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Howdy! Today we're chatting with Success Story #460 Steve Sloot. Steve signed with Triden Media Group through our Roadmap Authors program!
This interview was submitted on 4/11/25
Firstly, tell us about yourself! Who are you as a writer & who did you end up signing with?
I started writing stories when I was a kid, probably like most of us. I actually won a story competition at age 7 and they made it into a cartoon! I was hooked. It felt incredible to think of something that came from my head was now on television. Fast forward a number of years (quite a number of years) and I've gone on to win Austin Film Festival Screenplay Competition for my comedy feature, have had a television series I created get a full season order (and even a Daytime Emmy nomination), so many meetings and collaborators over the years with such talented people. All of this without representation!
While the writer's strike was happening, I pivoted. I completed my first novel this year. After a few conversations with Joey, he connected me with a high-powered literary agent at Trident Media Group in New York. Mark Gottlieb loved my book and signed me. Now we're out to some of the best editors and publishers in the world. All as a direct result of the introduction through Roadmap. I couldn't be happier to have someone in my corner now.
How did you meet your now rep? What was that first interaction like and how did it lead to your professional relationship now?
Joey connected me with Mark Gottlieb through the Roadmap Authors program shortly after I signed up. I was on a motorcycle trip in Vietnam with my girlfriend at the time, dodging a cold winter. Mark and I spoke about the world of publishing, the different realities authors face compared to screenwriters, and life in general. We got along immediately. He had the expertise I needed, and I had a wonderful story to tell. He requested my manuscript and the rest is history.
From the moment you started training and/or working with Roadmap Writers, how long has it been before you secured your current representation?
Less than two months.
How did (if at all) Roadmap Writers assist in getting you to this point? Do you think you could've made this step in your screenwriting career without Roadmap?
I had been querying agents all over. I don't think I would have gotten this connection had it not been for Roadmap.
What types of stories do you write? What's your "writer brand" and how do you think that helped you attract a good match for representation?
My brand is character-driven, grounded high-concept comedic stories.
I specialize in taking accessible, often four-quadrant concepts and building them on a speculative or thriller chassis. My novel, Art Is for Quitters, is essentially a workplace comedy set within a mythological world. Department of Romantic Affairs, the novel I'm currently writing, is a romantic comedy with a spy-thriller engine. The goal is always to deliver a unique, hooky premise that's grounded by a clear emotional throughline.
I believe that focus on generating original, high-concept IP is what attracts serious representation. In today's market, there's a huge appetite for fresh, world-building stories with franchise potential. My portfolio demonstrated a clear voice and a repeatable model for creating projects that are easy to pitch, but are also 'execution-dependent' — which puts the value squarely on the writing. It gives an agent confidence that they're not just signing a single property, but a writer who can consistently generate valuable IP for both the publishing and film/TV marketplaces.
Has your mindset about what you're writing changed now that you've added representation to your team? What's the biggest lesson you've learned or had to adapt to since you've been working with your rep?
Absolutely. I have an expert to answer business questions in a creative world. What sells? Why? How can I tell the story I want and ensure it reaches an audience rather than sitting on a hard drive? I believe in myself more knowing someone else believes in me.
I've learned that it's my job to bring the ammo, it's his job to do the shooting. Every new piece of excellent material I bring is more shots we can take.
What do you hope your next steps are? What are your immediate goals now that you've landed representation?
While I wait for the publishers to buy my debut novel, I'm busy working on the second. I have two feature films in pre-production and am always, always working on more pitches and developing or refining my stories.
In 10 years, what do you want your screenwriting career to look like?
I want a number of my features to be completed, books on the shelf, and a series coming out. I want to be working consistently and with excellent, good people. No more bottom feeders!
Are you ready to take the next step in your career?
We get it. Getting signed, or whatever your next step may be, can be hard. That’s why we’re here. Our programs are designed to help you find success, whatever that means to you. Here are some great ways to get started:
THE CAREER WRITER PROGRAM
This is the most extensive program we offer. The Career Writer Program doesn’t just get you and your material in front of industry executives. We make sure you’re ready for that moment, which is why most of our success stories come from writers who complete the Career Writer Program.
ACCESS PROGRAMS
Our Access Programs, 10-Minute Reads and Open Pitch Sessions, are named as such because that’s exactly what they are—accessible. These programs are one of the easiest ways we offer for you to get your material in front of industry executives. Plus you’ll get valuable feedback on what’s working, and what could be improved.
CONSULTATIONS
If you want to work one-on-one with industry executives, consultations might just be the program for you. We offer a wide variety of consultation types, so you can have a meeting for whatever you want to focus on. This program is a great way to dive in and get personalized notes from industry professionals.
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