October 30, 2007
I have some good news today - which I do need right now.:)
Before I tell any of this story, I need to say that, while it’s unlikely anyone at the company referred to has the time or inclination to read my blog, I’m going to assume they do. I think they’ve looked at it once, at least, for reasons that will become clear. So I’m going to do them the courtesy of being totally positive and optimistic - because that’s the way I feel anyway, today.
Six months ago, I was on a special 20th anniversary holiday with Mr B in Grenada (our first without Ms B). I was checking my emails in the hotel reception - mainly because Ms B wasn’t well - and I found a message from a ‘producer’ in Los Angeles asking about the movie rights to my first Little Black Dress romance, Decent Exposure. I tried to be calm and in the British way, told myself: Right Yeah. A Hollywood producer is emailing me about my book. Whatever.
However, it didn’t stop me shrieking and rushing off to tell random people round the pool who’d I’d known for all of two days.
Anyway, this deal hasn’t turned out to be a deluded fantasy on my part. It has actually happened. Over the past six months, negotiations have been finalised and now, the rights to Decent Exposure have been optioned by Fox, who are part of 20th Century Fox. Apologies for that, I’ve been waiting for six months to do it and also this may be well be a once in a lifetime event. This kind of thing isn’t supposed to happen to a mum from the Midlands. Every time a Fox film or show has come on TV or we’ve visited the cinema, we’ve been giggling and shaking our heads in disbelief. To be noticed by Fox? It’s bizarre. It’s surreal. It’s totally ace.
Now, anyone who has anything to do with publishing will know that only a very few of the books that are optioned for films, actually get made. I know that and I’m realistic. However, no matter what happens, I’ve had a wonderful time just getting a tiny glimpse into the film world. I only know a little about Fox’s plans myself. They have bought an option for the TV and movie rights so, potentially, could do either or both at some point inthe future. I wouldn’t have any say over casting or location but I wouldn’t be human if I didn’t have a bit of fun in that direction. But more of that later…
The fact my book has been optioned has nothing to do with my writing and everything to do with sheer luck. My book was spotted on Amazon.co.uk by the producer browsing the site from the US. And in the words of Harry Hill, what are the chances of that happening?
Posted by Phillipa in Uncategorized @ 5:02 am
Leo Says:
Oh my gosh Phillipa! That’s wonderful! I’m so excited for you and also for me because that means I get to see a great book put up on screen…I get to eat popcorn and watch a ‘real’ Will Tennant get his kit off! Wooo hooooo!
Bring out the bubbly!!!!
Leo Says:
P.S: Could I put a link to your very good news on my blog sometime today? It’s great to celebrate authors successes as it’s so difficult to even get published these days nevermind get a movie deal!
Phillipa Says:
Leo - Thanks for the thumbs up.
I don’t mind you putting up a link but it is only an option. Of course, I’d LOVE to see Will in the flesh - and Emma baiting him!
Rosy Thornton Says:
Phillipa, although I’ve known about your Big News for some time now, I still fing myself both excited and moved to read you writing about it here on your blog. You may be ‘just’ a mum from the Midlands, but you are an extremely talented one - Decent Exposure is a brilliant book, and this success is completely deserved. Many congratulations - it couldn’t happen to a nicer or more unassuming person!
Big hugs, Rosy xx
Phillipa Says:
Rosy - That’s really generous of you but the truth is that writing has only served to reveal to me that I’m both totally lacking in self-esteem and an egomaniac! Which may be why I didn’t try to do it until 41. Writing finds you out, I feel. It shows you qualities you thought you didn’t have and a less noble side that you don’t want to recognise. Anyway, this film deal has nothing to do with me or the writing - it really was sheer luck and the way a producer might see the action translate onto the screen.
Laura Vivanco Says:
Anyway, this film deal has nothing to do with me or the writing - it really was sheer luck and the way a producer might see the action translate onto the screen.
I think it’s a bit more than that. First of all, I suspect that the premise of the book stood out. Your heroines are in marketing, they know how to attract attention to a product by focussing on something which is intriguing. I think you do that with your novels too.
Secondly, there’s the way you write. Some books include a lot of descriptions of what people are thinking, for example, and that can’t be filmed. Yours are more film-friendly because you’ve got a knack for describing the settings in a very vivid way so that the reader can imagine that they really are there. You also keep the plot moving and the dialogue is crisp, funny (usually - except when the characters are being more serious) and doesn’t go on for pages and pages, so I can imagine that it would be relatively easy to turn it into a film script.
Books where there’s a lot of people thinking, sitting and having very long conversations probably wouldn’t translate so well onto the screen.
Nell Dixon Says:
Squee!!!! I’m so excited that you’re finally allowed to toot your horn for this. I think it’s absolutely wonderful and of course it’s your wonderful writing and great story that have landed this!
Michelle Styles Says:
Hooray for you!!!!!
And my fingers are crossed very hard that your book will be one of the very few that is actually made into a film whether it is for the movies or for TV.
It would be the icing on the cake.
I am so very excited for you.
Sally Lawton Says:
Congratulations - keeping my fingers crossed things move forwards for you. How exciting! And it does deserve to be made in to a film, it’s a great story with believable character!!!!
Woo-hoo!
liz Says:
YAY!!!!!!
Ray-Anne Says:
That..is absolutely fanatastic. And you deserve every congratulations.
I can only imagine how excited and thrilled you must be to have your work and talent recognised in this way.
Let’s hope this option gets the green light.
And thank you for making me smile on a foggy Tuesday morning.
ONly good times ahead.
ellenrhian Says:
CONGRATULATIONS,Pippa.
Hm,now I wonder who you’d like as your male lead?[Need a big grinning smiley here]
Phillipa Says:
Laura, Nell, Michelle, Sally, Ray Anne and Ellen Rhian. Thanks. Ellen - I won’t get a say but if you’ve been following the blog, you’ll know that I had ’someone else’ in mind for Will. However, if the film was made, I *really* wouldn’t mind who it is. I’m sure he will be gorgeous!
Jude Says:
Pip - so pleased to read your wowza news!I imagine you’ve been grinning from the inside out.
And if Harry Hill were a romance writer and it had happened to him - well he’d be organising a badger parade and tucking into mash and chops to celebrate.
Judexx
Who is Harry Hill’s No One Fan. Any chance of getting Harry Hill and Gerry Butler in the movie? That would just be too awesome but somehow I can just see Harry dressed in fleece and arran as a mountain rescue team member…
Phillipa Says:
Jude - thanks. Harry is fantastic - I wonder what the US would make of him? I wish he’d won a TV award last night. I suspect Gerry is a bit too famous now…
Jenny Haddon Says:
Graet news, Phillipa. I agree with Laura Vivanco - there’s a lot that’s v. filmable in ‘Decent Exposure’. Can I look forward to Richard A abseiling off a crag? To say nothing of the other bonuses in the book.
Yum
Christina Phillips Says:
Congrats on your fantastic news Phillipa - fingers crossed they do go ahead and make the film! How exciting!
Jessica Raymond Says:
Yay, Pip, that’s possible the most exciting news a writer could get, IMO!! Fingers crossed that it all comes to fruition. I bet you would explode from thrills if Richard A. DID get cast as Will
Jess x
Phillipa Says:
Jenny, Christina and Jess - it is very exciting but… as I’ve posted on the blog (ages before this thing ever happened) I like Richard but I always had someone *very* different in mind for Will when I wrote Decent Exposure. But if the film were made, of course, I wouldn’t have any say and I won’t mind who it is!
Julie Cohen Says:
It is brilliant news and you should be very proud. You can have all the luck in the world but without talent you won’t go anywhere so don’t do yourself and your achievement down. It is AMAZING.
You hear me? (stern voice)
Alyssa Goodnight Says:
Fantastic! Maybe that means your books will be headed our way soon too! But I may just have to break down and use some Christmas money to pay the shipping from the UK so I can get my copy before everyone else here!
Congratulations–crossing my fingers for you!
Kate Hardy Says:
Fabulous news, Pip - will be keeping my fingers crossed for you!
Phillipa Says:
Julie - I’ll try and listen to the stern voice!
Alyssa - I don’t know whether LBDs will be available in the US but that would be very nice, wouldn’t it? If my film got made you’d probably get to see it before I do. Tee hee!
Kate - thanks x
Fiona Harper Says:
So glad you are finally able to fill us in on all the details! The suspense has been killing me! Go, you!
amanda ashby Says:
Mega congratulations on your amazing news, and thanks so much for sharing the journey - it’s been really fascinating to see how it all unfolded!!!!