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Why adapt?        Adaptation primer        About our staff        Adaptation options        Services we offer        Free advice for writers        Contact information


(soon to be a blog)

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As writers, we believe that books are wonderful. We also believe that characters come to life on the screen in a way that's just not possible on the page.

Make no mistake: a good book can move the reader. But the very act of reading is both solitary and intellectual: the reader must interpret the words, form mental images to go with them, and put it all together on every page. Different readers "see" the story differently. Many will imagine characters and events in ways the author didn't intend.

Movies are visceral, emotional. The viewer sees and hears every character, event, and nuance precisely as intended. Every viewer sees the same story, often in the company of others. A good movie is a shared emotional experience. That's why people who don't read books still watch movies. It's why people who are unable to read books still enjoy movies. And it's why, despite a faltering economy, movie revenues are going up—while book sales are dropping.

There's a reason people say a book is "brought to life" on the screen. Pages are static; movies are dynamic: we see, hear, and feel the characters and their story. And advancing technology makes it possible to put almost anything we can imagine on the screen.

Humans have always been storytellers. Whether gathered around a campfire, painting on cave walls or, later, writing words on dead trees—it's in our blood. A book is a noble undertaking, capable of reaching tens, even hundreds of thousands of people.

But movies are the global campfires of our time.

They reach millions, sometimes hundreds of millions of people, all over the world. On those few occasions where book sales reach this level, they do so with the aid of movies based on the books.

We believe that for your characters to truly come to life, for your story to touch the greatest number of people—you need a movie. And every movie starts with a blueprint: the screenplay.

That's what we do. We turn books into screenplays.

Giving you a blueprint for your movie.


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If you're looking to turn your book or story into a movie, makeyourbookamovie.com is the place to start. This page will guide you from where you are now, to where you want to be—regardless of whether you enlist our help, or go it alone. Like a good movie, the journey to finished screenplay takes place in three acts, or steps:

Step 1: Arm Yourself with solid information. (The best adaptation article on the web starts right here.)

Step 2: Choose Your Path—you don't have to be a screenwriter to get an adaptation done. (Consider your Adaptation Options.)

Step 3: Take Action—by writing the script yourself, or getting help.


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There are many good reasons to adapt your work for the big (or small) screen, but these are among the best:

1)  BRING YOUR STORY TO LIFE in a way that words alone never will. (See What We Believe for more on this.)

2)  GLOBAL MARKET: Book sales have been flat for years. The latest industry figures (April, 2010) show an actual decline; three of four Americans read no books in the past year, and the book industry's biggest innovation is words on a screen. Movies continue to evolve: a single film—Avatar—is closing on $3 billion at the box office, shattering all previous records for domestic and foreign box office as well as DVD and Blu-Ray sales, and driving up Blu-Ray player purchases. 3D televisions appear this year, and 2D-to-3D film conversions are next. Lastly, people who will not—or cannot—read books still watch movies, all over the world.

3)  SYNERGY: Having both a book and a screenplay makes it easier to find an agent, and gives you (or your agent) two properties to sell, to two different markets. The sale (or success) of either makes the sale (or success) of the other more likely, and a successful movie can drive even sluggish book sales into besteller territory. In a perfect world, your agent can play studio interest against publisher interest, and drive the price of book and screenplay to ridiculous heights. (This doesn't happen often—but if you don't have both, it can't happen at all.)

4)  MONEY: The typical advance for a first novel is $10,000 to $20,000. The typical selling price of a spec screenplay by a first-time writer is $300,000 to $600,000, with some first scripts topping the $1 million mark. (This is not true of adaptation rights alone, when there is no screenplay.) Every author on Forbes' list of the world's best paid authors has heavy film / TV involvement—for the simple reason that it's not possible to make that kind money without adaptations.

5)  NEW CAREER: Thoes wanting to write for the screen often find it easier to start with a story they know well—and the tales we know best are those we've written ourselves. Adapting an existing work whose major elements have already been worked out makes it easier to focus on the craft of screenwriting itself. And Hollywood prefers screenplays based on "underlying material" (like books), according book authors greater respect than pure screenwriters.

For more detail on all of these reasons, see the article below.


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If you've already read our Make Your Book A Movie article, you can learn more about us, check out our SERVICE MENU or catch some free advice. If you've not yet seen the article, read on...

Most authors would like to see their work adapted for the big (or small) screen, but the path from here to there is, at best, unfamiliar—and can seem incomprehensible.

Some bestsellers are made into movies, others ignored. Obscure books, even short stories and magazine articles are blessed by Hollywood's magic, while thousands of screenplays are turned away. Harry Potter sells to Hollywood a mere year after publication, while The Lord of the Rings takes nearly five decades to hit the screen. What sense does that make? Is there no rhyme or reason here?

Well, yes, actually. But it's hard to make out when—like most writers—you're on the outside looking in. But have no fear: we'll take you through the looking-glass, and make some sense of the enigma that is the Hollywood adaptation process.

More importantly, we'll explain why some books (and stories) are made into movies, while others are not—and what you can do to make your work more attractive to filmmakers. To do that, we've pooled our own knowledge and consulted with respected Hollywood producers, writers, and directors to bring you what we believe is the most informative introduction to the subject available. The article currently appears in the Book-To-Film issue of Women On Writing, but don't be fooled—every word applies to men as well. You can read the article at the link below.

When you're done, just hit the back button (or click the link at the end of the article) to return here.


Make Your Book A Movie: Adapting Your Book or Story for Hollywood by John Robert Marlow with Jacqueline Radley

Make Your Book A Movie: Adapting Your Book or Story for Hollywood
by John Robert Marlow with Jacqueline Radley




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Click for bio and larger photo


Our team of adaptation specialists brings a unique blend of skills to your project. John is a published novelist and optioned screenwriter whose feature screenplay work has been honored by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (the same organization that awards the Oscars). His most recent articles on writing appear in the 2010 Screenwriter's and Playwright's Market (print) Women On Writing (online in May), and the upcoming 2011 Novelists' and Short Story Writers' Market (print). (John's full bio).

Jacqueline Radley wrote and segment produced television documentaries for six years, and spent two years as feature story editor for producer John Jacobs. (Jacqueline's full bio).

We understand the investment writers make in their work, because we're writers ourselves. We handle every project personally. You can contact us here.
Click for bio and larger photo
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There are many good reasons to adapt your work for the big (or small) screen, but these are perhaps the most prominent:

WRITE IT YOURSELF: On the pro side, this costs you nothing but time. On the con side, it often takes years to become competent with the new form, and the most difficult transition of all is making the jump from novelist to screenwriter (which is why so few novelists write scripts). You can however speed the process up if you...

CONSULT WITH A SCREENWRITER: Or, better yet, screenwriter / novelist or adaptation specialist. Professional input from someone already accomplished in both forms can greatly accelerate your learning curve, and provide step-by-step guidance from start to finish. Using a consultant could literally save you years. On the other hand, consultants cost money—and if you find the new form difficult to master, those consulting fees may add up to the point where it would have been cheaper (and faster) to...

HIRE AN ADAPTATION SPECIALIST: Hiring someone who knows their way around a screenplay is the fastest way to ensure quality results. Ideally, you want a screenwriter who also knows what it's like to write and adapt a book, because they'll have a greater understanding of where you're coming from, and of what it takes to get your story from 300-plus pages to 120—while keeping your story's "heart" alive and beating strongly in the new medium. The only potential downside here is that hiring a talented adaptation specialist with real experience in both worlds (book and screen) means making a significant investment.

For more detail on all three options, see the article above. And feel free to...

•  Contact us with any questions.





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book-to-screen consult        Development outline

Book-to-screen adaptation        Consultation / coaching

Logline service        Pitch sheet service        Other services


Our services are tailored to fit the needs of those wishing to adapt their books or stories (including true stories) into screenplay format. Whether you're looking for for help with an adaptation outline, assistance in writing the adaptation—or someone to write the screenplay for you—we can help translate your work for the screen (theatrical or TV).

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





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We'll read your 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 story more screen-friendly. The call will be recorded and sent to you for future reference.

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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It's hard to overstate just how different the book and screenplay formats truly are. The same basic story can be told well in both media—but when going from 300-plus pages to 120 or less, major changes are called for. Starting with what you have now, we'll work closely with you to develop a comprehensive outline for your adapted story. When we're done, you'll have an Adaptive Outline that details every significant event of the new (or revised) storyline, from opening scene to fade out. The Adaptive Outline 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 take weeks or months.

The Adaptive Outline 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 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 Outlines based on published books or 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. (Note that an Adaptive Outline is included with any full adaptation.)

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.





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A full-length adaptation of your 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. 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 book-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.




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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 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. Here are three examples we wrote based on popular adaptations:

•  A fugitive doctor wrongly convicted of killing his wife struggles to prove his innocence while pursued by a relentless US Marshall. (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)

We'll read your book or screenplay and write you a logline to use when pitching your project to agents, managers, editors, and film company 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), we'll cut the price by 20%.


PRICE:   $125 for a script of 125 pages or less (uncheated) / $350 for a book of 350 pages or less (1 page = 250 words)
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 give us, without reading the work itself. The Phone Option is for those on a tight budget, and (not having read the actual manuscript or screenplay) we cannot guarantee that the Phone Option Pitch Sheet will represent the actual work with 100% accuracy.

TURNAROUND:   One week on scripts  /  two weeks on books.     (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 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 (Macmillan) liked his first pitch sheet so much, they ran it word-for-word on the back of the hardcover and paperback editions of his novel.

We'll read your book or screenplay 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 include two loglines to use as you see fit.) If you choose our budget-minded phone option (see below), we'll cut the price by 20%.


PRICE:   $200 for a script of 125 pages or less (uncheated) / $425 for a book of 350 pages or less (1 page = 250 words)
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 give us, without reading the work itself. The Phone Option is for those on a tight budget, and (not having read the actual manuscript or screenplay) we cannot guarantee that the Phone Option Pitch Sheet will represent the actual work with 100% accuracy.

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

•  Contact us to submit or ask a question.




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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.












































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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 Self Editing Blog:


Self Editing Blog



John also tweets daily writing tips on #SEBlog from @John_Marlow.











































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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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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; contact us with your requirements. Express consult time not included with the services described is billed at $100/hour.


SERVICE

STANDARD

EXPRESS

Book-to-Screen Consult $2.00 per page  /  3 - 4 weeks $3.00 per page  /  1 week
Adaptive 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 $65 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


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