📖 Overview
William Rabkin is an American television writer, producer, and author known for his work in both television production and teaching screenwriting. He has written and produced numerous TV series including "Monk," "Psych," and "Diagnosis Murder."
Rabkin has authored several influential books on screenwriting, including "Writing the Pilot" and its sequel "Writing the Pilot 2.0," which are considered standard texts in television writing programs. He has also co-authored multiple books with Lee Goldberg, including the "Successful Television Writing" guide.
As a professor of television writing, Rabkin teaches at UCLA Extension's Writers' Program and has served as the Showrunner in Residence at the University of California, Riverside's Low-Residency MFA program. His expertise spans both network television production and the evolving landscape of streaming platforms.
Beyond his academic work, Rabkin has written tie-in novels for various television properties and continues to consult on television projects while maintaining his teaching career. His work has influenced many emerging television writers through both his books and his direct instruction.
👀 Reviews
Readers consistently rate Rabkin's screenwriting books 4+ stars out of 5 on Amazon and Goodreads, with "Writing the Pilot" receiving particular attention from aspiring TV writers.
Readers praise:
- Clear explanations of TV industry processes
- Practical examples from real shows
- Step-by-step approach to pilot writing
- Insights into current television trends
- Direct, no-nonsense writing style
Common criticisms:
- Some readers find the examples dated
- Books focus more on network TV than streaming
- Limited coverage of comedy writing
- Price point considered high for length
From Amazon reviews:
"Finally someone explains TV writing without the fluff" - 5 stars
"Changed how I approach structure" - 5 stars
"Needed more about streaming shows" - 3 stars
Ratings across platforms:
Writing the Pilot: 4.6/5 (Amazon), 4.4/5 (Goodreads)
Writing the Pilot 2.0: 4.5/5 (Amazon)
Successful Television Writing: 4.3/5 (Amazon)
📚 Books by William Rabkin
A Mind Is a Terrible Thing to Read - A tie-in novel to the TV series Psych following Shawn Spencer as he investigates mysterious occurrences at a local psychic hotline.
Writing the Pilot - A technical guide covering the fundamentals of writing television pilot scripts and understanding network expectations.
Writing the Pilot 2.0 - An updated examination of pilot writing that addresses changes in the television industry with the rise of streaming platforms.
Successful Television Writing (with Lee Goldberg) - A comprehensive overview of the television writing process from pitch to production.
Development Hell: The TV Show Guide (with Lee Goldberg) - An analysis of the television development process and how shows move from concept to screen.
Writing the Pilot - A technical guide covering the fundamentals of writing television pilot scripts and understanding network expectations.
Writing the Pilot 2.0 - An updated examination of pilot writing that addresses changes in the television industry with the rise of streaming platforms.
Successful Television Writing (with Lee Goldberg) - A comprehensive overview of the television writing process from pitch to production.
Development Hell: The TV Show Guide (with Lee Goldberg) - An analysis of the television development process and how shows move from concept to screen.
👥 Similar authors
Lee Goldberg collaborated with Rabkin on multiple writing guides and shares a similar background in TV writing and producing. He has written numerous TV tie-in novels and created shows like "Diagnosis Murder" and "Martial Law."
Pamela Douglas wrote "Writing the TV Drama Series" and teaches television writing at USC School of Cinematic Arts. She has written for multiple TV series and provides detailed insight into TV writing structure and development.
Jen Grisanti authored "Story Line: Finding Gold In Your Life Story" and works as a story consultant for multiple networks. She spent years as a CBS/Paramount executive and focuses on television narrative development.
Neil Landau wrote "The TV Showrunner's Roadmap" and has experience writing for both network and streaming platforms. He teaches at UCLA and has written for shows including "Melrose Place" and "Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead."
Ellen Sandler wrote "The TV Writer's Workbook" and served as Co-Executive Producer on "Everybody Loves Raymond." She has written for multiple network shows and provides specific tools for television script development.
Pamela Douglas wrote "Writing the TV Drama Series" and teaches television writing at USC School of Cinematic Arts. She has written for multiple TV series and provides detailed insight into TV writing structure and development.
Jen Grisanti authored "Story Line: Finding Gold In Your Life Story" and works as a story consultant for multiple networks. She spent years as a CBS/Paramount executive and focuses on television narrative development.
Neil Landau wrote "The TV Showrunner's Roadmap" and has experience writing for both network and streaming platforms. He teaches at UCLA and has written for shows including "Melrose Place" and "Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead."
Ellen Sandler wrote "The TV Writer's Workbook" and served as Co-Executive Producer on "Everybody Loves Raymond." She has written for multiple network shows and provides specific tools for television script development.