Ep 262 - Script Summit Winner Kim Hornsby on Breaking Into Hollywood

In this episode of The Successful Screenwriter, host Geoffrey D. Calhoun sits down with Kim Hornsby, the Script Summit winner for Best Hour Drama with her pilot Moody and the Ghost. Kim shares her journey from writing a novella to adapting it into a TV pilot, the impact of winning Script Summit, and how her script is now making waves in Hollywood. She also discusses her experiences writing for Lifetime, pitching projects, and the hustle required to build a career in screenwriting. If you want to learn how to leverage contests, create opportunities, and push your career forward, this episode is for you!

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• How Kim Hornsby transitioned her novella into a TV pilot
• The importance of screenwriting contests in gaining industry recognition
• Strategies for leveraging contest wins to open doors in Hollywood
• The process of pitching a project to NBCUniversal
• Insights into writing for Lifetime and the experience of seeing your work on the big screen
• How short films can help launch a feature screenwriting career
• The power of persistence and networking in the industry

Key Moments:

• [00:33] Welcome Kim Hornsby to the show
• [00:54] Moody and the Ghost – From novella to TV pilot
• [01:55] How winning Script Summit helped boost the project
• [06:39] The impact of Script Summit and the importance of industry credibility
• [09:02] Kim’s upcoming projects, including a $12 million feature
• [10:49] Advice for screenwriters looking to break into the industry
• [14:09] The hustle mentality – why loving the process matters

About the Guest:
Kim Hornsby is a USA Today bestselling author and award-winning screenwriter. With a strong background in both novel writing and screenwriting, her work has gained industry recognition, leading to projects with NBCUniversal and Lifetime. She actively engages with the writing community and shares insights on the screenwriting journey.

About the Host:
 Geoffrey D. Calhoun is a screenwriter with films on network television and streaming platforms, the founder of Script Summit, and the author of The Guide for Every Screenwriter. As the host of The Successful Screenwriter podcast, he shares insights and interviews industry professionals to help aspiring screenwriters achieve success.Resources Mentioned in the Episode:

• Moody and the Ghost (Kim Hornsby’s TV pilot)
• Braving Rapids (Kim’s feature film)
• Secret Life of My Other Wife (Kim’s Lifetime movie)
• Script Summit 2025 – Submit your script here

Connect with the Guest:

• Twitter: @KimHornsby

Connect with Geoffrey D. Calhoun:

• Website: The Successful Screenwriter
• Instagram: @screenwriterpod
• TikTok: @screenwriterpod
• Listen on Spreaker: The Successful Screenwriter Podcast

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review, share it with your fellow screenwriters, and subscribe for more expert insights. Got a script? Submit it to Script Summit 2025 for your chance to get industry exposure!

#Screenwriting #ScriptSummit #TheSuccessfulScreenwriter #MoodyAndTheGhost #ScreenwritingContest #FilmIndustry #TVPilot #LifetimeMovie #WritingTips #KimHornsby

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