Sunday, April 24, 2011

HarperCollins Publishers Signs Lauren Conrad For New Series

HarperCollins Children's Books announced today that it has acquired world rights to THE FAME GAME, a new series by Lauren Conrad--television star, fashion designer and author of the #1 New York Timesbestselling L.A. Candy. THE FAME GAME takes place in the world of reality TV and its fashionable starlets, and features a favorite character from L.A. Candy.

Madison Parker made a name for herself as best frenemy of girl-next-door-turned-reality-celeb Jane Roberts in the L.A. Candy books. Now she's ready for her turn in the spotlight and she'll stop at nothing to get it. But with backstabbing friends and family, relentless paparazzi, and tabloid scandals she can't control, Madison is going to have her work cut out for her.

The deal was negotiated by Farrin Jacobs, Editorial Director at HarperCollins Children's Books and Literary Agent Matthew Elblonk of DeFiore & Company, with Max Stubblefield at UTA. The first book in the three-book series will be published in Winter 2012.

Filled with characters both familiar (producer Trevor Lord and sister-from-hell Sophia) and new (Carmen, daughter ofHollywood royalty, and Jill, a struggling musician), Lauren Conrad's THE FAME GAME dishes gossip and drama at every turn.

In 2009, Lauren made her authorial debut with L.A. Candy, the behind-the-scenes story of a young girl who moves to L.A. and becomes the star of a reality television show. The first in the series, L.A. Candy was a #1 New York Times bestseller. The follow-up book, Sweet Little Lies, was also a #1 New York Times bestseller. The paperback of Sugar and Spice goes on sale this week, and contains a sneak peek at Conrad's new series, THE FAME GAME.

Sunday, April 17, 2011

HarperCollins Publishers Signs Candace Bushnell for Two Young Adult Novels

HarperCollins Publishers announced today a new two-book deal with Candace Bushnell, author of Sex and the City and The Carrie Diaries. The deal was negotiated by Alessandra Balzer, Vice President and Co-Publisher of the Balzer + Bray imprint at HarperCollins, with Heather Schroder at ICM. UK and Commonwealth rights along with translation rights were acquired by Rachel Denwood, Publishing Director at HarperCollins Children's Books UK.

In April 2010, Balzer + Bray, an imprint of HarperCollins Children's Books, published Candace Bushnell's first young adult novel, The Carrie Diaries, which told the story of iconic character Carrie Bradshaw during her high school years. The Carrie Diaries garnered rave reviews worldwide, debuting at #1 on the New York Times Bestsellers List. It has been translated into 34 different international languages.

The Second Carrie Diaries novel, Summer and the City, will be published on April 26, 2011 (April 28, 2011 in the UK). Summer and the City explores Carrie Bradshaw's first summer in Manhattan and reveals the irresistible story of how Carrie met Samantha, Miranda and Charlotte.

Candace Bushnell is the critically acclaimed, international best-selling author of Sex and the City, The Carrie Diaries, One Fifth Avenue, Lipstick Jungle, Trading Up, Four Blondes and the upcoming Summer and the City (A Carrie Diaries Book, on-sale April 26, 2011/April 28, 2011 in the UK)–the coming-of-age story of one of her most famous creations – Carrie Bradshaw. Sex and the City, published in 1996, was the basis for the HBO hit series and two subsequent blockbuster movies. Lipstick Jungle became a popular television series on NBC in the US.

CMG Holdings, Inc. Negotiates Successful Book Publishing With Rodale Press

CMG Holdings, Inc. announced that New York-based Rodale Press, (www.rodalepress.com) (www.rodale.com), has agreed to publish "Is This Normal" authored by John Whyte, M.D., Chief Medical Expert for Discovery Communications. Dr. Whyte is an Agency client of the Company's Subsidiary Creative Management Group, Inc. The book is scheduled for release in August of this year.

The Company plans to complement Rodale Press marketing for Dr. Whyte through its wholly owned subsidiary XA Event Agency for the book tour and AudioEye, utilizing its e-Learning platform and digital technology.

CMG Holdings Inc. Chairman CEO Alan Morell, who negotiated the literary arrangement for Dr. Whyte, commented about the signing, "We are honored to represent John, who has pioneered medical and patient education programming at Discovery Communications. John is clearly one of the most highly respected Network Medical Experts, with his innovative, professional expertise, integrity and dedication to detail and a perfect fit for Rodale Press and the fine work they do in this sector."

Zondervan to Publish Book by 'The Pastor' of the Chilean Miners

For 69 days, 33 miners from Mina San José, Chile were trapped 2,300 feet below the earth's surface, surrounded by more than 700,000 tons of unstable rock. They were trapped underground longer than anyone in recorded history, and the world had no insight into their survival for 17 days following the August 5 cave-in. As the last rescued Chilean miner came above ground, the world watched in awe. Editorial Vida, the Spanish-language division of Zondervan, a world leader in Christian communications, has signed a publishing agreement with José Henríquez, one of the miners rescued last year and regarded as "the pastor" of the group, for a book titled "Miracle in the Mine," in which he will tell his spiritual journey leading up to the mine collapse and following the heroic rescue--a faith which kept the miners alive.

"I'm eager to share how our faith in God helped me and my friends to survive this experience," said Henríquez. "Although, I have not fully embraced our so-called ‘celebrity' status, if writing this book will serve to bring others to know the truth of God's Word, then my experience will have been for good."

The book will highlight aspects of Henríquez's spiritual background and speak to the events which followed the 69 days he was trapped underground. This includes Henriquez's collaboration with Marcelo Leiva, a Baptist pastor above ground, who helped him create custom Bible studies for the miners to share in together during their ordeal. The book will also highlight aspects of the spiritual leadership Henríquez provided, which helped them to make use of their faith in God as a means to survive.

Editorial Vida, will publish "Miracle in the Mine" in all Spanish-speaking countries, while Zondervan will publish the book in English in the United States and Canada. The contract with Henríquez was signed in Talca, Chile, his hometown, approximately 257 km (160 miles) south of Santiago.

"The experience of the Chilean miners captivated the attention of the entire world for more than two months and we are absolutely thrilled to help tell this awe-inspiring true story of faith and recovery," said Lucas Leys, Publisher at Vida. "Jose's steadfast faith in God played a key role in helping these men survive this remarkable ordeal and we hope the experience of these men will touch the hearts and inspire everyone who reads their story," added Verne Kenney, EVP at Zondervan.

The book will release worldwide on October 12, 2011, the anniversary of the rescue, for $11.99 (Spanish), $19.99 (English) with announced first printing of 250,000 copies.

Friday, April 08, 2011

Penguin Acquires Rights to Non-Fiction Janet Frame Book

Penguin NZ has acquired the rights to publish the first non-fiction book by Janet Frame for 25 years, as well as two new works of fiction.

For the first time ever, all of Janet Frame's published short non-fiction will be brought together in a new collected volume. Published essays, reviews and reports will feature alongside speeches and extracts from interviews. The work also includes published letters spanning 50 years of Frame's life and passages from her personal correspondence.

Penguin will publish the non-fiction collection at the end of 2011, and has acquired the rights also to publish two new fiction titles.

The first fiction work will be a volume of previously uncollected short stories, as well as some unpublished stories. The second work is an adult fable written by Frame in Ibiza during the 1950s. It is the first publication of material written by Frame when she lived on Ibiza, where she had her first profound romantic encounter.