Hello,
I’m reaching out with a quick question I hope somebody might be able to help me with. I’m an author with a published novel, and I’m looking to pitch it to a producer. Could you share any tips or advice on how to approach this process effectively?
Your insights would be greatly appreciated! Thank you :)
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Congrats on your novel! When pitching to a producer, you’ll want to keep it concise and engaging. Start with a strong logline that captures the essence of your story in one or two sentences. Make sure you have a compelling elevator pitch ready—something that covers the main plot, themes, and why it would make a great film or series adaptation.
Also, highlight any unique elements of your novel that set it apart from others, like the characters, world-building, or any current trends it taps into. If you have an established audience or good reviews, mention that too—it shows there's already interest in your story.
Lastly, research producers who’ve worked on similar projects and personalize your pitch to show why your novel would fit well with their style or portfolio. Good luck!
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A producer is also going to be interested in the fanbase for the novel...how well did it sell, is it high concept enough, is there a built-in audience for the IP, etc. They have to think about how they can turn around and either sell it to investors or to partner studios.
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Hi Nancy! it’s a pleasure to meet you. Congrats on your published book. I know the feeling of accomplishment and excitement as I'm getting closer to the publication of my first book. Regarding pitching to a producer, my contract grants my publisher the first option to shop it around. It might be worth checking with your publisher to see if you have a similar arrangement. Do you have an agent? If so, I recommend discussing this with them and your publishing company as well. Sending you good vibes!
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Interestingly, JK Rowling wrote novels to her Harry Potter franchise. However, screenplays for each novel were written by someone else (i.e., Steve Kloves, Michael Goldenberg). Therefore, I suggest working with a screenwriter to adapt your novel into a screenplay. Then, you can say you wrote the novel and here is the screenplay along with logline followed by initial elevator pitch.
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Congratulations on your novel! That's amazing!
I highly recommend joining Pitch Practice in the Writer's Room if you haven't checked it out yet. The feedback there is next-level amazing! I cannot recommend this enough!
As far as other pitch advice, if the pitch is for a screen adaptation of your novel, be sure to mention it. Previous or proven IP is a big deal when it comes to interest in a pitch. Be sure to include anything of interest, like the following it has, if it sold well, etc.
Beyond that, my recommendation would be to know who you're pitching. Not all producers are the same. This goes beyond genre. E.G. While some sci-fi producers love high-concept pieces, others only do grounded fiction. Same thing with characters. Some people you will pitch love female-driven narratives, while others don't have a preference. Make sure you do your research and customize the pitch to the interest of the producer (but only in terms of what's true to your story).
I hope that helps