2025 Adaptation Contest

Special Entry Deadline:
February 20th

SUBMIT HERE

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

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 Short stories may be unpublished.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.

"I've been so incredibly impressed by Book Pipeline since winning their Adaptation Contest. The level of support and guidance I've received has gone above and beyond. It's a rare thing to find anyone as invested in your success as you are, and I've found that with the team at Book Pipeline."
- Kate Smith, Adaptation Winner (Daughter)

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 and scripts for potential circulation or development
  • Access to exclusive writer events via Pipeline Artists' Symposium

UPCOMING DEADLINES

Special Entry: February 20th, 2025 - $35
Early: May 20th, 2024 - $45
Regular: August 15th, 2025 - $55
Late: September 5th, 2025 - $60

Entries also accepted via ...

- ABOUT BOOK PIPELINE -

For over 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 Through our two divisions—Unpublished and Adaptation—the company seeks both new and established storytellers.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.

Over $8 million in screenplays and pilots have been sold by Pipeline writers as well as numerous scripts produced since 1999, a notable list that includes studio films Stuber by Tripper Clancy (Fox) and Snow White and the Huntsman by Evan Daugherty (Universal). Pipeline Screenwriting finalist Bring Me Back by Crosby Selander sold to Legendary in 2020 for seven figures—one of the all-time biggest spec sales by an unproduced writer. Helen Gaughran's winning horror script Visitation was produced, starring Olivia Cooke (House of the Dragon) and Isla Johnston (The Queen’s Gambit), releasing soon. Writers have signed with multiple top managers and agents, landing with reps at Bellevue, UTA, Kaplan/Perrone, XYZ Management, IAG, Alibi Management, and more following Script Pipeline development and introductions. View notable success stories.

In total, across Book, Film, and Script Pipeline, approximately 25,000 pieces of creative material are reviewed annually, with close to 4,000 entries submitted to Book Pipeline in 2024.

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

Grand Prize Winner (1) - November 5th, 2025

  • $5,000

Runner-up (1) - November 5th, 2025

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

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 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 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.

Rules:

  • 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.

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-plus years, leading to multiple writers signed, scripts making the Black List, specs sold, and films produced.

Companies reviewing material include:

In addition to other producers, production companies, managers, agents, directors, and WGA screenwriters in Pipeline's network ...

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

WHAT ARE THE DEADLINE DATES?

Special Entry: February 20th, 2025 - $35
Early: May 20th, 2024 - $45
Regular: August 15th, 2025 - $55
Late: September 5th, 2025 - $60

WHAT IF MY BOOK IS UNPUBLISHED?

Writers with unpublished material may submit to The 2025 Book Pipeline: Unpublished season.

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

Yes! If your book is getting released later in 2025 or 2026, you can register and submit at any time.

HOW SHOULD I SEND MY SUBMISSION?

Electronic submissions only. Hardcopies mailed in may 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 (yes, please spoil the ending in this case). If you're 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 English.

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