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.
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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
