Lots of people ask me about how to break into the world of late night talk show monologue writing. Instead of typing out the same response over and over, I figured it was time to just create a page on my site for it. That being said, let’s get it on!

Ok, so you say you’re interested in the wet and wild world of professional comedy writing! Writing comedy is fun. Getting paid for writing comedy is even funner. However, as you might guess, there are, quite literally, millions of comedy writers out there competing to get their stuff on these shows. Needless to say, it’s next to impossible to hook on as a writer or even a freelancer without some good luck. But not completely impossible!

If you’re absolutely determined to give it a go, the following is some general advice I tell people about freelancing for late night shows. I’d love to give advice about getting a full-time TV writing job, because that would mean I actually have a full-time TV writing job. But since i don’t, I won’t.

Hooking on as a freelancer with a late night show is a very odd and ill-defined process. Basically, like most things in entertainment (and life) it takes some talent, some luck and lots of persistence. In my case, I initially got started freelancing for Jay Leno through a friend who was doing it. After that, I hooked up with David Letterman by sending in a package of jokes to the head monologue writer. He liked my stuff enough to hire me on to the freelance team.

You can try calling the show and asking for the writer’s assistant and asking that person about writing opportunities. If you are particularly bold, you can call the show and ask for the head writer (or monologue coordinator) and ask him or her directly. Obviously, as with applying for any job – and no matter who you talk to – remember at all times to be brief, polite and professional.

However you get in contact with the show, the most important thing is to have a strong set of material in the voice of the show ready to show somebody if and when you get the opportunity. So watch the show you’re interested in writing for and make sure you can write funny material in the voice of the host. If it doesn’t sound like something the host would say, it won’t matter how funny it is.

Other than that, work every possible connection you have to the entertainment world. Stand up comedy, in addition to being a great art form and a great forum for your writing, can be the best way to make connections. Finally, persistance, above everything else, is what you need most.

And that’s all I’ve got to say about that.

I hope this helps! I really don’t have much more advice than that, but feel free to contact me if you stil have an unanswered question, or if you have any good recipes or stock tips. Be aware, though, that I can’t give out any specific contact information for people in the biz that I know and I don’t review the work of people I don’t know, ’cause I don’t want anybody accusing me of stealing their material.

Otherwise, god speed, my child, as you enter this brave new world. Let me know if you have any luck breaking into the industry. See how I’m working every possible connection? I hope you’re taking notes.