New York Times best-selling novelist Josh Malerman is one of the most prolific voices working in the horror genre today, and with To All The Books, he’s adding “documentary director” to the mix. The old adage says “write what you know,” and for Malerman’s first documentary, he’s turned the camera on himself.
Malerman’s books have been adapted into major films, including Bird Box, starring Sandra Bullock, one of the most-watched movies on Netflix (over 45 million views in its first week), and Universal Pictures’ upcoming Other Mommy, starring Jessica Chastain (based on Malerman’s Incidents around the House). As a founding member of the band The High Strung, Malerman is also one of the songwriters behind “The Luck You Got,” which fans of the TV show Shameless will recognize as the show’s catchy theme song.
Simply put, he’s a bit of a Renaissance man. And despite years of creating, Malerman must also face “the terror of the blank page and accept the rollercoaster ride of living the life of an artist,” the official press release explained. Through this documentary, audiences can follow Malerman on his journey to write his next book and witness his creative process—warts and all.
FANGORIA is proud to debut the exclusive trailer for the film, which you can check out below:
Antenna Releasing recently acquired the film, a boutique distributor specializing in curated theatrical engagements and robust, filmmaker-forward physical media releases. “This movie isn’t about writing… it’s about writing a specific book,” Malerman said in a statement to the press. “And, if I pulled it off, viewers will feel the enthusiasm, the strain, the funny stuff, the dark stuff, the whirlwind, the ecstasy… so that maybe, just maybe, they feel inspired upon finishing, galvanized to go write a book, make a movie, of their own.”
Malerman has been transparent about his plans to document the writing process from the very beginning, and after he posted on social media about it, filmmakers Scott Beck and Bryan Woods (A Quiet Place, Heretic), alongside producer Julia Glausi (Head of Film/TV at Beck/Woods), immediately reached out to Malerman and his producing partner at Spin a Black Yarn, Ryan Lewis, to ask how they could be involved.
From there, they then enlisted the support of Strange Loop Studios (longtime collaborator Shane Simmons and company founder David Huzieran) to help make it happen.
“As storytellers and collaborators, we are so grateful to have had front row seats for this unflinching look at Josh's world as he crafts his next bestseller. This is exactly the type of film we love to watch to find inspiration anytime we are starting a new project. For anyone that has ever wondered what it might have been like to be in the room with Stephen King as he wrote The Shining, this is for you.” Said Scott Beck and Bryan Woods.
“One of the things that makes Josh such a great author is his connection to his audience, and this movie is the perfect evolution of that. Working with Antenna is so exciting because of their crucial focus on theatrical, roadshow, and physical media, the best way to release indie films right now.” Added Simmons and Huzieran.
The news came directly from the folks at Antenna Releasing, who are thrilled to add Malerman’s voice to their slate. Chief Acquisitions Officer Billy Ray Brewton said: “We need more artists like Josh who are so willing to open themselves up to strangers and showcase the high highs and low lows of the creative process. We couldn’t be happier to be bringing this intimate, insightful, and educational film to audiences and artists everywhere!”
Beck and Woods added: “As filmmakers, and also as theater owners ourselves, we could not have found a better distribution partner than Antenna Releasing. Their bold choices and support of the theatrical ecosystem is important to film lovers everywhere.”
To All the Books is produced by Josh Malerman, Ryan Lewis, Scott Beck, Bryan Woods, Julia Glausi, David Huzieran, and Shane Simmons, with executive producers Amir Daiza, Carlos Carmona, and Julian Carmona.
Antenna has dated the film for a late-Fall 2026 roadshow and theatrical release. The VOD date will be announced later this year, with plans for a physical media release in 2027.
