Stephen Beachy's "boneyard"

Stephen Beachy is the author of the novels The Whistling Song and Distortion, as well as the twinned novellas Some Phantom/No Time Flat. His writing has appeared in BOMB, The New York Times Magazine, Chicago Review, Best Gay American Fiction, New York magazine and elsewhere. Raised by an ex-Amish father in Iowa, he now lives in California and teaches at the University of San Francisco.

Here he shares some casting ideas for an adaptation of his new novel, boneyard:

If they make boneyard into a movie, Justin Bieber would probably have to play the disturbed Amish boy at its center, Jake Yoder. He looks like a disturbed Amish boy, doesn't he? He doesn't really look like Jake, who has darker hair and bluer eyes and inappropriate affect, but we could work around that. I'm also a character in my book, and so is the editor, Judith Owsley Brown - we write battling footnotes that interpret Jake Yoder's text. Judith would definitely have to be played by Naomi Watts, who can do that kind of mildly uptight but morally concerned thing quite well, and who's just so brilliant there isn't much she can't do. I would like to be played by Barbara Hershey in male drag. Ever since I saw Barbara get raped by an invisible entity in The Entity I've felt an odd kinship with her, as I often feel as if something invisible and malevolent is touching me inappropriately. Maybe it's just a metaphor for capitalism or technology, but since boneyard deals with entities, abuse, horror and malevolent psychologists, her presence would add some rich meta-layers.

Learn more about the book and author at Stephen Beachy's website; view the boneyard trailer.

--Marshal Zeringue

Alan Lazar's "Roam"

Alan Lazar is a platinum-selling musician/composer whose career began in his native South Africa. He lives in Los Angeles, where he has composed music for more than 30 films and TV shows.

Here he shares some ideas for casting an adaptation of Roam, his first novel:

The hero of Roam is a dog, half-beagle and half-poodle. So, no conventional movie stars need apply. In Marley and Me, I believe the dog was an incredible composite of fourteen real dogs and some CGI. If Roam is a live-action film I guess it would be something similar. Alternatively Roam might be a fully animated film. I’m a huge fan of pretty much all the Pixar movies, and I’d love for Roam to be made over there. Up and Toy Story 3 both got my tear ducts pumping. They handle dramatic subject matter with such a beautiful touch.

If Roam is live action, we’d need to cast the main human character, a beautiful concert pianist named Katey. She’s the original owner, or Great Love, of Nelson, our hero dog. The agent selling the movie rights asked for a couple of names for Katey, and I came up with Natalie Portman, Scarlett Johansson, Anne Hathaway and Kirsten Dunst. All would be great choices.

Thatcher is a truck driver Nelson spends some quality time with, and he’s one of the favorite characters of many who’ve read the book. I somehow imagine Jeff Bridges in the role, one of my favorite actors. I just loved him in Crazy Heart recently. He’s a little old for the role, though, as Thatcher’s only 40, but they managed to shave off a lot of years in Tron, so maybe…

Another of Nelson’s owners is Jake, and his son Oliver. He’s Latino. Benjamin Bratt could be good in this role, although I would love for Guillermo del Toro to play it. If Mario Lopez took himself a bit more seriously, he could also be good, as he’s likely to be the right age by the time the movie might get made.

Learn more about the book and author at Alan Lazar's website.

--Marshal Zeringue

D. E. Meredith's "The Devil's Ribbon"

D.E. Meredith read English at Cambridge, then ran the press office and the land mines campaign for the Red Cross, travelling extensively to Bosnia, Afghanistan and Rwanda during the conflicts. She worked as a consultant on media relations for Greenpeace and other worthy causes before embarking on "The Hatton and Roumande Mysteries" series for St Martin's Press (Devoured, October 2010, The Devil's Ribbon, October 2011).

For an adaptation of Hatton and Roumande’s latest adventure, here's who Meredith would cast:

Professor Adolphus Hatton. Ed Norton is the right look to play Hatton in that he’s svelte, pale, in need of a good meal and a good woman – I’m thinking Ed Norton in The Painted Veil not The Incredible Hulk. Norton projects a keen intellect and the fastidiousness of an over-achiever. He has an intensity about him which is right for Hatton and I can imagine him doing that “Repressed English Gent” bit brilliantly when he first meets Sorcha. Norton has a strong moral compass, a great sense of right and wrong and this quality is key to Adolphus Hatton. Norton would also capture that troubled side of Hatton, the non-believer, the cutting edge scientist, someone who is pushing up against convention.

Albert Roumande. Javier Bardem is quintessential Roumande, but he’d have to lose the Spanish accent and do a French one. Roumande is a great bear of a man, swarthy and has enormous presence and so does Bardem. Roumande, as Chief Diener (that’s Chief Morgue Assistant) quickly established himself as a father like presence in the morgue. He’s always first to give emotional support to Hatton, to the new assistant, Patrice who’s like one of his children to him. He’s not afraid to show his feelings and Roumande also has a strong sense of right and wrong. He’s believes in people, in ideas and is very passionate. Bardem would be fabulous in this role and win over the ladies, as Roumande seems to be doing!

Inspector Jeremiah Grey. It has to be Michael Sheen. He’s such a versatile actor and we haven’t seen him in a high camp role yet and I’d like to. Jeremiah Grey is a mixed up guy. He’s Welsh, low church, from a poor background but smothers himself in cologne, carries an ivory tipped revolver, is a serious morphine user and is altogether “flamboyant”. His sexuality is hidden, questionable, but we know he loves to dress up in finery and I think Sheen would pull off the camp side of Jeremiah Grey, together with that steely ambition and the sadistic cruelty, simmering just below the surface, very well indeed.

Sorcha McCarthy. Carey Mulligan. Still waters run deep. Sorcha McCarthy is the young woman left behind after her much older husband is murdered. She lives in a beautiful white house on Highgate Hill. She’s married into what the Irish called a “West Brit” family but later reveals she has a poor background. She left Ireland because her dead husband (an Irish MP) had to work in Westminster for the British. We know that Hatton falls head over heels in love the minute he sees her, but it’s not just because she’s exquisite. She’s educated, intense, distracted and seems very interested in Hatton’s work. Lose her trademark bob, give her a long black wig and Carey Mulligan’s perfect. How could Hatton resist such girlish charms? And Mulligan has an intensity about her, a wistfulness. She would make a perfect Sorcha.

And finally, I’d like Eddie Marsan as Mr Tescalini. He’s a wonderful British actor. Perfect for a Victoriana villain, and Stephen Rea has to be Father O’Brian. He’s Irish anyway and would do a brilliantly brooding politico like the Nationalist priest in The Devil’s Ribbon.

So, if anyone reading this blog has contacts with any of the above (especially Norton and Bardem) tell them lunch is on me. They are the perfect team for Hatton and Roumande. And the series isn’t optioned yet, so what exactly are they waiting for?

Learn more about the book and author at Denise Meredith's website.

The Page 69 Test: The Devil's Ribbon.

--Marshal Zeringue

Tyler McMahon's "How the Mistakes Were Made"

Tyler McMahon received his MFA in fiction from Boise State University. His stories have appeared in Threepenny Review, Sycamore Review, and Surfer’s Journal, among others, and he has been nominated for a Pushcart Prize. He is a professor of fiction at Hawaii Pacific University.

If an adaptation were produced of How the Mistakes Were Made, McMahon's debut novel, here are his ideas for cast and director:

How the Mistakes Were Made is primarily the story of Laura Loss—a veteran punk rocker who is now blamed for the demise of the grunge band that she helped to form. The book is kind of a fake memoir, which tells Laura’s side of the story. In a sense, it is her defense. The casting for Laura’s part would be the most crucial. Visually speaking, she’s pale, with dark hair and a cynical intensity.

A great writer and filmmaker named J. Reuben Appelman produced a trailer for the book. Early in the process, he asked me what Hollywood actress she most resembled. Without hesitation, I told him that I pictured her as a mid-90’s Winona Ryder. He ended up casting the amazing Abisha Uhl—lead singer of the band Sick of Sarah—in the trailer and she did an amazing job. If someone were to make a movie of it today, certainly Natalie Portman comes to mind; some readers have mentioned that. I could definitely see Anne Hathaway in the role, especially based on her performance in Rachel Getting Married.

The other two band members would be more difficult. I’d like it if they looked young. Sean is visually lankier and darker—more quiet and awkward. His character makes me think of a What’s Eating Gilbert Grape?-era Johnny Depp, or Leonardo DiCaprio around the time of The Basketball Diaries.

Nathan is shorter and more solid. I picture him as generally a grounded and unflappable physical presence. Ewan McGregor definitely has the right energy for it. A young Val Kilmer could have pulled it off as well.

It would be hard to think of any rock-related film without thinking of Cameron Crowe as a possible director. He’s been fearless about putting music center stage on the silver screen—something that other directors shy away from. The fact that the book is set in the Pacific Northwest, however, also brings Gus Van Sant to mind. I greatly admire his attention to marginalized subcultures as well as to teenage life, and would love to see what he could do with the story.

View the trailer for How the Mistakes Were Made, and learn more about the book and author at Tyler McMahon's website.

--Marshal Zeringue

Sara Grant's "Dark Parties"

Sara Grant was born and raised in Washington, Indiana, a small town in the Midwestern United States. She graduated from Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana, with degrees in journalism and psychology, and later she earned a master’s degree in creative and life writing Goldsmiths College, University of London.

Grant is senior commissioning editor for Working Partners, a London-based company creating series fiction for children. She has worked on ten different series and edited more than 75 books.

Here she shares some suggestions about who should star in an adaptation of Dark Parties, her first young adult novel:

It wouldn’t be easy to make Dark Parties into a movie. Dark Parties is set in a society that has closed itself off under an electrified dome for hundreds of years. Its citizens are growing to look more and more alike. They don’t look identical but have a family resemblance. Neva, my main character, explains it like this: “I see myself around every corner — every minute — like living in a maze of mirrors.”

For that reason, I didn’t really picture the actors who might play the leading roles. When I’m developing a story, I sometimes have a notebook with pictures for each of my main characters. I didn’t do this with Dark Parties. I focused more on the identity marks that the characters create for themselves. Neva has a snowflake tattoo in the valley between her stomach and hip. Neva’s best friend Sanna carves an ‘S’ on her cheek. One character always wears red, pointy-toed boots.

Having said that...it is nice to dream of a red carpet walk...

My first casting call would be to Kevin Spacey. I’d offer him the role of Neva’s dad. I would like to say it’s solely based on the fact that he’s an award-winning actor and has the capacity to play the subtleties in Dr. George Adams, but the truth is he’s my favorite actor and I would love to have the chance to sit down and talk to him artist to artist. Okay, it’s more like actor to near-stalker fan.

I’d give my leading lady to Emma Watson. She has the edgy, strength that Neva needs. And after all the testosterone of the Harry Potter series, Emma needs a kick a** leading role.

For Braydon, I wanted someone lesser known, an actor whose mystery off-camera could match Braydon’s mystery on. We’d have to travel a few years back to a time when Jonathan Rhys Meyers had long hair. Then he’d be the perfect Braydon with a mysterious, bold, sexy vibe.

I love a little bit o’ the Glee. I think Cory Allan Monteith could play a convincing Ethan. He’s the boy next door but I think he could add the creepy edge that Ethan needs later in the story.

I found Sanna the hardest to cast. I want someone who could play Sanna’s enthusiasm and heart. She’s got to be loveable but able to play some really tough and emotional scenes. I finally selected Abigail Breslin. Probably the primary reason is because I loved her in Little Miss Sunshine. But she’d be about the right age and is a stunning actress.

So Hollywood, whaddya say? Anyone out there want to make my Oscar wishes come true?

Learn more about the book and author at Sara Grant's website and Facebook page.

--Marshal Zeringue

David O. Stewart's "American Emperor"

David O. Stewart's books include the highly acclaimed The Summer of 1787, the bestselling account of the writing of the Constitution, and Impeached: The Trial of President Andrew Johnson and the Fight for Lincoln's Legacy. He has practiced law in Washington, D.C., for more than a quarter of a century, defending accused criminals and challenging government actions as unconstitutional. Stewart has argued appeals all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court and was law clerk to Justice Lewis Powell of that Court.

Here Stewart suggests some actors who might play the lead roles in an adaptation of his new book, American Emperor: Aaron Burr's Challenge to Jefferson's America:

For an actor in his middle years, Aaron Burr in American Emperor would be the role of a lifetime. The charismatic Burr, who romanced the ladies wherever he went, had remarkable adventures. A face-off with Thomas Jefferson in the election of 1800! Dueling with Alexander Hamilton! Traveling through America’s frontier to recruit an army to conquer Mexico and Florida! Defending himself against treason charges and cheating the gallows in a trial before Chief Justice John Marshall! To capture the mystery and magnetism of Burr, Johnny Depp would be perfect.

When I recently expressed this opinion to a fellow writer, I was dismayed to find that she believes Johnny Depp would be perfect for the movie version of her book. In quick succession, I posed the question to two other writers, both of whom stoutly contended that Mr. Depp should star in the movies of their books. So he is going to have to stop messing about with those Pirates of the Caribbean things and buckle down to some serious movie-making!

Other roles in American Emperor may be cast with comparable precision:

General James Wilkinson – A triple agent for Spain, Jefferson, and Burr, the alcoholic, florid Wilkinson is perfect for Tom Wilkinson (presumably no relation, but one never knows).

Thomas Jefferson – In the HBO series on John Adams, Stephen Dillane portrayed Thomas Jefferson brilliantly. A reprise of the role in American Emperor would be much appreciated.

Erich Bollman – A German adventurer who schemed to spring the Marquis de Lafayette from an Austrian prison, started and crashed numerous ventures in the United States, and then became a key figure in Burr’s audacious projects, Bollman is a natural role for Christoph Waltz. Type-casting for the Austrian-born Waltz? Sue me; he’d be great.

Learn more about the book and author at David O. Stewart's website and blog.

The Page 99 Test: Impeached.

--Marshal Zeringue

J.T. Ellison's "Where All the Dead Lie"

J.T. Ellison is the international award-winning author of the critically acclaimed Taylor Jackson novels, multiple short stories, and has been published in over twenty countries.

Here Ellison shares some ideas about who should star in an adaptation of the latest Taylor Jackson book, Where All the Dead Lie:

For years, I’ve been trying not to answer this question. I’ve put it out there for my readers to comment on, not wanting to influence that psychic connection people have with fictional characters. I’ve always felt that if I tell you what Taylor Jackson looks like to me, it may alter your reading of the novel.

I’ve come to change my mind on that, mostly because I’ve finally seen a few actresses who I think could successfully interpret the character. So much of Taylor Jackson is physical – and I’d love to see that physicality explored on the screen. I was very surprised to realize that Blake Lively is probably as close to Taylor in my mind as a real person could be. I’d always thought of her as Charlize Theron, but Charlize is a tiny bit too refined. Blake, even though a bit young for the role, has the presence necessary, and if you’ve seen her in The Town, the acting chops to pull it off as well. And she can do the hair. Taylor has great hair.

Baldwin – I’ve got nothing. A really scruffed up Thomas Gibson would work – he’s not quite as pretty, but he has the right smoldering intensity.

But from the very beginning – Memphis Highsmythe, the Viscount Dulsie, was modeled on Daniel Craig. My editor saw him as Simon Baker – but no. He’s Craig all the way – that barely contained fury, simmering just under the surface, the coiled grace… he’d be perfectly cast.

Sam Owens is Natalie Portman, hands down.

Learn more about the book and author at J.T. Ellison's website and blog.

Writers Read: J.T. Ellison.

The Page 69 Test: Where All the Dead Lie.

--Marshal Zeringue

Brian Doyle's "Bin Laden’s Bald Spot"

Brian Doyle is the editor of Portland Magazine at the University of Portland, in Oregon—the best university magazine in America, according to Newsweek, and “the best spiritual magazine in the country,” according to Annie Dillard.

He is the author of five collections of essays, two nonfiction books (The Grail, about a year in an Oregon vineyard, and The Wet Engine, about the “muddles & musics of the heart”), two collections of short prose, and the sprawling novel Mink River, which Publishers Weekly called a “original, postmodern, shimmering tapestry of smalltown life.”

Doyle's new book is Bin Laden's Bald Spot & Other Stories.

Here he shares some suggestions for casting bin Laden and other characters in an adaptation from the collection:

For my new collection of stories, Bin Laden’s Bald Spot, I would choose old Gregory Peck to play His Murderous Idiocy. You want a tall gangly guy with a fixed stare, which in Peck’s case was always taken for intent calm dignity, but in His High Killingness I would ascribe to a roaring arrogant mania; he really thought, I bet, that he was important, and right that killing children would be a good thing for his religion and his idea of how the world should be (something like the year 900, but with cell phones). Seth Rogen or Albert Brooks as his hairy and rotund first mate in crime; Willem Dafoe as the insane ranting cleric (a generic role, representing lots), and dozens of walk-ons as the children who thought he was pretty much the worst dad ever. What a waste of gifts, poor Usama – a brilliant, charismatic, visionary, wealthy dude, who used all those gifts to damage his religion more than anyone in centuries, who cackled while children were roasted, and who must have watched in rage as the Arab world turned toward freedom without the slightest help from him or his ideas about how to topple the world that made him so angry.

Learn more about Bin Laden’s Bald Spot and visit its Facebook page.

--Marshal Zeringue

Dean Crawford's "Covenant"

Dean Crawford worked as a graphic designer before he left the industry to pursue his lifelong dream of writing full-time. An aviation and motorcycle enthusiast, he lives with his family in Surrey, England.

Here he suggests a couple of actors who might play the lead in an adaptation of his new book, Covenant:

Funnily enough, a copy of my debut novel Covenant is in Los Angeles at the moment! Although I did not write the novel with a film in mind, as the movie would have to look very different from the book, many readers have told me that it would make a great film.

I’m a die-hard Harrison Ford fan but as the hero of the novels, Ethan Warner, is in his thirties, I could see Hugh Jackman playing the role. He’s got that almost ordinary-guy-in-the-street look about him, but also looks like he could do some damage if he got angry enough. My editor mentioned Kiefer Sutherland as a possible lead a few months ago. I try to write Ethan Warner as human as possible, not one of these indestructible James Bond type characters, so any actor in the role would benefit from appearing slightly vulnerable, the reluctant hero.

Learn more about the book and author at Dean Crawford's website and blog.

Writers Read: Dean Crawford.

--Marshal Zeringue

Doug Magee's "Darkness All Around"

Doug Magee has been a photojournalist, screenplay writer, children's book author, death penalty activist, film producer and director, war protestor, college football player, amateur musician, and the basis of the Aidan Quinn character in Meryl Streep's Music of the Heart.

Here he shares some ideas for casting an adaptation of his new novel, Darkness All Around:

There are three principal roles in Darkness All Around. Sean Collins is a man who disappeared from his home town eleven years earlier and has returned claiming he killed a woman while blacked out before he left. I did a book trailer and used the actor Chris Henry Coffey to play Sean (he can be seen in the film Trust). If I had to choose a star, it would probably be Ryan Gosling. Sean's ex-wife, Risa, would be played by Michelle Williams (though the actress Julie Ann Emery who was in the book trailer would be terrific). Risa's current husband Alan could go to a number of actors but Clive Owen with an American accent would be great.

View the trailers and learn more about the book and author at Doug Magee's website and the Darkness All Around website.

Writers Read: Doug Magee (June 2010).

The Page 69 Test: Never Wave Goodbye.

My Book, The Movie: Never Wave Goodbye.

Writers Read: Doug Magee (October 2011).

The Page 69 Test: Darkness All Around.

--Marshal Zeringue