HBO for Perrotta

Tom Perrotta’s new novel isn’t even out yet, and it’s already being turned into an HBO series. Called “The Leftovers,’’ the book, which hits shelves next month, is about a group of suburbanites left behind after the Rapture. Perrotta, who lives in Belmont, is writing the pilot for the hourlong drama and will also executive produce the show. We’re optimistic. Perrotta’s had good luck with adaptations of his earlier work: The big-screen versions of his books, “Election,’’ which starred Reese Witherspoon, and “Little Children,’’ with Kate Winslet, both turned out rather well.