Hire a Screenwriter to Adapt Your Book or Novel
Need a screenwriter to adapt your book, short story or graphic novel? I may be able to help.
But first, let me just say: Adaptations, in my opinion, are not easy.
On the plus side, you already have all the content ready. You have the expansive bounty of content from your book or novel.
But that’s also the problem.
A book or novel usually has a LOT of content. Too much for a movie.
Remember, a movie is 90-120 minutes. That’s 90-120 script pages. That might sound like a lot. It’s really not.
A book or novel also often sort of sprawls about and wanders. It can contain a major story or stories but also incidental mini-stories, anecdotes and sub-plots. It is often far less linear and focused than a movie or screenplay. Amongst other things, the book may not have a clear message, tone, characters, character goals and story arcs. Yet a good script should have these things.
The adaptation of a book into a screenplay then becomes a process of taking all that source content, carefully selecting exactly what is crucial for the screenplay and creating a well-structured, clearly-focused script.
Also, a caveat: the screenplay version of your book may require some major changes and embellishments. Adaptations often require big changes to make the book work as a movie.
If you look at some of the most well-known adaptations, you’ll find major changes were implemented to make the script work. Just Google “Forrest Gump adaptation” and you’ll get an idea. For example, did you know that in the book version, Forrest goes to outer space with an orangutan, then crashes on an island and lives with cannibals for four years raising cotton? I don't recall that in the movie, right?
With all that said, some of the best movies you have ever seen are adapted screenplays. From “The Shawshank Redemption” to “The Hunger Games” to “Fight Club” to “The Help,” they make for great movies across diverse genres. And when your screenplay is based on a published book, it has some inherent credibility that adds to your marketing efforts.
So, your idea of turning your book into a screenplay may be a very good idea!
But wait, another caveat: not all books make for good films.
How do you know if yours will?
Get your book read by someone who knows screenwriting and film.
With adaptations I offer a unique service, a special introductory engagement, where for a reduced fee I do the following:
The reason I do this is because I don’t think it’s such a good idea to give an opinion on the workability of a book as a screenplay based only on a brief description or synopsis of the book only. This is possible, but it’s not ideal. The best thing is to actually read the whole book. So for a minimal fee I get to read the book and then also as part of this, to give the author a document that shows my recommendations for the screenplay (and my writing abilities), as well as a document that the author can use for future marketing.
If, then, I feel the book would be great as a film and I like the project, and you like my work, then we would negotiate for the full adaptation of the book. And on the other hand, if anyone was not happy for any reason, either party could simply walk away.
If you are interested in an adaptation or have any questions you are welcome to get in touch with me. I can send you a writing sample/s. I can also offer a free introductory session where you can tell me about your book or novel and I can give some free feedback.
I hope that gives you a good idea of what an adaptation entails and how I can help as a screenwriter to adapt your book or novel.
Thanks for reading and all the best!
Return to the main Screenwriter Services page
But first, let me just say: Adaptations, in my opinion, are not easy.
On the plus side, you already have all the content ready. You have the expansive bounty of content from your book or novel.
But that’s also the problem.
A book or novel usually has a LOT of content. Too much for a movie.
Remember, a movie is 90-120 minutes. That’s 90-120 script pages. That might sound like a lot. It’s really not.
A book or novel also often sort of sprawls about and wanders. It can contain a major story or stories but also incidental mini-stories, anecdotes and sub-plots. It is often far less linear and focused than a movie or screenplay. Amongst other things, the book may not have a clear message, tone, characters, character goals and story arcs. Yet a good script should have these things.
The adaptation of a book into a screenplay then becomes a process of taking all that source content, carefully selecting exactly what is crucial for the screenplay and creating a well-structured, clearly-focused script.
Also, a caveat: the screenplay version of your book may require some major changes and embellishments. Adaptations often require big changes to make the book work as a movie.
If you look at some of the most well-known adaptations, you’ll find major changes were implemented to make the script work. Just Google “Forrest Gump adaptation” and you’ll get an idea. For example, did you know that in the book version, Forrest goes to outer space with an orangutan, then crashes on an island and lives with cannibals for four years raising cotton? I don't recall that in the movie, right?
With all that said, some of the best movies you have ever seen are adapted screenplays. From “The Shawshank Redemption” to “The Hunger Games” to “Fight Club” to “The Help,” they make for great movies across diverse genres. And when your screenplay is based on a published book, it has some inherent credibility that adds to your marketing efforts.
So, your idea of turning your book into a screenplay may be a very good idea!
But wait, another caveat: not all books make for good films.
How do you know if yours will?
Get your book read by someone who knows screenwriting and film.
With adaptations I offer a unique service, a special introductory engagement, where for a reduced fee I do the following:
- Read your book,
- Provide a written opinion stating if it would work for the film medium (and how I envision the book in screenplay form),
- Provide a treatment which you can use to sell the film rights for your book.
The reason I do this is because I don’t think it’s such a good idea to give an opinion on the workability of a book as a screenplay based only on a brief description or synopsis of the book only. This is possible, but it’s not ideal. The best thing is to actually read the whole book. So for a minimal fee I get to read the book and then also as part of this, to give the author a document that shows my recommendations for the screenplay (and my writing abilities), as well as a document that the author can use for future marketing.
If, then, I feel the book would be great as a film and I like the project, and you like my work, then we would negotiate for the full adaptation of the book. And on the other hand, if anyone was not happy for any reason, either party could simply walk away.
If you are interested in an adaptation or have any questions you are welcome to get in touch with me. I can send you a writing sample/s. I can also offer a free introductory session where you can tell me about your book or novel and I can give some free feedback.
I hope that gives you a good idea of what an adaptation entails and how I can help as a screenwriter to adapt your book or novel.
Thanks for reading and all the best!
Return to the main Screenwriter Services page