Virtual Tales, a privately held publisher of general and genre fiction in print and e-formats, announced the acquisition of the worldwide print and electronic publishing rights for the YA paranormal romance HERE WITH YOU from UK author Caroline Sherreard.
HERE WITH YOU is Ms.Sherreard's first novel. It has been assigned to Virtual Tales senior staff editor P. June Diehl of Fredericksburg, Virginia. Publication in both print and eBook formats is anticipated for the second half of 2011. Interested readers can sign up to preview the first four chapters of HERE WITH YOU for free by visiting the Virtual Tales website, or by sending an empty email request to here-with-you@virtualtales.com.
Monday, July 26, 2010
Bestselling Author Melissa Marr Announces New YA Trilogy With HarperCollins
HarperCollins Publishers announced they will publish a new three-book series with Melissa Marr, author of the New York Times bestselling Wicked Lovely series. Marr's new trilogy revolves around a girl assassin, a demon with a soul, and a world where myth and science meet. The first book is tentatively scheduled for a fall 2013 release. World Rights were acquired from Marr's agent, Merrilee Heifetz of Writer's House, by Anne Hoppe, the editor of the Wicked Lovely series.
Melissa Marr burst onto the Young Adult literature scene in June 2007. Her debut novel, WICKED LOVELY, instantly became a New York Times bestseller, as well as a Los Angeles Times bestseller, and Marr was selected as a Publishers Weekly Flying Starts author. WICKED LOVELY also won the Romance Writers of America RITA award for Young Adult books and was named a finalist for Borders Original Voices award. Each of her subsequent novels has been a New York Times bestseller, and the Wicked Lovely series concludes in February 2011 with DARKEST MERCY, the fifth and final installment.
Melissa Marr burst onto the Young Adult literature scene in June 2007. Her debut novel, WICKED LOVELY, instantly became a New York Times bestseller, as well as a Los Angeles Times bestseller, and Marr was selected as a Publishers Weekly Flying Starts author. WICKED LOVELY also won the Romance Writers of America RITA award for Young Adult books and was named a finalist for Borders Original Voices award. Each of her subsequent novels has been a New York Times bestseller, and the Wicked Lovely series concludes in February 2011 with DARKEST MERCY, the fifth and final installment.
Sunday, July 18, 2010
ShoulderHill Films Options Ghost Huntress Young Adult Book Series
ShoulderHill Films, a subsidiary of ShoulderHill Entertainment has optioned Marley Gibson's Ghost Huntress. The teen supernatural thriller/romance series features 16-year old Kendall Moorehead who discovers her psychic abilities when she moves with her family to a small southern town. Together with new friends, Kendall forms a tech-savvy ghost hunting team to match wits against troubled spirits, high school and teenage boys.
The deal includes all three books currently published in the series, Ghost Huntress Book 1: The Awakening, Ghost Huntress Book 2: The Guidance and Ghost Huntress Book 3: The Reason. The Ghost Huntress series is published by Graphia Books, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt's young adult division. ShoulderHill Films acquired the film rights from Sean Daily at Hotchkiss and Associates, on behalf of Deidre Knight at The Knight Agency.
Marley Gibson's previous works include the 2008 books The New Sisters (Sorority 101) and Zeta or Omega? (Sorority 101) written under pen name Kate Harmon. She is also co-author of The Other Side: A Teen's Guide to Ghost Hunting and Christmas Miracles in 2009.
ShoulderHill optioned best-selling author and screenwriter Andrew Klavan's screenplay Bury The Dead earlier this year.
The deal includes all three books currently published in the series, Ghost Huntress Book 1: The Awakening, Ghost Huntress Book 2: The Guidance and Ghost Huntress Book 3: The Reason. The Ghost Huntress series is published by Graphia Books, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt's young adult division. ShoulderHill Films acquired the film rights from Sean Daily at Hotchkiss and Associates, on behalf of Deidre Knight at The Knight Agency.
Marley Gibson's previous works include the 2008 books The New Sisters (Sorority 101) and Zeta or Omega? (Sorority 101) written under pen name Kate Harmon. She is also co-author of The Other Side: A Teen's Guide to Ghost Hunting and Christmas Miracles in 2009.
ShoulderHill optioned best-selling author and screenwriter Andrew Klavan's screenplay Bury The Dead earlier this year.
'Roundup!,' Latest Collection of Western Fiction, Nonfiction and Poetry
Roundup!, the latest collection of Western fiction and nonfiction short stories and poetry presented by the Western Writers of America and written by some of today's top Western writers, is now available in bookstores and online at Amazon.com.
Roundup! (ISBN: 978-0-9785634-7-9) is published by La Frontera Publishing (http://www.lafronterapublishing.com/) and distributed through the University of New Mexico Press (http://www.unmpress.com/).rel="nofollow" target="_blank"
From Native Americans, famed frontiersmen, cowboys and outlaws, to contemporary tales of ranching, lost treasure, and urban challenges, the WWA presents the full range of the American West in this anthology.
"These are not your granddad's Western stories, but rather a fresh and enlightening look at the West and its people--past, present and future," said Roundup! editor Paul Andrew Hutton.
Hutton is the Distinguished Professor of American History at the University of New Mexico and also serves as the Executive Director of the Western Writers of America.
Enjoy the works of WWA Wister-award-winning authors such as Elmer Kelton (in his final WWA publication), Robert M. Utley, Matthew Braun (over 40 million books in print), and Richard Wheeler. They join many WWA Spur-award-winning authors along with several fresh, young writers in this exciting anthology.
The collection includes a bonus feature: A special Western novella--a rip-roarin' tale of the Old West written by television icon (he wrote and produced the John Wayne film Chisum) and WWA Wister Prize-winner for Lifetime Achievement, Andrew J. Fenady.
Roundup! (ISBN: 978-0-9785634-7-9) is published by La Frontera Publishing (http://www.lafronterapublishing.com/) and distributed through the University of New Mexico Press (http://www.unmpress.com/).rel="nofollow" target="_blank"
From Native Americans, famed frontiersmen, cowboys and outlaws, to contemporary tales of ranching, lost treasure, and urban challenges, the WWA presents the full range of the American West in this anthology.
"These are not your granddad's Western stories, but rather a fresh and enlightening look at the West and its people--past, present and future," said Roundup! editor Paul Andrew Hutton.
Hutton is the Distinguished Professor of American History at the University of New Mexico and also serves as the Executive Director of the Western Writers of America.
Enjoy the works of WWA Wister-award-winning authors such as Elmer Kelton (in his final WWA publication), Robert M. Utley, Matthew Braun (over 40 million books in print), and Richard Wheeler. They join many WWA Spur-award-winning authors along with several fresh, young writers in this exciting anthology.
The collection includes a bonus feature: A special Western novella--a rip-roarin' tale of the Old West written by television icon (he wrote and produced the John Wayne film Chisum) and WWA Wister Prize-winner for Lifetime Achievement, Andrew J. Fenady.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Stewart St. John Light Media/Publishing Collaborates with Illustrator Joan Perrin-Falquet
Stewart St. John Light Media/Publishing, a rising star in the children and family publishing and multimedia market creating innovative content across all platforms, announced today it is collaborating with world-renowned illustrator Joan Perrin-Falquet to create new products for the company. Perrin-Falquet, whose work with Hay House Publishing has appeared in Louise L. Hay's best-selling book You Can Heal Your Life as well as calendars, cards, gift bags, note pads and other products, will now provide exclusive designs for Stewart St. John Light.
"Joan is one of the most talented, divinely inspired artists I've ever worked with," said Stewart St. John, co-founder and CEO of Stewart St. John Light Media Publishing. "Todd and I are thrilled to welcome this exciting, leading-edge visionary to the company as we continue to build a brand that is synonymous with the things we all believe in: living your best life, doing your best work, and respecting the spirit within." St. John added, "We are the next-generation company reaching for a higher consciousness in everything we create, targeting family-friendly projects for everyone to enjoy, and having Joan as part of the team helps solidify that vision."
“Stewart St. John and Todd Fisher are truly gifted creative visionaries," said Joan Perrin-Falquet. “It is a real joy and honor to be working with them. Everything they touch has such quality and integrity created in an environment of kindness. It is exciting and inspiring to be part of a team that will offer people so much."
Todd Fisher, co-founder of Stewart St. John Light, is delighted Joan has come on board during the expansion phase of the boutique media publishing company. "She's a superstar and the timing feels right as we take the company to the next level."
St. John and Fisher have long been pioneers of cross-platform entertainment since the early days of the internet when St. John was executive producer of the groundbreaking websoap The Spot. They were the first to introduce cross-platform storytelling from mobile to web with The Spot Wireless, a subscription-based mobile series developed for Sprint and narratively running from cell phone to broadband. "We produced thousands of videos for both web and mobile," said Fisher, "and even incorporated our fans into storylines with live events around the country."
St. John's work in traditional media began as a writer for the hit children's television series Mighty Morphin Power Rangers and ABC Television's Sabrina: The Animated Series, and the Disney Channel original film Seventeen Again. As a composer he worked closely with NY Times best-selling authors Jerry & Esther Hicks on their series of Hay House published children's books and adaptation of the novels for the big screen.
Perrin-Falquet, who designed the cover of St. John's instrumental album Cloudwalking, has been steadily working as a leading illustrator in the self-help publishing world for over a decade. Hay House founder Louise Hay chose Perrin-Falquet's beautiful artwork to breathe new life into her best-selling book, You Can Heal Your Life. "Joan Perrin-Falquet's art work is enchanting and heart warming," says Hay. "She is such a creative and original artist."
Stewart St. John Light will also begin selling originals and prints of Perrin-Falquet's work which has never before been available to the public. The web site, http://www.stewartstjohnlight.com will also showcase St. John and Perrin-Falquet's first children's book, Snookery And The Great Glowing Acorn, available this fall.
"It's just the beginning," teased Fisher. "We've got so many wonderful things going on... it's going to be a very exciting next few years."
"Joan is one of the most talented, divinely inspired artists I've ever worked with," said Stewart St. John, co-founder and CEO of Stewart St. John Light Media Publishing. "Todd and I are thrilled to welcome this exciting, leading-edge visionary to the company as we continue to build a brand that is synonymous with the things we all believe in: living your best life, doing your best work, and respecting the spirit within." St. John added, "We are the next-generation company reaching for a higher consciousness in everything we create, targeting family-friendly projects for everyone to enjoy, and having Joan as part of the team helps solidify that vision."
“Stewart St. John and Todd Fisher are truly gifted creative visionaries," said Joan Perrin-Falquet. “It is a real joy and honor to be working with them. Everything they touch has such quality and integrity created in an environment of kindness. It is exciting and inspiring to be part of a team that will offer people so much."
Todd Fisher, co-founder of Stewart St. John Light, is delighted Joan has come on board during the expansion phase of the boutique media publishing company. "She's a superstar and the timing feels right as we take the company to the next level."
St. John and Fisher have long been pioneers of cross-platform entertainment since the early days of the internet when St. John was executive producer of the groundbreaking websoap The Spot. They were the first to introduce cross-platform storytelling from mobile to web with The Spot Wireless, a subscription-based mobile series developed for Sprint and narratively running from cell phone to broadband. "We produced thousands of videos for both web and mobile," said Fisher, "and even incorporated our fans into storylines with live events around the country."
St. John's work in traditional media began as a writer for the hit children's television series Mighty Morphin Power Rangers and ABC Television's Sabrina: The Animated Series, and the Disney Channel original film Seventeen Again. As a composer he worked closely with NY Times best-selling authors Jerry & Esther Hicks on their series of Hay House published children's books and adaptation of the novels for the big screen.
Perrin-Falquet, who designed the cover of St. John's instrumental album Cloudwalking, has been steadily working as a leading illustrator in the self-help publishing world for over a decade. Hay House founder Louise Hay chose Perrin-Falquet's beautiful artwork to breathe new life into her best-selling book, You Can Heal Your Life. "Joan Perrin-Falquet's art work is enchanting and heart warming," says Hay. "She is such a creative and original artist."
Stewart St. John Light will also begin selling originals and prints of Perrin-Falquet's work which has never before been available to the public. The web site, http://www.stewartstjohnlight.com will also showcase St. John and Perrin-Falquet's first children's book, Snookery And The Great Glowing Acorn, available this fall.
"It's just the beginning," teased Fisher. "We've got so many wonderful things going on... it's going to be a very exciting next few years."
Author Chris Weedin Accepts Offer to Option Movie Rights for Vampire-Horror-Comedy Novel
Author Chris Weedin has accepted an offer from A Ferris Wheel Films to option the movie rights for his book "Midnight Snack." The book is a contemporary horror-comedy vampire novel and is intended to be the first in a trilogy of films.
Author Chris Weedin has accepted an offer from A Ferris Wheel Films to option the movie rights for his book "Midnight Snack (Graveyard Shift: the Adventures of Carson Dudley, Book 1)". The film production company, located in London, England, has stated its intention to produce a feature length film adaptation of "Midnight Snack" and plans to approach major film studios with the project. They have further announced plans for this to be the first in a film trilogy. Weedin has also accepted a separate offer to write the movie treatment for the book. The two parties are discussing the possibility that Weedin will continue on to write the script as well. The treatment is currently underway and both parties expect it will be completed by July of this year.
Themed as a vampire-horror-comedy, "Midnight Snack" is the story of a group of oddball vampire hunters who face off against a seductive vampiress in the fictional town of Las Calamas, CA. The plot centers around a mini-mart which the vampiress has chosen as her hunting grounds. The action in the book is fast-paced and tongue-in-cheek, elements which both Weedin and A Ferris Wheel Films have promised will be carried through to the movie. The book was released in 2009 and is available through major retailers such as Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble or in electronic format on the Kindle, Kobo or through Smashwords.com. It is available for distribution through Ingram.
Author Chris Weedin has accepted an offer from A Ferris Wheel Films to option the movie rights for his book "Midnight Snack (Graveyard Shift: the Adventures of Carson Dudley, Book 1)". The film production company, located in London, England, has stated its intention to produce a feature length film adaptation of "Midnight Snack" and plans to approach major film studios with the project. They have further announced plans for this to be the first in a film trilogy. Weedin has also accepted a separate offer to write the movie treatment for the book. The two parties are discussing the possibility that Weedin will continue on to write the script as well. The treatment is currently underway and both parties expect it will be completed by July of this year.
Themed as a vampire-horror-comedy, "Midnight Snack" is the story of a group of oddball vampire hunters who face off against a seductive vampiress in the fictional town of Las Calamas, CA. The plot centers around a mini-mart which the vampiress has chosen as her hunting grounds. The action in the book is fast-paced and tongue-in-cheek, elements which both Weedin and A Ferris Wheel Films have promised will be carried through to the movie. The book was released in 2009 and is available through major retailers such as Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble or in electronic format on the Kindle, Kobo or through Smashwords.com. It is available for distribution through Ingram.
New York Times Bestselling Series 'Vampire Academy' Staked by Preger Entertainment
Preger Entertainment has acquired the motion picture Rights to Richelle Mead's New York Times best selling book series "Vampire Academy" (Penguin/Razorbill Books).
The deal was finalized by Jim McCarthy of Dystel & Goderich Literary Management representing the author and Larry Becsey of Intellectual Properties Group with legal representation through Wayne Alexander, of Alexander, Nau, Lawrence, Frumes & Labowitz representing Preger. In its first week of publication, "Spirit Bound", the fifth book in this series, achieved a New York Times and USA Today # 1 bestselling series ranking, while simultaneously debuting as the #1 best seller in Australia and New Zealand.
"Vampire Academy" debuted on the New York Times Bestsellers list in 2007 and continues to trend higher with readers and critics alike with each new book in the series. The series has sold well over 3.5 million copies domestically and 1 million copies internationally.
The "Vampire Academy" Book Series is a coming-of-age, action driven, "paranormal romance" fantasy. It is set in the present day against a hidden universe of vampires, half-humans, alchemy, and magic.
The deal was finalized by Jim McCarthy of Dystel & Goderich Literary Management representing the author and Larry Becsey of Intellectual Properties Group with legal representation through Wayne Alexander, of Alexander, Nau, Lawrence, Frumes & Labowitz representing Preger. In its first week of publication, "Spirit Bound", the fifth book in this series, achieved a New York Times and USA Today # 1 bestselling series ranking, while simultaneously debuting as the #1 best seller in Australia and New Zealand.
"Vampire Academy" debuted on the New York Times Bestsellers list in 2007 and continues to trend higher with readers and critics alike with each new book in the series. The series has sold well over 3.5 million copies domestically and 1 million copies internationally.
The "Vampire Academy" Book Series is a coming-of-age, action driven, "paranormal romance" fantasy. It is set in the present day against a hidden universe of vampires, half-humans, alchemy, and magic.
Sunday, July 04, 2010
Smashwords and Wattpad Partner to Offer New Publishing Options for Indie Authors
Wattpad, the world's most popular ebook community, and Smashwords, the leading ebook publishing and distribution platform, have announced a partnership that will open up new publishing opportunities for thousands of indie authors.
Under the terms of the agreement, Wattpad and Smashwords will cross-promote each other's services and have added integration so that Wattpad users can sell books via Smashwords and Smashwords authors can promote free works on Wattpad, including, works-in-progress, complete works, or serial ebooks on Wattpad.
Wattpad operates a social network for writers to connect with readers and share what they have written. Wattpad receives over 10 million visits a month and many of the stories on Wattpad have millions of reads.
Smashwords publishes and distributes over 13,000 original ebooks from 6,000 authors and hundreds of small independent publishers. To publish at Smashwords, Wattpad authors simply upload their finished manuscript to Smashwords as a Microsoft Word file, formatted to the requirements of the Smashwords Style Guide. Smashwords automatically converts the book into nine ebook formats, and makes it available for immediate sale online at a price set by the author. Smashwords then evaluates the book for inclusion in the Smashwords Premium Catalog, which is the catalog Smashwords distributes to major ebook retailers such as Barnes & Noble, Sony, Kobo and the Apple iPad iBookstore.
Both Smashwords and Wattpad are free for writers.
Under the terms of the agreement, Wattpad and Smashwords will cross-promote each other's services and have added integration so that Wattpad users can sell books via Smashwords and Smashwords authors can promote free works on Wattpad, including, works-in-progress, complete works, or serial ebooks on Wattpad.
Wattpad operates a social network for writers to connect with readers and share what they have written. Wattpad receives over 10 million visits a month and many of the stories on Wattpad have millions of reads.
Smashwords publishes and distributes over 13,000 original ebooks from 6,000 authors and hundreds of small independent publishers. To publish at Smashwords, Wattpad authors simply upload their finished manuscript to Smashwords as a Microsoft Word file, formatted to the requirements of the Smashwords Style Guide. Smashwords automatically converts the book into nine ebook formats, and makes it available for immediate sale online at a price set by the author. Smashwords then evaluates the book for inclusion in the Smashwords Premium Catalog, which is the catalog Smashwords distributes to major ebook retailers such as Barnes & Noble, Sony, Kobo and the Apple iPad iBookstore.
Both Smashwords and Wattpad are free for writers.
Cal Ripken Jr. Signs Middle Grade Book Deal With Disney Book Group
Disney Book Group will publish a middle-grade baseball series written by National Baseball Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr. and co-authored by Baltimore Sun sportswriter Kevin Cowherd. The series will feature characters from a Babe Ruth League team named the “Orioles”. The agreement for world rights was negotiated by Stephanie Owens Lurie, Editorial Director, Disney-Hyperion, an imprint of Disney Book Group, and Ian Kleinert, of Objective Entertainment.
The first book in the series--Hothead--will be published in Winter 2011 under the Disney-Hyperion imprint. It centers on all-star third baseman Connor Sullivan, who has a big problem: his temper. The story was inspired by Cal’s own struggle with frustration as a young player. Additional books will follow every year.
The first book in the series--Hothead--will be published in Winter 2011 under the Disney-Hyperion imprint. It centers on all-star third baseman Connor Sullivan, who has a big problem: his temper. The story was inspired by Cal’s own struggle with frustration as a young player. Additional books will follow every year.
MTP Gets 'Graphic' With Publishing for Feature Film Rights
Mike the Pike Productions finalized a deal today with Ryan Colucci's Spoke Lane Entertainment to produce and publish a slate of no less than three complete graphic novels. The companies have agreed to place this partnership in a newly borne entity, SpokeFish, Inc. owned 50/50 by Mike the Pike Productions and Spoke Lane Entertainment.
SpokeFish will launch with three (3) novels hand selected by MTP and SL from Spoke Lane Entertainment's current offerings. The deal entitles Mike the Pike Productions to act as Executive Producer on the project with a Producer's Fee and 50% of the books' profits. As well, per the Agreement, Mike the Pike Productions will be entitled to 15% of Gross Film Rights Proceeds for any such adaptation. If any project on the slate is produced independently as a film, partners agree to negotiate mutually agreed terms for considerations to each party herein accordingly. The team plans to ensure that each novel is marketed for film rights sales or independent production.
Colucci, a producer on Mike the Pike's adaptation of George R.R. Martin's 'The Skin Trade,' is no stranger to graphic novels, nor to selling projects to Hollywood as evidenced by his screenplay, 'Lobo,' a werewolf action thriller set in Brazil with John Stockwell ('Blue Crush,' 'Turistas,' 'Into the Blue') set to direct; and 'Harbor Moon' (www.harbor-moon.com) to be launched at this year's Comic-Con (www.comic-con.org) with a release by Arcana Studios (www.arcanastudio.com) in August.
Details about the three books under this banner are forthcoming en tandem with the strategic launch of the SpokeFish website with links to Spoke Lane, MTP and each individual project under the SpokeFish banner. "We'll announce each book individually and release them online with continual updates on production all the while so as to keep fans and shareholders on the pulse of every phase of this exciting addition to the MTP universe," concludes Newbauer.
SpokeFish will launch with three (3) novels hand selected by MTP and SL from Spoke Lane Entertainment's current offerings. The deal entitles Mike the Pike Productions to act as Executive Producer on the project with a Producer's Fee and 50% of the books' profits. As well, per the Agreement, Mike the Pike Productions will be entitled to 15% of Gross Film Rights Proceeds for any such adaptation. If any project on the slate is produced independently as a film, partners agree to negotiate mutually agreed terms for considerations to each party herein accordingly. The team plans to ensure that each novel is marketed for film rights sales or independent production.
Colucci, a producer on Mike the Pike's adaptation of George R.R. Martin's 'The Skin Trade,' is no stranger to graphic novels, nor to selling projects to Hollywood as evidenced by his screenplay, 'Lobo,' a werewolf action thriller set in Brazil with John Stockwell ('Blue Crush,' 'Turistas,' 'Into the Blue') set to direct; and 'Harbor Moon' (www.harbor-moon.com) to be launched at this year's Comic-Con (www.comic-con.org) with a release by Arcana Studios (www.arcanastudio.com) in August.
Details about the three books under this banner are forthcoming en tandem with the strategic launch of the SpokeFish website with links to Spoke Lane, MTP and each individual project under the SpokeFish banner. "We'll announce each book individually and release them online with continual updates on production all the while so as to keep fans and shareholders on the pulse of every phase of this exciting addition to the MTP universe," concludes Newbauer.
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