MAYO, Fla. — A Mayo author’s first book has been optioned for film rights by BCDF Pictures.

Cassie Dandridge Selleck first published “The Pecan Man” in 2012 using Kindle Direct Publishing after traditional publishers rejected her book, saying it was too short at 146 pages. 

“It has been a crazy, exciting experience,” Selleck said. 

She said she moved to Lafayette County with the intention of becoming a writer. 

“A couple of the rejections were actually encouraging to me,” Selleck said. 

She said one publisher actually requested the entire manuscript instead of just the first three chapters. 

Selleck said the rejection of it being to short told her she had something special and had to decide to re-write the story to lengthen it or self-publish. 

“The craziest thing was that it just started selling,” Selleck said,. “I didn’t do anything, I told my family and friends about it.”

“The Pecan Man” has sold more than 200,000 copies. 

The story is described as a cross between “To Kill a Mockingbird” and “The Help,” about a black man who’s arrested for murder and the truth about the crime that an elderly white widow and her black maid keep secret for 25 years.

“The story is about how seeing someone’s life from a different perspective can change what you believe,” Selleck said.  

Selleck has been able to review the script and give comments on it.

“I got to weigh in on it,” Select said. 

She said she has objected to some things that were changed in the script but she understands for film, changes need to be made.

She has not seen the final script.

“I really feel like they are going to honor the characters and I can’t wait to see what they do with it,” Selleck said. 

So Yong Kim is on board to direct the independent film. Kim’s debut feature “In Between Days” won the special jury prize at the Sundance Film Festival. Her two films, “For Ellen” and “Lovesong” also premiered in competition at Sundance.

Kim has also directed episodes of “Queen Sugar,” “Transparent,” “Halt and Catch Fire,” “Vida,” and “Get Shorty.”

Selleck’s other books include “What Matters in Mayhew” and “The Truth About Grace,” a sequel to “The Pecan Man.”