FastPencil (http://www.fastpencil.com/) revealed today that award-winning entrepreneur and publishing pioneer, John Kilcullen, has joined the company's Board of Directors. Kilcullen, the creator and publisher of the popular "For Dummies™" brand of how to book series that has sold more than 100 million copies, brings his creativity in brand-building and managing start up publishing companies to actively assist FastPencil in developing its new imprint, maximizing the flexible and lucrative publishing solutions offered by the next-generation publisher.
"The publishing industry is undergoing rapid changes driven by incredibly powerful and useful digital and social media technologies. Today, authors are eager to leverage those tools for more control, improved speed to market and real time transparency throughout the publishing process. FastPencil provides all of that as well as unparalleled simplicity and perhaps most importantly, a compelling percentage of gross revenues to offer a new path for proven and up and coming authors," said John Kilcullen.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Thomas Nelson Releases Best-Selling Canadian Memoir
Thomas Nelson, Inc. announced the signing of Mary-Ann Kirkby and the release of her first U.S. title I Am Hutterite: The Fascinating True Story of a Young Woman's Journey to Reclaim Her Heritage.
Barnes & Noble has listed Kirkby in its Discover Great New Writers selection for I Am Hutterite. Kirkby's memoir was self-published in Canada in 2007 and released in the U.S. by Thomas Nelson in May 2010. The book has garnered rave reviews as readers react to Kirkby's honest and compelling story told in her charming style. I Am Hutterite won the Saskatchewan Book Award for Best Non-Fiction in 2007.
Mary-Ann Kirkby was born on a Canadian Hutterite colony near Portage la Prairie, Manitoba. One of nine children, Kirkby was raised in the Hutterite tradition, similar in some respects, to that of the Amish or Mennonites. At age 10 her parents abruptly made the decision to leave the comfort and security of the colony and relocated their family to the "English" world. Thrust into a foreign universe that she didn't understand, Kirkby worked hard to adapt to a new way of life and to reinvent herself by denying her Hutterite heritage in an attempt to avoid the stigma and cruelty associated with being different.
Kirkby spent years as a television journalist before penning her memoir. She was the senior reporter responsible for aboriginal issues at CTV in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan and worked in Ottawa for several years as a freelance journalist and as Media Relations Consultant for the National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations. Kirkby received two Can-Pro Awards. She is a sought after speaker, and member of the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers.
Thomas Nelson has secured U.S. and World rights to I Am Hutterite.
Barnes & Noble has listed Kirkby in its Discover Great New Writers selection for I Am Hutterite. Kirkby's memoir was self-published in Canada in 2007 and released in the U.S. by Thomas Nelson in May 2010. The book has garnered rave reviews as readers react to Kirkby's honest and compelling story told in her charming style. I Am Hutterite won the Saskatchewan Book Award for Best Non-Fiction in 2007.
Mary-Ann Kirkby was born on a Canadian Hutterite colony near Portage la Prairie, Manitoba. One of nine children, Kirkby was raised in the Hutterite tradition, similar in some respects, to that of the Amish or Mennonites. At age 10 her parents abruptly made the decision to leave the comfort and security of the colony and relocated their family to the "English" world. Thrust into a foreign universe that she didn't understand, Kirkby worked hard to adapt to a new way of life and to reinvent herself by denying her Hutterite heritage in an attempt to avoid the stigma and cruelty associated with being different.
Kirkby spent years as a television journalist before penning her memoir. She was the senior reporter responsible for aboriginal issues at CTV in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan and worked in Ottawa for several years as a freelance journalist and as Media Relations Consultant for the National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations. Kirkby received two Can-Pro Awards. She is a sought after speaker, and member of the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers.
Thomas Nelson has secured U.S. and World rights to I Am Hutterite.
First Enhanced eBooks/Apps Venture for Movies
enkHouse, a new digital division under Brown Books Publishing Group, has launched its joint venture with KiwiTech, the world's leading enhanced eBook/app developer. Together they are taking the lead in the exploding market of enhanced eBooks and film-based apps. This launch comes within days of Penguin Publishing and Starz Entertainment releasing their first "amplified eBook", Ken Follett's "Pillars of the Earth".
Rakesh Gupta, CEO and Founder of KiwiTech, also founded and led Aptara Corporation, the largest eBook publishing services company in the world. "This alignment gives us tremendous opportunities to enter new markets, especially the film-to-enhanced-eBook market," says Gupta. "Our companies are a good team, sharing entrepreneurial spirits and decades of innovative work across the media spectrum."
EnkHouse is led by David Marlett, a film industry consultant, screenwriter and producer, who is himself an author. (His first novel will be published by Brown in the fall.) He comes to enkHouse as Transmedia Producer, a new designation of the Producers Guild of America. "The three keys to a successful enhanced eBook are content, content, content," says Marlett. Having been represented by William Morris Endeavor, he has over twenty years of experience writing and consulting on screenplays and productions for studios and producers such as DreamWorks, Arnold Kopelson and Michael Ovitz.
"This is an exciting time for writers, publishers, producers and developers alike," says Milli Brown, CEO of Brown Books, a publisher with fifteen years of growth in the traditional print industry, with thousands of books published. "We complement the digital team with a rich tradition of distinctive print books."
"Besides bringing print books alive in ways almost never before seen," says Marlett. "enkHouse and KiwiTech are uniquely positioned to provide film and television producers with fresh marketing and new distribution opportunities for content they already own. Similar to how interactive DVDs and 3D technology revolutionized storytelling in cinema, enhanced eBooks will revolutionize how we read a book and hear about upcoming movies."
"You'll not only read your favorite book on your ereader," adds Marlett, "but you will interact with it by bringing up images, music and videos—transforming the written story into a multi-dimensional experience." In addition, ereaders will get updates and news about film adaptations and more pushed right to their smart phones or tablet computers. "Basically, if a movie and a book hooked up, their love child would be an enhanced eBook," he says with a wry smile.
enkHouse (http://www.enkhouse.com/) is a transmedia company based in Los Angeles, CA and Dallas, TX.
Rakesh Gupta, CEO and Founder of KiwiTech, also founded and led Aptara Corporation, the largest eBook publishing services company in the world. "This alignment gives us tremendous opportunities to enter new markets, especially the film-to-enhanced-eBook market," says Gupta. "Our companies are a good team, sharing entrepreneurial spirits and decades of innovative work across the media spectrum."
EnkHouse is led by David Marlett, a film industry consultant, screenwriter and producer, who is himself an author. (His first novel will be published by Brown in the fall.) He comes to enkHouse as Transmedia Producer, a new designation of the Producers Guild of America. "The three keys to a successful enhanced eBook are content, content, content," says Marlett. Having been represented by William Morris Endeavor, he has over twenty years of experience writing and consulting on screenplays and productions for studios and producers such as DreamWorks, Arnold Kopelson and Michael Ovitz.
"This is an exciting time for writers, publishers, producers and developers alike," says Milli Brown, CEO of Brown Books, a publisher with fifteen years of growth in the traditional print industry, with thousands of books published. "We complement the digital team with a rich tradition of distinctive print books."
"Besides bringing print books alive in ways almost never before seen," says Marlett. "enkHouse and KiwiTech are uniquely positioned to provide film and television producers with fresh marketing and new distribution opportunities for content they already own. Similar to how interactive DVDs and 3D technology revolutionized storytelling in cinema, enhanced eBooks will revolutionize how we read a book and hear about upcoming movies."
"You'll not only read your favorite book on your ereader," adds Marlett, "but you will interact with it by bringing up images, music and videos—transforming the written story into a multi-dimensional experience." In addition, ereaders will get updates and news about film adaptations and more pushed right to their smart phones or tablet computers. "Basically, if a movie and a book hooked up, their love child would be an enhanced eBook," he says with a wry smile.
enkHouse (http://www.enkhouse.com/) is a transmedia company based in Los Angeles, CA and Dallas, TX.
HarperCollins Acquires Justin Bieber's Official Illustrated Memoir
HarperCollins announced today the acquisition of the official illustrated memoir from multi-platinum selling superstar Justin Bieber. JUSTIN BIEBER: FIRST STEP 2 FOREVER: MY STORY will reveal Justin's amazing journey to superstardom. This beautifully designed hardcover book contains exclusive, never-before-seen photos -- a must-have for fans afflicted with Bieber-fever. The book will be published this October in both the United States ($21.99) and in the UK (16.99 pounds Sterling).
Sunday, August 08, 2010
Cassandra Clare to Extend Her New York Times Bestselling Young Adult Fantasy Series
Margaret K. McElderry Books, an imprint of Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing, has announced it will publish City of Lost Souls and City of Heavenly Fire, the fifth and sixth installments in Cassandra Clare's bestselling young adult fantasy series, The Mortal Instruments, which currently has more than 3 million books in print. City of Lost Souls will publish in hardcover in May 2012, and City of Heavenly Fire will publish in hardcover in September 2013. The deal, which is for U.S. rights, was negotiated by Karen Wojtyla, Editorial Director of Margaret K. McElderry Books, and Barry Goldblatt of Barry Goldblatt Literary LLC.
News of the extension to the series precedes the much-anticipated publication of the fourth series installment, City of Fallen Angels, due to hit stores in April 2011.
Cassandra Clare took the world of YA literature by storm in 2007 with her debut novel, City of Bones, which immediately became a New York Times bestseller. The Mortal Instruments series books—which include City of Bones, City of Ashes, and City of Glass— have gone on to become New York Times, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly bestsellers.
Beginning this August 31st, Cassandra will be touring in Princeton, NJ; Exton, PA; St. Louis, MO; Naperville, IL; and Decatur, GA, for Clockwork Angel, the debut title in The Mortal Instruments' prequel series, The Infernal Devices. She will also be participating in some of the stops for the "Smart Chicks Kick It" YA author group book tour in September. Her complete schedule and wildly popular blog can be found at http://www.cassandraclare.com/.
"Cassandra Clare is an incredibly talented writer and a master in the fantasy genre," said Jon Anderson, Executive Vice President of Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing. "Cassandra has a huge following of fans, not only of teens but adults as well, who I'm sure will be as thrilled as we are that she decided to add two additional titles to this bestselling series."
Says Clare, "I initially envisioned City of Fallen Angels as an ending to the story begun in City of Bones, but I soon realized that in fact where my pen was taking me was into a new trilogy, one even more epic, dark and passionate than the first. In the first three Mortal Instruments books the fate of the Shadowhunters hung in the balance; now it's the fate of the world. I can't wait to share this journey with my readers as familiar characters are deepened, new faces introduced and relationships tested like never before."
In Book 5: City of Lost Souls, the Shadowhunters struggle to piece together their shattered world after a betrayal by one of their own leaves them reeling. In Book 6: City of Heavenly Fire, Jace, Clary and their friends are drawn inexorably into a war that pits Heaven against Hell, angels against demons--a war that threatens to destroy our world entirely if the Shadowhunters can't end it first.
The film rights to The Mortal Instruments series have been optioned by Bob Shaye and Michael Lynne's Unique Features.
News of the extension to the series precedes the much-anticipated publication of the fourth series installment, City of Fallen Angels, due to hit stores in April 2011.
Cassandra Clare took the world of YA literature by storm in 2007 with her debut novel, City of Bones, which immediately became a New York Times bestseller. The Mortal Instruments series books—which include City of Bones, City of Ashes, and City of Glass— have gone on to become New York Times, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly bestsellers.
Beginning this August 31st, Cassandra will be touring in Princeton, NJ; Exton, PA; St. Louis, MO; Naperville, IL; and Decatur, GA, for Clockwork Angel, the debut title in The Mortal Instruments' prequel series, The Infernal Devices. She will also be participating in some of the stops for the "Smart Chicks Kick It" YA author group book tour in September. Her complete schedule and wildly popular blog can be found at http://www.cassandraclare.com/.
"Cassandra Clare is an incredibly talented writer and a master in the fantasy genre," said Jon Anderson, Executive Vice President of Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing. "Cassandra has a huge following of fans, not only of teens but adults as well, who I'm sure will be as thrilled as we are that she decided to add two additional titles to this bestselling series."
Says Clare, "I initially envisioned City of Fallen Angels as an ending to the story begun in City of Bones, but I soon realized that in fact where my pen was taking me was into a new trilogy, one even more epic, dark and passionate than the first. In the first three Mortal Instruments books the fate of the Shadowhunters hung in the balance; now it's the fate of the world. I can't wait to share this journey with my readers as familiar characters are deepened, new faces introduced and relationships tested like never before."
In Book 5: City of Lost Souls, the Shadowhunters struggle to piece together their shattered world after a betrayal by one of their own leaves them reeling. In Book 6: City of Heavenly Fire, Jace, Clary and their friends are drawn inexorably into a war that pits Heaven against Hell, angels against demons--a war that threatens to destroy our world entirely if the Shadowhunters can't end it first.
The film rights to The Mortal Instruments series have been optioned by Bob Shaye and Michael Lynne's Unique Features.
Harlot's Sauce Author's Blog Lands Her a Book Deal
Award-winning author Patricia V. Davis writes a blog post that goes viral, grabbing the attention of agents and publishers
Patricia V. Davis says her aim is to leave her spot of the world "just a little bit better than it was before she got there." She focuses on that through her writing, teaching, philanthropic work, and the promoting of other people who she believes share that same goal.
This was why she wrote the blog post, "From an Older Woman to a Younger One" to support and encourage a 21-year-old reader of hers. That post (also titled on some sites, "Ten Things I'd Tell My Younger Self") struck a chord with many. Within weeks, it was picked up by hundreds of other blogs, and eventually sparked the interest of the producers of the nationally syndicated radio program, "Your Time with Kim Iverson", who asked Patricia to appear on the show to read her post. The day after the program aired, dozens of listeners befriended Patricia on Facebook, and retweeted the post. This in turn attracted a literary agent who asked Patricia if she'd be interested in expanding the post into a book. That book, now with the working title, "The Diva Doctrine" was picked up by Cedar Fort, (http://cedarfort.com/) and will be published in 2011.
Says Patricia, "I'm very pleased to be working with Cedar Fort. They have marvelous titles, and I'm proud that my work will be listed among them."
Patricia also wrote the award-winning "Harlot's Sauce: A Memoir of Food, Family, Love, Loss and Greece", with the hope that it would encourage young women not to make the same mistakes she made. Adelphi University adopted it as a reader for its Gender Studies program, Marin Independent Journal called it "delicious", The Greek Star called it "an inspiring, great read", and the Orange County Register called her a "Renaissance woman". (Read that interview here: http://www.ocregister.com/articles/stomach-243745-love-think.html)
Patricia V. Davis says her aim is to leave her spot of the world "just a little bit better than it was before she got there." She focuses on that through her writing, teaching, philanthropic work, and the promoting of other people who she believes share that same goal.
This was why she wrote the blog post, "From an Older Woman to a Younger One" to support and encourage a 21-year-old reader of hers. That post (also titled on some sites, "Ten Things I'd Tell My Younger Self") struck a chord with many. Within weeks, it was picked up by hundreds of other blogs, and eventually sparked the interest of the producers of the nationally syndicated radio program, "Your Time with Kim Iverson", who asked Patricia to appear on the show to read her post. The day after the program aired, dozens of listeners befriended Patricia on Facebook, and retweeted the post. This in turn attracted a literary agent who asked Patricia if she'd be interested in expanding the post into a book. That book, now with the working title, "The Diva Doctrine" was picked up by Cedar Fort, (http://cedarfort.com/) and will be published in 2011.
Says Patricia, "I'm very pleased to be working with Cedar Fort. They have marvelous titles, and I'm proud that my work will be listed among them."
Patricia also wrote the award-winning "Harlot's Sauce: A Memoir of Food, Family, Love, Loss and Greece", with the hope that it would encourage young women not to make the same mistakes she made. Adelphi University adopted it as a reader for its Gender Studies program, Marin Independent Journal called it "delicious", The Greek Star called it "an inspiring, great read", and the Orange County Register called her a "Renaissance woman". (Read that interview here: http://www.ocregister.com/articles/stomach-243745-love-think.html)
Virtual Tales Acquires Historical Fiction Novel Desert Angels from Author Patrick Simpson
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 historical fiction novel Desert Angels by Raleigh, North Carolina author Patrick Simpson. Desert Angels is Mr. Simpson's first fiction novel; his non-fiction novels include Wheelchair Around the World, Wheelchair Down Under, and Whither Thou Goest, winner of the 2004 Nonfiction Book of the Year award from JADA Press.
This gripping tale was inspired by actual events during the Bannock Indian War of 1878, and Sarah Winnemucca, the Paiute princess who helped end it. Her life-sized statue was recently unveiled in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda -- only the second Native American woman to be granted that honor (Sacagawea was the first). When young Eva Beardsley wanders lost in the hot eastern Oregon desert looking for her cavalry boyfriend and is discovered by Paiute princess Sarah Winnemucca, their destinies change forever in the last great Indian war.
Desert Angels has been assigned to Virtual Tales staff editor Jake George of Cocoa Beach, Florida, who is himself a Native American. 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 Desert Angels for free by visiting the Virtual Tales website, or by sending an empty email request to desert-angels(a)virtualtales.com.
This gripping tale was inspired by actual events during the Bannock Indian War of 1878, and Sarah Winnemucca, the Paiute princess who helped end it. Her life-sized statue was recently unveiled in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda -- only the second Native American woman to be granted that honor (Sacagawea was the first). When young Eva Beardsley wanders lost in the hot eastern Oregon desert looking for her cavalry boyfriend and is discovered by Paiute princess Sarah Winnemucca, their destinies change forever in the last great Indian war.
Desert Angels has been assigned to Virtual Tales staff editor Jake George of Cocoa Beach, Florida, who is himself a Native American. 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 Desert Angels for free by visiting the Virtual Tales website, or by sending an empty email request to desert-angels(a)virtualtales.com.
Monday, August 02, 2010
Suspense Magazine announces the opening of Suspense Publishing
Suspense Magazine opened up a new division called Suspense Publishing. This new venture for Suspense Magazine will better help authors publish and market their books.
This new division will operate under the same management staff as Suspense Magazine. "We see an increased need in helping authors market and publish their book" says John Raab CEO of Suspense Magazine. "Our focus is bringing on new authors and giving them the platform to succeed in their writing"
Suspense Magazine is a monthly publication that has been in business since 2008. Suspense Magazine is located at 26500 Agoura Rd. #102-474, Calabasas, CA 91302. Phone number 877-667-9105 or email at editor@suspensemagazine.com http://www.suspensemagazine.com/publishing.html
This new division will operate under the same management staff as Suspense Magazine. "We see an increased need in helping authors market and publish their book" says John Raab CEO of Suspense Magazine. "Our focus is bringing on new authors and giving them the platform to succeed in their writing"
Suspense Magazine is a monthly publication that has been in business since 2008. Suspense Magazine is located at 26500 Agoura Rd. #102-474, Calabasas, CA 91302. Phone number 877-667-9105 or email at editor@suspensemagazine.com http://www.suspensemagazine.com/publishing.html
Amazon's Kindle Store now exclusively offering 20 books from The Wylie Agency's new Odyssey Editions imprint
Amazon.com today announced that The Wylie Agency is publishing 20 books from some of literature's most influential authors through its new Odyssey Editions imprint (http://www.odysseyeditions.com/) and making them available for sale exclusively in the Kindle Store (www.amazon.com/kindlestore). This is the first time any of the titles--which include Norman Mailer's "The Naked and the Dead," Philip Roth's "Portnoy's Complaint" and Ralph Ellison's "Invisible Man"--have been available electronically, and all of the books are exclusive to the Kindle Store for two years. Starting today, customers can download these books for $9.99 from the Kindle Store and read them everywhere--on their Kindle, Kindle DX, iPhone, iPod touch, BlackBerry, PC, Mac, iPad and Android devices.
Virtual Tales Acquires Here With You from UK Author Caroline Sherreard
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.
Four weeks of painful silence -- no texts, no calls, no emails. Has 17-year-old Gabriel Grey been dumped in the cruelest possible way? It's what everyone's saying. It's what he's starting to believe... But when school starts, he learns that a cruel twist of fate has separated him from the girl he loves... maybe forever. What must he do to help the quirky red-head who's stolen his heart stay here with him?
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.
Four weeks of painful silence -- no texts, no calls, no emails. Has 17-year-old Gabriel Grey been dumped in the cruelest possible way? It's what everyone's saying. It's what he's starting to believe... But when school starts, he learns that a cruel twist of fate has separated him from the girl he loves... maybe forever. What must he do to help the quirky red-head who's stolen his heart stay here with him?
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.
Monday, July 26, 2010
Virtual Tales Acquires HERE WITH YOU from UK author Caroline Sherreard
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.
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.
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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