2024 Adaptation Contest

Pre-Register By:
December 27th, 2023

SUBMIT HERE

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

The Book Pipeline Adaptation contest seeks published fiction and nonfiction, graphic novels and comics, and short stories for film and 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. Selected books are 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.

"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

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 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
  • Access to exclusive writer events via Pipeline Artists' Symposium

DEADLINES

Pre-register: December 27th, 2023 - $20
Special Entry: February 15th, 2024 - $30
Early: May 20th, 2024 - $35
Regular: August 15th, 2024 - $45

Platforms also accepting entries:

- ABOUT BOOK PIPELINE -

For 10 years, Book Pipeline has connected writers worldwide with publishers, agents, editors, and the film industry. Through our two divisions—Unpublished and Adaptation—the company seeks both new and established storytellers. Additionally, Book Pipeline's team of professional editors help authors refine their fiction and nonfiction manuscripts, queries, and more via the The Workshop.

Since 1999, 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, 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 addition, Adaptation winner Aaron Philip Clark signed with literary manager Zack Zucker of Bellevue Productions, and his pilot Under Color of Law, is currently in development.

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 2023.

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

Grand Prize Winner (1) - November 5th, 2024

  • $5,000

Runner-up (1) - November 5th, 2024

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
  • Access to exclusive writer events via Pipeline Artists' Symposium

Guidelines

Fiction, nonfiction, graphic novels/comic books, and short stories must already be published in some form (traditional publishing or self-publishing) and from any year. 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 senior development executives and editors.

What to send for:

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 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.
  • 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 due for release before November 2024.
  • 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 2020, are ineligible.

View complete rules and guidelines

Pipeline Media Group has cultivated relationships with over 250 production companies, managers, agents, directors, independent producers, networks, and other executives over the past 25 years, leading to multiple writers signed, scripts making the Black List, specs sold, and films produced.

Companies reviewing material include:

*FOR INDUSTRY: request to read Script Pipeline winners and finalists through our Scout platform.

WHAT ARE THE DEADLINE DATES?

Pre-register: December 27th, 2023
Special Entry: February 15th, 2024
Early: May 20th, 2024
Regular: August 15th, 2024

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 2024 or early 2025, you can register and submit at any time.

HOW SHOULD I SEND MY SUBMISSION?

Electronic submissions only. Hardcopies mailed in will be disqualified. 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.

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.

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 the Script Pipeline Pitch Competition.

Contact our coordinator with any other questions.

SUBMIT HERE