Monday, November 29, 2010

Amazon Acquires the Literary Fiction List of The Toby Press

Amazon and The Toby Press today announced that Amazon plans to acquire the publication rights of up to 121 books currently published by The Toby Press. The books represent the works of 61 authors and include diverse fiction titles and works in translation.

Amazon's publishing imprints, AmazonEncore and AmazonCrossing, will re-publish the works as print editions and Kindle editions in the United States and globally in cases where authors choose to make their works available. Kindle editions will be available for Kindle devices and Kindle apps, and print editions will be available on www.amazon.com and its websites worldwide, as well as in bookstores throughout the United States, United Kingdom and Germany.

For more information on AmazonEncore and AmazonCrossing upcoming titles, visit www.amazon.com/encore or www.amazon.com/crossing.

Sunday, November 21, 2010

HarperOne To Publish The Alchemist, Paulo Coelho's International Bestseller

HarperOne announced the December 2010 publication of The Alchemist: A Graphic Novel (Hardcover; $22.99; ISBN 9780062024329). A beautiful interpretation of a beloved classic that continues to inspire readers worldwide, The Alchemist: A Graphic Novel will be available just in time for the 2010 holiday season.

The Alchemist has established itself as a modern classic. An international bestseller, it has been on the New York Times bestseller list for over two years and is regularly cited in interviews as the favorite of celebrities ranging from Russell Crowe to Will Smith to Joe Jonas. Now, for the first time, the phenomenal bestseller has been rendered as a graphic novel that will appeal to the millions of existing fans while also attracting a new generation of readers.

According to author Paulo Coelho, "It was an old dream of mine to have The Alchemist as a graphic novel. This version exceeds my expectations and is a beautiful manifestation of what I originally imagined while crafting this story."

The Penguin Press to Publish Second Novel From Sapphire

Ann Godoff, President and Publisher of The Penguin Press, an imprint of Penguin Group (USA), announced the acquisition of Sapphire's The Kid, the second novel by the bestselling author of Push. The Kid tells the electrifying story of Abdul Jones, the son of Push's unforgettable heroine, Precious. The deal, for North American rights, was made between Godoff, who serves as editor, and Melanie Jackson of the Melanie Jackson Agency. Publication is slated for Summer 2011.

"Sapphire never fails to render the hardest material comprehensible by coming from a place of love," Ann Godoff said of the acquisition. "In her second novel, she fearlessly explores the young life of an African American boy as he approaches manhood; alone, brutalized and with the soul of an artist. It is an honor for The Penguin Press to have the opportunity to publish this extraordinary book."

Penguin Group (USA) Inc. is the U.S. member of the internationally renowned Penguin Group. Penguin Group (USA) is one of the leading U.S. adult and children's trade book publishers, owning a wide range of imprints and trademarks, including Berkeley Books, Dutton, Frederick Warne, G.P. Putnam's Sons, Grosset & Dunlap, New American Library, Penguin, Philomel, Plume, Puffin, Riverhead Books and Viking, among others. The Penguin Group is part of Pearson plc, the international media company.

Book Publisher Rosenthal to Launch Penguin Imprint

David Rosenthal, the former publisher of CBS Corp.'s Simon & Schuster imprint, is launching his own imprint at Pearson PLC's Penguin Group (USA).

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Exclusive Distribution Deal With Author of Controversial New Bon Jovi Book

Global Media Online, Inc. has signed an exclusive, one year distribution deal with Ritchie Bozzett, Author of "Sex, Drugs, and Bon Jovi," a tell all book about his life as the former road manager for the international sensation, the rock band Bon Jovi.

The agreement grants Global the exclusive third party rights as the "online retailer" of the book. The book will be offered to the public exclusively by Global Media Online, Inc. on Amazon.com, half.com and various online retail outlets. Recently the book has appeared in The NY Post, LA Times, The Daily News and several other large newspaper publications, due to the eye opening antics of the band, its front man Jon Bon Jovi, as well as revelations about bandmate Ritchie Sambora's role in Jon Bon Jovi's marriage issues.

"Sure, it's filled with sex, drugs, and crazy antics, but the real underlying story reveals the man behind the stage, his exploits and experiences on this fantastic rise to fame and how the large record companies left him out in the cold once the band reached its success," said company CEO Raymond Barton. "The book is simply captivating, and with the growing popularity and media exposure, I expect it to be a tremendous success for Mr. Bozzett and for Global. This endeavor also creates new opportunities for Global to expand into publishing and order fulfillment along with the online retail."

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

G. P. Putnam's Sons Acquires 33 Men

G. P. Putnam's Sons President Ivan Held today announced the acquisition of a riveting new book, 33 Men, by Jonathan Franklin, an award-winning American journalist who has lived in Chile for 15 years. He had unprecedented access to the 33 Chilean miners trapped 2,200 feet below the earth for ten weeks, their families, and the emergency personnel who ultimately rescued all 33 men alive. This uplifting story of survival and endurance has captivated the world.

North American hardcover and paperback rights as well as audio and eBook rights to the book were acquired in a highly competitive auction by Marysue Rucci, Vice President, Editorial Director, G. P. Putnam's Sons, from literary agent George Lucas of InkWell Management LLC in association with Annabel Merullo at PFD in London. Putnam is planning to publish the book in hardcover in February 2011. Berkley will publish the paperback edition approximately one year later.