Mike Fleming

Elizabeth Gabler’s Fox 2000, one of the more prolific studio book buyers, has closed a deal for screen rights on Delirium, the Lauren Oliver novel which hit the New York Times bestseller list for childrens books in its first week of release. At the same time, Fox 2000 has a first look on all future books written by Oliver, and has signed a first look deal with Paper Lantern Lit, the company that Oliver co-founded, for titles generated under that banner.  Delirium is set in a dystopian world where love is treated as a curable disease and compassion and affection are forbidden weaknesses. The book was originally optioned by producer Paula Mazur and Miami bookseller Mitchell Kaplan through their Mazur Kaplan Company.

Oliver wrote Before I Fall, the story of a high school girl who relives her last day on earth. That book was adapted for Fox 2000 by Maria Maggenti and is being produced by Jon Shestack. Fox 2000’s Carla Hacken is supervising both projects.

Oliver hatched Paper Lantern Lit last year with Lexa Hillyer, specializing in fiction for young readers. They’ve set up 13 books so far.