Introducing IP Picks, a showcase for my longform articles and books suitable for TV, films, and podcast adaptation. It's aimed at producers but also serves as an easy-to-browse portfolio of my work. But you might be wondering: What the heck is IP?
ippicks.com/
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IP stands for intellectual property, and that's any original content you create — ideas, designs, products etc. In this context, it's original writing. A writer owns the intellectual property in anything they create (unless the contract assigns the rights to someone else*).
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IP rights allow writers to earn money from the intellectual property they own. One way to do this is to sell the rights to make TV, films, and podcasts. With the publishing industry squeezed and streaming etc expanding, IP rights are increasingly valuable.
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If a producer is interested in a story, they can option it. An option is a period of exclusivity during which they can attempt to set up the project for production. The writer gets an option fee, generally a % of the purchase price paid if the project goes into production.
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I currently have three stories under option. Hopefully, they will move into production. But it's a long process. The aim of IP Picks is to showcase my work that is still available — original source material for TV, films and podcasts. Take a look:
ippicks.com/
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*If I can offer one tip to writers after 25 years of freelancing it's "retain your rights!" IP is valuable. Publishers might want to split the rights. You should negotiate. Is it worth giving the publisher 50%? In general, I'd say no.
More here:
singulardiscoveries.substack.com/p/death-of-an-angel
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Paul Brown
@paulbrownUK
Writes about stuff: history, football, true crime, rocketbelts. New book: The Tyne Bridge: tynebridgebook.com Newsletter: singulardiscoveries.com
