Michael Parness' New Retirement Book Sold to St. Martin's Press

Venture Literary, a literary management company, has sold the world rights of Michael Parness' new book, "Rule Your Freakin' Retirement," to St. Martin's Press. Parness is CEO of Trendfund Corp., one of the world's leading online trend-based advisory services for individual investors.

Investment and trading guru Parness' brand-name series follows in the footsteps of his earlier guidebook, "Rule the Freakin' Markets," which was an International Best Seller. This new book uses the same style that made "Rule the Freakin' Markets" such a hit, but branches off to cover an even bigger area of economic interest -- retirement.

To be in bookstores in early 2008, "Rule Your Freakin' Retirement" will present the material in a visually appealing manner and includes important tips such as "Waxie's Words to the Wise," "Getting a Grip," and "Time to Score!" Numerous charts illustrate key concepts in an accessible way and end-of-chapter exercises reinforce principles and techniques so the reader can prepare for a secure retirement.

Oceanview Publishing Enters into Representation Agreement with Waterside Productions

Oceanview Publishing has entered into an agreement with Waterside Productions, one of the country's leading literary agencies. Waterside will handle foreign rights representation for the Oceanview catalog, which includes: Shadow of Death by Patricia Gussin, The Perfect Assassin by Ward Larsen, South Beach Shakedown by Don Bruns, Death Angel by Martha Powers, Trash Talk by Bob Gussin, Ladykiller by Lawrence Light and Meredith Anthony, as well as the forthcoming The Castro Gene (May 15) by international bestselling author Todd Buchholz, Stuff to Die For (September 1) by Don Bruns, A Grave Breach (October 1) by James Macomber, Egrets to the Flames (November 1) by Barbara Anton, and Twisted Justice (December 1) as well as a trade paper edition of Shadow of Death (December 1) both by Patricia Gussin.

Publisher Acquires Romanian Rights to iUniverse Title

Romanian publisher has acquired the rights to the book Dr. Laurie Nadel’s Sixth Sense: Unlocking Your Ultimate Mind Power. According to the author, Dr. Laurie Nadel, a Romanian radio program sparked the interest of Curtea Vesche Publishing.

Award-winning journalist George Tombs signs Conrad Black book deal with ECW Press

ECW Press has acquired the rights to a new biography of Conrad Black by award-winning journalist and historian George Tombs. Baron Black of Crossharbour: Trial by Fire, will be published inCanada, the United States and the United Kingdom later this year. This unauthorized, hard-hitting book will provide exclusive new details, insights, and revelations about Conrad Black and his criminal trial for fraud, obstruction of justice, and racketeering, starting in Chicago on March 14. Baron Black will be released after the verdict of the trial.

Hyperion to Publish New Book By George Stephanopoulos and Todd Brewster

Hyperion plans to publish a new book by George Stephanopoulos and Todd Brewster. THE PERFECT PRESIDENT will be published in the spring of 2008, just as the presidential election season enters its stride.

In this brief, provocative, and incisive book, the authors examine the often surprising characteristics that have contributed to presidential greatness over the course of American history. When choosing a president should we look for the characteristics we value in ourselves, and others, or does history demonstrate that a mixture of darkness and light may be required to take command of our only national elective office? Using examples from the rich trove of the presidential story, THE PERFECT PRESIDENT seeks to answer that question.

The announcement of the new book was made by Robert S. Miller, president of Hyperion. Miller negotiated the deal with Esther Newberg of ICM. The editor for the book will be executive editor Gretchen Young. Hyperion retains North American and audio rights.

Website: http://www.hyperionbooks.com/

Penguin Young Readers Group to Publish Nick Hornby's Slam

Nick Hornby, New York Times-bestselling author of such internationally acclaimed books as High Fidelity, About a Boy, How To Be Good and A Long Way Down, will publish his first novel for young adults with Penguin Young Readers Group. Entitled Slam, the book tells the moving story of a boy on the cusp of adulthood whose world is turned upside down in a life-altering teenage moment. Penguin Young Readers Group acquired North American rights to the book from literary agent Caroline Dawnay of Peters Fraser & Dunlop and plans to publish the book in hardcover in October 2007. Simultaneous paperback editions of the novel will follow from Riverhead and Penguin Young Readers in 2008. Slam, a novel for readers of many ages, revolves around Sam who -- after falling hard for a very pretty girl -- ultimately finds his way through conversations with a larger-than-life poster of his idol, champion skater Tony Hawk.

Crossed Paths Released by ASJA Press

ASJA Press announced the release of Crossed Paths, the compelling novelette written by Bill Schneider. Crossed Paths features a glimpse of Will and Adam, who met and fell in love in the mid-1970s when same sex relationships were taboo. Crossed Paths is an illuminating literary work that captures joy and freezes the pain of love. Film rights from Bill Schneider has been acquired by a Hollywood-based production company. Author Bill Schneider's literary works include Second Chapter (2005) and Sand Dollar (2006). Mr. Schneider has also written three screenplays: Rear View Mirror, Luck of the Draw and Terror on the Thames. Website: http://www.billschneider.us/

HarperCollins Publishers Signs Jenna Bush for Book Deal

HarperCollins Publishers today announced that it has acquired world rights to ANA'S STORY: A JOURNEY OF HOPE by Jenna Bush. The young-adult, narrative non-fiction project will be based on her experiences working with UNICEF in Central America, and will focus on the story of a seventeen-year-old single mother who was orphaned at a young age and is living with HIV. The book will have color photographs throughout by photographer Mia Baxter, who accompanied Bush in Central America.

Since Fall 2006, Bush has been an intern for UNICEF's Educational Policy department at its regional office for Latin America and the Caribbean. Throughout her internship, she has traveled to Argentina, Paraguay and Panama, creating photo diaries of the life stories and personal narratives of children and adolescents. Currently she teaches at a shelter in Panama several days a week.

The deal was negotiated by Kate Jackson, SVP/Associate Publisher, Editor- in-Chief of HarperCollins Children's Books with Washington D.C. attorney Robert B. Barnett. The book is scheduled for publication in Fall 2007.

Running Press to publish debut title of their MAD's GREATEST ARTISTS series

Running Press Book Publishers, an imprint of the Perseus Books Group, has joined MAD Magazine in announcing the October 2007 publication of The Completely MAD Don Martin, the first title in Running Press's MAD's Greatest Artists series. Weighing in at seventeen pounds with more than 1,000 pages and a foreword by Gary Larson, this oversized tribute to one of MAD Magazine's most recognized and best-loved artists will be beautifully formatted as a deluxe two-volume slip-cased special edition and will include every single work Martin created for the magazine over the course of his 30-year affiliation.

Collins Signs Deal to Dance with the Stars

Collins, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, has announced a deal with ABC Entertainment and BBC Worldwide to publish a tie-in book based on the runaway ABC hit reality show, "Dancing With the Stars." DANCING WITH THE STARS Fitness Book will be published this fall and will reveal for the first time how some of the stars and dancers got into the best shape of their lives. Included will be healthy recipes and simple dance moves as well as never before seen pictures and quotes from the stars and their partners.

PEANUTS Children's Publishing Rights Acquired by Running Press

Running Press Book Publishers, an imprint of the Perseus Books Group, has acquired the primary PEANUTS children's publishing license from United Media (UM), the agency that syndicates and licenses PEANUTS by Charles M. Schulz. The deal with UM will initiate a novelty children's book line that will focus on the vast amount of content derived from the PEANUTS comic strip and popular television specials. Already in the works for a fall 2007 release is "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown."

Writer/Director Andrea Janakas Will Adapt Award-Winning Memoir, LAST TIME I WORE A DRESS

Andrea Janakas who recently directed the award winning festival favorite, "GYPSIES, TRAMPS, & THIEVES" is attached to adapt the compelling memoir, "LAST TIME I WORE A DRESS" which Harper's Bazaar described as "a gripping account of a young girl's sojourn in the looking-glass world of psychiatric institutions."

"LAST TIME I WORE A DRESS" by Daphne Scholinski is about a young girl growing up in the Chicago suburbs who played first base in Little League and preferred drawing to playing with dolls. When she was 15 years old she was locked up in a mental hospital, diagnosed as "an inappropriate female", and spent the rest of her high school years undergoing extreme femininity training. At 18, her insurance ran out and she was discharged.

Now 40 years old, Dylan Scholinski, is a distinguished artist, author and public speaker. Dylan has appeared on 20/20, Dateline, and Today to discuss his hospital experiences and has been featured in such publications as Harper's Bazaar, Elle Magazine, USA Today, Spin, and the Boston Globe, to retell his story.

After 10 years in publication, one of the top essential books on adolescent hospital memoirs, will now be retold on the big screen.

Scholastic to Publish Mega-Bestselling Author Meg Cabot

Scholastic has won the rights to publish Meg Cabot, one of today's most popular and bestselling authors for teens. The deal was negotiated on behalf of Meg Cabot by Laura Langlie of Laura Langlie Literary Agency.

Meg Cabot, who took the publishing world by storm with her phenomenally successful Princess Diaries books, heads off in a dazzling new direction with the launch of three brand-new series. As part of its "Meg Cabot Girl-World Domination" campaign, Scholastic will publish Allie Finkle's Rules for Girls, a smart, funny series for readers ages 8-12 launching in spring 2008. In addition to the Allie Finkle books, two new trilogies for teens, Airhead and Abandon, will be published in 2008 and 2009. Airhead is daring, highly entertaining and a new direction for Meg Cabot, and Abandon is a dramatic modern retelling of the myth of Persephone.

Meg Cabot is the author of over forty books for adults and teens, many of which have been bestsellers including five #1 New York Times bestsellers, most notably the Princess Diaries series from HarperCollins.

Randall Radic Signs Book Deal with Ephemera Bound

Randall Radic's book, "The Sound of Meat," is to be published by Ephemera Bound. The memoir is awaited with some anticipation for its literary merit. " "The Sound of Meat" is to be released by Ephemera Bound on June 30, 2007.Ephemera Bound is an independent press, specializing in an eclectic mix of works ignored by other publishers. Other authors include J. Eric Miller, Cindy Bokma, Andrea Dean Van Scoyoc, Sensuous Sadie, The Suburban Diva & Satan's Angel.

New English Author Gets Signed by CAA

The LA based Creative Artists Agency, is acting as agent for English author Jasper Cooper to deal with inquiries for film rights. Jasper's first book, Candara's Gift, which became an Amazon No.1 bestseller following its launch in June 2006, is now attracting significant interest as potential for a major film. The enthusiastic Hollywood interest in turning the fantasy book into a film has delighted Jasper.

Jasper Cooper's first book Candara's Gift has already made the first strides towards becoming a world-wide success. Jasper is in contact with many publishers around the world who have shown a positive interest in publishing the trilogy in their countries. He has already secured a contract with a Turkish publisher. In the UK Candara's Gift continues to sell well in Waterstones bookstores throughout the country. These developments are remarkable for a self published book which has had very little promotion since its online beginnings at Amazon. However Jasper is now looking for the right UK publisher to take on the Kingdom of Gems trilogy so that he can concentrate fully on his writing.

Wiley Acquires Publications from Carpe Diem Communications

John Wiley & Sons, Inc. has acquired three controlled-circulation publications from Carpe Diem Communications, Inc., of Yardley, Pennsylvania. The acquisition expands Wiley’s global controlled-circulation portfolio of life and physical science offerings.

The three periodicals are: Food Quality, PFQ (Pharmaceutical Formulation & Quality), and Contamination Control.

THINKFilm Shoots for THE MOON

THINKFilm has acquired North American rights to IN THE SHADOW OF THE MOON, a documentary directed by award-winning filmmaker David Sington that brings together the surviving crew members from the Apollo missions to tell their stories by interweaving stunning archival footage with first-hand testimony. The deal was announced by the company's President and CEO, Jeff Sackman, who plans to release the film in theatrical engagements in 2007 in association with Discovery Films.

Bull Market Entertainment Acquires Award Winning Screenplay Wake

Bull Market Entertainment has acquired Wake, a screenplay written by Lennox Wiseley. Wake is about a young woman who, in her struggle to experience emotion, attends the funerals of strangers. At one of the funerals, she meets a man mourning his fiancée. As he helps her come to terms with her complex feelings about passion and death, she finds herself falling in love... until she discovers that he may have murdered his fiancée – and she could be next.'Wake' was a semi-finalist in the prestigious Nicholl Fellowship competition run by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences where it was one of the top 100 scripts out over 5000 entries. It was also a finalist in the 2005 Creative Screenwriting Competition and a semi-finalist at the Austin Film Festival. Production on 'Wake' is expected to begin in June in Los Angeles.

Salmon Creek PR Signs Best Selling Author

Salmon Creek PR has signed best-selling author and pet radio host Tracie Hotchner. Tracie Hotchner is the author of the million-copy bestseller Pregnancy & Childbirth, which was nominated for the American Book Award. Her current work has shifted to four-legged furry family members with the publication of "The Dog Bible: Everything Your Dog Wants You to Know" (Gotham Books, November 2005). It is the first all-inclusive comprehensive guide to everything pertaining to the relationship of people and their dogs. "The Cat Bible: Everything Your Cat Expects You to Know" will be published by Gotham in October 2007.

Scribner to Publish New Book From Steve Martin on His Early Years

Susan Moldow, Executive Vice President and Publisher of Scribner, an imprint of the Simon & Schuster Adult Publishing Division, announced that Scribner will publish a memoir by New York Times bestselling novelist and legendary comedian Steve Martin. The book, titled BORN STANDING UP, is Martin's first work of narrative non-fiction, and is a riveting chronicle of his early years as a stand-up comedian and a fascinating portrait of an era.

Martin, the author of the critically acclaimed and bestselling Cruel Shoes, Pure Drivel, Shop Girl, The Pleasure of My Company, and the play, Picasso at the Lapin Agile, brings all his talent to this taut, moving, exquisitely written, and, of course, laugh-out-loud funny memoir.

"This is a book that no one but Steve Martin could write, but it is also the universally compelling story of a man whose aspirations and fierce tenacity took him to greatness," said Nan Graham, Vice President and Editor- in-Chief of Scribner, who acquired world rights from Martin's longtime agent Esther Newberg of ICM. The book will also be available on compact disk and for digital download from Simon & Schuster Audio, and Simon and Schuster will publish in the United Kingdom.