’13 Reasons Why’ Exec Producer Joy Gorman Partners With Rise Literary to Adapt Projects, Launch New Publishing Imprint

Rise Literary has partnered with television producer Joy Gorman (“13 Reasons Why,” “Unprisoned,” “Little House on the Prairie” to adapt new book-to-screen projects. As part of the deal, Gorman’s Joy Coalition and Rise Literary will launch a new publishing imprint through Simon & Schuster.

Under the new deal, Gorman will work closely with Rise Literary CEO Kristen McGuiness and her team “on creative development and strategy for the publisher’s slate of books and expanding reciprocal opportunities for adaptation across all media,” according to an announcement. “Together, they will leverage influential support for projects long before publication, while also sourcing books from stories initially conceived for the screen.”

As for the new publishing imprint, sales and distribution will go through Simon & Schuster and “connect TV and film IP with trade publication, ebook, and audiobook opportunities with national and international distribution.”

“As Rise continues to elevate our authors to best sellers and changemakers, we are working to create real momentum for books across all media,” McGuiness said in a statement. “Few publishers have figured out how to maximize the book to screen pipeline but Joy’s incredible track record as an adaptation expert makes her the perfect guide to navigating new ways to develop material for the screen and from the screen.”

First up under the new Rise Literary and Joy Coalition collaboration is the upcoming suspense novel “The Revenge Party,” by Emily Paulson, which releases in May 2026.

“I’m so impressed by what Kristen and the team at Rise have built. It’s an innovative publishing entity that allows authors, especially women, to champion their own stories, many who may have otherwise been overlooked,” Gorman said in a statement. “This is an opportunity to place Rise IP with Career Producers who get projects made with the care they deserve, as well as provide new pathways for storytellers in response to the contraction in the traditional Hollywood business model.”

Upcoming projects for Gorman’s Joy Coalition include Netflix’s updated version of “Little House on the Prairie” for Netflix. Gorman was a producer on HBO’s “Eyes on the Prize 3,” and exec produced “13 Reasons Why” for Netflix, Hulu’s “Unprisoned” and Apple TV’s “Home Before Dark.”

Rise Literary clients include authors that have landed on the New York Times and other bestseller lists.