Each of these writers has authored books that were later made into films. Together, they discuss the pleasures and trials of the process and what happens to literature along the way.
Gener Seymour is the film critic for Newsday.
Dany Laferriere's (Haiti/Canada) short stories served as the basis of the film Heading South. He is a novelist, essayist, poet, and journalist. His first novel, How to Make Love to a Negro, was adapted into a screenplay and earned a Genie Award nomination for best adapted screenplay in 1990.
Niccolo Ammaniti's (Italy) novel I'm Not Scared was made into a film of the same name by Gabriele Salvatores. He was the youngest-ever winner of the Viareggio-Repaci prize for this novel as well. His latest novel in English is I'll Steal You Away.
Steve Martin (United States) adapted his novella Shopgirl and then acted in the film. He's also written The Pleasure of My Company and the collection of comic pieces, Pure Drivel. His work frequently appears in The New Yorker and The New York Times.
Susan Orlean (United States) saw herself played by Meryl Streep when her story about orchid enthusiasts became the film Adaptation. She's been a staff writer at The New Yorker since 1992 and her articles have also appeard in Outside, Rolling Stone, Vogue, and Esquire.