Writer's Group Sells First Book to ABC Books

wRiters On the Rise, an Australian writer's group, has sold a seven-part children's book series, entitled, The Lost Shimmaron, to ABC Books.

USA TODAY Extends Brand to Books

USA TODAY has signed licenses with six U.S. book publishers to extend the USA TODAY brand to include books. Presenting a variety of subjects, the books will be branded "USA TODAY" and feature graphics and content from USA TODAY.

The book publishing initiative adds another brand extension to USA TODAY which celebrates its 25th anniversary in September. Over the last 25 years, USA TODAY has expanded into the Internet, magazines, mobile, and television programming.

Hyperion Announces Two Book Deal With Amy Dickinson

Hyperion today announced a two book deal with Amy Dickinson. The first book, a memoir, is to be entitled THE MIGHTY QUEENS OF FREEVILLE: A Mother, A Daughter and the People Who Raised Them. The second book is as yet untitled.

Amy Dickinson writes the "Ask Amy" column for the Chicago Tribune which is syndicated to over 200 newspapers, reaching more than 22 million readers. She also hosts a bi-weekly feature "Ask Amy" on NPR's Talk of the Nation that reaches 3 million listeners. In addition to being a featured panelist on NPR's popular game show "Wait, Wait Don't Tell Me," Dickinson also appears regularly on the Today show and other programs.

Hyperion president Bob Miller negotiated the deal with Elyse Cheney of Elyse Cheney Literary Associates. Executive editor Gretchen Young will edit the book. Hyperion retains North American, first serial, audio, and e-book rights.

Scholastic to Launch New Book Series by Author R.L. Stine

Scholastic will publish an all-new series from R.L. Stine, author of Goosebumps(R) series-featuring Stine's hallmark combination of humor and horror. Goosebumps HorrorLand(TM), an original twelve-book series, is scheduled to launch with two books in April 2008 and a $500,000 marketing campaign for the series. The deal to extend Scholastic's Goosebumps franchise was negotiated by Lisa Holton, President of Scholastic Trade and Book Fairs, and Joan Waricha, CEO & Chairman, Parachute Publishing.

Since the Goosebumps books debuted as a monthly series in 1992, more than 300 million copies have been sold worldwide in 32 languages-selling at the phenomenal rate of four million books per month in the mid-1990s. In 2003, Scholastic acquired from Parachute Publishing the Goosebumps trademark and all related rights on a worldwide basis in all media. The Goosebumps series continues to sell millions of copies worldwide each year.

Website: http://www.scholastic.com/goosebumps

Simon & Schuster to Publish Book Series for CG-Animated Film Igor

Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing Division announced today a major publishing agreement for Exodus Film Group's upcoming CG-animated feature film "Igor." The Simon Scribbles and Simon Spotlight imprints will publish seven books in a wide variety of formats.

"Igor" is a playfully irreverent comedy that brings a new twist to the classic monster genre and tells the story of an evil scientist's hunchbacked lab assistant with big dreams of becoming a scientist himself and winning the annual Evil Science Fair.

Author Lorenzo Carcaterra Teams Up with Atari, Inc. on Alone in the Dark

Video game publisher Atari, Inc. has hired New York Times best-selling author Lorenzo Carcaterra as script writer on Alone in the Dark. Alone in the Dark will deliver blockbuster-action on a cataclysmic scale set in New York City's iconic Central Park. Alone in the Dark is being developed by Eden Games for Xbox 360(TM) video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PLAYSTATION(R)3 computer entertainment system and Windows platform.

With more than twenty years of writing experience, Carcaterra lends his creative pen to provide the most authentic NYC experience yet in a video game. Born and raised in New York's Hell's Kitchen neighborhood, Carcaterra has covered the city in both fact and fiction, beginning as a reporter for the NY Daily News in 1976, becoming a successful television consultant and writer for shows including Law and Order and achieving success as the best selling author of such books as Apaches, Gangster and Sleepers, the latter of which became the hit film starring Robert De Niro and Brad Pitt.

"Alone in the Dark was a challenge which allowed me to bring a realistic feel to an apocalyptic situation facing New York City and really dig into the Central Park conspiracy idea," said Lorenzo Carcaterra. "It also allowed me to write for hard-edged characters, some good, some bad, all forced to confront a force whose power they could never imagine. The story never stalls, always moves in overdrive and the characters zoom right along at warp speed, stopping long enough along the way to say a few lines that keep driving the plot forward. The end result is, I hope, a roller-coaster of a thrill ride that should be tons of fun to play."

H2O Motion Pictures Acquires Rights to Anna Politkovskaya's Books

H2O Motion Pictures, a London and Los Angeles based independent production and distribution company, has acquired the rights to three books by Anna Politkovskaya, the award-winning Russian journalist who was shot to death in a suspected contract killing in Moscow on Saturday, the 7th of October 2006. Alexander Litvinenko the former KGB/FSB officer who four weeks later become a rare victim of lethal polonium-210 radiation poisoning under highly suspicious circumstances, accused Vladimir Putin of personally ordering the assassination of Politkovskaya. H2O will develop a feature film about Anna Politkovskaya, Russia's leading radical journalist, and a bold and steadfast critic of Vladimir Putin's presidency.

Alfred A. Knopf Canada to publish Jean Chrétien's memoirs

Alfred A. Knopf Canada and Editions du Boréal will be publishing the memoirs of former prime minister Jean Chrétien. A PASSION FOR POLITICS will be published simultaneously in English and French and will arrive in bookstores in October 2007. A PASSION FOR POLITICS is Jean Chrétien's own account, told from the heart, of his ten years as Canada's prime minister.

Atlantic Books Acquires Book By Andy Hobsbawm

A major book about the impact of the Internet on business and living, by one of the interactive industry's pioneers, Andy Hobsbawm, has been acquired by Atlantic Books.

His book is about describing this shift in the balance of power and centre of gravity in the modern world from the monolithic, the hierarchical and the centralized, towards the miniature, the networked and the distributed.

To mark the announcement of the book, the publisher, Toby Mundy (who acquired the rights for Atlantic Books Ltd) and Andy Hobsbawm are releasing a draft introduction on Hobsbawm's blog, http://www.small-big.com.

Bill Cosby and Alvin F. Poussaint Sign Book Deal With Thomas Nelson

In communities across the country, Bill Cosby has publicly drawn attention in the last three years to the dire crises in black America: more young men in prison than in college, 50 percent high-school drop-out rates, too many children born to teen-aged parents, children whose parents are ill-equipped and disinterested in parenting. These problems have been fermenting for years, but few have called them out with as much force, determination, passion, and credibility as has Dr. Cosby.

Now Cosby, and Alvin F. Poussaint, professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and a civil rights veteran, lay out their message of hope and empowerment in a new book with Nashville-based publisher Thomas Nelson, entitled "Come on, People! On the Path from Victims to Victors," scheduled for publication in fall 2007.

"Come on People!" is built around the themes of Cosby's popular call-out sessions, in which he has challenged people in towns and cities across America to reclaim and restore their families and communities.

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.