Cinematically Formatting Your Novel Media Kit
Show Agents and Publishers Your Book's Film Potential
Some authors and creators zealously guard their methods of success in building a book-buying audience.
I’m not.
If this information helps anyone here on Substack achieve success, I will applaud more loudly than anyone. I’m for the little guy. Hell, I am the little guy. I’ve seen too many dreams lobotomized during my time in the soul-crushing, meat-grinding automaton that is Hollywood. Including my own.
As part of documenting my journey to market my two novels—Mindbender: From Harlem With Love and Diary of a Girl at the End of the World—and create my next graphic novel The Last Manchurian (which I will also be producing as a full-length animated graphic movie), I’m giving people an all-access pass not just to my successes, but also my failures. I’m letting it all hang out.
And if on day one of the release of my books, after all of my marketing efforts, I have zero sales, I’ll let you know that too. Then I’ll head to my favorite watering hole and hoist a beer or ten. The next day I’ll wake up and start my new mad plans to conquer the universe all over again.
But for now, this is my guide to how I formatted the media kits for my books (actually, it’s not much of a guide). And since I don’t really believe in guides and gurus, modify it for whatever works for your taste and talents. Leaning into my writing and filmmaking background, I wanted something less dry and dissertation-like and more visual and cinematic.
Both Mindbender and Diary were screenplays long before they became novels.
In other words, this is the latest episode of “Carlton Gives It All Away for Free.”
The media kit for Diary of a Girl From the End of the World, which I’ve attached for your perusal, edification, and entertainment as a PDF, is more of a pitch deck style than a traditional media kit.
I put in the information I felt fit. I highly recommend using favorite quotes from your novel. That was my favorite part.
I used Canva to craft it (I’m not technical enough for Photoshop). Believe me, if I can use Canva, anyone can.
Okay that’s it.
May the Force be with you.
Live long and prosper.
And may the odds be ever in your favor.
