Become SO GOOD they can't ignore you.
Do you have a story you're itching to tell on screen? SBA Writers are masterminds of the future of television and film. We're a bold, creative community of screenwriters, writing their way to the screen. Join the Brain Trust and finally get your story out of your head and onto the page.
In the age of A.I. Slop, we’re bringing craft back to screenwriting.
STORY BRAIN ACADEMY is a creative school for the craft of screenwriting, dedicated to community and student-centered learning that honors every unique story brain. If you've ever felt stifled by teaching that pushes one-size-fits-all frameworks, or frustrated by inconsistency, then SBA is for you. Through our hybrid courses and community, we help the busiest writers master screenwriting, find their unique voice, and break in (or break out) in the entertainment biz.
We aren't the impersonal one-and-done classes you've taken before, we are invested in your progress and writing success and hope to be with you as you grow in your career. We know how frustrating and demoralizing it can be to learn to write and start your career on your own, so we become your mentors, teachers, your writers group and raving fans when you need us! At SBA you’re not just “taking a class” you’re “joining a cult” – I mean, “Community.”
Established in 2024, STORY BRAIN ACADEMY was founded by Screenwriter, Playwright and Teaching Artist, Alicia Carroll. Alicia has written for NBC, Peacock, Freeform, for short-form series, and Podcast networks like Crooked Media. But before that, Alicia struggled to improve her craft and break in through self-study, classes, and a lot of hustle. Now she's sharing everything she knows so emerging writers can benefit from her experience. With a degree from a top film school, an English teaching certification and 5 years of screenwriting teaching under her belt at institutions like Sundance Collab, The Writing Pad, and more, Alicia set out to make her mark on the screenwriting education industry by combining real educational pedagogy with creative instruction. Coming up as a broke writer, hungry to learn, she saw too many examples of overpriced classes, where you barely talk to the instructor and never speak to your classmates again, teaching rigid formulas or incomplete theory that left students lost as to how to piece everything together. Over time she developed her teaching ethos that SBA courses are built upon:
Every Story brain is unique.
Every brain works differently. Every writer approaches story differently, so teaching should reflect that. We offer toolboxes and clear roadmaps with the flexibility to adapt to how YOUR Story Brain works, not a one-size-fits-all formula.
Community is key.
No writer is an island. Screenwriting is collaborative by nature, and it's near-impossible to improve without consistent feedback from people you trust, or to break in without a network rooting for your success. SBA connects you with passionate, ambitious writers like you and gives you a space to grow together.
Craft builds confidence.
Most screenwriting classes teach the How without the Why, or the Why without the How. Real craft mastery requires both. When you have a solid foundation, you can bend (and break) the rules to fit your unique voice.
In a world full of AI shortcuts and quick fixes, our take is simple: writers want to write. SBA makes sure you get good at it. Because there's no pitching, no selling a show, no staffing, no making your own movie without craft.
We stay with you for the long haul.
The Brainyverse is built for longevity. You get consistent mentorship, real bonds with the writers you study alongside, and one core instructor who takes you from start to finish. No sifting through conflicting feedback or chaotic page-one rewrites every time you start a new class. Just steady guidance on every new project to help you achieve your vision on the page.
We offer comprehensive, and supportive courses that don’t break the bank, designed for busy writers fitting it in between their 9-5, side hustle, or school pickup.
We offer deep-dives on craft topics and all-in-one courses that take you from idea to finished script with step-by-step frameworks to keep things manageable.
Get live, hands-on from a working writer who's been where you are.
Through group coaching, hot seats, and feedback sessions, you'll get the consistent support and accountability that actually moves your writing and career forward.
The SBA Society is where you find your people. Connect with passionate aspiring and current screenwriters, get quality feedback, accountability partners, co-writing sessions to build the network you'll need long after the course ends. But whether you're just in SBA for the community, or you take a course, you're a part of the fam.
"After taking SBA courses, I have found that my writing is more consistent and I am able to finally complete projects without overthinking the writing process."
"Alicia is incredibly knowledgeable but breaks everything down in such an accessible way. Her classes are also really comfortable, which takes some of the edge off sharing."
- Amanda (MA, USA)
"Alicia is changing lives out here! I thought I'd never finish an original pilot... but with her knowledge and guidance, I did. So if you're down and troubled about your writing project, sign up for a class and do not tarry! She'll get you turned around in no time.
- A.B. (CA, USA)
"If I'd had this course a year ago, I wouldn't have made so many mistakes or wasted so much money"
"SBA is the aggregate of everything I've been looking for all in one place."
- Hyon (CA, USA)
"I’ve taken a few classes on screenwriting and this course made everything I’ve learned up until this point finally click. The modules were thorough, Alicia’s teaching style was clear and concise, and she really held my hand through the whole TV writing process which was necessary haha."
- Tahirih (CA, USA)
