Screenwriting, Bookstagram, and Thriller, Mystery, and Adventure Novels
Podcast: Download (Duration: 1:56:45 — 160.4MB)
In this episode 302, we dive into the world of screenwriting and give practical tips for how to launch a Bookstagram tour. We also check out a quirky detective novel, a fast-paced Western, and a thriller set on the Texas-Mexico border. And we offer summer reading recommendations–and have some fun with the podcast’s new sound mixer!
Today’s Featured Authors:
Rick Bleiweiss Time stamp: 26:50
Rick’s book Pignon Scorbion and The Barbershop Detectives is a mystery novel, what one NY Times bestselling author called a novel full of quirky, wonderful characters and all the elements of a great (and fun) detective story.
Scott Gates Time stamp: 1:06:20
Scott’s book Gone, the Redeemer is an adventure novel where the protagonist never could have imagined being on a wanted poster, let alone becoming a notorious gold robber hunted in two states, a story that one reviewer called a fast-paced page turner imbued with a delicious sense of adventure that turns the expected Western stereotypes on their head.
Johnnie Bernhard Time stamp: 1:38:31
Johnnie’s book Hannah and Ariela is a thriller set on the Texas border that follows the underbelly of the cartels, human trafficking, and the voiceless people trapped in a justice system on the verge of collapse.
Host Updates:
Sarah: This month I’m on a writing deadline, working on my first feature film script with a studio, so I’m taking advantage of the bright warm weather and spending a lot of time writing on the patio. But I’ve also ventured farther into the outdoors and enjoyed reading one of our upcoming featured books, Live Caught, on a weekend trip to Hyco Lake. Plus, big news for an independent film buff like me: the Independent Picture House has opened in Charlotte! I saw the excellent Spanish film Official Competition there and would encourage anyone local to check out their lineup.
Hannah: July is an exciting month for me because I have minimal travel happening and a lot more time to kick back and read! I just finished Beneath Cruel Waters by Jon Bassoff, who we will hear from on an upcoming episode of the podcast. I’ve been working on several large-scale author programming projects for spring 2023 – I can’t wait to share more on this soon! Otherwise, we have our baby shower coming up at the end of the month and are getting closer and closer to the arrival of our first daughter. Exciting stuff!
Landis: At the encouragement of our Beyond 300 social media guru–yes, I’m talking about you, Hannah–I set up my writer Instagram page where I am sharing fun pictures. I’d love to have you follow me, so I can follow you, on Instagram at@LandisWrites. You might see me pushing my grandson in a plastic car, a fish I recently caught, or photos of other recent adventures.
Thank you to everyone who has read and reviewed Deadly Declarations. On July 4th, the book logged 400 reviews on Amazon. You can check out the online reviews at the links below and you can leave your own honest review too. Your honest review helps get the word out about Deadly Declarations and is much appreciated!
Amazon Link Goodreads Link BookBub Link Barnes & Noble Link
The book tour continues this summer and into the fall. You can learn about my upcoming and previous events HERE. Perhaps we can connect at an upcoming event. One last thought. I am very happy to have Hannah and Sarah on board as co-hosts for the podcasts. I am learning about new books and getting new perspectives on writing and marketing, not to mention having help with planning and interviews. Plus, it’s a lot of fun recording with two people who love books and writing. Please give us a listen.
Book Recommendations: Time Stamp: 10:50
Hannah recommends:
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
(Plus, The Daughter of Doctor Moreau by Silvia Moreno-Garcia comes out this month.)
Sarah recommends:
Infinite Jest by David Foster Wallace
Honestly, We Meant Well by Grant Ginder
Landis recommends:
Twentymile by C. Matthew Smith
Why We Write, edited by Meredith Maran
Dream Town by David Baldacci
The Woman in the Library by Sulari Gentill
Mark West, Storied Charlotte Blog, recommends:
Cold, Cold Bones by Kathy Reichs
Can’t Hide Love by Cheris Hodges
The Merlin Club by Nancy Northcott
Writing Tips – Time Stamp: 48:55
We dipped a toe into the world of screenwriting on this episode, asking how a novelist might go about adapting a book for the screen. A few things to consider about screenwriting:
- A screenplay is easier to write than a novel in that it’s just less writing! Most feature scripts are about 90-110 pages, with much more white space on the page than in a book. Screenwriters provide the basic actions and dialogue, but don’t fill in as much description as novelists.
- Screenwriting is all about story. The books that lend themselves most naturally to the screen generally have a strong structure, with a clear inciting incident and climax, and conflict that is more external than internal.
- When assessing if your book might work as a screenplay, consider the current landscape and what movies and shows are coming out. Movies generally have to hit a wider audience than books to turn a profit.
So you’ve written a screenplay… what now?
- Hollywood is very much about who you know–so if you have any connections to get your script out there, mine those first.
- Screenwriting competitions and festivals can be a way to get attention, but do your research on their legitimacy before entering so your submission fees don’t go to waste.
- Agents generally don’t consider cold queries, but some managers do, so do your due diligence and target those requests.
- Know that if you’ve adapted your script from a book, you have a leg up! Hollywood loves IP.
Marketing Tips – Time Stamp: 1:19:54
You’ve heard of bookstore tours, but what is a Bookstagram tour, and why should authors consider doing one?
- Bookstagram is basically the internet’s free and open book club: a community of readers and writers sharing reviews and recommendations on Instagram, often with their unique photos of the books.
- Authors can go on a Bookstagram tour, where they schedule different Bookstagram accounts to feature their book around the time of its release.
- Landis used Suzy Approved Book Tours to coordinate a Bookstagram tour for his latest novel, Deadly Declarations. Read all about the process on his blog.
- Authors can also do their own outreach to Bookstagrammers to solicit honest reviews. Start cultivating those connections early: you want to target Bookstagrammers whose audiences fit your genre, and show your support by interacting with their posts.
- While it’s impossible to calculate an exact ROI for this sort of social media campaign, Bookstagram tours can be an effective way to reach readers–and a fun chance to see readers all over the world interacting with your book!
Community Voices – Time Stamp: 25:36
July is Disability Pride Month! Thanks to Disability Friendly Charlotte for sharing the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Library system’s list of reading recommendationsthat spotlight those with disabilities.
Thanks to Chris Arvidson for recommending The Man Who Loved Dogs by Leonardo Padura and Raft of Stars by Andrew Graff and Barbara Hazlett for recommending The Match by Harlan Coben.
Send us your recommendations, through our website or social media, and they could be featured on a future episode!
Don’t miss Charlotte Lit co-founder and creative director Kathie Collins’ 2-minute tip about the value of reading, and how to translate what you read into inspiration for your own writing. Time Stamp: 7:01
Takeaways – Time Stamp: 1:50:11
We heard some valuable perspectives in this episode on the importance of a writer’s two big jobs: to read, and to write. We have excellent summer reads highlighted in this episode and our upcoming July and August shows–hope you’ll take one to a beach or pool near you!
Engage with Charlotte Readers Podcast:
SpeakPipe – Leave us a voice message
We want to hear from you!
Go to this SpeakPipe Link and leave your 90 second voice message.
Give us:
Your feedback on the show
Your questions for the hosts
Your book recommendations
Your writing or marketing tips
You might be featured on a future episode!
Newsletter – We Won’t Spam You. That Takes Too Much Time.
For podcast and reading recommendations, free stuff, writing and marketing tips, what’s coming, host updates, doses of inspiration, and more, please sign up for our monthly newsletter here.
Social Media – Engage With Us
Charlotte Readers Podcast on Facebook and Instagram
Engage with Landis, Hannah, and Sarah
Keep up with what your hosts (and their dogs) are up to:
Landis
Visit his Author Website and his Author Facebook Page.
Follow him on BookBub and Goodreads.
Check out his writing blog, Wadescripts.
Tweet him on Twitter.
Hannah
Visit her Publicist Website.
Follow her on Facebook and Instagram
Tweet her on Twitter
Sarah
Visit her Author Website.
Follow her on Facebook and Instagram
Tweet her on Twitter
Want More Charlotte Readers Podcast?
Receive exclusive audio content when you become a supporter of the podcast for a small monthly contribution. You will be able to access author interviews on the craft and business of writing and other creative topics. Check out the offerings on theExclusive Content Page or scroll through what’s available at the Patreon page.
Podcast Website
Check out our full list of back episodes.
Plus, alphabetical guest list, and community blog.
Hashtags
#CharlotteReadersPodcast #podcast #literary #literature #instabooks #goodreads #bookstagram #booklover #amreading #bookreview #bookaddict #bookclub #bookobsessed
#booknerd #bookaholic #booklife #bookworm #bookgram #booktography #bookblogger #totalbooknerd #bookishfeatures #creativenonfiction #tellyourstory #podcaster #exploreclt #cltagenda #charlotteagenda #704 #cltiscreative