Introduce Yourself : So...An aardvark walks up to this cowboy in a bar... by Kris Shuman

Good morning/afternoon/evening Stage 32!

I am grateful to be part of an amazing community. So far, my experience here has been fun and fruitful. I'm learning, submitting, pitching, reading—all the stuff. Most importantly, since I am a writer, I'm writing more often.

A bit about me, right, 'cause that's why you're all really here.

I’m Kris Shuman, a screenwriter who loves crafting stories with grit, heart, and a bit of Southern charm. My latest project, What’s Buried Beneath the Pines, has been described as Succession meets Yellowstone meets Dixie, blending family drama, crime, and secrets that refuse to stay buried.

I grew up in Faulkville, GA (a tiny town outside of Savannah), but these days I’m based in Orange County, CA, where I split my time between writing, hosting The Shuman Show nationally, and figuring out how to improve my golf game without breaking too many clubs.

Recently, I’ve been lucky to receive some great feedback from industry folks, and I’m diving headfirst into developing new projects. If you’re into dark comedy or heartfelt stories about survival, let’s talk—I’m working on those too!

My latest project, My Life Before Me, is a dark comedy serial/procedural hybrid about a washed-up piano prodigy who strikes a deal with Death after a drunken accident. The twist? He’s forced to live bizarre new lives or face oblivion, confronting his failures in a hilariously dark quest for redemption.

Excited to connect, collaborate, and celebrate the wins (and laugh at the losses) with all of you.

- Kris Shuman