Searching for a Book to Adapt? MediaScout Aims to Ignite Your Next Find.

      If you've ever attempted to locate the rights to a book or find new material that Hollywood hasn't already exploited, MediaScout might be just what you need.

      This new service from Ingram Content Group, based in Nashville, allows producers to pay $149 a month to discover who holds the rights to millions of books and unearth hidden gems, including self-published works that have yet to gain mainstream attention. While you can't read full books on MediaScout, you can access summaries and filter results by specific subjects and audiences to pinpoint exactly what you're looking for.

      We spoke with Margaret Harrison, Ingram’s vice president for digital services, about how Ingram is expanding its reach to attract production companies seeking that “spark” — specifically, fresh, unique, and unexplored stories.

      The company aims to eliminate the time producers or their teams spend scrolling through platforms like Goodreads. MediaScout can significantly reduce the time spent searching for quality material and simplify the often complex process of determining ownership.

      The service is now operational after a recent beta testing phase and is ready for anyone in search of a great story.

      MovieMaker: MediaScout can assist if I read a book, love it, and want to know the rights holder, or if I'm looking for books I haven't read yet.

      Margaret Harrison: Absolutely. MediaScout is operated by Ingram Content Group, which is the world’s largest book distributor and services company. We possess information on millions of books. This service is built on the most comprehensive information platform about books available. So if you're searching for a specific title, you can input an ISBN, which identifies the book, or enter a title and author to retrieve information on that particular book.

      Additionally, we have a production company that pitches ideas to major studios, and they were one of our beta testers. For instance, if I'm in search of a coming-of-age story featuring an African-American protagonist aimed at women aged 35 to 55, I'm searching for that unique “spark.” Previously, I would have needed to sift through online bookstores to find what I wanted.

      During our research, we learned that producers and studios often spent countless hours reading thousands of reviews on Goodreads. Traditionally, finding that spark required extensive manual effort or a stroke of luck, or perhaps reliance on an editor at a specific publishing house to pitch content.

      The issue with that approach is that it tends to yield a fairly homogeneous perspective. Currently, the publishing industry faces challenges, notably with many white editors and a limited range of stories being told from particular points of view. MediaScout offers a significant opportunity to democratize access to diverse stories and serves as a comprehensive resource to broaden creative possibilities.

      How MediaScout Assists in Finding Rights Holders

      MovieMaker: A producer can search for a book, secure the rights, and then engage a screenwriter to adapt it, right?

      Margaret Harrison: Exactly. Ingram maintains a vast catalog of traditionally published books, but what's unique about us is that we also operate the second-largest self-publishing service, Ingram Spark. This gives access to a wealth of previously undiscovered voices, including debut authors and writers who may not have succeeded in traditional publishing.

      We house hundreds of thousands of self-published titles alongside bestsellers and traditionally published works. Self-publishing has significantly lowered the barriers to entry in our industry, resulting in tens of thousands of new books being released every year. This makes it challenging to discover new content beyond just the best seller lists.

      MovieMaker: The process of tracking rights is fascinating. When I recently viewed Sinners, I found myself curious about “Crossroad,” arguably the most famous blues song, and I struggled to determine who owned its rights — it was incredibly complex. I can imagine it's similar for books, particularly older ones.

      Margaret Harrison: It poses a considerable challenge in music. Royalty distributions are a significant topic here in Nashville, and we often hear similar concerns in the book industry. Ingram has been involved in book distribution for over 60 years, cultivating relationships with publishers, and more recently, with self-published authors, booksellers, libraries, and literary agents. Thus, it’s a natural progression for us to partner with rights representatives on the agent side.

      MovieMaker: Could you explain how Ingram generates revenue from this? What are the costs associated with using MediaScout, and are there any fees for authors promoting their work?

      Margaret Harrison: Our suppliers are publishers and literary agents, and they are not required to pay to provide information. However, if you're a studio or production company, you will pay for access to MediaScout. The online registration is straightforward — you just enter your credit card information, and it’s $149 a month for a license to use MediaScout, granting you access to all the information available on the site.

      MovieMaker: Many producers have shared their struggles with locating material. You seem like the ideal company for this, considering your resources.

      Margaret Harrison: We do maintain an extensive catalog