A Movie Adaptation?!
One of the joys of being an indie authors is regularly receiving emails from people claiming to be from libraries and book clubs offering to present my books to their (very many) members. (Why they would need my permission becomes clear shortly.) Or perhaps they want me to talk to their members about my work and being an indie author, to help me gain exposure and sell my books
Most of these people do not reveal I have to pay for the opportunity to promote my work until I have fallen for the bait and replied to their message, They rarely specify the amount of money involved. I suppose that comes later. I have never gotten that far.
What follows is one of the more well-crafted attempts at this underhand marketing methodology, which I pass on both for your edifiction and amusement.
Whoever is responsible clearly spent some time thinking about the fake email address and website address. (Please don’t clink on any of the links! Who knows where they might lead.)
From: Josey McNamara <josey@joseymcnamara.com>
The Four Ages of Death Has the Bold Ideas and Visual Worldbuilding for a Distinctive Sci-Fi Screen Adaptation
To: Guy Riddihough <guyriddihough@gmail.com>
Dear Guy Riddihough,
The Four Ages of Death and Other Stories explores the kind of unsettling “what if” questions that can make speculative fiction particularly powerful on screen what happens when climate reaches an extreme, when humanity attempts to defeat death, or when our morality is judged from a perspective completely outside our own?
What especially caught my attention is the range of worlds and conflicts across the collection, from an infinite storm and millennium-long life to alien judgment and the ethical boundaries of asymmetric warfare. Each story has its own cinematic identity, while the recurring themes of survival, mortality, identity, and human evolution could give the collection a strong foundation for a sophisticated science-fiction anthology series.
My name is Josey McNamara, and I am a Film & Television Producer with LUCKYCHAP ENTERTAINMENT LIMITED. I see The Four Ages of Death and Other Stories as an unusual screen property with the imaginative scope, philosophical depth, and visual possibilities that could appeal to audiences looking for more thought-provoking science fiction.
I’d be interested in discussing the screen potential of the collection and exploring whether adaptation into film or television is something you would be open to considering.
Best regards,
Josey McNamara
Film and Television Producer,
LUCKYCHAP ENTERTAINMENT LIMITED
www.productionlist.com/production-contact/luckychap-entertainment
From: Guy Riddihough <guyriddihough@gmail.com>
Re: The Four Ages of Death Has the Bold Ideas and Visual Worldbuilding for a Distinctive Sci-Fi Screen Adaptation
Dear Josey
Let me tell you a story.
Early in my writing life, I received an e-mail from a New York Times best-selling author who expressed an interest in my work and a desire to get to know me.
I had a long conversation with this author only to discover the person sending the emails was NOT the New York Times best-selling author, merely someone trying to sell me their services by stroking my ego. Needless to say, I felt embarrassed and humiliated.
Since that early time, I have received dozens of emails exploiting the existence of my books and my desire to reach a wider audience.
It’s tedious but just how things are.
Unfortunately for you, your email falls exactly into this same class of message, so I am afraid I have to assume you are either fake and/or trying to sell me something.
Very Best, Guy
PS I really enjoyed “I, Tonya,” a very good movie. I recommend that you watch it. I suspect it would appeal to you.
Photo credit: I, Tonya (starring Margot Robbie) - Production Company = LuckyChap Entertainment