Wolves at the Door Screenplay on Kindle

My Werewolf apocalypse (a concept I believe I am the first writer to explore) screenplay Wolves at the Door is now on Kindle.

So proud of this script.

I truly do believe it is some of my best work.

It was started in summer 2024 and finish in summer 2025.

The only person to have read it thus far is my friend Tim Scott. 

Incidentally, this is my third werewolf script.

I think the only other monster I love writing about more than werewolves is demons.

And Krampus 

(I have three Krampus scripts; one mostly written and the other two waiting to be written during future Christmases).

I believe all of these stem from German/European/Black Forest heritage.

Regardless, enjoy Wolves at the Door! 

 

 

Tonight's Writing

I am on page twenty of Depravity.

I am really loving these characters (especially my protagonist).

I cannot wait to get to the next scene, the next act... 

Successes with my writing (like I just had with Muscles & Wine) fuels me. And setbacks (like I just had with Personal Demons) drown away when I'm writing.

Truly the greatest feeling on Earth... to create.

Each day I read a little bit of William S. Burroughs' last published books of journals (Last Words) and one quote jumped out at me:

 “Yes, for all of us in the Shakespeare Squadron, writing is just that: not an escape from reality, but an attempt to change reality, so [the] writer can escape the limits of reality.”

Good words to end the night with.  

Jersey City Horror Film Festival Rejection

Personal Demons was shot down by the Jersey City Horror Film Festival. 

This is Personal Demons' 4th rejection of 2026 and it's 6th in a year.

It was broken up only by being a semi-finalist at the Filmmatic Horror Screenplay Awards in February (where it remains in that spot, according to Film Freeway).

Not going to lie, this is disheartening.

Has the magic worn off?

Has my luck run out?

Or am I just in a bit of a dry spell?

I guess I am just so impacted by these recent rejections because I am so used to winning. Thus far I have 19 either wins or near-wins since 2019. I suppose no one can maintain that impressive of a track record for that long (7 years!). It's just disheartening that I haven't had a win yet in 2026. 

However... onward I trudge.  

 

I'll meditate on this more in a separate post, but here is the rejection email.

Dear Erik D., This is an automated email to notify you that Jersey City Horror Film Festival has updated the Judging Status of your submission. Personal Demons Not Selected Project was not selected to be included in festival. You can contact Jersey City Horror Film Festival by replying to this email or sending an email to jcpfilmfestival@gmail.com.

 

 

 

More Accoldaes From Austin!

 Just got this email today...

Your submission has been selected!

Greetings ,  Congratulations! Your submission, Muscles & Wine, is rated in the top 30% of submissions by our judges and has been named an official selection of Austin Comedy Film Festival Fall 2026! This event will take place on Saturday, September 26, 2026 at the Southwest Theaters, 13729 Research Blvd, Austin, TX 78750, USA. Please check the name, spelling and credits of your submission on the event page: https://filmfestivalcircuit.com/event/austin-comedy-film-festival-fall-2026 You can manually update the public information about your screenplay by creating an account at filmfestivalcircuit.com with the email address erikdharshman@gmail.com and update your synopsis, tagline, state, writer's statement, public contact info and poster if you'd like. Here is a YouTube tutorial if you need help: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGNhRL-2ny4  Download the Official Selections and Award Finalist Laurels here: Film Festival Circuit Public Google Drive (LINK)

Visit Event Page

What is my scorecard and why is this important?  You've received an email from us with a link to our premium option to unlock the five scorecards from the judges about your specific submission. This is optional for screenwriters who want feedback from our Texas-based judges. We have created one marketing scorecard, three private creative scorecards, and one private technical scorecard for your submission.  The marketing scorecard is worth 20 points, the technical scorecard is worth 20 points, and each creative scorecard is worth 20 points. If you didn't score a full 20 out of 20 on your marketing scorecard, you can log in at filmfestivalcircuit.com and update this information yourself. Here is a link to the instructions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RChdDeEiK2Y. If you didn't score a full 20 out of 20 on your technical scorecard and want to make changes, you must first unlock your scorecards. Then, contact me if you'd like to update your video file so your submission can be re-evaluated. Here are the technical requirements we use to evaluate all films, regardless of genre:  Screenplay technical scorecard criteria video: https://youtube.com/shorts/G_gziAlsPUg  At this time, your creative scorecards cannot be changed. The Texas-based judges have evaluated your submission and will not re-evaluate creative scorecards this season. If you submit to any of our partner film festivals https://filmfestivalcircuit.com/submissions a different group of judges will evaluate your submission and issue three new creative scorecards. Different judges in different markets have different opinions, so their evaluations may differ. Here is a link to the creative scorecard evaluation video: https://youtu.be/WM45PnaQFsI.  Please connect with us on social media  Facebook https://www.facebook.com/austincomedyfilmfestival Instagram https://www.instagram.com/austin.comedy.film.festival/ TwitterX @mikelfair (Festival Director)  Hashtag #filmfestivalcircuit, #austincomedyfilmfestival, #womenincomedy Every attendee must purchase a ticket. There are no screenwriter passes. How does the award process work? Is there a Q&A? Is there a dress code? If you are planning to attend this event, please read this article first. Link: https://filmfestivalcircuit.com/blog/live-awards-presentation. I've written an article that you may find helpful if you're thinking about attending https://filmfestivalcircuit.com/blog/five-reasons-why-screenwriters-should-attend-film-festivals.  We are looking forward to the audience reaction to these films, meeting this great group of screenwriters, and networking with all of you in Austin. Award Winners will be announced on Saturday, September 26, 2026 live at the event. Thank you for sharing your creative work with us.

Best Regards,  Mikel Fair, Film Festival Circuit CEO

 

My Austin Comedy Fest Scorecard

 So... apparently there is a score card / rubric for screenplays at the Austin Comedy Fest.

I just got the note that my screenplay is an 86/100.

At least, that's the "Marketing" score.

There is a "Technical" and "Creative" score cards, but they are "locked" and require more money to access them.

I don't especially like that.

It seems like my submission free should entitle me to all the feedback I receive on my submission.

And, if that is not the case, then addition fees need to be made clear and stated up front.

But whatever.

86/100 is a B (in a teacher's mind), so I'm good... for now.  

 

 

MUSCLES & WINE Austin Comedy Fest Win!

Just got the following email from the Austin Comedy Festival! 

Muscles & Wine is an official selection!
Such a good feeling!
I was beginning to think I was a one-hit wonder with Personal Demons.
So gratifying that a script (especially a non-horror script) of mine is getting recognition and wining awards! 

And Austin is, from what I understand, the liberal arts epicenter of Texas.  It is, after all, home to SXSW. All I'm saying is: this is a city... a crowd... a culture that is discerning, aware and creative. It's a honor that a film fest in Austin is giving me accolades. 

This is a seriously big deal for me.

I may actually be a good writer, if I can effectively write comedy and horror (separately, of course). 

I just needed this bit of recognition to make me believe that it is all worth it and to keep trying. 

Hopefully I can keep this momentum up until something wonderful... a happy accident... a good luck streak... I don't know... happens.

 

Dear Erik D., Congratulations! Please check your inbox within the next 48 hours for a detailed acceptance email from filmfestivalcircuit.com. The email will include award nomination information for all filmmakers and screenwriters. For film submissions, it will also include file delivery instructions and our screening schedule policy. Please do not send or share any video files until you have read the acceptance email. Thank you. Mikel Fair, Film Festival Circuit, CEO Muscles & Wine Selected Project has been selected to be included in festival. You can contact Austin Comedy Film Festival by replying to this email or sending an email to austin.comedy@filmfestivalcircuit.com.

 

Inspiration Has Landed!

 And just like that I have an idea for my first stage play.

It's a combo kaiju / old spooky house / mad scientist / cosmic horror / Lovecraft-esque play full of jump scares and creature FX (that can, obviously, be modified for every theater company / playhouse that puts it on, allowing for liberal interpretations that suit each company's culture and perspective).

It is titled "Under Foot".

The exact plot details I am keeping under my hat and only sending them to my buddy Tim Scott for now.