Publishing Notes

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Writing query letters that get noticed by agents

  Two agent/bloggers are showcasing query letters from authors that grabbed their attention. The authors who wrote these knockout queries got requests for their manuscripts and later representation. Last Friday Kristin Nelson, on her Pub Rant blog, discussed one of her client’s boffo queries.  Also, over at the BookEnds, LLC – A Literary Agency blog, Jessica Faust is posting a series of successful author query letters. Faust not […]
Saturday, January 17, 2009

Brendan Fraser, author Cornelia Funke, and the “Inkheart” trilogy

Actor Brendan Fraser is about to hit the big screen in another fantasy adventure film. Last year, Fraser gave movie fans a wild ride in the remake of “Journey to the Center of the Earth,” and the third installment of the Mummy franchise, “The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor.” Fraser starred in the two previous Mummy movies as well. All were […]
Thursday, January 15, 2009

Chris Rock, new book deal & documentary at Sundance

   One of the most important showcases for independent cinema, the Sundance Film Festival, opens today in Park City, Utah. Sundance is celebrating its 25th year. More than 115 films and 16 documentaries were selected for screening during the 10-day festival. Entertainer Chris Rock has a film in the U.S. documentary competition. In “Good Hair” Rock takes an amusing look at the complex culture of African-American […]
Thursday, January 15, 2009

A second edition of that hot Obama/Spidey comic on the way

FLLewis/A Writer’s Groove Four copies of the first edition of that special Obama/Spidey comic went on sale for $40 at Legacy in Glendale 01/14/09.   Marvel Comics’ special inauguration issue of “Amazing Spider-man” dropped yesterday and the company is already planning a second edition. Some folks who were able to find and buy a copy were thrilled, while those who could not […]
Wednesday, January 14, 2009

The new Obama and Spidey comic book goes on sale today

Amazing Spider-Man # 583 President-elect Barack Obama has done some pretty amazing things before even taking the oath of office. His historic victory in the 2008 presidential race probably tops the list. More than likely somewhere on that list is Obama’s hook-up today with that web-slinging wise-cracking superhero, Spider-man. Through the magic of Marvel Comics, Obama and Spidey team up to stop an old foe of the webhead […]
Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Movie deal for a new twist on the “Romeo & Juliet” love story

“Romeo and Juliet”  by Sir Frank Dicksee (1853-1928)   The publishing industry has been buzzing for months about Danish author Anne Fortier’s “Juliet.”  In the  novel a woman discovers she may be related to the star-crossed lovers who inspired the classic, “Romeo & Juliet.” Today, there are a flurry of reports about Universal Pictures picking up the movie rights for “Juliet.” Director/producer James Mangold is attached […]
Saturday, January 3, 2009

A serious approach to writing the romantic comedy screenplay

FLLewis/A Writer’s Groove Story Analyst/author Billy Mernit chatted with writers and signed copies of his book, “Writing The Romantic Comedy,”  last month in Brea.   Actor Hugh Grant has had some of his best film success with romantic comedies so he knows a thing or two about the genre. Back in 2003, Grant explained the problem with most romcom scripts […]
Sunday, December 28, 2008

“Marley & Me” top dog at the Box Office

“Marley & Me” beat out a slew of films at the Box Office over the long Christmas holiday weekend. The family drama is based on the best selling novel about a family and its lovable but neurotic Labrador. “Marley & Me” brought in $14.7 million on December 25— the best debut ever on Christmas Day. “Marley & Me” continued to ring up mucho dough over […]
Saturday, December 27, 2008

New deal for a book about legendary singer Tony Bennett

The most detailed ever biography of superstar crooner Tony Bennett has been bought at auction by publisher, John Wiley & Sons. Publishers Weekly reports David Evanier’s “Keeper of the Flame: A Biography of Tony Bennett” is set for release in 2011 to mark the singer’s 85th birthday.  He was born Anthony Dominick Benedetto on August 3, 1926. The singer’s career […]