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The Australian actors who have made it big in Hollywood are now household names. Think Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman.
But in the past few years, our novelists have also found success, if not fame, as their books are adapted for the stage and screen.
Liane Moriarty's Big Little Lies was turned into a blockbuster TV series; Saroo Brierley's A Long Way Home became hit film Lion; and Markus Zusak's The Book Thief hit cinemas after becoming an international bestselling book.
So how does this work? How do the authors feel about giving creative control of their work over to others? And which actors do they want to play their beloved characters?
To find out we spoke to three authors who are currently at varying stages of this process.
Graeme Simsion
Book: The Rosie Project
Optioned by: Sony Pictures
Status: At the casting stage
Simsion's debut novel about a socially awkward professor who designs a 16-page questionnaire to help him find the perfect partner went global.
It has since sold more than 3 million copies and spawned a sequel, The Rosie Effect.
What's less well known is it was originally written with a film in mind and the rights to Simsion's screenplay were purchased in 2013 — in a process known as "optioning".
Since then he has been forced to play the waiting game.
"An option is an option, it's not a commitment to make the movie," Simsion told News Breakfast.
"I can tell you that the casting is the issue."
Simsion said the production house wanted genuine Hollywood A-listers in the central roles and this had delayed any film being made.
"If they weren't looking for A-list actors I think the thing would be made by now," he said.
"But romantic comedies are traditionally A-list vehicles."
Names like Ryan Reynolds and Jennifer Lawrence have been tossed around, while Simsion said Bill Hader was a fan favourite.
The book is set in Melbourne, but Simsion has no problem transporting the story to the US or UK, saying his goal was to write a narrative that was international in theme.
However, he does have some preferences for the type of actor cast.
"I would like to see someone cast against type, not someone we've seen in that role before. It's just finding that sweet spot," he said.
So just how involved will he be, given he has written the screenplay?
"Do I see how much they tinker with it? First of all, I have no rights about their tinkering with it," he said.
"So if they change the whole thing completely, then I lose my writing credit.
"It's Hollywood and that's the way they work. You just get used to it."
Jane Harper
Book: The Dry
Optioned by: Reese Witherspoon
Status: Yet to be produced
After taking an online writing course just two years ago, journalist-turned-author Jane Harper found critical acclaim with her debut novel, The Dry.
The story revolves around a bush murder mystery and Federal Police agent Aaron Falk, who is drawn into the investigation after visiting his hometown for the funerals.
As momentum grew behind the book, Harper's agent got in touch with a film agent, who sent the book to US-based, Australian-born film producer Bruna Papandrea, who then got in touch with actor Reese Witherspoon.
"They decided it fit the kind of aesthetic they were looking for and then I got this phone call saying they were interested," Harper said.
Unlike Simsion's work, a film adaptation of The Dry will stick with the Australian setting and involve local actors and director.
"We did have discussions early on about whether it was something that would be translated or whether I'd like to see it translated, but I think we all were very much in agreement that Australia would be the best place to set it," she said.
"It was quite important to keep that Australian setting."
Harper is also hopeful work will get underway very soon.
"Right from the start, when they first said they were interested in optioning it, one of the key messages was they don't like to sit on stuff," Harper said.
"They like to take on projects they want to develop in the near future and they're quite fast movers."
Harper has since written a follow-up novel featuring Falk and is more than happy to stick to novels without getting too involved in the film process.
"I actually feel completely fine about [not being involved]. It doesn't trouble me at all," she said.
"I think you get the best results when you let the experts do the best job in their setting."
Still, she can't help but daydream about the type of actors cast — especially for Falk.
"I think more than any specific name or any physical traits, I would love for them to cast … someone who has that kind of warmth that he has," she said.
"It's more that kind of personality I'd love to see brought out."
Leigh Hobbs
Book: Horrible Harriet
Produced by: CDP Theatre Producers
Status: Stage musical currently touring
Bestselling children's author Leigh Hobbs has been in the game for more than two decades, and has seen his work adapted into various formats.
The former art teacher's humorous picture books include a cast of characters like Horrible Harriet, Old Tom and Mr Chicken.
Old Tom was made into a TV series in 2001 and aired in France, Australia, the UK and US.
Now, a stage musical of Horrible Harriet is touring Australia and is about to begin its Western Australia leg.
"I was flattered. I've learnt from experience to step back and let the adaptors run with it," Hobbs said.
"But it's terrific. I mean I just love the that kids get pleasure from the characters."
Hobbs admits he found it hard to step back when the Old Tom show was being made as at the time it was his only character.
"So I was a little bit of a nervous nelly. I was protective," he said.
"But he did come up alright and kids loved him, so I've learnt from that experience to step back a little bit."
Since then, the process has become more enjoyable.
"I saw the rehearsals at the Sydney Opera House [for Horrible Harriet] and I thought it was terrific," he said.
"It's very funny and the kids seem to love it."
Topics: arts-and-entertainment, books-literature, film-movies, australia
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