A New Blueprint: A Spiritual Journey to Bold Authenticity and Recovery by Havilah Malone, artwork by Zuri Scott, serves as the challenge’s foundational text.
Havilah Malone (right) leads a discussion alongside Astrid Carlen-Helmer during the LA Vertical Drama Market. Credit: Danna Kinsky.
Participants turn Havilah Malone's #1 bestselling work into a 10-12 episode vertical micro-series. $2,000 prize; the victor is revealed live at the LA Vertical Drama Market.
Every brand is purchasing our attention. We're crafting the narratives that justify the exchange.”— Havilah Malone, Founder, Verticals For Good
LOS ANGELES, CA, UNITED STATES, October 7, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — Havilah Malone, a four-time #1 bestselling author and actress recognized for roles in HBO's "Barry" and "Insecure" plus CBS's "NCIS: New Orleans," has unveiled the Verticals For Good Micro-Series Challenge. This worldwide competition centers on a single query aimed at entertainment's fastest-rising format: could a micro-drama potentially alter someone's life?
Writers are tasked with transforming Malone's #1 bestseller, "Rewriting A New History: A Spiritual Path to Audacious Authenticity and Healing," into a 10–12 episode vertical micro-series. The victor takes home $2,000, and the chosen script is unveiled during the third annual LA Vertical Drama Market, a three-day event uniting filmmakers, producers, platforms, and executives from November 5–7, 2026, at Capital Arts in Los Angeles. There is no entry fee, and submissions close on October 30, 2026, at 8:59 p.m. PT.
A SURGING FORMAT IN SEARCH OF ITS NEXT NARRATIVE
Micro-dramas—serialized tales delivered in one- to three-minute vertical clips designed for mobile viewing—pulled in roughly $11 billion worldwide in 2025, with projections from industry analyst Omdia indicating $14 billion by the close of 2026, including $1.5 billion from the U.S. market. Much of this output still leans heavily on revenge storylines, wealthy love interests, and cliffhangers crafted purely for the following swipe.
"The format largely exists to capture attention and keep viewers amused," noted Malone, who founded Verticals For Good. "Our approach is to deliver stories that both entertain and inspire change."
CHALLENGE STRUCTURE AND RULES
Participants select from two categories. Track A: Direct Adaptation adheres closely to the book's narrative. Track B: Thematic Reimagining draws on a central concept to craft an original tale across any genre, spanning rom-com to thriller. The competition welcomes writers aged 18 and above from any country, whether working solo or in groups of up to three, with all submissions presented in English. Those who register are given a complimentary digital edition of the book.
A single runner-up earns a private coaching session with Kay Ross, who founded Story Math, while another receives the same from Roberta Sparta, head of Sparta Productions. Ross is slated to appear at this year's LA Vertical Drama Market, and Sparta has previously participated as a speaker."
The contest also takes a definitive stance regarding artificial intelligence. Contestants may employ AI for research, outlining, brainstorming, and formatting purposes, yet the essential storytelling—covering scenes, dialogue, characters, and plot—must originate from their own creativity.
A MANUSCRIPT DESIGNED FOR VISUAL MEDIUM
"Rewriting A New History: A Spiritual Path to Audacious Authenticity and Healing" chronicles Malone's trajectory from overseeing a $160 million technology sales division at HP through an abrupt termination, followed by her path toward recovery and self-understanding. The concluding section introduces her S.H.I.N.E. framework: Stop Settling, Heal Internally, Ignite Your Passion, Network with Winners, Empower Others.
"An ayahuasca ritual. A shaved head. Life handed me a transformation narrative I couldn't have scripted," Malone stated. "This book grants permission to unravel and rebuild as your true self. I want writers to extend that same permission to countless others, one episode at a time."
BEYOND A SIMPLE COMPETITION
This challenge marks the initial phase of a broader vision. Verticals For Good is assembling a collective of writers skilled in converting empowerment and self-development books into vertical series for authors, publishers, and corporate clients, with the winning entry emerging as a production-ready script.
Malone, who completed the Sundance Collab x TikTok Micro-Series Writers Program, is also scheduled to join the LA Vertical Drama Market as a featured panelist, where she'll outline the Verticals For Good framework and the commercial prospects it presents.
Verticals For Good is actively seeking discussions with:
• Studios, streaming services, and vertical platforms seeking meaningful series that audiences complete and recommend
• Companies and foundations exploring corporate responsibility and impact initiatives, such as backing future contests, writer fellowships, and branded productions
• Investors drawn to mission-focused entertainment spanning publishing and short-form video
• Publishers and authors looking to bring their works to the vertical screen
• Universities and film schools wanting to introduce students to this medium
"Brands pour billions into capturing people on their devices," Malone remarked. "Picture that same screen time leaving viewers improved. That's the collaboration we're developing."
MEDIA AND PARTNERSHIP CONTACTS
Malone is open to interviews discussing the challenge, the expansion of vertical drama, and storytelling with intentional impact. Press, studio, brand, and investor queries may be directed to havilah@verticalsforgood.com or 323-497-3429.
Writers can find additional details and sign up at www.verticalsforgood.com, and view the recording of Malone's live Q&A session about the challenge at www.verticalsforgood.com/qa.
ABOUT HAVILAH MALONE
Havilah Malone wears many hats as an actress, producer, host, motivational speaker, and four-time #1 bestselling author. Her television credits include HBO's "Barry" and "Insecure" along with CBS's "NCIS: New Orleans." Previously a national spokesperson for QVC and HSN, she managed a $160 million technology sales operation at HP prior to dedicating herself to storytelling. She holds certifications as a Napoleon Hill Foundation Instructor and a Master Certified Practitioner of Neuro-Linguistic Programming.
ABOUT VERTICALS FOR GOOD
Verticals For Good operates as a movement and creative enterprise leveraging the vertical micro-series format to deliver stories that entertain while fostering transformation. Its debut project, the Verticals For Good Micro-Series Challenge, is sponsored by Proof Of What's Possible. Additional information is available at www.verticalsforgood.com.
Havilah Malone
Verticals For Good
+1 323-497-3429
havilah@verticalsforgood.com
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Verticals For Good Challenge Q&A Recording featuring Havilah Malone with guest Kay Ross
