T. J. Newman
Bornc. 1983 or 1984
EducationIllinois Wesleyan University (2006)
Notable work

Torri Jan Newman (born 1983 or 1984),[1] better known as T. J. Newman, is an American author and former flight attendant.

Early life

Newman grew up in Mesa, Arizona.[2] She studied musical theatre at Illinois Wesleyan University,[3][1] graduating in 2006.[1]

Career

Following her studies, Newman moved to New York City to pursue an acting career, but was unsuccessful.[3][4] After two years, Newman returned to her parents' home in Phoenix and worked at Changing Hands, an independent bookshop, until 2011.[1][3] She worked at Virgin America and Alaska Airlines until she was furloughed during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic.[5]

In July 2021, Newman published her debut novel Falling.[6] The novel was rejected by 41 agents before being accepted by Shane Salerno.[6][7] It debuted at #2 on the The New York Times bestseller list.[6] The film rights for the novel were sold to Universal and Working Title for $1.5 million, with Newman set to write the script.[8]

In June 2023, Newman released her second book, titled Drowning: The Rescue of Flight 1421.[9] A bidding war for the movie rights to the novel took place in March, with figures such as Nicole Kidman, Alfonso Cuarón and Steven Spielberg expressing interest.[10] That November, it was announced that a film adaptation of the book would be directed, adapted and produced by Paul Greengrass for Warner Bros.[11][12]

Personal life

Newman's mother and sister are also flight attendants.[3][4]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Egan, Elisabeth (June 30, 2021). "A Flight Attendant Drafted Her Novel on Cocktail Napkins. It Took Off". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on November 25, 2022. Retrieved December 25, 2023.
  2. ↑ Bland, Karina (May 16, 2021). "What would happen if ... ? Flight attendant's idle question grows into a novel". The Arizona Republic. Archived from the original on December 7, 2022. Retrieved December 25, 2023.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Flood, Alison (May 4, 2021). "'Jaws at 35,000 feet': the flight attendant whose debut thriller sold for seven figures". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on June 5, 2023. Retrieved December 25, 2023.
  4. 1 2 Boykin-Patterson, Eboni (July 2, 2023). "Former Flight Attendant T.J. Newman Makes Millions Writing Your In-Flight Nightmare". The Messenger. Archived from the original on July 2, 2023. Retrieved December 25, 2023.
  5. ↑ Sampson, Hannah (June 7, 2023). "A flight attendant was furloughed. Now she's a best-selling novelist". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Archived from the original on May 31, 2023. Retrieved December 25, 2023.
  6. 1 2 3 Holliday, Kayla (July 15, 2021). "Falling Author TJ Newman Reacts to Her Spot on the Bestseller List: "I Never Dreamed This Big"". Vanity Fair. Archived from the original on June 5, 2023. Retrieved December 25, 2023.
  7. ↑ Baker, KC (May 24, 2023). "From $35K a Year to 5 Seven-Figure Deals: Flight Attendant-Turned-Author T.J. Newman is Living Her Dream". People. Archived from the original on August 22, 2023. Retrieved December 25, 2023.
  8. ↑ Jr, Mike Fleming (March 21, 2023). "As T.J. Newman Is Set To Adapt Debut Novel 'Falling', Her Follow-up 'Drowning: The Rescue Of Flight 1421' Drops In Hollywood". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on November 30, 2023. Retrieved December 25, 2023.
  9. ↑ Rancilio, Alicia (May 30, 2023). "T.J. Newman returns with a novel that's on par with summer movie blockbusters". Associated Press. Archived from the original on September 28, 2023. Retrieved December 25, 2023.
  10. ↑ Lang, Brent (April 18, 2023). "Anatomy of a Megadeal: How Flight Attendant-Turned-Novelist T.J. Newman Sparked a Hollywood Bidding War for 'Drowning'". Variety. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
  11. ↑ Fleming Jr, Mike (November 28, 2023). "Paul Greengrass To Adapt, Direct T.J. Newman Novel 'Drowning: The Rescue Of Flight 1421' For Warner Bros". Deadline. Archived from the original on December 8, 2023. Retrieved December 25, 2023.
  12. ↑ Rubin, Rebecca (November 28, 2023). "Paul Greengrass to Direct Adaptation of T.J. Newman Novel 'Drowning' For Warner Bros". Variety. Archived from the original on December 8, 2023. Retrieved December 25, 2023.
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