MAIN NEWS HEADLINES
June 26 – July 3, 2008 Edition

Simon & Schuster

Speakers Bureau

Open for Business

NEW YORK/6/26/08–The Simon & Schuster Speakers Bureau, a new initiative that will bring a wide-ranging roster of bestselling, critically acclaimed, and expert authors to live audiences worldwide, officially launched last week and is accepting bookings for speaking engagements. Simon & Schuster, Inc., has teamed up with Greater Talent Network, Inc. (GTN), an industry-leading speakers bureau to create an exciting new source for meeting and event planners.

The Speakers Bureau was announced by Carolyn Reidy, President and CEO of Simon & Schuster, Inc., and Don Epstein, CEO and Founder of Greater Talent Network, Inc. Aileen Boyle, Vice President, Associate Publisher of the Simon & Schuster trade imprint, played a leadership role for Simon & Schuster in launching the network.

The Simon & Schuster Speakers Bureau (SSSB) reflects the depth and diversity of authors published by Simon & Schuster, Inc., and features authors and expert speakers from across its many imprints who will entertain and inform audiences on a multitude of topics. Groups looking for the best in public speakers can find authors from a variety of disciplines to satisfy any interest, including business finance, technology, health and well-being, current affairs and journalism, food, history and politics, fiction, entertainers and celebrities, memoirists, award-winning authors, and more.

Just some of the authors who are already participating and available for speaking engagements through the Bureau include Newsweek political columnist, historian, and television commentator Jonathan Alter; entrepreneur and featured expert in The Secret John Assaraf; New York Times food columnist and bestselling author Mark Bittman; the Sweet Potato Queen herself, Jill Connor Brown; New York Times media columnist and author of the forthcoming memoir The Night of the Gun, David Carr; #1 New York Times bestseller and “Queen of Suspense,” Mary Higgins Clark; Harry S. Dent, Jr, New York Times bestselling of The Roaring 2000s; National Book Award winner Carlos Eire, author of Waiting for Snow in Havana; environmental safety advocate for children Deirdre Imus; bestselling author of The Other Boleyn Girl, Philippa Gregory; author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Einstein, Walter Isaacson; bestselling pop-culture journalist and commentator Chuck Klosterman; Pulitzer Prize-winning memoirist Frank McCourt; bestselling physicians and authors of the YOU series, Michael F. Roizen, M.D., and Mehmet C. Oz, M.D.; Peter Walsh, New York Times bestselling author of It’s All Too Much; New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Weiner; former CIA covert operative and New York Times bestselling author Valerie Plame Wilson; and actress Debra Winger. More authors are being added to the Speakers Bureau roster on a regular basis.

“Connecting authors with an audience of readers and book buyers in as many ways possible is our top priority, and the Simon & Schuster Speakers Bureau reflects our firm belief that the life of a book and interest in our authors extend well beyond initial publication,” said Carolyn Reidy. “We’re thrilled to be able to offer this service for our authors, especially in conjunction with Greater Talent Network, a best-in-class partner that can utilize its unrivaled network of speaking opportunities and a team of top-flight booking agents, to promote our authors at events of all types and sizes in the United States and internationally.”

“I am delighted to help bring Simon & Schuster’s great roster of talented author/storytellers to audiences thirsty for their wit, wisdom, and insights,” said Don Epstein. “There are so many goals shared by our two companies that the long-term success of this new venture is practically guaranteed.”

Prospective event planners can view the full scope of the Simon & Schuster Speakers Bureau offerings at a dedicated home page, www.simonsays.com/speakersbureau. The SSSB site features biographical information about each author, a summary of his or her presentation, a list of speaking points, and video samples of authors speaking. Event planners and organizers can research the authors who fit the profile of their speaking engagement and then contact a booking agent directly through the site, or by calling 866-248-3049

About Simon & Schuster, Inc.

Simon & Schuster, Inc., a part of the CBS Corporation, is a global leader in the field of general interest publishing, dedicated to providing the best in fiction and nonfiction for consumers of all ages, across all printed, electronic, and audio formats. It is home to some of the most well-known publishing imprints in the world, including Simon & Schuster, Scribner, Free Press, Pocket Books, Atria Books, Touchstone, Fireside, Simon Spotlight Entertainment, Howard Books, Threshold Editions, Atheneum Books for Young Readers, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers and Simon & Schuster Audio, and has international companies in Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom. For more information, visit our website at www.simonsays.com.

About Greater Talent Network, Inc.

Founded in 1981 by CEO, Don R. Epstein, GTN has grown steadily to become one of the world’s premier lecture agencies. GTN attributes its success to a focus on responsible, ethical and courteous service to its speakers and event sponsors, all of whom have learned to appreciate the dedication of a staff with over 300 years of cumulative service to the meetings and events industries.

New York based GTN has brought thousands of guest speakers to corporations, associations, town halls, colleges, and non-profit organizations. Most of these organizations return to GTN year after year, confident that GTN will match their audiences with exactly the right speaker for the occasion.