Did I mention this? Well I should have! My YA script, Followers was shortlisted for BAFTA Rocliffe’s Young Adult/Children’s writing award last year.
Followers is about three also-ran YouTubers who get caught up in the mysterious disappearance of a famous vlogging star. Inspired by true events in the YouTube community (including my past life as a digital journalist and vlogger), Followers finds a dark heart within the weird and wonderful world of web celebs.
It’s the second time I’ve made the shortlist. The previous time was with a family comedy drama I wrote with Alex Milway. At the time, getting that boost from Rocliffe was amazing – it certainly set us on the path towards getting an agent and getting paid as scriptwriters.
So if you’re thinking about doing it, get cracking! It’s really worth it. Even if you don’t get anywhere, you’ll get great feedback. Before we entered our children’s script, I entered my sitcom “Mum-Life Crisis,” which didn’t get anywhere. But the feedback Rocliffe gave me helped me to redraft it, and that’s the script that got shortlisted for the Funny Women Award. So it’s a competition that’s worth its weight in gold!
Plus, if you go to the Showcase live event, you get to take selfies with writing legends like Sarah Phelps. Look how bloody chuffed I am in this photo!!
For more information on Followers (or anything else) you can get in touch with Clare Israel at David Higham Associates
*Well, actually, the last time we were “forum listed”, which was one step up from shortlisted, but doesn’t seem to exist any more.