Stuart Land

Stuart Land

About

About Stuart Land

I began writing while working as a sculptor in Los Angeles on many well-known films such as Aliens, Predator, The Abyss, Poltergeist 2, Beetlejuice, Independence Day, and many others. I was mentored in film directing by Jim Pasternak, Dov S-S Simens, and others, and mentored in film producing by Fred Caruso, all well-known industry professionals. I also pick the minds of the various actors, directors, and writers from the movies I worked on for creative insight. 

I wrote/produced/directed/edited four short student films, and a spec TV series. I’ve written 19 screenplays to date.

As well, I write narrative fiction where I've published 8 novels in various genres. A short story is included in the anthology, Lost in Thailand. The book, How to Write Dialogue, includes dialogue samples from several of my novels.

At the end of 2015, I finished a teaser trailer for my own supernatural thriller that was shot in Thailand. www.nightkillmovie.com.

I’m now writing an historical fiction novel based on real events. CURRENTS OF WAR is a story about a German Jew growing up in the Weimer Republic and pre-war Nazi Germany, and his eventual incredible journey of escape. This isn’t a story about soldiers at war, but of normal people caught up in the throes of war, of fear, courage, and survival.

*****

Awards for Screenplays:

TODD MCCOY'S ADVENTURE WEST (family adventure) – won the Grand Prize in two contests in 2014: action adventure category for Table Read My Screenplay, and family category for Screenplay Festival.

THE MACHINE (YA sci-fi) – sold script to Chinese production company 2012

CLAIMING LIVES (crime thriller) – won 2nd place, One In Ten 2012.

DHARMA (spiritual animation) – won 5th place, Writesafe 2005

MICHAEL’S GARDEN (psychological surreal thriller) – finalist, Writesafe 2005; semi-finalist, Filmmakers International Screenwriting Awards 2005

Awards for Novels:

BACK FROM THE DEAD: the true sequel to Frankenstein - Finalist WriteMovies 2005.
(2013 approached for option by Lawrence Konner, writer/producer - Sopranos, Boardwalk Empire)

SHADOW HOUSE – quarterfinalist, Amazon's Breakthrough Novel Awards 2009

ORIGINAL BLOOD: Gailene’s Vow (book 1, vampires series) - quarter-finalist, Writer’s Network; semi-finalist WriteMovies 2009.

EPIPHANY & ORIGINAL BLOOD – both nominated Reviewers Choice Award: best read of 2011, Paranormal Romance Guild – EPIPHANY won, and went on to be a best seller on Amazon at #9.

CLAIMING LIVES & CROSSING THE DOUBLE YELLOW – nominated best in thriller & action adventure, respectively, Paranormal Romance Guild – 2012

ENDLESS SKY - placed 3rd in Reviewer's Choice, science fiction book of the year, Paranormal Romance Guild – 2013

The Magic Word

The Magic Word

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Description

<p style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height:115%;font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;font-size:12pt;">Elisabeth was rude and selfish and demanding, and therefore had very few friends.<span>  </span>When she sent out invitations to her birthday party, no one accepted.<span>  </span>Her mother warned her that she needed to improve her manners and to try to get along with people.<span>  </span>She told Elisabeth that she needed to use the magic word “Please”.<span>  </span>So when Elisabeth went to school the next day, she thought of her mother’s advice, “What is the magic word?” and she started saying “Please” and also “Thank You”.<span>  </span>She tried to become more thoughtful of others, and discovered that she was a much happier person.<span>  </span>Imagine her pleasure when she returned home to find out that her new friends were all coming to her birthday party!</span><span style="line-height:115%;font-family:Arial, 'sans-serif';font-size:10pt;"></span></p><p></p>

Story Behind The Book

This story started with the character PJ McAvoy and the very first line of the book. I wanted to explore the humanistic side of what makes a person evil. I wanted to craft a character, that though evil, would also elicit empathy and compassion. I've found through my own life experiences that we are a sum of nature, nurture, and dumb luck. To give meaning and balance to a character's actions, I felt that the only way to do it was through a mirror image of the character. Only in the case of this mirror, we don't know which is the reflection. Though I can appreciate a fun, beach read, I don't enjoy writing them. This story, hopefully, is a bit of both, thrill ride and brain teaser. I hope you enjoy it.

Reviews

<p><span style="color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:sans-serif, Arial, Verdana, 'Trebuchet MS';font-size:13px;line-height:20.8px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);">Twilight Zone and Alfred Hitchcock move over, there's a new kid in town.</span><br style="color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:sans-serif, Arial, Verdana, 'Trebuchet MS';font-size:13px;line-height:20.8px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);" /><span style="color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:sans-serif, Arial, Verdana, 'Trebuchet MS';font-size:13px;line-height:20.8px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);">I have to say right here &amp; now, Mr Land's writing style is absolutely beautiful. The words dip &amp; flow &amp; pull you into this tale of evil &amp; bizarre happenings. Glimpses we get into PJ's mind &amp; life are so well described you can see, feel &amp; actually smell what’s happening. Secondary characters are a great group of people. Land manages to bring these different characters together in this spine tingling tale with just the right amount of humor &amp; mystery. I truly enjoyed every second of this book. </span> Penelope Adams - Paranormal Romance Guild</p> <p><span style="color:rgb(17,17,17);font-family:verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:small;line-height:18.2px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);">SHADOW HOUSE - HONEST to God, Stuart - that is the BEST HORROR novel I have ever read - Stephen King and Dean Koontz had better take notice!!! I really could not put the book down! I love BRAD - he reminds me of my Rico der Hunter III. You are so right - Aaron's thoughts (page 3) HOOKED ME - - - HE is all of us! Claire, WOW - I wish I could MARRY HER!</span></p> <p><span style="color:rgb(17,17,17);font-family:verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:small;line-height:18.2px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);">Michael Phelps</span></p> <p>Excellent Read By A Major New Talent<br /> By James A. Anderson &quot;Author&quot;<br /> An amazing new young author has descended on the literary scene. SHADOW HOUSE is an engrossing, truly enthralling read. Mr. Land has an inventive, sometimes very weird imagination and takes his reader on a roller coaster ride of thrills, action and twists and turns where you really don't know how it's going to end up. His writing is outstanding. Do yourself a favor and buy it.</p> <p>5* (SHADOW HOUSE) ...very much stay on the edge of your seat...lots of surprises that kept me guessing from one minute to the next. If you like mystery with some supernatural thrown in get this book. It will have you asking &quot;What came first the chicken or the egg?&quot;  bear lover (Eastern Shore, MD)</p>