Subtitle

Musings from a published author...

Tuesday, April 15, 2025

Hollywood’s having a nostalgia hangover.

Reboots, sequels, and spinoffs aren’t delivering like they used to. Audiences are ready for bold, new stories. The kind of stories that haven’t been chewed over in a dozen previous installments. And that’s exactly what I’m focused on creating.

I’m a screenwriter and IP developer with a track record of getting projects made, including my recently released indie horror film Bone Hill, the sci-fi actioner Winter: Battleground, and a portfolio of work-for-hire screenplays for studios like Epic Pictures.

I’ve also written and published multiple novels, including The Whisper King series, which was once optioned by Platinum Studios and featured in The Hollywood Reporter.

But unlike Hollywood, I’m not here to coast on the past.

I’m actively looking for freelance screenwriting work, development opportunities, and creative partnerships. I’ve got a slate of ready-to-go scripts and fresh IP across horror, sci-fi, fantasy, and animation. And I’m always hungry to collaborate on something new and exciting.

If you’re a producer, exec, or investor looking to break away from the IP graveyard and take a chance on something original, let’s talk.

DM me, email me (wil@nogglestones.com) or connect.

Let’s forge the future together!

A quick reminder from the trenches of networking and pitching…

Sometimes when you're reaching out to potential collaborators, producers, or industry contacts, you're going to miss the mark. Maybe you contact the wrong department. Maybe your pitch isn't a fit. It happens. We're all human.

But there's no excuse for being rude to someone who approaches you professionally.

I recently got a snippy response from someone after a polite inquiry. I won’t name names because this isn’t about revenge or finger-pointing... it's about a broader truth: you never know who you’re talking to, or where they might end up.

I’ve interviewed for jobs I didn’t get, but because the person on the other end treated me with kindness and respect, we ended up working together on a different project years later. That kind of professionalism builds bridges. Rudeness burns them before they even exist.

I’ve been on the other side too. At my day job, I sometimes turn away walk-in salespeople or cold pitches that don’t fit what we do. I get the instinct to shut things down quickly. But professionalism is about how we do it. A simple, respectful “no thanks” can keep doors open down the line, and preserve your own reputation in the process.

So to anyone out there in casting, producing, distribution, or any field really, keep in mind: your reputation doesn’t just rest on your résumé. It rests on how you treat people when you think they can’t do anything for you.

Because one day, the situation could be reversed.

Have you had a similar experience—on either side of the equation? Feel free to share. I’d love to hear how others have handled this kind of situation.

Tuesday, April 1, 2025

The film industry is evolving. So am I.

As the landscape shifts and audiences demand fresh, daring storytelling, I'm embracing change and leaning into what’s next. From crafting high-octane sci-fi thrillers like Winter: Battleground to developing animated sitcoms like The Dead Possum Inn, my focus is to deliver unforgettable stories that resonate with today’s audiences.

I’m driven to create screenplays that balance bold concepts with compelling characters... projects that stick with viewers long after the credits roll.

And with projects like The Food Truck moving into production, I’m all in on bringing unique voices and new perspectives to the screen.

If you’re looking for a screenwriter who’s passionate, proactive, and tuned into where the industry is heading, I’d love to connect. Let’s create something incredible!

wil@nogglestones.com

Thursday, March 27, 2025

The wheels keep turning…

Yesterday, I shared some exciting updates about Bone Hill and my other projects. Thank you to everyone who commented, liked, and reached out! These stories have been rattling around in my head for a long time, and it’s exhilarating to finally bring them to life.

But that’s just the beginning. Right now, I’m deep in the trenches with The Food Truck, gearing up for the new edition of The Whisper King: Daughter of Shadows, and, because I apparently don’t have enough on my plate, looking into ways to fund my own studio. Because why not make things even more interesting?

If you’re working on something big (or chasing an impossible dream just to see how far you can take it), let’s hear about it. What’s keeping you up at night... in a good way?

wil@nogglestones.com

Wednesday, March 26, 2025

Bone Hill has been an incredible journey.

It started as a comic book mini-series I pitched to Platinum Studios, which optioned it with plans to turn it into a movie. When the option eventually expired, the rights reverted to me, and I decided to adapt my comic scripts into a screenplay. After shopping it around with no luck, I turned my focus closer to home.

I reached out to my friend Jim Cummings at Soundstage 1, a veteran musician and advertising executive I’d known since my days as a video editor. Jim immediately saw the potential and shared the script with his friend Phil Wurtzel of Friel Films, whom he knew from doing soundtrack and production work on some of Phil’s films. From there, everything started falling into place... Phil secured funding, Jim scouted locations and helped assemble a crew, and I tapped into my own network to find the perfect director. Before I knew it, I was stepping onto set with my son (who has a great role in the film!) and watching my script come to life.

Now, we’re just over a week away from Bone Hill’s premiere at the Bogar Theatre in Marshall, Michigan. It’s been an amazing experience, and one that wouldn’t have happened without the connections I’ve built over the years.

Talent plays a role. So does luck. Patience is essential. But in the end, success in this industry comes down to one thing: people.

Who in your network has helped you bring a dream to life? Have you helped someone else achieve their goals? Let’s talk—comment below, message me, or email me. You never know where the next great collaboration might come from!

And don't forget to check out the Bone Hill trailer here:

Tuesday, March 25, 2025

Need a Screenwriter? I’m Open for Work-For-Hire Projects!

I’ve had the privilege of writing screenplays for Epic Pictures, Platinum Studios, Friel Films, Makings Entertainment, and Story is King Pictures, crafting everything from sci-fi thrillers to horror, action, fantasy, and beyond.

Four of my horror properties were optioned by Platinum Studios in a deal that was featured in The Hollywood Reporter. I also wrote and co-produced Bone Hill, a horror-thriller premiering April 5th. My work-for-hire screenplays for Epic Pictures include the sci-fi action film Winter: Battleground, and I’ve collaborated on multiple projects with Story is King Pictures.

If you need a feature film, TV pilot, rewrite, or treatment, I can bring your vision to life with sharp dialogue, compelling characters, and cinematic storytelling that keeps audiences hooked.

I’m currently open for new projects! If you're a producer, director, or studio looking for an experienced, reliable screenwriter, let’s talk. I'm not a WGA member, so I negotiate my own rates, which are extremely reasonable.

I can also turn around polished first drafts within a matter of weeks, if not days. And, unlike many writers, I welcome script notes and feedback.

Email me, or leave a comment below, and let’s make something great together!

wil@nogglestones.com

Tuesday, March 26, 2024

Fool's Kingdom!

Y'know, AI is kinda cool.

For a few years now I've been developing a TV series about a washed up actor in the 1970s who plays the villain on a Saturday morning kids' show. I've had an idea for a promotional image inside my head, but haven't been able to make it a reality... until now.

Thanks to AI I now have a very nice image of Cantankerous Crumble and his wife Cookie from my sci-fi fantasy property, "Fool's Kingdom"!

Logline: A washed up actor bumps his head and finds himself stranded in a real life version of the children's show in which he plays the villain!

Think of it as the Krofft Brothers meets Doctor Who meets A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court.

I originally envisioned this project as a live-action TV show. I've even written the pilot script.

But I feel this project could just as easily be adapted into a film or series of films.

If anyone is interested in learning more about this IP, feel free to reach out!

Drop me a line at wil@nogglestones.com