There’s a giveaway at the end of this post! Read on for a chance to win a free book.
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Guys, I haven’t been completely honest with you.
“I love your books!” you tell me. And then, half joking, half serious, you wink and ask, “When’s the movie coming out?”
“I don’t know,” I say with a grin. “Do you know anyone in Hollywood?” Half joking. Half serious.
The truth is, I didn’t want to say too much. I didn’t want to get your hopes up. I barely knew what was going on or how to navigate what was happening. But I’m ready to let you in on a little secret now:
I’ve been approached twice about the film and TV rights for the Mailboat Suspense Series.
Now, before you all get excited and rush to clear your calendar for movie night, let me explain to you what that means.
The Interest Is Out There
I’ll go ahead and say it. This NEVER happens. For Hollywood to contact an author out of the blue about a possible film or TV adaptation is extremely rare. In fact, during the first of my two experiences, I assumed it was a scam–until I looked the people up and found they were legit.
There are millions of books out there, and Hollywood can have its pick of whatever story it wants to adapt into a movie or TV series. The vast majority of authors will never hear from Hollywood. So the fact that this has happened to me TWICE is beyond unusual.
But It Could Be a While…
“When’s it coming out?!” you ask, no doubt bouncing in your seat.
Slow down, slow down! A lot has to happen before Mailboat hits the screen. First on my list is getting the right team together–an agent and/or manager and an entertainment lawyer. These people will make sure I make the right connections and garner the best possible deal.
And speaking of the deal… Most stories that catch Hollywood’s eye actually spend quite a while in limbo. The first thing a production company will do is “option the rights.” They literally pay the author for the exclusive right to consider making the movie or TV show. During that time, the author can’t allow anyone else to consider the property. This gives the production company time to consider if they can pull together the funding, attract a big enough audience, get the right people involved, and ultimately make a return on their investment.
At the end of this period, they might ask to renew the rights. A story can spend years being optioned, at the end of which a film or TV show MIGHT happen–or it might not. When it comes to Hollywood, absolutely nothing is certain. So it’s okay to get excited, but important to stay practical.
At this point, my rights for the Mailboat Suspense Series are not yet optioned. I’ve simply had inquiries from parties who may be interested, and I’m actively looking to option those rights.
So, Why Am I Telling You This?
Considering it could be years before the casting call–if that even happens–why am I bringing it up at all?
For one, moving the Mailboat Suspense Series towards Hollywood has become my number one priority. My publicist Rebecca and I are super busy talking to lots of people, educating ourselves, and networking. Considering that this project is taking a lot of my time and attention these days, I want to be able to talk to you guys about exciting new developments.
For another, you guys can help me! I know you talk about me and my books a lot. And every time you do, I make more fans and sell more books. The bigger my book sales and the larger my fan base, the better my odds of capturing a Hollywood deal. So please, keep talking about me! Let people know how excited you’d be to see the Mailboat Suspense Series on the screen. Together, maybe we can make it happen.
And finally… Do you know anyone in Hollywood? At the moment, Rebecca and I are doing a lot of networking and gathering advice. If you happen to know anyone with Hollywood connections, please reach out to me!
In the meantime, I’ll be sure to keep you posted on exciting new developments.
Enter the Giveaway!
I cleaned out my bookshelves recently and realized I have two copies of Discover Lake Geneva in my collection. I want one of you guys to have it! Full of photos from Lake Geneva’s past, this book is perfect if you want to learn more about the history and iconic landmarks of Geneva Lake, the setting of the Mailboat Suspense Series. I’ll even write a note to YOU on the inside of the book!
To enter to win, just answer the following question in the comments section below. (Or leave any comment at all!)
Would you rather see the Mailboat Suspense Series adapted into a movie or a TV series? Why did you choose that answer?
Rules & Stuff:
- The contest will remain open until Sunday, Nov. 7th, 2021 at 11:59pm Central Time.
- We will randomly choose one winner from the people who left a comment. We will get in touch with them via email to let them know they won. The winner may be announced in the comments, in Danielle’s newsletter, on her website, and/or on her social media pages.
- The winner will receive one free paperback copy of Discover Lake Geneva and can be personalized to the recipient by Danielle.
Are we excited for a film or TV version of the Mailboat Suspense Series? Start commenting for your chance at the free book!
Wanna see these books as a movie or TV series? Start reading now!
Why not a movie and then a TV series? As long as you continue the writing!
I like how you think, Lisa! 🤩
I think it should be a series. Your characters are so complex, and there are so many interesting details – a lot of that would have to be left out if this were a movie.
That’s true! A film version would have to be super condensed… somehow, LOL.
I would enjoy see mailboat made into movie because you invision the characters as you read about them. Seeing them on screen would be awesome.
I definitely agree. There’s just something magical about the characters coming to life via a group of talented actors. Personally, I also REALLY enjoy seeing how other people interpret my writing!
I think Mailboat Suspense Series would be a great TV series or Netflix series.
I like it! Then we can keep dropping in on the world and the characters, right? 😃😉
I think either a movie or TV show would be great!!!
Nice! Fun to see you’d be happy with either one. 😎👍
I think this series would make a good movie. I would go see it for sure!!
Great! I’m so glad you’d go to see it. FYI, I demand popcorn at every movie. 😃🍿
I would rather see the books aa a tv series on like, Netflicks, so I could binge it all at once!
That’s always a good choice!
I would love a movie but no matter which form of entertainment you choose…I am watching.
Aww, I’m so glad to hear that. 😍
OMGOSH this is tough to answer! I think I would go with the TV series or Netflix! With TV series it gives you something to look forward to that certain day of the week every week!!
You’re not wrong! It’s fun to have that thing to look forward to. 😍
I think a movie would be great. It would have to show the seasonal changes captured by Lake Geneva and the beautiful scenery.
Oo, that is a very good point. One of the upcoming books in the series features Lake Geneva in winter, so the story will definitely feature the changing seasons!
I would prefer a Netflix series or TV series so it doesn’t feel so rushed to tell the story in 2 hours. Netflix is ideal so you don’t have to wait a week to see the next episode. If it is done well, it will be addicting!
A very well thought-out opinion! I think we should put you in charge of production, LOL. 😉
I love to see a tv series because then we can enjoy the great story line longer
That’s a good plan! I do like that benefit of a TV series. 😀
I would love to see a Movie of the Mailboat series. Too many good TV series get cancelled before they are completed.
Oh my gosh, that would be so awesome.
That’s a good point! With a movie, we might get a shortened version of the story, but at least we’d be certain to see the end. 🙂
At first I thought movie, but you could cover so much more story with a tv series. I’d watch either one! How exciting for you!
Thank you, Sharon! Yes, we’d get lots more story and nuance out of a TV series.
I would rather have it be a tv series, perhaps Netflix. Then I could watch it more than just once.
Good Luck on this exciting prospect!
I like how you think. 😀 Regardless of which I end up with (if I do), I’d watch it over and over… I love seeing how other people interpret my work!
Just finished reading all the comments…and they were all wonderful. I would agree with most all of them….but thinking of you, I think that is throwing a lot on you! I have been so caught up on each one of your books and could barely wait til I finished one and could start on another…..so my thinking is if it were to be a tv series, I think it would put a lot of stress and pressure on you as a writer. I know it takes quite awhile to write each book, so if you had to come up with a great story every week or even every month…I would hate to see you burn out because of what it would take for you to write all of those, and would you have time to write other books?? As far as watching either one, the movie or tv series, I would be there for the movie or all of the tv shows…..why?? Because you had me “hooked” on the very first book! You are one awesome writer in my book!!! Keep em’ comin’!!
I’ve been looking forward to see since I started reading this awesome series. If you ask me, I can see this series works well being a tv adaptation. Each book can be a season. It would be perfect.
Wow, you’ve been looking forward to seeing Mailboat as a TV series since you started reading??? I’m really flattered. 🙂 Thank you!
Aw, thank you, Pat! I’m so glad you’d enjoy a movie or TV series.
And great news–I wouldn’t personally be in charge of writing the script or scripts. Every form of writing is different; I’m trained as a novelist and wouldn’t do a very good job as a screenwriter. So that job will go to someone else. If I’m lucky, they might allow me to be a consultant to the show. But whether I have any involvement at all depends what kind of contract gets hammered out. 🙂
So no worries! My job will still be to write new books in the series. 😀
Either way! So good! Glad I stopped in Polson Montana to look around in June 2021. That’s when I found your books. There was a little arts and craft fair and you were there selling your books. Best wishes Danielle! And a big congratulations to you!!
Aww, I’m so glad you found me! I love being at that market and meeting my fans, old and new. 🙂
I love your books! I took the mailboat tour this past August. Lake Geneva is a lovely town. I just finished your latest mailboat novel. Waiting on the next! I think a Tv mini series would be great! More people will be able to see it and encourage them to read the series. Good luck!
I also wanted to share with you that this last book fell apart after turning the first 2 pages. 19 pages fell out before it stopped. I wanted you to know so you could let your publisher know. Thanks for writing such a wonderful and interesting series,
Linda, so glad you could take the Mailboat tour this year! Book V is in the works. 😉 And I’m so sorry your book was damaged! Let us know if we can replace it for you.
I would go with a TV series. Then that would give more time on detailing each characters life. Which ever way you choose, Good Luck. But mostly don’t stop writing.
I do like that benefit of a TV series! There are a lot of characters in the Mailboat story, so that’s not a bad idea.
Movie would be awesome to watch on the big screen!! I can see a Netflix series as well so you can keep developing a story! Either way would be exciting:)
The big screen sure is amazing! Maybe if I end up with a TV series, I can figure out how to screen the pilot episode at a theater as a special event?? Maybe in Lake Geneva?? That would be fun!
I like the idea of the movie because your books flow so wonderfully into the other and I am selfish and would like to see it all at once!
Haha! That’s a good point!
I think a TV series- word of mouth – more people would see it – ❤️🙏
Oh, that’s a good point! If a new season came out every year, that would be people talking about the story more often. 😀 I do like that!
Since finding your first book and being one of the early readers I feel a TV series first would give more people a chance to view on a weekly basis. Then with that success I would go to a movie option. Then the characters come to life and we all can decide that we agree with choices made ! I have pm you info on someone I know “of” in Hollywood. He may be able to provide contacts, etc. Best of luck on your new endeavors. But first I can’t wait for the next book!
So TV and movie. I like how you think! What service did you use to message me your contact? I haven’t been able to find it… And I’m just taking a break from writing Book V to reply to your comment, LOL. Okay, back to writing!
Hi, messaged you on Facebook messenger. Message plus 4 pics.
Used FB messenger. Message and 4 pics.
Got it! We’ll get back to you soon.
I think a tv series but, only if it stays true to the books. That would probably mean a limited season. I don’t know.
A movie would also be fun. Again, it would need to stay as the books are written.
I am ways disappointed when the live version strays from the book.
Aww, I’m so happy you want a film or TV version to stay true to my original books. That’s special to me. 😀 I feel as if Hollywood has been getting better at that lately, but maybe that’s just me. 🙂
I would sit for either. Movie might take some shortcuts but at least start to finish. Series would be possible if there is enough to keep going. Maybe a Hallmark Series?!
Oh, I do love Hallmark!
Either one would be fantastic!! I’ll definitely watch it either way!
I think a series because the books are so intense that a movie will only scratch the surface of the books. I totally picture your books in my mind while reading them. Wisconsin girl here that has been to lake grneva many times and love the history of the town and beautiful houses.
You make a fair point about a TV series having the scope to really dig into the stories… I’m glad the stories are so visual for you!