The 13th Annual Book Pipeline Adaptation Contest seeks books, graphic novels and comics, and short stories for film and TV development.

Books and comics must already be published (traditional or self-published). Short stories may be unpublished. Judging criteria is based primarily on originality and feasibility for adaptation in the current marketplace, as well as overall writing. Any genre accepted, including nonfiction or memoir.

Bottom line: stories that will connect with a more mainstream audience, but feel a pivot different conceptually. Our winners over the past decade have ranged from true crime, to mystery/thriller, sci-fi, memoir, romantic comedy, and most everything in-between. Browse the Winners page for more information on former selections.

Winning material is circulated as a pitch, OR developed into a script with Pipeline's in-house team before circulation to production companies, managers, and other execs.

Winner (1)

• $5,000
• Extensive project development to prepare a script or pitch for industry
• Circulation to those seeking IP for adaptation
• Additional review of other books for potential circulation or development, as well as long-term mentorship from the Pipeline team

Winner also receives exclusive invitations to private events hosted by Symposium.

Pipeline Media Group has cultivated relationships with over 200 production companies, managers, agents, directors, independent producers, networks, and other executives over the past 25-plus years, leading to multiple writers signed, scripts making the Black List, specs sold, and films produced.

Some of the industry partners reviewing books, comics, and short stories:

• V42
• Bellevue Productions
• Big Moody Curve
• Destro Films
• STX Entertainment
• Hungry Man
• Alibi Management

Fiction, nonfiction, and graphic novels/comic books must already be published in some form (traditional publishing or self-publishing). Unpublished material can be submitted to the Unpublished Contest.

Short stories may be unpublished or published.

Entries are judged on the basis of concept originality, writing talent, and the property’s current viability as a scripted film or television series. Judging is done exclusively by Pipeline's team of senior executives.

What to Submit

• Fiction & Nonfiction - approximately the first 5,000 words, a logline, and a full story synopsis (1-3 pages)
• Graphic novels/comics - selected pages (no limit, can submit a partial or the full issue), a logline, and a full series synopsis (1-3 pages)
• Short stories - the complete short story and a brief overview or synopsis (a paragraph is fine)

Other details

• Book Pipeline does not take a percentage of any future option agreement or sale of your work, and all rights remain with the author, regardless of their placement in the contest.
• PDF or Word doc preferred. If you only have a hardcopy of your book, we'll accept image files of the first 5,000 words (appx). The synopsis, however, should be sent as a PDF or Word doc. 
• If it's a book or comic, the entry must already be published by a traditional publisher or self-published, OR due for release before January 2027. Again, this limitation doesn't apply to short stories—unpublished short stories are welcome!
• The film & television rights must be available. If the material is acquired by a production company or other entity after the time of entry, the entry is still eligible.
• We'll accept entries submitted by a publisher or lit agent so long as the author has given their consent.
• Must be at least eighteen (18) years of age at time of entry.
• All former runners-up and winners from any Book Pipeline contest since 2024 are ineligible.