How an unknown self-published author turned his book into a Hollywood movie...
 

D. Eric Maikranz (let's call him Eric) was a would-be author... Over time, he wrote a fiction book, "The Reincarnationist Papers."

He decided to self-publish the book in 2009. But what he also wanted was a Hollywood deal to turn it into a movie. Was that crazy?

This was Eric's first book - self-published - and he wasn't even famous...

Here's what he did that was unusual...

On page 1 of his book, he made a pitch...

On that page, he said that anyone who helped him get a deal with Hollywood would get a 10% cut of the deal, up to $10,000.

Over the years, Eric got several offers... With one of them, he hit the jackpot.

How did that happen?

A junior Hollywood executive, Rafi Crohn, found a copy of "The Reincarnationist Papers" in a hostel in Nepal while he was traveling.

Crohn had the right connections - and got the movie on its way.

Eric made good, and paid Rafi Crohn the reward in December, 2019.

The movie is scheduled to come out later this year (September, 2021), with the new title "Infinite" - starring Mark Wahlberg.

As part of the film deal, Eric also picked up a major publisher, Blackstone Publishing, to re-release his book too.

It doesn't hurt to ask your audience for what you want, up front, and offer them a good deal to get it!

Maybe this could spark some ideas for your own works...

Read the full story of how he got the deal here...
https://theknow.denverpost.com/2021/...-movie/256123/

And here's more info about the upcoming "Infinite" movie, based on "The Reincarnationist Papers"...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infinite_(film)

Best wishes,

Dien

Quite a resume there...
 

Thanks for sharing, Dien

Calling him just a "would-be author" has to be quite an understatement.

Dr Eric Maikranz has worked as a

- welder

- bouncer

- radio DJ

- book critic

- tour guide

- translator (he studied Russian literature)

- tech professional

and other jobs before writing his debut novel.

In fact, Dr Eric still works at Oracle as a vice-president at their Denver offices.

Why am I stressing these facts?

A lot of "lucky" coincidences are anything but. There's usually a PLAN that can be teased out from reading between the lines.

[Speaking of a PLAN, at this point, I'm supposed to plug Gordon's brilliant guide on setting up ACTION PLANS that really work. But I won't...]

Seriously, behind the flashy headlines, I can see a success story that was really built on YEARS of building up the right network of skills and the right people.

Thanks again for sharing, Dien

I feel he's not that unusual... and we can adapt it for our own success...
 

Hi UnPinkPanther,

I have a list of "jobs" as long as my arm, too, especially if you count business ventures... :)

(Maybe the most unusual is, with a business partner, we exported products from Australia to Gambia, West Africa, and we set up our own store there... I went back to Australia, though, after about 7 weeks, and my partner ran the shop...)

I think many fiction writers actually TRY to have many different experiences... So they can write about them in their fiction (changing everyone's names, of course)...

I don't think Eric is a "Dr" to my knowledge (just his first initial is "D.")...

I was trying to emphasize that I don't think he's that unusual...

And, this was his first book. He had never been published... He didn't even have a publisher, and self-published his book... Yet he had the audacity to go for a Hollywood movie...

And he did it!

And I wanted to share how he did it... Which is a strategy really any one of us could use or adapt...

I'll have to think how I will adapt it (as I'm not a fiction writer), but I feel it's a good approach nonetheless! Why not ask your "audience" for help in getting where you want to go - and offer a "reward" if they can help you do it?

Best wishes, :)

Dien

You're right, Dien...
 

Hey Dien

Thanks for the heads up.

Yes, I misread the " D" as "Dr"

My bad.

Thanks again.