Bio

TED's Director of Development John Robert Marlow is an award-winning novelist, screenwriter, and adaptation consultant whose nonfiction articles have appeared in the Novel and Short Story Writer's Market and the Screenwriter's and Playwright's Market (both published by Writer's Digest Books), The Writer, Writers' Journal, Backspace, Women On Writing, Writer's World, Urban Muse, Fellow Script, Parade, and numerous other print and online publications.

His first novel, Nano, was immediately recognized as cinematic ("Marlow's debut is a real page-turner"—Kirkus Reviews; "Reads like a big-budget summer blockbuster"—Booklist). The adapted Nano screenplay John wrote recently went into development with producer/director Jan de Bont (Speed, Twister, Minority Report), and has drawn mention in Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, and The Los Angeles Times.

John recently closed a deal on another adaptation, which he wrote and will executive produce, with an estimated budget of $60 million. Before making his first Hollywood deal, John was twice a finalist (top 10 of over 5,000 entries) in the Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting Program of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences (the same organization that awards the Oscars). Over the course of the program's 25-year history, over 50,000 screenwriters have competed for top honors. John is one of only seven to reach the top ten twice—and the only one to do so with adaptations.

John is a book editor, script doctor and adaptation specialist. He founded TED's screen services division, and his latest book, Make Your Story a Movie: Adapting Your Book or Idea for Hollywood (St. Martin's Griffin, 2012), is now available on amazon.

His editing work has included writing, revising, and editing novels, screenplays, nonfiction books, book proposals, and film treatments; writing screenplay adaptations of novels, nonfiction books, true stories and comic books; analyzing novels, screenplays, nonfiction books, film treatments and book proposals for commercial potential and marketability (and recommending changes to improve plot, character, dialogue, style and structure); ghostwriting; and writing and editing promotional and book jacket copy. He has consulted on book cover design and interactive video game design and storyline, researched nonfiction books prior to publication, and researched nonfiction documentaries aired by the world's largest broadcaster.

John's first love is commercial fiction: novels and screenplays in the action, thriller, young adult, science fiction, drama, and comedy (including romantic comedy) genres. Running a close second to these: compelling nonfiction and "quirky" fiction.

Articles

Interview with TED's Director of Development John Robert Marlow

Is Your Book a Movie? A Crash Course in Book-to-Screen Adaptation

Preferred Genres

Absolute favorite fiction genres: action-adventure, techno-thrillers, satire

Preferred fiction genres: crime, mystery, detective, fantasy, science-fiction, military thrillers, conspiracy thrillers, eco-thrillers, forensic, medical, or scientific thrillers, psychological thrillers, humor, mainstream fiction

Other fiction genres John enjoys working on: horror, legal thrillers, erotica, western/frontier, Christian/inspirational, historical, biographical fiction, young adult, multi-cultural, women’s fiction, literary fiction

Genres John prefers not to work on: romance, gay/lesbian fiction

Absolute favorite nonfiction category: food/wine

Other areas of interest in nonfiction: narrative, creative, autobiography, memoir, arts & photography, business & investing, cooking, food & wine, crime & criminals, current events, education, entertainment, government, health, mind, & body, history, home & garden, outdoors & nature, parenting & families, philosophy, politics, professional & technical, reference, religion & spirituality, science, social sciences, sports, travel, transportation, true accounts, women's studies

Testimonials

"John is fantastic. Very knowledgeable, informative, and brutally honest. The perfect person for the job. His comments and recommendations were exactly what I needed to improve my work to a higher level."

Valerie B.

Streamwood, IL

"John Marlow and I have worked on a development outline of my ms for three months. To have 20 hours, one on one with John on the phone has been absolutely invaluable to me; the best investment I’ve ever made. I trust him completely and feel that he has my best interests at heart. I can’t say enough of how much I’ve learned from him. I’m having so much fun.

Now I just have to make sure I’ll write a great story worthy of that great outline.
Thanks John. Thanks TED. I’ll be back for more."

Ulla Hakanson
Nanoose Bay, BC

"I did not know what to expect when I was looking for an editing service. When I imagined an editing service I had an ideal that I could check out and it would all be done. Haha. My experience working with you all has been great. And as time as gone on and I mulled over it, I value the experience even more. Some of the things that I questioned turned out to be exactly what I needed. Money allowing, I will definitely use your services on my next screenplay."

Justin Scott
Eugene, OR

"I was very pleased by the time and attention John had obviously given my first ten pages. And the perceptiveness and practicality of what he pointed out did indeed exceed my expectations. This first encounter has given me the confidence to pursue the relationship further, and I'm looking forward to doing that in the near future."

Michael C. Boxall
North Vancouver, BC,

"One hour of personal consultation with John Marlow kicked my novel's climax from a great ending to a killer ending! In one hour he was able to help me ratchet up the suspense, create some additional unique, memorable scenes and bring a couple of my characters to vibrant life.

This type of consultation was, and is, exactly what I was looking for. Thanks John!"

Brett Valette, Ph.D.
Superior, CO

"I was extremely pleased with both the thoroughness and honesty of the evaluation of my manuscript. John is a great help, and quite clearly knows what he is talking about. At no time did I feel talked down to, despite the fact that this is my first novel. I got the help and input I needed to take my project to the next level, and I hope to continue to work with John and TED. Thank you all!"

Paula Fletchall-Bryner
Anchorage, AK

"John Marlow did the $35 critique on my manuscript, as well as a manuscript evaluation, which just came in this weekend. His feedback has been incredibly helpful. My entire experience with TED so far has been 100% positive. You all project yourselves with total professionalism. I have a couple of aspiring writer friends to whom I will be strongly and enthusiastically recommending your services. Thanks for everything."

Ken Warner
Coventry, CT

"I was really enthused about getting to work with real editors and published authors. For a nominal fee, I was able to get invaluable feedback on my work with the credibility of it coming from people in the business. Speaking with John Marlow was very educating. I couldn't imagine how much I would have had to spend to go to a writer's conference and hope to chat with someone of his expertise for a few minutes. Instead, I was able to talk with him directly and learn from him for a full hour! I look forward to another encounter with The Editorial Department."

Peppi Veccio
Orlando, FL

"I have received the report and am very pleased both with the invaluable advice and gentle way it was presented."

Nicholas Chiarkas
Middleton, WI

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Submissions

Interested in working with John? Please visit our editor availability inquiry center.