P.N. Elrod Official Website Novels

Several times a year I get mails from aspiring writers asking if they can adapt my titles into screenplay form.

However, I am doing adaptations myself for my agent in Hollywood. He's pretty happy with what I've sent and is getting the work in front of the right people.

The reply is no, but thank you for asking. I DO appreciate it!

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In a couple of cases writers have already completed a script and are hoping I will read their effort.

The reply is again no.

I cannot read ANY script based on my books, no more than I can read fan fiction based on my stuff or hear your idea on what I should write next.

It has to do with copyright ownership. Boring, but we're stuck with it.

Until one gets written permission from the copyright holder no one is allowed to a script, screenplay, stage play, etc. based on another's works.

And as stated above, that issue is well in hand for my works.

There are plenty of other writers who might be interested, though. You can certainly ask them!

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If you want to adapt any Strahd or Kolchak works into screenplay format, then you have to contact its copyright holder for that permission.

I do not own the copyright for those characters.

(I was given permission to write for them, but someone else holds the rights. That person was paid money, contracts were involved, boring legal stuff, blah-blah-blah. )

NOW--if you just want to do a screenplay for your own amusement or as a private challenge writing exercise, hey, go to town and have fun.

BUT-- (This is the Kevlar that will protect your ass.)

DON'T POST IT ANYWHERE. (Even your own website, blog, whatever.)

DON'T SEND IT ANYWHERE--ESPECIALLY TO ME!

I DON'T WANT ANYONE GETTING INTO TROUBLE!!

Doing so is a violation of copyright, and your server will shut you down. I've seen it happen.

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Dracula:

Okay, you CAN do a screenplay using that character, but not base it on my Quincey Morris book.

Dracula by Bram Stoker is in the PUBLIC DOMAIN so anyone can write a Dracula story.

But the situations and characters I grafted on in my own version in the Quincey novel are owned by me, so you can't use them.

(Hm--go get a nice fizzy drink, have a burger, and think about that one until it makes sense. It's screwy, but yes, true.)

Should you write your own Dracula book and put in your original characters, then it and they are YOUR property. Which is pretty cool.

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In this blog entry I give the 101 about copyright, Public Domain, etc. with links to helpful sites.

http://p-n-elrod.livejournal.com/14707.html

And THIS is a great place to get help with screenplay writing--or any writing!

http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=26

You can post your original work and get a constructive crit on it!

They have a bewares forum that will help you avoid scammers in the writing world.

I fully recommend the Absolute Write forums as a wonderful place to learn about writing, ask questions, and get helpful, polite replies.

The moderators have forbidden flamers, so anyone spoiling for a fight must go elsewhere.

The moderators are professional writers and editors--how cool is THAT?

Membership is FREE. Pick a handle, register, read the forums, have fun, learn.

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As for my own screenplay work--it's harder than you'd think. I am in awe of writers who can kick them out so quick.

At present, I'm adapting The Vampire Files, and working on an original vampire series, both as screenplay and in novel form.

I'll keep you posted if anything cool happens concerning either of them!