I’m often asked what I look for when I evaluate books for the movie biz.
First and foremost, I look for the elements that are important to my employers–things that they are specifically looking for in terms of genre, execution, etcetera. I read for a couple of different places, and each has a slightly different mandate.
In general, in order for a book to become a movie it has to have a strong, forward-moving plot line, and a premise that you can easily picture on a poster or in a TV ad campaign. Deal killers are:
1) The story has been done before
2) The concept is “soft”–takes too long to explain because it has a lot of nuance. This is also called “execution dependent.” The Hours is a prime example of this. Generally speaking, you can only get away with a soft concept when the book is a bestseller.
3) The story is small, meaning the stakes don’t feel like they matter very much or that the obstacles seem easily surmountable.
If you have read a book and think you have what it takes to turn it into a movie–
DO NOT START WRITING.
It is imperative that you obtain the film rights to the book before you begin the adaptation.
“But Superfast Reader, what if I write it so good that the movie people just have to have it?”
The answer to that is litigation.
If the rights have already been taken, not only will no one read your script, they might actually take legal action against you to stop you from writing (and the law would be on their side). In the case of Writers’ Guild credit arbitration, which determines, in the case of multiple writers, who contributed what elements to a screenplay, only writers hired by the rights-holder will be considered. So if you think one of your ideas ended up in the movie, you’re basically out of luck–unless you know for sure that someone at that company read your script and stole your idea. These kinds of lawsuits do happen, but they are very costly to bring to court. And because of high-profile story-stealing cases like Coming to America, studios, financiers, and production companies are on their guard. Nobody, and I mean nobody, in their right mind will touch your script for their with a 10-foot pole.
If the rights aren’t available, you might think that you should write the screenplay to prove that the book would make a great movie, enticing a moneybags to option the book for you. Here, you run the risk of losing the book to someone else, which would take you back into the nightmare of the 1st situation. You’re just setting yourself up for heartbreak.
To find out rights availability for a book, the official route is to call the publisher and ask to speak to “Subsidiary Rights.” More than likely, you will get a recording requesting that you fax or email a request. Some publishers have this information on their websites as well. You are inquiring about the film rights, and in your letter you must also establish why they should give you this information. If they don’t deem you a legitimate candidate, they might never, ever respond to you.
The good news is that many writers have websites and allow you to contact them directly. Your best bet, if you really fall in love with a book, is to make your case directly to the author, and get him on your side. If you’re lucky, you’ll hit it off and she’ll option her book to you. Now you have the legal right to shop the book around, write the screenplay, and make the movie.
Last night’s work read was the new book by a best-selling author who I just really don’t get at all. His books are way too weird for me, and this was no exception.
A book you should read, “EXPERT WITNESS”
printed in the USA by http://www.lulu.com
Hello, I was writing to find out more information about turning books into movies. I have a series that I would like to get made into a movie entitled A Quiet River’s Demise. This is a five part series which is made up of five books and other short stories compiled into one large work. Thank you for your time I will be looking to hear back from someone.
Hi guys, is there an opening for a thiller set in the year before the english civil war 1641?
My novel is set around a chase to stop the contract killing of king charles 1st. But how do you stop a killer when you don’t know what he looks like or where he plans to strike?
A fast moving period thriller
please see opening on my web site anovelexperience.co.uk
I have written and self- published a fast paced fiction adventure called ESCAPE TO PROMINENCE the story is about two young boys who escape from a reformatory,they make good their escape but in the process become involved in a murder and feel compelled to help catch the perpetrators,this forces them to grow up quickly. Sparky meets an elderly black man who has been cast aside by society and a friend who leaves him a run down farm. They join in a partnership that makes Sparky prominent in the horse racing world,this prominence brings him great wealth and stardom. While finding love and possessing material wealth beyond his wildest dreams, at the peak of his success, he loses the greatest treasure he could ever have and in a moment of sheer madness, decides to make a final escape and end it all . Would like any info on agent and marketing advice. Thanks Sparky
Hey my friend is a great writer i had read some of her stories. She shares them with other & of what i seen alot of people are fasinated by them. She always wanted to make her stories into a movie and i ran across this website & though you were the right person to talk to. Can you please help me out?
im sorry im comment 305 please contact me at this email dineilyvargas@yahoo.com
I can’t believe the number of people how have advertised their books on here!
Your article is great! Thank you very much.
I wrote a book and self-published it. It would be wonderful if it ever made a movie – but then again, it could most easily be one. Especially what it leads to. …
Curious? find out more at https://www.facebook.com/pages/HOPE/162347297153507 where you can read a sample or buy paperback or ebook editions
Or contact me at authorhope@aol.com
Help me turn my book into a movie, please? I know that sounds lame, but I can’t think of any other way to ask.
In WW II, a German soldier and an Orthodox Jewish girl fall in love. It’s a very religious, book, too. Later, they have a baby.
In time, they find out that G-d planned their relationship.
Nobody has done a story like this. Thank you.
My latest book, ‘Alien Spaces in Similar Places’ has great movie potential. Check it out and I know that you will agree with me. It is a story about Ashton Clairborne for young adults.
Arnold
There’s a new blog written specifically for those interested in getting their books (and other stories) adapted for the screen. It’s called “Make Your Book a Movie”
http://makeyourbookamovie.com/
The site features articles, stats, and interviews with industry pros.
My Book would be great a movie! its colorful, it’s about Hawaii Myth – Lemuria and Science fiction, its simple, to the point with lots of info….it only takes 30 mins to read it….Disney???………
http://www.starseedhawaii.com
“Starseeds in Hawaii” (preteen -full color)
We both most definetly think that you should try to make “Death by Bikini” by: Linda Gerber a movie. for one it is the new twighlight book for tween ands teens. Everyone that i know that has read the book either has to read again because its so amazing! Not to mention its a series! The best part about it is if you made each book in the series a movie Linda Gerber leaves you off at a cliff hanger in all the endings of the book’s so you would just have to see the next movie. I believe this movie could make billions$$$!
Hi All,
Does anyone know how I can acquire the rights to a historical novel that was published around 1850 and tells a story that has never been done on film before? The novel takes place in in Spain in the time of Columbus. Many thanks
Hi.
I have read quite a bit here and my advice to all of whom are trying to get a novel to the screen here are some steps you need try.
1. Find a freelance writer who can adapt the novel for you. Make sure you have contracts when the time is needed.
2. Check to see if you own your rights for adapations of your novel. If not, your publishing company owns the rights.
3. If you do own the rights, seek an Indy Producer. Or a new film company. {They are more open to new projects}
4. As a writer, you cannot send an unsolicted screenplay to any company. You must have permission for that. In order to get it to a Hollywood film company, you will need an agent.
Hope this help all who are seeking infomation.
need to try
I also wanted to point out to many of you here that you should have a website address or some type of link to the material you are posting.
You never know who may come across this board and find that your tale is or something they may be interested in. Make it easy for a person to find the source material.
Good luck.
I perceive it is off subject but I wanna share it peice of data with everybody I can; do not imagine in psychics! I comprehend it appears crazy but my coronary heart was broken nowadays as one attempted to carry back again reminiscences of a misplaced enjoy one. He was so convincing it’s disgusting! These folks are scammers! In any case great site, but far more content satisfy!
I’ve been imagining my novel as a movie from the time I started writing it, 3 years ago, until right this very moment, months after its been publish (by yours truly).
It’s almost as if it’s a peripheral goal of mine. I’ll keep writing books and sequels to the novel I truly believe would make one explosive film and I’ll keep checking my e-mail for something from someone saying something along the lines of, “HEY! I’d like to talk to you about a screenplay.”
But, hey. Sometimes, maybe, the best images are in our heads. I’m not sure exactly how Holywood could capture it and adapt it, correctly (in my eyes), to the silver screen.
Then again, I’m not a director. I’m a writer.
Do you know a monkey with an apartment? I do and his name is Monkey Mac! This is novel I wrote online now called, “The Wonders of Monkey Mac!” A book for all ages, but especially children and teens. It’s a comedy/adventure, based on a scientific experiment of how a monkey survives as a human. It allows you to design your own snacks called, “Snacker Packer Stacker’s.” This book teaches reading, math, and social skills.
What would you suggest in getting this book made into a movie?
Thanks and God bless.
Love America!
Stephanie C. Harris
My editor told me that if you ‘hire’ a screenwriter to write a screenplay, the author has to give up his/her rights to the screenwriter. Once the screenplay is written, the screenwriter can market it and collect all the money; the author has given up all rights and not entitled to anything. Is this true?
To Pam Phree:
No, this is not true. You are not to give up your rights. What you are doing is paying for a service of an adaptation. The rights are yours.
But to be clear of what you are asking…Please answer this first.
Did you self-publish?
What type of contract did you sign?
What types of rights did you grant?
If a Producer has brought any interest in your material, what happens is you are ask to sign a “Option” this should have been in your publishing contract about “rights”.
If you need some other information, on teh subject matter in more detail, you can e-mail me at: Elainekyle1@aol.com
“the”
What is the standard process of optioning a book and selling it to a studio?
Should the author receive payment for the rights for the 1 year option and how does the author get further compensation from a studio, if the production company that has the option sells to a studio?
I currently have the author’s support to shop his book around to industry professionals. Currently, I do not have my own production company. Is it in my best interest to create my own production company if I want to shop around the book as Producer, or can I independently write a treatment and use my industry contacts to interest production companies and studios?
To Ollie
I will try and answer as much of this as possible in two sections.
1. The Option: What normally happens is the Production company offers a payment on a schedule. Example:
A option for one year might pay: $10,000. The second year might be for $5,000. Most Production companies usually gie an Option for three (3) years. The Major studios. An Indy Production company will most likely do an Option for a year due the smaller funds.
Ollie….
As far as writing a Treatment, I would not do that. However, what I would suggest is to have a screenplay. A fully finished one and become the Producer. But if I read your statement correctly, you spoke of having Industry contacts. If so, you should partner up with someone to become an Executive Producer and have a fully developed screenplay, make sure you have a sign working agreement contract with the writer as to how the relationship of the “property” will work.
That means talking about the rights you are trying to buy per se and the rights the author is willing to grant you.
There are no do overs if it becomes a Hot property. Make sure everything is spelled out clearly in black and white, signed and dated.
Starting a Production Company…
This would all depend on the following.
1. Would you have the funds to hire a crew?
2. Do you have the time for the day to day workload?
3. Can you trust your Director to do his/her job without you on the set?
4. Can you produce the project the way it should be done? (This is your calling card…all eyes on your Production company)
I do think starting your own Production Company is a nice business to go in, but only if you can fund all the projects you wish to produce.
Good luck.
Hope this helps.
Oh i was just THINKING ? I HAVE NICE IDEAS? But the thing is yes i cant spell the best but i do have 119 talents i do very well so just one negative is knot so bad so some one like me has to spend more money ” to get a book out because of spelling and certain words sence im derect in words, but writting editors would want to change some of my words to have deeper or strounger meaning or diffrent points thesers more to just get a book published self publishing can be a joke ? why you need some one to represent you and premote you do you got the money for that and a layer incase your challenged ideas can be stolden copy writes dont allways mean much ? what if some one pirates your book in a diffent country before you get it out by braking into the lybary of congress copy wites records differnt country laws do knot apply to usa laws there are so many problems in things know days people get very frustrated its costly to do anything any more
what if your wifes bypolor and you cant work eather or your stuck babysitting for two and cant get away how do youy get your dreams then? being pinned down and having talents goloar is a drag real truth is the facts of things a job is not allways enoughf i have knowen people that work hard and never have nothing hardly to show for it ? it seams to me there are a few that just love to critisize people that love to be truthfull about things ? but heres why the greedy just worry about there pocket books and there bank accounts and dont like people that give the best facts in a dog eat dog world ? these are hard times and every one knows it and most people wont get rich and become secsessfull because the simple days are over america has sean its better days once the manufacturing industreal capital of the world now a fast food wall mart system were foren investors have striped her of her wealth like a whore ? she has become do to sin and great wealth a porn capital of the world selling at least 92% of the worlds porn ? why well this is what people tend to do when thay have money trubble turn to gambling and backdoor ways of getting money thay tend to look the other way and in desperation wemon do things thay would not likely do when thay had jobs and money think if the econmie was working things would be reacable but heres what thay do thay take blue and red collor jobs and split them up making more white collor jobs by splitting up there resorces this way theres more jobs but the truth is thay pay less its just a cover up just like every thing else the 60 and 70 and 80 were good years were beauty won things and talent but know days theres two much compitishion things are not the same american idol is it tottaly fair id say not exzactly ? why because thay run talent throu like cattle with curtains were theres alot of nose were people dont get heard or others are already chosen its kind of like if you took a spoon with holes in it throu the soup getting only some of it so yes there alot of talent and books and things in the world that dont ev er get sean or knowen ? heres one god thing thou if you know jesus christ the son of god and you gain good talewnts god will reward you for them were somtimes all your hard work you do is knot allways rewarded by the world never blame your self for falures its knot allways your fault remember footprints in the sand jesus carry you when your down ? when you fail jesus is always there and the church to lift you up thak god for jesus who died on the cross for all that would except gods free gift he laid down his life for all that is truth the devil is a liar and the father of lies and was mainly a ruler of this world can you exspect him and antchrist to be honest its best to put your talents and trusts with god then a liar and in the end a braker of promises why because theres know truth in him just a very intresting thing to say in god we trust is on the coins and money but is there really a way to bless america with out god i dont think so our founding fathers made the constitution and established freedom in jesus throu the word of god there is know freedom with out god and he is the judge it is written vengence is mine saith the lord so who you gona trust the devil a liar or god love and truth the devil is love spailed backwards for lust is twisted love the devil wants you to think god is crul and mean but he is knot he just hates sin not us jesus paid the price on the cross for us ? oh sence were all eventully going to die were would you put your trust ? jesus as your defence ? its better then the devl as a defence it wont take long for god to break saintans lies apart in judgement like hollow balls with know sustance truth is fact and substance but lies are like hollow bubbles or emty packages know matter how good thay look there nothing insde thay only work if you bleave them thats what lies are the love of money is the root of all evil and for it people let evil people live in there homes and do all kinds of things for it ? i say just do the best you can sence the world and alot of things in it aint fair just do the best you can god can make things write and give your just reward for your works when a lying deceaving world cant need i say any more . have a nice day .
To Alan Robinson,
Do you have a book manuscript or a spec script of your material? Or both? The reason for me asking you this is because there are some options for you.
If you have a spec script, what software program are you using to do the formating?
There are some free scriptwritting software programs online that you can download.
You spoke of having two children. May I ask what the ages are? If your children are in middle school, you can have them help you with some of the typing of the material.
For copyrighting your material-go to the United States copyright website. Download the form, print it out completely. I believe it might cost $20.00 to do this paperwork yourself.
To get someone to perhaps maybe read the story for you and do corrections, a college student. But you must be willing to allow the person to make the changes that are needed.
Book manuscripts and spec scripts are competely different. In a book you have 300 or more pages to work with. In a spec script, your story must be neatly wrap in 100 to 110 pages.
Half of your story will not be in the script. For example: Read Gone With The Wind and watch the movie. Jot down notes. This will give you an idea of what the editing process is like and why it cost so much. Or The Minority Report and watch the movie.
You can also join a writers group or start your own club that meet once a week.
About someone stealing your idea, it has already been stolen. Every idea has been used, unless it is a “True Story” about a real person. The trick with fiction is to give yours a twist. All fantasy tales have the same formula, the best sellers have a twist.
Let’s use this as an example: Five young adults take a car trip from the big city to a small back woods county. Well, how many times have we seen this movie. More than I care to say. However, what if that was your open premise, but throw this in for a change. The small back wood county is an Circus setting. No matter what you write, it has been done to death, what sells it to a new audience, is the twist.
If you do have problems with the English language, keep a dictionary next to you. As we all know, nobody is perfect.
And one more thing, don’t be so hard on your self. Writting is an artform.
Again, I cannot begin to understand your problem, as I do not know you. But I hope this will give you a little help in seeking the information that you need.
Elaine
no this book is really a two hour movie thay want me to get itdown two just 350 pages its not that eazy going over things and making shure things match past present and future events situations this was very diffucult for me to write and so was the art it has navy jets and war stuf in it its science fiction but its not a creature that any one would exspect its very scarry better then aliens but nothing in the same way there are secrets to it and what it does these are aliens diffrent then preditors not like anything ever done because of the things these teresterals do i sean independance day aliens evelution starwares preditors galazy quest this is tottaly diffrent it has every thing terror fear suspence love romance victums the works it a master peace 5 years work but it only wrote in pencle the art is drawn with a manifine glass perades floats the place the war ideas and its misterys its cool it goes way beyound hg wells war of the worlds it deals with intecalatic fun and conflict its diffrent then the borg by star track but its ships and things are cool were thay live what thay do this creature is deverse and more destrutive then most aliens you got it its got miseries and things about its powers and orgins it took my five years to write it i dreamed it up but its a long one like 2012 if it some how becomes a move i would not sugest any one to watch it if thay have a wqeak heart some parts are pure terror really scarry the comments some give me play the lottery if you want your movie done This movie book move would cost at least 60 mill to make for a tottaly box office smash and that just one problem the creature requires alot of animation and yes theres more then one its attack ways are beyound anything seen stranger then star wars yes it a real hair razer but write know its in the raw stages its risky meterail to send in the mail but the same with computers im thinking of re writting it and doing the drawings over in ink im an ok artest i drew the actors faces in my dreams and things but it needs true pro work to really get started its like alot of others but like some it sets in its owen catigory unlike others its original its not meteral for kids under 13 id say but 20 dollars see this problem exzist with publishers if i copy write it there going to change it if it sells then the movie bissness will change it a bit also lets say you get it and then thay want somthing diffrent but thay want you to write it this movie has two 5 miniute parts with me in it the begenning were the things happens thats crazy and then at the ending q? because it eats my girl friend some ware in it it kills alot of people and stunts are needed above water and in water
i did a good job things get hungry you know thay live in the heavens and the skys but this manuscript is tottally amazing victums and things evacuations the pot party cool dearing the evacuation it has cops drawings of police stations houses alot of things getting to the point this thing is awsome it beats creapshow and the raft and the creat monster in the box and them wwere good thanks for the ride laddie unforchinetly you dont want to go with these aliens these are awsome im good at making up songs and pomes but this was much harder to do i need a cupple of thousand dollars to get the ball rolling but money is hard to come by seriously if i had 15 thousand id get it done if it was a hit seller i mite just sell the movie writes to it sence i also have 19 more book ideas to do but i have to get this one of the ground first . then the movie producers could figure out the rest .
Alan,
I hear what you are saying.
But let me ask you this, because this is the first thing any Producer in the industry will ask as well as Investors.
What is the “ROI”? Return On Investment.
If you can tell them this, just maybe someone will invest in your idea for a movie.
If you are telling us that it is going to cost 60 million as a first time screenwriter, the piece and the pitch must be flawless.
Also, your script must be flawless. The spelling, structure, etc. I know you said that money is hard to come by. (That’s true.) To become a screenwriter, you MUST invest in yourself. Therefore you need to have all the proper tools for the job.
A scriptwritting program is a must. I would recommend Final Draft. It’s costly, but if you sell just one screenplay, you earn your money back and double. This is an investment in your future. There is Movie Magic. This is a cheaper version of Final Draft. And if I can recommend just two books for you to invest in:
Descriptionary: This has pictures that describe everything with the meaning for you as well.
Writer’s Market: This tells you who is buying and accepting what material.
Also, I must stress this to you. First thing you need to do is make a final choice of is this a graphic novel or comic book type project. You spoke of pictures. Sounds to me as if you did a storyboard of your project?? If so, okay. And you must remember this. Regardless of what you wrote on the script, IT WILL BE CHANGED. If you cannot accept this as part of the standards of which the movie business does, this is not something you should enter in to.
A” WRITER” in the movie business is at the bottom of the game. The Producer has more power than the writer. Hell, the Talent has more power than the writer. If you want your project to be your baby for the rest of your life, then it stays unpublished and unproduced. This is the truth.
Truth be told, the books that get turn in to movies have a built in audience. One of two things happen to make them become movies.
1. They have been on the market for at least ten years or more.
2. It was something that was so mind blowing that it was talked about in the news.
If your script is 300 pages. Stop. Make it into a series. Why? STARWARS-LORD OF THE RINGS-THE HITCH HICKER’S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY. The following books were to long for a one deal movie. To much details.
You live in a world, were the average attention span is 30 minutes. If you do not wow a person in the first three seconds, forget it. No one will wait for the action, the action must be full on first.
Think of your nightly news. Why do you watch the channel that you do? Because the opening caught your attention for that split second.
I am somewhat lost as to what you are trying to do. Are you asking for someone to type your project, or fund your project?
If this movie is going to take two hours for the audience to watch, you better start it off with something we have never seen or heard of before.
May I suggest this; start out with a smaller project. This way you can find funding easier. Say something under the budget of $10,000.00.
This is fairly cheap in the movie business.
Or if you have the time, can you just produce a small indy type project on your own. Use this as a demo reel. Five minutes. On the Internet, a five minute clip will you get at least 1,000 hits. Why? The old saying: KISS… Keep It Simple Stupid. Short and Sweet.
Alan, I do wish you luck. Just know that when a person gives you advice, most are trying to help, and not hinder. Editors, Agents, Book Doctors or whatever the term is these days, charge the fees that they do because a lot of newbies, do not understand that the script that is sold, is not the one you see on the screen. It has been reworked and tweeked to fit the time allowed for the screen. Harry Potter, First Blood, Lord of The Rings, and even Let Me In had to be reworked. It is what it is. They all get the red pen.
Make friends with red pen, I own lots of them, to be exact at least a thousand. (LOL) Seriously, do not fear the editing process, it is wonderful thing.
Elaine
See, editing myself.
a five minute clip will get you
it is a wonderful thing.
parts of this move book contain alot of driving i was thinking ? giving it a lot of drift out sciens over the city like fly outs could save drive time
it got cool cars like taxie its got so much action
i could see it at if cut to about 1 hour and 45 minuites at its shortest ver i know about comic books spiderman took years to get done the stepford wives took 30 years to get into a movie
Whati did draw and write is very good but premotors i dont know because this is knot going to be eazy to begin with if its possible at all theres alot of actors that would be needed
eather way a movie dont have much of a chance with out some well knowen actors regardless if the writer is amichure or not and sence i am i know thay would definetly chang thing to fit the script to fit it so it would not be exzactly the way i wrote with lack of funds this is quite a diffucult thing i trying xlibris to do my book but spellling and fix repears and book drawing inhancements by there pro,s are nothing like holywood and there editors any book dont really mean squat intill thay get things togeather and fit all of it to the movie and scripts i have books on littichure but its time consuming to figure out which words are the best sence some words have the same meaning sort of little dots at the end of secentences hypens commas dubble ” things at the point strange stuf i often ignore im know expert in grammer and spacing scentences money is always need for somthing else thay gave me a black and white service order but i read there contract ? the thing is thay deal with millions of writers every year most will not pan out and try to self publish and that dont work unless thay have a premotor and good layer and plenty of money to fly back and forth and love to sine books somthing i would like but being disabled i dont think will go the cheapest one thay got is 650 dollars 250 somthing per month and thats stupid ? why its not enoughf its 10 two 12 thousand dollar rolls roice packages that mite give you a head way not some stupid cheap write up people do look at quality now dont thay im wanting the xlibris platinum package 14.999 for a starter and a knowen write attatchment name on my book to help premote it . it”s on page 26 the problem is i need a prmotor look if you take a book to a move producer or book premotor thay wont read it why because if thay do there afraid of being suied for stealing your ideas like if thay read it and change it some whats to stop them from sidelinnig it and cashing in copy writes mean nothing pluss do you have the money to sue if thay steal your idea courts are tied with copy write or movies and books being stold it”s starting to sound like ruthlesspeople ? but the point is soonor or a latter some one or some party will have to read your book and what can you do if its ideas are stold and put in a diffrent remake movie the music bissness is filled with copy write infrigments i know these things writers write a book is published a few calls are made but alot of books go know ware pluss books have been afected by the econmie and volcanic eruptions canceld flights canceled premotions and book sinning i try to think of every thing life can be complicated i like telling the truth there is sustance there lies are like well wraped hollow balls but thay have know substance for there is know truth in them my dad real dad wont help me thay were paid of by exzon last year my dad and bob were victums of the exzon valdeze oilspill in cordova alaska some of my friends died from that inclluding the mayor of cordova alaska i had fried i loved alot who jumped of the whites burg bridge in huntsville al tenesse river i allways think of him and isaic his chiled i love very much got to go
I have a story I’M writing , and I want it to be a movie. What can I do?
Danielle,
The story needs to be finish and publish first. After that you have some options.
You did not indicate if it is a spec script or manuscript.
Elaine
Gosh It is true everyone has a story. I too have written a book that is ideal for a good family movie with lots of music…..a tear jerker….and even something to learn especially for young people on relationships.
I guess I will just have to hope and pray that the right investor comes along.
i KNOW the journey in making this Movie would be more rewarding THEN THE RETURN. However I KNOW the spot light is ON just waiting for the Green Light (money)
What do I do now the Book is published….I have copyright on the book do I need to litigate for Movie rights?…..or protect against someone else making a Movie of the Book…Thanks
To Fay
This is when your agent and or publisher make the rounds for the movie rights. However, this gets a little tricky. If it is a new book, then it is most likely to early for a movie. Your audience of readers will dictate if it can be a movie. (Unless, this is a book-movie tie in deal. It happens-rarely.) As far as the rights go, it depends on what type of contract you signed.
To protect from someone else making a movie of your book…if it is published, this is the Publisher’s job.
My book is a life story, a very unusuall life story. Been there, done that. The book title is “Rotor Trash, A Pilot’s Tale”
Avialible at Lulu Poblishing. or http://rotortrash.com
It should be a movie.
The comment just posted about Rotortrash, The web should be “http://www.rotortrash.com
Sorry and thanks
Bill Saathoff
I have recently wrote a book called NEVER TRUST ANYONE which I have also had published, It’s a true down to earth, hard hitting and sad story but also humorous and tells how I was left after my mum’s suspicious death at the age of 9 years to suffer physical, mental, sexual and cruel abuse at the hands of my Dad and others I thought I could trust, After 20 years of being forced to keep silent I finally found the courage to break my silence, My only goal now is to make my book into a movie can anyone help put me on the right path PLEASE, kobrady@hotmail.co.uk
My book is a true story about my mom and how she lived in domestic violence for 30 yrs. Her abuser(husband and my stepdad)was also the high sheriff of our county.Both are passed on now.My book is short,but to the point.I am working on part 2. When you live in a small southern town,the good ole boys run the show.In other words,power and money go hand and hand.No-one would help my mom-but me.Law enforcement needs to be held accountable for their actions also! If my book can reach just one person,then it was worth the time for me to write it.I am my moms voice now.Please take a min. to read it.I have so much more to tell.And yes-a movie would be great from this story! The name of my book is Let There Be Light by Kathy Lindsey. Thank you,Kathy
These are the chapter listings from my book (Never Trust Anyone).
1. Six of Us Trapped In A Bedroom Fire.
2. Mum leaves Dad but pays a deadly price.
3. Why can’t I see mum in hospital.
4. I can’t stand you and I wish you was dead.
5. Were out of control.
6. A haunted house.
7. Do you want me to tell your kids who really killed their mother?
8. The house is engulfed in flames.
9. Dad drags Marcus and Shaun down to the Social Services.
10. “No Dad please don’t I’m sorryâ€
11. You’re a liar and I wish I was dead.
12. Have you ever seen a dead body?
13. Wake up Dad please, I love you.
14. Dad puts me and Ryan in care.
15. Dad comes home, but not to stay.
16. Dad is physically, mentally and cruelly abusive.
17. Dad deliberately burns down the house.
18. Run Ryan He’s Got A Knife.
19. Dad sexually abuses me.
20. Someone reports Dad to the NSPCC.
21. I have brought you all a new mother.
22. Have I been drugged?
23. I’ve lost all respect and now I’m out of control.
24. Dad puts me in care.
25. Dad forces me to have an abortion.
26. “Just tell the police he raped youâ€.
27. Dad finds out I’m expecting again.
28. Carl is physically abusive.
29. I’m expecting again and suffer severe panic attacks.
30. The police arrest me.
31. Dad, Ryan, Carl and I are all remanded in custody.
32. The trial.
33. I’m expecting again, but find it hard to bond with the baby.
34. Torn between two lovers.
35. Dad confesses about sexually abusing me.
36. It was me who killed your Mother.
37. Dads’ got lung cancer.
38. Please don’t force me to see Dad
How do you get the movie rights to a book that was published over 150 years ago in England? The copyright on a book that old has expired. Can I get it copyrighted?
Thanks
To Mary Anne
I would suggest that you first find out who was the original publisher. Since publishing houses change hands, there may be a copyright still held by a publisher as well as it could be own by an Estate.
Make sure to check the public domain. Some books are.
You will need to contact someone in the United Kingdom (UK) for that.
To Karen
Find an agent that specialize in movie rights.
I have written a book that I had the copy right for since 2008 and a movie was made in the UK with the same title as my book. What to do because my book is almost ready to be published, after editing.
To Tyrone
I would greatly advise you to change the title.
1. You may get sue.
2. The public will assume this is some sort of tie-in.
If you are publishing this book with a publishing house, they will do a title search and have a title change done.
i have written a novel that is great to turn into a movie, just need to get in the right hands. My novel is about An ancient artifact was discovered, deep in the heart of the Congo jungle. But this was no ordinary artifact, this artifact proved to be devastating effecting Jennifer and her family, in ways they could not imagine. At night Jennifer would experience terrifying events, that altered her mind and body. Jennifer first discovered she was cursed when she encountered un-known forces that she could not explain. Jennifer tried countless times to get rid of the artifact, but it only came back three times worse.
If anyone is interested in turning it into a movie, feel free to email me.
Could anyone please let me know of any honest, decent, genuin publishers, I have recently wrote a book but don’t trust my publisher as I have read more than a few complaints about them, I am hoping to start on my second book soon but not sure what publishers to trust, Hope someone can help I would be more than grateful.
To Karen Brian
Are you trying to self publish-indy press-mainstream?
There will always be complaints about all publishers.
Go to the search engine on the web and type in the type of Publisher you are looking for. For example: if your story is a mystery then you look for those types of houses. Also make sure that you check the Publisher’s website for guidelines. From the above comment that you have made, I would suggest trying to secure an agent if you do not have one. It can make it a lot easier.
I have written my unique autobiography. I want to find a publisher that will READ my book. Not just ask me for $$$.
People that have read it say ” this would make a good movie “.
I have it copyright@2011.
Could you advise me on my next step.
I appreciate your time.
Regards, Diane