Sunday, November 30, 2008

Juliet Johnson Signs with Haydenburri Lane

Juliet Johnson, author of the Mother's Day, 2008 release Somebody's Always Hungry, extends her universe as a motherhood blogger by signing today an agreement to pen a weekly blog on the website of Haydenburri Lane, a creative media company that specializes in solution-oriented entertainment focused on healthy habits and daily routines for children.

Launched in 2002 with the Bedtime Safari products, Haydenburri Lane has expanded its offering and vision to position itself as the childhood routine company. As part of that growth, in 2008 it launched the Rascals & Routines brand to establish Haydenburri Lane as "The Healthy Habits Place." Commencing with a distribution arrangement through Nordstrom stores, Haydenburri Lane's children's slippers, books and stuffed animals are a growing fixture in department stores, bookstores and gift shops throughout the world.

Juliet Johnson's blog for Haydenburri Lane is available at http://www.haydenburrilane.com/blog/index.php.

Ms. Johnson has experienced a very busy 2008. Already a popular motherhood blogger coming into the year, she began the New Year by establishing her own literary blogsite for adults (short stories, essays, reflections on life, humor). Her motherhood book Somebody's Always Hungry was released in May to glowing reviews and worldwide attention. "Cleverly disguised as a collection of anecdotes by a harried new mother who might be just like someone you know, the book is a lighthearted but gutsy meditation on time, mortality and surrender," said Imperfect Parent in its May 4th review. The book was featured in Foreword Magazine's July / August edition as one of the seven best motherhood books of the year: "...a great gift for a smart woman who suddenly finds that most of her conversations and activities revolve around providing food for ungrateful little people who make enormous messes."

Over that summer, leading home improvement maven Don Vandervort (HomeTips.com) read a copy of Johnson's book that had been given to his daughter-in-law after the birth of his grandchild and asked Ms. Johnson if she would be interested in blogging for his site. Thus, the popular blog Mom About the House was born in September. (http://hometips.com/mom-about-the-house.html)

Similarly, Haydenburri Lane founder and president Hilary Hayden Burri recognized a kindred spirit when she read the stories in Ms. Johnson's book. She believed that a Johnson blog would be an asset on her website. Called Safari Mom, it launches this week.

The book's website can be accessed at http://www.somebodysalwayshungry.com/. Ms. Johnson's two (funny and poignant) personal blogsites can be linked from there.

Juliet Johnson's plays have been produced at Mobtown Players, SoHo Repertory, The Samuel French One-Act Play Festival, and Coffeehouse Theater, among others. Her non-fiction has been published in Los Angeles Family, Mamazine, MOMbo and The Imperfect Parent, as well as in three anthologies.

An NYU grad, she grew up traipsing around the back lot of Universal Studios with her brothers while her dad made television shows. "Working on movies and T.V. made me think that dreams were possible, and that you could get paid a lot of money for standing around in your shorts." She currently lives on the outskirts of L.A. with her husband, her muses (Nathan, Emma and baby Lilly), her surfing stepson (sometimes) and Gramma Moose.

Somebody's Always Hungry is published by Nell Books, an imprint of Wyatt-MacKenzie Publishing. It is distributed by Ingram Book Group and Baker & Taylor. (hard cover: ISBN #9781932279924, paperback: ISBN# 9781932279870)

Avon A to publish Michelle Obama Style Guide

In a post-election purchase, Avon Vice President and editorial Director Carrie Feron has acquired a yet-untitled MICHELLE OBAMA STYLE GUIDE, to be written by Mandi Norwood, an award-winning editor-in-chief of American and European women's magazines and successful author of numerous books. The Obama style guide will be published by Avon A/an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, in spring 2009. The timing is perfect: rumors are already flying that the First Lady will appear on Vogue's March 2009 cover.

Avon A's Michelle Obama style guide will be a four-color trade paperback, and will include design sketches, tips on how to achieve Obama's iconic style, and numerous related sidebar fashion features

Feron notes, "Not since Jackie O have we had a First Lady become a fashion icon. Michelle Obama will be one of history's most vibrant first ladies; she has a distinctive style that every American woman can aspire to...whether the consumer is a Target shopper, or someone more likely to be found on Miracle Mile."

Michelle Obama has a flair for fashion; and a keen sense on how to apply her tastes...tastefully...in a depressed economy. Michelle sported an H&M dress while campaigning in Detroit, Michigan. BlackBook magazine notes, "Given the economy’s recent downturn, it looks as though Michelle Obama’s style choices continue to be spot on." Her style runs the gamut: Narciso Rodriguez on Election Night; Chicago-based Maria Pinto for a post-election photo session at the White House; J. Crew casual on the campaign trail; emergent designer Thakoon at the DNC (note - Thakoon debuting an offshoot line at Target on Christmas Day).

Avon A is an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers. HarperCollins, one of the largest English-language publishers in the world.

Sunday, November 23, 2008

Tan Books and Publishers Acquired by Saint Benedict Press

A leading publisher of traditional Roman Catholic books has been acquired by Saint Benedict Press, LLC, a North Carolina-based publisher of Catholic Classics. Established in 1967, TAN Books and Publishers have published more than 600 books distinctive for their preservation of the traditional literature of the Roman Catholic Church. In recent years, TAN has struggled to survive financially and most recently has been operating under the protection of the United States Bankruptcy Court.

Early last week, the assets of TAN were purchased by the owners of Saint Benedict Press.

TAN Books and Publishers will remain an independent imprint within Saint Benedict Press, maintaining its brand identity and publishing direction under Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Brent Klaske, who will assume General Management duties. He will be based at TAN's Rockford, Illinois offices.

"This is an exciting new day for TAN," said Mr. Klaske. "As a 15-year Executive employee of TAN, I am thrilled that we will be able to continue our mission of sharing faithful Catholic books with people around the world. The resources and commitment that our new ownership brings to the table will ensure the future stability and growth of TAN while still maintaining our fidelity to the Catholic Church and its teachings."

Among the Classics published by TAN Books and Publishers are the Baltimore Catechism series, the Douay-Rheims Bible and dozens of biographical treatments by and about the Saints, including such favorites as St. Teresa of Avila's Conversation with Christ, St. John of the Cross's Dark Night of the Soul, The Secret of the Rosary by St. Louis de Montfort, and The Dialogue of St. Catherine of Siena.

To visit TAN Books and Publishers, please visit www.tanbooks.com.
To visit Saint Benedict Press, please visit www.saintbenedictpress.com.

Sunday, November 09, 2008

Rotman/UTP Publishing Launches New Imprint and Inaugural Titles

The University of Toronto's Rotman School of Management has partnered with the University of Toronto Press to create Rotman/UTP Publishing, a new imprint devoted to publishing actionable business information of exceptional quality.

"In recent years the Rotman School has earned a global reputation for thought leadership," says Roger Martin, Dean of the Rotman School. "Our faculty's research ranks in the top 20 worldwide, and individual areas and professors rank even higher. This new partnership with UTP will allow us to further our reputation for offering the very latest in business thinking."

On October 30, Rotman/UTP Publishing will launch its inaugural title, Bruce Little's "Fixing the Future: How Canada's Usually Fractious Governments Worked Together to Rescue the Canada Pension Plan." The book explains how the CPP was overhauled from 1993 to 1998 and shows why it stands as one of Canada's most significant public policy success stories. The launch event will take place at 5:00 pm at the Rotman School, 105 St. George Street in downtown Toronto. Little has worked as a journalist and policy analyst, primarily at The Globe and Mail as an economics writer and columnist, and recently as Special Adviser to the Governor of the Bank of Canada.

"We are excited by this tremendous opportunity to publish leading business authors for our customers: businesspeople, scholars, and students across North America and internationally," says John Yates, President, Publisher and CEO of University of Toronto Press.

Next on board for Rotman/UTP Publishing is a compilation of expert views from ten Rotman faculty titled "The Finance Crisis and Rescue: What Went Wrong? Why? What Lessons Can be Learned?", which is set for release in late November, just in time for holiday gifts. A launch event for this book will take place on December 3 at 5:00 pm at the Rotman School.

The imprint's Advisory Board will oversee the publication of works that bridge research and practice.

Founded in 1901, the University of Toronto Press is Canada's oldest scholarly press and one of the largest university presses in North America, releasing over 150 new scholarly, reference, and general-interest books each year, as well as maintaining a backlist of over 1500 titles in print. For more information, visit http://www.utppublishing.com/

Sunday, November 02, 2008

The Wumblers and Mackinac Island Press Announce New Publishing Partnership

The Giddy Gander Company has granted exclusive publishing rights for The Wumblers book series to Mackinac Island Press (Traverse City, Michigan).

An entire line of board, picture, activity, and sound books is scheduled to launch Holiday 2009. Both English and Spanish versions will be created.

In addition, exclusive rights for calendars, giftware, party supplies, and greeting cards have also been granted to Mackinac Island Press.

"We are excited to be publishing the Wumbler book line. The success of its top rated television show on TBN, Sorpresa! and other networks, and how they've been building the entire brand provides a tremendous publishing opportunity. The books will not only teach children great lessons that will last a lifetime, children will love them because they are fun and colorful and capture their imaginations. We are excited because Wumblers is not only a great brand, but a it has a great group of people behind them who are completely committed to the mission of sharing Wumblers and their great messages with children around the world.." --Anne Lewis, Publisher, Mackinac Island Press.

Laura J. Wellington, creator of The Wumblers brand and CEO of The Giddy Gander Company, remarks, "Partnering with Mackinac Island Press was an obvious choice. Both companies share the same strong and public commitment to making the world a better place for ALL children. In teaming the two companies together, we will now be doing this as a united front."

Tate Publishing To Ink Movie Deal

Oklahoma-based Christian publishing company Tate Publishing & Enterprises LLC announced it has reached an agreement with Critical Mass Productions to produce a feature film and several short films based upon some of its titles. Critical Mass Productions is also based in Oklahoma.

According to Ryan Tate, president of Tate Publishing, the company has been searching for manuscripts and screenplays to bring to the silver screen for more than a year.

"We couldn't be more excited," said Tate. "In addition to a feature film we will also probably turn 15 to 20 of our released books into short films." Tate said turning the books into films "will once again help Tate Publishing authors succeed and have opportunities like they can't anywhere else."

Tate Publishing new filmmaking connections provide yet another reason why aspiring authors should consider the company as the launching pad for their creative works. Prior to announcing the movie deal, Tate Publishing also jumped on the movie trailer bandwagon. The Christian publisher now makes a 30 second video trailer available for each of its titles.