Peninsula People Sept 2017

this time that the agent (the one who
told Irwin, “Your book is very of-themoment”)
informed her that Witherspoon’s
production company “was
looking for meaty roles of flawed female
characters, whether likeable or
not,” and snatching up the film rights.
The stars must have been aligned,
as they say, because Irwin then gave
her manuscript to what in Hollywood
is known as a private money investor,
someone (or some group) with deep
pockets who puts their money behind
potential film projects. Presumably
aware of the trend towards projects
with strong or singular women at
their center, this producer liked the
gist of what she read and acted on her
gut instincts.
Irwin initially thought that what the
private money investor wanted to purchase
was merely an option on “A
Dress the Color of the Sky.” Many
books are optioned for film, and many
books sit on shelves for a couple of
years until the option runs out. Some
of course do get made into films, just
as some baby turtles do make it to the
shoreline and into the water.
“She said No, I don’t mean option, I
mean purchase,” Irwin recalled. “I
want to buy this manuscript for a feature
film whether or not your book is
ever published. I want the story.”
Not to demean the novel in any
way, but at that point it was the subject,
the concept, the themes, that
were the basis for the sale.
Irwin was given a good faith deposit,
which she invested in a writing
coach. The manuscript evolved from
having flashbacks to being linear, to
again toggling between events past
and present.
“After I finished working with my
writing coach I landed an agent in
New York,” Irwin said, “which is
every author’s dream.” Agent Karen
Gantz also represents Alec Baldwin,
who recently published his memoirs.
Now, because the film rights have
been sold, and because Irwin already
has a following on social media, Gantz
encouraged Irwin to go with a small
publisher, ostensibly because the author
would have more control over
when the book would go to print. One
Irwin cont. on page 60
The cover of “A Dress the Color of the Sky,” forthcoming from author Jennifer Irwin, and
soon to be made into a feature film.
28 Peninsula • September 2017