Joe Hill on the surprising reason he writes a screenplay every year
Joe Hill, the acclaimed author known for his gripping novels and short stories, recently shed light on an often-overlooked aspect of his career: screenwriting. While his latest novel, *King Sorrow*, has garnered attention since its October release, Hill revealed in a candid interview with Mashable that he writes a screenplay every year—not for the financial gain, but primarily for the healthcare benefits provided by the Writers Guild of America (WGA). This revelation highlights the intersection of creative work and practical needs, particularly in light of personal circumstances that have made healthcare a pressing concern for Hill and his family.
In 2024, Hill faced a significant challenge when his wife, Gillian, was diagnosed with cancer, requiring costly surgery. Hill shared that the operation alone would have set them back $60,000, but thanks to the healthcare coverage he secured through his screenwriting, they were only responsible for a mere $700. This experience underscored the vital role that his screenwriting plays in their lives, as Hill stated, “it’s impossible to put a value, to me personally, on the work I do as a screenwriter.” Currently, he is revising a screenplay adaptation of an unpublished novella, which he is developing with director Scott Derrickson, known for his work on *The Black Phone*—a film adaptation of Hill’s short story. This collaboration not only showcases Hill’s talent as a screenwriter but also emphasizes the supportive network within the industry that has helped him navigate challenging times.
Looking ahead, Hill remains committed to his dual path of writing novels and screenplays, aiming to produce a new screenplay each year alongside his literary works. He is excited about upcoming projects that involve adaptations of other authors’ works, indicating a willingness to explore new creative avenues. Hill’s journey serves as a reminder of the often unseen realities that writers face, balancing artistic passion with the practicalities of life, and the importance of healthcare in enabling them to continue their craft. As he continues to thrive in both literature and film, Hill’s story resonates with many in the creative community, illustrating the profound impact that access to healthcare can have on artists and their families.
Alongside his novels, Joe Hill is paid to write a screenplay each year. But he doesn’t do it for the money.
Hill, whose new novel
King Sorrow
published in October, has also found success in the world of film and TV through adaptations of his work. For example,
The Black Phone
franchise is based on his 2004 short story, and
King Sorrow
is currently being developed for TV. While news of adaptations of Hill’s work is frequently reported in the trades, his screenwriting hasn’t been widely publicized. Sitting down with Mashable recently to speak about everything from
Stephen King references
in his new novel to
AI
, though, he confirmed that it’s a big part of his professional life.
“I write a screenplay every single year,” Hill told Mashable. “And I do it for the healthcare.”
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Hill explained that he gets healthcare for his family through the
Writers Guild of America (WGA)
, which is the union that represents screenwriters. In order to be eligible to receive this, you have to meet annual minimum earning requirements. In 2024, Hill’s wife Gillian
received a cancer diagnosis
that required surgery. Having insurance through the WGA saved the family tens of thousands of dollars.
“There were a whole bunch of tests, you know, and consultations in the lead-up to the operation, but the operation alone was $60,000,” Hill said. “Because I have Hollywood healthcare that I get for writing screenplays, I only had to pay 700 bucks. So in a very practical way, it’s impossible to put a value, to me personally, on the work I do as a screenwriter, because it’s so important to have access to that healthcare insurance.”
Hill explained that the screenplay he’s working on at the moment is a an adaptation of his own work.
“Right now I’m revising a screenplay that I was paid for for 2025,” he said. “The script I’m working on now is an adaptation of an unpublished novella that I’d written that will be published eventually.”
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Hill said there was a lapse in his healthcare coverage a while back that led to him going round Hollywood to try and drum up some work — and writer/director Scott Derrickson, who directed
The Black Phone
, wanted to help out.
“He treated it like we were talking about
his
family healthcare,” said Hill. “He’s like, ‘We’re booking you a gig.’ And, you know, we talked about possibilities, and then I sent him this novella I had written that hadn’t been published, and a pitch for how I’d adapt it, and he got psyched. And he’s like, ‘We gotta do this.’ And so he got me the gig to write the script. Now I’m revising it for Sony Screen Gems.”
“it’s so important to have access to that healthcare insurance”
Hill’s wife has now made a full recovery, but Hill still thinks of screenplay writing as “the best thing I can do for my family.” He’s going to keep working on one every year, alongside
his plans to write a novel each year in his fifties
.
“The next two things I’ve got lined up are adaptations of other people’s words,” Hill said, “which I’m really excited about.”
