Rise Literary has partnered with television producer Joy Gorman (“13 Reasons Why,” “Unprisoned,” “Little House on the Prairie”) to develop a project that brings new books to the screen. As part of the deal, Gorman’s Joy Coalition and Rise Literary will launch a new publishing label through Simon & Schuster.
Under the new agreement, Gorman will work closely with Rise Literary CEO Kristen McGuinness and her team on “creative development and strategy for the publisher’s books and growing mutual opportunities for adaptation across all media,” according to the announcement. “Together, the companies will source books from stories originally conceived for film, while leveraging influential support for projects long before publication.”
As for the new publishing imprint, sales and distribution will be handled through Simon & Schuster, “combining TV and film IP with industry publications, ebooks, and audiobook opportunities and domestic and international distribution.”
“As Rise continues to propel authors into bestsellers and game changers, we are working to create real momentum for books across all media,” McGuinness said in a statement. “Few publishers have figured out how to get the most out of their books and get them into the film pipeline. But Joy’s incredible track record as a film adaptation expert makes her the perfect guide to navigating new ways to develop material for and from film.”
The first installment of the new Rise Literary and Joy Coalition collaboration is Emily Paulson’s new suspense novel, The Revenge Party, which will be released in May 2026.
“I’m so impressed with what Kristen and the Rise team have built. This is an innovative publishing entity that empowers writers, especially women, to champion their stories that might otherwise be ignored,” Gorman said in a statement. “This is an opportunity for Rise IP to partner with Carrier Producers, who will create projects with the care they deserve and provide new avenues for storytellers in response to the shrinkage of traditional Hollywood business models.”
Gorman’s Joy Coalition’s upcoming projects include an updated version of Little House on the Prairie for Netflix. Gorman is a producer on HBO’s “Eyes on the Prize 3,” and created Netflix’s “13 Reasons Why,” Hulu’s “Unprisoned” and Apple TV’s “Home Before Dark.”
Rise Literary’s customers include authors who have appeared on the New York Times and other bestseller lists.
