Martie Cook

Martie Cook is a television writer, producer, and academic who has worked extensively in both entertainment and education. Her career spans over 25 years in the television industry, including work for ABC, NBC, CBS, and Fox. As a professor at Emerson College, Cook serves as the Director of the BFA in Comedic Arts and teaches television and screenwriting. She previously held the position of Assistant Professor and Showrunner-in-Residence at Boston University's Television Graduate Program. Cook has authored several influential books on screenwriting, including "Write to TV: Out of Your Head and onto the Screen" and "The Ultimate Guide to Writing for Television." Her work focuses on practical instruction for aspiring television writers and has been used in numerous academic programs. Her industry experience includes writing and producing for shows such as "Charles in Charge," "Full House," and "Martha Stewart Living," contributing to both scripted and unscripted television formats. She continues to consult for television networks while maintaining her academic role.

Reader reviews consistently highlight Cook's practical, industry-based approach to teaching television writing. Her book "Write to TV" receives particular attention for breaking down complex concepts into actionable steps. Liked: - Clear explanations of TV industry terminology and processes - Detailed examples from real shows - Step-by-step guidance for script formatting - Insider perspectives on writers' room dynamics - Updated editions that cover streaming and digital platforms Disliked: - Some repetition between chapters - Focus primarily on network television formats - Limited coverage of cable/streaming specifics - High textbook pricing Ratings: Amazon: 4.6/5 (178 reviews) Goodreads: 4.3/5 (89 reviews) One student reviewer noted: "Finally, a textbook that doesn't just theorize but shows you exactly how to break into TV writing." Another mentioned: "The sample scripts and story worksheets were invaluable for my first spec script." The most common criticism comes from readers seeking more information about newer television formats, with one noting: "Great foundation but needs more content on streaming shows."

Write to TV: Out of Your Head and onto the Screen - A guide that covers writing spec scripts for television series, pilots, and shorts.

The Ultimate Guide to Writing for Television - A comprehensive textbook examining television industry procedures, story development, and TV writing formats.

Pamela Douglas writes about television writing craft and industry practices based on her decades working in network TV. She covers similar territory to Cook regarding story structure and breaking into the business.

Ellen Sandler focuses on writing for half-hour TV comedies and worked as a writer-producer on multiple sitcoms. Her work provides specific techniques for developing characters and writing dialogue in television.

Jane Espenson has written books on television writing informed by her experience on shows like Buffy and Battlestar Galactica. She breaks down the mechanics of plotting and scene construction for episodic television.

Ken Levine draws from his career writing for shows like M*A*S*H and Cheers to explain television writing fundamentals. His instruction style matches Cook's practical, insider approach to teaching TV writing craft.

Richard Walter teaches screenwriting at UCLA and writes about both film and television writing techniques. His books cover story development and industry navigation similar to Cook's focus areas.