Being a Playwright: A Career Guide for Writers

The essential guide to a career in playwriting, from the team behind the multi-award-winning Papatango, one of the UK's leading new-writing companies.

Writing a good play is only the first step towards becoming a successful playwright; it is just as crucial to understand all the practical and business elements of building your career.

Being a Playwright transparently and honestly sets out everything you need to know, including clear and constructive advice on:
• Starting out, including training options and gaining practical experience
• Finding a playwriting model that works for you
• Getting your script noticed and connecting with industry decision-makers
• Developing a production-ready draft through redrafting and R&D
• Pursuing programming, commissioning and funding opportunities
• Approaching and working with agents and publishers
• Securing the best possible deal with producers
• Working with collaborators throughout the rehearsal process and previews
• Capitalising on a production, assessing its success and planning new projects

Drawing on Papatango's superlative track record of discovering and launching new writers – including BAFTA, OffWestEnd, Royal National Theatre Foundation and Alfred Fagon Award winners, many of whom have premiered worldwide as well as in the West End – and featuring tips from a host of industry insiders, this encouraging and accessible guide explores the opportunities and pitfalls of life as a playwright.

Whether you're an aspiring writer wondering how to break into the industry or a working playwright looking to move up to the next level, this is your road map for navigating the world of professional theatre.