Books
Trailer Watch: A Newly Single Woman Learns to Like Herself in “Year by the Sea”
“Men may want out,” Liz (S. Epatha Merkerson, “Law & Order”) tells her newly single friend Joan (Karen Allen, “Indiana Jones” franchise). “But I think they usually set it up so...
Trailer Watch: Learn the Amazing History Behind Curious George and His Creators in “Monkey…
Trailer Watch: Learn the Amazing History Behind Curious George and His Creators in “Monkey Business” “He’s as much of an immigrant as anyone,” we’re told about the world’s most beloved...
Janelle Brown’s “Watch Me Disappear” Optioned by The Gotham Group
Another compulsively readable “Gone Girl”-esque book is getting the big screen treatment. Deadline reports that Janelle Brown’s bestseller “Watch Me Disappear” — which has drawn...
Belle Thorne-Starrer “Famous in Love” Coming Back for Season 2
More “Famous in Love” is coming our way. Freeform has renewed the Bella Thorne-led drama about young Hollywood for a second season, The Hollywood Reporter confirms. Based on Rebecca Serle’s...
“Anne With an E” Renewed for Season 2
The chattiest, most precocious redhead on TV is sticking around for a while. Netflix and CBC have renewed “Anne with an E” for a ten-episode second season, Deadline confirms. Season 1 of...
“Middlemarch” Web Series Modernizes the Classic Novel
Of all the classic novels you could imagine being turned into a web series for the 21st century, George Eliot’s “Middlemarch” might not be the first to spring to mind. Then again, where better...
Welle Entertainment Nabs Rights to Book About the Female Heroes of Silicon Valley
Love HBO’s “Silicon Valley” but wish women had more of a presence in the comedy? Fortunately it looks like a story about “the unsung female heroes of Silicon Valley” is coming to the...
Book Excerpt: “Nancy Meyers”
The following is excerpted from Deborah Jermyn’s “Nancy Meyers,” which will be released July 27. May 2014. A BBC journalist was on the phone. It was shortly to be the twentieth anniversary of...
Trailer Watch: Take an Epic Adventure with Oprah in Ava DuVernay’s “A Wrinkle in Time”
“Your father has accomplished something extraordinary — also dangerous,” Mrs. Which (Oprah Winfrey) tells Meg Murry (Storm Reid). “He’s trapped by a darkness that’s actively...
Uzo Aduba to Star in “The Secret Life of Bees” Musical Workshop Production
Uzo Aduba is following in Jennifer Hudson’s footsteps. According to Entertainment Weekly, the “Orange Is the New Black” star will be playing Rosaleen in a musical workshop production of “The...
Toni Collette to EP and Write TV Adaptation of Julia Dahl’s “Invisible City”
Oscar-nominated actress Toni Collette is continuing to spread her wings. Back in May, the former “United States of Tara” star nabbed the rights to “The Rosie Project” author Graeme...
Barry Jenkins to Adapt Female-Led James Baldwin Novel “If Beale Street Could Talk”
“Moonlight” director Barry Jenkins has lined up his next project, a female-led love story. A press release has announced that he’ll write and direct an adaptation of James Baldwin’s 1974...
Lena Headey to Star in and Produce Adaptation of “H Is for Hawk” with Plan B
“Game of Thrones” returns for its seventh and penultimate season in just over a week, but Lena Headey isn’t content just to bask in the mega hit’s success. The actress is already hard at...
Cathy Schulman to Produce Adaptation of “The Trials of Nina McCall”
“The Trials of Nina McCall” hasn’t been published yet, but the upcoming book has already found a fan in Oscar-winning producer Cathy Schulman. The Hollywood Reporter writes that Schulman’s...
Olivia Cooke to Topline “Vanity Fair” TV Adaptation
“Bates Motel” alumna Olivia Cooke is following in Reese Witherspoon’s footsteps: she’ll take on the role of Becky Sharp in an upcoming Amazon Studios and ITV adaptation of William Makepeace...
Sarah Jessica Parker Acquires First Book for Her Imprint
Sarah Jessica Parker is making her mark on the literary world. The Emmy and Golden Globe-winning actress has a new job title: she’s the editorial director of SJP for Hogarth, her own book imprint....
Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively in Talks to Star in Paul Feig’s “A Simple Favor”
Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively may be teaming up for a murder mystery. Deadline reports that the actresses are in talks to star in “A Simple Favor,” a project being set up at Lionsgate. Paul...
Penelope Bagieu’s Feminist Graphic Novel “Brazen” Headed to TV
A feminist, women-created animated series is on the way. “Brazen,” Penelope Bagieu’s graphic novel about rebellious, independent women throughout history, will be adapted for TV, Variety...
Jane Austen-Centric Musical Lab “Austen’s Pride” to Be Held in NYC
Everyone knows Jane Austen is a master of wit, but as a new musical suggests, she also has serious vocal chops. BroadwayWorld reports that an invitation-only musical lab called “Austen’s...
Naomi Alderman Wins Baileys Women’s Prize for Fiction for “The Power”
This year’s Baileys Women’s Prize for Fiction has gone to Naomi Alderman. The “Disobedience” author took home the prize — a bronze statuette called a Bessie — and £30,000 (about...
Lauren Graham to Adapt YA Novel “Windfall” for the Screen
“Gilmore Girls” star and author Lauren Graham is writing a screenplay. As Deadline reports, Graham has optioned Jennifer E. Smith’s YA novel “Windfall” and plans to pen its film adaptation...
“Divergent” Author Veronica Roth’s Next Film Adaptation to Tackle Mental Illness
Veronica Roth is best known as the author of “Divergent,” the best-selling YA book series that spawned the Shailene Woodley-led franchise. The dystopian saga centers on a teen who rises up...
Blake Lively to Star in Adaptation of Liane Moriarty’s “The Husband’s Secret”
Addicted to “Big Little Lies” and anxiously awaiting confirmation of a second season? Well, here’s something to help tide you over. The author who wrote the novel the HBO murder mystery is...
Toni Collette Options “The Best of Adam Sharp”
Toni Collette has nabbed the rights to Graeme Simsion’s novel and screenplay for “The Best of Adam Sharp,” Deadline reports. The romance marks Collette’s first project under her...
Elisabeth Moss to Star in and Produce TV Adaptation of Mary Beth Keane’s “Fever”
Elisabeth Moss is set to topline another TV adaptation of a novel. Deadline reports that the Golden Globe winner will star in and executive produce “Fever,” a limited series based on Mary Beth...
Trailer Watch: Brie Larson Reunites with Her Dysfunctional Family in “The Glass Castle”
Try as she might, Brie Larson can’t bury her past in a new trailer for “The Glass Castle.” The Oscar-winning actress stars as Jeannette, a woman who’s tried to distance herself from the...
Teaser Watch: A Girl Disguises Herself as a Boy to Help Her Family in “The Breadwinner”
“When I was young, Parvana, I knew what peace felt like,” a father tells his daughter in a new trailer for “The Breadwinner.” He explains, “Stories remain in our hearts even when all else...
Reese Witherspoon to Produce Adaptations of Two New Women-Penned Books
Looks like Reese Witherspoon is just as busy as her “Big Little Lies” character, Madeline Martha Mackenzie. The Oscar-winning multi-hyphenate is producing adaptations of Gail Honeyman’s...
Teaser Watch: Reese Witherspoon Gets New Roommates in Hallie Meyers-Shyer’s “Home Again”
“I just always act out on my birthday. It’s like my own personal New Year’s Eve,” explains Alice (Reese Witherspoon) in a newly released teaser for Hallie Meyers-Shyer’s “Home Again.”...
June Diane Raphael Is Writing a Book About Women Running for Office
June Diane Raphael wants more women to run for political office — so she is writing a book encouraging women to do just that. As People reports, the actress-comedian will pen “Represent: The...
“Little Women” Miniseries on the Way From PBS and BBC
It’s been nearly 150 years since “Little Women” was first published and the March sisters remain some of the most beloved characters of all-time — a fact which will be capitalized on by...
Charlize Theron’s “Tully” and Brie Larson’s “The Glass Castle” Receive Release Dates
Mark your calendars: release dates for the Charlize Theron-toplined “Tully” and the Brie Larson-starrer “The Glass Castle” have been announced. Variety writes that “Glass Castle,” an...
Diane Keaton, Jane Fonda, and Candice Bergen to Star in “50 Shades”-Inspired “Book Club”
Diane Keaton, Jane Fonda, and Candice Bergen are teaming up. The trio will star in “Book Club,” an indie comedy about lifelong friends in their 60s whose worlds are rocked by Anastasia Steele...
Listen: Podcast with President of HBO Documentary Films Sheila Nevins
Sheila Nevins has won dozens of Emmy Awards. When the powerhouse exec offers insight and advice, you’ll want to listen. We can all benefit from Nevin’s wisdom thanks to the release of her new...
New “Little Women” Film in the Works from Clare Niederpruem
Jo March would be so pleased. A new adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s coming-of-age classic “Little Women” is in the works and a woman director is at the helm. According to Deadline,...
Bethany Ashton Wolf’s “Forever My Girl” Acquired by Roadside
“Forever My Girl” has found a home. Variety writes that Roadside Attractions has acquired domestic distribution rights to Bethany Ashton Wolf’s romance about high school sweethearts, missed...
Anika Noni Rose Options Rights to Best-Selling YA Series “Shadowshaper”
Anika Noni Rose is working on taking “Shadowshaper” from the page to the screen. The Tony winner — and her production company, Roaring Virgin Productions — have purchased the film...
Mindy Kaling Options Alyssa Mastromonaco’s Political Memoir for TV
Mindy Kaling in “The Mindy Project”: NBCUniversal Mindy Kaling is branching out into politics — political TV comedies, in particular. Deadline reports that the “Mindy Project” creator...
Book Excerpt: “Hot Pants in Hollywood: Sex, Secrets & Sitcoms”
The following is excerpted from Susan Silver’s “Hot Pants in Hollywood: Sex, Secrets & Sitcoms,” which will be released April 27. (Author’s Note: Iris Rainer Dart, my then writing...
Modern Retelling of “Pride and Prejudice” Acquired by Warner Bros.
The only way Elizabeth Bennet could be more over gender roles and pointless class divisions is if she was somehow forced to participate in a Texas debutante ball. Sadly for Lizzie — but...
“The Birth of the Pill” TV Adaptation Headed to National Geographic
Soon you’ll be able to watch a scripted series about the creation of the birth control pill alongside documentaries about nature and foreign cultures. According to The Hollywood Reporter, National...
Trailer Watch: Bryan Cranston Hides from His Family in Robin Swicord’s “Wakefield”
“Suburban life. So much is the same week after week. Who hasn’t had the impulse to put their life on hold for a moment? Just vanish completely,” says Howard Wakefield (Bryan Cranston) in the...
“Crazy Ex-Girlfriend’s” Rachel Bloom to Write a Book
Before she rose to stardom as the co-creator and star of musical dramedy “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend,” Rachel Bloom launched her career on YouTube. Now the Golden Globe winner is taking on another...
New Shonda Rhimes Show & Season 2 of “Queen Sugar” Get Premiere Dates
“Still Star Crossed”: ABC Your summer TV watchlist just got longer. Premiere dates have been announced for Shonda Rhimes’ newest show, “Still Star Crossed,” and the second season of Ava...
Four Books from “Big Little Lies” Author Liane Moriarty Headed to the Screen
The “Big Little Lies” finale was less than two weeks ago and fans are clamoring for more time with Madeline, Celeste, Jane, Bonnie, and Renata. There have been rumors of a possible second season...
“The Raven Cycle” Gets Pilot Order, Catherine Hardwicke to Direct
Fantasy fans, rejoice. Maggie Stiefvater’s best-selling four-book series “The Raven Cycle” is being adapted for TV, and Catherine Hardwicke has signed on to helm the pilot and serve as an...
Guest Post: Why You Shouldn’t Be Afraid to Step Out of Your Lane
Guest Post by Rebecca Serle Since I was a child, the only thing I ever wanted to do was to be a writer. When I sold my first book in 2010, a re-telling of “Romeo and Juliet” from Rosaline’s...
Judy Blume to Receive Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Academy of Arts and Letters
The woman who made puberty a little less terrifying for millions of girls is being honored with a lifetime achievement award from the American Academy of Arts and Letters. Judy Blume will be given...
Trailer Watch: “Anne” Can Do Anything a Boy Can Do and More
“My name is Anne Shirley Cuthbert, and please be sure to spell ‘Anne’ with an ‘e’,” the heroine of Netflix’s newest series requests on her first day at a new school. Even if you’ve...
Theresa Rebeck Opens Up About Being Fired from “Smash”
“The misogyny is beyond anything that people believe,” “Smash” creator and former showrunner Theresa Rebeck writes in an essay entitled “What Came Next.” “On my first job in...
HBO Announces TV Adaptation of Elena Ferrante’s “My Brilliant Friend”
The TV adaption of Elena Ferrante’s novel “My Brilliant Friend” — book one of her Neapolitan series — has found a home. HBO, in partnership with Italy’s national public...