Wonderful article! I wish I had something to pitch. Why don't I? Because my novel, NO STONE UNTURNED, which most readers have said would make a great movie, including one of Oprah's reviewers, does not have a script. I don't know how to write one and don't know where to go to have one done. Plus, I've been told my odds of getting a script made into a movie are dismal. I just finished my second novel, NO GOOD DEED, which is a sequel to the first, and I may do a series. My protagonist is a probation officer who has more than her share of problems trying to navigate an often corrupt criminal justice system, while trying to remain ethical. I had a 26-year career in probation so write with authenticity. If you could point me in the right direction, I'd be very grateful. Jeanette Fratto www.Jeanettethewriter.blogspot.com
I self-published three titles in my Martian Symbiont series before I discovered screenwriting. Then, since "authors don't tend to write good screenplays," I spent more than a year studying how to write screenplays. It's a bit like rewiring your brain, since novels and screenplays are quite...
Expand commentI self-published three titles in my Martian Symbiont series before I discovered screenwriting. Then, since "authors don't tend to write good screenplays," I spent more than a year studying how to write screenplays. It's a bit like rewiring your brain, since novels and screenplays are quite different.
Most publishers want complete control over pitching 'their' novels to filmmakers. Authors tend to be at the mercy of publishers where copyright issues are involved since publishing contracts tend to extinguish author control over characters and content.
What you can do is learn to write screenplays yourself or self-publish other stories (either with a self-publisher who lets you retain your copyrights or entirely on your own) and hire a screenwriter. Whatever you do, make sure you read the fine print of your publishing contract before doing anything more with your previously published work. Please be careful.
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