So you’ve written a novel. Maybe it’s indie-published, maybe it’s still in your drawer. Either way, you can’t shake the feeling it would make a cracking film or TV series. The good news? With more screenplay contests 2026 than ever offering adaptation categories, turning your book into a script could be your next big move.
But where do you start? Adapting a novel into a screenplay isn’t about copying and pasting — it’s about reshaping the story for a visual medium.
Why Adapt Your Novel for a Contest?
Industry appetite – Producers are hungry for original material, especially with proven audiences.
Contest opportunities – Many competitions (like the Page Turner Awards) now have specific categories for adaptations.
Boosted credibility – Having both a novel and a screenplay shows you’re versatile and market-ready.
Bigger reach – Adaptations open your work to film/TV audiences far beyond book readers.
Key Differences Between Novels and Screenplays
Length – Novels can be sprawling. Screenplays need to be lean (90–120 pages for films, \~60 for TV pilots).
Internal vs external – Novels often explore characters’ inner thoughts. Scripts must show feelings through action and dialogue.
Structure – Screenplays follow strict acts, beats, and timing that novels don’t always require.
Visual storytelling – If it can’t be seen or heard, it doesn’t belong in a script.
How to Start the Adaptation Process
- Identify the core story – Boil your novel down to a logline: protagonist, goal, conflict, stakes.
- Cut subplots – What works in 400 pages won’t fit in 110. Focus on the spine of the story.
- Find visual equivalents – Replace long passages of internal monologue with actions or gestures.
- Decide on format– Is it better as a film, or a TV series with room to expand?
- Use critique – Entering an adaptation category that offers *manuscript critiques* will give you vital feedback on your first attempt.
Testimonial Spotlight
“The adaptation category was such a revelation for me. I entered my novel as a screenplay, and the judges’ feedback gave me the confidence to start pitching it for TV.” — Caroline Bishop, Entrant
Recommended Contests for Adaptations in 2026
Page Turner Screenplay Award (Adaptation Category) – Unique focus on turning books into scripts, judged by producers.
Slamdance Screenplay Competition – Encourages bold, experimental adaptations.
Script Pipeline Book-to-Screen Contest – Specialises in adaptations and optioning.
Wrapping Up: Give Your Story a Double Life
Adapting your novel into a screenplay for script competitions 2026 isn’t just recycling — it’s reinventing. Done right, it can open your story to an entirely new audience, and maybe even producers searching for the next big series.
And yes, the Page Turner Awards has given many authors the confidence to take this leap — with categories designed to celebrate adaptation. Check out their testimonials here: https://pageturnerawards.com/awards-testimonials
Think your novel could light up the screen? Sign up now, and we’ll remind you when next year’s Adaptation Category opens — so you can give your book a second life.
Sign up today and we’ll send you reminders for next year’s deadlines, so you never miss a chance to shine.
Be Notified for our Next Awards
