2023 Adaptation Contest

Winner Announced:
November 1st, 2023

Next Season Opens November 5th, 2023

Winner Receives:
$5,000 | film & TV industry circulation | extensive project development

The Book Pipeline: Adaptation contest seeks published books (fiction and nonfiction), graphic novels/comics, and short stories for film & TV development. Both traditional and self-published material accepted. Judging criteria is based on concept originality, feasibility for adaptation in the current marketplace, and overall writing talent.

Most recently, adaptation winner Aaron Philip Clark signed with literary manager Zack Zucker of Bellevue Productions. The introduction came after Pipeline execs helped develop his winning book (Under Color of Law) into a TV pilot.

"Before winning, my adventures in the screen trade left more than a bad taste in my mouth. There were false starts and broken promises. Then I wrote Under Color of Law, and I felt invigorated by the possibility of adapting it into a series. Now, I finally have a team in my corner."
- Aaron Philip Clark, Adaptation Winner

Since 2014, Book Pipeline has helped authors develop their work into screenplays and pilots, connect with production companies, and open up new avenues for those looking to make the transition to film & TV.

The Winner and Runner-Up receive one-on-one assistance from Pipeline execs prior to industry circulation, in addition to the following:

  • $5,000 to winner
  • Extensive project development from Pipeline's exec team to prepare a script or pitch for industry
  • Long-term circulation and promotion to producers and other execs
  • Consideration of additional material for circulation or adaptation development

2023 WINNER ANNOUNCED:
November 1st

NEXT SEASON:
November 5th, 2023

- ABOUT BOOK PIPELINE -

Launched in 2014, Book Pipeline connects writers worldwide with publishers, editors, agents, and the film & TV industry. Through two divisions—Unpublished and Adaptation—the company seeks both new and established storytellers.

Recently, Adaptation winner Aaron Philip Clark signed with literary manager Zack Zucker of Bellevue Productions. The introduction came after Pipeline execs helped develop his winning book (Under Color of Law) into a TV pilot.

For over 23 years, Pipeline has bridged the gap between up-and-coming writers and the industry through a unique, long-term, hands-on facilitation process. The result thus far has been $8 million in scripts sold to studios and networks since 1999, including the multi-million dollar sales of Script Pipeline finalist Bring Me Back to Legendary Entertainment and Snow White and the Huntsman, from Script Pipeline winner Evan Daugherty, to Universal. In total, across Book, Film, and Script Pipeline, approximately 25,000 pieces of creative material are reviewed annually, with over 4,000 entries submitted to Book Pipeline in 2022.

Learn more about Pipeline Media Group, as well as Pipeline Artists, a platform designed to educate and uplift creatives in the arts.

Grand Prize Winner (1) - November 1st, 2023

  • $5,000

Runner-up (1) - November 1st, 2023

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

  • Extensive project development from Pipeline's exec team to prepare a script or pitch for industry
  • Long-term circulation and promotion to producers and other execs
  • Consideration of additional material for circulation or adaptation development

Guidelines

Submitted fiction, nonfiction, graphic novels/comic books, and short stories must already be published in some form (traditional publishing or self-publishing). Unpublished material can be submitted to Book Pipeline: Unpublished.

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 development executives and editors.

For books: approximately the first 5,000 words + full story synopsis (1-3 pages)

For graphic novels/comics: selected pages + full story or series synopsis (1-3 pages)

For short stories: the complete short story + brief overview or synopsis (1 page or less)

NOTE - a synopsis is required for all submissions. 

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.
  • We do not accept emailed entries. Must upload through the site.
  • 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.
  • No limit on the number of entries. Each entry is a separate fee.
  • Simultaneous submissions are allowed (i.e. you can submit the material elsewhere while in competition).

Rules:

  • Entries must already be published by a traditional publisher or self-published, or be due for release before November 2023.
  • The film & television rights must be available at the time of entry. 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.
  • Co-written works are acceptable. Only one writer needs to register.
  • We'll accept entries submitted by a publisher 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 2014, are ineligible.

View complete rules and guidelines

Pipeline Media Group has cultivated relationships with production companies, managers, agents, directors, independent producers, and other executives over the past 23 years, leading to multiple writers and specs sold.

Book Pipeline individually coordinates with the selected writers on circulation, depending on the genre and type of story selected. Production companies in the Pipeline network include:

WHAT ARE THE DEADLINE DATES?

2023 results announced November 1st. Next season opens November 5th.

WHAT IF MY BOOK IS UNPUBLISHED?

Writers with unpublished material may submit to Book Pipeline: Unpublished.

IF MY BOOK IS ABOUT TO BE PUBLISHED, IS IT ELIGIBLE?

Yes! If your book is getting released later in 2023, you can register and submit at any time. If it's set for a 2024 release, it must be entered in the 2024 season.

HOW SHOULD I SEND MY SUBMISSION?

Electronic submissions only. Selected text and synopsis must be uploaded during registration. If the entrant is only in possession of a hardcopy of the book, we'll accept image files of the first appx. 5,000 words. We do not accept mailed hardcopy entries.

IF I'M SUBMITTING A BOOK AND IT SPILLS OVER THE 5,000 WORD COUNT LIMIT, IS THAT OKAY?

Absolutely. If you want to send in selected text—say, the first two chapters—and a natural break occurs around 6,000 words, that's acceptable.

WHAT SHOULD I INCLUDE IN MY SYNOPSIS?

The synopsis should be a general summary of the story, hitting on the major plot points, beginning to end. If you are submitting part one of a broader series, the synopsis should include a brief overview of the entire series. Synopses should be 1-3 pages in length.

Essentially, for judging, we need to get a sense of the complete project's conceptual and narrative scope. This, combined with the writing sample, will help us make a determination on the adaptation potential.

CAN INTERNATIONAL WRITERS ENTER?

Yes, applicants outside the US are welcome to enter any Book Pipeline contest. However, we only accept works that are written in the English language.

DO I RECEIVE FEEDBACK ON MY ENTRY?

Feedback is kept internal, but unpublished work may be submitted to the Workshop.  If you'd like feedback only on your book's adaptation potential without entering the contest, that can arranged via the Workshop as well for a separate review fee. Email us to inquire.

WILL YOU ACCEPT PITCHES ONLY?

All submitted works must have been already published. If you have a pitch for a film or TV series, that can be submitted to Script Pipeline.

Contact our coordinator with any other questions.

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