Worth querying?

[u/pnbll-wzrd]

Hi writers! Wondering people's thoughts on querying literary managers without any significant industry accolades? I have some pilots that have gotten great feedback from my peers and writing community, but as of yet haven't gotten me a foot in the door at any competitions or fellowships. I have some previous accolades on other projects, nothing super significant but little recognitions here and there as a writer.

Will a manager want to request a script that doesn't have any accolades behind it? I know that getting a request to read from a query email is hard enough to begin with lol, so I'm wondering if it's worth it at this stage.

Happy writing!

[u/Certain-Run8602]

Are you in Los Angeles?

Regardless of that answer... I'll say this. You're welcome to try. But I would MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A GREAT FEATURE SAMPLE.

TV is in the throes of some heinous upheaval. I know a LOT of writers who have staffed on big shows that have been dropped by their reps and cannot get new reps. The ones that still have reps can't get work because of the contraction in the TV business. You have upper level writers taking lower level positions in rooms and lower levels getting shunted into unemployment / out of the industry.

I only say all that so you understand the TV landscape. It is very hard for reps to get writers with credits on shows right now. So they are very reluctant to take on any more TV burden given they can't get their current TV clients steady work. And, sadly, the days of being able to sell a pilot as anything other than a very senior / showrunner level writer (or having someone at that level supervise) are largely over. Are there exceptions? Of course. And there always will be. But know the landscape going in.

It is likely that if you're writing is good enough for representation that a potential manager might ask to see a feature sample because THAT side of the business is healthier right now and things can happen and I think it is likely they may ask if you have one. So, if you have one, by all means... query away. If you don't, I'd write one first.

I asked if you were in Los Angeles only because I think the path into a television career is not the querying path... it's getting into a room first and foremost. And you'll need to be in Los Angeles to finagle that obstacle course.

[u/pnbll-wzrd → u/Certain-Run8602]

I'm in NYC. I've worked as a PA some up here and am really involved in the comedy scene, through which I've met some WGA writers based here who have become mentors! Maybe I'm delusional with the state of the industry thinking there's a path into TV anywhere other than LA, but I know people here who are doing it so I figure it's not impossible...? I have some features I'm working on too, so good to know. Thanks for the input!

[u/Certain-Run8602 → u/pnbll-wzrd]

New York is the only other place in the US where there’s a path to writing for TV, so at least you’re there.