The 12th 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 Short stories may be unpublished.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 on concept originality, feasibility for adaptation in the current marketplace, and overall writing talent.

Selected material is developed into scripts with Pipeline's in-house team and circulated to production companies, managers, and other execs, opening up new avenues for those looking to get their work made into a film or series.

Grand Prize Winner (1) 

• $5,000

Runner-up (1)

The Grand Prize Winner and Runner-Up receive the following:

• Extensive project development to prepare a script or pitch for industry
• Circulation and promotion of the author's book to those seeking IP for adaptation
• Additional long-term review of other books for potential circulation or development

Winner/runner-up also receives exclusive invitations to private events hosted by Symposium.

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 Unpublished material can be submitted to the Unpublished Contest.

Short stories may be unpublished or published.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 film/TV development 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 story or 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 final 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. Do not send a hardcopy.
• No limit on the number of entries. Each entry is a separate fee.
• 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 November 2025. 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, contact us, and we'll withdraw it from the contest.
• We'll accept entries submitted by a publisher or lit agent so long as the author's consent is given.
• Must be at least eighteen (18) years of age at time of entry.
• All former semifinalists, finalists, runners-up, and winners from any Book Pipeline contest, from any year since 2021, are ineligible.