SCREENWRITER
Hi there! I'm Susan. I'm a screenwriter, storyteller, and professional sit-at-desker. I like pretty words, flawed characters, and salty snacks.
Sometimes folks want to know what I'm up to, so I made a website. I'm still coming to terms with this level of self-promotion.
I update this website so infrequently that I have to relearn how to do it every time. The one exception is the Music section, which gets considerably more attention than anything having to do with my actual career. Make of that what you will.
I'm glad you're here. I think you're fabulous. We should grab a beer sometime.
Little Swimmers in Great Lakes
a novel by Susan Brightbill
Coming soon! Seriously.
About me
When I write, my goal is to make you feel something. If you laugh, cry, or want to punch someone (preferably not me), I've done my job.
I've been a WGA writer for more than 20 years, selling projects to Warner Bros., Disney, Paramount, Fox 2000, CBS, ABC, The WB, Arnold Kopelson Productions, Lifetime, and the lovely folks at Hallmark. I've sat on some very expensive couches and consumed a shocking amount of bottled water. Microplastics for the win.
My screenplay Wrecking Ball landed on the Black List, and I was awarded a McKnight Fellowship in Media Arts. There may have been a bowling trophy somewhere along the way, too.
I've also written two books: The True Adventures of a Terrible Dater, which was developed as a TV series at CBS, and Little Swimmers in Great Lakes, which will be out as soon as I finish the damn edit.
NEWS
Fall - 2026
It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas. In October. 🎄
I have a new Hallmark movie coming out soon! Adopting St. Nick premieres October 31st, featuring an incredible cast of humans: Amy Groening, Michael Rady, Taylor Blake, and Randy Apostle as a guy who may or may not be Santa. Think Miracle on 34th Street, with more eggnog.
So trade your candy corns for candy canes, people. At a time when the world feels like a total shit show, I'm thrilled to put something warm, funny, and uplifting out into the universe. Yep, I just spoiled the ending. You're welcome.
NEWS
Spring - 2024
I’ve been developing a TV show that I’m so excited about. It’s based on Erin McMurray’s wildly popular social media account ICGMST – which is the acronym for I Can’t Get My Shit Together. If you’ve ever left groceries in your trunk, forgotten your husband’s birthday, put ice in your wine or killed your mums – this show is for you! Very excited to get this out into the world. In the meantime, you can check out her posts and follow her here: https://www.instagram.com/icgmst/
Summer - 2023
If you like movies, TV shows and anything else on a screen,
please support writers and actors who are currently on strike.
We're just trying to make a living and ensure we're not replaced by robots. Yes, seriously. And let's get it done soon because we all need
season three of "The Bear." Thank you, Chef!
Fall - 2022
Huge thanks to the McKnight Foundation and the Walker Museum for hosting a fun evening with the McKnight fellows in Media Arts. I've written two new scripts during my fellowship and I can't wait to get them out into the world.
Fall - 2021
Super exciting news! "Sold Out" (the first movie I ever wrote and definitely the first movie I ever produced) has been picked up for worldwide distribution by Indie Rights. Woot woot. AND you can now stream on Amazon here. Years of work went into this. We are still recovering. It was pure joy to premiere it at Twin Cities Film Fest and finally share it with family and friends. I hope you love it. If so, please rate and review on Amazon and Rotten Tomatoes. If you don't love it, no worries. Just keep it to yourself. ;)
Summer - 2021
Well, this is some fun news. I’ve been chosen as a recipient of the McKnight Fellowship in Media Arts.
This is a huge honor and I’m in incredible company – both past and present. You can read the formal announcement here. Bottom line, I’m filled with gratitude and will be squealing with excitement about
this for the rest of the year. Also, I may need to put together an actual outfit. Please send help.
Spring - 2021
I’m having fun working with my friends at Everywhere Studios developing a movie that will likely air on Lifetime in 2022. It’s tentatively titled “The Signs of Christmas” and will star the wonderful Andrea Ferrell, who you may know from “Seventh Heaven” and a little movie called “Jerry Maguire.” It’s too early to spike the eggnog, but check back soon for updates.
2019/2020
I'm thrilled to announce that the feature film I wrote and produced, "Sold Out" is finally finished and was accepted into some cool film festivals like MSPIFF, New Hope and Twin Cities. However, due to the pandemic, all festival plans are on hold. We'll sit tight at home, wearing our masks and dreaming of the day we can safely share the movie with cast, crew and you. I'll post updates here or check out our website at https://www.soldoutmovie.com.
2019 has been a phenomenal year. We produced the first script I ever wrote called “Sold Out.” It’s a music-based drama about a female talent scout who takes a down-on-his-luck construction worker under her wing and helps him rise to his potential as a singer/songwriter.
We filmed the entire thing in Minneapolis during the second coldest winter in history. We worked our tails off, made lifelong friends and managed to keep all of our toes. We’re currently in post-production. With a bit of luck, it will sell in the spring and be in theaters in 2020. If you want to follow along, here’s the link to our Facebook page: Sold-Out-the-movie
Also, if you like movies with a (*spoiler alert*) happy ending, check out “Holiday Hearts” on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries. It’s based on Barbara Ankrum’s beautiful book “The Christmas Wish.” It was my first time writing or watching a Hallmark movie. They have a very loyal fan base, so it was an honor to be invited into their happy world. It’s going to run about a thousand times, so tune in anytime in the next five years. :)
Music
What I'm listening to:
If you know me, I probably made you a mix tape at some point. If you’re curious what I’m listening to, this page is for you. Please support these artists directly. They deserve it.
I’ll start with a version of “Hurricane Lamp” by my friends Jeffrey Foucault and Kris Delmhorst.