Screenwriting : Agents/Managers that represent screenplays as well as novels by Melissa Ragsly

Go to the tab Script Services and research the executives on the platform

Unicorn yes. Only legit unicorn I know is Shane Salerno. He is a lawyer, agent, producer, screenwriter and reps novelists like Don Winslow. I have no idea how that world works (7-figure book & movie deals)

The big, top agencies for screenwriters, such as CAA, WME, ICM, etc., all have agents on staff who market book manuscripts and film rights to books, as well as other agents who market screenplays. So if you are represented there, you would have the same agency-- but perhaps a different agent there-- representing you for your books and your screenplays. When I was a freelance reader for a major film agency in NY, the head of Motion Picture Literary mostly marketed film rights to books. There was another agent there who marketed publishing rights to books. And other agents (usually in L.A.) on staff who marketed agency clients' screenplays. Typically, the best NY "boutique" literary agencies for book authors have a regular agent partner in L.A. who markets film rights to their clients' books and they split commissions. But they usually don't have anyone on staff who represents screenwriters, per se, though that may not be as true as it once was. Ideally, even in the age of ZOOM, you want a literary agent based in New York for your books, and a film agent who markets screenplays and/or film rights to books based in L.A. Most top book agencies either have someone on staff who markets film rights to their authors' books, or partner with an agent in L.A. who does this and who may or may not also market screenplays (these skills are specialized). The larger film agencies have the ability to package IP with their star clients, so that's another "plus". That said, if you write a screenplay based on your own book, and your book gets published and/or optioned for a movie, the producer who options it is not necessarily going to use your script (or hire you as a screenwriter) for the project-- even if it's excellent. It depends on a lot of factors, including who else is involved in the film or TV production, how well-known you are as a screenwriter, whether your book is (or is expected to be) a blockbuster best-seller, how much clout your agent has, and other factors. If you are a best-selling book author, the producer will probably agree to let you write a draft of the screenplay based on it, even if you are not a screenwriter- but may replace you after the first draft. If the book is not a best=seller, or not expected to be one, it's unlikely the book author will be the one chosen to write the screenplay, even if they're a good screenwriter and have a script ready to show. It is always best to have separate agents (but not necessarily separate agencies) for marketing your screenplays, and marketing your book manuscript/film rights to the books, because these are very different animals. That said, the top literary agencies (including film literary agencies) can hook you up with the right co-agents.

You can send out query letters to Lit Management companies and offer samples, mention any contests you have won or other notable achievements. If theyre interested in you they may request a writing sample and take you in. An agent tends to just show up when youre ready to make a deal. But really you should expect to just make it on your own. I know people who placed #1 in AFF and placed in Nichols, and optioned multiple scripts, and still couldnt get any representation. So dont believe that you will get representation just by winning a contest, and also believe you can option/sell scripts all on your own. Some producers would prefer to just deal directly with a writer and skip any middle men.

I run an indie platform that assists creatives with their journey. Maybe I could help.

Hey Melissa - Following up on Amazing Kacee's advice, shoot an email to the Dev team at success@stage32.com - Let them know about your screenplays and goals and they can point you in the right direction. Same for anyone else lurking here!

Ross Lang What kind of platform?

Richard "RB" Botto thanks RB for the emails! Appreciate it!!

So very welcome.

Thank you Melissa I was wondering exactly the same ! I came to realize how important it is to find someone to help you progress & define your goals - thank you RB & Kacee for your answers

Absolutely, Stephanie. Any time.

Richard "RB" Botto how long before they answer emails?

Hey Jordan. The Success Team gets hundreds of emails a day. And it is the weekend, but someone will be back to you shortly.