A Gay Mexican Immigrant’s Journey from Novelist to Series Creator

WGAW member and Selena: The Series creator/co-showrunner Moisés Zamora shares his story about finding a community with Latinx and LGBTQ+ writers and why inclusion should be a priority in the industry.

Here are the facts. I didn’t break into the business on my own. As a gay Mexican immigrant, the odds were not in my favor.

My first literary achievement came early on in my twenties, when my Spanish-language coming-of-age novel won a literary prize in Mexico and Spain. But the world wasn’t ready for a Mexican-American Jean Genet—the lucrative publishing deals didn’t come through. So I got a translation and proofreading job at an advertising agency. When I reached the peak of my advertising career, I was the Don Draper of junk mail. Sure, I was making six figures, but I wasn’t a writer. So, I decided to change careers and pursue screenwriting. Read more >>

Ask a Mentor: Are We Done Yet?

Danielle Sanchez-Witzel explains how to know when a script is ready for the world.

It’s often said that writing is rewriting, but how do you know when you’ve done all you can and it’s time for the world to read your work? Danielle Sanchez-Witzel (Like a Boss, New Girl) details a process that will help newer writers know when their script has reached its maximum potential.

Send your questions about the craft, job hunting, your career, or Guild service to Connect (under 100 words, please) with the subject “Mentor,” and we’ll send them to an established screen or TV writer to answer. Questions might be edited for space or clarity and will be published anonymously. Read more >>

The Road to November

Congresswoman Karen Bass discusses police reform and political activism with showrunner Janine Sherman Barrois at WGAW PAC upcoming event.

The WGAW Political Action Committee invites you to a free virtual event on Thursday, July 23 at 6 p.m., featuring Congresswoman Karen Bass (CA-37) and showrunner Janine Sherman Barrois. They will sit down for a one-on-one conversation, with Q&A to follow, in what will be a dynamic and energizing dialogue on how writers can engage as voters in the 2020 election. Read more >>