Launch Pad Prose Competition
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About
The Launch Pad Prose Competition has led to twelve books published, projects set up at AppleTV, Showtime, and with producers and companies that include Scott Free Productions, Michael De Luca productions, Platform One Media, and Laura Dern's Jaywalker Pictures.
Manuscript not completed, no problem. Whether you have a ten page short story or a 1,000 page fantasy epic, we want to read it! There’s no need to have a finished manuscript. As long as you have sample pages accompanied by a thorough synopsis, you are welcome to enter! Our readers and judges will review up to 50 pages of every submission, as well as a synopsis for book submissions.
We advocate for all of our Top 100 finalists, working with each of them to develop compelling bios and loglines, and sharing their work with targeted industry professionals. Our prestigious industry juries include managers, agents, producers and executives across top companies in film, television and publishing.
Our track record speaks for itself. Enter now to join this tradition of Launch Pad success.
Benefits
JUDGES
Top projects are considered by our incredible jury who know and love manuscripts.
AMANDA MARSHALL
Independent Producer
Amanda Marshall is producer who develops and produces independent films with up-and-coming filmmakers. Notable recent credits include Mike Birbiglia’s DON’T THINK TWICE; A24’s SWISS ARMY MAN, starring Paul Dano and Daniel Radcliffe, for which she was nominated for a Spirit Award for Best First Feature; UNTITLED AMAZING JONATHAN DOCUMENTARY which premiered at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival and was acquired by Hulu. She also executive produced the Spirit Award-winning THE DIARY OF A TEENAGE GIRL. Most recently she produced the Film Independent lab project THE TIME CASPULE and GOD’S COUNTRY, starring Thandiwe Newton, which premiered at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival, where Marshall was the recipient of the Amazon/Sundance Institute Producers Award. She is currently in post on the independent television show UNCONVENTIONAL created by Kit Williamson, as well as an Executive Producer on the documentary SPLIT BY THE ROOT which premiered at SXSW. Marshall was previously President of production at Cold Iron Pictures and has been a mentor for the Sundance Institute and Film Independent. She is a member of the PGA and The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and an At-Large member on the Executive Committee for the Producers Union.
AUDREY KNOX
Literary Manager - Cartel
Audrey Knox is a literary manager at Cartel, with clients in film and television, among whom are writers staffed on SINGLE DRUNK FEMALE, GINNY & GEORGIA, and P-VALLEY; who have written episodes of CREEPSHOW, THE GOLDBERGS, and BATWOMAN; and are writing for G-Unit, Netflix, Nickelodeon, and Apple TV+. She is Associate Producer of the Tubi feature film CRUSHED, written by her client Heidi Lux. Her client Alanna Francis' feature ALICE, DARLING recently premiered at TIFF to rave reviews. Audrey worked her way up from Receptionist in 2016 to Manager in 2018. She has experience in both scripted and unscripted television, on set, in production, and in writers’ rooms and a BFA in Screenwriting from Chapman University.
CLAIRE JENNINGS
Manager - Fourth Wall Managment
Claire Jennings is a manager and development executive focused on nurturing new voices in comedy. Fourth Wall Management is an entertainment management company that represents actors, writers, directors, and filmmakers across all media. Fourth Wall Management was founded in 2016 by former UTA agent Jon Huddle.
EMILY HARDY
VP of Creative Affairs - Fineman Entertainment
Emily Hardy is VP of Creative Affairs at Fineman Entertainment under EP Ross Fineman, supporting all development and production. Current TV series include BIG SKY (ABC), THE LINCOLN LAWYER (Netflix) and AVALON (ABC) coming soon from David E. Kelley. Emily got her start as an actor and producer before transitioning to development -- she's worn so many hats in Hollywood, she's become a Swiss army knife for storytelling.
EMILY MACDONALD
Agent - 42 Management and Productions
Emily MacDonald joined the Books department of 42 Management and Productions in 2019, working with Eugenie Furniss across her clients. She is also building her own list, looking to spotlight regional voices both at home in the UK and internationally. Before joining the publishing industry, she spent 7 years working at Markham, Froggatt & Irwin in the talent department.
GEORGIE MULLOCK
Development Asst. - Maven Screen Media
Georgie is based in London as development assistant supporting Celine Rattray at Maven Screen Media. She loves reading and watching fantasy/ other worldly dramas with darker tones and complex characters. Comedy is also a great love of hers and she is always on the hunt for fresh and hilarious voices.
HARRISON ALLEN
Head of Development - Intrinsic Value Films
Harrison Allen oversees both film and television content for Intrinsic Value Films. Intrinsic Value has produced nearly 40 films, garnering ten selections at the Sundance Film Festival, a Sundance Special Grand Jury prize, two Sloan Sundance awards, six Gotham award nominations, and six Independent Spirit award nominations. Allen served as the lead producer on two debut feature films: Verde (2020), a Dominican arthouse drama directed by Alfonso Morgan-Terrero, premiered at the Pan African Film Festival and was an official selection at the Festival des Trois Continents. The Last Thing Mary Saw (2021), an elevated horror film directed by Edoardo Vitaletti starring Stefanie Scott, Isabelle Fuhrman, Judith Roberts, and Rory Culkin premiered at the Fantasia Festival after being acquired by Shudder for an early 2022 release.
JOANNA MACKENZIE
Agent - Nelson Literary Agency
Joanna MacKenzie is an agent with Nelson Literary Agency where she represents authors writing for both the adult and children’s markets across all areas of fiction. She is drawn to vivid, engaging writing and is particularly interested in high concept thrillers (with a soft spot for speculative and anything that challenges tropes) , voicey mysteries, dark academia, stories that straddle genres, and women’s fiction where the personal intersects with the world at large - if any of these are set in the Midwest, all the better. Across the board, she’s looking for works that highlight under-represented voices. Her authors are New York Times bestsellers, Edgar and Anthony Award nominees, and critically acclaimed storytellers.
MELISSA AZIZI
Producer - Sparkwood Films
For a decade, Melissa Azizi worked closely with Gail Mutrux to help produce NEWS OF THE WORLD (starring Tom Hanks), the Academy-Award winning THE DANISH GIRL, the Golden-Globe winning SHOW ME A HERO (for HBO) and iBOY (UK’s first Netflix Original). She has a knack for finding great IP, having sourced the Mick Herron SLOW HORSES crime book-series for the company which currently airs on Apple TV+ and stars Gary Oldman, as well as sourced LIFE IN A FISHBOWL by Len Vlahos for Amazon. Melissa is a Sundance Producers Lab finalist and in 2019, Melissa co-founded Australia’s first screenwriting fellowship, IN DREAMS – designed to connect two unrepresented Australian screenwriters with Hollywood industry. Before this, Melissa produced short films in Australia that have screened in over 100 film festivals worldwide.
MICHAEL CARR
Agent - Veritas Literary Agency
Michael Carr is a literary agent with a background in editing and writing, working from a home base in San Francisco. He represents writers in a variety of genres, with a special emphasis on historical fiction, women’s fiction, mystery and suspense, and science fiction and fantasy. Michael works carefully with clients to produce the cleanest, most professional manuscripts and enjoys teaching at workshops and conferences to help develop emerging writers. He speaks Spanish, Portuguese, French, and Italian, and before joining Veritas had professions as diverse as programming simulators for nuclear submarines and owning an inn in Vermont.
RUHAMAH WEIL
Development Asst. - Maven Screen Media
Ruhamah Weil develops film and TV at the production company, Maven Screen Media. She loves meticulously plotted stories that center complex female characters. She is a graduate of Middlebury College where she studied political science and film. Prior to joining Maven she gained experience in the publishing world, working with literary scouting companies, interning at a literary magazine, and researching under narrative journalists. Ruhamah spent her childhood in Switzerland.
STEVEN ADAMS
Manager/Producer - Alta Global Media
Award winning Manager/Producer Steven Adams is a Founding Partner at Alta Global Media where he represents international media companies and talent. Adams is a producer on the Netflix Original adaptation of Roger Guenveur Smith’s solo performance piece RODNEY KING and the Peabody Award winning A HUEY P NEWTON STORY for Starz, both directed by Academy Award winner Spike Lee. Adams recently collaborated on the marketing of 2 seasons Spike Lee’s hit series Netflix SHE’S GOTTA HAVE IT, and the Academy Award winning BLACKKKLANSMAN.
STEVEN SALPETER
President of Literary/IP Development - Assemble Media
Steven Salpeter is the President of Literary/IP Development at Assemble Media. As a production and IP creation company, Assemble Media is currently in development on projects with studios and producing partners including MGM, Netflix, Universal, Sony, Bad Robot, John Davis, Berlanti, Lionsgate TV, HBO, Escape Artists, and Apatow Productions, among others.
TESSA SHAFFER
Literary Manager - Corvisiero Literary Agency
Tessa Shaffer is a Literary Manager for screenwriters at Corvisiero Literary Agency and she also represents a small, select, number of authors in genres from Middle Grade to Non-fiction. She's on the lookout for writers who excel at both novels and scripts, and has a passion for book-to-screen adaptations.
TYLER VENDETTI
Manger of Development - ITV Studios America
Tyler is a Manager of Development at ITV Studios America, ITV Studios’ LA-based independent scripted television operation. Previously, she served as a WPA on a number of productions including SWAMP THING for DC Universe and DEAD TO ME for Netflix. She holds a B.A. in English and Film & New Media from Wheaton College (Massachusetts) and is an alum of the NBCUniversal Page Program.
2 Grand Prize Winners | (Best Book & Best Short Story)
Each of the competition winners will be invited to an exclusive yearly virtual event where they will get the chance to meet with and pitch industry professionals from management companies, agencies and production companies in a 1:1 setting. Past participants included MGM, Scott Free, Verve, Bellevue, Lit Entertainment, WME, and more.
They will also receive all of the benefits listed below.
Top 10
Everything the Top 50 receive, plus…
- - Showcased individually with a curated list of agents, managers, executives, and producers to fit your unique writing brand and overall career goals.
- - Your work will be read, reviewed and voted on by each of our esteemed Judges.
- - One free entry to any future Launch Pad Competition of your choosing.
Top 50
Everything the Top 100 receive, plus…
- One year free membership to the Tracking Board.
Top 100
- Your project and writer profile will be shared and marketed to our extensive industry networks.
Guaranteed Signing Prize | 1-2 Winners Selected- A minimum of 1 writer will be selected for representation by our exclusive singing partner.- To qualify for this prize, entrants must have selected the “Guaranteed Signing” add-on or make it to the Top 10 of the competition to be considered for this prize opportunity.Guaranteed Development Prize | 1 Winner Selected- A Minimum of 1 project will be selected by our Development Prize partner. Our partner will select one project from the competition to provide development guidance with the writer(s).- To qualify for this prize, entrants must have selected the “Guaranteed Development” add-on or make it to the Top 10 of the competition to be considered for this prize opportunity.
Mentorship Program Selections | 3 Winners Selected
- A Minimum of one writer will be selected by each of our industry mentors to enter our Launch Pad Prose Mentorship Program. Our mentors include Sarah Alderson, Todd Samovitz, and Don Handfield.
- To qualify for this prize, entrants must have selected the “Mentorship Program” add-on or make it to the Top 10 of the competition to be considered for this prize opportunity.
For all add-on prizes, regardless of whether the project entered makes any finalist round, your project will still be in contention for that prize until the competition ends.
Announcements
Rules
At the program's request, Coverfly will automatically remove your title page for you if you include one when submitting to this program.
- All entries MUST BE submitted in English as a PDF document with standard margin sizing.
- Initial reading will be limited to the fifty (twenty five if single spaced) page sample of each submission and a synopsis of up to 1,000 words. Submissions must be consecutive pages of your project.
- Full book manuscript submissions are not required, but are welcomed and may be considered in later rounds.
- Short stories should be submitted individually and not as part of a collection. If a collection is submitted, only the first story will be considered.
- Submissions with multiple writers are allowed. However, all entry fees must be paid under one account and all prizes will be shared among writing partners.
- All submissions must be the sole property of the writer(s). Any submissions of existing literary figures and or stories not in the public domain, as well as any intellectual property that the writer does not own, will be disqualified.
- All entries will be read blind, with no identifying information shared with readers. The writer name(s) and any other contact information should only appear on the title page and nowhere else in the submission.
- Work with a prior option is allowed, but at the time of submission and for the duration of the contest, the work must remain exclusively the writer’s property.
- Work that has been previously published is eligible so long as the writer retains further publication and adaptation rights.
- The only projects not allowed to be entered are those which have already sold, have previously earned our “LP Recommends” honors, or received a top 50 placement in a previous Launch Pad competition.
- Launch Pad uses Coverfly to manage our submissions and reads. Updated drafts accepted through the Coverfly website only.
- Launch Pad and all judges/readers will utilize whatever criteria they deem appropriate in deciding a winner.
- All submissions will remain the property of the writer(s) throughout the contest (at no point will anyone from the judging panel or Launch Pad ever attach themselves to your work without your consent).
- Entrants may be contacted as a result of the contest by Launch Pad, the judging panel or other industry professionals in regards to representation, production, sale and/or option of the entered work.
- Entrants are under no obligation to sell their work or otherwise attach themselves to representation in any form – this includes the guaranteed option and guaranteed signing add-ons.
- General prose entries will not receive feedback, however, you can opt to upgrade and receive feedback on your submission. Reminder: feedback will only be provided on the first 50 pages and synopsis of your project.
- The contest is open to entrants 18 or older. It is an international contest and open to entrants worldwide.
- Launch Pad reserves the right, at our sole discretion, to change or modify these terms at any time without notice.
- By entering this competition, you agree to receive periodic emails from Launch Pad and The Tracking Board. You may unsubscribe to these at any time.
- All entrants understand and agree to allow Launch Pad to post details on their project (title, writer name(s), logline, genre and competition details) as well as the writer (biography, picture) to their site, or sister site, to help promote the entrants’ work.
- By entering the competition, entrants are acknowledging their eligibility for the competition. The vast majority of entrants enter in good faith, and validating everyone at the entry stage would be inefficient and take away from efforts reading and finding the best projects. Therefore, we check eligibility at the Top 100 Finalist stage, which allows us to confirm eligibility prior to winner selection. If an issue comes to our attention earlier, we will address eligibility issues in earlier rounds on a case-by-case basis.
- All purchases and submissions are final. No refunds will be issued.
- VOID WHERE PROHIBITED.
- Except where prohibited by law, participation in the contest constitutes each entrant’s consent to Launch Pad and its agents’ and contest sponsor’s use of entrants’ names, likenesses, photographs, and/or personal information for promotional purposes in any media, worldwide, without further payment or consideration. All uses of an entrants’ information are in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
- You agree to release and hold harmless Launch Pad, its subsidiary, parent and affiliated companies, prize contributors, judges, readers, sponsors and any other organizations responsible for administering, advertising or promoting the competition, and every one of their respective members, directors, employees, agents and representatives (collectively, the “Released Parties”) past and present from and against any and all claims, expenses and liability, including but not limited to damages and negligence to property and persons, including but not limited to invasion of privacy, defamation, slander, libel, violation of right of publicity, copyright, infringement of trademark or other intellectual property rights relating to a participant’s entry, participation in the competition and/or acceptance or use or misuse of prize; provided however, that such release will not apply to any commercial exploitation of the script by a Released Party in violation of your rights under applicable copyright law; and (c) indemnify, defend and hold harmless Launch Pad and its sponsors, agents and employees from and against any and all claims, expenses and liabilities (including reasonable attorneys fees) relating to an entrant’s participation in the competition and/or entrant’s use or misuse of Prize.