Archives March 15-31, 2002

Scholastic Buys

Leading Kids'

Publisher, Klutz

NEW YORK, NY/3/4/02—Scholastic Corporation, (NMS:SCHL) the global children's publishing and multimedia company, has agreed to acquire Klutz, an innovative publisher and creator of "books plus" products for children from Corus Entertainment, Inc., one of Canada's leading media and entertainment companies.

Scholastic initially will pay $43 million for the acqusition, plus additional payments based on Klutz's performance for the next three years. Closing is expected to take place following the mandatory waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act. Klutz had revenue of approximately $39 million in its last fiscal year ended August 31, 2001.

Klutz, based in Palo Alto, California, has been on U.S. children's book and toy bestseller lists for 25 years; has more than 150 active titles in print, and has sold more than 60 million books worldwide.

Founded in 1977 by John Cassidy, author of Juggling for the Complete Klutz, an innovative form of "how-to" book publishing was created, featuring books that come packaged with the "tools of the trade." Klutz established a whole new category of experiential books, such as Face Painting and Nail Art, designed for doing, not just reading. They continue to publish new, innovative books across a variety of subjects, from whimsical to serious, from crafts and games to educational.

In announcing this acquisition, Richard Robinson, Scholastic's Chairman, President and CEO said, "Klutz brings a remarkable freshness and relevance to children's publishing, packaging books and play components in an engaging format that kids want to pick up and own. We're confident that Scholastic can further leverage Klutz products through our broad distribution network of school book clubs and school book fairs around the world. Klutz and John Cassidy have displayed a kind of publishing magic and style, combining children's fun and children's learning in a wonderful package. Klutz' reputation for innovation will bring further luster to our company."

John Cassidy, founder of Klutz and creative innovator behind such award-winning books as The Body Crayon Book, Cat's Cradle, Kids Travel: a Backseat Survival Kit, and Window Art said, "Klutz is thrilled to be a part of the Scholastic family. Both companies share a desire to create quality products that educate, entertain, and delight kids and parents alike. This partnership will help us further our goal to get Klutz products into the hands of more kids. And importantly, Scholastic supports our mission to create wonderful things, be good, and have fun."

Klutz will be a part of Scholastic's Children's Book Publishing and Distribution division, reporting to Barbara Marcus, President of the division. Klutz will operate independently, maintaining its headquarters in Palo Alto, California. Chris Deyo, President of Klutz, will report to Barbara Marcus. Founder John Cassidy will continue in his role of Chief Creative Officer. Klutz' business functions, including sales, marketing, finance, editorial, and production will continue to support the day-to-day business operations.

Corus Entertainment acquired Klutz in November 2000 as part of their acquisition of Nelvana Limited, one of the world's leading animation companies, home to classic children's characters including, Babar, Little Bear, and Franklin the Turtle. Corus, one of Canada's largest entertainment companies, elected to sell Klutz as part of a previously announced consolidation and debt reduction strategy that focuses on their core radio and television assets.

Klutz

Based in Palo Alto, California, Klutz began its corporate life in 1977 with the book-and-beanbags set Juggling for the Complete Klutz. Today, more than 150 Klutz books, guides, and activity kits are sold in the U.S. and 24 other countries. Just this last year, Klutz has earned awards from Parent's Choice, Oppenheim Toy Portfolio, Dr. Toy and other noteworthy organizations.

Corus Entertainment, Inc.

Corus Entertainment is a Canadian-based media and entertainment company. Corus is Canada's market leader in both specialty TV and Radio. Corus also owns Nelvana Limited, one of the world's largest international producers and distributors of children's programming and products. The company's other interests include music, television broadcasting and advertising services. A publicly traded company, Corus is listed on the Toronto (CJR.B) and New York (CJR) Exchanges. Corus' Web site can be found at http://www.corusentertainment.com/.

Scholastic Corporation

Scholastic is the world's largest publisher and distributor of children's books. As a global children's publishing and media company serving the needs of parents, teachers, and children, Scholastic provides proprietary book and software distribution through school book clubs, school book fairs and to classrooms, as well as through the retail trade. Since 1920, Scholastic has created quality educational materials for schools and has expanded its reach to include the distribution of books, software, toys, online learning services and television programming directly to the home. Scholastic's Grolier division is the leading print and online publisher of children's reference materials and the leader in children's direct-to-home book clubs. Internationally, Scholastic operates wholly owned companies in Argentina, Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, The Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and the United Kingdom. The U.S. Scholastic web site is a leading provider of educational services online for parents, teachers and children

AAP Reports

Book Sales Up

by a Fraction

New York, NY —US book sales increased a mere 0.1 percent in 2001 over the previous year, according to the American Association of Publishers (AAP). Sales reached $25,356,500,000 billion in 2001. Overall, trade revenues declined 2.6 percent garnering a total of $6.37 billion in sales. Adult trade hardbound sales dropped 2.2 percent ($2.63 billion) while paperbound sales modestly rose by 1.4 percent ($1.93 billion), the AAP report said. Juvenile hardbound sales fell 22.7 percent (to $928.6 million) in 2001, the largest drop in the trade category. Juvenile paperbound sales conversely increased 17.9 percent ($887.6 million).

Elhi sales rose 7.8 percent for the year ($4.18 billion), closely followed by higher education sales which increased 7.2 percent ($3.47 billion). Standardized test sales continued to rise, up 6.8 percent with sales of $250.1 million in 2001.

Professional and scholarly books showed a dramatic drop in sales from last year. Sales in this category fell 7.6 percent in 2001 ($4.74 billion). University press sales increased slightly by 1.5 percent (to $408.2 million). Mail order sales significantly fell 18 percent ($353.9 million) over the previuous year. Religious publications, however, showed sales increases up 4.7 percent ($1.31 billion).

Book clubs gained 3.3 percent, with sales of $1.33 billion, and subscription reference works gained 1.3 percent, with sales of $819.4 million) showed moderate increases for 2001. Mass market paperback sales dropped 8 percent with, on sales of $1.55 billion.

Texas

Entrepreneur Buys

Baskerville Publishers

FORT WORTH, TX/3/4/02—Entrepreneur and arts patron Ronald E. Moore has purchased Baskerville Publishers, Inc., an independent book publisher of fine literary and popular fiction and performing arts. Moore plans to restore Baskerville's tradition of publishing works by new emerging authors, and its stellar opera biography series, Great Voices. Negotiations are underway for three new literary works and two additions to the Great Voices series, including the autobiography of one of opera's greats, which has never been translated into English.

"In view of the huge consolidation of the publishing industry, I'm excited about the chance to find and publish quality fiction which might otherwise go unread," said Moore, who was among the leading businessmen in the field of ambulatory surgical centers. "I was very fortunate to be a part of the development of what is now an integral part of our health care system. But now I have an opportunity to exercise those skills in an area closer to the mind and heart."

Baskerville Publishers, launched in 1992 in Dallas by Jane Howle, has carved a unique niche in the independent publishing world. The company has published works by award winning authors, such as Peter Landesman, whose book "The Raven," was the 1995 winner of the Sue Kaufman Award for First Fiction from the American Academy of Arts and Letters.

Pearson CEO

Says They Have No Plans

to Sell Financial Times 3/6/02—Marjorie Scdardino, chief exeuctive of UK-based Pearson PLC has refuted rumors that the company would sell Financial Times, the firm's flagship newspaper. Mrs. Scardino said that the highly profitable publication remains an integral component of the company's overall plans. The newspaper's ad revenues have sharply decline in recent years, and Pearson has increased its focus on education, which now comprises 62% of the publisher's revenue and profit. The two factors have prompted speculation of the newspaper's sale. Book Expo

Set May 1-5

in New York

NEW YORK, NY/3/02—Book Expo America, sponsored by the American booksellers Association as one of the largest book events in America, will be held May 1-5 in Jacob Javits Convention Center, New York, NY.

The vent will feature some 300,000 square feet of exhibits, a full educational program, a rights center, and many special events. For detailed information, visit Book Expo online at http://www.bookexpoamerica.com/ New Choices

Magazine to Cease

Publication

PLEASANTVILLE, NY/3/6/02—The Reader's Digest magazine, New Choices, recipient of many awards for editorial excellence, will shut its doors following the May/June issue. The small publishing unit had long battled a shortage of operating capital, a market downturn after 9/11, and ever-increasing postal rate increases.

"It is always sad to see a magazine close, especially one like New Choices," said Dom Rossi, Executive Publisher of Reader's Digest U.S. Magazines. "Our team made a valiant effort to support New Choices, but it was not sustained in the marketplace without an endemic advertising base." The company will continue to focus on its flagship magazinhe, Reader's Digest, as well as the do-it-yourself affinity. The Family Handyman is the leader in the D-I-Y category, and has been showing strength even in the down market. American Woodworker, a D-I-Y woodworking magazine, has gained market share over the past year. "Selecciones," the "Reader's Digest" edition published for U.S. Latinos and "Reader's Digest Large Print" edition, are both up in circulation and advertising in Fiscal 2002.

New Choices was acquired in 1988 from Whitney Communications Company. It was published under various titles and positioning over the years.

The Reader's Digest Association, Inc. (NYSE: RDA, RDB) is a global publisher and direct marketer of products that inform, enrich, entertain and inspire people of all ages and all cultures around the world. Products include Reader's Digest, the most widely read magazine in the world. The company's main Web site is at http://www.rd.com/ Global headquarters are located at Pleasantville, New York.

Harold McGraw III

Predicts Major Changes

In American Education

PALM BEACH, FL/3/5/02—Harold McGraw III, chairman and CEO of The McGraw-Hill Companies (NYSE: MHP) told a Florida audience this week that "American education stands at a crossroads, struggling to keep up with the demands of the new economy, but with the opportunity to create a system that fully educates future generations." Mr. McGraw made his remarks as keynote speaker for the Bear Stearns annual media, entertainment andinformation conferencein Florida.

He said educational reform has gained momentum, and constituency groups are aligning in greater numbers than ever before to improve ediucation. He cited the recently passed landmark federal education reform bill, "No Child Left Behind," as evidence of the growing consensus that our nationmust improve the effectiveness of our educational system.

"I have a guarded optimism about the future of American education," said Mr. McGraw, citing several reasons for this optimism:

Today, we have a much better understanding of what high standards for students, teachers and schools should look like; Teaching is becoming a true profession, with programs becoming available to support teachers from recruitment to professional development; Schools, districts and states are creating large scale assessment systems; The public wants results Technology is emerging as an important support for teaching; and We are focusing on different stages in a child's learning, in the knowledge that each requires unique support.

"We have seen vast improvements in establishing `best practices' in schools, and the availability of technology to act as a powerful and enabling force," said Mr. McGraw. He observed that educators would continue to broaden their use of technology to improve teaching and learning, and to more closely involve parents, policymakers and community leaders in the education process.

Mr. McGraw noted that teacher recruitment has not kept pace with a looming shortage of educators. He believes that attracting and retaining a new generation of teachers will be critical to meeting new standards of accountability.

Mr. McGraw predicted major changes in American education in the next decade. "As we recognize the importance of early literacy, schools will increasingly add pre-kindergarten as a standard grade level," observed Mr. McGraw, "Currently, early childhood literacy is promoted in low-income communities or for those students with disabilities."

The public will give teaching much higher status in terms of compensation and professional time, and policymakers will require quality in teacher education programs, he predicted. "And in high schools, especially those in inner cities, there will be more choices to students in smaller settings. Education tailored to the needs and aspirations of individual students will be the norm," he said.

In addition, he said school leadership will change drastically. "The traditional principal and superintendent will become obsolete. A new education career—the local school manager—will emerge, perhaps as an assignment to handle the business affairs for a cluster of schools." He cited Maryland as an example of where such a local school manager structure is under consideration.

"As Americans struggle to keep up with the demands of the new economy, we are presented with opportunities to create a system capable of fully educating future generations," he said. Mr. McGraw warned that demographic trends indicate a shortage of educated laborers in the face of competition from abroad. The U.S., given its aging society, will need a growing number of younger knowledge workers in order to sustain current levels of productivity and prosperity.

"Our challenge today is that the needs are monumental and society is in a hurry," Mr. McGraw said. "We cannot sustain ourselves without growth, and a public-private sector collaboration must address the problem. No other industrialized nation has such dispersed accountability in education. This is both our strength and greatest weakness," he concluded.

About The McGraw-Hill Companies

Founded in 1888, The McGraw-Hill Companies (NYSE: MHP) is a global information services provider meeting worldwide needs in the financial services, education, and business-to-business information markets through leading brands such as Standard & Poor's, BusinessWeek, and McGraw-Hill Education. The Corporation has more than 300 offices in 33 countries. Sales in 2001 were $4.6 billion. Additional information is available at http://www.mcgraw-hill.com/.

GENERAL NEWS McGraw-Hill,

Mindsurf Team Up

for Digital Curricula

ORLANDO, FL/3/6/02—McGraw-Hill Education's Digital Learning Group and Mindsurf have agreed to jointly develop digital curricula based on McGraw-Hill Education's electronic textbooks for Mindsurf's Discourse instructional platform.

The first title to be released this fall will be Glencoe/McGraw-Hill's best selling Glencoe Algebra I textbook. With this agreement, McGraw-Hill Education becomes the first publisher to integrate an electronic instructional method with core curriculum products. The new product enables teachers to instantly distribute lessons and assessments directly into each student computer, and to observe and track students' work from the teacher's computer in real time. Teachers are then able to assess each student's comprehension and concept mastery. The immediate feedback allows for on-the-spot remediation and targeted instruction.

McGraw-Hill Education is a unit of The McGraw-Hill Companies, and is the largest pre-K through 12th grade publisher in the U.S. Glencoe/McGraw-Hill is the nation's leading educational publisher for grades 6-12. The new digital curricula, from McGraw-Hill Digital Learning, allows teachers to instantly provide students with interactive graphs, text, and quizzes from Glencoe Algebra I on their computers as part of a lesson, assessment, or for on-the-spot remediation.

"Our alliance with Mindsurf reflects our mission to provide teachers with technology solutions that improve student performance. We are very excited about this opportunity to help improve teachers' understanding of student comprehension and respond to specific teaching needs with McGraw-Hill Education's core textbook materials," said Brad Onken, president of McGraw-Hill Digital Learning. "Discourse offers teachers a great way to bring exciting digital content into the classroom as part of their daily instruction."

"This effort is a clear demonstration of McGraw-Hill Education's leadership in the development and use of digital content for schools," said Bruce J. Davis, CEO of Mindsurf. "Schools are challenged to make sure that students perform well on highly-scrutinized annual assessments while teaching effectively and thoroughly covering the curriculum. By incorporating the core curriculum materials from McGraw-Hill Education into Discourse, teachers can seamlessly weave assessment preparation into day-to-day teaching and save themselves an enormous amount of time on test scoring and reporting."

About McGraw-Hill Education

McGraw-Hill Digital Learning is focused on providing technology solutions for the pre-K through 12 market that improve teacher and student performance. It is a unit of McGraw-Hill Education, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies (NYSE:MHP), a global information services provider meeting worldwide needs in the financial services, education and business information markets through leading brands such as Standard & Poor's and Business Week. Founded in 1888, the Corporation has more than 300 offices in 33 countries. Sales in 2001 were $4.6 billion. Additional information is available at http://www.mcgrawhill.com/.

About Mindsurf, Inc.

Mindsurf develops, publishes and distributes one-to-one software for schools and teachers that improves student engagement and achievement. The Company's mission is to help schools fully leverage their technology investments and turn computers into powerful teaching and assessment tools. Headquartered in Baltimore, MD, Mindsurf is a joint venture between Sylvan Ventures, the venture arm of Sylvan Learning Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq:SLVN), and Aether Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq:AETH). For more information about Mindsurf, please visit the website at http://www.mindsurfnetworks.com/

News Corp.

Ad Revenues

on the Rise

NEW YORK, NY//3/6/02—News Corp., owned by media mogul Rupert Murdoch, has reported an increase of 4-5 percent in advertising, cable, television, and syndication units so far this year, when compared to the same period in 2001.

News Corp. president and chief operating officer, Peter Chernin, said local television advertising, which accounts for about half of broadcast advertising revenue, increased 15% in February, bolstered by Fox's Super Bowl broadcast, growth is expected toslow to 3% this month.

Architectural Digest

to Publish Another

Special New York Issue

NEW YORK, NY/3/6/02—Architectural Digest will publish a special New York edition of the magazine in April 2002. The magazine published its first New York special edition in 1992, featuring a night shot of lower Manhattan, which included the Twin Towers.

The magazine will be accessible online at http://www.newstream.com/cgi-bin/display_story.cgi?5291, and downloads will be free.

American Broadcast,

Newspaper Execs

Head to Russia

WASHINGTON/3/6/02—Leading American broadcast and newspaper executives and their trade associations, the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) and the Newspaper Association of America (NAA), are in Russia this month to promote dialogue between Russian and American media entrepreneurs

The project aims at helping Russian news media build competitive businesses with journalistic standards.

National Secuirty Adviser Condoleezza Rice, is helping the delegation structure its meetings with the Russian counterparts. Some dialogue will be based on meetings betweenPresidenets Bush and Putin last November. Rice told the U.S. media group, "We believe that the sharing of successful business models between counterparts in our respective countries will help improve the commercial basis for free media and foster the further growth of a mature independent press in Russia. We are grateful for the willingness of the NAB and NAA to undertake this outreach effort."

In addition to meeting with Rice, the U.S. team also met with representatives from the U.S. Department of State, and the U.S. Agency for International Development and Internews.

The fact-finding group is also scheduled to attend annual meetings of both NAB, April 6-11 in Las Vegas, and NAA, April 28-May 1 in New Orleans.

The National Association of Broadcasters is a full-service trade association that promotes and protects the interests of radio and television broadcasters in Washington and around the world. Web site: http://www.nab.org/ .

The Newspaper Association of America is a nonprofit organization representing the $59 billion newspaper industry and more than 2,000 newspapers in the U.S. and Canada. Most NAA members are daily newspapers, accounting for 87 percent of the U.S. daily circulation. Headquartered in Tysons Corner (Vienna, Va.), the Association focuses on six key strategic priorities that affect the newspaper industry collectively: marketing, public policy, diversity, industry development, newspaper operations and readership.Web site: http://www.naa.org/ .

BOOKSELLING Barnes & Noble

to Open New Store

in Prescott, Arizona

NEW YORK, NY/3/5/02—Barnes & Noble, Inc. (NYSE: BKS), the world's largest bookseller, will open a new 25,000-square-foot superstore on March 8 at The Gateway Mall, located at 3250 Gateway Blvd. The store will stock close to 200,000 book, music, DVD and magazine titles and include a cafe serving Starbucks coffee. The new Prescott Barnes & Noble will be open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday and employ approximately 50 people from the community.

The public is invited to a Preview Night Party at the new Prescott Barnes & Noble on Thursday, March 7th, from 6 to 9 p.m. Prescott mayor Rowle Simmons will preside over the ribbon cutting at 6 p.m. The evening will also feature the music of the Bradshaw Mountain High School Band. A portion of the Preview Night sales will benefit adult literacy programs in Yavapi County.

Barnes & Noble's bookselling innovations have helped established it as the number-one operator of book superstores in America. Its innovations include:

The Readers Advantage membership program. Designed for Barnes & Noble's best customers, this program gives members an additional 10 percent off everything they buy. The annual fee is $25. Rapid special-order counters. Special orders have been commonplace in bookselling, but Barnes & Noble's new service takes it to new heights in terms of selection and speed of delivery. Its new counters are connected in real time to the inventory of every title in the company's distribution network, enabling its booksellers to order and confirm the availability of virtually any book in print at the click of a button. Large-scale children's departments that are bigger than most typical bookstores. Stocking over 15,000 titles in an easy-to-browse environment, Barnes & Noble Junior departments are designed to appeal to children, parents, teachers and librarians. Children's story hours will be held twice a week. Every CD listening stations. The store's music department features the most advanced listening technology, enabling customers to listen to any CD in the store by simply passing it under a scanner. Connected to the company's online electronic music catalog, the store's listening stations make "browsing with your ears" a reality.

"We have become the market leader because of our unparalleled selection, service, convenience and the most sophisticated inventory systems in all of bookselling," said Mitchell Klipper, chief operating officer of Barnes & Noble, Inc. "Our new rapid special-order systems enable us to offer our customers the largest selection and fastest delivery of any bookseller. In short, if we don't have it on our shelves, we'll get it for you and offer the convenience of in-store pickup or home delivery."

Store manager Mark Greist said, "Bookselling is a very local business. Underlying our success is our expertise at tailoring the selection of every store to the community it serves. I have the ability to order the books my customers need and adjust the selection to the lifestyles and interests of this community. We also plan to have an ongoing series of author signing and book discussion groups."

About Barnes & Noble, Inc

Barnes & Noble, Inc. (NYSE: BKS) is the world's largest bookseller, operating 582 Barnes & Noble superstores in 49 states. It also operates 328 B. Dalton bookstores, primarily in regional shopping malls. The company offers titles from more than 50,000 publisher imprints, including thousands of small, independent publishers and university presses. It conducts its e-commerce business through Barnes & Noble.com ( http://www.bn.com/) in which it owns a 36 percent interest. Barnes & Noble also has approximately a 60 percent interest in GameStop (NYSE: GME), the nation's largest operator of video game and entertainment software with 1,011 stores.

General financial information on Barnes & Noble, Inc. can be obtained via the Internet by visiting the company's corporate Web site: http://www.barnesandnobleinc.com/financials.

Barnes & Noble

to Open New Store

at Southpoint Durham, NC

NEW YORK, NY/3/5/02—Barnes & Noble, Inc. (NYSE: BKS), the world's largest bookseller, will open a new 30,000-square-foot superstore on March 8 at The Streets at Southpoint, located at 8030 Renaissance Parkway. The store will stock close to 200,000 book, music, DVD and magazine titles and include a cafe serving Starbucks coffee. The new Barnes & Noble at Southpoint will be open from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday and employ approximately 50 people from the community.

Barnes & Noble's bookselling innovations have helped established it as the number-one operator of book superstores in America. Its innovations include:

Store manager Kathryn Leavitt said, "Bookselling is a very local business. Underlying our success is our expertise at tailoring the selection of every store to the community it serves. I have the ability to order the books my customers need and adjust the selection to the lifestyles and interests of this community. We also plan to have an ongoing series of author signing and book discussion groups."

About Barnes & Noble, Inc.

Barnes & Noble also has approximately a 60 percent interest in GameStop (NYSE: GME), the nation's largest operator of video game and entertainment software with 1,011 stores.

General financial information on Barnes & Noble, Inc. can be obtained via the Internet by visiting the company's corporate Web site: http://www.barnesandnobleinc.com/financials.

AWARDS NAACP Image

Award Revealed

for Best Kid's Book

NEW YORK, NY/3/6/02— Just the Two of Us(SCHOLASTIC), written by award-winning actor/musician Will Smith and illustrated by Kadir Nelson, has earned the prestigious NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Children's Literary Work. Smith received the award at the 33rd NAACP Image Awards ceremony in Los Angeles last month. The NAACP Image Awards honors individuals of all races who have helped promote "positive images of people of color," and honors the contributions artists bring to society.

Just The Two of Us captures the love and warmth between a father and son, said Jean Feiwel, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief, Scholastic Books. "We are so proud to be the publisher of this wonderful book that all families can relate to."

Just The Two of Us, a picture book, is based on actor/musician Will Smith's award-winning hit song written for his son. The book encourages all fathers to teach their children the values of dignity, integrity and honor. Illustrated by Kadir Nelson, whose past illustrations have appeared in The New York Times, Sports Illustrated and The New Yorker, the vibrant pencil and oil paintings follow a father/son relationship through three critical times of life—from newborn, to young child, to a young man.

Scholastic (Nasdaq: SCHL) is the world's largest publisher and distributor of children's books. As a global children's publishing and media company serving the needs of parents, teachers, and children, Scholastic provides proprietary book and software distribution through school book clubs, school book fairs and to classrooms, as well as through the retail trade. Since 1920, Scholastic has created quality educational materials for schools and has expanded its reach to include the distribution of books, software, toys, online learning services and television programming directly to the home. Scholastic's Grolier division is the leading print and online publisher of children's reference materials and the leader in children's direct-to-home book clubs. U.S. Scholastic web site: ( http://www.scholastic.com/ )

LA Times

2001 Book Prize

Finalists Named

LOS ANGELES, CA/3/4/02—Finalists for the 2001 Los Angeles Times Book Prize were announced on Friday, March 2. The 21-year-old prize rewards excellence in English-language writing in nine different categories.

To be nominated, each book must have been published between January 1 and December 13, 2001.

Each of the nine winners will receive $1,000, and will be honored during the Book Prize ceremony, held on April 27, at UCLA's Royce Hall, during the seventh annual, two-day Los Angeles Times Festival of Books.

The Times Festival of Books will be held Saturday, April 27, from 10:00 – 6:00 p.m., and Sunday, April 28, from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. on the UCLA campus. A number of well-known authors will be participating in the festival, including Mark Bowden (author of Black Hawk Down: A Story of Modern War) and Annie Proulx (author of The Shipping News). (For more information, and a listing of previous Book Prize winners, go to Los Angeles Times Festival of Books.)

The finalists are:

Biography: Marie Antoinette: The Journey by Antonia Fraser (Nan A. Talese Books) Seabiscuit: An American Legend by Laura Hillenbrand (Random House); March/April 2001 Book Sense 76 John Adams by David McCullough (Simon & Schuster) Theodore Rex by Edmund Morris (Random House) Boswell's Presumptuous Task: The Making of the Life of Dr. Johnson by Adam Sisman (Farrar, Straus and Giroux) Current Interest: States of Denial: Knowing About Atrocities and Suffering by Stanley Cohen (Polity) The Price of Motherhood: Why the Most Important Job in the World Is Still the Least Valued by Ann Crittenden (Metropolitan Books) The Rehnquist Choice: The Untold Story of the Nixon Appointment That Redefined the Supreme Court by John W. Dean (The Free Press) Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America by Barbara Ehrenreich (Metropolitan Books); July/August 2001 Book Sense 76 Tom and Huck Don't Live Here Anymore: Childhood and Murder in the Heart of America by Ron Powers (St. Martin's Press). Fiction: The Corrections: A Novel by Jonathan Franzen (Farrar, Straus and Giroux); September/October 2001 Book Sense 76 By the Sea by Abdulrazak Gurnah (The New Press) Hateship, Friendship, Courtship, Loveship, Marriage: Stories by Alice Munro (Alfred A. Knopf) Why Did I Ever: A Novel by Mary Robison (Counterpoint Press); November/December Book Sense 76 John Henry Days: A Novel by Colson Whitehead (Doubleday Books); July/August 2001 Book Sense 76 Art Seidenbaum Award for First Fiction: My Dream of You by Nuala O'Faolain (Riverhead Books); March/April 2001 Book Sense 76 Crawling at Night: A Novel by Nani Power (Atlantic Monthly Press) The Dark Room (a novel) by Rachel Seiffert (Pantheon Books); May/June 2001 Book Sense 76 The Death of Vishnu: A Novel by Manil Suri (W.W. Norton); January/February 2002 Book Sense 76 The Right Hand of Sleep: A Novel by John Wray (Alfred A. Knopf) History: The Stranger From Paradise: A Biography of William Blake by G.E. Bentley Jr. (Yale University Press) France: The Dark Years, 1940-1944 by Julian Jackson (Oxford University Press) The Metaphysical Club by Louis Menand (Farrar, Straus and Giroux) Before the Storm: Barry Goldwater and the Unmaking of the American Consensus by Rick Perlstein (Hill & Wang) Venice, Lion City: The Religion of Empire by Garry Wills (Simon & Schuster). Mystery/Thriller: Open Season: A Joe Pickett Novel by C.J. Box (G.P. Putnam's Sons); September/October 2001 Book Sense 76 Little America: A Novel by Henry Bromell (Alfred A. Knopf); July/August 2001 Book Sense 76 The Wooden Leg of Inspector Anders by Marshall Browne (Thomas Dunne Books) Chasing the Devil's Tail: A Storyville Mystery by David Fulmer (Poisoned Pen Press) Silent Joe: A Novel by T. Jefferson Parker (Hyperion). Poetry: The Beauty of the Husband: A Fictional Essay in 29 Tangos by Anne Carson (Alfred A. Knopf) Felt: Poems by Alice Fulton (W.W. Norton) The Seven Ages by Louise Glück (Ecco) Landscape With Chainsaw: Poems by James Lasdun (W.W. Norton) Song of the World Becoming: New and Collected Poems, 1981-2001 by Pattiann Rogers (Milkweed Editions) Science and Technology: In Code: A Mathematical Journey by Sarah Flannery with David Flannery (Workman Publishing Company) The Invention of Clouds: How an Amateur Meteorologist Forged the Language of the Skies by Richard Hamblyn (Farrar, Straus and Giroux) A Different Nature: The Paradoxical World of Zoos and Their Uncertain Future by David Hancocks (University of California Press) Uncle Tungsten: Memories of a Chemical Boyhood by Oliver Sacks (Alfred A. Knopf) The Seven Daughters of Eve: The Science That Reveals Our Genetic Ancestry by Bryan Sykes (W.W. Norton) Young Adult Fiction: The Seeing Stone by Kevin Crossley-Holland (Arthur A. Levine Books); Children's Book Sense 76, Fall 2001 Damage by A.M. Jenkins (HarperCollins Children's Books) Girlhearts by Norma Fox Mazer (HarperCollins Children's Books) The Other Side of Truth by Beverley Naidoo, (HarperCollins Children's Books) The Land by Mildred D. Taylor (Phyllis Fogelman Books); Teen Book Sense 76, Volume 1 2002 Three of the five finalists for The Los Angeles Times Book Prize award for First Fiction were previous Book Sense 76 picks: My Dream of You by Nuala O'Faolain (Riverhead Books); The Dark Room (a novel) by Rachel Seiffert (Pantheon Books); and The Death of Vishnu: A Novel, by Manil Suri (W.W. Norton). Moreover, 12 of the 45 Book Prize finalists were prior Book Sense 76 picks, including three of the five Fiction finalists. FILM/TV NEWS Hong Kong

Due Record Showing

at Cannes Festival

3/6/02—Hong Kong will have a strong presence May 15-26 at the Cannes Film Festival this year, where a record number of film companies will participate to promote hundreds of local movies.

Widely known as the "Festival de Cannes", the Association Française du Festival International du Film, was created in 1946, as a French association under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Cannes Market has been organizing the acquisition of cinematographic rights for the last 40 years. This economic facet has become an indispensable part of the Festival. Every year, over 6,000 participants from 70 countries submit and discover close to 2,000 films, watch over 1,000 screenings, and in a few days, make an important part of their annual trade volume.

The Trade Development Council said the May festival would see SAR film makers' booths taking up an area three times larger than last year.

An impressive list of stars, directors and 13 film companies have been invited to attend the three-week annual event which aims at building awareness of the film world.

The larger Hong Kong participation stemms from the council's organization last year of a special Hong Kong night. The eveured by the delegation indicated the profits local film companies made out of the event last year when the council spent $8 million to promote local films, following the Oscar success of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.

One popular film last year was Stephen Chiao Sing-chi's Shaolin Soccer, which was bought by US film company Miramax at the exhibition. The film will open in New York and Los Angeles next month.

Again this year', the festival will conclude with a Hong Kong night at the Majestic Hotel featuring live performances and film clips.

The inauguration of the Riviera, in May of 2000, as an extension of the Palais des Festivals, regroups numerous sales and distribution companies in a 7,000 sqm exhibition area, facing the Mediterranean and the old port of Cannes. The Riviera is also equipped with eight new state-of-the-art screening theatres, bringing the total to 28 Dolby screens for the Market. In addition, the Cannes Market offers its participants a wide range of information tools: guides, statistics on the world market, and, since 1999, a complete database on the Internet (www.cannesmarket.com). PEOPLE Reuters Appoints Thomas Gros to Lead Global Commodities and Energy Business

NEW YORK, NY/3/5/02—Reuters (NASDAQ: RTRSY), the global information, news and technology group, has appointed Thomas Gros as Executive Vice President and Global Head of Commodities and Energy.

In this role, Tom, 40, will take control of all aspects of Reuters existing commodities and energy business, which focuses on providing solutions for Reuters pre-trade information and analysis services. He also will be looking at an expanded approach to these markets, utilizing Reuters extensive solutions and consulting capabilities to meet and understand the needs of this market place. Based in Houston, Texas, he reports to Sarah Dunn, President, Reuters Corporates and Media.

Tom comes to Reuters with a wealth of market knowledge and expertise, most recently having been head of CommodityLogic LLC, Enron's straight-through-processing arm. Before leading CommodityLogic, Tom joined Enron as director of industrial marketing, spearheading the company's development of new markets, including weather derivatives and telecom bandwidth capacity. In 1994, he started the commodities trading group at Chemical Bank in New York, and before that was the founding trader with BP Gas in Houston, just as the natural gas contract was introduced on the New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX).

Tom received his Bachelor of Aerospace Engineering degree from Georgia Tech in 1984, and a Master of Science in Business from MIT in 1989.

Sarah Dunn, President, Reuters Corporates and Media, said: "Reuters is ideally placed to serve this market and I am delighted that Tom will be leading our strategy. He has extensive knowledge of the commodities and energy market and his appointment is a sign of Reuters commitment to bring its considerable assets together to accelerate our presence in the industry."

Tom Gros said: "I am extremely pleased to be joining Reuters in this role. Reuters global presence, world-class reputation for integrity and innovative approach to the use of open technologies create a great opportunity to enhance the Reuters brand in the commodities and energy market."

Liz Koman Joins Rainbow Advertising Sales Corporation to Lead AMC/WE: Women's Entertainment National Advertising Sales

NEW YORK, NY/3/5/02—Rainbow Advertising Sales Corporation (RASCO) announced today that Liz Koman has been named senior vice president of AMC/WE: Women's Entertainment National Advertising Sales.

Koman will oversee all advertising sales and sponsorship initiatives and manage the day-to-day operation of all ad sales related functions, including setting and implementing sales strategies and creating revenue goals. She will be based in New York and report directly to Arlene Manos, president of Rainbow National Network Advertising Sales.

"AMC and Women's Entertainment deliver powerful programming and offer advertisers unparalled reach to some of the most desirable audiences on cable television today," said Manos. "Liz will be a huge asset in leveraging these key demographics. As we head into an unpredictable upfront selling period, her wide-ranging knowledge of the industry will be invaluable to our national sales team. We are very happy to have her on board."

Koman most recently was the senior vice president and general sales manager at USA Network. In her role, she was responsible for the New York sales staff and three regional offices. In addition to leading these sales teams, Koman coordinated sales strategy with the senior vice president of marketing as it related to advertising sales and worked with the scheduling and acquisitions department to ensure maximum revenue benefit of all additions and changes to the programming line-up. Prior to joining USA Network in 2000, Koman had been senior vice president of advertising sales for Tribune Entertainment Company since 1998. She joined Tribune from Eyemark Media Sales where she had been vice president and Eastern sales manager since 1994.

"AMC and Women's Entertainment offer some of the most highly coveted demographics in the cable industry. They present an untapped, innovative marketing platform for advertisers looking to differentiate themselves in this soft economy, " said Koman. "I look forward to working with the RASCO team as bring these opportunities to the marketplace."

About Rainbow Advertising Sales Corporation

Formed in 1984, Rainbow Advertising Sales Corporation (RASCO), the advertising division of Rainbow Media Holdings, Inc., is the cable industry's largest and most diverse advertising representation firm. With a staff of more than 500 sales professionals in 32 offices nation wide, RASCO manages New York Local Sales, New York Interconnect (NYI), News 12 Sales, MetroChannels, MuchMusic USA, Bravo Networks, AMC Networks and Interactive Sales.

About AMC

American Movie Classics (AMC) is a premiere 24-hour movie network dedicated to the world of American film. With one of the finest, most comprehensive libraries of popular films, and a diverse blend of original series, documentaries and interstitials, AMC offers an elegant and contemporary entertainment destination. AMC is a fully distributed network reaching over 82,000,000 U.S. homes (as of Jan. 2002) and ranking #16 in size among all 55 networks.

Since its launch in 1984, AMC has been dedicated to deepening the movie experience for its viewers, featuring film-loving celebrity hosts and an increasingly visible, critically-acclaimed slate of original programming. AMC has more than doubled its original programming over the past 3 years and garnered many of the industry's highest honors, including five Emmy awards.

About WE: Women's Entertainment

WE: WOMEN'S ENTERTAINMENT is a service of AMC NETWORKS. WE: WOMEN'S ENTERTAINMENT gives women a chance to relax and a way to recharge through entertainment that connects them on an emotional level. WE: WOMEN'S ENTERTAINMENT features the largest collection of women's interest films, inspiring original series and topical specials. The network currently has 43 million subscribers.

About Rainbow Media Holdings, Inc.

A subsidiary of Cablevision Systems Corporation (NYSE: CVC) and NBC, Rainbow Media Holdings, Inc. manages Bravo, The Independent Film Channel, American Movie Classics, We: Women's Entertainment, MuchMusic USA, Rainbow Sports, News 12 Networks and MetroChannels as well as the Rainbow Advertising Sales Corporation and Rainbow Network Communications. In addition, Rainbow is a fifty-percent partner in Fox Sports Net. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc. (NYSE:MGM) owns a 20 percent stake in four of Rainbow's national networks – AMC, Bravo, The Independent Film Channel and WE: Women's Entertainment.

Kwan to be New Disney Spokeswoman

LOS ANGELES/03/6/02—Figure skater Michelle Kwan has signed a three-year deal to serve as a spokeswoman for The Walt Disney Co.

The Olympic bronze medalist has starred in several specials on Disney-owned ABC Television and the Disney Channel and contributed to several skating books published by Disney.

Kwan, 21, will be featured in marketing campaigns for Disney's theme parks, restaurants, cruise line, motion pictures and other company properties. Kwan will also make public service announcements for the company and appear as a presenter at various awards programs.

Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

"Michelle has a huge worldwide appeal and is a role model for children and adults," said Michael Mendenhall, president of Walt Disney Studios Marketing.

Disney struck a similar deal last June with golfer Tiger Woods, who agreed to play in prime-time golf specials and the annual Skins game for the next five years.

FINANCIALS Vivendi

Universal Reports

2001 Results

PARIS/3/5/02—Vivendi Universal (Paris Bourse: EX FP; NYSE:V), in its financial report for 2001, said it has reached or exceeded all of its operational targets. The company also has submitted a 1 euro per share dividend for approval at its annual shareholders meeting.

Global performance for Vivendi Universal showed operating income of 1.838 billion euros gained 89% in pro forma growth, and revenues of 57.360 billion euros increased 10% over pro forma. Operating income was up 47% to 3.795 on a pro forma basis.

The pro forma information illustrates the effect of the merger between Vivendi, Seagram and Canal Plus, the acquisitions of Maroc Telecom, Houghton Mifflin and MP3.com and the disposition of certain interests in Sithe and France Loisirs, as if these transactions had occurred at the beginning of 2000.

2002 TARGETS

After having been the only large media company not to modify any of its guidance for the year 2001, Vivendi Universal reiterates its confidence in the strength of its businesses and their performance and their ability to grow. For 2002, no other new guidance will be expressed, apart from the company's full confidence to reach for its Media and Communications businesses. Around 10% organic growth for all Media and Communications businesses in Vivendi Universal as of January 1, 2002.

Commenting on the year's results, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Jean-Marie Messier said:

"I am very pleased with the excellent operating results that have been achieved. These results confirm the strength of Vivendi Universal's businesses across the board despite a very difficult global economic environment.

"Most of our businesses improved market share, EBITDA and free cash flow during this period of global economic slowing. Even more important, those operational performances are showing improvement at every level of our P&L. The good EBITDA to EBIT transformation ratio: 68% of incremental EBITDA translating in incremental EBIT, is a strong and positive sign. The improvement of operational free cash-flow (FCF) at a higher rate than EBITDA indicates the clear focus given in 2001 to cash management. We will continue this effort.

"We grew our creative content in 2001, as our new releases in music, film and publishing were in strong demand, and technology continued to drive exposure of our products to new consumers worldwide.

"Incremental revenue streams will begin to take effect in 2002, as we delivered in 2001, well ahead of target cost synergies and cash savings. And if our cost-cutting focus evidences our respect for near-term shareholder returns, the USA Networks and the EchoStar transactions demonstrate our commitment to long-term value creation.

"The strength of our asset portfolio has been evident in a difficult year, as we did not have a need to issue any profit warnings. Our asset strength and our ability to deliver results will allow us to maintain momentum in 2002, while sharply focusing on operating cash flow, EBITDA growth and synergy targets.

"Based on the improvement of our operational performances, we will present our shareholders the same dividend level as last year – 1 euro per share. But the French "precompte" tax is creating a handicap for the future which will be, hopefully, overcome.

"We stay fully committed to conveying full transparency in our financial results. Vivendi Universal is not only transparent but is the only media and communications company not to change its numbers and targets; it underscores its commitment to accurate, conservative and consistent reporting in every area of its operations.

"Finally, with the momentum we have created, coupled with the fundamentally strong operating results that have been generated by our businesses, our priority for 2002 is internal growth. Our target organic growth for all our Media and Communications businesses for 2002 is approximately 10%. EBITDA is expected to reach about 6 billion euros, not taking into account the USA Networks and Stream transactions.

"Our goal in 2002 is simply to achieve, among our peers, the highest revenues in operational performance growth."

PUBLISHING

Vivendi Universal's Publishing business reported 7% pro forma EBITDA growth to 827 million euros and 5% pro forma revenue growth to 4.7 billion euros in 2001. Excluding Vivendi Universal Publishing's businesses that will be divested, as part of the anticipated sale of the business-to-business and health divisions, pro forma EBITDA growth was 16% and pro forma revenue growth was 8% in 2001. The largest contributors to Publishing's improved results in 2001 were Education world-wide, including Houghton Mifflin, and Games.

Education, including Houghton Mifflin, reported EBITDA growth of 18%. Outside the U.S., Education had a particularly strong year, driven by a very successful back-to-school season in France and Spain, a record year in Brazil. Kids Edutainment Software world-wide (Kids Interactive), posted 20% in growth. Literature and Reference have shown a very good year, too.

Houghton Mifflin's EBITDA grew by 15%. Its strength was driven by the following sectors: High-School publishing (27% growth) and College publishing (8% growth). In addition, the Trade (Literature) division showed over 25% growth due to the Tolkien books. Houghton Mifflin is one of the two publishers selected by California to market its reading programs in all of the state's primary schools.

INTERNET

Vivendi Universal's Internet Group (Vivendi Universal Net) improved revenue by 36% in 2001, while holding losses flat; achieving excellent profitability considering that VU Net started up 6 new Internet sites in 2001 alone. In a poor macro-economic environment affecting online and all advertising markets, VUNet achieved tight control over its cost base through significant restructuring efforts.

The consolidation of all US Internet properties under VUNet USA led to restructuring of the online music, games and education units. Flipside and Education.com US reported strong EBITDA improvement, offset by start-up losses of GetMusic. MP3.com reported strong EBITDA growth resulting primarily from a reduced cost base.

In Europe, the @viso joint venture and participations were closed and Ad2One is to cease its activities. The business models of several properties were repositioned and subject to headcount reductions: CanalNumedia, Scoot France & Benelux, eBrands, as well as Flipside Europe, following the acquisition of Uproar.

Vizzavi consolidated its position in the European mobile portal market with 6.5 million registered customers in eight countries at year end 2001. Improved business model with higher revenue sharing between Vizzavi and mobile operators, and focus on Vodafone and VU's mobile customers, combined with a cost reduction program (including over 100 headcount reduction announced) across Europe should positively impact results for 2002 onwards.

Overall, the Group focuses on building Internet activities with solid business models close to its core businesses: entertainment (music, games, movies) and education. Specific emphasis is given to non PC-centric, multi-access consumer offerings.

TV & FILM

Vivendi Universal's TV & Film business, including Universal Studios Group and CANAL+ Group & Other, reported excellent results again in 2001, achieving 59% pro forma EBITDA growth to 1.2 billion euros on 8% pro forma revenue growth to 9.5 billion euros.

In the U.S., Universal finished the year with $955 million in box office receipts, placing it second among all studios with 11.75% of the domestic market share. Internationally, Universal was the first studio of the year to exceed $1 billion at the box office, finishing the year with $1.06 billion, ranking second among all studios with 16.3% of the international market share.

Universal Pictures has received a total of ten Academy Award(R) nominations, including eight for A Beautiful Mind, opening in the US on the January 4, 2002 and one each for Mulholland Drive, a co-production with Films Alain Sarde/ StudioCanal, and Bridget Jones's Diary. There are a total of eight Academy Award(R) nominations for USA Films, with the film The Man Who Wasn't There earning one and Gosford Park earning seven.

In 2001, Universal Studios Home Video (USHV) had the largest fourth quarter in the history of the video business, generating a record-setting $1 billion in revenue on just five of its new releases: The Mummy Returns, Shrek, Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas, The Land Before Time: The Big Freeze and Jurassic Park III. The five titles sold more than 60 million units, including more than 20 million units solely on DVD.

Despite weakness since September 11th, Universal Studios Group's recreation business reported 7% pro forma revenue growth and 11% pro forma EBITDA growth during 2001. Universal Studios Japan, which had a record-breaking opening in March 2001, ended the year with 9 million visitors, well ahead of expectations.

In December 2001, Vivendi Universal announced the acquisition of the entertainment assets of USA Networks for $10.3 billion and the investment of $1.5 billion in EchoStar Communications Corporation in order to bolster its television production and U.S. distribution capabilities. The new entity, to be called Vivendi Universal Entertainment (VUE) combines Universal Studios Group with USA Networks' (USAI) entertainment assets.

Dallas Media Firm

Belo Corp. Increases

Earnings Estimate

DALLAS, TX/3/6/02—Belo Corp. Tuesday said it anticipates an increase of 10- to 12- percent per share in the first-quarter.

The earnings would include a non-recurring gain of 2-cents-per-share resulting from the sale of Belo's interest in the Dallas Mavericks and American Airlines Center.

Analysts predict that the Dallas-based media company will earn 8 cents per share.

Belo reported a 2-cents-per-share loss for the fourth quarter of 2001.

Chairman, president and chief executive officer Robert W. Decherd told analysts at a conference in Palm Beach, Fla., that the company has adjusted 2002 expenses in accord with expected revenue and "is positioned to be an early beneficiary of the economic recovery."

"We believe Belo is in a strong position as the economy rebounds," Mr. Decherd said.

Cash expenses for the first quarter should decline by about 3 percent, and operating cash flow is expected to decline in the mid-single digits.

Television revenue should be flat with last year's first quarter, and newspaper revenue is expected to be down about 6 percent.

Belo owns 18 television stations, four daily newspapers and various cable and interactive properties. Its holdings include The Dallas Morning News, WFAA-TV (Channel 8) and Texas Cable News (Channel 38).

Ziff Davis Reports

Gains for the Quarter

Ended December 31, 2001

NEW YORK, NY/3/6/02— Ziff Davis Media Inc., a leading information authority for buying and using technology, reported operating results for the quarter ended December 31, 2001 for its subsidiaries, Ziff Davis Publishing Holdings Inc. Ziff Davis Development Inc., and Ziff Davis Internet Inc. Ziff Davis Publishing Holdings Inc., reported earnings (before EBITDA) of $8.9 million for the quarter, compared to $32.4 million for the same period in fiscal 2001.

"Our management team has been aggressively executing upon its plan to drive growth for the company," said Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Robert Callahan. "While we have reduced the number of titles currently produced, we continue to invest in new ventures that have strong potential."

Ziff Davis Publishing Holdings Inc.reported total revenue for the quarter of $66.8 million, compared to $122.0 million in the prior year's period. The decrease was attributed to discontinued operations and a weak advertising marketplace resulting in a 48.4% decline in advertising pages.

During the quarter, the company closed Smart Partner and consolidated Interactive Week into eWEEK. The restructuring resulted in a pre-tax charge of $232.6 million.

Revenue and EBITDA losses for the company's unrestricted subsidiaries (Ziff Davis Development Inc. and Ziff Davis Internet Inc.) totaled $7.1 million and $13.4 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2001 compared to $3.8 million and $13.3 million, respectively, for the previous comparative period. The revenue increase was attributed to advertising revenue from newly launched publications (CIO Insight and Baseline), and new Internet websites.

"We have re-focused the business plans of our unrestricted subsidiaries in recent months to align them much more strongly as strategic partners to the core business in Ziff Davis Publishing Holdings Inc.," said Bart W. Catalane, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer. "This new focus will enable us to quickly reduce our cash burn going forward and enable us to capitalize on operating efficiencies."

Authorlink News, Success Stories,

And Recognition PublishersLunch.com

Reports More February

Book Deals

These book deals are reported on Authorlink as a courtesy of PublishersLunch.com. For more like these, visit the PublishersLunch.com site. Deals are rated as follows: "nice deal" $1 – $100,000 "good deal" $101,000 – $250,000 "significant deal" $251,000 – $500,000 "major deal" $501,000 and up FICTION

Michael Gruber's debut novel TROPIC OF NIGHT, what's being called a "voodoo thriller" about a female anthropologist who faked her own suicide and is hiding in Miami under an assumed identity, as a Cuban-American police detective is investigating a series of ritualistic murders in which the woman recognizes the African black magic she studied and fled from, to Dan Conaway at William Morrow, declaring Gruber "a talent worthy of comparison to Thomas Harris," in an exclusive pre-empt, by Simon Lipskar at Writers House (world English). Considerable rights sales are expected soon.

Meghan Daum's debut novel THE QUALITY OF LIFE REPORT, about a "debt-and trend-burdened/love-and-oxygen deprived" NY TV lifestyle correspondent who quits and heads off to "indulge her fantasy of the rural American Dream," and "in the deep gulf between what she expects and what she finds, whom she learns to love, and what the media demands and creates" she comes of age, to Carole DeSanti at Viking, in a "sudden auction for the pre-empt" two days after submission, for publication in summer 2003, by Tina Bennett at Janklow and Nesbit (NA).

NON-FICTION

National Book Award winner Nathaniel Philbrick's newest book on the voyage of the Mayflower and the founding of Plymouth Colony (Philbrick says in a release, "The quaint, commercialized image of earnest Pilgrims in plug hats and the romantic tale of Priscilla Mullins prodding John Alden to speak up hardly do justice to the real story of the Pilgrims, their journey to America, the 'first encounters,' the founding of Plymouth Colony in Massachusetts, and eventually the bloody conflict known as King Philip's War. Everything that would come to define America and its inexorable push west happened at Plymouth within the first fifty years of settlement"), again to Wendy Wolf at Viking (which will publish his account of the United States Exploring Expedition of 1838-1842 in fall 2003), for publication in 2006, by Stuart Krichevsky (NA).

Suarez Becomes

74th Authorlink Writer

to Sell Manuscript

Danette Suarez, who has listed her work in the Emerging Writers section of Authorlink since last November, has sold her manuscript, Omega, to World Holdings Group, Inc., in New York. The sale was a direct result of having listed her work on Authorlink.

World Holdings is a start up publisher established in April 2001. The house focuses on children's and ethnic titles.

Suarez's 85,000 word novel is about a young man who must accept the shameful knowledge of his father's infidelities and his illegitimate sibling.

Major Publishers

Browse Authorlink

for Manuscripts

Statistical Update

DALLAS, TX/ 03/01/02—Literary agents and editors regularly surf Authorlink in search of good writers. Among major houses making requests and/or visiting the site, are: Random House, Knopf, St. Martin's Press, Simon & Schuster, Penguin/Putham and many other smaller publishers. More than 700 writers are currently listed with us. Since tracking began, 1623 requests have been processed for requested manuscripts. Of the 342 editor or agent offers we've been able to track, 74 have lead to publication as a direct or indirect result of exposure on Authorlink. Additional sales and agent contracts are pending.

On average, about 55-65% of the listed writers have received requests by editors and agents, some receiving multiple requests. Of those who have received interest, about 20- 30% are signed with agents and 15- 20% have directly sold their works to publishers during this time, not including pending sales.

The site, which matches literary agents and editors with writers, has received praise from editors at Penguin UK, Avon, Berkley, Random House, Time-Warner, Bantam Doubleday Dell and other major publishers.

See "What People Are Saying About Authorlink"

Authorlink Writer

Freni Sells Work

to California Press

73rd Authorlink Writer to Land Publisher

MARLBORO, MD/1/1/02—Authorlink writer Pamela S. Freni has become the 73rd author to sell her manuscript as a direct result of the popular online marketing service. Her book, SPACE FOR WOMEN will be released in mid-2002 by Seven Locks Press, Santa Ana, CA (www.sevenlockspress.com) and will be available at major bookstores and online booksellers.

Ms. Freni who lives in Upper Marlboro, MD (twenty miles east of Washington, DC), was listed with Authorlink for about two years and had several queries for the manuscript before Seven Locks offered her a contract. She is represented by the Stefanidis Agency which is active on Authorlink. Seven Locks made the direct request for Freni's manuscript through the Authorlink service.

In announcing the sale, Freni called Authorlink "a fine and useful service."

The 25-year-old Seven Locks Press publishes quality books covering a wide variety of contemporary topics that provoke thought, enlighten, and entertain. Its authors include political figures, icons of journalism, and recognized experts including Bill Moyers, Hedrick Smith, Congressman Cecil Heftel, Sir Eldon Griffiths, Jane Glenn Haas, and Alan Bock.

Ms. Freni's book is about the heated space race between the US and Russia. After Russia sent the first man into space, the US was backed into a public relations corner that could only be answered by sending the first woman into space.

Thirteen enormously talented women tested and trained and were on the verge of being astronauts in 1960 when political pressure forced them off the stage. Even forty-one years later,they are talented and ambitious and some of them are still looking for a ride into space.

Pam began writing the book as a direct result of hearing of the thirteen women discussed in her book. "I was so incensed at how they'd been treated by NASA and others, I decided that the story should be told, so I naively began to write a book," Pam said. "It's amazing how much ignorance played a part in the process. I thought if you wrote a book, someone just published it."

Freni's favorite authors are Michener and Dava Sobel. They can tell a story that quickly fades from words to mind pictures. You don't even realize you're reading, just pictures passing over your mind's eye.

Does she have any advice for newcomers trying to break into publishing?

"As a newcomer, I have read a thousand documents all reminding writers not to take any rejections personally and to persevere. It's true. Also, never take 'No' for an answer if you believe in your writing."

Asked why she thinks so many writers get rejected, and so few become published, and what elements of good writing would she guess are missing from an aspiring writer's work, Pam had this to say:

"It doesn't seem to be a single element so much as it is the 'heart' many of us miss adding into our books. We make word choices that either describe something or that grab the imagination and wrestle it to the ground. We can either say, 'The fireman raised the flag,' or we can say, 'The fireman cradled the scarlet and white banner as he struggled to the top of a small smouldering mountain of debris where he defiantly raised it to the top of the mast of the remains of the World Trade Center.' I think we have to be honest with our emotions and let them enter into our stories. That gives them heart and catches the eyes of the editors."

Pam says she has learned her craft from, "Reading, reading, reading. Dissecting word usage from authors I enjoy. Reading every web page targeted at authors such as Authorlink.com. Listening to a really good editor who has worked on two manuscripts for me.

And what's the funniest thing that ever happened to her on the way to getting published?

"After twenty-three rejections on Space for Women, I mentioned it to a friend from the office. She looked startled and asked if I would like an agent. She then handed me the phone number of an author friend of hers who recommended his agents to me. Thinking that it couldn't be this easy, I contacted them and they became my agents. See it's easy! I was so lucky and have felt from that day, that this book was destined to be published."

Seven Locks Press has won a Benjamin Franklin Award and the Category Bestseller Award from Amazon.com. In the last few years Seven Locks Press selection of books has expanded to include a collection of coffee table books, gift books, celebrity bios, and new age titles. The company has introduced a line of juvenile titles and launching a line of fiction titles. Seven Locks Press is the publishing arm of Chapman University Press and a distributor for other small presses that rely on the marketing and publicity capabilities of Seven Locks Press. This year, Seven Locks Press will be publishing twenty-one new titles and will distribute nine titles for other publishers. In 2001, the publishing program will nearly double to forty new titles. James C. Riordan is publisher.

Joyce Lackey

Sells Book

to Gardenia Press

72nd Authorlink Writer to Land Publisher

A publisher contact made several years ago has finally paid of for Authorlink writer Joyce Lackey. The author who received a request for her novel as a result of her Authorlink listing for, The Ghosts of Buffalo Creek, has at last sold the work to Gardenia Press, a small publisher who plans to release the work in July 2002.

News Archives

Bemis Becomes

71st Authorlink Writer

to Sell Manuscript

June1, 2001—Michael E. Bemis of Kennebunk, Maine, became the 71st author to sell his work as a direct result of listing his work on Authorlink.com.

His book, Safe & Sound, a nonfiction work about how to buy a safe, private, and quiet home, will be published by Hanrow Press of Rancho Santa Fe, California. The small press, founded in 1982, has specialized in law and safety engineering books until now. The publication date for Safe & Sound has not yet been determined. Michael’s work had been listed with Authorlink for about a year when Hanrow requested a look at the full manuscript. Authorlink interviewed the author about his success:

AUTHORLINK: When did you begin your writing career, and what prompted you to do so? Is there a special story behind your decision to become an author?

BEMIS: I started writing in earnest while serving as Sheriff of York County, Maine. When I left law enforcement full-time I was able to devote more time to my writing.

AUTHORLINK: Who was the greatest influence on your decision to write, and in what ways did they encourage you?

BEMIS: My mother who is a published author.

AUTHORLINK: How important has your agent been in guiding your career?

BEMIS: I briefly had an agent but due to personal hardship they were forced to close. I presently do not have an agent.

AUTHORLINK: How did Authorlink help?

BEMIS: Authorlink’s excellent service and support has consistently exceeded my expectations. Without Authorlink, Safe & Sound would not be poised for publication.

AUTHORLINK: Do you have any advice or insights for newcomers trying to break into publishing?

BEMIS: It sounds monotonous, but they should just keep trying.

AUTHORLINK: Do you perceive New York publishing to be a closed society or an open one?

BEMIS: I think it's open to good writing and content that's timely and unique.

AUTHORLINK: What are publishers looking for today?

BEMIS: What will sell and authors with a passion to sell it.

AUTHORLINK: How did you learn your craft? Through reading? Conferences? A university? Mentoring? A combination of these, or other means?

BEMIS: Nothing formal, just a lot of research, reading and writing.

Jan Letoha Becomes

70 th Authorlink Writer

to Land Publisher

April 15, 2001—Jan Letoha this month became the 70 th Authorlink writer to sign a publishing contract as a result of her listing on Authorlink.com. Her first book, Bury The Past , will be published by Port Town Publishing in August, 2002.

Port Town Publishing (PTP) is a small publishing house located in Superior, Wisconsin. The company was founded in 1999 by Jean Hackensmith, a struggling romance author who got tired of getting rejection letters from the New York publishers. PTP publishes about 4-5 novels per year, including original romance, science fiction, fantasy, mystery, and horror.

Bury The Past was listed on Authorlink for 22 months. During that time, Jan also signed with an agent through Authorlink, but the agent closed her agency due to illness.

Jan has also listed her second book, Fire On The Moon, with Authorlink. It’s another spooky, romantic suspense story.

How did Jan feel when she heard that her book would be published?

“Like a genie popped out of a bottle and granted me three wishes! It’s the best feeling in the world!”

Jan began writing about ten years ago. “I read a time travel/historical romance and thought, ‘If this author can get away with such a fantastic story, maybe my ideas aren’t so crazy after all.’ So I started writing Bury The Past. Writing fiction was a lot harder than I thought it’d be, though. Getting the hang of writing dialogue was really tough.

Before listing her work with Authorlink, Jan had tried the traditional methods of marketing — sending out query letters and sample chapters. “I had another agent a few years back,” Jan said. “A word of advice — if an agent asks for money up front, look out! Maybe I’m just jinxed when it comes to agents. Anyway, I'm convinced that Bury The Past would be sitting in a shoe box on my closet shelf if I hadn't discovered Authorlink.”

When Jan is working on a book, she’s a person obsessed — or possessed. She'll write 10 – 12 hours a day, especially during the summer.

In the real world, Jan teaches Psychology and U.S. History at a South Georgia high school.

What advice would she give to writers who want to be published?

“Research the requirements for different types of novels. It seems that publishers want to see key elements in a book that will appeal to their specific type of market. Read a book on editing manuscripts so you can delete what publishers don't want to see. List your book on Authorlink — it’s the only thing that worked for me! Then develop a huge store of patience and persistence and don’t think you’re home free once you sign a contract. That’s when the real work starts!”

Authorlink Writer

Joy Jasper Sells Work

to St. Martin's Press

67th Authorlink Sale

2/26/01—Joy Waldron Jasper this month became the 67th Authorlink writer to sell a manuscript as a direct result of contacts made through Authorlink. Jasper found her New York agent— Sam Fleishman of Literary Artists Representatives — via Authorlink, and he subsequently sold one of her works to St. Martin's Press.

The new book, "The USS Arizona: The Ship, the Men, the Attack!," will be in bookstores November 1, 2001, in time for Veteran's Day (November 11) and the 60th anniversary of Pearl Harbor Day (December 7, 2001)

"After meeting my agent through Authorlink, we signed a contract in December 2000 to represent my novel. Then we signed a second contract in January to represent my nonfiction book," Jasper explained. "As is often the case, the nonfiction sold first. St. Martin's Press bought it in February 2001, and has moved at an impressive speed to release it in less than a year, so as to offer it to readers at the 60th anniversary of Pearl Harbor Day — a mere nine months later, which is stunning in the world of publishing! Kudos to my wonderful editor, Mac Talley at St. Martin's Press, and to my amazing agent, Sam Fleishman."

Joy became an Authorlink writer in October, 2000. The fictional work that originally attracted her agent is titled "Betrayal at Pearl Harbor." While that novel hasn't yet sold (as of press time), the nonfiction book on Pearl Harbor was rapidly sold through the agent who connected with Jasper through Authorlink.

The USS Arizona book is the story of life aboard the USS Arizona in peacetime, and the survival stories of 10 men who lived through the attack. As a journalist and a diver, Joy first visited the USS Arizona underwater in 1983, covering the story of the photo documentation and scientific illustration of the gallant battleship, the greatest casualty of the Pearl Harbor attack. She was so enthralled with the story, she searched out survivors and began interviewing them, crisscrossing the country for several years to hear their stories. Hearing their emotional tales, she was fascinated by the tremendous bond and affection they felt for their ship, and she felt it was a story that needed to be told.

"I'm a writer who prefers to write every day, in the morning when I'm fresh, and for a period of three to four hours," Jasper said of her working habits. " If I'm on a splendid roll, I might write for longer, but I like to achieve 10 pages a day that I'll keep. It never hurts to stop in the middle — of an idea, a sentence, a chapter. I like returning the next day to something unfinished so that I'm inspired to jump in again. I don't think there's any one way to write, but I think it's important to find your own best period of the day and the length of time that makes sense for you. Writing books is my top priority, and I write full time."

For the record, Joy's children are grown, and she lives in New England with her husband and a garden full of perennials

"I've completed my second novel in a series of underwater thrillers (the first — working title, Betrayal at Pearl Harbor, which is listed on Authorlink — is under review at several major houses at this time)," Joy said.

I'm currently working on another nonfiction book on the Lewis and Clark expedition, and another historical biography is in the outline stage.

"I want to thank Authorlink for providing me a forum for my work, she added. "I was encouraged by having been selected for the Authorlink web site, and once I had a page there (http://www.authorlink.com/001051th.html), I had confidence to approach agents. I sent a number of Authorlink-listed agents an email, condensing my query to three paragraphs and asking them to look for more information on my page. I got positive responses from eight out of ten queries I sent. Of those eight, I was extremely fortunate to find a superb agent to represent me, and who got a sale within a month at a major press.

"Thanks to all at Authorlink. And I want to say to my fellow writers: '"Keep writing, and don't lose heart! If it happened to me, it can happen to you.'"

Authorlink Writer

Chopra Finds

Publisher for Work

68th Authorlink Sale

4/1/01—Dr. Prem Chopra, author of the new age nonfiction book, "If I Had Known," has sold his work to Hanrow Press in Rancho Santa Fe, California. The small press, founded in 1982, has specialized in law and safety engineering books until now. Chopra's book is their first venture into trade books.

Dr. Chopra has been listed with Authorlink since October 2000. He signed a contract with Hanrow Press early this year. He became the 68th author to sell his work through Authorlink in the last 36 months.

Jan Wallace Becomes

69thAuthorlink Writer

to Sign With Publisher

69th Authorlink Sale

4/1/01—Jan Wallace became the 69th writer to sign a publishing contract through Authorlink in the past 36 months in late March. Ms. Wallace, a first-time author, signed a deal with PortTown Publishing for her book, Where Roses Grow Wild. The publisher is a small Wisconsin house that releases about four books per year.

Ms. Wallace had two manuscripts listed on Authorlink between 1999 and 2000. In January 2000, Authorlink received a request from WMG Promotions, a literary agency, requesting the manuscript. She signed a contract with WMG the very next month, and shortly thereafter WMG sold the work to PortTown.

Port Town senior editor Jean Hackensmith wrote to Agents Cary and Sherry Wolf that she found the manuscript to be "funny, romantic and tragic." She said she had tears streaming down her face in the end.

Jan Wallace credits the editor with giving each writer a lot of attention to make sure the manuscript is everything it should be for the reader.

"It's an unbelievable feeling knowing someone reads your manuscript and it really has an effect on them positive effect at that, that you make them feel for the characters themselves, because that's what it's all about-believing in the story."

"Authorlink has made it possible for writers to link up with the correct agents and publishers, and gives agents a chance to review works by various writers," Jan explained.

I started along time ago writing, as child I would write stories and put on plays in the basement of my parents' home. I've always told stories, then one day said, lets see if anyone would like to publish any of the stories. Friends have read them and said they were good, but, hey, these are friends after all.

Jan once worked for The University of Georgia Extension Service in the Fort Valley, Georgia office. Today she is a fulltime writer.

"I start a manuscript and work each day 6 to 8 hours," she said. "It usually takes 3 months to finish a draft, then another three months to get the bugs out. I edit, fix mistakes and read it over and over, proofing each page until it is correct.

"I can see why books cost what they do and why some people just give up, it is not an easy job to do it over and over, no ones manuscript is correct the first go around, you realize when you re-read it the feeling might not be there so you have to correct it put heart where there was none."

Jan is married to her childhood sweetheart, and they have four children. Twenty-six years ago they bought an old historic house with 17 rooms in Marshallville, Georgia, restored it and live there today with their family and many dogs, cats, doves, ducks, chickens and rabbits.

"My advise to other writers is: don't quit dreaming about what you believe in, you have to believe in yourself, before anyone else will, and then you go from there, keep writing don't give up. "Write from your heart, and let it be about something you know. If you venture into another area you don't know the reader will know it too, and you've lost. So stay with what you feel and understand most about life. "It'll work for you.

"I am especially thankful for my agents," Jan said. "They have worked late into the mornings trying to find a suitable publisher. They work with writers because they love the written word."

Authorlink's Goldring

Wins Series Contract

With Berkley Publishing

Kat Goldring, among new writers listed on Authorlink, has signed a three-book contract with Berkley Publishing Group for her cozy mystery series, Crow's Feet and Lemon Drops, to be released in September 2001. Kim Waltemyer is the Berkley editor who made the acquisition, and Carol McCleary of Wilshire Literary Agency, made the sale for four figures.

McCleary had represented the series 5 1/2 years before the first book sold.

"I already had an agent when Authorlink was kind enough to list me in some of their first presentations," said Kat. "Ours was a mutual endeavor as Authorlink was just starting up and I had just finished a revision with the first novel under the wings of the DFW Writers' Workshop. Just as an aside, that DFW Writers' Workshop stands for that and never has meant "Dallas Ft. Worth" as some like to say. In fact one of the founding members with whom I was lucky enough to work with and helped name the group told me it really meant, Damn Fine Writers.

"I believe the fact that AUTHORLINK listed me was one of the reasons my agent did not give up on presenting my work to top notch publishers. I have a few magazine articles and short stories published but my best and most extensive showcase was writing and illustrating with my original drawings a newspaper column for a year titled 'THE MEDICINE PATH.'

"AUTHORLINK has been wonderful. My agent and I have always been grateful for the professional format available on the site for presenting my work. We came very close to making a sale through the site with China, and may yet sell the foreign rights with help through AUTHORLINK.

Kat Goldring works full time as a high school foreign language department head and Spanish teacher. She spends an hour to hour and a half per day in editing and rewriting the novels and outlines for the first three in the WILLI GALLAGHER MYSTERY SERIES. During holidays and summer time (8 weeks) that time increases to 3-4 hours a day. This doesn't include the hours for research, marketing, the time to work with other writers on shared projects, and commitments to two writing groups.

"Not only do I work the 40-hour drill and the writing tight-wire," Kat explains, "but I also sing and play the guitar in two groups: SISTERS OF THE WIND includes a fellow writer, Shirley McKee. We two do mostly classic/golden country western and cowboy/girl programs for local clubs, groups, schools, city gatherings and such. The HIGH MILEAGE country western band, some seven members strong, includes three law officers, performs for trail drives and city functions.

How does it feel to have a published contract?

"I go back and forth between elation of having a fantastic adventure and panic attacks," says Kat. "I am so thankful for all the wonderful folks, including AUTHORLINK, who have crossed my path at the right time, and have helped me make a lifelong dream come true. WAKAN TANKA (Great Spirit), of course, I thank for all lessons learned and all paths. This is one of those paths strewn with bluebonnets, soft moss and warm cuddly critters. The panic part has to do with getting to those book signings. I'm directional dyslexic and panic when traveling to new places. So . . . maybe that's the next adventure and lesson!"

Kat Goldring currently is working on the next two novels in the WILLI GALLAGHER SERIES: SNOW SNAKE and SWEET CHARIOT. She also have a second series, the DELTA PAIGE SERIES, and has finished the first book in that series, COOPER STREET GIRLS.

Authorlink asked the author: How helpful was DFW Writers' Workshop?

"I would not have cleared out the flaws in my manuscript. The members helped me to develop a selling novel. I would not have met my agent, Carol McCleary, if DFW Writers' Workshop had not had her as a guest. I would not have had the opportunity to meet my editor, KIM WALTEMYER with BERKLEY PUBLISHING. I interviewed with her during her visit with DFWWW. Although I've served as an officer and hosted many dinners as well as parties at my own country home for the members, editors and agents, I still owe DFWWW a great deal."

Two Authorlink Press

Writers Earn

Top Recognition

Dallas and Atlanta/2/15/01— Jerry Lee Davis, author of Twin City (AUTHORLINK PRESS), and Ginnie Bivona, author of Ida Mae Tutweiler and the Traveling Tea Party (AUTHORLINK PRESS), have recently earned top recognition in two different markets.

Jerry Lee Davis of Atlanta has been nominated for the First Novel Award in the 37th annual Georgia Author of the Year Awards, sponsored by the Georgia Writers' Association. Ginnie Bivona's Ida Mae Tutweiler recently climbed to number one on the Dallas Morning News Bestseller List for paperback fiction. Ginnie lives in Dallas.

The Georgia Awards ceremony, hosted by Mercer University Press, will be held at a dinner March 17 at Mercer University in Macon,Georgia.

Among a number of recent review of Ginnie Bivona's book was an article by Don Johnson on Read-a-Bargain.com.Johnson called Bivona's Ida Mae "A wonderful,character-driven story that produces open memories we thought we'd forgotten. . . . I expected a typical 'woman's' book but found a story of human beings for human beings. Man or woman your time won't be wasted on this one."

66th Authorlink

Writer Signs

Publishing Contract

Charlene Tess has become the 66th author to find a publisher as a direct result of Authorlink. Port Town Publishing, a small Wisconsin publisher, will release Ms. Tess's THE VAN WINKLE BRIDE as a trade paperback romance in June 2001. The book, originally listed on Authorlink as THE VAN WINKLE CONNECTION, is Ms. Tess's first published work.

"The senior romance editor of Port Town Publishing saw my posting on the Authorlink website and thought my novel sounded intriguing and suitable for her list for 2001," Charlene explained. "She contacted Authorlink Editor Doris Booth, who contacted me. Doris Booth forwarded an e- mail to me from Port Town Publishing. I sent the publisher a copy of my manuscript by snail mail. The editor read it and said she could not put it down. She offered me a contract by e-mail and then sent me a written contract by snail mail."

Charlene listed her novel on Authorlink on April 10, 2000, and sold it on November 25.

"My husband and I met Doris Booth at a SouthWest Writers Conference and decided to advertise our editing business on Authorlink. Two of my novels had won first place at Southwest Writers Conference Contests, and I had been trying to get them published by the old-fashioned way: query, partial, full manuscript, SASE, wait, wait, wait method. Authorlink sounded like an attractive, modern way to market my novels. And it worked! I am delighted with the results," Charlene said.

"I have been writing as long as I can remember and have published essays, feature articles, short stories, and a nonfiction book, but this will be my first published novel.

"Presently, I am working on a rewrite of a romance novel that my sister and I co-wrote, and I am about one-third of the way through a mainstream novel entitled The Greatest Gift. It is the story of the unshakable bond between a mother and daughter in spite of tragic circumstances that shatter their lives."

Charlene says her best advice when it comes to becoming published is "to be like the old Timex watch slogan: 'Take a licking, but keep on ticking.' In other words, keep trying. And don't forget to try new ideas if the old ones aren't working for you."

Authorlink's Goldring

Wins Series Contract

With Berkley Publishing

McCleary had represented the series 5 1/2 years before the first book sold.

How does it feel to have a published contract?

Authorlink asked the author: How helpful was DFW Writers' Workshop?

Former LA Times Reporter

to Contribute Kids' Book

Column to Authorlink

Laguna Beach, CA/12/15/00—Barbara J. Odanaka, former LA Times sports reporter and columnist, will join Authorlink on January 1 2001 as a regular columnist. Her articles will provide writers with in-depth insights on writing and publishing children's books, and will include interviews with children's editors at major publishing houses.

Among upcoming topics for her column will be:

January 1: Rejection 101 February 1: A Crime to Rhyme? March 1: Every Story Tells A Picture April 1: Successful School Visits May 1: Beautiful Noise—Why "Quiet" Picture Books No Longer Make the Grade June 1: Five to Watch: A look at Upcoming Children's Authors

From time to time, she will provide special reports on major children's book conferences.

Ms. Odanaka left her career at the Times to write books for children. She is an active member of the Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators.

Barb earned a BA in English from the University of Southern California. She lives with her husband and son in a California beach town, and is a founding member of the Skateboarding Moms Society. She can be reached at bodanaka@aol.com

Authorlink Writer

Lands First Book

Deal With Scribner

NEW YORK,NY/10/1/00—Jimmy Gleacher, who has been listed as an Authorlink writer since October, 1999, has sold his first novel to prestigious Scribner, an imprint of Rawson Associates and part of Simon & Schuster.

Meredith Phelan of Linda Chester and Associates in New York found Jimmy's novel, "Roll Again," on one of her frequent searches of Authorlink, signed him on, and subsequently sold the work for five figures. The mainstream fictional work, to be released in 2002, is the 64th title to be sold either as a direct or indirect result of Authorlink.

Agent Wray

Signs Fifteen

Authorlink Writers

9/00—Pamela Wray, owner of the new and growing Pamela Wray Literary Agency, has agreed to represent 15 writers found over the last several months as a direct result of Authorlink.

Among the works now represented by Wray are several thrillers and young adult works. Ms Wray, an aggressive agent, already has sent works by the newest Authorlink ensigns out to key publishers.

In another case, Ms. Wray signed a children's author who, while not officially listed on Authorlink, connected with Wray through the service. The work is a moral folk tale, similar to Uncle Remus.

"I was so excited about this book that he expressed it to me over night, and I have already spoken with numerous publishers, special merchandising and TV producers, " said Wray. "I am going to put this book up for auction because there is so much interest."

"The Authorlink website is the ultimate place for any editor, literary agent or publisher, and I am so thankful the staff's hard work and diligence," Ms. Wray said in a note to Authorlink.

Ms. Wray is among a number of agents who regularly surf the Authorlink site in search of good manuscripts.

Clemente Becomes

61st Authorlink Writer

to Sell To Manuscript

New York House Pays Handsome Advance

New York, NY/5/26/00 —Authorlink writer Gary Clemente became the 61 st author to sell his work to a key New York publisher.

Lebhar-Friedman, New York has slated a 2002 publication date for " Confessions of a G-Man: Inside the FBI, originally listed on Authorlink as The Marking of a Hoover. Clemente will be paid a $5,000 advance plus royalties for the work, half up front and half on delivery of the finished manuscript. Sale of the book is the direct result of Clemente's listing on Authorlink.

"Confessions" will be an inside look at the FBI through the eyes of Clemente's father, who was a career agent for 26 years. The book will deal with anecdotal stories and inside information about the Bureau, the war on Communism in the Fifties, the mob, and J. Edgar Hoover among other things.

How did he find Authorlink? A writer friend told him about it and spoke highly of the service.

Authorlink seemed to be up front about everything and didn't present itself as a scheme to make money off of writers," Gary said. "Doris Booth answered all of my questions promptly and professionally while the book was made available for review. I was pleased with how some of the particulars of the book was presented and listed on-line."

How long were you listed on Authorlink before the sale Gary's book was listed on Authorlink for about five months before Lebhar-Friedman Editor Frank Scatoni (formerly with Simon & Schuster) spotted the title and requested a proposal. This was all done through e-mail.

Gary, 48, has been writing full time and semi-professionally since he got out of college. He's written in a number of different mediums along the way. He has several other projects in the working stage, including a collection of short stories; a humor book based on the newspaper column he writes weekly; and a suspense book in the same vein as Michael Creiton.

How does it feel to be a published author?

"My first and only published book was a children's piece that came out in 1995, called 'Cosmo Gets An Ear,' about a little boy who gets his first hearing aid. Being published in book form is a wonderful feeling. It's an achievement I'm the most proud of in my writing career.

And does he have any advice for new writers?

"Take it from somebody who has written all of his adult life and even some before as a kid — it's got to be in your blood, because getting published is not the easiest thing to do. You write because you have to — it's who you are and nobody's going to make you stop. One thing that can be valuable is to learn how to distill and recognize exactly what it is on a gut level that attracts people to certain stories and why. There are usually one or two elements working that can make a successful story or book. Examine a well-made movie or book and practice how to recognize the "concept" that made it work. Other than that, as Winston Churchill said, 'Never, never, never give up.'"

Pamela Wray

Literary Agency Signs

Four Authorlink Writers

5/00—Pamela Wray Literary Agency based in Alabama, has signed four Authorlink writers for representation.

They are Steven Rudd, Midnight Run; Jan Letoha, Bury the Past; J.E. Deegan, In Dark Covenant; Norman Davis, Stonecypher's Gold.

Authorlink Author

Carolee Joy Takes

Rising Star Award

6/15/00—Carolee Joy, author of Wild Angel (Authorlink Press) won second place in the prestigious short contemporary category of the Rising Star 2000 Awards, a division of the Romance Writers of America.

The winners, including the Grand Prize winner, were offered free registration at the RWA national conference or equivalent cash. Winners were presented at the Sooner Area Romance Authors in Tulsa, Oklahoma May 20.

Fifth Authorlink

Contest Winner Earns

Publishing Contract

Los Angeles, CA/ 5/15/00 —Ekaterine Nikas (Katy) Terlinden, the 1998 Best of Show and mystery winner of the Authorlink New Author Awards Competition, has landed a publishing contract with Avid Press

( www.avidpress.com Her winning novel, Divided Child, will be released by Avid in Winter 2000 under her pen name, Ekaterine Nikas. It is the fifth time in two years an Authorlink contest winner has won a substantial publishing contract.

"Authorlink.com offered a wonderful contest that gave me an important boost to my career, got me access to editors and agents, and provided a very impressive reference for query letters," said Terlinden.

Katy had been writing for about ten years before she heard about Authorlink on one of her writer lists. She advises new writers to "be persistent, be part of a network, enter contests (they are a great way to get agents and editors to look at your work), and keep your mind open to the possibilities offered by small presses and e-book publishers, especially if your book does not fit easily into the New York mold."

Katy also says, "utilize the Internet to the fullest. I probably would not have made my sale without it. I think Authorlink is a great resource for writers and an excellent example of how new writers can use the Internet to break through the barriers to publication.

Authorlink Writer's

New Book Released

by Marlowe, New York

NEW YORK, NY/5/1/00—Beyond Anger: A Guide for Men, by Thomas J. Harbin, Ph.D, has just been released by New York Publisher Marlowe & Company's Avalon imprint. Author Tom Harbin directly attributes the sale of his book to his listing on Authorlink.

Forensic Psychologist Harbin sold his nonfiction manuscript, originally titled STANCE OF ANGER, to established publisher, John Muir Publications as the result of a direct inquiry by the publisher in May, 1998. Muir was bought by Marlowe Books, a division of Avalon last year.

In his new book, Dr. Harbin helps men understand their anger by explaining what the specific symptoms of chronic anger are and by showing angry men how their actions negatively affect family, friends and co-workers.

Tom is one of nearly 60 Authorlink writers to sign a contract with a publisher since sales tracking began in early 1997.

Tom had been listed on the site for eight or nine months before receiving the request. Generously sharing the sales figures with other Authorlink writers, Tom said he was paid a $1,000 advance upon signing a contract, another $1500 upon delivery of the revised manuscript, and the final $1000 was paid when the book was released.

Tom began writing the manuscript about seven years ago, for use with angry men in his clinical practice. "The book sort of grew over the next couple of years and I guess I have been actively trying to sell it for about three years," he said.

"At first, I naively sent it to editors who had done similar work. Then, I engaged a New York agent who had promoted books for a friend of mine. Honestly, I was about to put the manuscript away and forget about it or start the self-publishing journey. Then I became aware of Authorlink while absently surfing the net for agents."

While not officially working on any new titles, he has started writing some short stories about the goings on in his rural North Carolina county, and he's been keeping copious notes for a possible book about his role as a forensic psychologist.

When asked what he would advise first-time writers, he said I would not presume to offer anyone advice. I think that lucked out so far.

And how important was Authorlink to his begin published? My book would still be sitting on a dusty disk somewhere, without Authorlink, he concluded.

In little more than three years, nearly 300 writers have reported signing with agents as a direct result of Authorlink, and more than 1500 requests from editors and agents have been processed.

The author lives and practices in North Carolina.

Authorlink

Correspondent

Joins LA Times

Authorlink writer, Michelle Lovato, has been hired by the Los Angeles Times to cover special sections issues.

Regarded as one of the world’s most prestigious news organizations, the Los Angeles Times has a full circulation of 1.4 million copies per Sunday issue.

Lovato’s work will premier March 13.

With more than two years experience as an Authorlink California publishing correspondent, Lovato has covered several events, and can be found by searching archives.

Lovato is the owner/publisher of The Silver Lakes Gazzette, a weekly newspaper, and a columnist and reporter for The Inland Empire Business Journal, a Southern California regional business magazine.

Accompanying Lovato in her new post will be her husband, Vince, a 20- year veteran of journalism. Among Vince’s credits are previous LA Times bylines,

the sales of two short stories to Stephen Speilberg, two nominations for California Newspaper Publisher’s Association awards and was the recipient of a fellowship to Rice University in Houston Texas.

Lovato has 10 years experience as a political and business reporter

and specializes in feature stories. She writes a newspaper column entitled, Thank You, Lord and has won several awards for her short fiction.

Both Lovatos are pursuing careers in the publishing industry. Ms.Lovato will continue contributing articles to Authorlink.

Authorlink Author

Carolee Joy Ranks

as RWA Finalist

DALLAS/FORT WORTH, TX/ 3/13/000—WILD ANGEL (Authorlink Press, April 2000) by Carolee Joy has been named a finalist in the Golden Quill contest sponsored by the Desert Rose Chapter of Romance Writers of America. Other finalists include multi-published authors such as Vicki Lewis Thompson, one of Harlequin TemptationsTemptation’s biggest sellers.

In addition to WILD ANGEL, SECRET LEGACY, another novel by Ms. Joy, is also a finalist in the Golden Quill competition for Best Romantic Suspense and Best First Book.

New Author

Ranks #12

on Amazon

ATLANTA,GA/3/10/00—A BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO DAY TRADING ONLINE (Adams Media) by first-time author, has risen to #12 on Amazon.com’s top 100.

The book, agented by Deidre Knight of the Knight Agency (listed on Authorlink), was released only a week ago, and began its quick rise after the author appeared on CNBC Today.

American Self

Publishers' Group

Honors Mitchell

SAN FRANCISCO, CA/ 3/1/00—Ed Mitchell, whose manuscript had been listed with Authorlink before he decided to self publish, has been awarded the National Publishers Freedom Award for Best new Fiction. The honor will be bestowed by the year-old American Self Publishers Association (ASPA) for Mitchell's novel, GOLD RUSH 2000. Resource Library. The ASPA award will be given in a formal ceremony May 13 in San Francisco. In addition, the work was accepted by the National Steinbeck Center Resource Library.

Mitchell attributes part of his success to Authorlink for having seen "the quality in my book, and having had the courage to publicly declare that assessment." Authorlink, while not a self publisher, helps writers market their work through promotion to editors and agents, and through listings of their work on its award-winning site, authorlink.com

Third Authorlink Contest

Winner Signs Contract

With Major Publisher

Dallas, TX/1/1/00—Three winners of the Authorlink New Author Awards competition have landed major publishing contracts within the past 18 months. The latest Authorlink contestant to become published is Cynthia G. Alwyn (pen name), who placed among the top three in the 1999 Authorlink awards competition.

Carol Berg of Ft. Collins, CO, the 1999 Authorlink first-place, science fiction/fantasy winner for Song of the Beast, won a three-book contract with Roc (an imprint of Penguin Putnam). And June London, 1998 Authorlink mainstream winner signed a six-figure contract with Harper Collins for her novel, Bingo Queens and a second work-in-progress, tentatively titled Stray Bullets.

Ms. Alwyn won the 1999 competition for a book titled, Tail of the Serpent, but it was her newest work, Best Served Cold, that convinced New York Agent Anne Hawkins of John Hawkins & Associates, to become her agent. Hawkins subsequently sold the work to St. Martins Press for an undisclosed amount. The title will be released in the Winter of 2001.

"I have been surprised how fast things can happen," said Cynthia. "I met Anne Hawkins, who is now my agent, at a conference in 1998. We kept in contact, and when I visited with her at the 1999 Authorlink Awards presentation in Georgia, we finalized our business partnership with my new book BEST SERVED COLD. A short time later, St. Martin’s bought the project. I’m thrilled and stunned at the same time. It didn’t feel real to me until I started getting mail from them."

BEST SERVED COLD features protagonist Brenna Scott and her search dog, Feather, a black Bouvier Des Flandres. Together, they search for lost or missing people. In this book, Brenna and Feather race the clock to locate a child before the kidnapper makes good his threat to take the little girl’s life.

"I wasn’t sure the book would sell, but Anne believed in it and in me. Since I’d worked with a canine search and rescue team for nine years, I do have first-hand knowledge of how dogs and handlers work. Although the story is fiction, I believe my experience in this area helped sell the book," said Cynthia.

Due to the commitment of her day job, Cynthia’s writing time is limited. "I usually write Thursday through Sunday and a solid eight hours a day while on vacation. I frequently work out plot points and tidbits about characters driving to and from work. Most days, I’ll sit in my car during lunch break (it’s the only quiet place at work) and make notes. Although I’ve started writing the next Brenna Scott book, it doesn’t yet have a title."

The 2000 Authorlink New Author Awards Competition is now accepting entries for this year’s contest through March, 2000. Awards again will be presented at the annual Harriette Austin Writers Conference, University of Georgia, in July, 2000. Top prize is $500.

For details see: http://www.authorlink.com/contest_00.html

Three More

Authorlink Writers

Sign Publishing Deals

8/15/99—Three more writers have won publishing contracts as a direct result of their listings with Authorlink. All three are clients of Elisabet McHugh, McHugh Literary Agency, who discovered them on Authorlink several months ago. This brings to a total of 49 the number of books that have been sold through Authorlink during the past 2 1/2 years.

Chris Spicer has accepted an offer form McFarland & Co. for Frankly, My Dear. . .:The Life of Clark Gable.

Publication will be in 1001, coinciding with the 100th anniversary of Gable's birth.

Neva Hacker, author of Missing Candy, and Charles Crone, author of The Palestinian Solution, have sold their work as e-books to Fictionworks, through Ms. McHugh.

E.A. Blair Becomes

43 rd Author to Find

Publisher Via Authorlink

7/1/99—Scrivenery Press will publish Authorlink writer E. A. Blair's A Journey to the Interior, in November, 1999, making Blair the 43 rd author to find a publisher via Authorlink since sales tracking began in 1997. Thirty-one writers have been published as a result of Authorlink, with houses such as Berkley, Tor, John Wiley & Sons, Carol Publishing Group and others. Twelve more titles will be released in August, 1999 by Authorlink's own imprint—Authorlink Press, bringing the total of successfully published authors to forty-three.

"I had tried sending material to about 50 agents, and though many were favorably impressed, all rejected the work, probably because their slice of an author's first book might not have seemed profitable enough," said E.A.

Blair, who holds a Masters Degree in Fine Arts has been writing since 1951. His day job for the past 30 years has been in publications for the aerospace industry. Some time back, he wrote and published a professional book, but turned to serious fiction only about ten years ago.

E.A. had been trying to sell his work through agents for five years, when he discovered Authorlink in May, 1998. He had been listed on the site for ten months when Scrivenery Press Publisher Ed Williams spotted his work on the web site. Scrdivenery, whose titles are distributed by Ingram Book Group, is actively building both its fiction and non-fiction lines.

Asked how it feels to be a published author, Blair said, "Vindicated. The related adjectives will come later."

Blair's contract did not include an advance, but does pay standard royalties.

"My impression of Scrivenery is that they are professional, intelligent and use advanced publishing technologies—as witnessed by the use of Authorlink and Ingram Book.

"Finding Authorlink was like a door to opportunity suddenly opening," said Blair.

He advises the unpublished writer to "Write patiently, critically."

He has a second title underway.

Authorlink Writer's

Novel Released

by Berkley Publishing

NEW YORK,NY/6/10/99— LOST RIVER, a novel by Authorlink writer, Pax Riddle, is now on bookstore shelves. Pax made the deal with Berkley Publishing Group (division of Penguin/Putnam) as part of the connections he made through Authorlink. The book is available via: http://www.lostriver.org/, barnesandnoble.com or amazon.com

Authorlink Named

Among Best Education

Resources on the Web

6/10/99—Authorlink has been selected as a featured site in StudyWeb

( http://www.studyweb.com/) as one of the best educational resources on the web.

StudyWeb is one of the Internet's premier sites for educational resources for students and teachers. Since 1996 professional reviewers have scoured the Internet to select only the finest sites to be included in StudyWeb's reviews. Each site in StudyWeb includes a detailed review describing it's merits.

Authorlink Teams

With Lightning to Offer

On-Demand Book Imprint

DALLAS, TX /5/1/99—Authorlink, the award-winning news/information and marketing site for the publishing industry, will launch its own book imprint, Authorlink Press, this summer. The move results in part from a new publishing partnership between Authorlink and Lightning Print, Inc, the print on demand subsidiary of Ingram Book, worlds largest book distributor.

Authorlink Press will carry the fine tradition of New York-style publishing into the digital age, said Authorlink President Doris Booth. We will serve as a market proving ground for the titles that truly deserve to be published and read—titles that eventually may find their way to larger houses, after we establish a solid track for them, said Ms. Booth.

Lower-cost digital and on-demand printing now enable Authorlink Press to publish books once considered economically too risky. The company will aggressively market the titles, establish sales records and then seek to turn them over to larger publishers.

The imprint will use the latest technology to publish digitally-downloadable books and trade paperbacks, printed on demand. Titles will be distributed through multiple on and off-line sales channels, including Ingram, which serves major booksellers such as Barnes & Noble, and Amazon.com.

Authorlink has also established an alliance with Peanut Press, to help supply electronic books for 2 million Palm Pilot and IBM WorkPad owners. Authorlink marketing ties also include alliances with the book review site, Bookbrowse.com (280, 000 page views annually), larger publishing houses, and other distribution and marketing resources.

Authorlink Press emphasizes aggressive, targeted marketing and distribution for every title it buys-a vital element often missing from tight production and promotional budgets at traditional publishers. The company's own loyal audience of 170,000 book lovers provides one the ready audiences of book buyers.

Not only do our readers support fellow writers by buying and reading their work. They provide vital marketing feedback. At Authorlink the end consumer will tell us which books they like and why—not marketing reps, nor retail booksellers with special agendas, but the readers themselves, said Ms. Booth.

Admittedly, digital publishing furrows new ground for Authorlink Our imprint is a test of its own-measuring whether consumers will buy truly good titles through Internet sites, hand-held devices and on-demand, with books printed at the time of their order (one- off). Ms. Booth explained.

In 1999 Authorlink Press initially will release 12 fiction and non-fiction titles, both in digital and trade paperback (on demand), with 12 to 24 titles to follow next year. They will be promoted to targeted, vertical markets, and to horizontal mass audiences via the Internet and traditional channels.

The imprints digital books will be available on the Authorlink.com site and through Peanut Press

( http://www.peanutepress.com/) late this summer. Most titles-and all of the initial 12—will also be available in the Ingram title base and may be ordered through all Ingram ordering systems, accessible to Barnes & Noble, Barnesandnoble.com, Amazon.com and, other major booksellers and libraries.

Both first-time and seasoned authors will be included in the list. Categories include suspense/thrillers, mainstream commercial fiction, science fiction/fantasy, romance, and narrative and commercial nonfiction. No anthologies or short stores are considered, and length ranges from 70,000-80,000 words. The new house is not a subsidy or vanity publisher, and will pay standard publishing industry royalties.

Unsolicited manuscripts are NOT accepted at this time and will be automatically recycled. Prospective authors should, instead, consider submitting their work for possible listing in the site's Author Showcase section.

Authorlink will continue to showcase listings of ready-to-publish manuscripts, and to market them worldwide to editors and agents, as it successfully has done for thee years. Authorlink has been rated among the top 25% of most useful sites on the web by Microsoft's One Click Away E- zine.

Web site: http://www.authorlink.com/

Authorlink Named

Among Writer's Digest

Top 101 Sites For Writers

Writers Digest magazine has selected Authorlink as one of The 101 Best Web Sites for Writers. The 101 were culled from the Digest staffs lists of favorites, as well as from nominations made by about 1,500 visitors to writersdigest.com.

The 101 Best is the cover story of the May 1999 issue of Writers Digest. The list is also published in its entirety on the Writer's Digest website, at http://www.writersdigest.com/101sites.

The list of recommended websites is just one of several recent additions to writersdigest.com.

Authorlink holds other distinguished industry awards, and including its ranking by Microsoft's One Click Away E- zine among the top 25% of most useful sites on the web.

Four Authorlink Writers

Sign With WriterBeck

Agency in Two Weeks

5/1/99—Four Authorlink writers will have signed with a single literary agent within the past two-weeks. Beck Roberts, owner of the Writerbeck Agency, has contracted Mackey Murdock and Andrea Giacomuzzi—both listed with Authorlink and found through the site. Two more writers were polishing their manuscripts, but were expected to sign with Ms.Roberts within days.

Beck Roberts represents 70% fiction and 30% nonfiction, and handles most categories except for erotica and cartoons. She has 30 years of experience as a published writer in both fiction and nonfiction and 20 years in related marketing fields. Ms. Roberts has been an agent for a little more than a year, and has already signed seven writers, including the new Authorlink people.

Her agency is based in South Carolina, where she moved with her husband and two children to have a simpler lifestyle than in Atlanta.

"Being a relatively new agent, I am more eager than some to work with the authors and their manuscripts, sending them out with strong cover letters to publishers. I am tireless in my efforts and truly get excited about seeing good works in print," she said.

The agency has no sales at present but, as Ms. Roberts said, "Good things take time and I am confident in the authors' work and my ability to promote it successfully."

Editor's Note, 5/11/99: This agent has retired due to a severe illness and will not be accepting other clients.

Update: Authorlink Writer

Sells WOLF'S TALE

To TOR Books

Agent Describes Publishing Recipe

By Sam Hughes

The Dickens Group Literary Agency

3/99—David Holland and his upcoming first novel MURCHESTON: THE WOLFS TALE (TOR Books) is a lesson to all who serve as functionaries in today's literary marketplace. Success may well depend on an old recipe: a good writer, a persistent agent who is willing to nurture true talent, and an editor who takes his or her job to heart and who will fight for a book. In the case of David Holland, whose work has appeared on Authorlink the factors that traditionally made the publishing industry great came together after seven years of productive author/agent interaction.

The heroes of this story are Hollland, one of the finest writers our agency has seen, agent Bob Solinger, who recognized brilliant writing and spent seven years pounding on doors to sell Hollands work, and Karla Zounek, the TOR editor who fell under the spell of Hollands writing and worked one-on-one with him to produce a fine literary horror story with a distinctive Victorian setting and tone.

For agents and editors struggling against adverse forces in the current marketplace, it is important to recognize the Holland phenomenon. Services such as Authorlink — a sterling example of what Internet marketing can and should be are invaluable to everyone, especially to new writers. And the ultimate lesson for writers, agents and editors alike: eventually, good writing sells.

Writer's Seven Year

Effort Pays Off,

Authorlink Plays Part

Louisville, KY/1/1/99—David Holland, a writer featured on the Authorlink site, since August, 1997, has sold his novel, THE WOLF'S TALE, with The Dickens Group as his agency. David has tried for seven years to become published, and at last found an agency that believed in his work and found the right publisher. More details of his success will be published here soon.

Psychologist Tom Harbin

Becomes 25th Authorlink

Writer to Sell Work

2/15/99—Forensic Psychologist Tom Harbin has sold his nonfiction manuscript, STANCE OF ANGER: RECOGNIZING AND CHANGING THE PATTERNS OF MENS ANGER, to established publisher, John Muir Publications. Tom is the 25th Authorlink writer to sign a contract with a publisher Since sales tracking began in early 1997.

The title will be released in the spring of 2000, according to acquisitions editor Cassandra Conyers, who requested the manuscript directly from Authorlink in May, 1998. Tom had been listed on the site for eight or nine months before receiving the request.

Generously sharing the sales figures with other Authorlink writers, Tom said he was paid a $1,000 advance upon signing a contract, another $1500 upon delivery of the revised manuscript, and the final $1000 will be paid when the book is released. Authorlink assumes a royalty arrangement is also included in the contract.

Tom began writing STANCE about seven years ago, for use with angry men in his clinical practice. The book sort of grew over the next couple of years and I guess I have been actively trying to sell it for about three years.

At first, I naively sent it to editors who had done similar work. Then, I engaged a New York agent who had promoted books for a friend of mine. Honestly, I was about to put the manuscript away and forget about it or start the self-publishing journey. Then I became aware of Authorlink while absently surfing the net for agents.

Tom said having his first work published feels daunting. Muir wants him to increase the book length by about 67% during revision, and he's not a full-time author. He hopes he can get it done on time, especially since there are substantial penalties for being late.

When asked what he would advise first-time writers, he said I would not presume to offer anyone advice. I think that lucked out so far.

And how important was Authorlink to his begin published? My book would still be sitting on a dusty disk somewhere, without Authorlink, he concluded.

John Muir Publications, established in 1969, will release 68 titles in 1999, and 75 in 2000. Main interests are in travel and alternative health.

In little more than two years, 215- plus writers have reported signing with agents as a direct result of Authorlink, and more than 960 requests from editors and agents have been processed.

Writer Cindy Appel

Lands Columnist Job

as Result of Authorlink

2/15/99—Cindy Appel, recently named Cyber Columnist of the Quarter at the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, attributes her job as a Star Telegram Online Columnist directly to Authorlink and the 1998 Authorlink Electrify Your Writing seminar.

I found out how to become a cyber-columnist from the talk given at the Authorlink workshop last May by Star Telegram Online Marketing Director Bonnie Bradshaw. I became a weekly columnist by July of last year, said Cindy.

Her column, titled, Every Day IS Mothers Day can be found at www.star-telegram.com/homes/cappel/columns/momsday.htm. Cindy takes a semi-humorous look at the world through the eyes of being a full-time mom and struggling writer. She has even developed a loyal following of sorts, too, and takes suggestions from readers on future column topics.

I just thought that others who read Authorlink might like to know how helpful it can be to their writing careers, said Cindy.

Agent McHugh Signs

12 Authorlink Writers,

Sells to Key Publishers

12/1/98—Twelve Authorlink writers have signed contracts within the past couple of years with Literary Agent Elisabet Mchugh, all as a direct result of the Authorlink service. And McHugh has sold many of their works to major publishers.

One of these clients, Roland Jansen, whose first book Profits From Natural Resources was just published by John Wiley, is now working on a second investment book. Linda Swink, Eric Winkler, David Whale and Sam Sackett also sold their books through Ms. McHugh.

In recent months, this agent has added a number of other Authorlink writers, including: Steven Levi, David Dial, S.Alan Hepps, Terry Milton, Jim Norton, Rebecca Spalten, and Lewis Tracy. A thirteenth writer is about to be signed with her.

"Authorlink is providing a great service for agents and editors," says Ms. McHugh, who works exclusively through the Internet and has clients in eight countries. "I'm impressed not only by the quality of the manuscripts that you have listed, but also the prompt service rendered by your staff when I request a manuscript. And I check out the new listings on your website on a regular basis."

Authorlink Writer

Sells Nonfiction Title

to Lone Wolf Enterprises

12/1/98—Dale C. Maley, author of Road Map to Retirement: How to Quickly and Easily Develop a Financial Plan for Retirement, has sold his work to Roger Wolf’s Lone Wolf Enterprises, Ltd. ( http://www.lonewolfent.net/) as a direct result of Authorlink

The book will be released both in hardcover and online in the first quarter of 1999. Lone Wolf has more than 60 titles in print.

Maley will receive 15% of gross for printed book and 15% of gross for electronic book sales.

Maley discovered Authorlink when he picked up a paper flier at the Harriet Austin Writer's Conference in Athens, Georgia last July, then followed up by visiting the site at http://www.authorlink.com/. (Note: The second annual Authorlink New Author Awards Banquet will be held as part of the 1999 Harriet Austin Writer’s Conference in Athens, July 23-25, 1999).

Dale, who has been writing for about two years, said it took him only 15 months to find a publisher through Authorlink He first found an agent through Authorlink who tried, but failed to sell the title to a large publisher.

How does it feel to have his first work published? “Very exciting, it has been a long, arduous, and perilous journey from writing those first few words of the manuscript until getting it published, “ said Dale.

He advises new writers to “Make sure your book is either the best among all the competition or among the first few books published in a new subject area. Be diligent, patient, and believe in your yourself and your work.

Authorlink Helps

Writer Secure

International Agent

12/1/98—J.D. Wetterling, author of SON OF THUNDER, has sold his first work to domestic publisher, Rivilo Books, Felix C. Lowe, publisher. The title was schedule for release in November, 1998. While J.D. located a publisher on his own, it was Authorlink that helped him find his agent. The Stefanidis Agency based in Geneva, Switzerland, discovered J.D.s listing on the Authorlink site and requested a review of the manuscript. The writer agreed to let Stefanidis handle the foreign rights.

Wetterling , who has been writing for nine years, had tried to locate an editor and agent for the last eight years. He found Authorlink while surfing the net. He found the publisher networking through friends.

How does it feel to have his first work published? “Wonderful!” he exclaimed. Wetterling, whose day job is as a Stockbroker with Morgan Stanley Dean Witter, has two more novels in progress. He hopes to write all day, every day, for the rest of his days. Books and the Internet helped him more than anything else to improve his craft.

He advised new writers to “never give up.”

Authorlink Writers

Now Able to Track

Their Own Page Hits

12/1/98— Authorlink writers are now able to track the number of hits to their individual pages each month. We're now adding individual counters to every page, so writers can determine the level of interest in their listed manuscripts. The counter, which resets at the first of each month, does not show who visited the page, but it gives the writer an idea of how interested editors, agents and general readers are in his or her topic and title.

The counter is now being added to every new writer's page. Writers with existing listings can request an ID and password for the service by emailing: dbooth@authorlink.com

JLA Agency Signs

Four Authorlink Writers

In 60 Days, Praises Site

11/15/98—Jay Lace, owner of JLA Literary, reports that he has signed contracts to represent four Authorlink writers during the past 60 days.

They include: Michael Sedge, Author of the novel, The Oracle, and a nonfiction work, Fettuccini or the Frustrated Soul; Margaret Brennecke, author of the novel, Seeking Refuge; Miles Twaddell, author of the novel, Victory Day, and Charles Carron, author of the non-fiction work, The Suing Game.

JLA, a new agency actively looking to build a small roster of clients, found all four writers listed on Authorlink

"We are looking for original works with commercial appeal," said Mr. Lace. "We have discovered that using Authorlink helps us separate the chaff from the wheat, and saves us hundreds of hours that would otherwise be wasted on unsuitable manuscripts."

The agency adheres to the AAR's guidelines, although it is not yet a registered member.

Wiley Releases

Authorlink Writer's

First Book in November

11/1/98—Roland Jansen, who found an agent and publisher through Authorlink, has received the first copy of his new book, Profits in Natural Resources, from publisher John Wiley & Sons. The new release shipped to major bookstore chains in early November.

"It all started with Authorlink, " Jansen said in a message to Authorlink this week. "The Internet works."

Agent Signs

Three Authorlink

Writers Within Months

AUSTIN, TX/10/98—Brian G. Clark, Esq., owner of BGC Literary Management, has signed contracts to represent three Authorlink writers within less than two months.

BGC is an aggressive and highly professional new agency headquartered in Austin, TX.

Clark said he has signed Eric Scherer, author of THE OLYMPUS PROJECT; Ekaterine (Katy) Terlinden, who wrote THE DIVIDED CHILD, and Pete Murphy, author of SALAMANDERS. Ms. Terlinden was Best of Show (suspense/mystery/thriller) winner in the first annual Authorlink New Author Awards competition. (See the second annual Authorlink competition guidelines at http://www.authorlink.com/contest_99.html).

"The advent of literary agents came as publishing houses cut editorial staff, allowing agents to step in as the front line arbiters of taste and commercial viability," said Clark. "Authorlink has become the new additional front line for the busy agent, a source for trusted pre-screened material to pursue at their convenience."

Authorlink Finalists

Sign Publishing Contract

With Neighborhood Press

8/29/98—Marian Gibbons and Karin Welss, finalists in both the Romance and SF/Fantasy/Horror categories in the 1998 Authorlink New Author Awards Competition, have signed a publishing contract with Neighborhood Press for their historical romance novel, SWEETER THAN WINE. SWEETER THAN WINE is scheduled to be released in May, 1999, under the pseudonym of Michaela August.

In this novel WWI widow Alice Roye must fight to save her Sonoma winery from the threat of Prohibition. She falls in love with her new vintner, a European refugee, not knowing that he served as an enemy soldier during the war.

"We believe that entering our work in contests such as the one sponsored by Authorlink really opened some doors for us, " said Karin Welss. "SWEETER THAN WINE is definitely a local history novel, highlighting a little-known aspect of Prohibition," explains Welss when asked about how she and Gibbons chose the subject for their novel . "A lot of hard-working American winemakers and grape-growers lost their livelihoods when beer and wine were outlawed along with hard liquor, and California's wine industry languished for the next fifty years."

Gibbons adds, "It was a very emotional time, so soon after World War I and the deadly influenza epidemic. Although the concept of Prohibition was well-intentioned, its effect was devastating even before gangsters and bathtub gin became the popular symbols of its failure. Grape-growers didn't know, right up to harvest in 1919, whether or not they could legally pick the best crop they'd ever seen. I found the research fascinating."

How did they make the sale? After finishing the manuscript, Gibbons and Welss spent a year sending out query letters and partials. They also entered several writing contests, including the Authorlink contest. "The romance writing community is incredibly supportive of new writers," Welss says, and Gibbons agrees: "We got a lot of help and encouragement from the published authors who judged two of the contests." A major obstacle to overcome in selling SWEETER THAN WINE was its WWI-era setting. "It's always difficult for new authors to break in," remarks Gibbons, "and even more difficult when editors are convinced that no one wants to read historicals set in the early 20th century." Their finalist status helped generate leads for possible publishers, as did their membership on several writing-related Internet listservs.

Welss remembers: "Someone on RWALINK (the Romance Writers of America members-only listserv) mentioned that Neighborhood Press was a fairly new publishing house open to romance submissions, and they spoke very highly of the Senior Editor, Rhea Griffiths. We queried Rhea via email, got a favorable response, and the rest is history." Marian Gibbons and Karin Welss are working on separate solo projects at the moment, although they have several more co-authored novels in the planning stages, including a sequel to SWEETER THAN WINE.

Gibbons is currently writing a sequel to In a Mirror, Darkly, set amid the turmoil of Berkeley in the 60's. Welss has another historical romance in progress, a tale of love and blackmail set in Restoration England.

About Neighborhood Press: Rhea Griffiths founded Neighborhood Press in 1995 with nothing but a desktop computer, an America Online account and the belief that "if she built it, they would come…" Now a rapidly growing small press, Neighborhood Press plans to publish twelve novels in 1999 as well as six issues of The Lovers Knot, a new magazine aimed at readers and writers of romance. Additional information about Marian Gibbons and Karin Welss, writing together as Michaela August, is available at the HREF="http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Square/3524/"Michaela August Web Page.

Another Writer Wins

Publishing Contract

Via Authorlink

EquiLibrium Press Signs Mitchell

NEW YORK, NY & CULVER CITY, CA/ 8/98—Joyce Slayton Mitchell, author of more than 32 nonfiction books published by major houses such as Bantam, Dell, Simon & Schuster, and others, has sold another nonfiction work as a direct result of Authorlink

Ms. Mitchell's newest manuscript, Pregnant in New Zealand: Mother and Daughter Letters from Afar, will be published in May, 1999 by EquiLibrium Press, Inc. of Culver City, California.

EquiLibrium Press Publisher Susan Goland requested the manuscript several months ago after seeing Mitchell's listing on Authorlink This will be EquiLibrium's first title as a new publisher, specializing in all aspects of health and wellness for women.

Pregnant in New Zealand is the story of a courageous and adventuresome young woman who finds an exotic life in the Pacific. This collection of New Zealand-to-Vermont letters is written in the first hours of pregnancy, leads to a dramatic 45-hour labor, and reveals the tensions of midwifery, and differences in generations, race and hemisphere.

Ms. Mitchell, who lives in New York, has successfully listed several works with Authorlink since late 1997. The newest book had been listed on the site for about 45 days or less, when Publisher Goland spotted it. The entire process, from listing to sale, took place within about three months.

Authorlink Winner

Signs Six-Figure

Deal at Harper Collins

7/98—June London, mainstream winner of the 1998 Authorlink New Author Awards Competition, has signed a six-figure contract with Harper Collins for her novel, Bingo Queens and a second work-in-progress, tentatively titled Stray Bullets.

The first title will be released in April, 1999, and the second manuscript will be completed in August, 1999. Both will be released under Harper Collins’ Cliff Street imprint.

Ms. London, whose real name is June Park, lives with her husband in a small Oklahoma town, similar to the setting for Bingo Queens, her first novel.

She met her agent, Robert Tabian of Robert Tabian Literary Agency , four years ago at an Oklahoma writers' conference. He showed considerable interest in her story at the time, though only a few chapters had been completed.

June sent an earlier novel out to 20 agents, all of whom rejected her. In 1988, early in her career, she took lessons from well-known writing coach, Jack Bickam at the University of Oklahoma in 1988. “He was my mentor, one on one,” June said. She began winning various contests and published a few shorts stories. She also began teaching creative writing at local colleges. “The more I taught, the more I learned,” June told Authorlink.

When she finished Bingo Queens in February last year, she suddenly remembered the meeting with Tabian. A few weeks earlier, she had entered the Authorlink contest. On April 13, 1998 Authorlink notified her that she had won first place in the mainstream nonfiction category. About two weeks later, Tabian notified her that Harper Collins wanted to buy the work.

“While we weren’t responsible for making the direct connection with HarperCollins, “said Authorlink Editor Doris Booth. “we sure know how to spot the winners.”

Tabian is a former editor at Putnam and was with International Creative Management before opening his own agency. Among Tabin’s clients is 1993 Pulitzer Prize Winner Robert Olan Butler.

How does it feel to have her first two novels sold? “I don’t know,” says June. I suppose reality has yet to sink in.”

Asked when she first became interested in writing, Ms. Park, a native of London, England, said that as a child during World War II, she read books while sequestered in bomb shelters to calm her fears and remove her from reality.

For the past ten years she has devoted herself exclusively to her writing career.

Authorlink Author

Tim McGuire Tops

Ingram’s Hot List

DALLAS/FT. WORTH, TX/ 6/30/98—Tim McGuire’s newly-released Western, Danger Ridge (DORCHESTER/LEISURE BOOKS) has been listed by Ingram Book Company among the top ten most requested western fiction titles in the mass market/paperback category for several consecutive weeks in June. The excellent showing was posted even before the title was scheduled to reach bookstores by the end of that month.

Tim McGuire is among writers whose ready-to-publish and newly-released works are listed on Authorlink Danger Ridge is his first novel. Another western, titled, “Nobility,” , is due for release by LEISURE next year. Ingram is the world’s largest trade book distributor.

Authorlink Writer

Pax Riddle Sells

Book to Berkley

6/20/98—Authorlink writer, Pax Riddle, has sold his first novel “Lost River” to Berkley Publishing Group for the mid four figures. Pax joined the Authorlink site in early 1997. Some months later he signed with a top New York agent, whom he found through the Authorlink private agency directory. Berkley Editor Kim Waltemeyer bought the manuscript in June, 1998.

Lost River is the story of a young Modoc woman married to a white man, who struggles to balance her Indian heritage and her family in the face of looming war between her people and the US Army. The book will be released in Summer, 1999.

Pax Riddle writes full time, and lives with his wife and teenage daughter in Connecticut. He is working on a second novel, The Education of Ruby Loonfoot, and recently sold a nonfiction article to Wild West magazine.

Pax advises new writers to join a good work-oriented critique group, and consider their comments closely, while maintaining your style and integrity. “If you wish to sell your work, versus merely write it for artistic, self satisfaction, find out about the marketplace. See where you can find a niche,” he says.

New Author Finds

Agent on Internet,

Sells Six-figure Deal

7/98—First-time novelist William Kowalski of Erie PA. has sold his manuscript, Eddie’s Bastard, to Harper Collins. After receiving offers from several houses, agent Anne Hawkins of John Hawkins & Associates Inc., New York accepted a two book deal totalling in the mid six figures. Marjorie Braman, Senior Vice President for Harper Collins Adult Trade Books made the successful offer. Irv Schwartz of The Renaissance Agency, Los Angeles, CA, will handle film and television rights.

Kowalski first contacted Hawkins with an unsolicited E-mail query. He found her E-mail address via a search of AOL user profiles for literary agents.

In the fictional autobiography, William Kowalski explores the importance of family and the place of the individual in the continuum of history and time.

Living alone in a decaying mansion, Grandpa Mann is the last surviving member of a once-great family. Or so he believes until the day he stumbles drunkenly out the back door and discovers a baby in a picnic basket. A note taped to the handle identifies the occupant as “EDDIE’S BASTARD,” the child of his only

son recently killed in Viet Nam. What follows is the bittersweet story of the old man raising his grandson as the last, proud scion of the Mann family and steeping him in all of its rich and bizarre heritage.

Kowalski braids the story of the boy’s journey to young manhood together with family anecdotes and homespun philosophical excerpts from great-great grandfather Mann’s Civil War diary. The result is a story mixing warm humor with nostalgia and the inevitable sadness common to most American family histories.

Michigan Writer

Sells First Book

Via Authorlink

7/98—David Whale has found an agent and sold his book, HOW SCHOOLS REALLY WORK: AN ACTION GUIDE FOR PARENTS, through Authorlink Before having his work accepted for a listing on Authorlink he had written an agent himself, only to be turned down.

"It seemed like to me there should be a better way to reach potential editors and agents. Authorlink turned out to be the answer," David said.

He found Authorlink through a search engine while surfing the web. "I liked the way it was laid out and the content," he said. " I figured it was worth a try, and the results and support were outstanding all the way."

Whale said his agent has been great to work with. "We do all of our communicating via email. She is based in Idaho and I am in Michigan. We've never met face to face but I feel I know her and we have a very good relationship."

David waited a number of months before his agent connected with him through Authrolink! But persistence paid off. About nine months after his listing on Authorlink Agent Elisabet McHugh had made a sale for David. That's less than half the time it usually takes to sell a manuscript.

The hardcover book will be released in September, 1998 by Avisson. While David has published some scholarly papers and continues to do research and writing on the same topic as his book, this is his first full-length published work.

Sam Sackett's

'Career Karate'

Finds Publisher

6/98—Sam Sackett expected it would take a long time to find an agent, even with the help of Authorlink His listing first appeared on the site in April, 97, and about six or even months later he signed with agent, Elisabet McHugh, after receiving requests from three different representatives, and subsequently a publishing house.

"Placing the book with a publisher took longer than I thought, "said Sackett. "I think any author feels his work is so good that it will sell immediately, and I am no exception. Reality was, as it usually is, disillusioning." That process took about four more months.

"Was I skeptical of Authorlink at first? Sure. Anybody who has lived long in this economy has run across enough scams to make him skeptical of anything that sounds like a good deal. It's a by-product of the free enterprise system that crooks are free to function until they're caught.

"I found Authorlink very professional and timely. I was particularly impressed with their efforts to make sure that the agents they list operate ethically, " Sam said. " I even passed along a couple of names of agents who approached me about whom I was leery, and Authorlink acted appropriately."

How did Sam Sackett begin his writing career?

"Miss Grassle, my kindergarten teacher, assigned all of us to write a book in imitation of the little reader which was our text. I became hooked on writing and have been writing ever since."

Right now Sam has obligations that prevent him from the kind of sustained writing effort that he would like to make, so he's working along at translations of a couple of Flemish novels because he can do them a page at a time in between other chores. When he can free up his time more fully, he plans to finish a book on how to get a job, TWELVE STEPS TO FINDING THE PERFECT CAREER, which his present agent is also interested in representing.

Another agent whom he found through the Authorlink listings, has three of Sam's novels: ADOLF HITLER IN OZ, AN AMERICAN PRODIGAL, and SWEET BETSY FROM PIKE.

Sam's book, CAREER KARATE: WINNING STRATEGIES FOR MANAGERS, will be released by The Graduate Group sometime this spring.

"I think Authorlink is a great opportunity for writers. Before I discovered Authorlink, I had used the lists of agents in the Literary Market Place, only to be told by them — at least by those of them that answered at all — that they were not accepting work from new writers. The agents listed by Authorlink are all agents actively seeking new talent. For that reason Authorlink saves writers an enormous amount of time and effort in bringing them together with people who actually are interested in considering their work. So I am really very thankful to Authorlink and will be happy to sing its praises wherever and whenever I have the occasion."

Eric Winkler Sells

First Work

Within Five Months

6/98—Eric Winkler signed with a literary agent and sold his first manuscript, Partnership Marketing, to Greenwood Publishing, all within only five months. How did he do that? Through Authorlink

"At first, I made the mistake that first-time authors make of trying to pitch my manuscript directly to publishing houses. While searching the Internet for publishers, I ran across Authorlink" Eric explained. "Rather than try and learn the book publishing industry overnight, I thought I'd "borrow some experience" from Authorlink and I couldn't be more pleased with the results."

Authorlink asked Eric if he were skeptical of the service at first, and why?

"I have to admit I was skeptical at first. There are so many mine fields on the Internet that I worry about paying for any service offered on the 'net. I was impressed by the list of authors on the site and by the current publishing industry news. It seemed like a gamble worth taking and I'm very pleased with the connections Authorlink made for me."

Eric had searched for several months and had a number of dead-end conversations with publishers. He made the mistake of thinking he didn't need an agent. "Looking back, it was a little like thinking I could do my own dental work with a few lessons," he commented.

Eric said he was surprised how fast Authorlink produced results for him. It took less than a month for him to sign with agent, Elisabet McHugh through Authorlink He agreed to partner with her in October. By December, 97 he had received his first serious offer from a publisher. Then, in February, 98, only five months after Authorlink connected him with an agent, he sold his first book.

Asked if he had any advice for other first-time authors, Eric advised: "Don't be afraid to admit what you don't know. Do you need Authorlink? Yes. You can't possibly expect to learn the publishing industry overnight, so let Authorlink lend you their contacts and their expertise.

"I don't know about other writers, but I asked myself over and over whether or not I needed an agent. I did. My agent helped me focus my work and helped crystallize the vision for my project. Unless you are fortunate enough to be a publisher writing about the publishing industry, you need an agent to help you navigate this complicated business."

Eric Winkler said he had "nothing but praise" for Authorlink "This service sets realistic expectations and then exceeds them. I consider myself fortunate to have found Authorlink and even more fortunate that my agent found me through Authorlink This is a service I'd recommend to any first time author."

Roland Jansen

Finds Publisher

In Six Months

5/98—Roland Jansen has just sold his first book to John Wiley & Sons as a direct result of having secured agent Elisabet McHugh through Authorlink

Unnatural Profits from Natural Resources: How to Make Big Profits, Globally, From Oil, Gas, Grains and Metals will be released by John Wiley & Sons in August, 1998.

Dutch-born Jansen, director of fund management for the oldest bank in Liechtenstein, wrote the book in German in September 1996 and originally titled it, The Coming Squeeze in Natural Resources. A friend who review it told him his German was "hopeless" and suggested he write it in English. He did. In January, 1997 he began surfing the Internet to find information on publishers and came across Authorlink

"I thought Authorlink was a great idea for an aspiring writer living in a remote area and with no contacts in the publishing world. My book was accepted for listing on the service and after only two months, in March, 1997, Authorlink Editor Doris Booth informed me that literary agent Elisabet McHugh was interested in reading the full manuscript. After receiving valuable background information from Doris about the agent, I signed with Ms. McHugh on April 3."

In the following six months, Ms. McHugh encouraged Jansen to refocus the book and he completed the new version in August, 1997. Only a month later John Wiley & Sons made the offer to publish the book.

His advice to new writers: "Listen to the feedback you get from publishers who don't want to buy. Your work must be unique and you must be able to tell a publisher why it is so special. Finally, don't let anyone take away your dream of being published."

Book/Movie Deals

Hyperion Signs Book Deal With 11-Year-Old

NEW YORK/12/6/01—Eleven-year-old prodigy Mattie Stepanek has signed a deal with Hyperion, the publishing unit of ABC Inc., to publish a book of his poetry. The youngster has sold hundreds of thousands of copies of his poems and has been admired by Oprah Winfrey and former President Jimmy Carter. The amount of the deal, though not revealed, is estimated at several million, and includes foreign and audio rights.

Hyperion will co-publish Mattie’s poems with VSP Books, a small Virginia-based company that first released his poems, and three more are planned for release next year. Mattie already has two best sellers, “Heartsongs” and “Journey Through Heartsongs.”

Mattie has muscular dystrophy, a rare form of the disease that took the lives of his three siblings and left him dependent on a ventilator that feeds oxygen through a tube in his neck.Many of Mattie’s poems focus on the death of his older brother, Jamie, who died at age 4 in 1993.

Proceeds from Mattie's book sales go to a trust fund and help pay for medical care.

“The main focus will be on Mattie’s health and well-being,” said his representative, attorney Robert Barnett, whose clients include Bill Clinton and Hillary Rodham Clinton.

Jimmy Carter wrote the foreword to “Journey Through Heartsongs.” Jerry Lewis featured Mattie in the final hour of his recent Muscular Dystrophy Association telethon and wrote an endorsement on the back of the book jacket.

‘Dark Knight’

Comics Sequel

Sets Sales Records

12/5/01—The comics sequel, The Dark Knight Strikes Again, written and drawn by acclaimed comics creator Frank Miller, is now available in stores and has already topped sales records for the comic book industry, said DC Comics Executive Vice President and Publisher Paul Levitz.

The first issue of the three-issue mini-series is already the best-selling comic book of this year in both dollars and units, as well as the bestseller of the last five years according to information provided by Diamond Comic Distributors Inc. The Dark Knight Strikes Again is the sequel to the 1986 groundbreaking The Dark Knight Returns, which has more than 1 million copies in print.

“It’s rare that any storyteller can keep their audience on the edge of their chairs for 15 years, but Frank’s pulled it off,” said Paul Levitz, DC Comics Executive Vice President and Publisher. “ The Dark Knight Strikes Again is worth the wait. Frank’s talent and craft have grown and we’re sure to be blown away by what his Batman will look like now.”

Together with his army of Bat-soldiers, including Carrie Kelley – formerly Robin and now the new Catgirl – the Dark Knight wages a new war on a diseased world that’s become completely lost. But to fight this war successfully, he must first return to being the World’s Greatest Detective and discover what has become of his former allies who were once the World’s Greatest Heroes. The Dark Knight Strikes Again features surprising appearances by such DC icons as Superman, Wonder Woman, Green Arrow, Martian Manhunter, the Atom, the Question and more. But are they still the World’s Greatest Heroes? They have gotten older. People change. And there’s a whole new generation of heroes and villains coming into their own. Miller will once again be collaborating with the award-winning colorist Lynn Varley.

Miller and Varley bring their often controversial talents to bear in creating an amazing new tale of the Dark Knight and the finest heroes the world has ever known. The multi-award-winning team of Miller and Varley have delivered – together and separately – some of the finest tales of our time with Batman: Year One, 300, Sin City, Elektra Lives Again, RONIN, Give Me Liberty and Hard Boiled.

The Dark Knight Strikes Again, issue number one, arrived in stores on Dec. 5 with a cover price of $7.95 U.S. A hardcover collection of all three issues will be released in late 2002.

DC Comics, a division of Warner Bros. an AOL Time Warner company, is the largest English-language publisher of comics in the world and home to such iconic characters as Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and the Sandman. These DC superheroes and others have starred in comic books, movies, television series (both animated and live-action) and cyberspace, thrilling audiences of all ages for generations.

Authorlink News, Success Stories,

And Recognition

Major Publishers

Browse Authorlink

for Manuscripts

Statistical Update

DALLAS, TX/ 12/15/01—Literary agents and editors regularly surf Authorlink in search of good writers. Among major houses making requests and/or visiting the site, are: Random House, Knopf, St. Martin's Press, Simon & Schuster, Penguin/Putham and many other smaller publishers. More than 700 writers are currently listed with us. Since tracking began, 1599 requests have been processed for requested manuscripts. Of the 342 editor or agent offers we've been able to track, 72 have lead to publication as a direct or indirect result of exposure on Authorlink. Additional sales and agent contracts are pending.

See "What People Are Saying About Authorlink"

Joyce Lackey

Sells Book

to Gardenia Press

72nd Authorlink Writer to Land Publisher

News Archives

Bemis Becomes

71st Authorlink Writer

to Sell Manuscript

June1, 2001—Michael E. Bemis of Kennebunk, Maine, became the 71st author to sell his work as a direct result of listing his work on Authorlink.com.

AUTHORLINK: When did you begin your writing career, and what prompted you to do so? Is there a special story behind your decision to become an author?

BEMIS: I started writing in earnest while serving as Sheriff of York County, Maine. When I left law enforcement full-time I was able to devote more time to my writing.

AUTHORLINK: Who was the greatest influence on your decision to write, and in what ways did they encourage you?

BEMIS: My mother who is a published author.

AUTHORLINK: How important has your agent been in guiding your career?

BEMIS: I briefly had an agent but due to personal hardship they were forced to close. I presently do not have an agent.

AUTHORLINK: How did Authorlink help?

BEMIS: Authorlink’s excellent service and support has consistently exceeded my expectations. Without Authorlink, Safe & Sound would not be poised for publication.

AUTHORLINK: Do you have any advice or insights for newcomers trying to break into publishing?

BEMIS: It sounds monotonous, but they should just keep trying.

AUTHORLINK: Do you perceive New York publishing to be a closed society or an open one?

BEMIS: I think it's open to good writing and content that's timely and unique.

AUTHORLINK: What are publishers looking for today?

BEMIS: What will sell and authors with a passion to sell it.

AUTHORLINK: How did you learn your craft? Through reading? Conferences? A university? Mentoring? A combination of these, or other means?

BEMIS: Nothing formal, just a lot of research, reading and writing.

Jan Letoha Becomes

70 th Authorlink Writer

to Land Publisher

Bury The Past was listed on Authorlink for 22 months. During that time, Jan also signed with an agent through Authorlink, but the agent closed her agency due to illness.

Jan has also listed her second book, Fire On The Moon, with Authorlink. It’s another spooky, romantic suspense story.

How did Jan feel when she heard that her book would be published?

“Like a genie popped out of a bottle and granted me three wishes! It’s the best feeling in the world!”

When Jan is working on a book, she’s a person obsessed — or possessed. She'll write 10 – 12 hours a day, especially during the summer.

In the real world, Jan teaches Psychology and U.S. History at a South Georgia high school.

What advice would she give to writers who want to be published?

Authorlink Writer

Joy Jasper Sells Work

to St. Martin's Press

67th Authorlink Sale

For the record, Joy's children are grown, and she lives in New England with her husband and a garden full of perennials

I'm currently working on another nonfiction book on the Lewis and Clark expedition, and another historical biography is in the outline stage.

"Thanks to all at Authorlink. And I want to say to my fellow writers: '"Keep writing, and don't lose heart! If it happened to me, it can happen to you.'"

Authorlink Writer

Chopra Finds

Publisher for Work

68th Authorlink Sale

Jan Wallace Becomes

69thAuthorlink Writer

to Sign With Publisher

69th Authorlink Sale

Jan Wallace credits the editor with giving each writer a lot of attention to make sure the manuscript is everything it should be for the reader.

"Authorlink has made it possible for writers to link up with the correct agents and publishers, and gives agents a chance to review works by various writers," Jan explained.

Jan once worked for The University of Georgia Extension Service in the Fort Valley, Georgia office. Today she is a fulltime writer.

"I am especially thankful for my agents," Jan said. "They have worked late into the mornings trying to find a suitable publisher. They work with writers because they love the written word."

Authorlink's Goldring

Wins Series Contract

With Berkley Publishing

McCleary had represented the series 5 1/2 years before the first book sold.

How does it feel to have a published contract?

Authorlink asked the author: How helpful was DFW Writers' Workshop?

Two Authorlink Press

Writers Earn

Top Recognition

The Georgia Awards ceremony, hosted by Mercer University Press, will be held at a dinner March 17 at Mercer University in Macon,Georgia.

66th Authorlink

Writer Signs

Publishing Contract

Charlene listed her novel on Authorlink on April 10, 2000, and sold it on November 25.

"I have been writing as long as I can remember and have published essays, feature articles, short stories, and a nonfiction book, but this will be my first published novel.

Authorlink's Goldring

Wins Series Contract

With Berkley Publishing

McCleary had represented the series 5 1/2 years before the first book sold.

How does it feel to have a published contract?

Authorlink asked the author: How helpful was DFW Writers' Workshop?

Former LA Times Reporter

to Contribute Kids' Book

Column to Authorlink

Among upcoming topics for her column will be:

From time to time, she will provide special reports on major children's book conferences.

Ms. Odanaka left her career at the Times to write books for children. She is an active member of the Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators.

Authorlink Writer

Lands First Book

Deal With Scribner

Agent Wray

Signs Fifteen

Authorlink Writers

9/00—Pamela Wray, owner of the new and growing Pamela Wray Literary Agency, has agreed to represent 15 writers found over the last several months as a direct result of Authorlink.

Among the works now represented by Wray are several thrillers and young adult works. Ms Wray, an aggressive agent, already has sent works by the newest Authorlink ensigns out to key publishers.

In another case, Ms. Wray signed a children's author who, while not officially listed on Authorlink, connected with Wray through the service. The work is a moral folk tale, similar to Uncle Remus.

"The Authorlink website is the ultimate place for any editor, literary agent or publisher, and I am so thankful the staff's hard work and diligence," Ms. Wray said in a note to Authorlink.

Ms. Wray is among a number of agents who regularly surf the Authorlink site in search of good manuscripts.

Clemente Becomes

61st Authorlink Writer

to Sell To Manuscript

New York House Pays Handsome Advance

New York, NY/5/26/00 —Authorlink writer Gary Clemente became the 61 st author to sell his work to a key New York publisher.

How did he find Authorlink? A writer friend told him about it and spoke highly of the service.

How does it feel to be a published author?

And does he have any advice for new writers?

Pamela Wray

Literary Agency Signs

Four Authorlink Writers

5/00—Pamela Wray Literary Agency based in Alabama, has signed four Authorlink writers for representation.

They are Steven Rudd, Midnight Run; Jan Letoha, Bury the Past; J.E. Deegan, In Dark Covenant; Norman Davis, Stonecypher's Gold.

Authorlink Author

Carolee Joy Takes

Rising Star Award

Tom is one of nearly 60 Authorlink writers to sign a contract with a publisher since sales tracking began in early 1997.

When asked what he would advise first-time writers, he said I would not presume to offer anyone advice. I think that lucked out so far.

And how important was Authorlink to his begin published? My book would still be sitting on a dusty disk somewhere, without Authorlink, he concluded.

In little more than three years, nearly 300 writers have reported signing with agents as a direct result of Authorlink, and more than 1500 requests from editors and agents have been processed.

The author lives and practices in North Carolina.

Authorlink

Correspondent

Joins LA Times

Authorlink writer, Michelle Lovato, has been hired by the Los Angeles Times to cover special sections issues.

Regarded as one of the world’s most prestigious news organizations, the Los Angeles Times has a full circulation of 1.4 million copies per Sunday issue.

Lovato’s work will premier March 13.

With more than two years experience as an Authorlink California publishing correspondent, Lovato has covered several events, and can be found by searching archives.

Lovato is the owner/publisher of The Silver Lakes Gazzette, a weekly newspaper, and a columnist and reporter for The Inland Empire Business Journal, a Southern California regional business magazine.

Accompanying Lovato in her new post will be her husband, Vince, a 20- year veteran of journalism. Among Vince’s credits are previous LA Times bylines,

Lovato has 10 years experience as a political and business reporter

and specializes in feature stories. She writes a newspaper column entitled, Thank You, Lord and has won several awards for her short fiction.

Both Lovatos are pursuing careers in the publishing industry. Ms.Lovato will continue contributing articles to Authorlink.

Authorlink Author

Carolee Joy Ranks

as RWA Finalist

In addition to WILD ANGEL, SECRET LEGACY, another novel by Ms. Joy, is also a finalist in the Golden Quill competition for Best Romantic Suspense and Best First Book.

New Author

Ranks #12

on Amazon

ATLANTA,GA/3/10/00—A BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO DAY TRADING ONLINE (Adams Media) by first-time author, has risen to #12 on Amazon.com’s top 100.

The book, agented by Deidre Knight of the Knight Agency (listed on Authorlink), was released only a week ago, and began its quick rise after the author appeared on CNBC Today.

American Self

Publishers' Group

Honors Mitchell

Third Authorlink Contest

Winner Signs Contract

With Major Publisher

For details see: http://www.authorlink.com/contest_00.html

Three More

Authorlink Writers

Sign Publishing Deals

Chris Spicer has accepted an offer form McFarland & Co. for Frankly, My Dear. . .:The Life of Clark Gable.

Publication will be in 1001, coinciding with the 100th anniversary of Gable's birth.

Neva Hacker, author of Missing Candy, and Charles Crone, author of The Palestinian Solution, have sold their work as e-books to Fictionworks, through Ms. McHugh.

E.A. Blair Becomes

43 rd Author to Find

Publisher Via Authorlink

Asked how it feels to be a published author, Blair said, "Vindicated. The related adjectives will come later."

Blair's contract did not include an advance, but does pay standard royalties.

"My impression of Scrivenery is that they are professional, intelligent and use advanced publishing technologies—as witnessed by the use of Authorlink and Ingram Book.

"Finding Authorlink was like a door to opportunity suddenly opening," said Blair.

He advises the unpublished writer to "Write patiently, critically."

He has a second title underway.

Authorlink Writer's

Novel Released

by Berkley Publishing

Authorlink Named

Among Best Education

Resources on the Web

6/10/99—Authorlink has been selected as a featured site in StudyWeb

( http://www.studyweb.com/) as one of the best educational resources on the web.

Authorlink Teams

With Lightning to Offer

On-Demand Book Imprint

The imprints digital books will be available on the Authorlink.com site and through Peanut Press

Web site: http://www.authorlink.com

Authorlink Named

Among Writer's Digest

Top 101 Sites For Writers

The 101 Best is the cover story of the May 1999 issue of Writers Digest. The list is also published in its entirety on the Writer's Digest website, at http://www.writersdigest.com/101sites.

The list of recommended websites is just one of several recent additions to writersdigest.com.

Authorlink holds other distinguished industry awards, and including its ranking by Microsoft's One Click Away E- zine among the top 25% of most useful sites on the web.

Four Authorlink Writers

Sign With WriterBeck

Agency in Two Weeks

Her agency is based in South Carolina, where she moved with her husband and two children to have a simpler lifestyle than in Atlanta.

The agency has no sales at present but, as Ms. Roberts said, "Good things take time and I am confident in the authors' work and my ability to promote it successfully."

Editor's Note, 5/11/99: This agent has retired due to a severe illness and will not be accepting other clients.

Update: Authorlink Writer

Sells WOLF'S TALE

To TOR Books

Agent Describes Publishing Recipe

By Sam Hughes

The Dickens Group Literary Agency

Writer's Seven Year

Effort Pays Off,

Authorlink Plays Part

Psychologist Tom Harbin

Becomes 25th Authorlink

Writer to Sell Work

When asked what he would advise first-time writers, he said I would not presume to offer anyone advice. I think that lucked out so far.

And how important was Authorlink to his begin published? My book would still be sitting on a dusty disk somewhere, without Authorlink, he concluded.

John Muir Publications, established in 1969, will release 68 titles in 1999, and 75 in 2000. Main interests are in travel and alternative health.

In little more than two years, 215- plus writers have reported signing with agents as a direct result of Authorlink, and more than 960 requests from editors and agents have been processed.

Writer Cindy Appel

Lands Columnist Job

as Result of Authorlink

I just thought that others who read Authorlink might like to know how helpful it can be to their writing careers, said Cindy.

Agent McHugh Signs

12 Authorlink Writers,

Sells to Key Publishers

Authorlink Writer

Sells Nonfiction Title

to Lone Wolf Enterprises

The book will be released both in hardcover and online in the first quarter of 1999. Lone Wolf has more than 60 titles in print.

Maley will receive 15% of gross for printed book and 15% of gross for electronic book sales.

Maley discovered Authorlink when he picked up a paper flier at the Harriet Austin Writer's Conference in Athens, Georgia last July, then followed up by visiting the site at http://www.authorlink.com. (Note: The second annual Authorlink New Author Awards Banquet will be held as part of the 1999 Harriet Austin Writer’s Conference in Athens, July 23-25, 1999).

Authorlink Helps

Writer Secure

International Agent

He advised new writers to “never give up.”

Authorlink Writers

Now Able to Track

Their Own Page Hits

The counter is now being added to every new writer's page. Writers with existing listings can request an ID and password for the service by emailing: dbooth@authorlink.com

JLA Agency Signs

Four Authorlink Writers

In 60 Days, Praises Site

11/15/98—Jay Lace, owner of JLA Literary, reports that he has signed contracts to represent four Authorlink writers during the past 60 days.

JLA, a new agency actively looking to build a small roster of clients, found all four writers listed on Authorlink

The agency adheres to the AAR's guidelines, although it is not yet a registered member.

Wiley Releases

Authorlink Writer's

First Book in November

"It all started with Authorlink, " Jansen said in a message to Authorlink this week. "The Internet works."

Agent Signs

Three Authorlink

Writers Within Months

AUSTIN, TX/10/98—Brian G. Clark, Esq., owner of BGC Literary Management, has signed contracts to represent three Authorlink writers within less than two months.

BGC is an aggressive and highly professional new agency headquartered in Austin, TX.

Authorlink Finalists

Sign Publishing Contract

With Neighborhood Press

Another Writer Wins

Publishing Contract

Via Authorlink

EquiLibrium Press Signs Mitchell

Ms. Mitchell's newest manuscript, Pregnant in New Zealand: Mother and Daughter Letters from Afar, will be published in May, 1999 by EquiLibrium Press, Inc. of Culver City, California.

Authorlink Winner

Signs Six-Figure

Deal at Harper Collins

The first title will be released in April, 1999, and the second manuscript will be completed in August, 1999. Both will be released under Harper Collins’ Cliff Street imprint.

Ms. London, whose real name is June Park, lives with her husband in a small Oklahoma town, similar to the setting for Bingo Queens, her first novel.

“While we weren’t responsible for making the direct connection with HarperCollins, “said Authorlink Editor Doris Booth. “we sure know how to spot the winners.”

Tabian is a former editor at Putnam and was with International Creative Management before opening his own agency. Among Tabin’s clients is 1993 Pulitzer Prize Winner Robert Olan Butler.

How does it feel to have her first two novels sold? “I don’t know,” says June. I suppose reality has yet to sink in.”

For the past ten years she has devoted herself exclusively to her writing career.

Authorlink Author

Tim McGuire Tops

Ingram’s Hot List

Authorlink Writer

Pax Riddle Sells

Book to Berkley

New Author Finds

Agent on Internet,

Sells Six-figure Deal

Kowalski first contacted Hawkins with an unsolicited E-mail query. He found her E-mail address via a search of AOL user profiles for literary agents.

In the fictional autobiography, William Kowalski explores the importance of family and the place of the individual in the continuum of history and time.

Michigan Writer

Sells First Book

Via Authorlink

"It seemed like to me there should be a better way to reach potential editors and agents. Authorlink turned out to be the answer," David said.

Sam Sackett's

'Career Karate'

Finds Publisher

How did Sam Sackett begin his writing career?

"Miss Grassle, my kindergarten teacher, assigned all of us to write a book in imitation of the little reader which was our text. I became hooked on writing and have been writing ever since."

Another agent whom he found through the Authorlink listings, has three of Sam's novels: ADOLF HITLER IN OZ, AN AMERICAN PRODIGAL, and SWEET BETSY FROM PIKE.

Sam's book, CAREER KARATE: WINNING STRATEGIES FOR MANAGERS, will be released by The Graduate Group sometime this spring.

Eric Winkler Sells

First Work

Within Five Months

6/98—Eric Winkler signed with a literary agent and sold his first manuscript, Partnership Marketing, to Greenwood Publishing, all within only five months. How did he do that? Through Authorlink

Authorlink asked Eric if he were skeptical of the service at first, and why?

Roland Jansen

Finds Publisher

In Six Months

5/98—Roland Jansen has just sold his first book to John Wiley & Sons as a direct result of having secured agent Elisabet McHugh through Authorlink

Unnatural Profits from Natural Resources: How to Make Big Profits, Globally, From Oil, Gas, Grains and Metals will be released by John Wiley & Sons in August, 1998.