Would you rewrite parts of the first KD books if they get picked up for tv adaptations before they get turned into scripts?
This crops up a lot, so I decided to burst that bubble.
Amount of influence you have as a writer when you work is optioned for film or tv: Zero.
Zero. None. Nada.
Cases like J.K. Rowling, where she was able to exert a lot of control over the script, are exceptionally rare. She was a runaway bestseller, and her adaptation is the exception, not the norm.
So if KD series went into production, and they decided to mash Magic Bites and Magic Burns together, make Curran into a dragon, and have Kate engage in random sex with every marginally attractive male, there would be absolutely nothing we could do about it. They buy the rights to play in the world as they see fit. If you are very lucky, the studio will respect material, but they might not. We would not be consulted. We would not be working on the script. We would not be able to influence the casting.
If you want to see what happens when the script goes terribly wrong, see Percy Jackson movies. Kid 2 is a fan of the books, and I thought she might go into convulsions in the theater.
We had KD optioned for years, meaning there was a small studio attached to the project, and they shopped it to larger studios, trying to get the budget for a pilot. At some point they sent a summary over. It was so simplified that any traces of what made the world unique were gone, and when I pointed it out, it was explained to me that these were visual people and that the studio only had a few minutes to pitch things.
It is highly unlikely that our work will ever be adapted to screen. As an aside, Patty Briggs’ series was optioned recently. She is a very kind person, and Gordon and I are very happy for her.
I’m curious as to how HA felt about publishing on Kindle Unlimited after they used it for Fated Blades. Did it bring in new readers who weren’t familiar with them? Did it cut into sales? What was the reader response?
That’s an interesting question and the answer to all three is yes. Yes, it brought in new readers; yes, it cut into sales but not by a large margin; and yes, the readers liked the book. Statistically, Amazon accounts for a very large chunk of ebooks sold, and theoretically KU sales offset the loss resulting from exclusivity.
However, it is too early to draw definitive conclusions. Publishing accounting is a long-term thing. We are going to revisit numbers a year from publication and see where we stand. A year is long enough to see what promotions Amazon is running, how they affect sales, and whether or not it is worth it do work through Amazon publishing arm in the future.
Is there any chance Subterranean Press will do special editions for Hidden Legacy?
No. It is my understanding that Subterranean Press is focusing more on publishing original work, and I doubt Avon would be receptive to the collector edition.
Well, I am a negative Nancy today. Heh.
Update: Please do not speculate about other authors’ personal lives on the blog. Thank you.
Gwen says
You can be a negative Nancy. The BDH will always be here to cheer you on! Good luck with the retest and may all the studios respect your work enough to fight for authenticity. <3
AP says
Thanks for the answers and explaining why KD may never make it to the screen.
KD as an animated movie would be awesome or if KD went the same way it appears Innkeeper is going – webtoon or graphic novel – that would be awesome too!
I realize that any of that would take time away from writing so I’m torn…????
Nicole says
I thought the same thing.. it would be amazing if KD was turned into a animated tv series( the world building alone).. really any of the IA. Books becoming a animated series would be cool..
Robin Šebelová says
You make salivate :-P. Both KD and Innkeeper would be great as an Japanese Anime (though I hope it will never have animation with that boxy western animation/computer style that is currently in).
Kate says
Still hoping that Fated Blades will show up at my library so I can read it, since I won’t buy books from Amazon.
Several years ago I worked for a very small publisher that specialized in making eBook copies of out of print and out of copyright classics. The owner was CS Forester’s son and worked with the heirs of the other authors. They are out of business in part because of Amazon’s aggressive and predatory practices.
Moderator R says
Only the e-book version is an Amazon exclusive at this point 🙂
Physical copies and audiobooks can be bought from
B&N for example https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/fated-blades-ilona-andrews/1140198882
or Apple Books https://books.apple.com/us/audiobook/fated-blades-unabridged/id1594741501
Book Depository https://tinyurl.com/5bs4re3k etc 🙂
Just thought I would mention, understand if you’re only interested in the digital format 🙂
Kate says
I’m moving in November/December. If it is still not at the library or available in eFormat anywhere else, I will probably get the physical book then.
Right now I am trying not to ADD anything physical to the 29 years worth of stuff I have accumulated in this house. Sigh. 40 years ago I was able to move every single thing I owned in a station wagon and a small trailer. Not any more.
DianaInCa says
I feel you. We spent last weekend moving stuff so my Mother in-law could get new flooring. We kept encouraging her to get rid of certain things but it was hard. My SIL was able to get her to donate a bunch of things Thank goodness. We go back this weekend to help shift things back and hopefully get rid of more items.
Saying this as I look around and think I should just start getting rid of things.
jewelwing says
Nothing vaccinates you better against hoarding than cleaning out a parent’s house. I’m looking at moving next year, and realizing how little of what I have really needs to go with me. Except the bookcases, of course, and one bedroom set. There are a lot of bookcases, though. The only rooms without them are the dining room and basement. Moving stuff around to get this place painted before it goes on the market is not going to be fun. Some things might have to find new homes at that point.
Kate says
I had a friend who’s father was a diplomat. She told me once that her mother wouldn’t marry him until he agreed that when he got reposted they would sell or give away anything they each couldn’t cary in one suitcase and buy new when they arrived at his new posting.
Consequently, my friend was very unattached to “things.”
Janet says
I also won’t buy from Amazon for similar reasons. I am hoping in the future that HA doesn’t continue down this road but will understand if they do for financial reasons they deserve to make money.
Jean says
Hi Kate –
Does your local library have an inter-library loan or a similar service? I found Fated Blades on the sharing service my local library subscribes to.
Hope this helps!!
Kechara says
My bubble did not exist. I have found that screen adaptations need to be seen as completely different entities. Usually the first season is mostly faithful, but after that…whoa. Then I often lose interest or just stop watching from disillusionment. Ymmv.
So many series that happened to for me…True Blood, Dexter (although in part it was because John Lithgow totally freaked me out), most others.
Also sometimes I can’t watch final seasons because then things would be over.
jewelwing says
+1 So much of what I love about books doesn’t make it to the screen. My favorite line from HP1, for instance. Do not speak to me of TrueBlood.
KMD says
Dexter barely resembled the books. The books are… interesting to say the least. My favorite was Dexter is Delicious
Donna A says
I don’t actually like to see my favourite books being made into TV or films. It’s ok if it’s books that I’m just average about or the old classics (well…) but I actually get freaked out that seeing an adaptation will ruin a book for me as it can never match what my brain sees and might instead override it with their ideas. I haven’t even watched Wheel of Time (nor read it in many years) but my head keeps seeing that bloody actress as Moraine anyway!
Even those adaptations I’m willing to watch and I think I’m enjoying my family say I’m being hyper critical (and talking too much!). To be fair that’s not just in adapted films and shows; I’m a bit of a stickler for plot logic & consistency, historical and geographical accuracy and proper characterisation. Unless the show has purposely dropped them – which is why I often like both madcap slapstick films and ultra violent ones – no thoughts required!
Nessa says
Same for me!!!
Nifty says
I have no questions, but just related to KD: I’ve been enjoying a re-listen to the last several books lately. I started with #7 a week or so ago, finished Magic Triumphs this morning, and then started on Blood Heir. I love these books/characters, but each time I do a re-listen, I am reminded how MUCH I enjoy them. I honestly think they are my favorite series.
Sjik says
In those quizzes online etc., it is always true that books are better than movies. Very very rare instances of opposite. And even with JK Rowling’s inputs, the movies still had disappointing deviations from the books. (Though the movies hold up the test of time better I think, personal opinion only). But I stillllll fantasize about the Innkeeper Chronicles turning into a TV series. Because I can just close my eyes and see it all – the episodic nature of the books, the fact that the love interests are pretty much stated upfront so no need to ruin characters with unnecessary screwing around, the existence of star trek & star wars implying this kind of character work isn’t too much to be done, the setting of an inn, and a cast of characters that will keep the screen alive with activity in every shot. Just wow. Le Sigh.
Karla says
Can you imagine a Star Fleet negotiation at Gertrude Hunt. Sigh if only.
.303 bookworm says
Interesting point. Does anyone have ANY examples where the movie/series was better than the book? Offhand I can’t think of any.
Moderator R says
One Flew Over the Cokoo’s Nest for me. The movie kept a certain reveal for the end (no spoilers).
Donna A says
I’m an outlier here but Suzanne Collins and Cormac McCarthy books work better as films for me. I’m not find of their writing styles and I actually enjoyed The Hunger Games films more than the books and The Road and No Country For Old Men likewise. However I think it’s a personal thing as I really disliked both authors’ grammar and syntax.
Sabrina says
The Princess Bride, among others, for me 🙂 Though in my case that may have to do with whether I see the adaptation first or read the book first. I seem to imprint on the first version I come across like a little ducky 😉
jewelwing says
This is true on both counts for me. My younger daughter gave me a T-shirt that reads, in large white print on purple:
The book
was better.
She said it had my name on it. I have gotten many smiles and compliments on this shirt, including some from teenagers.
Lioness says
Legally Blonde. (Yes it’s based on a book). Trust me, the movie is way better.
Rose says
Neil Gaiman’s Stardust for me. I liked the movie better. I appreciate his macabre, twisted sense of humor, but I do love my HEAs.
Patti says
Chocolate, for me, was a very rare case of the movie being better.
JB says
Highly recommend Dominic Noble on YouTube. He does Lost in Adaptation just to talk about books translated to film.
Personally I tend to like the one I viewed first, but there are many I can appreciate as separate entities. Things like Watership Down, Starship Troopers, The Last Unicorn, Lord of the Rings, The Martian, Princess Bride, and Jurassic Park where both the movie and the book are great, sometimes for different reasons.
Forrest Gump is probably the best example of a movie that is superior to its book source. Shawhank Redemption is really really close as well,though the book is great, the film is just excellent.
M says
“It is my understanding that Subterranean Press is focusing more on publishing original work, and I doubt Avon would be receptive to the collector edition.”
I don’t think the first part is totally true because over half of their newsletter announcements are for already-published books. They just announced The Goblin Emperor this morning, for example. Bummer about Avon, though. I hope things change in the future because I would love a special edition for Hidden Legacy.
Judith Verweg says
Good to make clear again! Still enjoying the craft room blog…
SoCoMom says
It’s so disappointing to hear that the authors have so little control in film or tv over the worlds that they create. I think we are all familiar with disappointing transferrals to the screen of beloved books.
I have been hoping that Netflix (Stranger Things) and Amazon (The Boys and The Terminal List) being willing to go out on non-traditional limbs for streaming media could help resolve this but have yet to hear of it from authors that I know.
Thanks for popping in – heh! Enjoy your newly repainted, quiet home!
Jessica says
I always wondered this. If I took out and returned a book with KU a number of times, rereading it each time, does the author get paid for each time I do this? Because if so, that would be great, since I love to reread books, I pay the monthly fee anyway, and then the author would make more money too.
Moderator R says
According to the Royalties page in Kindle Unlimited help topics, I don’t believe so https://kdp.amazon.com/en_US/help/topic/G201541130
“A customer can read your eBook as many times as they like, but we will only pay you for the number of pages read the first time the customer reads them. It may take months for customers to read pages in your eBook, but no matter how long it takes, we’ll still pay you once it happens.”
Jessica says
Oh, too bad.
Eric says
I was wondering how that worked. KU has 3 books available is German, so if I pick them up and read through them, will HA get the royalties? I guess they are shared with the translator.
Moderator R says
Well, I’m not sure how the translator gets paid, some will maybe get a cut of the royalties and some a lump sum for service provided. It would depend on their arrangements.
House Andrews does get royalties, and the publisher they sold the foreign rights to ????
A reminder here that House Andrews don’t control the translation or publishing of the books in other countries and other languages. They are very keen to make the books available for everyone, but it’s your local publishers who control those things. After the pub rights are sold, that’s pretty much where the involvement ends (see also covers and other miscellanies)
wont says
A special edition of Hidden Legacy? I would buy that SO fast. Dreaming here!
ShellB says
But I am SUPER excited about the new Percy Jackson series in development.
Elizabeth G says
For the record, my husband and I are already talking about buying the next Innkeeper collected edition to put next to the first when it is announced after the current Innkeeper is completed.
My husband brought it up and isn’t even reading along as sections are released. He just has the feelings he wants it…
I also have written to Graphic Audio asking if they might consider doing the Edge series too….
Robin Šebelová says
You’ve managed to surprise me.
If you hold the rights, don’t you have also right to put into sales/licencing agreement your veto about scenario? It is up to studio if they take or leave it.
I thought that, when you sign-up with book publisher, you only give the publishing rights for the book(s) not the whole franchise (movies, games, toys, etc).
Also did not KD rights already reverted back to you? And what about Edge and Hidden Legacy series?
Ilona says
“If you hold the rights, don’t you have also right to put into sales/licencing agreement your veto about scenario? It is up to studio if they take or leave it.”
You are fundamentally misunderstanding the weight a screen adaptation carries. Yes, a writer can walk away from it, but it means walking away from potentially millions in sales.
“I thought that, when you sign-up with book publisher, you only give the publishing rights for the book(s) not the whole franchise (movies, games, toys, etc).”
Typically, the publisher purchases book rights in print and e and audio.
“Also did not KD rights already reverted back to you? And what about Edge and Hidden Legacy series?”
I don’t think that term means what you think it means. 🙂
In a standard contract rights reversal means that the publishing house returns all publishing rights to the writer. The rights reversal typically kicks in when the sales drop below a certain threshold, too low for the publisher to continue. The work is then considered to be “out of print.” This almost never happens anymore because of ebooks. We would have to stop selling for the rights to reverse and we are still making them money. Sometimes, the rights revert after a certain time period, but this is typically seen with audiobooks more than print books.
The rights reversal is separate from copyright. We own KD and all of our work. We can continue any series at any time with a publisher or on our own without having to ask anyone’s permission.
Robin Šebelová says
Thank you very much for detailed explanation.
For me it would be probably hard choice too – money or artist control, but after I saw what Hollywood’s butchers did to the Witcher and Wheel of Time, I’d probably go for control.
Mary Carter says
Please …. Never option for TV …. There is no way the wondrous writing, exceptional characters and fantastic plots could be presented at all adequately or accurately. Not to mention – appropriate casting could never be found. May Kate’s world live forever in my mind!!
njb says
Precisely stated!
Ilona says
Mary, the moment they come to us with a reasonable offer, I will sign that contract so fast the paper will catch on fire. Would I ever pass on a chance to stabilize financial future of our family? Not a chance. 🙂
Rexy says
Rather than calling it Negative Nancy, I see it as keeping it real and honest. I appreciate it ????
Melissa says
One thing that has always interested me is the following:
Read book in Kindle Unlimited. Read entire book and author gets credit for 100% read.
Then like book and purchase.
Does Amz give full credit/payment for the KU read and the purchase or does it get counted/discounted?
Some authors I really like publish in KU and then I’ll purchase the book after I’ve read it in KU if I consider that one a keeper. I’d like to think they got a double payment for each action on my part as a customer.
Moderator R says
Everything I can find points to yes 🙂 . The KU royalties are calculated based on the size of the KDP Select Global Fund each month, whereas purchase royalties are a fixed % of the price ( for more, here https://ilona-andrews.com/2021/earning-out-and-other-questions/). They do not count against each other.
Nancy says
Ha ha, I am a Positive Nancy! I am here to reaffirm how wonderful you are and as an avid reader, how amazing your stories are, and I’m delighted you have such a strong supportive following! I will stay hopeful for a visionary group to bring your works to film and respect your work and fans. Yay you!!!
Keera says
I am one of the few people who would like favorite books to be made into a movie or TV show. Something always always changes and then I have to argue with tv people about the fictional characters I love and cherish…mostly my husband Lol
Terrie C says
I hope Brigg’s option goes to screen and it is highly successful for two reasons:
1) I like and read the Mercy Thompson books and 2) Copying is rampant in the film and TV industry. If her book does well, they will be looking for other sources to adapt and maybe we will finally see KD or HL on screen.
Missy says
Seconded. Also, I love Briggs as an author and hope the industry could do her works justice.
It’s melting my brain that Ruby Fever and the new Briggs book are coming out on the same day.
Breann says
My question is about the Subterranean editions too. Do you know if they will be re-printing the first Innkeeper one and/or if they will be doing a second volume? I missed the first and would love to get a copy. Thanks! ????
Moderator R says
As far as House Andrews know, there are no plans to reprint, however Subterranean Press would be more in the know about that and want to know about your interest in it- their contact is info@subterraneanpress.com ????
Breann says
Thank you! I’ll email them right now! Maybe the BDH can flood their inboxes and they will give in to get us off their back! Mwahahaha! ????
Laurence says
You’re a very interesting negative Nancy then, because I kept on going, ahhh, while reading you.
Thank you!
And I’m going to hope for a TV/Movie producer who reads your books and fall in love with them and has the clout to bring it to the screen, while keeping everything that makes your writing awesome!
Wey says
The only way I can think of any of your series making it to film in anything resembling less than catastrophic failure is if someone pulls a Deadpool. Taking an iconic scene from on of the books, filming it, adding all possible special effects, leaking it on YouTube and selling it to a large production company at the same time.
Besides if you were consulting on a film set for adaptations then you would have less time to write food for the Horde. And we can’t have that. We’re a hungry Horde. I reread the entire hidden legacy series in anticipation for the new book, I did so in less than a week and may do so again the week before release because I jumped the gun and did it too early…nom nom tasty books.
Becky says
Totally with Kid2 on the Percy Jackson movie!! GAH!!!! So.Much.Bad.
And the Dresden Files series. My husband says I shouldn’t watch any movie/TV adaptations because all I do is fuss at the screen. I mean, he’s not wrong…Except for Enola Holmes. Watched the movie first, then read the book and didn’t like the book AT ALL. And I still fuss about everybody getting eaten in the Jurassic Park book, but not the movie…????
Debbie says
Is there any chance we could get the next best alternative? KD on GraphicAudio??
Tapati says
It is difficult to watch a series or movie made from books you love. I have begun to think of these as an alternate universe from the original work. Nothing in it affects the reality of the original work, which can still be enjoyed. I also realize that a slavish adaptation, especially a tv series, would quickly become boring because we already know what happens. SOMETHING has to be changed to keep it interesting. Even a completely accurate version wouldn’t compare well to our interior vision of the action in the book. We’ve already cast this in our mind’s eye.
I used to get very upset about the differences but since I started thinking of it this way I don’t so much mind differences. I may be sad if they left something out that I thought was important, but I shrug it off and move on. Sometimes I reread the original as if to reassure myself that it’s still there, untouched.
nedibes says
I would absolutely LOVE to see Innkeeper as the first scripted series on HGTV.
House DeMille says
lol! 😀
Patricia Schlorke says
I held my breath when Peter Jackson did the Lord of the Rings movies because I read all the books and wondered if anyone would do them justice. Apparently he and his partner read the books and tried to follow the books as much as possible. The extended versions are so much better than what I saw in the movie theater. I realize that is in the theaters and not on TV.
To be honest, I don’t see Kate’s books as a TV series. Plus, someone would have to love the series to begin with and have the backing to be able to do the series justice. Otherwise they will have the Book Devouring Horde after them, and I really don’t think Hollywood would want that to happen. 😀
I just enjoy reading the series, picturing Atlanta as it is today, and compare it to the books. Makes me laugh every time.
Kes says
Just finished the Graphic Audio Innkeeper books. They were great! Will you do the HL series on GA too?
Len says
We love you anyway.
Lila says
Some of my all time favourite comics are Y-The Last Man and Sweet Tooth and I was really happy when they announced adaptions are in the work. Unfortunately, none of the magic was transferred to the screen, so I understand Kid 2 pain about Percy Jackson. I am happy for authors getting their check, though, so dragon Curran can smoulder as much as he wants on the screen. 😉
Evelyn says
TV Execs destroyed Harry Dresden. True Blood was good the first season and jumped the shrk after. How they haven’t messed up Bosch yet, amazes me. It’s why Anne McCaffreys Dragins haven’t been done, because as Todd says, they haven’t found a script that does them justice. They even messed up HP enough that die hard readers weren’t happy.
Unless you have your own studio, stick to your guns!
Brent says
True Blood jumped about 3-5 episodes in. Wife and I started treating them as an AU. 🙂
Honestly, I was reasonably happy with the HP movies. They did a pretty good job, taking into account that film and book are completely different media. And the casting was spot on. (Fairly sure I’m a “die hard reader” given that HP made up a chapter of my dissertation, a couple articles/book chapters, etc.).
Peter Jackson did a pretty good job with LotR (despite some questionable dialogue changes; again stellar casting, though), but kinda dropped the ball with The Hobbit.
Sara T says
LotR is awesome. I don’t see myself rereading the books ever but I watch the movies endlessly. Love the casting.
Hobbit was meh.
Haven’t seen the Dresden series but I love the books. 🙂
Has anyone mentioned GOT? I read the first book and watched the first season. I thought they followed very close to the book.
Haven’t yet read or watched after that though.
Ilona says
And yet Butcher’s sales tripled. 🙂
Elizabeth says
I watched that series. It had some good takes on the characters. Blackthorne was actually a really good Harry. And the Bob modification worked for me. But it also covered the first book, Storm Front. It had a different pace than later books. I wonder what would have happened if they could have started with Grave Peril. It helped that Butcher’s forum participants also hung out on the SyFy forums, but it still wasn’t enough to save the show.
Alice says
I watched a few episodes of the Dresden series and thought it was bad but liked the premise so I sought out the books, loved them, and got multiple friends and family hooked too 😀
The TV adaptation for Dresden was not good, but it did bring the books to my attention.
Colleen88 says
One of my favorite Julie Garwood books, For the Rose’s, was made into a movie, and starred Jennifer Garner. I really looked forward to it, but it was so disappointingly NOT the story I loved. The character names were the same, and it was set on a western frontier, but that is pretty much where the similarities ended.
Sara T says
I just reread For the Roses 🙂 . Didn’t know there was a movie and now I will avoid it!!
Brent says
So glad that Rick Riordan managed to get the rights to PJ films back and shopped them with Disney+. The level of involvement he’s managed to get (as executive producer) is extremely hopeful for the TV series adaptation.
That said, the movies were good modern fantasy movies, as adaptations of the books not so much.
Renee says
I came up with a rating for movies or series that were ” based” on books a long time ago and it goes like this…. 1 – mostly based on but still changed some where along the line for ” cinematic ” purposes. 2- loosely based on , most of it changed with just enough of the original story there that I often thought that the script writer read the Clift notes version of the book and thought to themselves ” I could have done this story so much better! And then comes 3- they only didn’t screw with the names ! Everything else mangled beyond recognition! I have also sadly come to the conclusion that Hollywood is where originality goes to die a slow sad death.
Linda Winstead says
NO you are not being negivative; you are a realist. There is no way TV or movies could present these books.
Kim says
Julia Quinn and Shondaland seem to have a great relationship, and I wish that for Patricia Brigg and for HA if it ever came to pass.
Truth to tell, I could *probably* handle HL as a series. I could not watch KD. I can read about blood and guts, I can’t watch it. But I would cheer it on!
I’m going to keep plugging for GA to do more HA material, because apparently I can listen to violence, too. And the more I listen to GA stuff, the more difficulty I have with certain narrators’ male voices.
njb says
Interesting as always. I know it can potentially be a financial boon to have one’s books optioned for a movie or tv series, but I’m happy that you say yours are unlikely to go that route. I have rarely liked what Hollywood has done to some of my favorite books. And occasionally I’ve read the book after watching the show and generally thought “what was that because it sure didn’t follow the movie (lol)?”
Kelly M says
Oh, it’s so nice to know Patricia Briggs is a nice person! I really enjoy her writing and her social media persona (mostly via Ann the trusty assistant) seems genuinely nice, but that’s hardly an accurate gauge, haha.
It’s always nice when people whose work I admire are decent human beings (much like you and Gordon – you [seem to – see above re the inaccuracy of online character assessment!] genuinely care about your kids, love animals, and appreciate your fans while also managing to set personal boundaries. It makes me love your work even more.).
Ilona says
She is very kind and considerate. I met her in real life on many occasions. You are safe fangirl on Patty. 🙂
Debbie says
I met Ilona and Gordon in real life. They are just as kind and wonderful as they seem. The BDH are safe to fangirl as well! ????
Joe says
Hidden Legacy would be a much easier world for the TV series to do visually.
DianaInCa says
I mostly don’t like book to TV/movie. I am sometimes disappointed in who they pick to play the characters because they are different from what is in my head and I have hard times on some of the changes they make to the stories. So hearing about Patricia Briggs books being optioned is both good and bad to me.
KJA says
1010%… no one alive could be my Curran…… and I cannot envisage Adam or Mercy… or even Charles and Bran…. (crying on the inside)… and therein is the disappointment of readers… authors make OUR imagination work… and they are all so very different… and to watch just ONE person’s vision… no.
Sara T says
The Percy Jackson movie was completely appalling.
Eragon was really quite bad too.
Moderator R says
Eragon was atrocious.
Martha Christina says
+10000….????
KJA says
I enjoy Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Pulm books, yes I know, but they are my milky way read… my easy for a moment stress-free cheese reads… and I remember when they made the movie for One For the Money… OMG… I couldn’t even… and after the first Bridgeton adaptation, I can’t bring myself to watch the second… I haven’t read Shadow & Bone, so I did enjoy that TV adaptation, I guess the trick is not to have read the books before seeing the movie/tv adaptation.
Glennis says
My favorite quote about movies vs books is a David Brin quote about The Postman, “They carefully cut out my heart and replaced it with cash”.
Kendra says
I still have my fingers crossed for a gritty KD anime adaptation.
Katie says
I remember on a previous blog post you mentioned how an author with whom you were sharing a booth said something like, “aren’t you supposed to be funny?” I always hoped it wasn’t Patricia Briggs, and I am so happy for what seems like a confirmation! I love her work too.
Ilona says
Oh, God, Patty would never. She is very caring and supportive and I respect her, both personally and professionally. No, it was someone else. 🙂
Lea says
I understand if you go the Amazon route for financial reasons but i will never buy Amazon products. I like the original idea of it but i absolutely hate the monster it turned into.
Moderator R says
Hi Lea,
Just wanted to clarify here: going fully exclusive on “the Amazon route” is not something House Andrews are considering. Assessing Fated Blades in a few months and analysing whether another project would be feasible,
not their entire future career.
That being said, I’ll repeat myself ????, but only the digital format of Fated Blades is exclusive to Amazon (because it is on KU). Other retailers carry both the physical format and the audio ????:
B&N for example https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/fated-blades-ilona-andrews/1140198882
or Apple Books https://books.apple.com/us/audiobook/fated-blades-unabridged/id1594741501
Book Depository https://tinyurl.com/5bs4re3k etc ????
Lea says
Thanks for the clarification Mod R. I obviously misunderstood the whole thing. Sorry that you have to repeat yourself… I’m happy as long as I’m able to buy the “Amazon” books physically.
Trena says
The only time movies make it is if they can stand by themselves. Harry Potter movies and books both great and well oddly match…. Lotr books and movie both great hugely different like not even cliffnotes version in the movie so little was the same though… Evanovich 1 movie sadly no more as it wasn’t romance nor comedy nor action so it just didn’t move but it was descent and followed the book and the books are huge sellers… so again the book and movie have to be separately able to be successful and just use the idea to create something fantastic or it won’t work… I could see innkeeper as a series but not a movie.. kd is just too much they would have to barebones it like lotr and that is ugh … same I think hamiltons series same problem but I think as it isn’t such a fantastical universe maybe could do a series too.. well a girl can dream anyhow… lol
RobtheFiend says
The problem with making a book into a movie; TIME.
If the book is longer than a short story, the movie would easily be 4-6 hours long.
Thus so much of books have to be cut.
Mini series (5-7 ep) or short seasons (10-13 ep) would be more appropriate.
The Reacher series is a good example. (hope several more seasons are coming)
HL would make a very nice TV show. With the proper budget.
Trisha says
I wouldn’t change any of the first KD books. I love the progression of the writing and the story.
NANCY HASBACH says
please don’t call it Negative Nancy. It is almost as bad as “Karen”. I prefer Nancy with the laughing face like the old Sinatra song. As to Fated Blades, I hadn’t read the series before it came out. It was the cover art that really drew me in. Then I went back and read the whole series.
Donna A says
I hate the whole Karen thing, my mum is called Karen and it quite upsets her. The real Karen’s should all rise up and reclaim their name from people too lazy to make an individual and considered insult.
Or better yet we should all start trying to replace it with Kanye, he seems like a bit of an idiot, it’s a similar sounding word already and it’s masculine so we’ve got better feminist standing. “They were acting like a Kanye.” “Thank you Kanye, I already know that.” See it sounds better already!
Paula Ennis says
Re: “Fated Blades” and Kindle Unlimited.
I was not familiar with your books until I read “Fated Blades” through Kindle Unlimited. I have bought all your books, including “Fated Blades”. Looking forward to all new books, especially Hugh’s 2nd book.
Isabelle says
welcome to BDH! you’ll never be disappointed 🙂
Isabelle says
never change your mind mid writing and post without checking
Moderator R says
???? No one need know
Amber says
I must say, I’m kinda glad that Kate won’t be going to the movies/TV. You guys deserve the recognition, but it is my favorite series, and I just couldn’t stand to see it butchered. I’m actually quite anxious about Patricia Briggs stuff being done, she’s up there as one of my top authors. It just never seems to go well.
KJA says
^^this…. nothing compares with the world they build in our heads with their words……
Jason says
if you want to see what happenes when they completely loose the plot look up the Harry Dresden TV series, it was done by syfy so i had so much hope.
Travis says
Good thing about Kindle Unlimited… If you read the contract it clearly states that it is only exclusive for 90 days.
Moderator R says
Hi Travis, which contract are you referring to? ????
Travis says
I’m referring to the Kindle Unlimited Contract that you agree to when publishing on Kindle Unlimited. It is a 90 day clause.
Travis says
Moderator R Last time I had a lawyer review the rules and regulations of KDP Select and Kindle Unlimited, he informed me it only required you not offer the title up for sale on any platform other than Kindle for 90 days. After that period, you were required to offer similar pricing, I.e. 6.99 on Kindle, 6.99 on Barnes and Noble. As long as you respected that 90 days, you could leave it on KDP Select and Kindle Unlimited but still offer on other platforms.
Moderator R says
???? I won’t presume to speak on House Andrew’s contracts since it’s not for me to do so and I haven’t seen them, but the project they have in KU currently, which is Fated Blades, was also published with Montlake, who are the Amazon publishing company.
It’s not just an external project signed up for the standard KU contract ????.
Travis says
I hear ya. I know for normal Indie authors like little old me, we have to use every single loophole we can!
Travis says
You just have to be sure to charge EXACTLY the same price or Amazon will sue you.
Travis says
Also, as long as you don’t charge a different price at another publishing venue, after that 90 days, it can be kept on Kindle Unlimited and go up for sale on a multi-platform distributer like Smashwords.
Kim Lloyd says
When they made a TV show based on Dave Barry’s writing, and someone asked him how much control he had over it, he replied something like, “I have complete editorial control over how I spend the royalty checks.”
KJA says
I’m a reader and LOVE my books and my authors.. and I guess I’m protective in that I don’t like seeing people attempt to make TV or Movies from them, because they never do them justice to how I see these wonderfully written stories and characters in my mind. To hear that Mercy Thompson is up for TV, makes me feel sad…. just look what they did to Julia Quinns books… nothing ever wins for me if I’ve read and enjoyed the books… And so honestly, VERY glad KD won’t get adapted, because your writing is already a movie in my head, and NOTHING can make it better.
Jessica says
I actually have very little interest in a screen adaptation of these beloved series. I learned this when I heard about Mercy Thompson possibly being adapted. I LOVE those books, and I just know that the show won’t do them justice. I’ve been reading and rereading them for so long, I’m not sure I even WANT someone else’s image of the characters to replace the one that already exists in my head. Don’t get me wrong, I’m perfectly happy for Briggs and that she could see lots of revenue from the show. I just don’t know if I want to watch it. And I feel the same way about KD. If HA got a deal for show I’d cheer them on and be delighted for them…just not sure I would actually want to watch it. Wow that was a long comment haha.
Jack Cross says
I read this many years ago,
They give me the money, I give them the book. Having input into the adaptation would be kind of like selling a house and coming back three years later and saying, ‘Paint it this color!’
Robert B. Parker
Leigh-Ayn says
What does Kid 2 think of the new PJ series coming? I am cautiously optimistic!
Strike says
“Well, I am a negative Nancy today. Heh.”
I didn’t see anything negative in ANYTHING you said.
I saw you laying out the facts as you know them.
Which are gross and possibly negative but they are not under your umbrella of control.
I am however somewhat bummed because based on your statement it’s a horrible beast that has many many many stupids (pretty standard).
Especially since there are so many examples of how divergence from an excellent source material goes down the drain
Not to mention the notable huge successes into the billions and billions of $ where the source material was religiously adhered to … I’m thinking specifically of the LotR books into movies …granted this is the exception not the rule.
We all know there would be some transitional losses/changes (both positive & negative) due to the inherent differences in the mediums … which I almost never give negative points for that & often give + points when they are creative with these difficulties come up with clever workarounds/nods to source.
I don’t work in either your industry or the MP industry…at best my SME is under the umbrella of what ILM Industrial Light & Magic would be responsible for. So forgive my overly optimistic belief that if KD universe was adapted that they would have your vision as close to priority 1 as possible (or 2 behind “making money” as 1).
I might have misunderstood the whole convert book to screenplay “thing” as well because to my understanding George RR Martin had a high level of control with his GoT adaptation…granted a lot of the press that came off of his high level of control mostly made him look like an unfocused looney toon that really didn’t know where he was going. It probably doesn’t equate exactly to your position because iirc he was a screenwriter first then as a side he wrote some books that were optioned and since he was somewhat in the industry he retained some non standard power/control.
You are writers with I assume little desire to be involved with La La Land unless they want to roll many many dump trucks of money to your door. I am sure that you have pride in your hard work but realistically that probably just prevents you from giving away option rights for a lower % than your obvious (to us) worth.
Stay strong … don’t discount your work …a screen transition while it would be awesome … that would only be the case if your original story was preserved &/or any changes were because you self identified/agreed to the modification.
You two are the ultimate SME of the KD universe.
Thanks for the overview of the process.
I will continue to live in an unrealistic fantasy world where you hard work is given the respect it deserves. You work is as valued as Tolkien or Herbert or other such iconic authors. Granted it gets “grouped” under more commonplace genre types which are at times such pale shadows of your what your vision has created.
Strike says
As a secondary note…
Fated Blades still isn’t available in my local library…
Originally I think that was because Amazon/exclusive thing.
But as time goes along I think it’s because my library employees either aren’t getting it offered as a purchase option, or Amazon is still doing everything they can to funnel purchase through them … or … dunno.
I will send in a request to them to add to shelves …again … maybe it will show up if they look harder now … It’s odd though because they have some sort of Amazon Kindle agreement going.
Angela says
Have you made a request for them to buy the hard copy of Fated Blades? I suggest you get all your friends to request your local library to purchase the hard copy and Dollars to Donuts it will appear.
Strike says
I have requested but things slip through the cracks.
Personally I rarely go to library for hard copy ..I buy those for myself.
I have requested the ebook version of things most often so much more convenient and environmentally responsible.
What are these friend things you speak of??? I don’t have time for cat herding!
LoL …the more friends you have the more they ask for help/favors.
I read the Patty Briggs fb post regarding her option…
It’s so funny that she said EXACTLY the same thing Ilona did …we have no input re cast & script etc etc etc.
It was picked up by Amazon … I hope they don’t film it in the Tri-Cities & surrounding towns (Finley/Benton City) which is the area that Patty set the Mercyverse in … These towns are already going down the tubes as Californians escape the the messes they made there.
k2 says
I went to see a reading by Jennifer Weiner shortly after she sold the film rights to In Her Shoes. Her response to an audience question about how much input she had into the film production was, “When you sell your book to Hollywood, your last creative act is signing your name on the check they give you.”
Jeanne Ferguson Turner says
You are such amazing authors with a large fanbase who appreciates everything you do!! Thank you for the new worlds, new characters and adventures you’ve introduced to us! So don’t be such a “negative Nancy” (or a “Karen”) too often or for too long because your followers (including myself) are rabid for anything & every crumb you have to offer!
Alice says
I’d love to see any of your works adapted for film. Sometimes adaptations wind up being great even if they deviate from the source material. And, if the adaptation is “not good” there will still be more exposure and I’ll always have the fantastic books and narrations to go back to.
Dana Siegel says
My son loved the Percy Jackson books, and I enjoyed them as well. The movie was a travesty, my son was horrified, and I thought it was really poorly done. He tends to give a scene by scene critique of the movie while it’s running. What was changed from the book, what was new, etc. It was almost unrecognizable from the books. I certainly recommend the books but not the movie.
Rose says
Oo, if we’re talking about publishing questions, I have one (I don’t *think* I’ve submitted it before even though it’s been rattling in my head for awhile–if I have, my apologies!). How are traditional publishers reacting to more and more both new and established authors turning to self-publishing?
Nifty says
Mod R, there’s a snippet somewhere of Kate indicating that she’s aware Julie is in Atlanta. This is the Knight Ryder timeline. I have looked everywhere and just am not finding it. Can you provide the link? Thank you.
Moderator R says
What you want is Sandra https://ilona-andrews.com/2021/sandra/ 🙂
Nifty says
TY!! ❤️
Kevin says
Why I hated the TV adaption of Harry Dresden in a nut shell. About the only thing they kept was a few of the names, and that he is a wizard.
Maximira Correa says
Yes, that one was so bad!!!
Alicia says
It’s always interesting to peek behind the curtain of the business of writing. Thanks for sharing.
Lynn Thompson says
Thank you, Ilona Andrews, for the post.
You can be Negative Nancy all you want as my mother has total ownership of Negative Nelly. It goes like this: Me: mother, what would you like for breakfast? Mother: grits and eggs. Me: ok. And I cook. Later: why did you make grits and eggs? I wanted cereal or waffles Etc etc etc ????
Glad your house is reaching completion. Loved the mural of ????
Strike says
Good morning House Andrews!
I apologize if my post under the wall art mural created any headache with regards to this post &/or screenplay adaptations.
I loved the “Pop” title
Your sense of humor is great.
I feel that you might have created this post because of my comment.
Consider me Popped but with a core of living in the fantasy described above where you laugh & laugh & laugh all the way to the bank & still feel good about how your book babies will portrayed and then you get a second wave like you described that happened to Butcher after his syfy adaptation pile of meh.
They couldn’t even bother to make Murphy short or (quasi)blonde … not to mention that in the visual adaptation she seemed weak if my memory is correct.
Another good example of smh casting choices is Tom Cruise the micro man as Jack Reacher(6’5” iirc) … I think if Tom went blonde it would have been better to cast him as Murphy in Dresden files ha ha ha.
Have a good weekend!
Rose says
My gold standard for “how different can they get?” is the film version of The Beastmaster, high sword and scorcery with Marc Singer in a loincloth, vs. Andre Norton’s The Beast Master, high science fiction set in the far future with spaceships, a destroyed Earth, etc.
As a roommate at the time said, the only things the same were the names and the ferrets.
Rose says
Scuse, names OF the ferrets. Been so long, I forgot that they also changed the protagonist’s name.
Strike says
I remember that…film.
I didn’t know that there was a book.
While I wouldn’t say it was highbrow media it was creative and entertaining.
The animal wrangling with the bird, tiger & ferets had to generate all sorts of headaches.