From Hook to Hallmark: Networking Your Way to Hollywood with Jaimie Engle

Ever wonder how a novelist breaks into the world of DreamWorks or Hallmark? According to award-winning author and screenwriter Jaimie Engle, the secret isn't a secret at all—it’s LinkedIn. This week on In The Writer's Chair, host Lana McAra pulls back the curtain on the "business" side of show business with a guest who successfully pivoted from magical realism books to writing for some of the biggest names in entertainment.

Jaimie shares the specific LinkedIn strategies that landed her a manager and multiple movie deals, why "attraction" beats "self-selling" every time, and how authors can bridge the gap between their published books and the silver screen.

In This Episode, You’ll Discover:

• The LinkedIn Revelation: Why high-level producers and Hallmark executives consider LinkedIn—not X or Instagram—the premier networking hub for writers.
• The "Hook" Bio: How to treat your LinkedIn profile like a landing page, featuring your CTA (Call to Action) and publications as your "calling card."
• Relationship vs. Sales: The "Thank You" DM strategy and why sending a 17-page bio to a producer is the quickest way to get blocked.
• Leveraging the "Gaps": How Jaimie used the industry strikes as a quiet time to build meaningful relationships with Warner Brothers animation executives.
• Professional Coverage: Why spending $300-$500 on a mentor or professional script reader is a non-negotiable investment before pitching a million-dollar project.
• Chapter Drops & Pitching: A look at Jaimie’s latest venture, helping novelists adapt their intellectual property for film and TV.

Instructive Insight: The "Six Steps to Kevin Bacon" Networking Strategy

Jaimie credits her network growth to a specific "engagement loop" on LinkedIn that leverages mutual connections to build authority.

• Follow the Leaders: Don't just connect with producers; follow them and observe their activity.
• The Comment Strategy: Engage with the people commenting on high-level posts. These are often the gatekeepers or peers within the same circles.
• Social Proof: When you eventually reach out to a new contact, LinkedIn highlights your mutual friends. In Hollywood, being "vetted" by association is often the only way through the door.

About Jaimie Engle

Jaimie Engle is a versatile storyteller across books, film, and TV. In 2023, she wrote and sold the film Just Jake and has developed stories with DreamWorks Animation. With over 25 books to her name, she is a winner of the Kirkus Choice Book of the Year and the Writers of the Future Award. She is the founder of Chapter Drops, a service dedicated to helping authors connect with producers.

Connect with Jaimie:

• Website: jaimieengle.com (Check out her "Pitch Drop" services!)
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jaimieengle (Follow her for tips on attracting producers!)
• Social Media: Find her on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube @jaimieengle.

Connect with Lana McAra:

• Podcast: In The Writer's Chair
• Publisher: Vendela Publishing

Ready to see your name in the credits? Subscribe for more insights on how to turn your "unputdownable" fiction into a Hollywood reality!