Sunday, March 29, 2009

PM Moon Publishers, LLC Signs Amy Allgeyer Cook

Amy Allgeyer Cook's entry "The Iron Bodkin" took Grand Prize in the PM Moon Publishers, LLC First Annual New Authors' Writing Contest.

According to Mara C. Forsythe, Managing Editor, they are currently working on a title change. "We are moving forward with Amy's book, including a look at a number of different titles".

Ms. Forsythe refused to offer any hints as to what the new title will be.

"Amy will announce it on her new blog at the same time that we send out the information," said Mara.

Although this is Amy's first book, she has been published in Family Fun, Stories for Children, and A Fly in Amber. She is a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, and holds a diploma from the Institute for Children's Literature.

A graduated from NC State University with a degree in Architecture her first job was designing churches. She is also an alumnus of the Highlights Foundation Workshop for Children's Writers at Chautauqua.

These days, Amy spends her time renovating historic homes and working on her next novel. She's written five books, including the sequel to The Iron Bodkin. She lives in a hundred-year old home in Boise, Idaho with her husband and son, one cat and the oldest living Betta fish on the planet.

She loves to play soccer, volleyball and tennis. Whenever possible, she travels the world. The most exotic place she's been is Morocco, where they serve boiled sheeps-brains in open-air marketplaces.

Someday, she hopes to own a little stone house in Europe …she doesn't even care which country. She loves reading fiction and her favorite author is Susan Cooper. Amy also enjoys eating brussel sprouts, cheese and Indian food but doesn't care much for chocolate...or sheeps-brains.

Sunday, March 22, 2009

Youthful Wisdom Launches Eco-Conscious Press for Teen Literati

Recognizing the dearth of traditional publishing outlets for teen authors, Andrea Colston launched Youthful Wisdom Press, a Green publishing house that provides young aspiring writers an opportunity to be seen, heard and appreciated in print.

With a veritable "children should be seen, not heard" mentality, the young adult (YA) genre has traditionally been dominated by adult writers. Andrea Colston, founder of the newly launched Youthful Wisdom Press, believes that young aspiring writers should be seen, heard and appreciated for their unique literary perspective. As such, she has dedicated herself to publishing works by authors between the ages of 13 and 18.

A mentor of at-risk youth, Colston is well aware of the outlet writing can provide for young people. "At the end of the day, teens are who I write for, so I can't help but want to give back to them. Completing a novel, seeing your work selected for print, and putting some elbow grease into promoting your book. It's a wonderful self-confidence builder," Colston explains of her impetus for launching the press.

"Besides, teens have unbelievable stories to share; stories we—and their peers—should hear," she adds.

Other than the fact that they do not receive an advance (payment is in royalties), authors who publish with Youthful Wisdom Press will enjoy a traditional publishing experience—from acceptance to first pass pages to promotion tours (albeit virtual). Writers will also enjoy an expedited publication schedule—typically 9 months to 1 year—and the knowledge that their books are printed on acid free, virgin fiber paper.

"The Janette Rallisons, Tina Ferraros and Louise Rennisons of the YA world shouldn't get nervous just yet about our young authors nipping at their heels," explains Colston. According to recent reports, sales in this genre are rising, even amidst flailing adult book sales. A December 2008 Publisher's Weekly article noted that juvenile fiction sales at the end of the Thanksgiving holiday were up 33.7% more than last year, and a recent Children's Book Counsel sales survey indicated a more than 25 percent increase in the past few years. "There are plenty of readers to go around!" she reassures.

Youthful Wisdom Press is an independent traditionally run company that specializes in publishing material written by young adults, ages 13-18. Not merely youth-conscious, but Earth-conscious as well, Youthful Wisdom Press is a Green Press Initiative member. All their books are printed on acid free, virgin fiber paper; promotional material is printed on 30% post consumer recycled paper. To learn more about Youthful Wisdom Press or founder Andrea Colston, please visit www.youthfulwisdompress.com

Orson Scott Card, Internationally Bestselling Author, To Publish New Young Adult Series

Orson Scott Card, author of the enduring bestseller ENDER'S GAME and winner of the 2008 YALSA Margaret A. Edwards Award for Lifetime Contribution to Young Adult Literature, will publish an exciting new series for younger readers with Simon Pulse, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing. Card has published numerous works in many genres, but is best known for his science fiction and fantasy work. Anica Rissi from Simon Pulse acquired World English rights to the first three books in this as-yet-untitled Young Adult series through Barbara Bova at The Barbara Bova Literary Agency. The series-launching debut hardcover title is set to be published in Spring 2011.

Sunday, March 15, 2009

HarperCollins to Launch 'It Books' Imprint in September 2009

HarperCollins Publishers, one of the largest English-language publishers in the world, today announced the launch of It Books, a new popular culture imprint dedicated to entertainment, music, fashion, design, and sports.

The first books in the new imprint will be published in September 2009. Among the projects on the inaugural list are books by burlesque artist Dita Von Teese, style guru Amanda Brooks, bestselling author Neil Strauss, and comedians Paul Provenza and Aaron Karo; Charlie Cross's illustrated history of Led Zeppelin; the legendary Larry "Bozo" Harmon's posthumous autobiography; and the first authorized Twitter book. Future authors will include actress Molly Ringwald and bestselling recording artists Debbie Harry, Johnny Rotten, Toni Braxton, and the mythical metal band Spinal Tap.

It Books will be directed by Carrie Kania, Senior Vice President and Publisher. The editorial team for the imprint will be lead by Mauro DiPreta, Vice President/Associate Publisher, and Cal Morgan, Vice President/Editorial Director. Ms. Kania and Mr. Morgan are currently the Publisher and Editorial Director of Harper Perennial respectively, and will retain those roles.

"It Books will be a new way for us to reach readers like us--people with an endless appetite for pop culture, who live for music and film and art and fashion and the Internet," said Carrie Kania. "An It book should be fun. It should be interesting. It should be cool. It should look great. Working with Cal and Mauro, we're going to have the chance to publish some great books and market them in new and interesting ways. I'm really excited about this opportunity."

Book Publisher Marion Street Press Sold to Acorn Guild Press

Book publisher Marion Street Press of Oak Park., Ill., has been acquired by Acorn Guild Press of Portland.

According to Ed Avis, the founder and president of Marion Street, the time was ripe for selling the firm to a publisher capable of continuing to expand the brand.

Acorn Guild acquires 38 titles in the Marion Street portfolio. Included in the sale are such popular books as "The Art of Column Writing," "The Buzzword Dictionary," "Pen & Sword," and "The Concise Guide to Copy Editing."

Marion Street Press books are distributed by Independent Publishers Group. Acorn Guild plans to move its distribution to IPG.

The sale was effective on March 1.

The acquisition of Marion Street Press by Acorn Guild was brokered by Noel Griese of Anvil Brokers of Atlanta. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Sunday, March 08, 2009

Dozier Internet Law's John W Dozier Jr Inks 'Google Bomb' Book Deal

John W Dozier, Jr., a veteran of the Internet industry and President and Founder of Dozier Internet Law, a law firm specializing exclusively in the law of the Internet, has inked a book deal with veteran publisher Health Communications, Inc. (H.C.I.) to share his perspectives on the story of Sue Scheff and online attacks.

Tentatively entitled "Google Bomb", it will provide the only insider account of Sue Scheff's historic journey to obtaining an $11.3 Million defamation court judgment. Mr. Dozier will follow Ms. Scheff's journey and provide an unprecedented perspective covering the landscape of online attacks and the solutions for families and businesses all along the way.

Mythica Publishing Acquires e-Book Rights for Nightmares and Daydreams

Mythica Publishing has acquired the publishing rights to American author Barbara Watkins' superb short story collection, Nightmares & Daydreams.

Ms. Watkins is a resident of Sikeston, Missouri where she lives with her family and husband. She is the latest in a string of experienced authors to be signed up by Mythica who continue to expand their list of authors daily. Such include the talented UK authors Harry Porter, Gladys Hobson, and Thomas D. Cooke.

Barbara Watkins is an author of such thriller's as 'Behind the Red Door' and
'Thorns of an Innocent Soul'. 'Nightmares & Daydreams' is a superb collection of short stories that showcase the talents of the author who specializes in the writing of psychological and paranormal thrillers.

HarperCollins Inks Deal With No. 1 Bestselling Rock Band Bon Jovi

HarperCollins Publishers announced a deal to publish the first ever official Bon Jovi book, Bon Jovi: When We Were Beautiful. Celebrating the band's 25th anniversary, the book contains never-before-seen photographs and exclusive text from the band and will be published next October by the Collins Design imprint. Bon Jovi: When We Were Beautiful will also serve as a companion to a major documentary about the band being released at the same time.

The story of Bon Jovi's career -- spanning three decades, countless hits, sold-out stadiums -- reads like a timeline of popular culture and has earned them legendary status. But for all their acclaim, fans have been offered very few up-close-and-personal glimpses of the band members. To commemorate their 25th anniversary, the band gave filmmaker and photographer Phil Griffin unprecedented access to their lives, onstage and off, during 2008. The Lost Highway tour became the #1 tour in the world last year, according to Billboard Magazine. This insider portrait of one of the world's best-loved rock bands is the subject of a major documentary and this extraordinary book is a must-have for all Bon Jovi fans.

The public face of Bon Jovi -- band of brothers, hitmakers, rock stars -- is well known, but in Bon Jovi: When We Were Beautiful, gorgeous, exclusive photographs and revealing text from Jon, Richie, David and Tico themselves tell the behind-the-scenes story. From intimate moments to basking in the limelight, the book offers fans an honest, unposed and unscripted portrait of this legendary band at work and at home.