BEFORE THE SCRIPT, THERE'S OFTEN A BOOK -- MAYBE YOURS.

Byline: ANGELA LU

>LA.COM 

In Hollywood, the City of Stars, armies of aspiring writers are looking for their big behind-the-scenes break.

These wordsmiths dream of having their stories transformed from the printed page to the big or small screen -- to be shone around the globe as they bask in riches and fame.

Often, however, writers have no clue how to get their work into the hands of the right people. So what does it take to get a book or script turned into a movie or TV series?

"Always, the story is the most important thing. But once you have that, you have to respect your creativity and figure out how to sell the dang thing," says Richard Martini, director of six films, including "You Can't Hurry Love."

Martini will moderate a 3 p.m. panel called "How Stories Get to Hollywood" at the Hollywood Book Festival held at Barnsdall Art Park in Hollywood from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. today.

"Scour the trade publications. Every week they publish who's in charge of what shows or production deals. Then you call and ask, 'Can I submit writing to you unsolicited?' Nine times out of 10, they'll say no, but that's a 10 percent opportunity," he said.

Martini's panel is one of the many activities featured at the free, family-friendly festival.

"The Hollywood Book Festival is an attempt to take books and transform them into other forms of media," said Bruce Haring, producer of the festival's awards program. "I noticed that there is a market gap between book publishers and TV producers because the TV producers need a filter for the books they read."

The festival's main purpose is to award one talented writer with the Hollywood Book Festival Award. The honor, Haring says, is meant to "spotlight literature worthy of further consideration by the talent-hungry pipeline of the entertainment industry."

Emerging writers also can attend panels of professional TV writers and authors, including Barney Cohen, the creator of "Sabrina, the Teenage Witch."

Musical acts will include the Monolators, John Hoskinson and Lauren Adams.

Authors will read excerpts from their books, and kids will be entertained by clowns, storytelling and face painting.

"We expect 50,000 people to come," said Haring. "The event is for anyone who is interested in literature or just having a good time."

Last year's Hollywood Book Festival was much more sedate, consisting of just an indoor awards ceremony, Haring recalled.

One favorite contender this year is author Riley Weston, the TV/film writer whose debut novel, "Before I Go," won the grand prize at the New York Book Festival. Weston is best- known for her writing and acting on the TV show "Felicity."

Actress Michele Dominguez Greene, who was nominated for an Emmy for her work on "L.A. Law," will read from her teen novel "Chasing the Jaguar."

As for the types of stories producers and directors are looking for, Martini said originality is key.

"You don't want to write like everybody else. Strong, fresh characters are key," he said. "If you're writing for a TV show, watch the show until you know the characters inside and out. Then match the characters but bring a fresh perspective from your own experience.

"As a director, I look for stories that have a beginning, a middle and an end, as simple as that sounds," he added, "I also look at the depth of the story and how it speaks to the human condition."

Angela Lu,

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(1 -- 2) Director Richard Martini, left, will help aspiring writers get a toehold in Hollywood, and "Felicity" writer/actress Riley Weston is among those up for awards.