Finalist, The Dark Roads Horror & Thriller Feature Competition (2026)
BIO
Todd Rulapaugh is a screenwriter based in Athens, where he lives with his 11-year-old daughter, whose primary concerns in life are skincare routines and puppies.
Before settling in Athens, Todd spent several years in Los Angeles writing, acting, and performing stand-up comedy at iconic clubs including The Comedy Store, The Improv, and The Ice House. His background in comedy and performance shaped his voice as a writer.
Todd writes stories inspired by his rural upbringing in northern Michigan, stories centered around grief, obsession, revenge, and the darkness people carry beneath the surface.
He wrote WHAT THE LAND TAKES as an exploration of greed, buried resentment, and what men are capable of when temptation and truth collide.
Todd has trained for the last several years with Roadmap Writers and spends most days writing, caring for his daughter, picking up dog shit, and shopping at Sephora.