Pitching your Novel for TV and Movies

I met with an Entertainment Manager this week. He wants to pitch my novel The Messenger (Mortal Beloved, Book 1) for either a TV series or Movie Franchise. Color me happy! And now I'm delving into learning how to create a PITCH PACKAGE for TV and Movie folks.

Let me share a brief history of how this came about before I'm buried in this new writing process.

The Messenger is a passion project for me. I wanted to write an epic love story about two people who would go to the ends of the earth, even travel hundreds of years through time and risk everything to be together. 

But getting this book off the ground hasn't been the easiest. I researched the time period - 1675 during King Philip's War (the bloodiest war in American History) in which book one was set.

I wrote the book. (Hahhah, so easy! The words just flew onto the page! Not.)

Here's the rest of my process which might sound familiar to you: Beta Readers' Notes. I edited ms. Professional Editor's Notes. I edited ms. Queried Agents. Rejected. Entered ABNA. Passed 1 round, cut in second. Self-published. Picked wrong book cover. Re-did book cover. Most readers loved the book. A few haters. Did KDP giveaway - over 15,000 downloads. It hit: 

#1 Bestseller - Children's eBooks - People & Places - Girls and Women
#1 Bestseller - Children's Fiction - Literature - Love and Romance
#1 Bestseller - Children's eBooks - People & Places

Friends and readers believed in me and the book. Even better, a friend's teenage daughter read the book and LOVED IT. They started chatting with friends and acquaintances in the Entertainment Industry. And the daughter pitched The Messenger to the Entertainment Manager while they were playing tennis.  

And now he wants to shop it as a movie franchise and hand it to a TV Showrunner. So I am in new territory learning things like putting together a pitch package that has a short overview of the story, a longer synopsis, a page about me that includes info on the book, distinctions, background on my other books, including artwork, as well as a synopsis for Book #2 and Book #3. (We need 5 books to shop the Movie franchise.)

I'm swimming around in unfamiliar waters but I'm going to do learn how to do this, because every new world comes complete with its own learning curve. And remember, there are no guarantees this pitch will go anywhere, but I have to try.

If you want to read The Messenger (Mortal Beloved, Book One) to see the kind of book that would get the attention of a Hollywood Entertainment Manager for TV or Film Adaptation - well heck, it's only $2.99.

Psst - here's the link!

http://www.amazon.com/The-Messenger-Mortal-Beloved-ebook/dp/B007T07YU8

My advice? Dream big. Work hard. Persevere. And don't take no for an answer.

xo,

Pam DuMond

Radio chat with Carlette Norwood Ritter on 1/9/13

Happy 2013!

Hey there Readers!

I'm pleased to announce I'm chatting with the fab and fun Carlette Norwood Ritter on her radio show LettesChat this coming Wednesday, January 9th at 8 p.m. EST, aka -- 5 p.m. PST and corresponding time zones I can never remember.

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/letteschat/2013/01/10/lettes-chat-with-author-and-funny-lady-pam-dumond

Feel free to call in (347/215-7302) ask questions, hang out or have a cocktail and listen.

I don't know for sure what we're talking about but possible subjects include:

*Discovering and pitching the Erin Brockovich story that became Erin Brockovich the movie.

*Co-creating the internationally acclaimed and hated Celebrity Jar of Air with Joe Wilson, writer/director/creator of vampiremob.com - fab Indie TV show. (All Celebrity Jar photos are Joe's, and for the record - he did 99 % of the work.)

*My sexy comedic Cupcake mystery novel series featuring heroine Annie Graceland, a baker with a pinch of psychic ability who is blackmailed by ghosts into solving their murders.

Cupcakes, Lies, and Dead Guys http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008PIDYJI

Cupcakes, Sales, and Cocktails - A Novella http://www.amazon.com/Cupcakes-Cocktails-Graceland-Mystery-ebook/dp/B006PU7RU0

Cupcakes, Pies, and Hot Guys  http://www.amazon.com/Cupcakes-Annie-Graceland-Mystery-ebook/dp/B0096WCVT6

My young adult romantic time travel thriller - The Messenger (Mortal Beloved, Book One)

http://www.amazon.com/The-Messenger-Mortal-Beloved-ebook/dp/B007T07YU8

There might even be a sneak peak of my NEW BOOK that's hitting virtual bookshelves very soon...

Hope to chat with you at Carlette's place on Wednesday!

xo,

Pamela DuMond

Reviews for Indie Books

I wanted my book The Messenger (Mortal Beloved, Book One) to be traditionally published. I spent hours crafting agent queries, researching the best agents to approach, started getting form rejections and then began - waiting.

Got requests for fulls and partials followed by... waiting.

My shoulders were now drifting toward my ears, threatening to swallow my neck. 

Next up were more rejections, more requests, more hours spent following up and more - waiting.

My upper back felt like it was glueing itself together.

I entered the Amazon Breakout Novel Award competition. Made the first round cut. Yippee! A small press wanted to publish The Messenger (Mortal Beloved, Book One) I declined their offer and queried more agents. More waiting.

Five new wrinkles etched their way onto my face.

Waiting...

The verdicts came in for ABNA's next round. My book didn't make the cut. One reviewer liked it. The second reviewer said I was not allowed to write time travel, as I could only write what I know. Leave time travel to those who know about time travel. 

Apparently there is a secret cadre of authors who actually time travel and then write about it. And I wasn't one of them. Boo.

I decided to stop waiting, and indie-pub The Messenger. 

But it's not the easiest process to get reviews. Everyone jumps up and down to review trad published books. My process took longer. And I haven't bought the pricey Kirkus review (yet.) I'm relying on word-of-mouth, a blog tour (thank you AToMR Blog Tours!) bloggers, and referrals from author friends. 

But little by little, the reviews are adding up. Take a peek.


REVIEWS FOR The Messenger (Mortal Beloved, Book One):

Having just read THE HUNGER GAMES trilogy, I was hard pressed to find another book that would involve me as deeply. The Messenger did that and more." Shelly Fredman (Author of Brandy Alexander mystery series.)

"This is a wonderfully creative and updated twist to time travel stories. Not only is there history here, and teen trial and tribulations, but also the concept of this girl being a "Messenger" who can help those in the past and help to make things right..." ABNA Competition 2012 Expert Reviewer

"The Messenger... offers the can't-lose combo of time travel and romance... it was a runaway train of a book -- definitely in a good way... by the end, I was getting a bicep workout from all the fistpumps... I'm dying to hear the rest of the story it started telling me right at the end of the night." ForeverYoungAdult.com Review

"This book held me captive because not only did it have time traveling in it but it had Native American history in it… a magical story with lots of twists and turns. This is one series to watch out for! 5 of 5 stars" A Diary of a Book Addict Blog

“For those who like The Immortals series by Alyson Noel, Timeless by Alexandra Monir, or The Eternal Ones by Kirsten Miller – The Messenger is a must read.” Breathe in Books Blogspot

"I would really recommend this to fans of time travel, historical fiction, or even mystery fans…I will be reading the next Mortal Beloved book, because I am hooked!" Unabridged Bookshelf

"DuMond is a superlative writer who sets the stage for an historical romantic adventure, and then fiendishly leaves the reader hanging at the end. Will we read the next book? You bet!” Midwest Book Review, Shelley Glodowski

READERS say: 

“…I stayed up to 5 a.m. to finish this book.” 

“…I couldn’t tear myself away from it.”

“…connection with another human being so strong it defies time…”

“…Samuel – I wanted to stick my hands in and grab him… and pull him out.”

“…I really wish I could give it more than 5 stars.” 

“…See it as a movie as you rip through the tale.”

“…I was in love with the character (Samuel), myself just like Madeline was.”

“…adventure, romance history all in one amazing book… praying she writes another.”

“…I was captivated.”

“…this author is fantastic.”

“…without question. Buy it. Read it…” 

“Yes, a page turner indeed…VERY good read. Can’t wait for more from this author.”

"Has it all! Intrigue, romance, suspense and a dash of horror!"

I'm doing a Goodreads give away in a couple of days. I'll keep you all informed when that happens.

Keep writing and reading and carrying on! If you must wait, do so with shoulder massages and anti-wrinkle cream. And if you want to read a very fun book at a very do-able price, well...

http://www.amazon.com/The-Messenger-Mortal-Beloved-ebook/dp/B007T07YU8

xo

Pam DuMond

The Messenger - AToMR Book Blog Tour October 22-27, 2012

The Messenger (Mortal Beloved, Book One)

AToMR BLOG TOUR

October 22 - 27, 2012

Months ago I saw what a great job AToMR Blog Tours http://atomrbookblogtours.com/ did for author Elle Strauss  (http://ellestraussbooks.blogspot.com/ ). I contacted the talented folks at AToMR and signed up. And now it's finally here! Feel free to follow along, win e-book copies and one paper book copy. 

 

THE MESSENGER (Mortal Beloved, Book One) TOUR SCHEDULE

Monday, October 22:

Between the Bookcovers ~ Review

Parallel Words YA ~ Review

Tuesday, October 23:

Memories Overtaking Me ~ Review

Comfort Books ~ Interview

Book Nerds ~ Excerpt

A Diary Of A Book Addict ~ Review

Wednesday, October 24:

YA Book Addict ~ Review

Breathe In BooKs ~ Review

A Tale of Many Reviews ~ Ten Facts

Thursday, October 25:

FireStarBooks ~ Excerpt

My Life is a Notebook ~ Review

A Bibliophile's Thoughts on Books ~ Review

Unabridged Bookshelf ~ Review

Friday, October 26:

Bookshelf Confessions ~ Review

Saturday, October 27:

My Seryniti ~ Review

whoopeeyoo :D ~ Review

Melissa's Eclectic Bookshelf  ~ Excerpt

 For the AToMR blog tour, I put The Messenger e-book versions on sale for 99 cents. (Limited Time!)

Amazon e-link: http://www.amazon.com/The-Messenger-Mortal-Beloved-ebook/dp/B007T07YU8

Amazon paper book link: http://www.amazon.com/dp/148003892X

Nook link: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-messenger-pamela-dumond/1112924256?ean=2940014126380

Kobo link: http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/The-Messenger/book-b3h7LWR5e0uh1Yq9KJ1pbg/page1.html

A big thanks to all the bloggers who participated as well as you readers. Let's have a book party!  

xo,

Pamela DuMond

Just in time for Halloween - Number One Ghost!

I'm in the midst of selling my house. Let me tell you this is the hardest I've worked at anything since trying to save my marriage to what's-his-name. (Can anyone out there explain to me why I bothered with that one?) Let's hope the house selling thing is more productive, doesn't argue over dog visitation rights, doesn't complain that I don't fold his socks correctly, and looks much better in a pair of jeans. (A girl can dream!)

Between the painting, hauling, shlepping, tossing, cleaning, organizing, sanding, you-name-it, I've had but a few moments to market my new book, Cupcakes, Pies, and Hot Guys. (Only $2.99!)

http://www.amazon.com/Cupcakes-Annie-Graceland-Mystery-ebook/dp/B0096WCVT6

So I decided to have a SALE for the first book in this series, Cupcakes, Lies, and Dead Guys. (Currently only 99 cents. Squee!) This way people could read the first book in the series to see if they'd be interested in grabbing Hot Guys.

http://www.amazon.com/Cupcakes-Annie-Graceland-Mystery-ebook/dp/B008PIDYJI/ref=pd_sim_kstore_4

Sassy Girl's Book Club featured it. Friends shared it.  And then,Pixel of Ink picked up on the sale and featured it on Sunday. http://www.pixelofink.com/page/2/

And whoo-hoo it cracked the Kindle top hundred and even became the #1 seller in Ghosts!

I'm proud to be sandwiched between Bella Andre, Stephanie Bond. And lookie - Cupcakes is next door neighbors with The Bible! Talk about good real estate.

So - pick yourself up a copy of the first book in the Cupcakes series for only 99 cents and have some fun!

xoxo,

Pam Duond

It's a Boy!

As you might know I have a split personality when it comes to writing.

Part of my brain likes to write romantic Young Adult thrillers. The Messenger's Handbook, (Mortal Beloved, Book One.)

Cover by Michael James Canales

If you like a good love story, this book is in paperback as well as e-books: http://www.amazon.com/The-Messengers-Handbook-ebook/dp/B007T07YU8 

And on B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-messengers-handbook-pamela-dumond/1110062175?ean=2940014126380

And then there's the snarky part of my brain that likes to write Cupcakes mystery novels that make people laugh. My heroine, Annie Graceland, is a baker with a pinch of psychic ability. Due to unfortunate events, she can now see and talk to murdered ghosts and is canoodled into helping them find their killers so they can pass to the AfterLife.

The first book in this series is Cupcakes, Lies, and Dead Guys. (The second edition has been re-edited and has a spiffy new cover.)

Cover by Michael James Canales

amazon.com/dp/B008PIDYJI Only $2.99 on Amazon. Also available on Nook and Kobo. Paperback coming soon.

Second book in the series is Cupcakes, Sales, and Cocktails - A Novella.

Cover by Michael James Canales

Only 99 cents on e-readers. http://www.amazon.com/Cupcakes-Cocktails-Graceland-Mystery-ebook/dp/B006PU7RU0  Also available on Nook and Kobo. 

And now, I'm proud to announce the latest in the Cupcakes mystery series (only $2.99!) 

Cover by Michael James Canales

http://www.amazon.com/Cupcakes-Annie-Graceland-Mystery-ebook/dp/B0096WCVT6

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/cupcakes-pies-and-hot-guys-pamela-dumond/1112779845?ean=2940015072716

Cupcakes, Pies, and Dead Guys Book Description: 

There will be Hot Guys! There will be Romance! There will be Laughter and... Recipes!

Annie Graceland’s a baker with a pinch of psychic ability. She’s empathic— can feel other people’s lusts and desires in her own body. No biggie if she experiences someone else’s craving for chocolate or a foot rub. But due to recent events (See Cupcakes, Lies, and Dead Guys) Annie’s acquired a dicier skill—she can see and talk to ghosts.

Annie’s happily dating an amazing man in Los Angeles when her mom signs her up to be a judge at Wisconsin’s first annual Hot Guys Contest. Who cares if it’s 4th of July weekend with scorching temperatures? It’s a free trip home to Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. What could possibly go wrong? When Frank Plank, Mr. Oconomowoc, is killed and doesn’t pass to the Afterlife, he begs Annie to investigate his murder. Now she’s not only a pageant judge, but meddling with suspects that include her former high school rival, an old boyfriend, Hot Guy contestants and a mysterious illegal betting ring. It doesn’t help that a hometown boy from Annie’s past is all grown up, sexy as sin, and determined to make her fall for him. The temperature’s rising in Oconomowoc…

The paperback will be out in a couple of weeks. Meanwhile, grab yourself a Hot Guy, I mean a  cupcake, read and enjoy!

(Cover by Michael James Canales)

Happy fall!

xo,

Pamela DuMond

Change is in the air...

Here in L.A. public schools are cutting summer vacation short as they're trying to align their schedule with the private and college school schedules.

Parents are shopping for back-to-school necessities. Kids are freaking about losing two weeks of summer and putting their noses back to the grindstone of homework and increasingly structured days.

I have no flesh and blood children. I only have furballs. So what's all the fuss about at my place?

Romeo: the serious one

Lola - aka, Bubbles

Change is in the air. I'm watering the lawn. Cleaning closets. Throwing out old files, magazines, things that no longer fit my life. I'm even painting closet doors. (I hate painting closet doors.) Check out my new miracle painter.

(I can't say I've done a room in less than an hour. But I am painting closet doors in record time?)

Why the change? Because it's time. And instead of waiting for change to happen to me, I've decided to be pro-active and initiate it.

Is it scary? Yes. Is it exhilarating? Yes. Am I nervous? Yes. I'll tell you more about the project as it progresses.

In the meantime I'm almost ready to birth the next book, Cupcakes, Pies, and Hot Guys. It will be  published late summer 2012. Here's part of the cover art.

So, hang on. Let's go for the ride.

xo,

Pam DuMond