Writing a TV Movie: An Insider's Guide to Launching a Screenwriting Career: An Insider's Guide to Launching a Screenwriting Career (Paperback or Softback)

Award-winning screenwriter and author Roslyn Muir offers clear and simple advice for beginners and experts alike on how to master the popular TV movie genre with a focus on the thriller and rom-com. Writing a TV Movie is an exceptional resource for screenwriters, instructors, and industry professionals.

Learn the unique 9-act structure of the TV movie used by Hallmark, Lifetime, Netflix, and others. Understand how to write the script, get it to producers, and start your screenwriting career.

Bonus content includes interviews and writing tips from produced TV movie screenwriters: Melissa Cassera, Carley Smale, Kraig Wenman, Keith Shaw, Kelly Peters, and Amy Taylor.
As an industry insider, I highly recommend this book. It is an up-to-date, comprehensive manual for writing one of the most popular genres today. Any emerging screenwriter is lucky to have the benefit of Muir's experience and advice.
-Daria Ellerman, Editor (Virgin River)
A must-read for anyone looking to write their first MOW. Easy-to-read chapters makes absorbing the material easy. Muir covers everything from writing a synopsis to breaking down the full script and how to pitch it. Top screenwriters share their best tips for breaking in - that alone is a reason to buy this book.
-Heather Hawthorn Doyle, Director (A Godwink Christmas)
An essential and immensely readable guide for any writer – novice or experienced – wanting to break into the TV Movie industry. Sharon McGowan, Producer/Associate Professor, UBC School of Creative Writing
If you want to break into writing TV movies, this book is a MUST read. Muir gives you a clear, manageable format for writing your movie and walks you through every step to getting your script on the screen. It has not only helped me as a writer but also as an actor by helping me understand why the scene is in the movie. Highly recommend this book! Tammy Gillis, Actress/Executive Producer (Riverfront Romance and Siren)
An invaluable analysis of TV movie structure.
-Peggy Thompson, Screenwriter/Co-Producer (Better Than Chocolate, The Lotus Eaters)
A must-read primer. A terrific guide to writing for television movies in North America, with solid, practical advice for beginners.
-Alexandra Raffé, Producer (Kim's Convenience, Strays)
Muir breaks down the structure of the genre in a way that is both practical and entertaining. As a television and feature film screenwriter who has worked in a number of structures, I found this guide so helpful. Highly recommended for both novices and professionals alike.
-Karen Lam, Screenwriter/Director (Van Helsing)
A seasoned screenwriter, Muir offers up her expertise and real-world experience making this a must-have book for writers of all levels. This informative and entertaining book is an excellent resource for new screenwriters wanting to break into the film and TV industry. Highly recommend!
-Avi Federgreen, President/Producer Federgreen Entertainment Inc.
An invaluable resource for any aspiring screenwriter looking to break into the industry or strengthen their craft and advance their career. Muir provides a clear, concise blueprint on how to master the highly structured TV movie format, from which creativity is free to blossom but also provides engaging, realistic tips and insights on how to get your work out there, so that your career can blossom too!
-Rachelle Chartrand, Producer (Chained, Downloaded)
Having worked with Roslyn to create Stranger in the House, indeed, a television movie, I can attest to the fact that she's extremely knowledgeable on the subject. If you'd like to learn the 'ins and outs' of how to put a contemporary television movie screenplay together, this book should be of enormous benefit to you.
-Allan Harmon, Director of over 20 Television Movies

Roslyn Muir is an author and screenwriter. Born in Scotland, she grew up in Canada and often uses the similar landscapes of both countries in her stories. Roslyn was a writer on the Global/CBS one-hour drama, Ransom, created by Frank Spotnitz (Man in the High Castle). She has also written several TV movies that have aired on TV around the world: Washed Away, Stranger in the House, and Reluctant Witness to name a few. Roslyn also wrote and co-produced the dramatic feature film, The Birdwatcher. She also teaches writing at film schools and universities.