Shona Martyn.
Former HarperCollins executive Shona Martyn is headed to Lingo Pictures, as the production company looks to respond to the booming business of book adaptation.
Martyn was the publishing director of HarperCollins in ANZ until late last year, a role that encompassed local and international fiction and non-fiction.
Prior to that she was the publishing director at Transworld/Random House, arts editor at Vogue, editor of Good Weekend and founding editor of HQ Magazine. She was a member of the Sydney Writer's Festival board from 2003 to 2011.
"I am delighted to be joining the team at Lingo Pictures as their exclusive book scout at a time when the thirst for transforming books into TV and film has never been stronger,” said Martyn.
“There are many splendid stories just waiting to be made and many opportunities for authors as a result.”
Lingo Pictures is owned by producers Helen Bowden (The Slap, Devil’s Playground, Lou, Underground – The Story of Julian Assange) and Jason Stephens (Killing Time, Devil's Dust, Mr. and Mrs. Murder, Better Man, Schapelle), who launched the company together in 2015.
“We want our own literary sleuth on the front line and there is no one more beloved by authors, agents and publishers than Shona Martyn," said Bowden. "Her taste, creativity and focus are legendary."
Lingo Pictures is currently in production on the Network Ten two-part television adaptation of Wake in Fright.