The Black List, a platform for unproduced screenplays, expands into fiction books

The Black List, a platform for unproduced screenplays, expands into fiction books

As a lifelong avid reader and aspiring author, I can’t help but feel thrilled at the news of Franklin Leonard’s Black List expanding into the world of fiction! The platform has proven time and again that it knows where to find hidden gems in the realm of screenplays, so I have high hopes for its foray into books.


The Black List, known for showcasing top-notch scripts not yet brought to screen in cinema, TV, or stage productions, is broadening its scope to encompass works of fictional writing.

The Black List, initially created in 2005 as an annual compilation of unproduced screenplays popular among industry insiders, has since evolved from its modest origins into a respected Hollywood institution with over 7,000 registered members within the industry. Over 400 scripts from its yearly survey have been brought to life, including Academy Award-winning best pictures such as “Spotlight,” “Slumdog Millionaire,” and “The King’s Speech.

As a movie buff putting words into the mouth of a book author, here’s my take:

Expanding the scope of the Black List to include fictional works allows the platform to tackle the increasing interconnectedness between film, television, stage, and literary worlds, as stated by Leonard, the company’s founder and CEO, during a conversation.

As a cinephile delving into the realm of literature, I’ve found striking parallels between the quest for exceptional stories in the book world and those in cinema and television. The hunt for these hidden gems is a universal endeavor, regardless of their original medium.

On this platform, we welcome stories from all types of fiction, as stated by Leonard. Randy Winston, the new creative director of fiction at The Black List, is particularly enthusiastic about receiving submissions that blend romance and fantasy, a trendy genre often referred to as “romantasy.

In the process of expanding, The Black List is planning to launch a fresh literary award for unpublished novels. This competition will be evaluated by esteemed professionals in the industry like LeVar Burton, Roxane Gay, and Radhika Jones next year. Additionally, they have formed an alliance with Genre Films, the production company of filmmaker Simon Kinberg, to discover an unpublished manuscript. If chosen, this manuscript will receive a 18-month option worth $25,000.

Furthermore, this platform will offer a complimentary online learning resource in the form of a podcast series titled “Read the Acknowledgments,” designed to educate writers on the intricacies of the book publishing sector – an aspect that held significant importance for Winston.

The series aims to assist writers who might lack a network of experts, or struggle to find relevant resources.

“They may need to get one piece of nuanced information and detail that will help them send it out,” Winston said.

The decision is made as the demand for literature aimed at adults has increased significantly in recent times. Despite a 3% decrease in annual print volumes in the U.S. book market last year compared to 2022, sales of adult fiction saw a 1% increase, marking the fifth consecutive year of growth in this category, as reported by consumer trend analytics firm Circana. This growth is attributed to reading habits that emerged during the pandemic.

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2024-09-07 14:37

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