Make Your Book a Movie: Adaptation Services Page

We help people tell stories. Our services are tailored to fit the needs of those seeking to tell their stories in print, electronic, and visual fomats—and to help with the adaptation of stories from one medium to another. We offer advice and hands-on assistance with novels, true stories, screenplays, graphic novels and more. Whether you're looking for someone to consult with, help create an outline, assist with a query or pitch—or write or adapt your story for you—we can help.

Our pricing structure offers options designed to work within your budget and timeframe. Phone conversations can be recorded and sent to you for future reference. If you need something in a hurry, we also offer "express service" for expedited turnarounds.

To ask a question or get started with one of our services, just send us an email. If you're considering our services but would like to discuss your options by phone, we'd be happy to schedule a free call; just shoot us an email and we'll make it happen. If you'd like to know a bit more about us, check out our bio page.

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Agents, publishers, and readers often judge a book by its opening. If you write well, catch their interest, and make a good first impression, they'll keep reading. If not, they'll start reading someone else's book. Get a professional opinion now—while there's still time to fix any lurking problems.

We'll look over the first ten pages of your manuscript and tell you what's working, what's not, and why. We'll point out mistakes, suggest improvements and, when appropriate, recommend other services to help take your work to the next level. And we'll do it for $25—because first impressions are important to us, too. Consider it an introduction to our services: a low-cost example of what we can do for you.

PRICE: $25.00 (10 pages = 2500 words*)
TURNAROUND: 4 - 5 days (Need it faster? Express service available)

• Contact us to submit or ask a question.

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An honest, professional assessment of your manuscript's overall strengths and weaknesses in areas including plot, pacing, character, dialogue, and structure. We'll also look at writing style and mechanics (grammar, spelling, punctuation, sentence structure, etc.). If your manuscript is ready to be seen by agents and publishers, we'll let you know. If not , we'll tell you why, and offer specific suggestions for improvement in problem areas. You'll receive a written report, followed by a 30-minute phone consultation to discuss any questions you may have.

The Manuscript Evaluation can help make a flawed work better, or push an already good story toward perfection. Think of it as going to your doctor for a check-up, before running a marathon.

Manuscript Evaluation is most appropriate when you need an unbiased and professional opinion on your story's relative strengths, weaknesses, and commercial potential.

PRICE: $2.00 per page (1 page = 250 words*)
TURNAROUND: 3 - 4 weeks (Need it faster? Express service available)

• Contact us to submit or ask a question.

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Detailed notes placed directly into the body of your manuscript, addressing specific issues as they come up and offering constructive suggestions for improvement. Where the Manuscript Evaluation is a Big-Picture diagnosis of a work's overall health, Annotation delves into the details, prescribing the most effective remedies for the unique challenges of your particular story.

Annotation is most appropriate for works that are already in reasonably good shape—but need focused help in specific areas. The goal here is to help you "make the rest as good as your best."

PRICE: $2.50 per page (1 page = 250 words*)
TURNAROUND: 3 - 4 weeks (Need it faster? Express service available)

• Contact us to submit or ask a question.

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When a story needs major revision, it's faster and more economical to work in outline form. Starting with what you have now (full or partial manuscript, short story, notes, etc.), we'll work closely with you to develop a comprehensive Story Map (also called a development outline) for the tale you want to tell. When we're done, you'll have a Story Map that details every significant event of the new (or revised) storyline, from opening scene to final page. The Story Map will be your guide as you write the next draft, so you'll know exactly where you're going before your fingers ever touch the keyboard—avoiding blind alleys and endless rewrites that could cost you weeks, months, even years.

The Story Map is most appropriate when large-scale changes are needed to bring out a work's fullest potential, or when the work needs to be expanded from idea or notes to full-blown story. It's often used with novels, screenplays, adaptations, and multivolume series.

Price shown includes up to 20 hours of phone time; most Story Maps based on finished book manuscripts are completed in 20 hours or less. Additional hours (if required) are billed at a discounted rate. Turnaround time varies with client preference; most authors prefer ten calls of two hours each, spread over 6 - 12 weeks.

PRICE: $1500 (up to 20 hours phone time)
TURNAROUND: See above (Need it faster? Express service available)

• Contact us to submit or ask a question.

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Our Second Look service is essentially the same as our Manuscript Evaluation—but applied to a revised draft of a work we've seen before. In this case, we'll be looking at how well the previous draft's problem areas have been addressed, while keeping an eye out for any new issues that might crop up. As with the Manuscript Evaluation, our feedback will cover areas including plot, pacing, character, dialogue, structure, writing style and mechanics (grammar, spelling, punctuation, sentence structure, etc.).

The Second Look service is most appropriate for works that have already been through a Manuscript Evaluation, Annotation, Consultation, or Development Outline.

PRICE: $2.00 per page (1 page = 250 words*)
TURNAROUND: 3 - 4 weeks (Need it faster? Express service available)

• Contact us to submit or ask a question.

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The purpose of the Line Edit is to render a completed manuscript as perfect as possible before submission to agents and publishers. It is an intensive, line by line, sentence by sentence edit of the entire work. We'll check (and correct) your manuscript for spelling errors, misused words, dropped and added words, capitalization, punctuation, grammar, tense, singular-plural mix-ups, capitalization, run-on sentences, repetition, unintended meanings, sentence structure, clarity, consistency, and narrative flow. We do not charge clients separate fees for line editing, copy editing, and proofreading; when you work with us, one price covers it all.

We'll also do something most line editors do not. We'll make sure that our corrections take your unique writing style into account—because writing is about more than just going by the book: sometimes it's what you don't do "by the book" that sets you apart.

Line editing is most appropriate when all aspects of the story have been finalized, and no further changes to plot, character, narration or dialogue are anticipated.

Pricing varies widely, depending on the condition of the work being edited; a manuscript in near-publishable shape may run $3-4 a page; those in need of heavy editing can run to $15 (or more) per page. Most fall somewhere in between. We'll review your manuscript beforehand, and give you a solid price for the Line Edit.

PRICE: Varies (see above)
TURNAROUND: 4 - 5 weeks (Need it faster? Express service available)

• Contact us to submit or ask a question.

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Personal consultation and coaching are available for those looking to brainstorm story points, those who prefer an intensely personal approach with constant two-way communication as they write and revise, and for those with needs not addressed by our other services. We'll work with you via phone, notes, email, or any combination of these—whatever suits your style.

Pricing is per hour of time spent on the phone, writing notes, emailing, etc. We can usually schedule an initial consultation in 5 - 10 days.

PRICE: $75.00 per hour
TURNAROUND: See above (Need it faster? Express service available)

• Contact us to submit or ask a question.

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No one can read everything. Busy book industry pros decide which works merit further attention based on ten-second pitches called "loglines," and on pitch sheets. The logline is a ten-second pitch of your story's basic concept, designed to make the reader want more. A good logline tells the reader three things: WHO the story is about, what their GOAL is, and the nature of the OBSTACLE that must be overcome. If the logline is good, the reader will look at the pitch sheet; if the pitch sheet holds their interest, they'll read your sample pages or outline—or ask to see the work itself. Here are four sample loglines we wrote, based on popular movies (three of them adaptations):

• A fugitive doctor wrongly convicted of killing his wife struggles to prove his innocence while pursued by a relentless U.S. Marshal. (The Fugitive)

• A family struggles to escape a remote island park whose main attractions—genetically restored dinosaurs—have been set loose by a power failure. (Jurassic Park)

• In a society where criminals are arrested before their crimes are committed, a cop convicted of a future murder goes on the run to prove his innocence. (Minority Report)

• An emotionally shuttered Wall Street tycoon hires a vivacious hooker for the week, falls in love, and struggles to form his first meaningful relationship. (Pretty Woman)

We'll read your book and write you a logline to use when pitching your project to agents, managers, editors, publishers, and film companyy execs. In fact, we'll write you two loglines to use as you see fit. If you choose our budget-minded phone option (see below),or we've already read the complete story in the past 60 days (because you purchased an Evaluation, Annotation, Second Look, Line Edit or Polish), we'll cut the price to $100.

PRICE: $350 for a book of 350 pages or less (1 page = 250 words)
$100 if you choose the Phone Option, or we've recently read the same work for another service (see above)
ADDITIONAL PAGES: $1 per page (book or script)

PHONE OPTION: We'll speak with you by phone, and write the logline based on the information you provide, without reading the work itself. Please note that if you do choose the Phone Option, we cannot guarantee (because we haven't read the actual manuscript) that the Phone Option Logline will represent the actual work with 100% accuracy; it will be as accurate as possible, based on the information you provide.

TURNAROUND: Four weeks; one week if you choose the Phone Option. (Need it faster? Express service available)

• Contact us to submit or ask a question.

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Once you've hooked your reader's interest with the logline, it makes sense to follow up on that interest immediately. The Pitch Sheet starts with (and includes) a logline—and takes things one giant step further by presenting the major elements of your story in a fast, easy-to-read "teaser" format. Like a movie trailer, the Pitch Sheet is designed to make the reader want to dive into the story you're selling. It gives them a sense of confidence in your ability to expand on the logline and flesh out the concept into a full-blown story. Ideally, it persuades them to ask for your manuscript or, if they already have it—to read it right away.

A good Pitch Sheet can have the same effect on the public. John's publisher (St. Martin's Press/Macmillan) liked the Pitch Sheets he used to sell them his first two books so much, they ran them word-for-word on the back covers.

We'll read your book and write you a Pitch Sheet (with logline) for use when pitching your project to agents, managers. editors, publishers and film company execs. (We'll even throw in an alternate logline. just for good measure.) If you choose our budget-minded phone option (see below),or we've already read the complete story in the past 60 days (because you purchased an Evaluation, Annotation, Second Look, Line Edit or Polish), we'll cut the price to $150.

PRICE: $425 for a book of 350 pages or less (1 page = 250 words)
$150 if you choose the Phone Option, or we've recently read the same work for another service (see above)
ADDITIONAL PAGES: $1 per page (book or script)

PHONE OPTION: We'll speak with you by phone, and write the Pitch Sheet based on the information you provide, without reading the work itself. Please note that if you do choose the Phone Option, we cannot guarantee (because we haven't read the actual manuscript) that the Phone Option Pitch Sheet will represent the actual work with 100% accuracy; it will be as accurate as possible, based on the information you provide.

TURNAROUND: Four weeks; one week if you choose the Phone Option. (Need it faster? Express service available)

• Contact us to submit or ask a question.

Book Menu

If you're looking for help with something not covered here, feel free to give us a shout; not all services are listed.

• Contact us with any questions.

Book Menu

Agents, readers, and filmmakers often judge a script by its opening. If you write well, catch their interest, and make a good first impression, they'll keep reading. If not, they'll start reading someone else's script. Get a professional opinion now—while there's still time to fix any lurking problems.

We'll look over the first ten pages of your screenplay and tell you what's working, what's not, and why. We'll point out mistakes, suggest improvements and, when appropriate, recommend other services to help take your work to the next level. And we'll do it for $25—because first impressions are important to us, too. Consider it an introduction to our services: a low-cost example of what we can do for you.

Material submitted in non-industry-standard formats will be imported into Final Draft or Movie Magic Screenwriter for page count and editing purposes.

PRICE: $25.00 (10 pages = 10 uncheated pages in FD or MMS**).
TURNAROUND: 4 - 5 days (Need it faster? Express service available)

• Contact us to submit or ask a question.

Screenplay Menu

An honest, professional assessment of your screenplay's overall strengths and weaknesses in areas including plot, pacing, character, dialogue, and structure. We'll also look at writing style and mechanics (grammar, spelling, punctuation, sentence structure, etc.). If your manuscript is ready to be seen by reps and buyers, we'll let you know. If not , we'll tell you why, and offer specific suggestions for improvement in problem areas. You'll receive a written report, followed by a 30-minute phone consultation to discuss any questions you may have.

The Screenplay Evaluation can help make a flawed work better, or push an already good story toward perfection. Think of it as going to your doctor for a check-up before running a marathon.

The Screenplay Evaluation is most appropriate when you need an unbiased and professional opinion on your story's relative strengths, weaknesses, and commercial potential.

PRICE: $250 up to 125 pages (uncheated, in FD or MMS**)

$2.00 each additional page
TURNAROUND: 3 - 4 weeks (Need it faster? Express service available)

• Contact us to submit or ask a question.

Screenplay Menu

Detailed notes placed directly into the body of your script, addressing specific issues as they come up and offering constructive suggestions for improvement. Where the Screenplay Evaluation is a Big-Picture diagnosis of a work's overall health, Annotation delves into the details, prescribing the most effective remedies for the unique challenges of your particular story.

Annotation is most appropriate for works that are already in reasonably good shape—but need focused help in specific areas. The goal here is to help you "make the rest as good as your best."

PRICE: $310 up to 125 pages (uncheated, in FD or MMS**)

$2.50 each additional page
TURNAROUND: 3 - 4 weeks (Need it faster? Express service available)

• Contact us to submit or ask a question.

Screenplay Menu

When a story needs major revision, it's faster and more economical to work in outline form. Starting with what you have now (full or partial script, short, notes, concept, etc.), we'll work closely with you to develop a comprehensive outline for the story you want to tell. When we're done, you'll have a Story Map that details every significant event of the new (or revised) storyline, from opening scene to final page. The Story Map will be your guide as you write the next draft, so you'll know exactly where you're going before your fingers ever touch the keyboard—avoiding blind alleys and endless rewrites that could cost you weeks, months, even years.

The Story Map is most appropriate when large-scale changes are needed to bring out a work's fullest potential. It's often used with screenplays, novels, adaptations, and multi-script series.

Price shown includes up to 20 hours of phone time; most Story Maps based on finished screenplays are completed in 20 hours or less. Additional hours (if required) are billed at a discounted rate. Turnaround time varies with client preference; most writers prefer ten calls of two hours each, spread over 6 - 12 weeks.

PRICE: $1500 (up to 20 hours phone time)
TURNAROUND: See above (Need it faster? Express service available)

• Contact us to submit or ask a question.

Screenplay Menu

Our Second Look service is essentially the same as our Screenplay Evaluation—but applied to a revised draft of a work we've seen before. In this case, we'll be looking at how well the previous draft's problem areas have been addressed, while keeping an eye out for any new issues that might crop up. As with the Screenplay Evaluation, our feedback will cover areas including plot, pacing, character, dialogue, structure, writing style and mechanics (grammar, spelling, punctuation, sentence structure, etc.).

The Second Look service is most appropriate for works that have already been through a Screenplay Evaluation, Annotation, Consultation, or Development Outline.

PRICE: $250 up to 125 pages (uncheated, in FD or MMS**)

$2.00 each additional page
TURNAROUND: 3 - 4 weeks (Need it faster? Express service available)

• Contact us to submit or ask a question.

Screenplay Menu

The purpose of the Polish (the screen-side equivalent of the Line Edit) is to render a completed screenplay as perfect as possible before submission to agents, managers, or buyers. It is an intensive, line by line, sentence by sentence edit of the entire work. We'll check (and correct) your script for spelling errors, misused words, dropped and added words, capitalization, punctuation, "script grammar," tense, singular-plural mix-ups, capitalization, run-on sentences, repetition, unintended meanings, sentence structure, clarity, consistency, and narrative flow.

We'll also do something most line editors do not. We'll make sure that our corrections take your unique writing style into account—because writing is about more than just going by the book: sometimes it's what you don't do "by the book" that sets you apart.

The Polish is most appropriate when all aspects of the story have been finalized, and no further changes to plot, character, action or dialogue are anticipated.

Pricing varies widely, depending on the condition of the work being edited; a screenplay in near-marketable shape may run $3 a page; those in need of a heavy polish can run to $15 (or more) per page. We'll review your script beforehand, and give you a solid price for the Polish.

PRICE: Varies (see above)
TURNAROUND: 4 - 5 weeks (Need it faster? Express service available)

• Contact us to submit or ask a question.

Screenplay Menu

When it comes to formatting and length, Hollywood imposes exacting standards that cannot be ignored. Within the industry, screenplays are written using Final Draft or Movie Magic Screenwriter, and emailed as .PDF files. Scripts written using other programs may or may not be properly formatted: a 120-page script written in Word may turn out to be a bloated 180 pages when properly formatted—or an anemic 65 (we've seen examples of both).

If you have a script you'd like converted into FD or MMS, we can do that for you. Because the conversion process itself often causes errors (sometimes few, often many), we'll go over every page to ensure that the converted script is properly formatted with regard to element placment and capitalization, margins, etc. We'll also provide an industry-standard title page, and a .PDF copy of your properly formatted script.

Note that this service corrects format only; it does not in any way address issues of character, plot, dialogue, pacing, structure, spelling, grammar, or any issue not directly related to proper screenplay format. Also note that the simplest and (in the long run) most economical thing to do is to purchase the latest version of Final Draft or Movie Magic Screenwriter and use one of those when writing screenplays. Our conversion service is provided for those who choose not to use FD or MMS, or lack the time required to convert and format-check older scripts for use in FD or MMS.

Page count pricing is per page when properly formatted in FD or MMS. We can give you an estimated final price, but cannot be precise because the actual page count changes as we work. Ballpark, figure 210-250 words per finished script page. Note that very occasionally, problematic files may require more time and necessitate a higher fee—and if that's the case, we'll let you know up front.

PRICE: $1.00 per page (but see above)
TURNAROUND: 2 - 3 weeks (Need it faster? Express service available)

• Contact us to submit or ask a question.

Screenplay Menu

No one can read everything. Busy film industry pros decide which works to read based on Loglines and Pitch Sheets. The Logline is a ten-second pitch of your story's basic concept, designed to make the reader want more. If the logline is both good and appropriate, the reader will look at the Pitch Sheet; if the Pitch Sheet holds their interest, they'll ask to see the script. A good Logline tells the reader three things: WHO the story is about, what their GOAL is, and the nature of the OBSTACLE that must be overcome to reach that goal. Here are four sample loglines we wrote, based on popular movies (three of them adaptations):

• A fugitive doctor wrongly convicted of killing his wife struggles to prove his innocence while pursued by a relentless U.S. Marshal. (The Fugitive)

• A family struggles to escape a remote island park whose main attractions—genetically restored dinosaurs—have been set loose by a power failure. (Jurassic Park)

• In a society where criminals are arrested before their crimes are committed, a cop convicted of a future murder goes on the run to prove his innocence. (Minority Report)

• An emotionally shuttered Wall Street tycoon hires a vivacious hooker for the week, falls in love, and struggles to form his first meaningful relationship. (Pretty Woman)

We'll read your screenplay and write you a logline to use when pitching your project to agents, managers, producers and film company execs. In fact, we'll write you an alternate logline, just for good measure. If you choose our budget-minded Phone Option (see below), or we've already read the complete story in the past 60 days (because you purchased an Evaluation, Annotation, Second Look, Line Edit or Polish), we'll cut the price to $100.

PRICE: $125 for a script of 125 pages or less (uncheated, in FD or MMS**)
$100 if you choose the phone option, or we've recently read the same work for another service (see above)

ADDITIONAL PAGES: $1 per page (book or script)

PHONE OPTION: We'll speak with you by phone, and write the logline based on the information you provide, without reading the work itself. Please note that if you do choose the Phone Option, we cannot guarantee (because we haven't read the actual screenplay) that the Phone Option Logline will represent the actual work with 100% accuracy; it will be as accurate as possible, based on the information you provide.

TURNAROUND: One week on scripts / two weeks on books. (Need it faster? Express service available)

• Contact us to submit or ask a question.

Screenplay Menu

Once you've hooked your reader's interest with the Logline, it makes sense to follow up on that interest immediately. The Pitch Sheet starts with a logline and takes things one giant step further by presenting the major elements of your story in a fast, easy-to-read "teaser" format. Like a movie trailer, the Pitch Sheet is designed to make the reader want to dive into the story you're selling. It gives them a sense of confidence in your ability to expand on the logline and flesh out the concept into a full-blown story. Ideally, it persuades them to ask for your script or manuscript or, if they already have it—to read it right away.

A good Pitch Sheet can have the same effect on the public. John's publisher (St. Martin's Press/Macmillan) liked the Pitch Sheets he used to sell them his first two books so much, they ran them word-for-word on the back covers.

We'll read your book and write you a Pitch Sheet (with logline) for use when pitching your project to agents, managers. editors, publishers and film company execs. (We'll even throw in an alternate logline. just for good measure.) If you choose our budget-minded phone option (see below), we'll cut the price by 20%. And if we've already read the complete story in the past 60 days (because you purchased an Evaluation, Annotation, Second Look, Line Edit or Polish), we'll cut the price in half.

PRICE: $200 for a script of 125 pages or less (uncheated, in FD or MMS**) $150 if you choose the phone option, or we've recently read the same work for another service (see above)

ADDITIONAL PAGES: $1 per page (book or script)

PHONE OPTION: We'll speak with you by phone, and write the Pitch Sheet based on the information you provide, without reading the work itself. Please note that if you do choose the Phone Option, we cannot guarantee (because we haven't read the actual screenplay) that the Phone Option Pitch Sheet will represent the actual work with 100% accuracy; it will be as accurate as possible, based on the information you provide.

TURNAROUND: One week on scripts / two weeks on books. (Need it faster? Express service available)

• Contact us to submit or ask a question.

Screenplay Menu

If you're looking for help with something not covered here—a screenplay-to-book adaptation, feedback on a screen or book adaptation you've done yourself, etc.—feel free to give us a shout; not all services are listed.

• Contact us with any questions.

Screenplay Menu

Adaptation Story Map (Development Outline)

We'll read or listen to your story, manuscript or book, prepare a brief written report, and follow up with a one-hour phone consultation to discuss your work's screen potential. Topics covered will include concept, story, character, dialogue, pacing, structure, style, genre—and which of these elements might be modified to make your book or other story more screen-friendly. The call can be recorded and sent to you for future reference.

PRICE: $2.00 per page (1 page = 250 words). If your story is not in book or manuscript form, contact us for pricing.

TURNAROUND: 3-4 weeks (Need it faster? Express service available)

• Contact us to submit or ask a question.

Adaptation Menu

It's hard to overstate just how different screenplays are from other storytelling formats. The same basic story can be told well in more than one medium—but when going from a tale that might fill 300-plus book pages (or a mere two dozen comic book pages) to the 120 or so pages required of a screenplay, major changes are called for. Starting with what you have now, we'll work closely with you to develop a comprehensive development outline or "Story Map" for your adapted story. When finished, the Story Map will detail every significant event of the new (or revised) storyline, from opening scene to fade out. The Story Map will guide the adaptation, so everyone involved will know exactly where the story is going before the first word is typed—avoiding blind alleys, misunderstandings, and endless rewrites that could cost weeks, months, even years.

The Story Map is most appropriate for those wanting to test the waters and see the new work's bluepint before committing to a full-blown adaptation, and also for those who intend to do the actual writing themselves, but want a solid roadmap before they begin.

Price shown includes up to 20 hours of phone time; most adaptive Story Maps that begin with a finished book-length manuscript are completed in 20 hours or less. Additional hours (if required) are billed at a discounted rate. Turnaround time varies with client preference; most prefer ten calls of two hours each, spread over 6 - 12 weeks.

PRICE: $1500 (up to 20 hours phone time)
TURNAROUND: Varies with client preference; generally 6-12 weeks. (Need it faster? Express service available)

• Contact us to submit or ask a question.

Adaptation Menu

A full-length adaptation of your story, book or manuscript into screenplay format. We begin by working with you to create an adaptation outline detailing every significant event of the screen story—which may differ considerably from the book ro other source material. Once we've agreed on the details, the writing begins. We'll check in with you along the way, and get your approval before deviating from the outline we've agreed on. At the end of the process, you'll have a finished screenplay of between 105 and 120 pages.

PRICE AND TURNAROUND TIME vary by project. Both are affected by a number of factors, the most important being the present state of the source material (book, story, etc.). If the existing material is incomplete or has major problems, the adaptation process will require more work and more time to complete. If the source material is already in decent shape (or better), things move more swiftly. While we can cite ballpark figures, a story-to-screen-consult will allow us to give you a more accurate price and timeline. Contact us to discuss your specific project. Average turnaround is 90-120 days. Express service is available.

• Contact us for pricing, or if you have any questions.

Adaptation Menu

Personal consultation and coaching are available for those looking to brainstorm story points, those who prefer an intensely personal approach with constant two-way communication as they write and revise, and for those whose needs not addressed by our other services. We'll work with you via phone, notes, email, or any combination of these—whatever suits your style.

Pricing is per hour of time spent on the phone, writing notes, emailing, etc. We can usually schedule an initial consultation in 5 - 10 days.

PRICE: $75.00 per hour
TURNAROUND: See above (Need it faster? Express service available)

• Contact us to submit or ask a question.

Adaptation Menu

No one can read everything. Busy book and film industry pros decide which works to read based on loglines and pitch sheets. The logline is a ten-second pitch of your story's basic concept, designed to make the reader want more. A good logline tells the reader three things: WHO the story is about, what their GOAL is, and the nature of the OBSTACLE that must be overcome in order to reach that goal. Here are four sample loglines we wrote, based on popular movies (three of them adaptations):

• A fugitive doctor wrongly convicted of killing his wife struggles to prove his innocence while pursued by a relentless U.S. Marshal. (The Fugitive)

• A family struggles to escape a remote island park whose main attractions—genetically restored dinosaurs—have been set loose by a power failure. (Jurassic Park)

• In a society where criminals are arrested before their crimes are committed, a cop convicted of a future murder goes on the run to prove his innocence. (Minority Report)

• An emotionally shuttered Wall Street tycoon hires a vivacious hooker for the week, falls in love, and struggles to form his first meaningful relationship. (Pretty Woman)

We'll read your book, screenplay or other material and write you a logline to use when pitching your project to agents, managers, editors, and film company execs. If you choose our budget-minded phone option (see below), we'll cut the price by 20%. And if we've already read the complete story in the past 60 days (because you purchased an Evaluation, Annotation, Second Look, Line Edit or Polish), we'll cut the price to $100.

PRICE: $125 for a script of 125 pages or less (uncheated, in FD or MMS**) / $350 for a book of 350 pages or less (1 page = 250 words)
$100 (script or book) if you choose the phone option, or we've recently read the same work for another service (see above)

ADDITIONAL PAGES: $1 per page (book or script)

PHONE OPTION: We'll speak with you by phone, and write the logline based on the information you provide, without reading the work itself. Please note that if you do choose the Phone Option, we cannot guarantee (because we haven't read the actual manuscript) that the Phone Option Logline will represent the actual work with 100% accuracy; it will be as accurate as possible, based on the information you provide.

TURNAROUND: One week on scripts and short-form fiction / two weeks on books. (Need it faster? Express service available)

• Contact us to submit or ask a question.

Adaptation Menu

Once you've hooked your reader's interest with the logline, it makes sense to follow up on that interest immediately. The pitch sheet starts with (and includes) a logline and takes things one giant step further by presenting the major elements of your story in a fast, easy-to-read "teaser" format. Like a movie trailer, the pitch sheet is designed to make the reader want to dive into the story you're selling. It gives them a sense of confidence in your ability to expand on the logline and flesh out the concept into a full-blown story. Ideally, it persuades them to ask for your script or manuscript or, if they already have it—to read it right away.

A good Pitch Sheet can have the same effect on the public. John's publisher (St. Martin's Press/Macmillan) liked the Pitch Sheets he used to sell them his first two books so much, they ran them word-for-word on the back covers.

We'll read your book, screenplay or other material and write you a Pitch Sheet (with logline) for use when pitching your project to agents, managers. editors, and film company execs. In fact, we'll write you an alternate logline as well, just for good measure. If you choose our budget-minded phone option (see below), we'll cut the price by 20%. And if we've already read the complete story in the past 60 days (because you purchased an Evaluation, Annotation, Second Look, Line Edit or Polish), we'll cut the price to $150.

PRICE: $200 for a script of 125 pages or less (uncheated, in FD or MMS**) / $425 for a book of 350 pages or less (1 page = 250 words) $150 script or book) if you choose the phone option, or we've recently read the same work for another service (see above)

ADDITIONAL PAGES: $1 per page (book or script)

PHONE OPTION: We'll speak with you by phone, and write the Pitch Sheet based on the information you provide, without reading the work itself. Please note that if you do choose the Phone Option, we cannot guarantee (because we haven't read the actual story) that the Phone Option Pitch Sheet will represent the actual work with 100% accuracy; it will be as accurate as possible, based on the information you provide.

TURNAROUND: One week on scripts and short-form fiction / two weeks on books. (Need it faster? Express service available)

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Adaptation Menu

If you're looking for help with something not covered here—a screenplay-to-book or other unlisted adaptation, feedback on a screen or book adaptation you've done yourself, etc.—feel free to give us a shout; not all services are listed.

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Adaptation Menu

Express Service is available for an additional fee. Regular and express prices and delivery times appear below. For those with more urgent needs, special arrangements can often be made; please contact us with your requirements. Unless included as part of the service described, express consult time is billed at $100/hour; standard (non-express) consult time is billed at $75/hour.

SERVICE	STANDARD	EXPRESS
10/$25	$25 / 4 - 5 days	$50 / 24 hours
Manuscript Evaluation	$2.00 per page / 3 - 4 weeks	$3.00 per page / 1 week
Manuscript Annotation	$2.50 per page / 3 - 4 weeks	$3.75 per page / 1 week
Story Map (Outline)	$1500 / 6 - 12 weeks (avg)	$2250 / 1 week
Second Look	$2.00 per page / 3 - 4 weeks	$3.00 per page / 1 week
Line Edit	$3 - $15 per page (avg) / 4 - 5 weeks	$4.50 - $22.50 per page (avg) / 1 week
Consultation/Coaching	$75 an hour / scheduled calls	$100 an hour / immediate availability
Logline (book)	$350 up / 4 weeks	$525 up / 1 week
Pitch Sheet (book)	$425 up / 4 weeks	$635 up / 1 week

SERVICE	STANDARD	EXPRESS
10/$25	$25 / 4 - 5 days	$50 / 24 hours
Screenplay Evaluation	$2.00 per page / 3 - 4 weeks	$3.00 per page / 1 week
Screenplay Annotation	$2.50 per page / 3 - 4 weeks	$3.75 per page / 1 week
Story Map (Outline)	$1500 / 6 - 12 weeks (avg)	$2250$25 / 1 week
Second Look	$2.00 per page / 3 - 4 weeks	$3.00 per page / 1 week
Polish	$3 - $15 per page (avg) / 4 - 5 weeks	$4.50 - $22.50 per page (avg) / 1 week
Consultation/Coaching	$75 an hour / scheduled calls	$100 an hour / immediate availability
File Conversion	$1 per page / 2 - 3 weeks	$1.50 per page / 1 week
Logline (script)	$125 up / 1 week	$185 up / 1 day
Pitch Sheet (script)	$200 up / 1 week	$300 up / 1 day

SERVICE	STANDARD	EXPRESS
Story-to-Screen Consult	$2.00 per page / 3 - 4 weeks	$3.00 per page / 1 week
Story Map (Outline)	$1500 / 6 - 12 weeks (avg)	$2250 / 1 week
Adaptation	Varies w/ project (note) / 90 - 120 days (avg)	Varies w/ project (note) / 30-60 days
Consultation / Coaching	$75 an hour / scheduled calls	$100 an hour / same-day availability
Logline (script)	$125 up / 1 week	$185 up / 1 day
Logline (book)	$350 up / 4 weeks	$525 up / 1 week
Pitch Sheet (script)	$200 up / 1 week	$300 up / 1 day
Pitch Sheet (book)	$425 up / 4 weeks	$635 up / 1 week

NOTE: Adaptation prices and turnaround times are affected by a number of factors, the most important being the present state of the source material (book, story, etc.). If the existing material is incomplete or has major problems, the adaptation process will require more work and more time to complete. If the source material is already in decent shape (or better), things move more swiftly. While we can cite ballpark figures, a story-to-screen-consult will allow us to give you a more accurate price and timeline. Contact us to discuss your specific project.

* MANUSCRIPT FORMATTING NOTES: Manuscript page count is calculated using the industry-standard formula: 1 page = 250 words*). Other standard formatting tips: 12-point font (times roman, arial, or courier), double line spacing, 1.25" margins all around, title and author name at the top of every page, with each page numbered at top right. Format can be DOC, DOCX, or RTF. Manuscripts received in other formats will be imported into and edited or annotated in Microsoft Word or other word processing software.

** SCREENPLAY FORMATTING NOTES: Final Draft (FD) and Movie Magic Screenwriter (MMS) are the dominant software programs used by professional screenwriters. Final Draft formats include .FDX, .FDR, and .FD; Movie Magic Screenwriter formats include .MMSW, .STW, and .SCR. Script pages received in other formats will be imported into FD or MMS for page count and editing purposes. The conversion process often causes formatting errors. If there are too many of these, your script will be edited or annotated in Microsoft Word. If you're not already using one of these programs, we highly recommend them.

If you're not in the market for adaptation services right now, you'll find plenty of free advice on writing and editing on John's...

Make Your Story a Movie by John Robert Marlow

John also tweets as John_Marlow.

To ask a question or get started with one of our services, just send us an email. If you're considering our services but would like to discuss your options by phone, we're happy to schedule a free call; shoot us an email and we'll make it happen. Our address is:

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