What I Wish I Knew Before I Moved to Hollywood

Product Description
The bestselling updated & expanded second edition now available in hardcover.  
"This book offers insights to help you pursue your dreams with your eyes wide open. Success in Hollywood takes great patience and determination. Knowing this helps you prepare for each battle you face along the way."  
            —James Pickens Jr., Actor, ABC's Grey’s Anatomy
Oprah Winfrey and dozens of motivational speakers say, "Follow your bliss (what makes you happy) and the money will come." This may be true, but what they don't tell you is how long it may take for the money to come.
"Entertaining and revealing... Locke challenges his readers to step behind the Hollywood sign to see the business side of entertainment.  Insights into why movies are made, how artists are chosen for success and how hopefuls can improve their chances make it a fascinating read for artists and the general public." –Library Journal
 
"A great read.  I couldn't put it down… fascinating, humorous, and very honest....anyone who wants to go to Hollywood...better yet, anyone who has dreams should read this book." –MyBookAddiction.com Review
“Honest, insightful, refreshing and laugh out loud funny. Locke's writing style is reminiscent of David Sedaris—colorful and sardonic…unveils the good, bad and ugly side of Hollywood but still inspires you to follow your dreams. –Rayne Shuman
T.R. Locke once abandoned dreams of being a writer and an actor in exchange for a comfortable life in suburban Chicago as a college administrator and real estate investor. Success didn't make him happy though, it left him bored. So Locke took a chance on his old dream, wrote a screenplay and sent it to Hollywood. To his surprise, he made the semi-finals of a screenwriting contest developed by Stephen Spielberg's Amblin Entertainment. Soon Locke was flying out to L. A., meeting with literary agents and producers, hobnobbing with movie and music stars and anticipating an exciting future following his bliss. Two years later he was broke.
That's when the real WORK of following dreams began.
The book includes experiences of more than a dozen artists—from Grammy-nominated singers, to screenwriters, staffers, film and TV executives, festival-winning directors, Emmy-winning filmmakers, platinum-selling record producers and award-winning movie and TV stars. Their stories inspire and entertain you whether your dreams lead to Hollywood or your own Hometown.
Review
Entertaining and revealing,... Locke challenges his readers to step behind the Hollywood sign to see the business side of entertainment. Insights into why movies are made, how artists are chosen for success and how hopefuls can improve their chances make it a fascinating read for artists and the general public. --Library Journal

The book isn't intended to stop people from following their bliss, but is a wake-up call. If you can't take the treatment in these pages, stay away from Hollywood. If these stories help you see a way to exploit the system, you may well have what it takes to survive and even prosper there. --Scriptwriting Secrets

This should be required reading for every performing arts program in the country. It is required reading for anyone looking to learn more about Hollywood either before they go or before they give up on their dreams and leave. -5 Stars --Book Maven Reviews
About the Author
T.R. Locke is a critically acclaimed, best-selling author, screenwriter, humorist and former stage and commercial actor. He has ghostwritten over a dozen books. He writes an authoritative blog for artists about the entertainment business at TRLocke.com.
His work has been featured on TV, radio, in national magazines and across the web.
He has lectured at the prestigious Northwestern University Graduate School of Journalism and other colleges and universities.
He is a highly sought-after speaker for writing groups, acting groups, film festivals and colleges in Hollywood and across the nation.