All links below are SARAH BEACH approved – organizations I belong to or have had contact with, people who are friends and whose work deserves attention. I hope my visitors will check them all out!
ACT ONE
A Christian program for training screenwriters & entertainment executives.
ACTORS CO-OP
An award-winning Equity acting company, composed of Christians committed to excellence. Over 20 years of excellent productions with a regular season of shows.
COMIC ART PROFESSIONAL SOCIETY (also known as CAPS)
A professional club for those engaged in the arts of cartooning and comic book creation. For more immediately up-to-date information, you can also find them on Facebook
THE GREATER LOS ANGELES WRITERS SOCIETY (also known as GLAWS)
“Writers mentoring writers of all disciplines.” A very active and supportive organization for writers of all sorts, with monthly general informational meetings and smaller critique groups arranged by genre focus.
HOLLYWOOD CONNECT
A central “clearing house” of information for Christians in Hollywood, with information about various fellowship groups and special programs.
HOLLYWOOD PRAYER NETWORK
“Hollywood Prayer Network (HPN) is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization seeking to build a bridge between the Church and Hollywood through prayer. We are committed to mobilizing Christians around the world to pray for the people, the projects and the issues in the entertainment industry.” Members pray for folks in the industry, famous or below the line, they offer committed prayer partners for people working in the industry, and they pray for major Industry events.
JEOPARDY!
A great place to work. And a fun show to watch. (I worked on the staff for 18 years, so I might be a bit biased about it.)
LANCER CREATIVE SERVICES
A graphic design service provided by a team that pays attention to what you want. This team puts a lot of thought into what your target audience will respond to and then labors to deliver something that will attract that audience attention. I’ve used their services for the design of a book cover, but they’ll tackle almost any design need you bring to them.
MICHAEL WIESE PRODUCTIONS
Publisher of the best books about working in the entertainment industry. They started with titles about craft aspects of film and television but have been adding additional work arenas as they take root and grow.
THE MYTHOPOEIC SOCIETY
A literary society devoted to the Inklings and other fantasy & mythic writers and scholarship. The like-minded members can attend the annual conference (Mythcon) or the newly instituted (in 2022) mid-winter seminar online. There is a quarterly newsletter with quick reviews and various news items; a biannual journal Mythlore, that publishes scholarship on the Inklings and other fantasy authors; and an annual magazine of works from members, The Mythic Circle. There are several branches that hold monthly meetings to discuss books and socialize. Great company and great discussions.
NIMBUS MARKETING GROUP
I wrote SEO (Search Engine Optimization) content for founder Robert Portillo (who I met when he was in the computer repair business) for several years when he was starting out helping small companies and individuals maximize their online business presence. So, I’ve seen first-hand what he and his team can achieve in raising one’s internet presence. Robert stays on top of every change that happens behind the scenes in how search engines work and process what is on a website. Great folks who pay attention to what you want to achieve!
SAVE THE CAT!
The brainchild of Blake Snyder, screenwriter and teacher, whose engaging presentations caught on all over the place when his book was first published. Some people shrug off what he offers, but he has also inspired many other screenwriters. What he has to say about the mechanics of story in screenplays may not be especially new, but Blake had a gift for memorable labels for the moments of story progress, which help emphasize what those particular moments are about. Additionally, in the book Save the Cat! he is unfailingly enthusiastic and encouraging toward anyone who wants to stick their toes into the waters of writing. He was a terrific guy. Since his passing, colleagues have continued the teaching methods begun in Save the Cat!
SODIUM ENTERTAINMENT
A talented independent production company, home base for my friends, Brady and Andrea Nasfell. Andrea has written a number of produced faith-based scripts, and she has a wonderful gift for writing characters that you can care about.
BARBARA PAUL
Mystery writer (and some science fiction thrown in), with an affection for Shakespeare and opera. We got to know each other back in the computer Dark Ages when you had to actually dial into a social networking platform (known then as a “message board”) and became friends through our shared interest in certain TV shows and in writing.
BARBARA RANDALL KESEL
Very talented comics writer and editor, she regularly imparts her wisdom at conventions, notably in her rapid-fire “where do ideas come from?” presentation. I’ve also watched her give aspiring comic book artists portfolio reviews. Her years as an comics editor have given her a sure eye for what does and doesn’t work in a panel and on a page. Her wisdom on the presentation of a story in a comic book format is well worth listening to. If you can catch up with her, you will enjoy the experience.
BEAU SMITH
The manliest of manly comic book writers, Beau has a solid bead on action storytelling. This West Virginian has worked in the comic business as an editor as well. You’ll want him in your corner, as a storyteller or as a friend. He’s been riding high on the adaptation of his Wynonna Earp as a hit television series on Syfy. He can be found on Twitter @BeauSmithRanch and on Instagram as beausmithranch.
BRANDON EASTON
One very smart and award-winning writer, who is making inroads in comics and television writing (who worked on Season Two of Agent Carter). He also takes the time to encourage aspiring writers at comic conventions by moderating panels about writing and breaking into professional jobs in entertainment writing. He can be found on Twitter @BrandonEaston or on Facebook.
CHUCK DIXON
A terrific comic book writer, who loves any action genre. He’s taken to writing prose fiction as well, with engaging action adventures. He’s also got some terrific insights on aspects of writing, posted at his website. Also, a valued friend. With a lively community that follows him on the internet. He also has a YouTube channel where he talks about comics and writing and whatever else fans ask him about, Ask Chuck Dixon.
COLEMAN LUCK
Dear friend Coleman Luck, a writer and former executive producer (most notably on the original The Equalizer television series with Edward Woodward), who has created a spot for spouting off, which he does with a lot of intelligence and challenging wit. He recently launched a fascinating video series on YouTube about supernatural phenomena (his website will guide you to them).
COLLEEN DORAN
Talented artist and writer, Colleen Doran has done a lot of illustrating other people’s works (people like Neil Gaiman, for instance, in the Eisner Award winning Snow, Glass, Apples). She has also worked on her own space opera epic graphic novel, A Distant Soil, which is well worth reading.
CORRINA LAWSON
A fellow writer and comic book geek, Corrina and I became friends online. A former journalist, she now blogs for GeekMom and GeekDad, on top of doing her own fiction writing. Her work is sharp and smart and I enjoy it a lot.
DIANA GLYER
A leading scholar in C.S. Lewis and Inklings studies, she’s a long-time friend. Brilliant and witty, she teaches at Azusa Pacific University. If you haven’t read her book Bandersnatch, you are missing an inspiring work: Using the Inklings as a model, she unfolds the dynamics of groups of creative people.
DONALD T. WILLIAMS
Scholar and instructor, a Professor Emeritus at Taccoa Falls College. His primary focus as a scholar is on C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien, he is also a Christian apologist, poet, and lover of puns.
DREW GERACI
Comic book inker, and artist, he’s got a love of movies and other good storytelling. He’s also begun writing his own comics stories, doing art for his own words.
ERIK BURNHAM
Writer and artist, he did the artwork from my comic script “Zeus’ Box of Deceit”. His sardonic sense of humor has brought us Nick Landime, reluctant adventurer (he’d rather be a barfly), in the original Shooting Star Comics Anthology. He has been the writer for IDW’s Ghostbusters comic book series as well as other titles.
GORDON PURCELL
A fine comic book and commercial artist. He did the pencil work for my comic book story “Tsalosha”. A trivia buff, and good guy to know.
J. MORGAN NEAL
My friend John, a talented Texan raconteur, shines with his comic book creation Aym Geronimo, a modern-day adventuress. In 2012, John and his creative partner Todd Fox put out a regular web-strip of the adventures of Aym and her team. John has also co-written a Western adventure with Chuck Dixon.
JAMES A. OWEN
The works and interests of author and artist James A. Owen, creator of the independent comic book Starchild, and the Young Adult fantasy series of the Imaginarium Geographica and other works. He also provided illustration portraits of the individual Inklings for Diana Glyer’s Bandersnatch (and each illustration has a bandersnatch in it).
JENNIFER OLIVER O’CONNELL
Smart, sharp, and clear in her writing, Jen takes on a lot of things. She keeps active writing columns and her website, and well as instructing others in yoga, while enjoying the company of her husband and their three lively small dogs. (She’s also an agreeable travel companion for a road trip.)
JIM MacQUARRIE
Graphic artist and archery instructor (member of the Pasadena Roving Archers). He has had a wide range of work experiences from balloon animal maker to blogger at GeekDad.
JULIE LOMBARD
Good friend Julie steps out with writing in various forms: novels, children’s books, scripts. She’s also aiming at producing claymation films, with her JCLProductionArts.
LYNN MAUDLIN
Multi-talented Lynn, singer, songwriter, artist, one of the most delightful and unexpected people I know.
MAX ADAMS
Max is a sharp and witty writer who has won the Nichols Fellowship for screenwriting. Her personal blog gives you a taste of her personality. But if you’re looking for instruction in screenwriting, you can also check out her Academy of Film Writing, where she dispenses her writing wisdom in online courses. Or you can check out her book, The New Screenwriters Survival Guide.
MICHAEL O. SAJBEL
Director – and sometime writer – Michael Sajbel is a man with a vision, and works steadily at his filmmaking. He shot his film project, Wraith, in his home territory of Wisconsin.
S. RAYNARD HAYNES
A writer friend (known to his friends in comics as Stacy), who was one of my early writing consulting clients. An all around good guy that I wish the very best, he is interested in comics and films and of course, other writing.
SCOTT McCULLAR
Yet another writer and artist, a co-hort from the Shooting Star Comics endeavor, my friend Scott also shares an interest in archery with me. We bonded over our mutual affection for the comic book hero, Green Arrow. He has his own group of comic book heroes in his Thrill Seeker Comics.
SEAN GAFFNEY
Playwright and screenwriter, wit and friend – and he shows off that wit and insight on his blog.
SEAN TAYLOR
Talented writer and creator of Fishnet Angel, Sean also has a couple of blogs about writing Bad Girls Good Guys and Indie Authors Read. Well worth checking out.
SERGIO CARIELLO
Comic book artist, with a flare for lively images. In addition to a lot of adventuresome comics, he’s also artist behind the wonderful Action Bible.
STEVE LIEBER
Comic book artist, and all-round good guy. His collaboration with his wife Sara Ryan has produced some delightful works. And he’s fun to talk to at comic book conventions.
TOM STILLWELL
Spinner Rack Comics are the brainchildren of writer Tom Stillwell. The books that have come from him are “old fashioned” straight-up enjoyable books to read, fun and adventurous and not buried under a ton of angst.
TRAVIS HANSON
Artist and writer Travis, who creates delightful works aimed at the younger readers. But his art will charm anyone of any age. He has in recent years added a wonderful webcomic Life of the Party: the Realities of an RPG’er — even if you are not into participating in role playing games, the comic is loads of wonderful fun. Plus, he now has merchandise with art from all his creations.
