Prototype Launch

Well, it's official. I'm the worst blogger in the world. Never was able to keep up with this sort of thing reliably. I'm going to have to try to form the habit again.

It's also official that we'll be launching the prototype of the website very very soon. Likely within the week.

I had promised to talk more about some of the features that will distinguish this site. We started with the premise that we wanted to bypass the current systems that are in place that restrict the likelihood of a play being found by producers. The giant piles of unsolicited plays sent by playwrights isn't very efficient for producers and it certainly is a shot in the dark for playwrights. So my hope is to end the concept of the unsolicited play and replace it with one of the most comprehensive search systems for plays. This will give the playwright the power to make their play as searchable as possible by multiple dimensions, and it will allow the producer to find plays that match their needs by those dimensions.

Next, we wanted to give producers the power to communicate directly to the playwright community what it is they need, be it for a festival, an annual season, or just a single play. We're including a Call for Submissions system that will give playwrights a chance to submit samples or full plays as called for by the producers and put their best foot forward for commission work.

Finally, we felt it was crucial for the playwrights and producers to have more control over the terms of having a play produced. The Playwright Site will not be taking any sort of cut of the royalties, nor will it be dictating how much a play must be produced at. If a playwright just wants to see their work on stage and doesn't care to make any money, they can set their royalties to zero. If they want to receive an upfront fee and forego per-show royalties, that option is available. If they want to charge $40, $50, $100 per show, it's in your hands.

These are some of the biggest distinguishing concepts that will be helping both playwrights and producers. We're going to be adding more options as we continue to develop the site, some that we've already discussed and some that will come from your comments no doubt. But in a few more days, the chance to take more control over your writing career or how you find your next new hit will be in your hands.