My Book was almost a Movie...by Jannine Gallant

I thought I'd share a funny story with you. This happened a few months ago, and honestly, I'd forgotten all about it until something triggered the memory the other day. Have you ever imagined turning your book into a movie? Yeah, I think we all have, but I got one step closer than dreaming...

I was checking my email one morning when I noticed something from a production company in England asking about my book, Road To Serendipity. My immediate thought: What the hell? Who's trying to scam me now? I didn't want to click on the link to their website in the signature line...just in case it took me to some awful virus. So I typed their company name into a search engine instead. The same website came up, so I check it out. They seemed legit, small but they had a few actual movies and TV shows out with offices in London and Los Angeles. My second thought: What do I have to lose? So, I emailed the owner of the company back saying sure I'd be interested in a movie deal for my book and gave him my phone number. He emailed back that he'd be in touch the next day.

No phone call came, and I figured it was all a big misunderstanding. Mind you, Road To Serendipity is a self-published anthology made up of three novellas revolving around a high school reunion. It was originally part of a Wild Rose Press series called the Class of '85. I'd taken my rights back to my three stories, changed the location, and published them in a single book. How would anyone even have heard about this book that didn't sell squat?

Shockingly, a phone call came after the weekend. A man with a British accent asked me if I'd be interested in a movie or perhaps TV deal for my book. I, of course, said yes. Then he asked me what the book was about. (Head-desk. Seriously?) I told him then asked why he was interested. He said he'd had an idea for a movie or TV series that was a compilation of short vignettes in the vein of the Twilight Zone called Road To Serendipity, though not necessarily with a supernatural theme. When he googled the title he wanted to use, my book popped up. So he contacted me through my website. Un-freaking-believable, right? What are the chances? He asked if I'd be interested in turning my book into a script and assured me there were guidelines for this process. I said, "Sure, I can handle it!" Probably a lie, but whatever. LOL Then he said he'd buy my book and read it and get back to me.

This time I waited in vain for a call that never came. But I did sell a copy of RTS a couple of days later. I figured he needed time to read it. Well, this was back in February, so I think my movie debut is shot. LOL Obviously, my romances weren't what he had in mind for his series/movie. Still, it was fun to dream about while it lasted. However, it just goes to show strange things can happen when you least expect it. (Cue Twilight Zone music...)

If for some odd reason, you'd like to read Road To Serendipity, buy it on Amazon. It really is a great series of stories. Or check out all my books on my website. Happy reading.