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In this episode, GG Hawkins speaks with Madison Jones and Lindsay Grossman, co-founders of The Love List, along with filmmaker Shelby Blake Bartelstein, about what makes a romance script stand out in today’s marketplace. They discuss the origins of The Love List, the evolving appetite for romance across film and television, how to craft undeniable chemistry on the page, and why specificity, vulnerability, and the grand gesture are essential tools for writers hoping to sell in the genre.
In this episode, No Film School's GG Hawkins and guests discuss...
The “meet cute” origin story behind The Love List and how a shared love of YA romance sparked a professional movement
How The Love List curates the best unproduced romance pilots and screenplays each year
Why romance remains commercially viable—and why the industry is rediscovering its power
The importance of writing what you love instead of chasing market trends
How to balance high-concept hooks with emotional authenticity
Crafting chemistry on the page through small, specific moments
Why vulnerability is the core engine of all great storytelling
The art of the grand gesture in romantic storytelling
Why television romance (including slow burns and enemies-to-lovers arcs) can be just as powerful as film
How executives identify “soul” in a script—and why that’s what ultimately sells
Memorable Quotes:
“Write what you want to watch. To me, that is the most crucial piece of advice.”
“What part of you is this healing?”
“You can tell when there’s not a soul in it.”
“It’s not about knowing whether or not they’re going to end up together. It’s about how they get there.”
Guests:
Madison Jones
Lindsay Grossman
Shelby Blake Bartelstein
Resources:
Deadline - The 2026 Love List
The Love List on Instagram - @TheLoveList26
“Change the Prophecy” Short Film
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