Help getting off on the ‘write’ foot

It's not what you know, it's who you know — unless you can land a real cool fellowship.

Applications are being accepted for the second Made in New York Writers Room, a six-month fellowship that pairs promising writers with entertainment industry mentors.

Selected fellows will receive professional development opportunities and industry feedback to develop either an original drama or comedy pilot.

Inaugural class mentors included Tom Scharpling of “Monk,” Lee Daniels of “Empire,” Matt Williams of “Home Improvement” and Norman Steinberg of “Chemistry.”

“It's hard to build a career,” said Executive Director Lowell Peterson, who conceived the program. “People hire who they know. Studios only approve folks they've had experience with, which is a sort of classic barrier to entry. Programs like this help us overcome that.”

The fellowship is a partnership between the Writers Guild of America, East, the New York City Department of Small Business Services and the Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment. Applicants, who must be New York City residents, can sign up at www.wgaeast.org/writersroom. The deadline to apply is Dec. 9.