I am a writer, but also am a producer. Being a producer means many things, and while most of them are constantly working in an attempt to get a film greenlit, as an independent filmmaker, I must also make some sort of name for myself as a writer and as a producer.
As a producer, I'm listed on IMDB and for a few bucks a month, you can sign up for their subscription service and get all my work details (office address, phone number, and email address). While this is great since with a name like Christopher Smith, it's that much harder to actually make a name for myself, it does make me that much easier to find by everyone.
Every aspiring and struggling writer, like I said, for a few bucks, can get my contact info. For the most part, I don't mind. I was, and in many aspects of the word, still am a struggling writer. I write and then I must get my words out there in the eyes of other readers. For other writers, under my producer's hat, I am those eyes you are attempting to have read your material.
I read all my emails and will admit, occasionally I receive a logline or synopsis that sounds fantastic and I want to read it. In which case, I do make myself available, even if you never hear from me. Other times what a writer sends just isn't my area of interest or is it something I don't think I can do anything with, for at least in that moment. But then there's the rest of the emails I receive.
Here is my bit of advice, something that was pounded into my head from every writing mentor I had. If you are going to write a script, book, or whatever and you pour months and perhaps even years of your life into that material, do not, I repeat, do not write your cover letter in haste. I get so many letters from writers that do not even proof their cover letter, that I am embarrassed for them. A summary or logline is supposed to tell me in as little words as possible why I should not just want but need to read your script. However, the loglines I receive, are so poorly written, on too many occasions, I cannot understand what your story is about. If that's the case, and even if your screenplay is brilliant, you have failed as a writer.
I strongly believe that any story, no matter how outlandish, no matter how crazy, can be a great story, it just needs to be written well. If you cannot piece together a couple paragraphs, then, to me (and to most other producers) your idea will be tossed and your email will be deleted.
