Well, you've got me for this publicity Friday post, and since I've resigned from teaching publicity on Novel Journey, I'll point out something that caught my interest in PW's daily e-mail.
This week, Author John Lethem used his website to announce that on May 15th, he'll give away a free option on his film rights on his upcoming novel, You Don't Love Me Yet.
(He does ask for the filmmaker to pay him 2% of the budget, and that the ancillary rights "be released into the public domain five years after the film is made.")
Apparently he's testing the water to see what will happen.
Well, he got publicity if nothing else.
I've glimpsed through his website and have read with interest his views on art. This experiment is sort of an interesting mix of his ideals working together in such a way that it is garnering media interest.
According to his Q&A about the experiment, so far, none of his novels have been adapted to film, though some have been optioned. I think this makes an interesting gamble. I mean, it could look sort of silly to make this big announcement, and then have no one even sit up and pay attention. And yet, if people do pay attention, think of the smorgasbord of filmmakers (big and small) that will learn the book exists. How many fiction books are published a year? Is it something like 10,000? We know that You Don't Love Me Yet will at least be a familiar title.
I like that he's not afraid to step out and do something very different. I'll be watching with interest.
The unique offer to filmmakers can be viewed at: http://www.jonathanlethem.com/freelove.html
The author's welcome page to the website is worth checking out too: http://www.jonathanlethem.com/ (keep watching it, it changes. What can I say, I'm easily impressed.)
To see the PW article, go to: http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/CA6423781.html?q=Lethem+to+Hollywood
What do you guys think?
That's cool stuff, Jessica!
ReplyDeleteWell, like you said, it got publicity. How many books are optioned but never made? Many I believe. I think it was a smart move and I too like that he stepped outside the box.
ReplyDeleteWhich gives me an idea ... All you publishers, I have several completed novels you may have for free. All I ask in return is two percent of what you make on them, a starring role in the film adaptation and a personal chef.