Event Details
Join author Edward Ashton (Mickey7, The Fourth Consort) and award winning director and producer, Spencer Sherry (The Monkey [2023], Anomaly) in this tell-all panel about adapting and optioning literary works into short and feature length films.
From Edward’s journey seeing his novel turned into to a feature film directed by Bong Joon Ho (Mickey 17) to Spencer’s experience as the first filmmaker to officially adapt Stephen King’s “The Monkey”, this enlightening and entertaining panel will share real-life stories about the world of book-to-film adaptations. Bring your own questions too as Spencer and Edward will be taking part in a brief audience Q&A at the end of their panel discussion!
Panelists
Edward Ashton- Author (Mickey7,The Fourth Consort)
Edward Ashton is the author of seven published novels, including Mickey7 (now a motion picture directed by Bong Joon-ho and starring Robert Pattinson and Mark Ruffalo), The Fourth Consort, and After the Fall (forthcoming from St. Martin’s Press in February, 2026). His short fiction has appeared in venues ranging from the newsletter of an Italian sausage company to Escape Pod, Analog, and Fireside Fiction.
In his spare time, he enjoys cancer research, teaching quantum physics to sullen graduate students, and whittling. You can find him online at edwardashton.com or on most social media platforms @edashtonwriting.
Spencer Sherry- Director and Producer (The Monkey [2023], Anomaly)
Originally from Laurens, NY, Spencer sampled several colleges in Albany before swapping out higher education for Production Assistant gigs on NYC-based projects like Set It Up, Maniac, and Downey’s Dream Cars. Taking that big-budget experience back to the Capital Region, he became the first person to officially adapt the Stephen King short story “The Monkey” – his debut film. He then went on to produce the award-winning short film “Anomaly” as well as the upcoming “Las Hadas de la Sombra”, furthering his passion for stories that blend human drama and the fantastical.
Spencer works as the Grants and Community Outreach Coordinator for Saratoga Arts, distributing $250k annually to local artists. He is a founder of, and creative directs, the Saratoga Film Showcase, and currently serves as the President of the 518 Film Network – a nonprofit dedicated to supporting upstate filmmakers. You can otherwise find Spencer building a patio at his house in Greenfield Center, performing a Billy Joel song at karaoke night, or eating at the bar with Lauren.
Moderator
Timothy Egan- Media Analyst & Content Creator
Tim is Part-Time Faculty at Vermont Sate University since 2014 currently teaching Business and Communications & Journalism at the Lyndon & Johnson campuses; and in the Cannabis Studies Certificate Program at the Castleton campus. From 2016-22 he was Co-Director of NVU’s incubator Without Walls, that supports small business development with experienced student labor. In 2022, he added the roles of AFT 7810 Part-Time Faculty Union Delegate and Castleton’s CSCP Internship Coordinator.
As a media consultant, he specializes in broadcast and web based video content services for education, entertainment, marketing and media affairs – practicing in New England, the NY Metropolitan area & Eastern Canada. While a Founder and Partner at Moody Street TV from 2006-2018, he created award winning programming for the: Boston Bruins, Boston Celtics, Curry College, Head Of The Charles Regatta, Mass BioTech Council, Mass Bankers Association, MIT’s Technology Review, Major League Lacrosse, NBC Sports Boston, NECN, NESN and numerous political candidates.
As the inaugural Marketing Chair for the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences he promoted its brand growth, then incorporated its promotion into his role as Chair of Strategic Planning. Regionally he served two terms as President, was Founding Co-Chair of Presidents Council, National Trustee in 2010-2012, and currently serves as Treasurer of the Boston/New England Chapter. He has two New England Emmy Awards as Writer/Director/Producer, among his 28 Emmy Nominations during his 25 plus year media career in New England.
In 2018 he was elected to the NH House of Representatives for Grafton District #2. In 2020 he was re-elected. In 2019 was named Chair of the House Cannabis Caucus. Upon leaving office he became Chair and built out the NHCANN Board of Directors. He was a Business Representative on The NH/Canada Trade Council from 2014-24 and currently the northern states Vice President for the New England Canada Business Council. He’s a Board Member and Past-Treasurer for Catamount Arts in VT and Marketing Chair on Coos Economic Development Corp. board. In his spare time he received an M.S. in Marketing (’15) magna cum laude at SNHU.edu and lives in/enjoys the White Mountains of NH with his wife Betty & daughter Maggie.
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