It’s Time To Pull The Trigger On 2026: What is it really like to build a career as a working writer NOW?

In this candid, no-nonsense session, Daniel Brierley lifts the lid on the realities of the industry, beyond the courses, beyond the books, beyond the myth of the “big break.” From first steps to first commission, and everything that happens in between, this is an essential reality check for any writer serious about making it in 2026 and beyond.

Drawing on his professional experience, including his work on Trigger Point and how projects actually make it to air, Daniel will explore what separates writers who stall from those who sustain a career. What is it like actually working with agents? Why is simply getting one not enough? What really happens after your training ends, and why so many talented writers stumble at that stage?

It’s time to tackle the internal battles: imposter syndrome (even when you’ve “made it”), the tension between community and competition, and the truth that you are not just selling scripts, you are selling yourself, without changing who you are.

We have been at the festival for three days, it’s time to get CLEAR one what this next year will mean for us all/ 

In this session you will learn:

• How to move from education or early experience into sustainable, paid work, and what may be holding you back
• How to build a productive relationship with agents and understand what they can (and can’t) do for you
• What actually sells, how shows like Trigger Point reach the screen, and why you must always have multiple ideas ready to pitch
• How to navigate imposter syndrome, competition, and the psychological realities of being a professional writer