Every entry, in either micro-series track, is built from this book.
Participants will receive a digital copy of the book to use as source material.*
BOOK ADAPTATION SERIES · PRESENTED BY PROOF OF WHAT'S POSSIBLE
Verticals For Good
Micro-Series Challenge
Adapt Havilah Malone's #1 best selling book Rewriting A New History: A Spiritual Path to Audacious Authenticity and Healing into a 10–12 episode vertical micro-series script. Prove the format can do more than hook an audience — it can change a life.
DEADLINE TO SUBMIT
October 30, 2026
ABOUT THE CHALLENGE
Verticals, done differently.
01Prove the formatShow that vertical micro-drama can carry stories of real transformation, not just spectacle.
02Build a rosterIdentify writers ready to adapt empowerment and transformation IP for future projects.
03Write the scriptEmerge with a fully developed, production-ready micro-series script.
04Win the roomPut the winning writer's work directly in front of the industry at the LA Vertical Drama Market, in Los Angeles.
The vertical micro-drama format is one of the fastest-growing storytelling engines in the world — and, too often, one of the most exploitative. The Verticals For Good Challenge exists to prove the same format that hooks millions of viewers a day can be used with intention: to heal, to empower, and to tell stories that leave people better than it found them.
This Challenge is the pilot case study for that mission. Every entrant works from the same source material — 4x Best Selling Author Havilah Malone's own book — competing not on concept, but on interpretation, craft, and command of the vertical form.
TWO WAYS IN
Choose your track.
The genre is wide open. Bring a rom-com, a thriller, a family drama — whatever the theme demands. Declare your track when you submit.
TRACK A
Direct Adaptation
A structural adaptation of the book's actual narrative — its arc, its characters, its central scenes — reimagined for a 1–3 minute vertical episode format.
TRACK B
Thematic Reimagining
An original story, in any genre, built around one or more of the book's core themes — self-sabotage, ancestral healing, control versus surrender, etc. — without following its literal plot.
THE SOURCE MATERIAL
The book behind the Challenge.
4X BEST SELLING AUTHOR HAVILAH MALONE
Rewriting A New History: A Spiritual Path to Audacious Authenticity and Healing
Losing everything that defined her was the only thing that finally let her find herself. If you've ever needed permission to fall apart, this is it. A $160M career, a layoff that changed everything, an Ayahuasca ceremony, a shaved head — Havilah Malone's true story is a transformation arc built for the screen. Now it's yours to adapt.
"A beautifully illustrated masterpiece sure to stimulate the heart, mind, and soul of any spiritual seeker."
WHO'S BEHIND IT
About Havilah.
Havilah Malone is a 4X best selling author and executive producer, a Sundance Collab x TikTok Micro-Series alumna, and a speaker at major media and film events including Festival de Cannes in France, and the LA Vertical Drama Market in Hollywood.
"My mission is to be a catalyst for positive change in over 2 billion people's lives, and inspire people to Be Proof Of What's Possible."
WHAT TO SUBMIT
Submission requirements.
| Element | Spec |
|---|---|
| Title & Track | Working title, plus Track A or Track B |
| Genre | Open — any genre |
| Logline | One sentence, core conflict and hook (250 characters or fewer) |
| Script (PDF) | Full script, all 10–12 episodes, standard screenplay format |
| Series Bible (PDF) | 1–3 pages — tone, visual language, audience fit |
| Pitch Document (PDF) | Three sections: Synopsis (full series arc, ≤500 words) · Character Bios (2–4 main characters — name, age, personality, core motivation, ≤500 words total) · Source Engagement Note (200–300 words on the passages or themes that inspired the entry) |
You’ll submit your title, track, genre and logline on a short form, plus a link to one shared folder holding your three PDFs, set to “Anyone with the link can view.” Submissions are final, so submit only when your entry is complete.
Entrants may use AI tools for research, outlining, or proofreading — but the core creative work (scenes, dialogue, character, structure) must be the entrant's own original human authorship.**
WHO CAN ENTER
Eligibility.
- Open internationally, regardless of location
- English-language submissions only
- Entrants must be 18 or older at time of submission
- No fee to enter
- Individuals or teams of up to 3 people may apply; the prize is shared among all team members
- One entry per individual or team
KEY DATES
Timeline.
Oct 1, 2026
Registration opens
Oct 5, 2026
Live Q&A with Havilah on Zoom, 5:00 PM PT
Oct 30, 2026
Deadline to submit
Nov 5–7, 2026
LA Vertical Drama Market — winner announced live
WHAT'S AT STAKE
Prize.
WINNER
$2,000
+
- Script featured live at the LA Vertical Drama Market, Nov 5–7
- Consideration for the Verticals For Good writer roster
TWO RUNNER-UPS
- A 1-on-1 coaching session with industry experts, Roberta Sparta (Sparta Productions) or Kay Ross (Story Math)
- Consideration for the Verticals For Good writer roster
QUESTIONS
FAQ.
What qualifies as a micro-series for this Challenge?
A serialized story told across 10–12 short episodes, each 1–3 minutes, built for vertical viewing.
Is there an application fee?
No. There is no cost to enter.
Can non-U.S. citizens apply?
Yes. The Challenge is open internationally. All submission materials must be in English.
Is there an age requirement?
Entrants must be 18 years of age or older at the time of submission.
Does my adaptation have to follow the book directly?
No. Track A entries adapt the book's story directly, but Track B entries can build an original story around the book's themes, in any genre, without following its literal plot or characters.
Can I use AI tools to help write my submission?
AI tools are welcome for research, outlining, or proofreading. The core creative work — scenes, dialogue, characters, and structure — must be your own original human authorship. Sponsor reserves the right to request supporting materials — drafts, notes, or other evidence of process — to verify original human authorship of any entry.
How do I submit my entry?
Put three PDFs in one shared folder (Google Drive, Dropbox or similar): your full script, your series bible and your pitch document (synopsis, character bios and Source Engagement Note). Set the folder to “Anyone with the link can view,” with no password. Then submit the short form with your title, track, genre, logline and folder link. Registered entrants receive the submission link by email.
Can I change my entry after I submit?
No. Submissions are final, and there is one submission per writer or team, so please submit only when your entry is complete. Keep your folder link open and your files unchanged until the winner is announced.
How will entries be judged?
Every entry is scored out of 100 points across seven categories: Structure & Episode Craft (20), Concept & Hook (15), Source Engagement (15), Character & Emotional Truth (15), Writing Quality & Dialogue (15), Alignment with Mission (10) and Production Readiness (10).
Will entrants be provided a copy of the book to use as source material?
Yes. Participants will receive a digital copy of Rewriting A New History for use as source material during the Contest period. This copy is for reference only and may not be shared, redistributed, or reproduced. All source material rights remain with the author.
READY?
Register for the challenge.
Fill in the form below. You'll get a welcome email with your copy of the book right away, then everything you need to write and submit your script.