I've wanted to adapt Lan Samantha Chang's novella "Hunger" to script for a long time, but have not been able to reach the author to obtain permission. Miracles happen once in a blue moon in forums like this, so I ask: Would anyone be able to help?

Well, for the purposes of the Script Frenzy challenge, you don't have to have the rights to make an adaptation; it's only if you have the script produced that you'll need to pursue the rights.

As for reaching someone FOR those rights, I have no idea how to go about it, but would imagine that you would need to contact their agent (if they have one) or publisher (if they don't.)

I generally use public services like Wordpress and other blogs to write these NaNoWriMo-type things). Do you know if I'd need permission for writing a publicly-accessible adaption?

Sarah Chalfant, a literary agent with the Wylie Agency, is Lan Samantha Chang's agent for HUNGER. You can contact her regarding rights through the Wylie Agency at:

Sarah Chalfant
The Wylie Agency
250 West 57th Street, Suite 2114, New York, New York 10107
Phone (212) 246 0069 / Fax (212) 586 8953
www.wylieagency.com

Hope that helps you.

This can be a hang up to beginning. Don't let it be, as has been said you don't need any rights for Script Frenzy. Remember this is a writing exercise.
Should you produce a masterpiece worthy of movie making you can and should obtain the rights. It helps to have a team of lawyers and boodles of cash when you go looking for those rights and, oh yeah, a real masterpiece of script writing.

I like adaprations because it's easier to keep your story going if you don't have to make it up. I think it's a good idea to retitle your story right away. Characters need not change at least for Script Frenzy.
JMHO JOHN G.

NOT A GOOD IDEA. By making it publicly accessible, you're in effect publishing it. NO. NO. NO. NOT A GOOD IDEA.

If you are posting it online, I would probably call it a fanfiction in script form. Fanfiction is generally overlooked by authors and publishers, since it's hardly a competing product. But as others have said, if you have any intention to produce the script, you should probably keep it offline and contact the agent or publisher for information on rights.

Actually, that can depend. You need to request permission regardless of the medium it's being shared on. There are different kinds of rights; and most people aren't interested in giving away any of them.

As someone else noted, that's more of a fanfiction sort of thing. it's not strictly legal, nor is it illegal... the law hasn't caught up with the technology yet. However, it's generally accepted by lawyers and content/isp providers that the original author has t he right to say you can't use their work.

If you want to share your work in any way freely or otherwise, it's generally best to find out what the original author's policy is on fanfiction, and get permission.