Pro.
4. InkTip. InkTip are one of the oldest industry connection screenwriting websites out there—and still one of the best.
Since 2000, they’ve helped thousands of writers get hired, gain representation and help their scripts get made into movies. For $32.50 per month, you can host one script on the site and receive twenty-four script requests.
Still sending cumbersome PDFs to production companies, agents and managers?
The industry standard for how scripts are sent and exchanged online is changing, and ScriptHop are the primary drivers behind it. Use this site to create a “packet”—a portfolio, if you like—and send your query letter, synopsis, show bible, script, etc. in one neat link. And all for the price of… nothing. It’s completely free.
If you’ve got a portfolio of scripts ready to go but aren’t sure where to start, our Marketing Mentorship can help.
The mentorship involves three one-hour video calls with a professional screenwriter who will guide you on the next steps to take to kickstart your writing career. We ask all prospective mentees to first purchase a $69 Initial Assessment to make sure we’re a good fit.
Check out our Marketing Mentorship >>
British screenwriter, CJ Walley, has built a fantastic screenwriting website here that does the exact same job as other pay-to-host pitch sites, except this one is completely free.
Build a portfolio, host of as many scripts as you like, and enable industry pros to get a complete picture of you as a writer and (hopefully) snap you up.
Check out Script Revolution >>
Rather than wait for execs and managers contact you, sign up to Virtual Pitch Fest and pitch them directly.
The standard package costs $55 for five pitches to over five-hundred pros, but you can purchase more pitches at higher rates. The website also guarantees a reply within five days which is pretty special.
Check out Virtual Pitch Fest >>
Networking is not everyone’s bag, but it is an essential part of becoming a screenwriter. Below you’ll find what we consider to be the three best screenwriting websites that will help you connect with other writers, online and off.
While meeting and networking with other screenwriters online is great, nothing can beat meeting them in person. And this is exactly what Meetup will help you do.
Add your desired location in the search field, and then the term “screenwriting,” and an offline event is bound to come up near you. If it doesn’t you can always start your own, but this comes with a monthly group organizer fee of $14.99.
ScriptBlast is the website to head to if you’re looking for an online screenwriting community to offer support, network and, as they say, help put the fun back in writing (if it’s left, that is).
What’s great about it is that you can be held to account here by your peers with your writing goals and in the process become more productive and a better writer overall. Membership costs $9.99 per month, or $99.99 per year.
3. Stage 32 Screenwriters' Lounge. Signing up to Stage32 is free and this is their forum where you can post questions to the board, interact with other writers, swap scripts and even land yourself a screenwriting job if you’re lucky.
Bear in mind—it is a forum—so not all the information on the craft and business of writing will be 100 percent accurate, but it’s definitely the place to be if you love interacting with fellow screenwriters online.
Check out Stage 32 Screenwriters’ Lounge >>
These blogs will give you info on the craft of screenwriting that’s as good as, if not better than, most screenwriting books. Warning: rabbit holes ahead.
The Bitter Script Reader is something of an online screenwriting blog legend.
As an actual Hollywood script reader, he’s the kind of guy you’ll need to get your script past if you want to succeed in the business. And he has a ton of first class info on this site to help you do just that.
Check out The Bitter Script Reader >>
2. Go Into the Story. This is one of the most highly respected screenwriting blogs on the planet—written by Hollywood screenwriter, Scott Myers.
In his own words: “I’ve been an online instructor through UCLA Extension Writer’s Program since 2002. This blog is largely in response to students who wanted to continue our conversations about the creative process.”
Check out Go Into the Story >>
3. John August. This site is pro writer, John August’s screenwriting playground.
Primarily a landing page for his hugely popular podcast with Craig Mazin, the site also contains lots of helpful information for writers—from scripts to read, to apps to download, to John’s recommended workspace set-up.
A virtual encyclopedia of how-to information on every screenwriting subject known to man—subtext, characters, formatting and everything in-between.
Unfortunately, it’s no longer updated. Why, remains a mystery… but the good news is it’s still all here and accessible, for free. Hands down one of the best screenwriting websites to be found anywhere online.
Check out Mystery Man on Film >>
Scott W. Smith started this screenwriting blog after been inspired by Diablo Cody and her movie Juno.
It wasn’t just the fact that Cody went to college in Iowa, it was the fact that she wrote Juno while living in Minneapolis. And so Screenwriting From Iowa was born as a beacon of hope to all writers living outside of Los Angeles.
Check out Screenwriting From Iowa >>
Regularly sited as one of the best screenwriting websites online, Carson Reeves set it up after becoming obsessed with reading screenplays.
“At my most insane, I was reading 56 screenplays a week (eight a day!!!)” he writes. And from this obsession grew Script Shadow—a golden place where informative screenwriting articles are posted and professional and amateur scripts alike are reviewed.
On this site, Alex Freedman passes on everything he’s learned from a thirteen-year journey into writing for television onto all aspiring TV writers.
He sums up his roadmap to a career in a series of great little blog posts: “Improve your TV writing (scripts, specs, pilots). Improve your place in the TV industry (connections, representation, jobs) Improve your presence as a TV writer (brand, awareness, positioning).”
Pirates of the Caribbean writers, Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio, host a forum and screenplay blog in which they and other Hollywood screenwriters answer all your questions on every aspect of the craft of writing.
Every possible facet of screenwriting is covered here that, as they put it, “collectively is a full course in writing screenplays, from an insider's perspective.”
One of the biggest mistakes aspiring screenwriters make at pitch meetings is not having much of a clue about the industry. How it works, terms and trends, what’s hot and what’s not, etc. So, here are our recommended best screenwriting websites to keep your finger on the industry pulse.
“Breaking Hollywood news since 2006,” Deadline Hollywood allows you to sign up for free daily updates on the latest news from the film and TV industry.
There’s a wealth of information here on box office returns, business dealings, festivals, script sales and more.
Check out Deadline Hollywood >>
2. The Tracking Board. This site costs $79 for a yearly membership, but with that you get very comprehensive monthly reports on the spec market, what’s in development, as well as other industry news.
There’s also a jobs board that lists opportunities for execs, assistants and interns around town, so for that alone it could be worth the price if you’re looking to get your foot in the door.
3. Variety. Variety performs a very similar role to other industry news sites, such as Deadline Hollywood and The Hollywood Reporter, bringing you all the latest from the business side of town, as well as on movies, shows, actors and writers.
The “Watch to Watch” section will give you plenty of ideas for what to stream on Amazon, Netflix and Apple too.
We hope you found this roundup useful. Have we left out any of the best screenwriting websites in your opinion? Tell us which ones in the comments below and keep up the writing!
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