book into TV movie

[CCE]

This is a serious question - I would like to find out how & who to submit a novel which I think has potential for a good made-for-TV movie or such. It is currently in (published) novel form.

It has been an ultra long time since I took classes for script writing and I am not prepared to try it myself.

So does anyone have some real advice where I can send a query letter or proposal and hopefully interest someone to read the book with a script in mind?

Thanks.

[LIVIN]

Brace yourself for the answers that are about to come... including mine.

It's hard enough for a movie to get made when there is a script. You seem to want a movie to get made, but there is no script. Obviously, this is ten times harder.

Furthermore, when you approach someone, I'd expect the conversation might go something like this:

Q: The novel's published?

A: Yes.

Q: Why doesn't anyone who's read the book want to turn it into a movie?

A: The right person hasn't read it yet.

Q: And when the right person reads it, you'll be ready to write a magnificient script?

A: Not exactly.

Q: Not exactly?

A: Not at all actually. I want someone else to write the script.

Q: Who?

A: Someone great.

Q: Oh, I see. Well, let me know when this great script has been written and then maybe I'll think about reading it.

Basically, I don't have any good advice.

[CCE]

Thanks for your honesty.

[Daydreamer]

I'm not sure that's quite how it works, LIVIN.

CCE: If the book's been published, your publisher might have a whole department dedicated to selling novel rights to film producers. Also, your agency (if you have one) might help you there, too.
I don't think it will be a problem that you don't want to write the script. If you manage to sell the rights, a professional screenwriter will be assigned to transform your story into screenplay form.
Many screenplays based on books (even bestsellers) haven't been written by the original author (e.g. Atonement, the Harry Potter series, The Da Vinci Code etc.).

Good luck.

[Jon-Luke]

Another route to try would be to see if you could option the film rights to the novel, then write your super-fantastic script and hopefully get it picked up before the option runs out... Its quite risky, but you could always look into renewing option rights if you don't feel that you've banged on enough doors in the time that you have to get it made. Some writers work better when there's a specific deadline so it may be a blessing in disguise to work under these constraints.

[LIVIN]

Many screenplays based on books (even bestsellers) haven't been written by the original author (e.g. Atonement, the Harry Potter series, The Da Vinci Code etc.).

But those adaptations had people EXCITED about them. The OP's goal in this scenario seems to be to GET PEOPLE EXCITED. Shouldn't the book do that? And, if it hasn't, the natural question would be why not? Or, actually, the natural reaction would be - let's not waste our time, when there are a thousand fish (books) in the sea.

Regarding the adaptations you mentioned...
The author of the novel Atonement had a track record of other writings that were adapted to film and the script writer of Atonement was an Oscar winner.

The fact that Harry Potter is mentioned in this discussion is an utter atrocity, as there is no way this OP wrote something on par with Harry Potter, because NO ONE has, with regards to success.

And, The Da Vinci Code brings me back to my initial point - The Da Vinci Code separated itself from the pack. Best seller lists, etc...

[Daydreamer]

But those adaptations had people EXCITED about them. The OP's goal in this scenario seems to be to GET PEOPLE EXCITED. Shouldn't the book do that? And, if it hasn't, the natural question would be why not? Or, actually, the natural reaction would be - let's not waste our time, when there are a thousand fish (books) in the sea.

Regarding the adaptations you mentioned...
The author of the novel Atonement had a track record of other writings that were adapted to film and the script writer of Atonement was an Oscar winner.

The fact that Harry Potter is mentioned in this discussion is an utter atrocity, as there is no way this OP wrote something on par with Harry Potter, because NO ONE has, with regards to success.

And, The Da Vinci Code brings me back to my initial point - The Da Vinci Code separated itself from the pack. Best seller lists, etc...


Yes, those authors were/are very successful. Which would give them more power to negotiate a writing deal, wouldn't it? But even they didn't write their own adaptation. So why would a producer accept that a writer with much less bargaining power can stimulate such a clause into the contract (that they write it themselves).
They'd much rather assign a pro to write the adaptation. That's what I was saying. Though, I think you misunderstood.
As to the point, why the book hasn't been turned into a movie: Well, there are literally thousands of books coming out every single month. Some of them are bestsellers and get noticed easily by the movie industry. Others sell not as fast, but that doesn't mean it cannot be turned into a successful film (doesn't have to be a big blockbuster, it could also be a made for TV film).
I'm not saying it's easy. All I'm saying is that there surely is a chance to sell a book that hasn't been a bestseller.

[endless rewrite]

A lot of book agencies have departments who deal with selling TV rights to books. If your agency doesn't it might be worthwhile checking out big TV production companies to see if they have anyone assigned to read books with a view to making them into TV shows/movies. I was once offered a job at a production company to read novels and write reports on their suitability for production for producers to check out. There were at least half a dozen people reading novels (not scripts) for that company alone on a freelance basis.

Most TV adaptations are by people other than the author of the book. Andrew Davies is a good example of a hugely successful TV writer who has adapted many novels from authors both long gone and living. In TV it is the norm for somebody other than the author to write the script. It is also far from essential that a novel be a bestseller to be considered as a basis for a TV show or adapted. Good Luck.

Basically, I don't have any good advice. No argument there.

[dpaterso]

Do you have an agent? Does your agent have any contacts in the TV film industry, can she or he query optioning your novel? Methinks it would help if you could quote high sales (since every fan who bought your novel is a potential theater audience member), but maybe if the query shines someone might at least take a look.

I think it was pro screenwriter Bill Martell (http://www.scriptsecrets.net) who advised in one of his tips/articles that aspiring screenwriters should visit their local video store and look at DVD covers of films that their screenplay (or in this case, your novel) is similar to, and query these production companies.

-Derek

[dageezer]

How long has it been out?

If it gets on the best seller list, gets a few good reviews and gets a lot of buzz, you won't have to worry about sending out any queries, they'll come looking for you.

Relax, let it go where it goes and enjoy the ride.

[Mac H.]

Remember that if the book is published POD then it doesn't really count as published for the sake of the advice in many of the previous posts.

Why not? It would leave a very obvious question in the producer's mind ... if the publisher didn't want to risk a few thousand dollars in making the story public, how can they ask that others invest a few million dollars on the same story? (The break-even point is somewhere between 500 - 1000 books.)

At best at least it is really no different from having a story that you'd like to write into a script one day.

Good luck!

Mac

[regdog]

Perhaps if you currently have an agent you could discuss with your agent the idea of writing the book into a tele-play format for submission. And have your agent begin pitching the project. If you do not have an agent maybe you could write the teleplay and submit it to agents that specialize in representing made for Tv movies. Inlcuding that the book is already published and current sales numbers for the book.

[IceCreamEmpress]

I (and my partners on this collaborative project) have a novel that's been optioned twice and never made into anything, except maybe mulch. We've had representation from two really good visual-rights agencies who got us as far as the option stage. Now the book's being picked up by a third really good agency, and they're talking major cable network movie. I am not holding my breath on this one.

The book was published 10 years ago by a big New York publisher, and although it didn't make any of us rich, it sold reasonably well and got reviewed in national publications. It's a suspense novel with a very distinctive setting and cast of characters, and if I had a dollar for everyone who said "This would make a great movie!" I could fund an indie production of it myself.

So from my own perspective, I'd suggest letting the agents take care of it, and not expecting much. It seems like a loooong process that's kind of a crapshoot, and I have plenty of friends and acquaintances in the same boat.

[nmstevens]

This is a serious question - I would like to find out how & who to submit a novel which I think has potential for a good made-for-TV movie or such. It is currently in (published) novel form.

It has been an ultra long time since I took classes for script writing and I am not prepared to try it myself.

So does anyone have some real advice where I can send a query letter or proposal and hopefully interest someone to read the book with a script in mind?

Thanks.

I'm a little bit unclear about your question.

Is this a published novel of yours, or of somebody else's?

If it is your published novel, then you can submit it either through your agent or by yourself, for consideration for adaptation, in much the same way as one might submit a script.

If it is somebody else's, then to whom, exactly are you querying?

Dear Producer X -- would you please read this book, written by Author Y, in which I have no interest whatever, with an eye toward adapting it?

Signed, Mr. Z

To which, if I were Producer X, I'd probably write you and ask,

Dear Mr. Z,

Why are you writing me on behalf of Author Y? Is he shy? Is his Agent shy? What do you have to do with it? What do you expect to get out of it? Is this simply an act of human kindness on your part?

If you are interested in acquiring the property -- say getting an option on it and trying to then find somebody to produce it, you might call the rights department of whoever published the book (and if you do acquire the rights, or an option on them, you would then become "Producer X") --

-- but you should be aware of a couple things before you proceed.

One, Hollywood pretty much covers every book that is even remotely likely to be adaptable to motion pictures or television when it's still in galleys. The coverage goes everywhere and if it looks like its a likely property, it gets optioned or bought.

So there is a good chance that this work, even though it's never been made, may already be under option or the rights may already be owned.

If it is not currently under option it may have already been under option and the option has reverted.

Or it may have been covered, considered, and pretty much everybody had decided, when it originally came out, that they weren't interested.

Now, that's no guarantee that no one will be interested now, but it's something to think about if you're genuinely interested in investing real money in acquiring an option on the rights.

NMS

[CCE]

My novel was published in April of this year and of course I began wondering about the concept of a made-for-TV-movie after the first few "this would make a great movie" comments. I believe that this is also an idea that has been entertained by my publisher and she has provided it to a few venues.

I just beleive that an author has a personal stake in the success and it doesn't hurt to complement other efforts.

I thank you all for your responses, both the constructive comments and the harsher reality checks. This has given me a better idea of how to pursue this idea and also what my expectations should be.

Thanks again!

[kullervo]

Also realize that the made-for-tv movie market collapsed years ago with the advent of basic cable.

[ap0110]

I'm trying but I can't imagine how an author can drive development of his or her own property. In every possible scenario, it comes down to someone else becoming passionate about the book and either writing a great script or hiring someone to write a great script.

I've written two adaptations (both in development). In both cases the idea of making a movie out of the material at all was a pleasant surprise to the authors, who provided input, research, and guidance, but little else. And in both cases, the director and producers drove development of the project.

Also realize that the made-for-tv movie market collapsed years ago with the advent of basic cable.
Maybe I misunderstand, but isn't cable on tv? I don't watch either but I thought movies were still being made for cable. Lots of them, in fact. Mini-series, especially.

[robertmblevins]

Well, I have some advice for Chelle, although it may not be pleasant. I went to the Vanilla Heart Publishing site where the book is located. It's a trade paperback at 13 bucks. There IS an isbn. There IS NOT a standard link for wholesale on that site, which means they farm out the printing and mark it up, or it's a Print-on-Demand operation.

Either way, this book is not making it into traditional bookstore channels with the present situation. Even larger six-by-nine paperbacks need to be made available to bookstores at 50-55%off retail or they won't touch it. YOUR paperback is already 13 bucks to start, which is about three dollars above normal six/nine inch size retail. If it sells for that much, you can count on few sales if any, and thereby little interest in a screenplay. There is also the matter of shipping, since your publisher only sells online. Add another four bucks even at U.S. Postal Media rate.

Total=$17.00 per copy.

Your best shot is to write the screenplay and try to market it on your own. Download Celtx for free and you can format it. If you can sell the screenplay, you'll make more than you'll ever make on sold paperback copies of the actual book.

[LIVIN]

Maybe I misunderstand, but isn't cable on tv? I don't watch either but I thought movies were still being made for cable. Lots of them, in fact. Mini-series, especially.

kullervo was pointing out that there is less available revenue. With, say 100 channels, advertising dollars get split up so much more than they used to. Therefore, less revenue. Subsequently, makng something from scratch has more hurdles to overcome - as opposed to showing syndicated shows or older movies. The latter also have a built in potential audience. (One could argue the same with a book, although I don't think it applies with this book.)

[kullervo]

There's nearly nothing happening MOTW or miniseries-wise on the networks, which leaves you with basic cable channels. Little money and theme-specific productions rule the day. Your best bet is to sell a disease-of-the-week spec to Lifetime or a cheap sci-fi to the Sci Fi Channel. If you have neither of those things, your challenge, already difficult, multiplies.

[ap0110]

I'm all about selling a cheapie sci-fi to the Sci Fi Channel. Seriously. That's one of the reasons I'm looking for representation. I'm assuming they don't take unrepped pitches?