Bermudian-born Karen Franks is set to pitch her new book to American film professionals looking for the next big animated series.

Ms Franks is about to publish her first title, ‘Abigail’s Dream Adventures’, aimed at children between the ages of 3 and 8, and it is hoped it will be released by Christmas.

This Friday and Saturday she is due to attend the Book-to-Screen PitchFest, held at the Marriott Marquis hotel in New York’s Times Square.

“I cannot believe that I have this opportunity already. I have only just written my first book, so to be involved in this is beyond all my expectations,” said Ms Franks, who already has a second book in the pipeline.

Robert Kosberg, known as the ‘King of the Pitch’ will deliver the main presentation at the event, offering insider tips for creating an effective pitch.

Ms Franks and the others involved will then deliver their individual pitches to seven entertainment industry professionals.

The two authors who deliver the most popular projects of the day will then pitch to Will Wallace at a later date via video conference for consideration with his production company.

Others may also be contacted at a later date to progress their ideas.

Ms Franks, who is married with two sons, is self-publishing her book and publisher Author House suggested she should enter the contest.

Ms Franks’s book, which has two stories, is about a precocious little girl named Abigail who has wonderful adventures during the day and mystical, magical dreams at night, with her friends joining in her dreams from around the world.

“I grew up in Bermuda and various provinces in Canada and from an early age I had a vivid imagination and loved to dream,” she said. “I always enjoyed writing and drawing imaginative stories in school.”

Ms Franks, mong other things, is the director of marketing/business development for the Good Riddance Girl estate sales company, a family owned business.

“I hope the producers like the concept, but even if I don’t have the opportunity to have my book become an animated series, I’m still really excited by the event and the opportunity to learn from the experience,” she said.