Book Pipeline: Adaptation
Enter Now
About
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 Short stories may be unpublished.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
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 Through our two divisions—Unpublished and Adaptation—the company seeks both new and established storytellers.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.
Prices & Deadlines
|
Dec 27th
Pre-Register
|
Feb 20th
Special Entry
|
May 20th
Early
|
Aug 15th
Regular
|
Sep 5th
Late
|
Sep 25th
Extended (FINAL)
|
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Adaptation Entry
|
$25.00
|
$35.00
|
$45.00
|
$55.00
|
$60.00
|
$65.00
|
Benefits
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
Announcements
Rules
Guidelines
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)
- 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.
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.
