On Writing : Has anyone here successfully pitched a novel (before it was a screenplay)? by Salma Hassaballa

Hi Salma! It's great to e-meet you and you prompt great questions, luckily, on Stage 32 we have services curated specifically for books and adaptations. Alter Ego already sounds like it’s built for the screen, and holding off publication to prioritize its cinematic potential could work in your favor. Pitching a Novel instead of a script can hold lots of opportunities, especially since we are in an IP boom where production companies and studios are buying the rights for books before they even hit the shelves. At the end of the day, you are pitching your story, and oftentimes it's easier to craft a book off of a script since the reversal of that can sometimes water down the story of the book.

Hi, Salma Hassaballa. I’m a Stage 32 Lounge Moderator. I wanted to let you know that I moved your post from the Screenwriting Lounge to the Authoring & Playwriting Lounge since it's about pitching novels and you should get more responses from authors here. Let me know if you have any questions.

Hi Salma, I am also a scriptwriter and novelist who is working on some psychological thriller genres (you can find my latest works on my profile). I would like to connect with you so that we can discuss collaboration further.

Marhaba, Salma! Chris here, just DMd you!

Sam Rivera Hi, Sam, It’s lovely to e-meet you too, and I truly appreciate your thoughtful reply. It’s reassuring to hear that pitching a novel can still carry strong potential, especially in the current IP-driven climate.

Alter Ego was indeed crafted with a cinematic lens, from structure to pacing, and your point about holding off on publication to preserve its screen-first appeal resonates strongly with my current plan.

I’d love to explore more about the services you mentioned on Stage 32 that are curated for books and adaptations. Would you recommend a specific starting point or person I could reach out to?

Thanks again for your insights — they help clarify a lot!

Chris Ross Leong Hi Chris! Thanks for reaching out — I’ve just sent you a message. Looking forward to connecting!

Audrey Quinn Hi Audrey, thank you for reaching out! I’d love to connect and explore the possibility of collaborating.

Maurice Vaughan Hi Maurice, thank you for the clarification and for moving my post to the right lounge. I really appreciate your support.

You're welcome, Salma Hassaballa.

James Fleming Thank you for your input I completely understand and respect where you're coming from. It’s true that breaking into the industry through a screenplay is extremely competitive, and without major book sales, the path isn’t typical.

That said, Alter Ego is a psychological thriller with strong cinematic potential, and while it hasn’t sold millions (yet!), it’s been professionally reviewed and has already sparked interest among producers in my region. My goal is to present it as a compelling concept first — whether as a novel adaptation or an original script — and then work toward building the audience and visibility it deserves.

I believe in being persistent and creative about opening doors, even when they seem locked. Thank you again for sharing your honest insight — it's truly valuable to hear from experienced voices like yours.

You can connect with me here, and I can coach you along the way. I don't charge for this service.

Jeff E. Gregory is there a connection: Jason Gregg / Jeff E. Gregory?

Jeff E. Gregory Thanks for your generous offer. I’ve contacted you so we can connect further.

Jason Gregg is a fictional character I created. I wrote a collection of novels under the banner "A Jason Gregg Adventure".

There is an advert on ISA (international Screenwriters association) which you could pitch your book at. Asks for stories. It’s a unique advert. Came out a couple of weeks ago. Deadline is October I think.

Yes I’ve navigated before and am pitching like a man possessed. Adapted five books for an American author. - he is still pitching them in USA. Writing TV pilots to pitch at the moment.

Hi David Taylor, Thanks so much for sharing this. The ISA advert sounds like a great lead! I’ll definitely check it out before the October deadline.

It’s impressive that you’ve adapted five books for an American author and are now writing TV pilots. I’d love to hear a bit more about your pitching process and how you usually approach producers; do you find it more effective to pitch with a finished script or just with the book and a strong treatment? Thanks again for the tip; it’s much appreciated.

Thanks, James Fleming , so much for the kind encouragement; it means a lot to me! I’m really excited about the journey ahead and appreciate your support.

I have posted a job listing to sell one of my four novels. By selling it as a novel first, I believe the screenwriter will better understand its soul and adapt it more faithfully into a screenplay.

Thanks, Ugur Kayikci , for your input. That’s an interesting approach. For me, I feel it’s important to stay connected to my story so I can help deliver its message in the adaptation, but I can see how your method could work well for the right project. Wishing you success with the sale