New Masterclass: Magazine to Movie—How to Write True Stories That Get Optioned
Want to write epic articles that demand attention from readers, editors and Hollywood? Jeff Maysh has been called “the most optioned writer working” and he's ready to show you how he does it.
You know the kind of article that breaks the internet. A true story that reads like fiction—with dramatic acts, larger-than-life characters, and a twist no one sees coming. That kind of story doesn’t stay in a magazine for long. Sooner or later, Hollywood calls. In fact, some of the biggest films and shows of the past decade started as magazine articles. No one writes these stories better than Jeff Maysh.
Jeff’s incredible story, The Man Who Got America High, appeared in Narratively and was optioned by Fox Searchlight, and his story about the McDonald’s Monopoly fraud became the subject of a historic bidding war, won by Ben Affleck and Matt Damon for a record $1 million. With more articles in The New Yorker, The Atlantic, and many other publications—30+ of which in development for film and television—Jeff has been called “the most optioned writer working today”—after Stephen King.
He also happens to be a very nice and relatable guy, which you’ll see in the video above!
Jeff’s new course, Magazine to Movie—How to Write True Stories That Get Optioned, is a true masterclass. This 10-part self-guided course is available for you to dive into any time. It encompasses:
Over two hours of video workshops and lessons
Handouts, sample structures, reading lists and more
Detailed interviews with Jeff about the business of publishing.
As you make your way through the 10 chapters, you’ll work through the full arc of long-form narrative nonfiction: how to find a story worth telling, how to research it with the rigor of an investigator, how to structure it so it moves like a film, how to pitch it to editors, and how to protect your intellectual property when the entertainment industry takes notice.
By the time you finish this class, you’ll have a framework for finding your next story, the tools to structure it with cinematic precision, and a clear understanding of how to pitch, protect, and option your work to the entertainment industry.
Cost: $200
Paid Narratively Academy members get 20% off all classes, including this one. Scroll down to the bottom of the page to become a member—or to get the paid member promo code if you already are a member.
This class is right for…
Magazine writers hoping to turn their work into film and television
Journalists ready to write longer, more ambitious pieces
Authors who need to know how the entertainment industry works
Anyone who wants to write stories that belong on the big (or small) screen.
Here’s a detailed breakdown of the 10 chapters of this course.
Chapter 1: Find Blockbuster Ideas
Unearth forgotten stories using surprising research methods
Turn a small historical newspaper story into an irresistible longform hit
Learn how a single question can unlock incredible local legends hiding in plain sight
Chapter 2: Research Like A Pro
Hunt through courthouse transcripts and newspaper archives
Use OCR (Optical Character Recognition) to make PDF documents searchable
Set up a bulletproof evidence recording system
Chapter 3: Organize Your Sources
Build a serial number system for every source and an archive that makes fact-checking straight-forward
Create a phone log to track every call, wrong number, and voicemail
Handle foreign language sources quickly and accurately
Chapter 4: The Art Of Cinematic Writing
Apply fascinating narrative structures to make non-fiction stories feel as fun as fiction
Transform any true story into a cinematic experience with clear acts and narrative turning points
Understand the power of the midpoint
Chapter 5: Simplify Your Schedule
Use simple spreadsheets and Gantt charts to break 10,000-word stories into manageable daily targets
Write with forward momentum and create drafts without backtracking
Avoid writer’s block and blank page paralysis
Chapter 6: Get Your Facts Straight
Build your story structure with facts BEFORE writing a single word
Annotate every quote and fact with footnotes as you go
How to stop fact-checking becoming a nightmare
Chapter 7: Self-Edit Longform Stories
How to avoid your words feeling familiar during long projects
Use the highlighter method to track dates and characters
Apply the “30-word cut” rule and the “week off” technique—plus how to use beta readers
Chapter 8: A New Way To Pitch
How to write pitches that grab any editor’s attention
How to use screenwriting techniques to write a killer pitch
How to overcome pitch frustration
Chapter 9: Fight For Your Rights
Learn to negotiate with publishers for favorable IP rights
Understand “work made for hire” red flags
How to self-publish when necessary to retain 100% ownership
Chapter 10: How Film/TV Options Work
Decode complicated Hollywood deal structures
Navigate royalties, spin-offs, sequels, and merchandise rights—and other hidden compensation
Get the insider’s guide to option agreements
Registration Details: This is a self-guided class. After signing up, you’ll receive a link to access the full course materials, which you can navigate at your own pace.
Questions? Email us at academy@narratively.com.