Fiction Contest
SubscribeAbout
Every entrant receives general feedback on their submission, specifically on its adaptation potential.
The Book Pipeline Fiction Competition is open to unpublished and published books, graphic novels or comics, short stories, and plays for film/TV adaptation consideration. There are no genre restrictions, and judging criteria is weighed evenly between concept originality, marketability in the current landscape, and overall writing talent. Now in its 6th season, Book Pipeline seeks new properties to connect with producers for development at all levels--from big-budget studio films and series, to smaller indies.
ALL SUBMISSIONS MUST INCLUDE A SYNOPSIS.
- For books: submit approximately the first 5,000 words only + full story synopsis (1-3 pages)
- For graphic novels: submit either the complete graphic novel or selected pages + full story synopsis
- For plays: submit the complete play or selected pages + full story synopsis
- For short stories: submit the complete short story + brief overview or synopsis.
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. While we'll accept a more detailed outline (5+ pages), it isn't necessary, though this of course depends on the type of material you're submitting (example: if you have part one of a broader series, you could send a full summary of the entire series).
Essentially, for judging, we need to get a sense of the complete project's conceptual and narrative scope. This, combined with the writing sample, full or partial, will help us make a determination on the adaptation potential.
Book Pipeline individually coordinates with the selected writers on circulation, depending on the genre and type of story selected. Production companies include:
- Lit Entertainment Group - Prisoners
- Lakeshore Entertainment - Million Dollar Baby, Age of Adaline
- Anonymous Content - The Revenant, Spotlight
- QC Entertainment - Us, Get Out, BlacKkKlansman
- Silent R Management (reps Academy Award winner Barry Jenkins)
- Good Fear Film + Management - Mulan, Under the Silver Lake
- Zero Gravity Management - Ozark, The Accountant
- 21 Laps - Arrival, The Spectacular Now, Stranger Things
- Liz Destro (producer) - The Butler, Lizzie
- Fuqua Films - The Magnificent Seven, Southpaw
- LBI Entertainment - We Bought a Zoo
- ABOUT BOOK PIPELINE -
Launched in 2014, Book Pipeline was conceived by the creators of industry-leader Script Pipeline as the first competition specifically seeking new material for film and television adaptation. Book Pipeline actively develops writers worldwide and prepares them for ongoing, widespread exposure to producers, agents, and others in need of content for all markets, indie and studio.
Alongside Script Pipeline (est. 1999) and Film Pipeline (est. 2018), Book Pipeline joins the Pipeline Media Group (PMG) suite of platforms connecting creatives with the film and TV industry. Across all three submission outlets, numerous writers have produced their work, sold screenplays and pilots, set up projects at studios, and found representation due to the guidance of PMG’s development staff.
Benefits
The Grand Prize Winner, Runner-up, and Finalists receive the following:
- Long-term circulation to producers and other execs
- Project development with Book Pipeline to prepare a film or TV series pitch
- Additional material review and circulation consideration of other stories, published or unpublished
- Invitations to annual writer and industry events hosted by Pipeline Media Group
Grand Prize Winner - $5,000 Cash
Runner-up - $500 Cash
Plus -- Every entrant receives general feedback on their submission, specifically on its adaptation potential. Comments are emailed after final judging is completed.
Book Pipeline individually coordinates with the selected writers on circulation, depending on the genre and type of story selected. Recently, Book Pipeline winner I Am Raymond Washington was optioned by production company Zero Gravity. The biography, written by former police officer Zach Fortier, details the life of Ray Washington, the true founder of the Crips.
Announcements
Rules
GUIDELINES & CRITERIA
All entries are judged on the basis of concept originality, writing ability, and the property’s viability as a scripted film or television series. Judges consist of Book Pipeline and Pipeline Media Group (PMG) executives.
RULES:
- Entries may be published or unpublished. Entrant must be the sole author or co-author, or own the rights to the material.
- For published works, the film AND television rights must be available.
- If the material is acquired by a production company or other entity after the time of entry, the work will still be eligible to compete. However, we can always pull the entry at the author's request.
- Co-written works are acceptable, only one writer needs to register.
- Must be at least eighteen (18) years of age at time of entry.
OTHER DETAILS:
- Book Pipeline does not take a percentage of any future option or sale of your work, and all rights remain with the author, regardless of their final placement in the competition.
- PDF or Word doc preferred. If your work has been published and it's easier to send a hardcopy, that's completely fine. Just email us after registering to request mailing address.
- No limit on the number of entries. Each entry is a separate fee.
- Supplemental documents (illustrations, additional information or media, etc.) are entirely optional and may be emailed separately after registering.
- Simultaneous submissions are allowed (i.e., you can submit the material elsewhere while in competition).
- Your entry must be considered fiction.
