Last night around midnight, I checked my inbox and shrieked at the top of my lungs. Mr. Donovan came running—“What! What’s wrong?”
But I was reacting to amazing news!
It was an email from a producer at the Hallmark Channel.
Now as some of you know, before my novel Her Knight at the Museum was even published in 2024, it was optioned for a Hallmark movie. In case you’re wondering how that happened: after the publishing deal was announced in Publishers Marketplace, the producer got the original manuscript from my agent.
I knew a few of the producers at the Hallmark Channel, just a little bit, because I used to work there. I’d even gone to lunch with this particular producer a couple of times. (She came down to the first floor to meet the person who always sent a congratulatory email when a movie was ready to air. Apparently I was the only one doing that, but I thought it was a normal thing to do! Finishing a movie is a huge deal!)
But I never pitched the story to anyone at Hallmark. I assumed my story was too spicy for them to option, and I was wrong about that.
There are many Hallmark movies based on books.
I knew it wouldn’t be that crazy if mine was one of them. But I also knew that a lot of projects get optioned, only to quietly slip out of development.
I never spend a lot of time thinking about things that are out of my control. People would ask me if the movie was going to happen, and I would say honestly, “I don’t know! I hope so!” But I think maybe as time went on, I began to assume that my story had been set aside. I knew another production company had asked about the rights, at least.
But in the email yesterday, the producer said they would be shooting the movie this summer!
It’s really happening! I can still hardly believe it!
They’ll be shooting in Vancouver, and I can visit the set! A lot of Hallmark movies are shot in Vancouver and other places in Canada, for financial reasons. It’s not just Hallmark movies, either. Early in my career, I was on a sound stage in Vancouver for a TV commercial shoot. A crazy thing happened there, but I’m going to save that story for my book.
Because here’s the other wild thing. I’m writing a romance that takes place, basically, during the making of a Hallmark movie! I interviewed a few producers prior to writing the opening chapters, so that I could make it at least a tiny bit realistic. But now I have an amazing opportunity to make it very real!
I don’t know much else at this point…
I don’t know which actors have been cast, though I can’t wait to see. I bet they’ll be wonderful!
I don’t know if I get to be an extra, but you can bet that I’m going to ask.
I don’t know when it will premiere, though I would say autumn of this year is a good guess.
I’m curious about whether they will change the title, though there’s been no mention of that so far.
I don’t know how much it will veer from the book, other than the obvious fact that the steamy scenes won’t be included. (Everyone says that steamy scenes should always be necessary to the story, but I am the first to admit that this story works just fine if you skip them.)
I’ve edited other books that became Hallmark movies, so I know how much the stories can change out of necessity. I have no problem with that! I trust them to keep the vibe of the characters and the story…and honestly, it’s very sweet, light, and Hallmark-y to begin with.
But here’s what I do know!
I do know how much I’ll get paid, and for me and my husband—two full-time freelance book editors—it’s a nice payday.
I do know that I’m going to ask the publisher to add the “soon to be a Hallmark movie!” line to the book’s product description on websites.
And I do know that I’m going to host a little watch party for the premiere! Not a virtual event, but a real party with cake and decorations.
Can you imagine a book you wrote as a movie?
If you’re a fiction writer, do you ever try screenwriting? Or do I have some screenwriters among my readers?
I’d love to hear all your thoughts about this!
Thank you, as always, for subscribing to the blog and sharing so much support! I appreciate you!
Massive congratulations Bryn!!! This is such amazing news!! I can’t wait to watch the movie!!!
Congratulations, Bryn!!! You’ll need a movie cake to rival your cover cake at your debut party! 🙂
Ahhhh I’m soooo happy for you!! So proud my friend 💜
I am over the moon for you!!!! After all the authors you’ve helped throughout your career, you have this one coming to you!!! Can’t wait to watch it <3
Fantastic News! I’m so happy for you Bryn! Definitely a reason to celebrate 🙂
Congratulations, Bryn! This is awesome news! I can’t wait to see the movie and you as an extra🤞
Kudos! Such wonderful news! This is a MAJOR accomplishment. So happy for you.
AHHHHHHHHHHH SCREAMING YAY YAY YAY YAY!!!! I do hope there will be a way for those of us who don’t have cable/satellite to watch online <3 And/or DVD eventually!
Bryn!!! That is amazing news!! Congratulations!! I’m thrilled for you!
SO, SO happy for you, Bryn!
Congratulations! Keep us posted. I can’t wait to see it.
Congratulations, Bryn! You so deserve this! I am partial way through Her Knight at the Museum and I am loving it. What a great thing! A movie! You so deserve this!
Gera
WOW!!!! Huge congrats—this is amazing news!
Congratulations, Bryn! The icing on the cake of everything that you and your husband have done so far. You deserve this.
I briefly worked in the TV industry as my first wife was a fledgling screenwriter. I haven’t tried to use any of the experiences in my writing… even the bad ones. Just my experiences as an equestrian journalist in my only novel.
I can’t wait to see this movie! The book was great, I’m sure the movie will be fantastic as well. Congratulations!