Plus, learn when to
set your first novel aside and pursue a new project.
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Two Authors Discuss the Road to Film/TV
Adaptations of Their Debut Novels
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by Gayle Abrams
Film adaptations aren't typically in the plotline of a debut year, but two
new thriller/suspense authors -- Kathleen Barber and Rea Frey -- have capped
their debut dreams with film contracts for books seemingly written for the
screen.
Barber’s Are You Sleeping
is described as "Serial
meets Ruth Ware's In A Dark,
Dark Wood in this inventive and twisty psychological thriller
about a mega-hit podcast that reopens a murder case -- and threatens to
unravel the carefully constructed life of the victim's daughter."
Suspense and plot twists continue with Frey's Not Her Daughter, described as
"Gripping, emotional, and wire-taut, Not
Her Daughter raises the question of what it means to be a mother
-- and how far someone will go to keep a child safe."
WD chatted with the authors about what it's like to have their debut novels
go Hollywood.
When during the
publishing process did you get your film agent? Who procured the agent?
K: Shortly after I sold my book, my literary agent (Lisa Grubka of Fletcher
and Company) called to say some film agents (Michelle Kroes and Michelle
Weiner of CAA) were interested in the book. It was such a surprise to me -- I
was still getting used to the idea of this story I’d written actually
becoming a book, and so the notion that someone thought it might make a good
film made my head spin.
R: I have been incredibly lucky. The head of Holloway Literary, Nikki
Terpilowski,, happens to be the film agent for the agency, so I didn’t have
to do a damn thing. From what I do know, it’s a pretty hands-off experience
with the author, but this deal came to me very organically (through a friend
who thought my book would be perfect for Argent), so nothing about it has
been by the book.
Learn
more about these two authors' experiences working with literary and film agents,
dealing with contracts and other aspects of the adaptation process.
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When
Emmy-nominated TV writer Gayle Abrams discussed her book with a literary
agent, she found it wasn’t quite ready for publication. Many writers do this:
They can’t get their first novel published right away, so they put it in a
drawer and write a second one. Here, Abrams discusses the decision between
putting that first novel in the drawer and moving on to book two, or
persevering with the first.
Read more.
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In frank and funny prose, the bestselling author of 12
books walks you through every stage of crafting and selling short
nonfiction pieces.
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$14.99
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Learn how to write & sell a novel without guidelines,
experts, or (occasionally) pants.
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$17.99
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Kerrie Flanagan takes readers step-by-step through the
entire process of writing and publishing magazine articles.
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$18.99
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Jess Zafarris
Follow @jesszafarris
Jess Zafarris is an energetic multimedia journalist with more than 7
years of experience writing and editing, and the content director of Writer's
Digest.
|
F+W, 10151
Carver Road, Suite 300 Blue Ash, OH, 45242 USA
Build your
confidence and accomplish your goals
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Save 65% - Limited Time Only!
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Are you the type of
writer who likes to fly by the seat of your pants? There are definitely some
advantages to breaking the rules and writing this way. In this bundle, you
will get Jeff Somers' new book as well as his presentation recorded live at
the Writer's Digest Conference. Each will help you tackle challenges head-on
using Somers’ abstract, "pantsing" techniques. Whether you’re a
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Take
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There are some writers who can write by the
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Plus, learn how to
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From a writer as industrious as New York
Times bestseller Jeff VanderMeer, such a candid admission surprises me.
VanderMeer is the author of the Southern Reach trilogy (including the
award-winning Annihilation, made into a movie starring Natalie Portman
earlier this year), writing guides like The
Steampunk Bible and Wonderbook,
and dozens of essays and short stories. His pronouncement is distinct from most
novelists, who are often keen to cite obsessive work ethic as a key factor in
their success.
Don't
miss Jeff Vandermeer's keynote at the Writer's Digest Annual Conference,
August 10-12, 2018!
For VanderMeer, the act of writing is only a component of the process -- to
him, experiences are as vital to storytelling as time spent staring at a
screen. The Florida local is hyperaware that any element in the world around
him can feed his tales, from the Gulf Oil Spill to dental surgery to fungus
growing in the trunk of his car.
In this article, VanderMeer talks the new edition, the symbiosis of setting
and story, and persevering through the ups and downs of a writing career.
Read a portion of the interview here:
WD: You've said that you
made every mistake you could make in a writing career. What do you think is
the key to persisting through those valleys?
JV: I think in terms of keeping going, taking the long view is really
important. I think a lot of times writers make bad decisions because early
on, the power differential is so, so off -- in terms of your position in the
publishing world. And so, when an opportunity comes along, you kind of know
in the pit of your stomach it's not really the right opportunity, but you
take it anyway because you feel like it's the only chance you're going to
have.
The other is just finding ways to have endurance and be bloody-minded about
believing in your work. And that takes time, but it also means doing things
like putting your work out there and getting the scar tissue of getting a
bunch of rejections, and not just folding your tent if a couple places reject
your work. Continuing to get it out there because that gives you the valuable
mental experience of living in that world and getting used to that. Because
that is the default you'll be existing in. You'll be getting stuff rejected
more than you'll be getting it accepted.
I realized early on I just wanted to be a writer and I would be writing
whether I was published or not. And that's true today. I would still be
writing even if I had never gotten published. And I think that's really
important. It is very liberating to realize -- I want to be published, I want
an audience, but this is also personal to me and I'm going to do it no matter
what happens.
Read More...
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Libraries spent more than you might expect
on expanding their collection each year. But how can indie authors rise to
the top and grab the attention of librarians? Find out here. Read More...
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Comics and graphic novels have seen
impressive growth over the past three years, which means this category is
ripe for experimentation by new authors. Here, Steve Kissing guides you
through the process of scripting, working with an illustrator, and publishing
your graphic novel.
Read More...
Join our special preconference workshop, Writing
Comics and Graphic Novels, at the Writer's Digest Annual Conference!
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Award-winning YA novelist Jason Reynolds has
cemented his place in literary history with titles like When I Was the Greatest, The Boy in the Black Suit
and Long Way Down.
Here we talk to Jason about writing, publishing and his advice for new
authors.
Read More...
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Despite long-standing aspirations of writing
a book, initial successes with short stories and essays, and a healthy career
in publishing, Andrea Jarrell published her first book at age 55. But of
course, she got through it. Here, she shares her experiences and offers
principles for achieving your writing goals. Read More...
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Authors can leverage ads and Book Detail
pages on Amazon to make them work like a "billboard" of sorts. But
in order for your Amazon billboards to help sell more books, they must
display certain characteristics. Read More...
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Somnia:
At the stroke of midnight, you (or a character) awaken suddenly from a
strange, vivid dream. You remember that the dream involved an unusual object
in a distinctive place, but you don't know what it means. Decide on the
object and the setting, then use a dream dictionary to look at common
meanings behind those symbols. Alternatively, give the symbols your own
significance. Use the meanings you find to craft a scene.
Post your response (500 words or fewer) in the comments here ...
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Jess Zafarris
Follow @jesszafarris
Jess Zafarris is an energetic multimedia journalist with more
than 7 years of experience writing and editing, and the content director of
Writer's Digest.
|
F+W, 10151
Carver Road, Suite 300, Blue Ash, OH, 45242 USA
Be Bold, Fear no
More, and Write!
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The theme of the September 2018 Writer’s Digest is “Writing
Boldly.” Pieces in this robust feature package encourage readers to
persevere, take risks in their writing and to dare to dream. Articles
include:
- Dream On - Most
define their professional success as a writer by external recognition,
but that’s a mistake. The real secret to actualizing your dream starts
within your own imagination.
by William Kenower
- Fear No More - What many scribes perceive as writer’s block is
really the result of enduring anxieties. Free yourself from chronic
fears by learning how to diagnose and treat their root causes.
by Jane K. Cleland
- No More Mr. Nice Guys - Unlikable characters make for fascinating
protagonists-but their behavior can risk alienating readers. Follow this
blueprint for flawed-yet-relatable heroes who can still provoke empathy.
by David Corbett
- Put Yourself Out There -Self-promotion sometimes feels like a losing battle,
but building a faithful following is about more than immediate profits.
Channel your inner extrovert to reap unexpected benefits, beyond simply
selling books.
by Jeff Somers
- Risky Business Truth - These bold strategies will help push you forward at
any stage of the writing journey. So give them a try-we dare you.
compiled by Karen
Krumpak
- See
what else is included >>
Would you prefer to
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Whether you are just
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F+W, 10151
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Discover the
different types of editing
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In this 67-minute tutorial, author Tabitha
Lord shares her experience navigating the multilayered, sometimes intense
editorial process. She helps you examine the different types of editing,
determine what your manuscript needs, learn how to find, vet, and work
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feedback, and create a strategy for making developmental edits. Read More...
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350+ WD Tutorials are immediately available
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Sue Johnson
Sue is an Instructional Designer for
Writer's Digest. She lives with her Corgi/Dachshund (Dorgi), Dori, and three
kitties. Follow her on Twitter @sueajohnsonco.
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F+W, 10151
Carver Road, Suite 300, Blue Ash, OH, 45242 USA
Enter one of 6
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