From Novel to Film Deal with Author Nova McBee

Unlock the Secrets of Global Storytelling with Author Nova McBee!  How do you turn real-world adventures into an international bestselling series? In this episode of Continuing Conversations, we sit down with Nova McBee, the powerhouse author and screenwriter behind the hit young adult thriller series, Calculated. Drawing from over 20 years of living in China, Asia, and the Middle East, Nova reveals how her cross-cultural life shaped her "oak tree" stories—books designed to last for generations. Whether you're an aspiring writer, a Star Trek fan, or curious about the future of media, this interview is packed with actionable insights on the publishing industry and the creative process. In this episode, we dive into:     • The "Calculated" Journey: Nova shares the 13-year path of bringing her math-prodigy thriller to life and the news about the upcoming film adaptation.     • The Future of Entertainment: As the CCO of Y Plus X Entertainment, Nova explains the $15 billion vertical film industry and why storytelling for mobile phones is the next big frontier.     • Writing for Crossover Audiences: How she intentionally crafts stories that resonate with everyone from 12-year-olds to 80-year-old book clubs and a massive male demographic.     • The "Contender" Mindset: Why Nova spent years perfecting her craft and studying the publishing business before ever trying to get published.     • Star Trek Inspiration: How the partnership of Kirk and Spock influenced her views on cross-cultural collaboration and massive adventure. ABOUT OUR GUEST Nova McBee is a multi-talented author, screenwriter, and Chief Creative Officer. Her Calculated series is described as The Count of Monte Cristo meets Mission Impossible, featuring math prodigies, international smugglers, and high-stakes redemption. ORDER NOVA MCBEE'S BOOKS FROM ADVENTURE INK https://adventureink.xyz/browse/filter/t/%20Nova%20McBee/k/keyword CONNECT WITH THE HOSTS:     • Michael Dismuke: Freelance writer for Star Trek Adventures RPG. Visit him at MichaelDismuke.com.     • Jim Johnson: Project manager for Star Trek Adventures and Fallout RPGs at Modiphius. PRE-ORDER YOUR COPY OF STAR TREK TIMELINES TODAY https://adventureink.xyz/item/hB2UM6Mk2YEpRS8_RBqmkg FIND MORE FROM STUDIO TEMBO https://linktr.ee/StudioTembo CHAPTERS 00:00 – Intro: Infinite Stories and Infinite Combinations    02:00 – Star Trek Roots: Kirk, Spock, and the Pioneer Spirit    04:30 – Behind the Scenes: Chief Creative Officer at Y Plus X Entertainment    05:55 – The Rise of Vertical Film: A $15 Billion Industry    08:50 – Writing "Oak Tree" Stories vs. "Flower" Stories    09:40 – The Calculated Series: Mission Impossible meets Count of Monte Cristo    11:50 – International Living as a Foundation for Authentic YA    13:30 – Becoming a "Contender": Perfecting the Craft and the Business #NovaMcBee #CalculatedSeries #WritingCommunity #VerticalFilm #AuthorInterview #StarTrekFans #YAFiction #PublishingTips #Screenwriting #ContinuingConversations