Before I Let Go Adaptation in Development at Peacock from Universal TV & UCP
Kennedy Ryan’s bestselling novel Before I Let Go is in development at Peacock from Universal TV & UCP. Malcolm D. Lee will direct and executive produce via his Blackmaled Productions banner alongside Dominique Telson. John Legend, Mike Jackson, and Ty Stiklorius’ Get Lifted Film Co. will also executive produce alongside Debra Martin Chase via her Martin Chase Productions. Kennedy Ryan will also executive produce. A screenwriter is not yet attached to the project.
NYC Libraries to Lose Weekend Service in Mayor’s Latest Budget Cut Proposal
A letter from Anthony Marx, the head of the New York Public Library, has given details about some of the proposed cutbacks for the New York City library system. The $23 million dollar cuts would result, according to Marx, “in the elimination of Sunday service at all eight current locations, the reduction of hours, and moving to a five-day service schedule at a majority of locations.” The proposed cutbacks have spurned public outcry, but Marx writes in his letter, “we still hope, and will do all we can, to avoid these cuts.”
Authors Over 50 Urged to Write Debut Novel for Prize
At this year’s London Book Fair, literary agency Jenny Brown Associates launched an award for debut novelists in the UK aged 50 and above. “Being a debut is not just about being a shiny, sparkly, young person. The reason we launched the award was to say to people over 50 yes, you too can be a shiny, sparkly, new writer– just older,” says literary agent Lisa Highton of Jenny Brown Associates. The new award invites unpublished writers without an agent to submit the first 5,000 words of their novel by May 31. The winner will receive £1,000 and a week at Scottish writing retreat Moniack Mhor. The winner will also receive mentoring and advice from authors, agents, and editors.
Picture Books to Encourage Divergent Thinking
Use these awesome picture books to teach children that there are lots of ways to think about a situation and lots of possible outcomes, too.