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Could your book actually work as a movie, television series, stage production, or another visual storytelling format? In this episode of The Author Next Door, Angela Haas and Cassie Newell talk with actor, writer, producer, and creator Jennifer Lieberman about what makes a book adaptable — and what authors should understand before they start dreaming about seeing their characters on screen.
Jennifer discusses why originality and relatable characters matter, how storytelling changes when moving between books, screenplays, theater, and short-form content, and why format can dramatically affect the way a story needs to be told.
The conversation also explores vertical series, film festivals, networking, independent production, AI in filmmaking, and the importance of building relationships and assets before asking the industry for an opportunity.
In this episode, they discuss:
What makes a book adaptable for film, television, or stage
Why strong characters are essential across mediums
How screenwriting differs from writing a novel
The rise of vertical series and bite-sized storytelling
Why networking and industry events matter
How indie creators can build their own opportunities
The differences between theater and film production
How AI and new technology are changing storytelling
Why writers need to understand format before pitching
💡 Tip of the Week: If you dream about adapting your book someday, start by asking whether the story works beyond the prose. Strong characters, a clear premise, emotional stakes, and visual storytelling matter long before anyone talks about casting.
💬 Question of the Week: If one of your books could be adapted tomorrow, which format would you choose — film, television, stage, or a short-form vertical series?
Learn more about Jennifer Lieberman: https://www.jenniferliebermanactor.com/
Jennifer’s book, Year of What?: https://www.amazon.com/Year-What-Jennifer-Lieberman-ebook/dp/B08NT1PV64
🔔 Subscribe for more ➡ https://www.youtube.com/@TheAuthorNextDoor 🎙️ More about the podcast ➡ https://theauthornextdoor.com/ 📬 Sign up for our newsletter ➡ https://linktr.ee/theauthornextdoorpod
🗺️ Connect with the hosts: Angela Haas – Choose-your-own-adventure storytelling 🚀💕 https://ahaaswrites.com/
Cassie Newell – Romance 🩷 https://ckdarling.com/ Young Adult 🧚 https://authorcmnewell.com/
🔑 Keywords: book adaptation, film adaptation, TV adaptation, screenwriting, indie authors, vertical series, storytelling, author networking, theater adaptation, film industry, book to screen, adapting novels, creative industry, writing for film, author opportunities
Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/wWys75j4mPQ Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0kBHLHvgqKJb3LZgmtVDGm Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/is-your-book-adaptable-with-jennifer-lieberman-the/id687959058?i=1000791007917
