If finding an agent the “normal” way is not working for you, a good way to get your work read and possibly “discovered” is by submitting it in one of the many screenwriting contests that now exist throughout the world. A mention to a production company that your script has been selected as one of the finalists, or winners, in a prominent screenwriting contest like the Nichols Fellowship, Final Draft’s Big Break Contest, the Chesterfield Competition, Script-Shark’s Annual Screenwriting Competition, the Diane Thomas Award, or any of several other competitions, carries a strong appeal in the exclusive world of Hollywood. Each contest receives from three to five thousand entries each year, and at present there are over a thousand of them; just go online and Google “screenwriting contests.” Take a look at the Database of Screenwriting Contests and Competitions ( www.filmmakers.com/contests) and you’ll find a list of contests and information on financial prizes, entry dates, deadlines, etc. The legitimate contests offer awards of up to $10,000 cash, as well as meetings with top agents and executives in the industry. I’ve been one of the judges for the Final Draft competition several times now and can tell you that the quality of the work is high. Many of the winners have gone on to find agents and have their screenplays produced. That’s a good percentage of success, and a good way to break into the business.