Author and screenwriter Arianna Burt is transitioning from a decade of behind-the-scenes film production to the spotlight. Her debut fantasy novel, ‘Despite the Gods,’ reached #1 on Amazon charts while she co-wrote the upcoming Greek mythology film ‘The Prince, the Sister, and the Serpent.’
‘Despite the Gods’ Success Launches Literary Career
Arianna Burt’s debut novel, ‘Despite the Gods,’ began as an unexpected creative outlet during the COVID-19 lockdown and has since debuted at #1 on Amazon’s fantasy charts. What started as “just one line of dialogue” during the quiet of quarantine slowly evolved into a complete epic dark fantasy world.
The novel introduces readers to Rhekran, a warrior feared as “the God Killer,” who becomes bound to an untested Echohand and drawn into the mysterious Loom, where destiny and free will collide. Burt’s approach to the character reflects her broader storytelling philosophy: “I wanted to show that characters can be powerful and happen to be female, not powerful despite being female.”
Her character-driven writing style, developed through her English studies at Montana State University, draws inspiration from fantasy authors including Robin Hobb, Brandon Sanderson, and Patrick Rothfuss, as well as literary voices like Cormac McCarthy and Carlos Ruiz Zafón. The book represents her transition from behind-the-scenes producer to published author and marks her second Amazon bestseller in 18 months.
Co-Writing ‘The Prince, the Sister, and the Serpent’ Cadmus Movie
Burt’s most ambitious project is ‘The Prince, the Sister, and the Serpent,’ the Greek mythology film she is co-writing with director Omar Parker for Egerton Crescent Productions. The dark fantasy epic explores the myth of Cadmus, the legendary Phoenician prince and founder of Thebes.
Set to begin production in summer 2026, the film follows Cadmus as he attempts to rescue his sister Europa from Zeus, only to incur a divine curse that dooms his bloodline. The story combines dragon-slaying adventures with the founding of ancient Thebes, featuring mythological figures including Poseidon, Hera, and other Greek gods.
Casting has just begun, with many more to come. But so far the cast includes Constantine Gregory as The Narrator, Nicolas J Greco as Poseidon, Martin Davis as King Agenor, Emily McGonagle as Hera, and Abraham Mejorado as Young Cadmus. Burt serves as both screenwriter and executive producer alongside Omar Parker, Charles Burt, and Abraham Mejorado.
Her preparation for the Cadmus screenplay included extensive research trips across Greece and the Mediterranean, where she immersed herself in the cultures and landscapes that inform the narrative. “Researching on the ground was essential,” Burt explains. “You cannot capture the atmosphere of a place without spending time in it, listening to people, and letting the environment tell its own story.”
At Egerton Crescent Productions: Shaping Stories
Since 2015, Burt has been part of Egerton Crescent Productions, where she oversees script development and creative partnerships. The company has produced films showcased at major international festivals, including Cannes, Sundance, and Tribeca. Official selections include the shorts ‘Damiana’ and ‘Eden’ at Cannes and ‘Ultraviolet’ and ‘Mud’ at Sundance.
The transition from novel writing to screenwriting has required significant adjustments for the Cadmus movie. “The hardest part of moving from novel writing to screenwriting has been cutting back on the big, layered worldbuilding I love—you don’t get as much time for that on screen,” she notes, while working to ensure characters and settings remain “full and immersive” within cinematic constraints.
Her creative process remains consistent across mediums. She begins with handwritten first drafts to explore character dynamics before layering in details during revisions with input from her creative team. When facing writer’s block, she either steps away to recharge or dives into research, as cultural and historical details often spark new inspiration.
During her tenure at ECP, Burt has built a significant social media presence. She helped create the viral travel show ‘Side Quest,’ which garnered millions of views, and developed her personal Instagram brand to over 400,000 followers, along with pushing the show’s stars Charles Burt and Omar Parker to over a million followers. ‘The Prince, the Sister, and the Serpent’ represents her most high-profile screenwriting project to date, bringing an untold Greek mythology story to the big screen.
Looking toward the future, Burt envisions herself as “a writer-producer whose stories really connect with people, whether on the page or on screen.” As ‘The Prince, the Sister, and the Serpent’ move toward its 2026 filming schedule, she continues balancing roles as author, screenwriter, and creative producer, representing a multimedia storyteller whose decade of behind-the-scenes experience is now informing their emergence as a visible creative force in both literary and cinematic spheres.
