Just got off phone w Apple. They asked if there was any reason they need to expedite the process of my app in the queue. I literally mentioned you people, waiting for it. And they actually said, okay, well in that case, we will expedite and get it out asap. So you people doing work even without know it! Hopefully we'll have the app out soon for testing and hearing your work. Meanwhile, I think that's the first time I've ever type the word "queue." How can that possibly be the correct spelling?! I call shenanigans!

Tubi Will Produce Your Horror Script. Submissions Open Now. Tubi and The Black List just launched a new initiative where the selected script doesn't just get optioned — it gets made. Tubi produces and distributes it. Any writer worldwide can submit a horror feature through June 30. Tubi is also offering 100 fee waivers covering one evaluation and one month of hosting. If horror is your genre, this is a direct path to a produced credit. Stop sleeping on it. Deadline Black List + WIF Episodic Lab Just Named Its 2026 Class Six writers were selected for the 10th annual Black List x Women in Film Episodic Lab — advisors include Julie Plec and Krista Vernoff. This isn't a contest where you win a plaque. It's an intensive where working showrunners learn your name. For writers of underrepresented genders looking at TV, this is the program to target for next year. Deadline Black List Writers Lab + Projects Lab: Submissions Open Both labs are accepting screenplays now — deadline is June 2, 2026. The Writers Lab is for feature writers. The Projects Lab is for writer-directors who want to own their material. These programs carry real industry weight. June feels far away. It isn't. The Black List Programs AFF Early Bird Closes March 27 — Nine Days Austin Film Festival is one of the few competitions where placing actually opens doors. Producers and managers attend. The writers conference is where relationships get made. Feature early bird is $60. If your script is ready, enter it this week. Austin Film Festival Sundance Named 11 Lab Fellows From 3,800 Submissions The 2026 Screenwriters Lab fellows were selected from over 3,800 submissions and worked with advisors including Barry Jenkins, Lulu Wang, and Michael Arndt. The Screenwriters Intensive — a separate online track for first-feature writers — ran earlier this month with 13 more writers. Worth knowing: Sundance's 2027 Development Track applications will open later this year. It's not too early to start prepping the project. Variety

The Beta version of the app I built for your guys is in the App Store waiting for approval Now it's time for you to do your part. And do it quickly. I had to limit to 50 people to keep expenses from skyrocketing. ScriptReader — yes, the one that performs your screenplay back to you with distinct AI voices for every character — is almost in your hands. I made the announcement the other day. But I couldn't stop at that. You know I'm extra. So there's more. Much more. And you'll see it the moment you open it. Here's you need to do right now: Download TestFlight. It's Apple's official beta testing app. Free. Takes 30 seconds. Tap this link and download it: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/testflight/id899247664 That's it. That's your only job until I drop the link once the app is approved. When Apple approves the build, I'm sending one announcement with the link. First 50 people to tap it get in. After that, it's closed. No waitlist. No "can you add me?" — the app just stops accepting testers at 50. So if you want a seat, get TestFlight on your phone right now and watch this space. It's coming. Any minute. Drop something exciting below once you've downloaded TestFlight so we know who's in!

I've been thinking a lot about how to make The Writer's Forge more valuable for everyone here. Not just "more content." Actually valuable. Indispensable even. The kind of thing that radically transforms your own writing and what's possible. I'm making a change on Monday that's going to shift how this community works. If you're a Premium member, you're going to love this. If you're not... well, you def are going to have to give it a good hard look after this. More Monday. Forge on, David

Coaching Sesh - Friday 12 Pacific Time Thanks to everyone who's been showing up and dramatically up-levelling their writing game. I'm not even sure up-levelling is a word. But I'm declaring it one because that's what's going on in these sessions! What word would you have it be? Throw one out below and drop your pages. Let's keep the momentum going, people! And if you're a Standard Member and have yet to be part of one of these special Premier sessions, DM me and I'll get you in so you can see what the excitement is about! Thx! David