The Black List, since its inception in 2005, has significantly influenced the film industry, resulting in 54 Academy Awards and 267 nominations. Serving as a key resource for emerging screenwriters within Hollywood, notable films such as The Social Network, Edge of Tomorrow, Selma, and Don’t Worry Darling originated from submissions on the Black List.
Founder Franklin Leonard created the Black List with the belief that talented writers and exceptional scripts existed beyond the confines of the Hollywood ecosystem. Leonard aimed to create a platform that would benefit all stakeholders by showcasing diverse creative works.
Following its success, the Black List expanded its reach by establishing an online platform in 2012. This expansion has been instrumental for agents, producers, and studios seeking new projects. Over its nearly two-decade existence, the platform has featured thousands of screenplays and television pilots and now garners credibility and engagement from approximately 7,000 entertainment professionals.
In September, Leonard ventured into the literary domain by including fiction manuscripts on the Black List. To guide this new initiative through the complexities of the publishing world, Leonard enlisted Randy Winston, formerly the director of writing programs at New York’s Center for Fiction, who is recognized as a significant influencer in the field.
The process for writers interested in this new offering involves creating a free profile and uploading novel-length manuscripts of any genre for a fee of $30 per month. Writers can also opt to pay $150 for expert feedback from literary professionals on the site. Similar to the original Black List model, the most outstanding manuscripts are highlighted in Leonard’s subscriber newsletter and sent directly to publishing industry leaders.
Questioned about this expansion by journalist Jason Parham, Leonard acknowledged the challenges ahead. He expressed some initial reluctance to enter the publishing arena, keen to avoid projecting a "Hollywood savior" image. To explore the feasibility of this new venture, Allie Sanders, a book agent at Anonymous Content, facilitated discussions for Leonard with relevant industry insiders. Through these interactions, Leonard learned that there was indeed a demand for such a platform, and work began on tailoring the Black List model to meet the needs of the publishing industry effectively.
Addressing the resistance to change often seen in institutions like Hollywood and publishing, Leonard pointed out the overwhelming volume of material produced each year. With more screenplays and novels written annually than individuals or small teams could physically review, the industry faces the challenge of managing an abundance of content.
