I'm a great believer that everything happens for a reason. I'd set out to pitch my second psychological thriller to Hollywood Producer, Ken Atchity, while at the Dublin Writer's Conference in 2018. On the surface, I looked the part, but underneath was a broken woman, stripped of all confidence after my husband had walked out on me just a week earlier. As much as I'd try to convince myself that I was ready for a new life, mentally, I just was not in the right place. I stumbled on the microphone pitching via Skype and blew my chances of a dream future.
Dejected, I came home feeling like a failure but continued to fight to get back from the depths of despair. I discovered Ken Atchity was flying over to Dublin to attend the 2019 conference and give a workshop and I could pitch face to face. Everyone deserves a second chance, right?
I won't lie, I lost my words for a few seconds, but Ken was kind and patient, and calmed me. I delivered the pitch to applause and out of 50 people was chosen to pitch in the final 10 to Ken and Netflix producer, Binnur Karaeveli.
To my astonishment, I found new confidence and delivered a better second pitch. It finally felt like it was my time to shine.
At the end of the pitching session, Ken gave the conference organiser just one name - mine! He wanted to hear more about Kill List and asked for a treatment (summary of how the book will work as a movie). My mind was blown.
The treatment was delivered and is now in the hands of Ken and fate. I just hope I can prove the saying, 'dreams really do come true.' I'm keeping my fingers crossed awaiting his decision and in the meantime, am about to self-publish Kill List for the world to enjoy!
