Book it Again

Books remain one of the most reliable sources of IP for film and TV, and 2026 is shaping up to be an especially strong year. From BookTok sensations to literary classics, stories born on the page continue to dominate both movie theaters and streaming platforms. The upcoming slate spans genres from Wuthering Heights and Sense & Sensibility to sci-fi Project Hail Mary, and contemporary romance (People We Meet on Vacation, Verity). Full list via The Hollywood Reporter. But there is something different in the air.

The Collaboration Trend

Publishing (and by extension Hollywood) has entered a celebrity co-author era. The model is increasingly clear: pair a bestselling writer with an actor, director, or public figure, launch with a built-in audience, and develop the book as an IP from day one.

This approach effectively de-risks publishing (and marketing) while embedding adaptation potential early. What began earlier this decade with James Patterson’s collaborations with Bill Clinton and Dolly Parton, followed by Louise Penny and Hillary Clinton, has now accelerated into a recognizable industry pattern.

The equation is simple: celebrity reach + proven narrative craft = IP designed to travel across book, film, and TV. But it raises a critical question: where does this leave solo writers? Is the window narrowing for anonymous authors with exceptional stories?

Sparks & Shyamalan

One recent example is the collaboration between Nicholas Sparks and M. Night Shyamalan, who are blending romance and the supernatural in an original project (Variety). Sparks wrote a companion novel while Shyamalan adapted the same original story for film. Same DNA, different mediums, maximum control.

Davis & Patterson

Another high-profile strategic pairing brings together Viola Davis and James Patterson on Judge Stone, a legal drama set in the rural South. Expected in 2026, the novel, already framed with screen adaptation in mind, centers on a judge whose decision carries personal and national consequences (Deadline).

Witherspoon & Coben

Reese Witherspoon, who leads one of the most influential book clubs, and Harlan Coben, the most adapted author on Netflix, have also teamed up creatively. Their novel Gone Before Goodbye launched in October 2025, with adaptation discussions already underway and Witherspoon attached to star (Forbes). 

Behind the Trend

As publishing increasingly favors visibility, reach, and celebrity, it has become harder for exceptional writers without built-in platforms to break through. This shift reinforces the need for new pathways that spotlight strong storytelling, regardless of an author’s public profile or fame.

ADAPTATION: Bookclub to Screen

Our bookclub ADAPTATION emerges from this changing landscape as a curated reading circle focused on identifying titles with genuine screen potential. Open to published and self-published works in English, the program will run four cycles in 2026, reviewing over 200 books and supporting selected authors toward film and TV adaptation.

Please share and reach out if you’d like to be part of the bookclub, either by submitting work or receiving IP information.

Happy 2026!

Laura

PS: We’re now on Substack. Subscribe for book-to-screen trends, industry insights, and upcoming opportunities.