The Writers Store

Cool concept with some interesting books on the shelves. It’s also probably the cleanest store I’ve ever been in.
No greeting when you walk in, even though the employees usually seem to be standing around. I’ve greeted them with «hello» each time I’ve come in, and gotten zero response back. Super awkward. Hey, I’m an introverted writer too, but basic manners never killed anyone (that I know of.)
Overall, there are other stores I prefer. If you need a book on screenwriting I’m sure they have it, but don’t expect to enjoy the process.

From the friendly, knowledgable staff, to the quality content within the bookstore and workshop offerings, this establishment really is a treasure.
I’ve been purchasing product from their online store, and subscribing to their e-​zine for years, but just recently paid my first in-​store visit. In addition to picking out a few recommended books, I enjoyed a scheduled, private tutoring session with Mario, who I recommend highly for his patience and command of the subject of screenwriting.
Whether you are browsing online offerings, or taking advantage of their brick-​and-​mortar store, you’re in good hands with these folks.

Most of the staff is very friendly, but some aren’t. It’s not that they are rude they just don’t seem like they want to be bothered. I talked to one of the unfriendly ones and not one smile. Not really a good way to sell books imo.
I usually ask for book recommendations and they are usually spot on.

Great selection of books and software.

I ordered software with a 30 day return policy online. I quickly realized that the software would not export the way I needed. Within days, I tried to contact them for a refund. I had trouble reaching them at first but as soon as Lily learned about my issue, she worked quickly to resolve my issue and ensure a refund was issued.
This was the first time I required assistance from customer service. I have purchased many online webinars from them and also attended a few in person and have been happy with them all.

Although the store focuses heavily on screenwriting, there’s a lot for every writer to love here. The store itself, as other have commented, is a little lackluster. This is a small store, but it’s packed with great writing books, lots of software, and exclusive DVDs and audio of workshops. They also offer classes, workshops and meet-​ups for local writers, and have some truly great speakers show up from time to time.
Prices are fair, and when they’re running specials they can be downright cheap. You can also shop online and pick up your goods in Burbank if you’d like. Overall, what more can you ask for if you’re a writer? Definitely worth a visit in person or online.

O.K. Let me try this again — and this time I’ll adhere very strictly to Unilocal guidelines. I got a little carried away on my previous draft due to my intense dislike for this company.
It was some years ago at the Westwood «The Writers Store.» I had heard about Final Draft — the popular screenwriting/​playwriting software. I was young, naïve, and not very computer savvy. I had a few bucks in my pocket and entered the store with the intention of asking about Final Draft, and if I liked what I heard, I intended to plunk down my spending lettuce and go home with it.
But as Bill Shakespeare said, «here’s the rub.» The version of Final Draft I was sold that day was one of the earliest, basically obsolete ones. A completely new version, with new everything: formats, commands, appearance, countless improvements and fixes, was due to be released in a few days. A FEW DAYS. The highly anticipated new version at that time was essentially the earliest progenitor of the Final Drafts of today as they appear and operate.
Unfortunately:
(1) I was never informed of the immanent arrival of the new version by my saleslady or any other employee of the store.
(2) The new version which appeared on the store’s shelves a few days later was so radically different that updates to the one I bought worked horribly — or should I say, really didn’t work at all. This is reminiscent of some versions of Windows which were such radical departures from their progenitors that they never updated correctly.
Needless to say, when I found out about all of this, I was very, very unhappy and disgusted with the people I had dealt with. I felt betrayed, disrespected and played. It seemed like a desperation sale to me, completely out of the spirit of nurturing a community of writers and artists. I vowed that I would never patronize «The Writer’s Store» again, and I haven’t. That includes their web-​business and this newer store of theirs which is around 2 miles from my house in Burbank.
All of my subsequent purchases of software, books and other writer’s materials have come from elsewhere. Even Amazon is better — I’ll happily pay a few more bucks to avoid this place. I always tell all of my writer friends about this experience and many of them have respected my advice and taken their business elsewhere. I hope the Unilocal readership will follow suit.

I am certainly not trying to bash The Writer’s Store, because any establishment dedicated to the advancement of literature and what have you is presumably essential to any society.
However, The Writer’s Store is very strange. It does NOT, wait for it… sell, yes, pens OR pencils.
P. S. I don’t believe in this fatuous system of grading something with stars, so disregard my choice of one.

Time heals all wounds, and the manager had a very well written response (I should hope so, she works at the «writers» store). Unfortunately, I haven’t gone back to give it a higher rating.

I had a good experience there. They were helpful in recommending a good book on film financing.

One star is missing for the overall presentation, I think you guys need an interior designer of something.
If not for that, I’d just say, five stars, and an excellent place to go to based on one experience. If you can manage the traffic in good old Burbankage, this isn’t a bad place to go to. So I got my «Writer» hat, and it was a pretty good deal for $ 10. The quality of the hat looked good if not decent, and it even came with a cute little «The Writer’s Store» tote bag.
After being greeted; my ID was checked and my online order was processed. I opted to pick up the hat in-​person instead of paying for the shipping charges. While this was taking place, I asked the clerk for directions to the 405. She answered me effectively, and l found my way quickly and smoothly, which I appreciated.
I’d say, it’s good to be helped efficiently. The clerks have a sense of humor, it seems, although a dry sense of humor.
I haven’t checked out the classes or seminars, but I do appreciate the online presence and helpful affiliated sites that The Writer’s Store has apparently sponsored. Those kind of web pages provide very useful information. :) But yeah, the only real issue is the overall look of the store, which kind of just screams, «I’m just selling books.» I think people expect the store to be bigger based on the awesome title of the shop. Perhaps a couple displays and decorations would liven the place up? I don’t know, some ivy? The main thing I’d say off the bat is dimension (it could use a little dimension). There’s just some flat book shelves, so it’s just like looking at a few walls… But I can’t judge on how it works for finding books and other materials. Anyway, I got my hat and I’m pleased. Thanks.
Keep writing.

Lame!
I’ve taken a course here, in the back of the store and get their e-​mails almost daily for various classes, so when I got this one (described below), I assumed it was in-​house, in-​person, at the store:
** «This unique course is conducted like an actual TV writers wroom, with established executive producer William Rabkin acting as the showrunner. You’ll learn how to analyze a TV show and brainstorm «franchise”-friendly story ideas. Next up is developing and writing a story and then, after incorporating Rabkin’s notes, you’ll be sent off to write your outline.
Finally, you’ll develop and refine your outline, leaving you ready to write your episodic spec script… the first step in getting a job on a TV series.
Workshop Starts January 3 «**
– OK, so when it says «conducted like an actual TV writers room» and «you’ll be sent off», they make it sound like it’s an in-​person class, right? WRONG. Four e-​mails with Rebecca later, we finally figure out this is a lame-​o online class which she explains this way:
«you can log on at your convenience, day or night, to participate. Students from across the country and around the world communicate with each other and the instructor by posting comments and questions in designated discussion areas. When you’re ready to go to class, you simply log on to the site, visit the various student areas, post your questions/​responses/​comments to the ongoing discussions, read the lesson material, or submit your assignment to your instructor.»
– Uh… this aint no «writers room» class format. How can it be if you aren’t in the same F’ing room? What this is, is a lame-​o forum. Nowhere in the class description, when you’re putting the damn thing into your shopping cart does it say it’s a virtual class. If the teacher can’t be bothered to even hold «class» at an appointed time, how is it «just» like a writers room experience? Sorry, but it ain’t and this is really, really freakin’ lame.
Writers Store you deserve this review for abysmal description, bait and switch advertising (not the first time I’ve written to them about that either — the other false description is for Ellen Sandler’s class: buyer beware!) and your customer service person being clueless.
POST SCRIPT: After writing this review was provided additional information. The instructor’s «lecture» is in text form! You’ve got to be F’ing kidding! How is this $ 150 class any different than buying an $ 18 textbook? How is this anything like a «real» writers room when you’re going to a forum, reading pre-​written text as your «lesson» and having to sift through mountains of comments/​questions from other «students» across the globe who may be infinitely less informed than you just to possibly glean one or two nuggets of new information? From the reality of this course set up, it seems likely you’re apt to learn more Googling and reading blogs or getting yourself an internship… which is what I’ll recommend my own students do if they want a true «writers room experience.» Jesus, what a waste of two hours finding out this is just pre-​written text plus an online forum for newbies to chat.
p. p. s. the typo you see in my quotation of their course description is THEIR typo as it appeared in the e-​mail solicitation for this pre-​written material, posing as a class. (SEE PRICELESS UPLOADED PHOTOS.) From a writing store that offers writing classes, not to proof their own work is indicative of the quality of the establishment and their offerings.

Really like this place. It’s definitely focused heavily on writing but it does have a little bit on the business side, directing, acting, and producing. The staff are all writers and are always ready to help answer questions not just about their stuff but also the film business and craft of screenwriting.
They’re not pushy and are very honest about their products. One time they actually saved me money by figuring out a cheaper software would meet my needs, so that makes me want to pick them over Amazon or whatever even if they are a bit more expensive. Amazon doesn’t have the advice the staff can offer.

After stopping off at Dark Delicacies we walked right over (they’re next door to each other) and perused their selection of books. They have quite a number of books that I’m not familiar with, so I made a mental note of those titles and secured them from the library. Shieeeeeet, you know I ain’t paying full retail value when I can get the stuff for free, right?
The two employees that were there talked amongst each other and never acknowledged us when we walked in or during the duration of our stay, but that’s okay. We weren’t really in mood to be asked if we needed help. The store is easy enough to navigate through as it is.
I would probably only be interested in the latest version of the Final Draft software, but I already use Scrivener and Celtx.

Most people who have been involved in screenwriting for film, television or new media will have heard of The Writer’s Store and have probably even does business with them, albeit online.
However, I had never had the opportunity to visit the physical store and it did not disappoint. Clean, well-​maintained and a motion picture writer’s dream, it was a pleasure to walk around and browse and pick up a few things without needing to wait for them to be shipped.
I cannot more highly recommend stopping by if you are in-​town visiting the Burbank area.

It took me about an hour and a half to get from the Westside to Burbank. I thought it would be worth it. I was a bit disappointed because I could have just taken a pit stop to Samuel French and get pretty much what I wanted there. The place was much smaller than I had expected and when I came in I was the only one there. Not one greeting from the two people that were working there. I’m not a needy type customer but sometimes «hellos» and «good byes» should be as automatic as «thank yous,» «please,» and «i’m sorrys.» Just courtesy.
Nonetheless, I’m glad I went just to check it out and I did buy something, but mainly because I wanted to make my trip worth while. I’m sure the next time I’d just as soon buy what I need from Samuel French.

It is not a pleasurable experience to write this review. I have been a customer (and a good customer) of The Writer Store for more than 25-​years. I shop there a lot. I refer many others there. I have given seminars in their space, and I have known the staff for many decades.
I attended the Screenwriting Expo in October 2011. The Writers Store had a big booth where they were having a 60% sale on a particular directory I wanted. Because I was working I could not wait on the line. The girl in the booth agreed to hold the books until 6 PM for me.
I came back at 5:20 and the booth was g-​o-​n-​e, GONE! The girl Laura who was working there said she’d honor my discount and to come into the store to pick it up as they packed up the booth early. First of all, you don’t pack up early. You stay to the end. (Exhibiting 101.)
I left 16 voice mail messages for customer service to call me back. Not a single call was ever returned. When I mentioned it to store staff they were belligerent and denied I ever called at all.
I went into the store and was treated quite rudely and dismissively by the crew in the store, and especially by the manager Dana.
I’ve known Dana for a longtime. She’s never been particularly warm to me, even though I’ve been very generous at my seminars and workshops to The Writers Store. However, she refused to honor the store’s promise of the show discount claiming that employee was not working that day.
Then, they rudely refused to accept my tax payer resale # (which I’ve used in the store many times in the past) forcing me to pay for tax I should not have had to pay. They even made up some bs claim about state regulations which I knew to be complete bunk.
When I appealed they were indignant and said I don’t have to buy the book at all and turned away.
Sorry, whether I’m a 25 year repeat customer, or it’s the first time I’ve walked into your store, you don’t treat customers like this!
They used to make me feel special and appreciated when I shopped there. I hope they can regain that environment and quality.
I have tried to reach the owner whom I have always felt was a decent and upright gentleman. His staff however does not at all reflect his virtues. I hope they straighten it out because I like to store. I just don’t like some of the people or how they treat customers. It makes me wonder if embittered would-​be writers are the ones running the shop?

Whether you’re a blogger, novelist, or screenwriter, you’re going to ADORE the Writer’s Store
There’s tons of books and products here to help all types of writers and most of the staff is also writers, who are always willing to give you their best opinions on products — my favorite writing products have all been purchased here
Of note — I’ve taken a few of the screenwriting classes & workshops here as well and have always been pleased with the instruction — highly recommended!

I love this store, even though it didn’t have exactly what I needed. I just love that a store like this exists. It’s such a great resource for writers of different mediums and genres. The staff was extremely helpful and nice. Don’t be afraid to ask them questions or for help.
FYI, it seems the store is geared mostly towards screenwriters. I only saw a few shelves for novelists/​fiction writers (boo for me), but hey, at least it’s something!
For any artist/​writer, I recommend just stopping by and seeing what kind of wonderful resources they carry here. Even if you don’t buy anything, you’ll feel motivated to be more proactive in your career.

Whether you’re writing a Unilocal review, conversing with colleagues, or composing an e-​mail, it’s always good to speak with power and precision. Being a good communicator is thoroughly important and can serve as an expression of your personal character. The television shows, movies, plays, and even music we listen to, are all composed by writers that have a gift of bringing a character to life or bringing out the melodic splendor in music. I’ve been working on a project and, given that writing rules have a tendency to change, I thought I’d come by the Writer’s Store to buy some more books to keep me abreast on the latest and greatest.
This was my first time in the Writer’s Store and I must admit I was in awe from the time I walked in until leaving out the door. There’s a wealth of information for writers of screenplays, novels, and basically any genre one cares to elaborate on. In addition to books, this place provides computers for their customers to use in-​store, professionally trained screenwriting coaches, a meeting room and, surprisingly, knowledgeable employees that happens to be screenwriters. So, if you need help with your script, writing project, or just need to know where to start with writing objectives, the Writer’s Store can definitely help you formulate a strategy to help bring your goal (s) to fruition.
Overall, the Writer’s Store made me feel like a kid in a candy store, as I did not want to leave. I found, and purchased, a very informative book and one of the employees recommended other books that will be beneficial for my project. The employees shared valuable information and laid emphasis on how advantageous their services are at the Writer’s Store. If you’re not too keen on joining a workshop here, they offer private sessions for a nominal fee. Without a doubt, I’ll be returning to this store and will be sure to allot plenty of time to shop!