Dr. Ken Atchity is a self-defined "story merchant"--writer, producer, teacher, and literary manager-- responsible for launching dozens of books and films.

With more than forty years experience in the publishing world, and over fifteen years in entertainment, Atchity has been highly prolific, producing 26 films, including "Joe Somebody" (Tim Allen; Fox) and "Life or Something Like It" (Angelina Jolie; Fox).

As if that isn't enough, he's also authored 14 highly-praised books on writing, including How to Publish Your Novel and A Writer's Time: Making the Time to Write.

What's more, as a literary manager, Atchity has successfully built bestselling careers for novelists, nonfiction writers, and screenwriters. Clients include bestsellers Steve Alten, Jamise Dames, Noire, Dr. Dre, and Governor Jesse Ventura.

As chairman and CEO of Atchity Entertainment International, Inc., Ken's Story Merchant companies, www.AEIOnline.com and www.TheWritersLifeline.com, provide services for commercial and literary writers who wish to launch their storytelling in all media, including publishing, film and television production.

The Interview

My ideal client is someone who’s focused on his work, not on himself, and who will do anything to improve both its quality and marketability. Who’s cautious, but not paranoid. Who’s obsessed by making his own time productive, and equally respecting of ours. Who doesn’t call and say ‘what’s going on’? Who doesn’t have a lazy bone in his body, and who ‘considers the source’ when he hears something different from what we’ve been telling them. Who understands that before he can have the market follow his stories, first he must tell stories the market WANTS to hear.

WB: At AEI, are you more likely to sign an author whose work can be easily adapted to the screen? Also, what are some ways of recognizing whether a book has film potential?

Yes, our favorite client is someone whose writing works for both publishing and the screen. A book has film potential if it’s written following the laws of drama—which will also make it a better, more readable book.

WB: You've mentioned that AEI receives roughly 15,000 submissions a year and accepts about 50 of them. What specifically about your selections stand out to you?

What stands out is a clearly marketable concept—‘high concept’ if possible—that is as well executed as it is well conceived.

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