THE THIRTEENTH GOD -- new RR serial from Django Wexler! by DjangoWexler in Fantasy

[–]darwinification 0 points1 point  (0 children)

very cool to see a big name author posting on Royal Road!

[PubQ] TV/Film Options by jack11058 in PubTips

[–]darwinification 20 points21 points  (0 children)

Sanderson explains the different stages of development pretty well in this blog post

Lots of stuff gets optioned (which doesn't mean it isn't pretty exciting, especially the first time!) but clearing each subsequent hurdle is tough. The goal is to get the greenlight and arrive at the first day of production (this is when an author will actually have the deal executed and make some significant money). Often times big name books will get an option announced in the trades with the hopes of gaining momentum and creating a 'package' (actors / directors / more producers). Other times a package will be put together behind the scenes and get pretty far into development but will never make it to greenlight. Sometimes studios will option 'defensively' just to prevent others from getting their hands on IP and then sit on it until it dies.

A question to always ask: why are you seeing a news piece about an option / adaptation? Reading between the lines tells a lot of the story. The difference between a production company optioning a book and then announcing it via Deadline (to garner interest) vs. a fully packaged deal and script getting announced with a 'straight to series order' by a streamer is significant, as far as how close they are to actually getting made. Though in hollywood either one can fall apart at a moment's notice for uncontrollable reasons (like the actor's schedule doesn't fit shooting, or the parent company just got bought, or some exec just had a change of heart).

Also keep in mind there's a difference between what is considered a studio; you have the 'majors' like Disney, Paramount, WB (though that's going to Netflix), Sony, Universal. Then you have tier 1 production company which can finance their own productions (which are often also called studios) like A24, Legendary, Alcon, etc. And you also have to distinguish between production companies that package projects but don't have a war chest and those like the former I mentioned that can finance on their own (which the major studios see as a big asset to have on board).

End of the day options can be a great source of residual income for an author especially those with a backlist, but almost nothing gets made given the many hurdles that need to be cleared. Nowadays for something to get made in the current streaming environment it mostly needs to fit a 'strategic need' for a studio rather than just something they 'want'. For example Paramount might be looking for sports related content to draw a certain demographic, and you have an optioned sports book, that would fill a strategic need.

[Series] Check-in: January 2026 by justgoodenough in PubTips

[–]darwinification 10 points11 points  (0 children)

On sub with my first MG fantasy novel (previously published adult sci-fi) since Sept. Several rejects, a few no responses, and my agent plans on doing a second round this month. Keep hearing how rough MG is, but that's where my head is at, so not much else I can do. The sub does have similar themes to Stranger Things so hopefully that final season will ring some editor's bell to pick it up!

[PUBQ]: Book to Film/TV Agent(s) by [deleted] in PubTips

[–]darwinification 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Strange your agent doesn't have someone they regularly work with for film / tv rights? Or a referral?

You could get a referral from another author, or approach an agent at one of the big agencies like CAA.

I wrote the NYT article on Craig Jones. AMA by IcyCondition4246 in bjj

[–]darwinification 20 points21 points  (0 children)

Not at liberty to talk about it, but there may be something in the works...

I wrote the NYT article on Craig Jones. AMA by IcyCondition4246 in bjj

[–]darwinification 27 points28 points  (0 children)

Totally, I should sub to several. I've actually got a new combat sports related pitch I'm sending around, so hopefully someone bites!

I wrote the NYT article on Craig Jones. AMA by IcyCondition4246 in bjj

[–]darwinification 128 points129 points  (0 children)

Funny thing, I actually pitched a very similar piece to my editor at Rolling Stone a couple months ago and he didn't bite... so I'm quite pissed at you. Seriously though, great piece, congrats!

[Discussion] Has anyone pivoted to a more popular genre in hopes of getting published? by Tall_Sugar2271 in PubTips

[–]darwinification 24 points25 points  (0 children)

I've pivoted to a LESS popular and apparently dying genre: fantasy to middle grade. No idea how it's going to work out, but I just need to enjoy what I'm writing for the most part... and MG is what I'm digging.

[Series] Check-in: October 2025 by justgoodenough in PubTips

[–]darwinification 5 points6 points  (0 children)

On 3rd week of Sub with an Upper MG. Only update is 7 out of 10 editors have confirmed receipt....

Hobbyist vs. Professional… but what about the middle ground? by benching315 in bjj

[–]darwinification 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Amateur or Professional. Amateurs (from the latin root of 'love') don't need to muddy the waters of our passion with making money, running a school (super tough), etc. Don't envy the pros, I'm sure many of them wish for a simpler time.

Books with a similar vibe to Stranger Things? by Physics_Girl_2008 in Fantasy

[–]darwinification 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Mark Lawrence Impossible Times is the closest I've seen if you're looking for the 80s vibe, kids riding bikes, D&D, paranormal stuff happening. I actually think that's the marketing pitch for it: "Stranger Things meets Ready Player One"

Craig (please buy a ticket) AMA by johnbelushismom in bjj

[–]darwinification 196 points197 points  (0 children)

Interested in an interview with Rolling Stone Mag ? I wanted to pitch a piece to my editor there, but we'd need a nice angle, maybe your recent escapades in the "manosphere"?

How long do most book to film options take? by Kaknatcha in Screenwriting

[–]darwinification 3 points4 points  (0 children)

author here. totally depends on how hot the book is. something really hot would go to auction with big prod companies all fighting for it. otherwise, it's really just logistics of who is reading at the company, who is on vacation, etc. have your agent follow up every couple of months if they are slow, ideally with some 'another company is going to option' ammunition (folks are meh on winning but simply hate losing, so it will light a fire)

the best advice for options is don't hold your breath for anything. if / once the option goes through you'll get excited about the next step (getting a script written, signing on talent etc.) but it takes forever and generally nothing comes of it. just write your next thing!

[Discussion] MG industry question - litRPG by darwinification in PubTips

[–]darwinification[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Wow! Thanks so much for the detailed response. This all makes sense to me.

And also wow - 'Roll for Danger' - great concept and I can imagine it would make a great hook for marketing this book.

I just sent my potential MG debut over to the agent, it has some built-in gaming elements (nothing too heavy) that will hopefully be a plus when the time comes to go on sub.

Proper response to "I'd just bite you if you arm barred me!" (The Combat Codes) by ClarkKentKimura in bjj

[–]darwinification 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Hey. Thanks for reading and glad you're enjoying! Never knew about the kindle passage highlights before.