Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Strike-Idled Screenwriters Get Creative

Cash-strapped scribes pitch novels in place of screenplays

By Nick McMaster, Newser Staff

Posted Jan 28, 2008 4:42 PM CST

(Newser) – The 12-week-old writers guild strike has brought film and TV production to a grinding halt but has fostered a boom in another area, the LA Times reports: print fiction. "Writers who have ideas but never had the time are turning to their book projects,... Read full story »

COMMENTS

Read the comment policy

You need to Log in to Newser to comment. Don't have an account yet? Sign up now!

There are no comments

A snapshot of the day's best news stories.

View Larger Grid

All Today Yesterday Pick a Date

What's Popular Now on Facebook

Cops Shoot Naked Guy Eating Man's Face on Highway

Japanese Artist Serves Up Own Cooked Genitals

Los Angeles Times (Source Grid »)

Studios and writers 'cautiously optimistic' about new talks
CBS News

Steps taken to break strike's stalemate
Canyon News

The strike's effect on entertainment stocks
Forbes

Entertainment • Money

novel • Hollywood writers' strike • screenwriters

More Newser Stories

Clooney, WGA Part Ways Over Disputed Credit

Filmmaker takes reduced role in union after Leatherheads flap

(NEWSER) - George Clooney has all but severed his ties to the Writers Guild after a dispute over screenwriting credit for the new film Leatherheads, reports Variety. The film's director, co-producer, and star says he overhauled a weak script, but a 2-to-1 arbitration vote went against him. He didn't publicize the move because the strike, which he supported, was imminent. More»

Word! Fans Cozy Up to Writers on Picket Line

But plot suggestions could pose legal pitfall for scribes

(NEWSER) - Picket lines are offering a rare opportunity for fans to get in touch with their favorite striking screenwriters. In LA, "Heroes" buffs and aspiring filmmakers are trekking alongside some of the 12,000 members of the Writers Guild of America to lend their support, network—or just get an insider's peek at the industry. Some fans have even started solidarity websites. But it's not all fun and games. More»

Angry Ex Hits 'Moonstruck' Scribe With Sex Lawsuit

John Patrick Shanley denies allegations by Amanda Jencsik

(NEWSER) - A former flame of John Patrick Shanley has hit the writer with a $5 million lawsuit for allegedly abusing her during a violent sexual relationship, the New York Post reports. But 61-year-old Shanley, the Oscar-winning author of "Moonstruck" and "Doubt," denies that he committed any non-consensual sex acts during his four-month fling with Amanda Jencsik, 26. “I dated Amanda Jencsik several times,” said Shanley. "Our relationship was totally consensual. ... We never exchanged a harsh word." More»

The Erotic Novel That Went Viral

EL James' 'Fifty Shades of Grey': fun or horribly regressive?

(NEWSER) - Nothing like a female protagonist who likes being slapped, stalked, and whipped by a ruthless tycoon. But Anastasia Steele is such a sensation with women readers that Vintage Books, part of Knopf Doubleday, is setting its highbrow literary reputation aside to run off 750,000 copies of a runaway pulp novel from Australia. The title: Fifty Shades of Gray. The author: EL James. The question: Are women readers indulging in dangerous trash in order to satisfy their love for erotica? More»

James Franco Sells Book Straight to Amazon

Yet another occupation for busy actor

(NEWSER) - Jack-of-multiple-trades James Franco is about to peddle his latest endeavor on Amazon. The actor's first novel, Actors Anonymous, has been acquired by Amazon's new fiction editor and the tome will head directly to the company's online store. The work is supposed to be a barely-fictionalized version of Franco's own experiences, reports the New York Observer . Franco's first book of short stories, Palo Alto, won less-than-stellar reviews from Gawker , which is also less than thrilled about the upcoming book. More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

Strike-Idled Screenwriters Get Creative

Cash-strapped scribes pitch novels in place of screenplays

novel • Hollywood writers' strike • screenwriters

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Clooney, WGA Part Ways Over Disputed Credit

Filmmaker takes reduced role in union after Leatherheads flap

Word! Fans Cozy Up to Writers on Picket Line

But plot suggestions could pose legal pitfall for scribes

Angry Ex Hits 'Moonstruck' Scribe With Sex Lawsuit

John Patrick Shanley denies allegations by Amanda Jencsik

The Erotic Novel That Went Viral

EL James' 'Fifty Shades of Grey': fun or horribly regressive?

James Franco Sells Book Straight to Amazon

Yet another occupation for busy actor

About Us

Site

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?