Isn't it every author's dream, to have their book turned into a movie on the big screen, to watch it come alive, and to collect a hefty fee from a well-known production company in the process. Well, I was approached by a company with just such an offer. The only thing is, it was a scam. I'll be telling you all about my experience; but authors out there, I want you to be able to protect yourself, so I'm going to list first all the things you do NOT need in this type of business deal:
- You do NOT need a screenplay to sell your book-to-film rights.
- You do NOT need a sizzle reel or “cinematic trailer”.
- You do NOT need storyboards.
- You do NOT need mood boards.
- You should NOT have to pay any upfront fees.
- You should NOT have to buy anything.
So, my experience began with an out-of-the-blue email:
I hope you’re doing well.
I’m ****** from the ****** Talent & Literary Agency in Los Angeles. I recently had the pleasure of diving into your book, and I must say, it left a lasting impression. I was impressed by the depth of your storytelling and the overall impact of your narrative. We believe your work has exceptional potential for a film adaptation.
We’ve been in discussions with a group of investors who are actively looking for compelling stories to bring to the screen. They’re excited about the possibility of collaborating on projects that resonate deeply with audiences, and your book fits that vision perfectly.
I would love to explore the opportunity to acquire the film rights and discuss an option agreement that could bring your story to life in a new way. If this piques your interest, please share the best phone number to reach you, along with a convenient time for us to chat.
Thank you for considering this opportunity. I truly look forward to the chance to work together and help your vision find its place on the big screen.
Warm regards,
******
[This was signed with a name that seemed legit. And I did look this person up, with the result that the name was actually associated with a real person, linked to a real company]
Well, if this isn't enough to make any author giddy, I don't know what would be. So I had my couple days of ecstacy, my couple days of googling how these business deals go and what I could expect. I even had my couple days of making a list of things I wanted to do with the money that I imagined would be coming my way. And there was also that delicious heady feeling of accomplishment, we can't forget that.
Then I took a closer look at the email. The title of the email, one of my book titles, which I assumed was the topic of this proposition was "The Gray Witch's Grimoire". The problem with this is that this is not a book with a story line for a movie. This is an informative non-fiction book full of technicalities to help people who want to practice witchcraft.
Well, hmmm... and I thought to myself, I'll bet that it's my other book they're talking about, they just copy-pasted something for the title of this email. But this nagging discrepancy was my frist red flag.
After okaying contact and submitting my phone number and a convenient time for a call, it was only two days when my phone rang and it was the Production Manager. Here's the spiel I got from him:
He started by gushing over my Amazon page, explaining that I had already been evaluated ("Did you know that", he says enthusiasticlly). He said that my websites and blogs looked quite healthy, and he said, "You must have been approached numerous times with offers like this", all the while talking at 100 mph. It was at this point that I mentioned the book title in their email, and I explained that this was not a book that could be turned into a movie, and I wanted to be sure we were talking about the same book. He sloughed it off, laughing, and said, "Oh, all we need is a germ of an idea from any book." And then I told him that I had thought they were referring to my last book, which is a book that contained a story line and could be made into a movie. I told him the title and he unexpectedly said, "Oh, I see it!", which told me he was scrolling my Amazon page as we spoke.
From then on, the conversation suddenly became about this book. He went on to tell me how this was going to work...
They needed three books to present proposals before some major production companies. The PM listed off Amazon, Lion's Gate, Disney, and I don't remember the last two, but all big names and recogizable. He said they already had two books, and if I agreed, I would be the third. He said that this proposal was due in December and everything right now was very rushed and very time sensitive. He said that if they got two yes's out of these five companies, it would mean they could go ahead with a book option (we'll find out what that is later). But as he was talking about the number of yes's they needed from these five major production companies, he went back and forth between two and three yes's.
So this is not a sure deal -- this is a throw your book in the pot and lets see if you get lucky deal.
He told me I needed a PDF copy of the book to send to him, and I needed a Professional Book Trailer.
Here's where it all went south.
He said, "You're responsible for covering the cost of the book trailer, it will run a few thousand dollars." He went on to emphasis how important a book trailer was to this process, that they couldn't very well go in ahead of these investors without one and expect to get anywhere, and again how this was my responsiblitity to provide this.
To which I said nothing, so he kept talking. He told me he would hook me up with a company that makes professional videos for book trailers. He also went on talking about how much movie rights could run, the option agreement, percentages from royalties, etc.
And this is where our first phone conversation ended. Shortly afterwards I received this email:
I hope this message finds you well. I wanted to take a moment to follow up on our recent phone conversation and provide you with an overview of our discussion.
I am writing to you on behalf of ****** Studio, where we are currently immersed in an exciting book-to-film adaptation campaign. Our primary objective is to collaborate with talented authors like yourself to bring their literary works to life on the silver screen. I am delighted to inform you that your book, "******", has captured our attention as a prospective project, and we are enthusiastic about the possibility of working with you to adapt it into a captivating film.
As a demonstration of our commitment to your work, I'm pleased to inform you that our investors have put forward an initial offer for the acquisition of the film rights to your book. This offer ranges between $300,000-$800,000. Furthermore, in addition to the purchase of film rights, you will also receive two distinct royalties:
10% tied to the production costs of the film.
8% linked to the gross sales of the finished movie.
To move forward with this exciting opportunity, we kindly request the following prerequisite materials from you, as per the specifications of our board of directors and investors:
1.) A soft copy of your manuscript2.) A cinematic trailer of your book.
These materials will be instrumental in showcasing the cinematic potential of "******" to our partners and investors. We believe your story has the makings of an incredible film, and we are eager to help bring your vision to the silver screen.
We also want to emphasize that the cinematic trailer you submit must be created by a reputable and professional trailer house. Our company has strict standards and criteria that we need to meet before presenting it to the board of directors and investors.
A cinematic trailer plays a vital role in visualizing the final output of the project, and it is crucial for our producers and editors to properly assess the potential of your book for adaptation into a film. It allows us to showcase the project to potential investors and secure the necessary funding to bring it to fruition. Without a cinematic trailer, it would be challenging for us to proceed with the project.
Please note that the deadline for submission is this December. We are excited to review your manuscript and cinematic trailer.
Thank you once again for considering this exciting collaboration opportunity with ****** Studio. We eagerly anticipate the possibility of working closely with you to bring "******" to life as a remarkable cinematic experience. Your creativity and storytelling prowess have the potential to captivate audiences worldwide, and we are thrilled to be part of this journey.
Should you have any inquiries or require further clarification at any stage, please do not hesitate to reach out. We are committed to providing you with unwavering support and assistance every step of the way.
[I have deliberately redacted the company name, as well as names of the participants, and the title of my book that was being considered -- I have my reasons]
Then he said, "It will cost $4000...", to which I interrupted him saying, "Wait, wait, wait...".
He responded, sounding very proud of himself, "Yes, I know that's a lot, but I managed to talk them down to $2000 for you." I was silent.
The phone call ended.
It was a weird call. I have to admit that I wasn't exactly friendly, and he kept talking about it taking so long to create because of the actors they use, etc. etc. On and on. He did not sound as professional or polished as the Production Manager, but my attitude probably didn't help him. He seemed to want information and an okay to go ahead. I gave him neither, and I told him that I wasn't going to do this.
Everything felt sketchy, the minute they asked for money. I sent this email to the Production Manager:
******,
I'm going to pass on this entire deal. I don't feel comfortable, nor can I afford, to shell out $2000 for a movie trailer that may or may not produce a book/movie deal. This whole thing is so out-of-the-blue and I just don't think it's for me.
Thank you for reaching out, and it's been interesting. But I'm not comfortable making fast deals like this that involve money I don't have to people I don't know.
Amythyst Raine
End of conversation.
The following are bits and pieces of information that I found while researching the topic of "books to movie deals", and I want to include those in this post. There will be links to the complete articles.
- Generic Emails & Calls: One of the most common tactics employed by scammers is sending out generic emails or making cold calls to authors. These messages often lack specific details about the book, such as its title, genre, or plot. Instead, they're designed to flatter and entice as many authors as possible.
- High Fees Upfront: Any legitimate film producer or company interested in your story will pay you for the rights, not the other way around. If you're asked to pay a significant amount upfront, especially for vague services like a "Hollywood Treatment" or a "professional movie seal," be wary.
- Suspicious Email Addresses: Check the email address from which you've received the offer. Legitimate businesses will typically have their own domain names. Be cautious of generic email services like Gmail, Yahoo, or Hotmail, especially if the username seems random or unrelated.
- Too Good to Be True: If the offer promises a set production budget, claims to have "book scouts" who've found your work, or mentions they'll send your book to a long list of Hollywood production companies, be skeptical. These are not standard industry practices.
Protecting Yourself
- Research the Company or Individual: Before engaging with anyone, do a thorough background check. How long have they been in business? Can they provide references or examples of their work?
- Ask the Right Questions: If they claim to be a literary agent, ask whom they represent and what books they've sold. If they mention a partnership with a traditional publisher or a Hollywood "first look" deal, ask for specifics.
- Avoid Making Quick Decisions: Scammers often create a sense of urgency, pressuring authors to act fast. Take your time, consult with trusted colleagues or professionals, and remember that legitimate deals won't vanish overnight.
- Report Suspicious Activity: If you believe you've been targeted by a scam, report it. Not only will this protect you, but it can also prevent other authors from falling victim.
I should be excited, right? I should be honored that these entertainment business leaders are contacting me to make a movie for one of my books. Believe me when I say the names on these letters are household words for movie-making. So, why am I sitting here and making a post out of this information rather than ordering a new Bentley turbo convertible? It is straightforward. These letters are a scam. A clever ruse but a scam nonetheless.
How do I know? The first indication of a scam is that no one in Hollywood, famous or otherwise, would contact an author by email regarding a movie opportunity. Movie opportunities are arranged through one on one discussions with producers. Producers don’t call authors. Authors or their representatives call producers. So anyone claiming that a book has already been vetted for a film is lying unless you happen to be Prince Harry.
The second indication is that there is no mention of the book title in question. It is just called “your book.” So, the thought immediately comes to mind which book are they talking about? But, of course, if you only have one book, then that clears up the issue fast.
The third indication is a careful look at the sender’s email address. You will find that the email does not match the convention of the legitimate company. That is because the email belongs to the scammer and not the person named in the email.
The fourth indication is some mention of materials that will be needed to complete the film agreement. They vary by letter but boil down to Film Pitch Deck, Cinematic Trailer, and /or Marketing Evaluation. Here is where the scammers make their money. These items will cost about $5,000. “But wait,” you say. If the book has already been vetted, why do these items need to be made available? Yeah, good question. A legitimate film deal has money coming to the author, not the other way.
What you need is a great story with cinematic elements that would attract a large audience. If it’s for TV, it should have compelling characters and a broader world that could translate to multiple episodes.
Your agent strives for one of three opportunities:
- Sell the book-to-film rights directly to a studio or producer,
- Option the book for a set dollar amount for a specific period of time, or
- Sign a shopping agreement for a shorter period of time with no money being paid to the author.
1. Selling the Book
When you sell your book outright, that’s it. You’re done. You no longer have any claim to said material, nor the right to participate in the adaptation. You probably won’t be able to write a future sequel if the studio owns your intellectual property … which means they own your characters. There are exceptions though, depending on how the contract was negotiated. You definitely need a talented agent or attorney to assist … not a pitching or consulting “service” that solicits you via email.
The sale price typically will be 2-3% of the film’s budget (that’s money paid to you, not the other way around), but it depends. It always depends. Your agent should at least try to get you Executive Producer credit, or a consulting gig. But many producers want the author far, far away from the project. Your book is merely a blueprint for the film. A lot will change—subplots and characters will disappear—which can be difficult for the author to accept.
If you’re lucky, and have the proper experience and background, they’ll give you first crack at writing the script. But don’t expect it. Your payday is the sales of the rights plus more copies of your book being sold.
But … here’s the hard part … even if you sell your book, the movie may never get made. Yes, you read that correctly. It takes millions of dollars and hundreds of people to align to make a film. People often say it’s a miracle any film gets made. They’re right.
2. Option Agreement
An option by a showrunner or producer usually runs $1,000 to $30,000 for a set period of time (again, that’s money paid to you), the standard being 12 to 18 months. This gives them time to “package” the project by attaching a director, actors, etc. and (hopefully) sell it. Note: It is illegal to not pay a writer for an option, hence why you’ll sometimes see an option happen for a penny or a single dollar—which is more common when optioning a screenplay, as opposed to a book.
The vast majority of options expire long before any movie deal can be struck, but they may be renewed for an additional fee. With each renewal, your agent will likely either ask for more money or less of a time commitment. I do know authors who have optioned the same novel multiple times—not a bad payday. But still, no film and no purchase of book-to-film rights ever happened in those cases. An option doesn’t guarantee you a sale.
3. Shopping Agreement
A shopping agreement is similar to an option, only the producer tries to shop it around town without paying the option fee. Since the author receives no money, the shopping agreement typically lasts only six to nine months. Renewable, just like options.
These are more common than traditional options because the producer gets exclusivity, albeit for a shorter period of time, without coughing up money. Authors might agree to this strategy simply because there’s some sense of hope that a deal will be made.
