Spiritual Awakening, pagans are more normal than you think

 

This is one of my personal favorites, a book that I experienced and wrote at the same time. I languished delightfully in all the possiblities of this spiritual realm, and the possiblities that I wanted to tell you about.  Let's just say it's a journey that we'll take together, and it's a journey that I've been working on for six decades.  This is a book that will help you explore a segment of spirituality that you might not have even realized exists.  This book will lift the veil, exposing ancient secrets and remarkable choices that are yours to make.  It also does something that is often overlooked for pagan and occult paths, it puts a spotlight on just how normal and beautiful, enjoyable and uplifting this ancient of ancient spiritualities can be.  If you haven't picked up a copy yet, you'll find this book at Amazon, in print and kindle.  The print edition is in full color and is gorgeous, and you'll find lined pages so you can add your own notes.

The Little Handbook of Spiritual Awakening includes:

The Spiritual Journey

Exercises, activities, & explorations: creating your personal journal; exploring gods and goddesses; reconnecting with animals and trees; taking a spiritual nature walk

The Witch's Spirit

Exercises, activities, & explorations: exploring earth, air, fire, and water; how to write your own spell; creating a magical recipe; a look at neo-pagan founders

Preparing for Your New Spiritual Life

Exercises, activities & explorations: getting rid of baggage; drawing positive energy to you; forgiving yourself with a blessing; opening your energy centers

Botanicals and Pagan Spiritualism

Exercises, activities, & explorations: making four thieves vinegar; making black cat oil; growing your own herbs; blessing your garden

Pagan Spiritual Practices

Exercises, activities, & explorations: house cleansing; a basic candle spell; how to use a pendulum; setting up your personal altar

Introduction: 

Everyone’s spiritual journey is unique unto them. My grandmother had me secretly baptized in the Catholic Church, against my parents’ wishes, when I was seven years old. I remember the pink frothy party dress, standing at the fountain and bending over so a robed man could sprinkle salt on my tongue and pour water over my head. 

This baptism would herald an on again off again connection with the Catholic Church at my grandmother’s whim, including a 7th and 8th grade stint in a Catholic Parochial school. 

At thirteen, I wanted to be a Jew. 

Every Friday evening, I secretly lit a brass candelabra of white birthday cake candles in my bedroom and recited words of my own design, in order to honor the Sabbat (is that the right word?) 

At seventeen, consumed with romantic revenge, I cast a nasty magic spell in secret in my grandmother’s basement. It involved red candles, red ink, and a photograph of the boy. It involved some emotional words, spitting, and a dramatic moment when I drew a large red X over the midsection of the image. 

It worked. 

And with this spell I felt, for the first time, total satisfaction with a spiritual path, a spiritual experience, and all the fallout that followed. 

It scared me silly at the time, but it also reinforced in me that I was cut from a different spiritual cloth than most people in my circles. I was certainly different, although it would take years of reading, learning, and practicing to realize just how different. 

What did I learn from my experiences?

I learned that, spiritually, there are a lot of options out there. I learned that it’s fun to explore. I learned that it doesn’t matter what other people believe, or how they choose to practice their spirituality, even if they think it’s the only way. I learned that you never stop learning, and the paths you can take are endless, amazing, surprising, unpredictable, and life altering. 

Now it’s time for you to explore your spiritual path. This book will help you do that. 

Keep an open mind, believe in the unbelievable and the unseen. Don’t be afraid to tread where other people fear to go. Don’t be afraid to explore the deepest parts of yourself. Believe me, when you finally find your ground, the journey will have been well worth it.

Let's Take a Peek Inside

The Little Handbook of
Spiritual Awakening

Get your copy at AMAZON

A House Blessing, among many other things

 

The following is an excerpt from my book The Spiritual Feminist, published by Moon Books, an imprint of Collective Ink, previously known as John Hunt Publishing.  This book is available at Amazon in both print and kindle.  Be prepared to get well aquainted with the Goddess and her many faces from cultures all over the world, through the maiden, the mother, and the crone, up close and personal.  You'll also join me on our journey of womanhood, through all its stages and phases.  We're all in this together, as the saying goes, creating a world-wide sisterhood.

Shitala

Her Story:

Shitala is the Hindu goddess of disease, attributed with the creation of small pox, among other insidious maladies. Ironically, it is Shitala you call upon to cure illness, to cleanse the body of disease. What a paradox this goddess is! She despises filth and dirt. When invoking Shitala, you must physically cleanse your home or sacred space, and you must have a ritual cleansing bath before beginning. To disregard these actions would mean an unsuccessful invocation.

Healing Candle Spells

For physical maladies, go with the Element of Earth, the color green and all the other correspondences that are connected to this element and this type of magick. (You’ll find correspondences for the elements, as well as other information to help you craft your magick and cast your spells, at the end of this book.)

But there’s so much more to it, and there are so many ways to be ill, or other reasons people need healing:

For mental illness, you will call upon the element of Air, and your candle color will be yellow. For a victim of physical violence, or sexual abuse, you’ll use the energies combined of Earth (green for physical healing), Air (yellow for mental healing), and Water (blue for spiritual healing). For someone who is terminally ill, you will call upon Spirit, and your candle will be white. It will ease their passing and light the path for their journey to the other side. It will invoke their spirit guide, who will take them by the hand, helping them travel safely as they cross over.

Household Blessing

The tools...

white candles; sage, or a cleansing incense like sandalwood, and a bowl or holder for this; bells, if you fancy them; a broom, for symbolism and to “sweep” away negative energy from each room; a bowl of salted water to asperge (sprinkle) each room, as well as every nook and cranny.

The method...

I start from the bottom and go up, so begin in the basement, if there is one, or the lowest floor. Basically, you’ll go from room to room, cleansing it of negative energy, moving it out and “sweeping” it along until you push it right out of the house with the last room or space you clear.

Enter a room, demand the negative energy and ghosties (or other spirits) leave. Walk clockwise around the room with the salted water first, dipping your fingers in it and sprinkling the space as you go. Then do the same with the incense, smudging the rooms, making sure that you include any closet space or cubbies. Energy lurks in these spaces, you know. That’s why children, who are more in-tune with it, are often afraid of these little dark closets and corners. For a final flourish, and to make your point to the spirits or other entities trying to take over this space, use the broom to symbolically “sweep” the negative energy right out the door. Sweep from east to west in large whooshes. The broom doesn’t even need to touch the floor. After all, you’re literally sweeping a space, not the floor itself. Make sure, as you do this, that you are ordering the spirits to leave, that you are reclaiming this space, and that you are in charge. Put some emotion into it!

As a side-note, don’t be alarmed if you feel a rush of goosebumps up your legs as you’re doing this. It’s nothing scary, and it’s nothing that will harm you. It’s just the energy that you’re moving; you can often feel it. (Yes, peoples, it’s an actual “Real” thing.)

Embracing the Goddess:

Call upon Shitala for the most obvious of reasons: to banish physical illnesses and maladies. Be respectful, be wary, be sure that you appease her with ritual cleansings. Remember that this goddess not only cures illness, she creates it.

Shitala’s Correspondences:

Herbs: columbine, lemon balm, myrrh,

thyme, lilac

Color: blue, silver

Planet: Moon

Day: Monday

Element: Water

Feminine Face: Crone

The Spiritual Feminist

Get your copy at AMAZON

I accidently created a library...

 

Back in the day, the early years of the internet, when it was still fun and blogs were a novelty, I started my first blog, Magickal Connections, at Wordpress.  Since I've kept a diary, sporadically, since I was 12 years old, this was a hoot, and it was even made more weird and exciting knowing that people were actually going to see it.  (And they did, in large numbers, before someone invented the algorithm)

I began creating pages for this blog, more and more pages, connecting contents from my books, contents from my websites, especially The Witch's Corner, but also The Tarot Parlour. It was fun; and a lot of work; and I marveled at how you could connect all these internet locations to make it one giant coop, or corporation, or something.

Following are links to the pages that I created throughout the realm of the internet, connecting my favorite places with unabashed delight...  I hope you find something of interest here, and I hope that you enjoy!

PAGES @ MAGICKAL CONNECTIONS

Book of Shadows ~ Spells
BOS: Spells 

Banishing Spells
Beauty Spells
Breaking the Spell
Candle Spells
Command & Compel Spells
Court Case Spells
Health & Healing Spells
Hexing, Cursing, Binding Spells
Love Spells
Mojo Bag Spells
Money Spells
Protection Spells
Spells for the Tongue
Spells To Summon

Tarot Magick: The Queens’ Oil

Goddess Connection

#1 Goddess Connection ~ Airmed, Aphrodite, Arianrhod, Artemis, Astarte

#2 Goddess Connection ~ Athene, Aurora, Baby Yaga, Bast, Baubo
#3 Goddess Connection ~ Black Tara, Blue Tara, Brighid, Cailleach, Ceres
#4 Goddess Connections ~ Cerridwen, Copia, Cybele, Demeter, Eostre
#5 Goddess Connection ~ Flora, Freya, Green Tara, Hathor, Hecate
#6 Goddess Connection ~ Inanna, Isis, Kalima, Kuan Yin, Lakshmi
#7 Goddess Connection ~ Lilith, Lucina, Mama Cocha, Mami Wata, Morrigan
#8 Goddess Connection ~ Oshun, Pele, Persephone, Red Tara, Shakti
#9 Goddess Connection ~ Shitalia, Snake Woman, Sophia, Thalia, White Buffalo Calf Woman

Magickal Correspondences

Media

Motherpeace Tarot JourneyThe Major Arcana
Minor Arcana: Swords
Minor Arcana: Wands
Minor Arcana: Cups
Minor Arcana: Discs

My Books

Online Tarot Lesson #1
Online Tarot Lesson #2
Online Tarot Lesson #3
Online Tarot Lesson #4
Online Tarot Lesson #5
Online Tarot Lesson #6
Online Tarot Lessons/Introduction

Reconnect with Your Pagan Roots & the Mother Goddess

Tarot Study Guide
Tarot Tutorial

1. Dividing the Deck: Major/Minor
2. The Major Arcana: In a Nutshell
3. The Major Arcana: In Depth
4. The Suits: In a Nutshell
Minor Arcana: The Aces
Minor Arcana: The Eights
Minor Arcana: The Fives
Minor Arcana: The Fours
Minor Arcana: The Nines
Minor Arcana: The Sevens
Minor Arcana: The Sixs
Minor Arcana: The Tens
Minor Arcana: The Threes
Minor Arcana: The Twos

Tarot Tutorial 2

Court Cards: Energy of the Knights
Court Cards: Majesty of the Kings
Court Cards: Mystery of the Queens
Court Cards: Pages- The Messengers

Woman Speak

Episode #38 Daily Cards/Daily Wisdom ~ Finding Your Voice & Lessons Learned

 

Today it's about two topics:  self-assertion and business...

There seems to be two distinct messages here for two very different situations (and perhaps people). Short and to the point today: #1 things will change when you find your voice and #2 remember what went wrong the first time 'round, don't repeat it.

The Mystic Crone Blog

The Mystic Crone @ Tumblr

The Mystic Crone @ YouTube

I'll Follow You Anywhere ~ he whispered

 

As the old saying goes... You can follow me too, all over the ding dang internet.  And this isn't everything.  I'm trying to gather myself up and take inventory of what's still out there.  I was met with a surprise when "Amythyst Raine" brought up a lady offering readings on Facebook, not me, but I didn't report the page.  I also discovered a couple pirating websites where you could get "free" downloads of my books and a thousand more books, totally illegal.  I use to report these to my publisher, but there's just way too many out there, can't keep up.  I'll probably be adding to this list as I find more pages and platforms that I've totally forgotten about.  I should have done this a long time ago.

BOOKS @ Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Amythyst-Raine/e/B004NMWMX4
BOOKS @ Weebly:

https://thewitchscorner.weebly.com/
The Witch's Corner:
http://amythystraine.blogspot.com
The Tarot Parlour:
http://tarotreadingswithamythystraine.blogspot.com
Every Cat Has a Tale:
http://everycathasatale.blogspot.com
Magickal Connections:
http://wytchymystique.com
The Mystic Crone:
https://bristolwicks.blogspot.com/
Spirits n' Stuff:
https://spiritsnstuff.blogspot.com/
Youtube: Phoenix Rising
https://www.youtube.com/c/Amythyst
Raine
Youtube: The Mystic Crone
https://www.youtube.com/@mysticcrone5761
Youtube: Spirits n' Stuff
https://www.youtube.com/@spiritsnstuff
Tumblr: The Enchanted Cottage
https://amythystraine.tumblr.com/
Tumblr: The Mystic Crone
https://www.tumblr.com/mysticcrone5761
Tumblr: Spirits n' Stuff
https://www.tumblr.com/spiritsnstuff
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/amythyst_raine/
Pintrest:
https://www.pinterest.com/LongMountain57/_saved/

Other sites:

The Goddess Grove:

https://thegoddessgrove.weebly.com/

AboutMe:

https://about.me/amythystraine

Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4611763.Amythyst_Raine

LiveJournal:

https://lady-amythyst.livejournal.com/

I've also deleted websites, blogs, or a promotional page from Bravenet (boy, was this old, back in the day); Typepad; Wix; two other sites at Yola; Simple Site; Webs (this is where the original Witch's Corner was birthed); Website Builder; Spruz; Zazzle (where I created all kinds of products under The Witch's Corner logo).

I think this is it, but I'm not 100% sure.

Algorithm Anxiety ~ Stop worrying about the algorithnm

 

The internet has changed drastically over the last few years.  In the early days, it felt busy and exciting, and you felt very connected with all of these new people who suddenly appeared from all over the world.  We were all united on a journey within this fabulous new tool called the internet.  There was so much interaction.  It was so easy to promote your book, or your latest YouTube video, or posts on your social sites.  It was so easy to make new friends, to share experiences, to develop creative relationships.  It was FUN.

Then along came the algorithm.

Eveything changed.  The new world created within the internet felt like it was rapidly shrinking, it was being constricted.  Contact became more and more minimal, as though some invisible hand had come down to intervene between our connections.  It suddenly became taboo to talk about your new book, or a video, or a blog post, or a website.  They began calling it "self-promotion" and it was prohibited on more and more social media groups, social sites, and networks.  And then came the age of "paid promotion".  Give us your dollar and we'll spread your image and your opinions and your products and your services to a select few.

And always, lurking in the shadows was the algorithm, like some jealous and destructive aquaintance who wanted to confine your internet experience to your own computer.  We were cut off from all the people, and experiences, and social sites, and networks that we had enthusiastically built and cultivated and breathed to life.

This week I made a concious decision to stop worrying about the algorithm.  I have come to terms with the new reality of the internet and to understand that I cannot control it, but better yet, I will not allow it to control me.

I will write books because there is something I need to say, or proclaim, or reveal.  I will write books because I love writing, and I love holding the finished product in my hand, warmed by the sense of accomplishment.  I will continue to create videos because I derive pleasure in the process, and I derive satisfaction at viewing the completed project.  I will continue blogging because my blog is as personal and dear to me as a physcial leather-bound, weathered, and tattered old journal.  I will step back from social sites and networks that feed me algorithmic posts and steal my time and attention.

I will stop worrying about the algorithm and enter the internet world on my own terms, in my own way, defining who I am, what I enjoy, and how I choose to interact with the world at large and people near and dear to me.  Within our blogs and videos and books and social connections, I will reclaim what I enjoy and love and watch and interact with.  

~ Amythyst

Algorithmic Anxiety is a real thing:

"Algorithm anxiety" refers to the feeling of unease or discomfort that arises from the perception that one's life or actions are being judged or controlled by opaque algorithms, often associated with online platforms where the decision-making process behind how content is presented or users are targeted is not fully understood by the individual; essentially, a fear of being negatively impacted by mysterious algorithmic systems.

Lack of transparency:

A major contributor to algorithm anxiety is the lack of clarity regarding how algorithms operate, making it difficult to understand why certain outcomes occur.

Social media impact:

Many people experience this anxiety on platforms like Facebook or Instagram, worrying about how the algorithm might affect their visibility or engagement with their content.

Fear of control:

The feeling that an algorithm is making decisions that significantly impact one's life, without their full understanding or agency, can lead to anxiety.

The Age of Algorithmic Anxiety by Kyle Chayka, The New Yorker

Do You Suffer from Algorithmic Anxiety? by Jay Clouse, LinkedIn

The Echoes of Algorithm and Anxiety  by Universiteit Lieden

I Deactivated My FB Page

 

Yep, I did it.  It was about time.  Ever since the birth of the algorithm, even though I had thousands of people on my friends list, I think three of them saw my posts (sarcasm, kind of).  True.  I had been reading about "shadow banning" on YouTube, Facebook, and a couple other platforms, and I wanted to see if this is what happened to my FB profile, so I logged into my other profile (come on, we all have one), and even though I was on MY OWN FRIENDS LIST, I saw virtually nothing -- no posts --  when I went to view my main profile.  I thought, boy this is odd, I'm my own friend, but I see virtually nothing.  I'm thinking this must mean that other people on my friends list see virtually nothing as well.

I think I figured out why.

I've been promoting my books on FB for years, literally YEARS, and I got a nice bit of back and forth, responses, comments, and the like, until FB started charging you to "run ads", to pay for "sponsored" ads, and I've seen quite a few of these ads come through my feed from other authors.  But, hey, I don't make enough money off of anything to pay for promotion, and I'm not really sure how much I trust their spiel:  "If you pay us $50 for an ad, it will be shown to 3000 people".  No, I don't believe it.

So, there you go.  

I have a private page now, consisting of family, a handful of people I know from The Real World, and a few internet friends I've had for years that I've become very fond of -- and I have a few more of these people that I need to reconnect with.  Less than 30 people so far, and it feels much more cozy than 4000 people who were mostly total strangers.

I do want to say that with my private page I have now, I did take the opportunity to create three new public pages at Facebook, and I'm going to give you the links to those pages here.

The Mystic Crone
click HERE

I began this page with a few posts which include episodes #30 to #37.  From now on, when I post on The Mystic Crone Blog and The Mystic Crone YouTube, I'll make sure that I post the latest podcast on this Facebook page.  Let it be known that there are a slew of podcasts @ this YouTube, if you haven't checked them out, and as we say -- spiritual readings are Timeless.

You'll find mystical readings inspired by Spirit using the tarot.  

They say that once you reach a certain age you become invisible, and to an extent, that's true. However, with age and invisibility comes a certain sense of power.

"Reclaim your power, O' ancient one.

Walk the paths of your ancestors,

communicate with the spirit world,

and challenge the shadows.

The universe will be still to hear

your whispered words of wisdom."

~ Mystic Crone

Spirits n' Stuff

click HERE

I have 22 podcasts uploaded to my Spirits n' Stuff YouTube, and I managed to post all of these to this new Facebook page.  I will certainly try to post new podcasts, as they're created, to this page as well.  You can subscribe to this YouTube channel to be notified when I upload a new video.

Spirits n' Stuff explores the world of spiritualism, the supernatural, the paranormal, cryptids, myths and legends, hauntings, and the unknown.

BOOKS by Amythyst Raine

click HERE

At this Facebook page, I've created ten posts, a post for each book, including info from the back cover text, a banner created for each book, and in the comments you'll find a link to purchase each book at Amazon.  I won't be creating anymore posts on this page.  Basically, you'll find my books here with the info you need to browse & purchase.

Amythyst Raine is a Best-Selling author of metaphysical books on tarot and intuitive reading, witchcraft, Wicca, paganism, women's mysteries, new-age spirituality, the pagan Goddess, gray magic, and green witchcraft.

EDIT... I've added a new page!

Sage Scribe & Quill

click HERE

Blog posts... Topics: new-age, supernatural, paranormal, divination, mysteries, urban legends, psychology, relationships, books, and every day life.

There you have it, my new experience and journey on Facebook, going forward.  I would be absolutely thrilled if you visited these pages and click the like or follow button, feel free to leave comments, watch podcasts, buy books, or enjoy an intuitive inspiring spiritual reading.

Episode #37 -- Audio Version, silence is golden

 

The Mystic Crone Blog

The Mystic Crone @ Tumblr

The Mystic Crone @ YouTube

Book to Movie Proposal ~ beware scams

 

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:

Dear Amythyst,

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 first 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:

Dear Amythyst,

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 manuscript

2.) 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]

There followed another phone conversation. The PM was extremely happy that this VERY busy, VERY booked trailer company was able to squeeze me in because he told them how time imperative this was and how important it was to have a cinematic trailer for this book, and he said it would take about six weeks to make.

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.

Very quickly there followed another email with the name, telephone number, and YouTube channel to a company that produces book trailers.  And even quicker came a phone call from someone associated with this company.

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

Not long after sending off this email, there was one last phone call with the Production Manager, where he tried to convince me to spend the money on the book trailer. He actually seemed kind of desperate and irritated. When I finally raised my voice and told him in no uncertain terms that I was not spending a penny on this endeavor, he was miffed, and he said, "Fine, we'll find another author, blah, blah, blah."

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.

Top Tips to Avoid Book-to-Movie Scams

Recognizing the Scam

• 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.

There are more books to movie scams out there...

The gist of the emails is that my book has been vetted and will be suitable for translation into a film.

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.

How a Book Really Becomes a Movie

Most common paths for book to film

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.

Episode #36 -- Audio Version, Daily Cards/Daily Wisdom ~ choices, decisions, results

 

I haven't done one of these in quite a while, there's other things about the world that just seem more pressing right now. But it was good to sit down with the cards again, and as always, some of the insights left me with a "where did this come from" feeling... enjoy -- and take heed. There's a message here for someone.

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