Publishing Notes

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Michelle Obama’s new book on gardening in America

First Lady Michelle Obama’s passion for healthy eating and gardening are well known. Mrs. Obama shares those passions in her first-ever book , “American Grown: The Story of the White House Kitchen Garden and Gardens Across America.” Released by Crown Publishing yesterday, the book is already in the top ten of best selling books on Barnes and Noble and Amazon […]
Monday, April 23, 2012

Ricki Lake’s new book hits store shelves

Actress and TV talk show host, Ricki Lake, has had plenty of life drama. In her new memoir, “Never say never: Finding a life that fits,” Lake shares the lessons learned from a painful childhood, weight issues, divorce, and the struggle to find a comfort level in her own skin. “Never say never” hit stores last week. Lake is out […]
Monday, April 23, 2012

“Think Like a Man” Number 1 at the box office

A surprise at the domestic box office. The big sci-fi hit, “The Hunger Games” got kicked to the curb this weekend by romantic comedy, “Think Like a Man.” After four consecutive weeks in the number one spot, “The Hunger Games” got dethroned by “Think Like a Man, ” which pulled in $33.6 million on its debut weekend, according to the […]
Monday, March 26, 2012

Major Hollywood book to film rights deal for “Fifty Shades of Grey”

Who says romance doesn’t sell in Hollywood? “Fifty Shades of Grey,” a bestselling erotic romance novel trilogy, with BDSM (bondage, discipline, sadism, masochism) elements, reportedly has sold to Universal Pictures and Focus Features. The X-rated book series was inspired by the hugely popular “Twilight” book saga and is written by British author E. L. James. The romance is about a […]
Monday, February 27, 2012

Oscars shine brightest for “The Artist”

As expected “The Artist” collected the major prize of best picture last night at the 84th Academy Awards ceremony in Hollywood. However, one of the best moments of the night occurred when Octavia Spencer won the best supporting actress Oscar for her work as a feisty maid in “The Help.” Octavia Spencer received her golden statuette from last year’s best […]
Friday, January 6, 2012

Writers Guild announces nominees for 2012 screen awards

The Writers Guild of America has put out the rest of its list of nominees for 2012 awards. Yesterday, the WGA West and East, revealed the nominations for outstanding achievement in writing for the big screen during 2011. ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY 50/50, Written by Will Reiser; Summit Entertainment Bridesmaids, Written by Annie Mumolo & Kristen Wiig; Universal Pictures Midnight in Paris, […]
Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Actress lands another book deal

  Actress Jenny McCarthy isn’t above showing off her body or book smarts. The former Playboy model is the author of a number of bestsellers including, “Life Laughs”, “Baby Laughs,” Belly Laughs,” and “Love, Lust & Faking It.” Also, McCarthy has written serious books about autism including,  “Louder than Words: A mother’s journey in healing autism. ” Now McCarthy, is going back to her […]
Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Rihanna named 2011 Sexiest Woman Alive!

Pop singer and fashion risk-taker, Rihanna, displayed her special kind of heat on the cover of Esquire’s November issue. The magazine named the 23-year-old Barbados native, 2011 Sexiest Woman Alive! On the Internet today, there is some debate about whether the entertainer really deserves the title. People magazine has more on Rihanna’s new title. Also, to ah, see more of Rihanna […]
Sunday, October 9, 2011

A Look back: A writer’s workshop on how to get an agent

Multi-talented author and Media City Groove guest blogger, Sue Ann Jaffarian, conducted a very informative writer’s workshop called, “Turning Agent Woes Into Agent Wows,” at the Buena Vista library here in Burbank last month. Forty-to-fifty writers showed up for the September 17 workshop. Many spent most of the time scribbling notes as Sue Ann covered the agent search from manuscript preparation to […]