Hi, I'm new here (I'm just putting that out there in case I do something outrageously erroneous). I'm looking to pitch a short story. It isn't a screenplay, because I only write stories, and it's also only about 40 pages long. EVERYONE seems focussed on length, rather than content (please feel free to be 'punny' I was tempted at that moment... ) and I'm not sure how to get round this. Also, the fact that it isn't converted to a screenplay, any advice relating to that would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance
On Writing : High concept Novella by Karen Holloway
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Welcome, Karen! You’re in the right place, and no worries—there’s no outrageous error in exploring your options. It’s great that you’re looking to pitch your short story, and while most industry pitches are for screenplays, TV pilots, or books, there are definitely ways to navigate this.
If your goal is to sell or option your story, you might want to position it as source material for a potential adaptation. Some producers, managers, and studios are always on the lookout for compelling short stories, especially ones that could inspire a film, series, or even a proof-of-concept short.
Since length is often a factor in the industry (with short-form content being trickier to pitch on its own), one option is to develop a strong logline and a concise pitch that highlights why your story is unique, visually compelling, and adaptable. If you’re open to collaborating, a screenwriter could help translate it into script format. You can network with Screenwriters in our Screenwriting Lounge here: https://www.stage32.com/lounge/screenwriting
Are you looking to be involved in the adaptation process, or would you prefer to sell the rights and let someone else develop it? That might help guide how you approach pitching it. Either way, you’re not alone in this. Excited to see where your journey takes you!
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Hey Karen Holloway , you might check out https://www.pw.org/ for lists of contests you can enter. 40 pages is on the line between short story and novella, so no surprise you may run into issues of finding a "box" to fit in. But yes, if you're looking in screenwriting realms, page count is huge.
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