It’s that time of year again where we are super excited to announce our members’ submission window! We’re inviting our members to send in their scripts to be read in full by our team and get valuable feedback on their work. Selected writers will join a year long development programme which will culminate in their work being read by actors.
Those of you who submitted last year will know how overwhelmed we were with submissions so we’ve made some tweaks to the process to improve it all round, read on for more information…
What we are looking for: this year, we’re looking for completed plays of any length. We’d like to see work that you’ve polished as much as you possibly can! This will help to create a level playing field for submissions but also ensure those selected have done as much as they can with their play on their own and would now benefit from an outside perspective. It also means that our readers can focus their feedback (and avoid telling you things you already knew about what you need to do next with your script!). We recommend you check out the resources on the members’ site to help you polish those plays!
There is no page limit, just send us something you think is ‘complete’ – as in written in full from start to finish. We accept stage plays, screenplays, and audio scripts – however, please bear in mind that our specialism really is theatre. Musicals are accepted too!
There are no limits on style, subject, theme etc – we can’t wait to read your ideas!
Who can submit: anyone, in any location – as long as you’re a London Playwrights member and you’re over 18. If you’re not a member already, you’re welcome to sign up and it costs just £3.63 per month. Find out more here.
What happens next: each script will be read in full by a member of our reading team, they will then write up a one-page feedback report which will include their thoughts on the play and ideas of what to do next with it. Our reading team will put forward the scripts they recommend for shortlisting. From there, 5 writers will be selected for our development programme. An addition to this, 3 writers will be selected for our Play Club 2023, which is our online book club for plays.
How long will feedback take? One of the things we learned from last year’s window is that reading scripts in full and providing solid feedback takes time! Whilst most members were happy to wait for valuable feedback, we know it would have been better if we were able to manage expectations from the beginning. So, with this in mind, we’ll be getting back to everyone by 31 March 2023. We know that’s quite a long time but we think this better than rushing the reading process or setting unrealistic expectations about how fast we can go! We will however, send out feedback as we go along, but the shortlist won’t be announced until all writers have received their feedback
What do selected writers get? 5 writers will be chosen to join a year long development programme. This will include individual mentoring/ dramaturgy and group workshops. The programme will culminate in a reading with actors. The programme will take place online so no one is restricted by their location.
How to submit: please send your completed scripts to membersubmissions@londonplaywrights.org, along with this, please complete an Equal Opportunities Form.
Please also ensure you have an active London Playwrights membership before submitting, each submission will be checked and those who aren’t members will unfortunately not be able to continue with the process.
Due to limited resources, we can only accept one script per writer – send us the script you’re most excited about!
Full guidelines (please read carefully before submitting!):
- Open to over 18’s only.
- We can only accept one script per writer.
- We can only accept submissions from members. Join here!
- Stage, screen and audio plays are accepted (but bear in mind our specialism is theatre).
- There is no page limit as long you feel the script is complete from start to finish.
- Feedback will be provided to all writers.
- We are aiming to get back to everyone by 31st March 2023 with their feedback. Please be patient!
- Shortlisting will not be confirmed until all writers have received their feedback.
- 5 writers will be selected for our development programme. No travel is required, this will all take place online.
- 3 further writers will selected for Play Club 2023, our online book club.
If you have any questions, please email contact@londonplaywrights.org
Deadline: the window opens on 3rd July 2022 and closes on 3rd August 2022 at midnight.
Source: London Playwrights
I would like to enter the competition. Would it not be sensible to have a straight-forward entry form confined to essentials rather than what is displayed here. I am Ralph Maddern
I would like to enter the competition. Would it not be sensible to have a straight-forward entry form confined to essentials rather than what is displayed here. I am Ralph Maddern
This is my comment
Hi Ralph,
We would welcome your work! However, the process detailed here seemed to work for us last time. All we need is your script and an equal opportunities form. Please let us know if you have any questions.
Best wishes,
Kimberley