MAIN NEWS HEADLINES
June 20- June 26, 2011 Edition Bestselling Author Dave Barry to Publish Two New Novels
NEW YORK, NY/AUTHORLINK/June 20, 2011–Dave Barry, New York Times bestselling, award-winning author and humorist, is writing two new adult novels for his longtime publisher, G. P. Putnams Sons. The first book, Lunatics, a novel of comic mayhem, written in collaboration with Emmy Award and Thurber Prize-winning writer Alan Zweibel, is scheduled to be published in hardcover by Putnam in January 2012. The second book, an as-yet-untitled novel by Mr. Barry, is scheduled to be published in hardcover by Putnam in early 2013. Neil Nyren, Senior Vice President, Publisher and Editor in Chief, G. P. Putnams Sons, acquired world rights to both titles from Amy Berkower of Writers House, representing Mr. Barry, and Laura Nolan at Paradigm, representing Mr. Zweibel. Paperback editions of each title will be published by Berkley Books.
Lunatics features oil-and-water characters Philip Horkman and Jeffrey Peckerman, two suburban neighbors who collide in a swiftly-escalating series of events that send them running for their lives, pursued by the police, soldiers, terrorists, subversives, bears, and a man dressed as Chuck E. Cheese. The book is being written in alternating Philip and Jeffrey chapters; the Jeffrey chapters by Mr. Barry and the Philip chapters by Mr. Zweibel.
Mr. Barrys as-yet-untitled novel will be a darkly hilarious suspense story in the manner of his New York Times-bestselling novels, Big Trouble, published by Putnam in 1999, and Tricky Business, published by Putnam in 2002.
Dave Barry is the author of some thirty books, including such bestsellers as the nonfiction Ill Mature When Im Dead, Dave Barrys Money Secrets, Dave Barry Turns 50 and Dave Barrys Guide to Guys; the bestselling novels Big Trouble and Tricky Business; four very successful Young Adult Peter Pan novels (with Ridley Pearson); his Christmas story, The Shepherd, the Angel, and Walter the Christmas Miracle Dog; and his collection of Miami Herald year-end reviews, Dave Barrys History of the Millennium (So Far). Two of his books Big Trouble and Dave Barrys Guide to Guys have been turned into movies. From 1983 to 2004, Dave wrote a weekly humor column for the Miami Herald, which in 1988 won a Pulitzer Prize for Commentary. He is also a guitarist with the infamous band of authors, Rock Bottom Remainders. He lives in Coral Gables, Florida.
Alan Zweibel is an original Saturday Night Live writer whom The New York Times said has earned his place in the pantheon of American pop culture. He has won multiple Emmys and Writers Guild of America Awards for his TV work, which also includes Its Garry Shandlings Show, Monk, Curb Your Enthusiasm, and PBSs Great Performances. A frequent guest on talk shows such as Letterman, his theatrical contributions include his collaboration with Billy Crystal on the Tony Award-winning play, 700 Sundays; and Martin Shorts Fame Becomes Me. His books include the 2006 Thurber Prize for American Humorwinning novel The Other Shulman; a memoir, Bunny Bunny: Gilda Radner A Sort of Love Story; a collection of stories and essays, Clothing Optional; and the popular childrens book Our Tree Names Steve. His screenplays include Dragnet, North, and The Story of Us, and in 2010, the Writers Guild of America, East gave him a Lifetime Achievement Award. Zweibel is currently working with Billy Crystal on the feature film version of 700 Sundays (Barry Levinson directing), executive-producing a documentary mini-series for Showtime with Steve Carell and David Steinberg; and appearing in the upcoming season of Curb Your Enthusiasm. He lives in Short Hills, New Jersey.
Penguin Group (USA) Inc. is the U.S. member of the internationally renowned Penguin Group. Penguin Group (USA) is one of the leading U.S. adult and children’s trade book publishers, owning a wide range of imprints and trademarks, including Viking, G. P. Putnam’s Sons, The Penguin Press, Riverhead Books, Dutton, Penguin Books, Berkley Books, Gotham Books, Portfolio, New American Library, Plume, Tarcher, Philomel, Grosset & Dunlap, Puffin, and Frederick Warne, among others. The Penguin Group (http://www.penguin.com) is part of Pearson plc, the international media company.
