How to Break into Screenwriting When You're Over 50

Climbing the Hollywood ladder can feel like a young person's game--and in many ways it is. But it's not impossible to sell a script when you're of a certain age.

Welcome to my Weekly Email Newsletter! Every week, I do a deep dive into an aspect of the craft and business of screenwriting from a (former) literary manager’s perspective.

Today’s post is for subscribers only. If you’re new here, I recommend checking out the free posts at this link to sample what this newsletter has to offer.

Otherwise, keep reading for my insights on breaking into Hollywood when you’re older.

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Ageism in Hollywood is real.

The business of Film & Television is problematic in many of its hiring practices, and this one is no exception. It would be dishonest to try and claim that any part of screenwriting is a meritocracy, and I don’t want to lie to people.

But like any obstacle, ageism can be overcome.

When I was a literary manager, I gave a lot of advice to people I referred to as “younger writers.”

Many prefer the term “emerging” writers when speaking about screenwriters with no experience. For good reason. It’s a better one. When people like me say “younger writers,” we really just mean “writers who are just starting out, with little to no experience.”

And a lot of advice is applicable to writers who are new to the industry, no matter what age they are.

But there is one big difference: