Authors of 'All Her Fault' and 'Excavations' Discuss Self-Advocacy in Adapting Their Work for TV: 'You Are the Expert'

Many of todays most popular TV shows originate from books, and authors can play an active role in shaping these adaptations. At the Bestseller to Binge-Worthy: Inside the Art of Page-to-Screen Storytelling panel, hosted by Peacock and Universal Studio Group, industry professionals emphasized that writers of optioned works should feel confident contributing to the adaptation process.

During TheWraps 2025 Power Women Summit, presented by STARZ #TakeTheLead, executive producer Ali Krug described authors involvement as both a gift and a joy. This perspective surprised Andrea Mara, author of All Her Fault, who co-produced the Peacock adaptation. Mara shared that she initially hesitated to intervene, fearing she might overstep. I thought I might be one of those authors who dictates every detail, she said. Instead, I decided to step back and trust the team, thinking, You are the experts in TV; Ill watch from the sidelines. Its reassuring to hear that author involvement is welcomed.

Kate Myers, who wrote Excavations and serves as co-executive producer on its series adaptation Dig starring Amy Poehler, experienced a similar realization. While visiting the writers room, she initially felt she had little to offer in terms of television expertise. However, answering questions about her story reminded her that she is the expert on her own world. I realized how much I know about the story I created, Myers explained. Being asked about the book validated my role in shaping the adaptation.

Krug added that ideally, the original novel and the TV adaptation should coexist without diminishing each other. Many adaptations, like Game of Thrones, manage to preserve the spirit of the book while allowing it to evolve on screen, she noted. During development, we ask authors how involved they want to be. Some take an active role, while others prefer to step back.

She also highlighted the value of content left out of the novel. Scenes or ideas that didnt make it into the book can be a rich resource for screenwriters, Krug said. The goal is to honor the essence of the story while expanding it for television.

The Power Women Summit is a key gathering for influential women in entertainment and media, offering panels, workshops, and networking opportunities to inspire and empower attendees.

Author Involvement in TV Adaptations: A Necessary Collaboration

The growing trend of adapting bestselling books into TV series has highlighted the significant role authors can play in the process. Recent discussions at TheWrap's 2025 Power Women Summit shed light on how valuable an author's involvement can be in these adaptations, with industry professionals emphasizing that writers should be active participants in shaping their stories for the screen.

Ali Krug, executive producer, described author involvement as "a gift and a joy," reflecting a sentiment that contrasts with the initial hesitation some authors feel. Andrea Mara, who co-produced the Peacock adaptation of her own novel, All Her Fault, admitted to stepping back at first, unsure of how much influence she should exert. Over time, however, Mara came to understand that her unique insight into the story made her an essential part of the adaptation process. "It’s reassuring to hear that author involvement is welcomed," she remarked.

Similarly, Kate Myers, co-executive producer of the series adaptation of her book Excavations, learned that while she may not have expertise in television production, her deep understanding of her characters and plot made her input invaluable. The writers' room experience taught her that being questioned about her own story validated her role in the adaptation process.

As Krug pointed out, the goal of a successful adaptation is not to simply replicate the book, but to allow the television version to evolve while staying true to the original essence. Shows like Game of Thrones successfully achieved this balance, where the novel's spirit was preserved but expanded upon for the screen. This open dialogue between authors and screenwriters is crucial, and content that didn’t make it into the novel can often become a valuable resource for screenwriters looking to enrich the TV version.

Ultimately, the collaboration between authors and TV creators ensures that both mediums—book and screen—can coexist without overshadowing one another, providing audiences with a richer, more dynamic storytelling experience.

Sources:

• ‘All Her Fault’ and ‘Excavations’ Authors on Self-Advocating While Adapting Their Work for TV: ‘You Are the Expert’