Comments on: They Really, Really Want To Direct

By: Joan Kelly

Joan Kelly — Tue, 18 Jul 2006 06:01:07 +0000

See, and I actually meant to write “literary agent,” but I have lawyers on the brain so much I mistyped. And I have a total crush on my entertainment lawyer’s brain, she is fantastic.

I will try to remember to throw in a little arithmetic every so often to keep the spark alive between us, and thank you for the well-wishing.

[Insert keyboard characters here that can be typed in such a pattern as to look like a rose, as if I were a talented and sappy computer geek who knew how to do such things.] [Now delete it.]

By: Booksquare

Booksquare — Mon, 17 Jul 2006 18:54:06 +0000

Joan, you know that words like “literary lawyer” and math-related items make me all tingly.

And yeah — get thee a really good lawyer. Even if you know this crap inside and out. Unless, of course, you want to end up in a really lousy position while everyone else gets rich off your work.

Fingers crossed that “Joan Kelly: The Series” comes to fruition.

By: Joan Kelly

Joan Kelly — Mon, 17 Jul 2006 16:09:20 +0000

I’m in the middle – or maybe now it’s the bitter end – of what started out as negotiations for the rights to a cable TV series based on my book. Without going into my own boring/aggravating details, I must stress that, unless your literary lawyer does all the leg work and contracts with a TV/movie rights agent to split the 15% commission if your option sells, you should find yourself a good entertainment lawyer to look at and advise you on ANY option contract/purchase agreement before signing it. And an option with little or no money attached should only be for six months or less (as opposed to tying you up with the non-payer who then holds your rights, for up to a year or more).

Over and out.