BroadwayWorld.com Books Stories

Amazon's Best Selling Author and Real Estate Mogul Ron McElroy Hosts Live Chat Today

Thu, 23 May 2013 00:30:00 PST

Amazon Best Seller Wrong Side of the Tracks' author Ron McElroy, CEO and Founder of Real Office Centers, is holding a live chat and Q&A today, May 23, 2013 from 11:30 - 12:20 PM PST. This insightful chat is set to cover the secrets to a profitable life and business.

"I'm excited to host my first series of live chats, derived from my entrepreneurial journey, as outlined in my memoir. I believe I can help those looking to succeed both in life and business, having had a transformative journey myself," says Ron McElroy.

Ron McElroy has learned the benefits of a profitable business from social, green, and monetary capital that has allowed him to drive a successful business and keep his employees and community fortunate and loyal. With advantageous programs such as ecoROC, ROC aims to highlight the importance of such capital to live a sustainable life and encourage positive business practices.

Invitations will be e-mailed with information on how to join chat via phone, computer or mobil device. To receive an invite please e-mail Becky Beattie at becky(at)realofficecenters(dot)com.

ABOUT RON MCELROY
Real estate mogul-entrepreneur, Ron McElroy is the CEO and Founder of Real Office Centers, the office-style-workspace revolutionizing the office environment. His experience in commercial real estate, Class A buildings, and premiere office environments have built his vision for the six ROC locations. Author of Wrong Side of the Tracks, Ron illustrates his journey from a rough adolescence to creating this harmonious, collaborative work environment where he brings the nation's top entertainment and tech startups, investors, university talent, and event companies together.

ABOUT ROC
Real Office Centers (ROC) are shared office workspaces owned and operated by CEO and Founder Ron McElroy. These collaborative work environments boast the top entertainment and media startups, law firms, venture capitalists, university talent, and event companies who all come together under ROC's roof. Offering short-term contracts, companies have the chance to lease space at their own rate and have plenty of room to expand. Working alongside such a unique amalgamation of companies from different industries, innovation and real-life social networking result. The birthing grounds for some of the nation's up-and-coming businesses, ROC has six office locations offering their entrepreneurial insight throughout Los Angeles.

Kingstone Comics Launches ETERNITY

Wed, 22 May 2013 15:51:59 PST

Aiming to be the world's largest publisher of Christian comics and biblical-worldview graphic novels, Kingstone Comics announces its June launch of Eternity, the first graphic novel by New York Times best-selling author, Randy Alcorn.

"Comics are booming as well as Christian themes in entertainment," Kingstone CEO, Art Ayris said. "Anywhere you want to look-TV and Internet shows, movies, books . . . The Bible as the No. 1 rated cable show, or the growing line of faith-based movies. Now - why not comics? Randy Alcorn is a leading Christian writer, and now Eternity not only raises the bar but introduces Randy to a new demographic."

In Eternity readers enter first-century Jerusalem and Jesus' classic story of the Rich Man and Lazarus, with veteran comic artist Javier Saltares, Eternity depicts two shockingly different spiritual dimensions.

"Junior high, high school, college-aged young people-and older people-are drawn right in to illustrations of one of Jesus' most haunting stories," Alcorn said.

"Our goal," Ayris said, " is for Kingstone to eventually become the 'Marvel' of the faith market."

Other Kingstone writers include Dr. Marvin Olasky, named one of the 50 Most Influential Christians in the World, and well-known comic book writers Ben Avery and Roland Mann. Kingstone's top-ranked artists and illustrators include Saltares, Danny Bulanadi, Kyle Hotz, Sergio Cariello, Jeff Slemons and Brian Williamson.

Kingstone already is known for its ambitious 12-volume Kingstone Bible project; expected to be the most complete graphic adaptation of the Bible ever done and releasing in 2014.

Kingstone Comics distributes through major retailers such as Walmart and through CBA Christian book stores. Kingstone also leads in digital delivery of its comics via Kindle and graphic novels through top comic apps such as ComiXology, iVerse Media as well as the Kingstone Comics app on iPads and Droid devices.

Alcorn, known for the NYT best-seller Heaven and the award-winning Safely Home, also is the founder of Eternal Perspective Ministries, a non-profit dedicated to teaching an eternal viewpoint and helping the needy.

The 128-page, soft-cover graphic novel is available for pre-order; deliveries begin in June.

To learn more, visit: KingstoneMedia.com.

And visit Lovell-Fairchild.com/pressroom for:
? Kingstone-Eternity Fact Sheet
? Kingstone-Eternity Q&A
? Kingstone-Eternity Art Ayris bio
? Kingstone-Eternity Randy Alcorn bio

FAMILY EVER AFTER is Released

Wed, 22 May 2013 15:51:16 PST

Women frustrated with their marriage and family life will find the help they need to achieve greater happiness and success in a new book about how to have a happy family, Family Ever After: Simple Ways to Achieve Extraordinary Happiness with Your Ordinary Family (Familius, April 2013), by stay-at-home "everymom" and family leader Michelle H. Packard.

In Family Ever After, Packard provides a practical, poignant, funny and moving exploration of the simple ways women can find greater happiness and satisfaction with their marriage and family. The book uses time-tested and well-researched principles to family life to help readers learn specific ways to improve their marriage and family, whether that family is ordinary or extraordinary.

According to Packard, "A storybook 'happily ever after' simply isn't the reality for most women. While the idea of happy ever after is distorted, you can, in fact, achieve your Family Ever After."

Family Ever After enlightens readers with the following key philosophies:

How happiness in marriage and family life requires a more educated, real-world perspective;
How proper prioritization and defining what's important in marriage and family is key to success;
Why conflict is part of an ordinary family experience and how to peacefully resolve it;
How to cultivate a sense of humor;
How to develop a thoughtful and sincere habit of complimenting each member of your family;
How to improve family relationships with extended family members; and
Learning how to love a family member in the way they understand and accept that love.

More than another how-to-have-a-perfect-family book, Family Ever After is an essential and inspiring resource that helps women gain the understanding and practical skills necessary to achieve extraordinary happiness and success for themselves and their families.

"Family Ever After" is a must-read for every happily married Cinderella who wonders why she's still holding the broom." -Rachelle J. Christensen, award-winning author of Wrong Number and Caller ID

"Michelle is open enough to have given readers an intimate look into her life and those close to her, allowing us to learn from both painful and sweet experiences. Her self-reflective style and meaningful insights, if applied, would clearly make a profound impact in the lives of readers." Shawn Edgington Ph.D.

About the Author: Michelle Packard is a mother to her four very human and totally fabulous kids: Ella, Daniel, Julia and Jackson. She has been married ten years and is quite taken with her guy; date night is her favorite and she dreams of weekend getaways with her man. She loves creating beauty through floral design, hosting friends for parties, and quality family time. Michelle holds a bachelors degree in Home and Family Science from Brigham Young University. She has spent a great deal of time working with children and young adults and finds her greatest joy is helping to create happy families.

About the Publisher: Familius is a transmedia publisher who publishes for marriage, parenting, family fun, education, health and wellness, and children. The Familius mission is to help families be happy. We connect families with the books, e-books, videos, articles, and apps they need to build successful marriages and families. Let's Talk Family.

Book Details:
Title: Family Ever After: How to Achieve Extraordinary Happiness with Your Ordinary Family
Author: Michelle H. Packard
Publisher: Familius
Publication: April 2013, $14.95
Internet Marketing, pISBN 978-1-938301-38-4, eISBN 978-1-938301-39-1
6 x 9 trade paperback, Kindle, Nook, Kobo, IPad, ePub, 194 pages, bibliography
*Available from bookstores, online booksellers and http://www.familius.com

Charles A. Moss, M.D. Releases THE ADAPTATION DIET

Wed, 22 May 2013 14:53:06 PST

Charles A. Moss, M.D., nationally acclaimed pioneer of integrative medicine, lecturer and author, announces the release of his new book, The Adaptation Diet: A Three-Step Approach to Control Cortisol, Lose Weight, and Prevent Chronic Disease. Based on 35 years of clinical experience and cutting-edge science, The Adaptation Diet offers an easy-to-understand explanation of the scientific link between the stress hormone cortisol and weight gain. Dr. Moss provides readers a straightforward plan for reducing cortisol, losing weight and slowing the aging process. Using the newly emerging science of epigenetics, Moss explains how diet and environment influence our biological destiny, and how we can take steps to reduce the risk of obesity, diabetes and cancer.

Until recently nature seemed clearly distinct from nurture. Now it appears that our diets and lifestyles can change the expression of our genes by influencing a network of chemical switches within our cells collectively known as the epigenome. The new field of epigenetics has been called the 'epicenter of modern medicine.' Moss educates readers on which foods protect gene expression and how to help reduce risk for obesity as well as how to protect children's gene expression before they are even born. In The Adaptation Diet, Moss shares insights through epigenetic research:

The five bioactive foods that protect gene expression and help reduce your risk for obesity, diabetes, and cancer
How to protect your children's and future generations' health through gene expression and the science of epigenetics
By following the right dietary suggestions, you can reduce exposure to gene-altering chemicals called obesogens, lose weight, and reduce your risk for chronic disease

"The Adaptation Diet is the result of working with thousands of patients over the past 35 years, a culmination of what I have learned about regaining adaptation, optimizing weight and preventing disease," said Dr. Moss.

Dr. Moss has been practicing integrative medicine and Five Element acupuncture in La Jolla, California, since 1978, when he established The Moss Center for Integrative Medicine, one of the first holistic health medical clinics in the United States. A pioneer of combining Eastern medicine with the best of scientific integrative medical practice, Dr. Moss has trained physicians throughout the world. His unique approach to treating stress-induced and chronic medical problems attracts patients from all over the U.S., Europe and Latin America. Dr. Moss is also the author of Power of the Five Elements: The Chinese Medicine Path to Healthy Aging and Stress Resistance. For more information on the author or his books, please visit: www.mosscenterforintegrativemedicine.com and www.TheAdaptationDiet.com.

Sharon Osbourne Releases First Children's Book for Disney Publishing, MAMA HOOK KNOWS BEST

Wed, 22 May 2013 14:51:32 PST

Sharon Osbourne, one of pop culture's most famous "mums," will share her swashbuckling adventures as Mama Hook in Mama Hook Knows Best: A Pirate Parent's Favorite Fables, a new children's book to be published by Disney Publishing Worldwide. An extension of Osbourne's character from the hit Disney Junior series "Jake and the Never Land Pirates," the book will be available in stores in fall 2013, and will come with an audio CD featuring original narration by Osbourne, and will also be available as an e-book.

Mama Hook Knows Best: A Pirate Parent's Favorite Fables is set in the animated series' world of pirate playfulness, and follows Mama Hook as she reminisces about her great adventures sailing the Never Sea and the stories she told her son Captain Hook when he was a young boy.

"I have such a wonderful time playing Mama Hook on 'Jake and the Never Land Pirates,'" said Osbourne. "To be able to take that role to the book world and share Mama Hook's stories with families around the world is an honor. I hope kids enjoy reading Mama Hook's pirate tales and continue to fall in love with her, just as I have."

"Sharon is an international icon and we are delighted to have the opportunity to work with her," said Jeanne Mosure, senior vice president, global publisher, Disney Publishing Worldwide. "We are excited to share her stories with young readers and give them another way to connect with Mama Hook and 'Jake and the Never Land Pirates'."

Sharon Osbourne is a television host, author, music manager, businesswoman and promoter as well as the wife of rock legend, Ozzy Osbourne. She came into public prominence after appearing in The Osbournes, a reality television show that followed her family's daily life. Osbourne later became a judge on the talent shows The X Factor (U.K.) and America's Got Talent. She currently lives in California and is one of five co-hosts of the daytime series, The Talk, where she discusses controversial topics and contemporary issues.

About Disney Publishing Worldwide

Disney Publishing Worldwide (DPW) is the world's largest publisher of children's books and magazines with over 700 million products sold each year. DPW consists of an extensive worldwide licensing structure as well as vertically integrated publishing imprints, including Disney Book Group in the U.S. and Disney Libri in Italy. DPW publishes a range of children's magazines globally, as well as Disney kids magazines in the U.S. Disney English is DPW's English language learning business, which includes Disney English learning centers in China and a worldwide retail-licensing program. DPW's digital products include bestselling eBook titles as well as original apps. Headquartered in Glendale, California, DPW publishes books, magazines, and digital products in 85 countries in 75 languages. For more information visit www.disneypublishing.com.

Books-A-Million Launches Tornado Relief Campaign with The Salvation Army

Wed, 22 May 2013 13:38:48 PST

Books-A-Million, Inc. (Nasdaq/NM: BAMM) today announced that it will collect donations to support The Salvation Army's tornado relief efforts in Moore, Oklahoma. Customers will be able to make donations at all Books-A-Million's 253 locations, as well as through the company's website at www.booksamillion.com.

"Through the generosity of our customers and associates, Books-A-Million has often aided The Salvation Army's disaster relief. The terrible tragedy in Oklahoma will once again place additional demands on their resources," said Terrance G. Finley, President and Chief Executive Officer at Books-A-Million Inc. "We believe our staff and our customers want to help, and we know there is no better way to contribute than to support the efforts of The Salvation Army."

Books-A-Million customers and associates have a long tradition of aiding The Salvation Army's efforts. Since 2005, over $1,400,000 has been donated to The Salvation Army during Books-A-Million's annual holiday drives and also in the aftermath of natural disasters throughout the United States and the world.

About Books-A-Million, Inc

Books-A-Million is one of the nation's leading book retailers and sells on the Internet at www.booksamillion.com. The Company presently operates more than 253 stores in 33 states and the District of Columbia. The Company operates large superstores under the names Books-A-Million, BAM!, Books & Co. and 2nd & Charles and traditional bookstores operating under the name Bookland and Books-A-Million. The common stock of Books-A-Million, Inc. is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol BAMM. For more information, visit the company's website at www.booksamillioninc.com.

Sarah Jessica Parker and Zac Posen Present Teen Winners of Scholastic Art & Writing Awards at Carnegie Hall, 5/31

Wed, 22 May 2013 10:25:55 PST

On Friday, May 31 at Carnegie Hall, actress and arts advocate Sarah Jessica Parker and fashion designer Zac Posen will share the spotlight with the talented teens who received national honors in the 90 th annual Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. More than 800 teens from 47 states, along with their families and teachers, are expected to attend the celebration. There, 15 graduating seniors will receive Portfolio Gold Medals, the Awards' highest honor, which includes a $10,000 scholarship. For the first time in the Awards' 90-year history, the ceremony will be webcast live so people across the nation can share in the celebration.

Presented by the nonprofit Alliance for Young Artists & Writers, the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards is the country's longest-running, most prestigious scholarship and recognition program for creative teenagers, and provides students across the country with opportunities for exhibition and publication of their work. The celebration of this year's winning students and teachers kicks off May 31, when two giant Times Square screens at 1515 Broadway will promote the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards every two minutes throughout the day, and the Empire State Building will be lit in gold to honor the student winners. After the Carnegie Hall ceremony, the Alliance's annual Gold Key Gala will take place at The Edison Hotel, and on June 1, the Awards' National Student Exhibition will open at Parsons The New School for Design and Pratt Manhattan Gallery, showcasing select Award-winning student work.

At the May 31 ceremony at Carnegie Hall, Ms. Parker will congratulate the students and offer words of encouragement."It takes courage as well as talent to step out as a writer or an artist, and I'm delighted to have the opportunity to personally congratulate these outstanding teens," Ms. Parker said."Finding out that people other than your parents and your teachers truly believe in your work can validate the courage these teens have shown in presenting their work to the world, and help to carry them forward into their lives and their careers."

Mr. Posen will be presented with the 2013 Alumni Achievement Award. "As a young person, your work is often not understood or appreciated by those around you, since some people feel you are too young to be a 'real' artist," said Mr. Posen. "To receive one of these Awards is an important moment in the life of a young artist or writer. It shows that someone believes in your work and sees something of promise in it." Video congratulations will also be delivered by First Lady Michelle Obama and Girls star and creator Lena Dunham, an alumna of the Awards. Other notable artists and writers who received a Scholastic Award when they were in high school include Robert Redford, Andy Warhol, Joyce Carol Oates, Stephen King, John Lithgow, Robert Indiana, Ken Burns, John Baldessari, Truman Capote, John Updike, and Sylvia Plath.

"When you look at the notable list of past winners, it is really clear that the Scholastic Awards have helped fuel America's creative output since they were established 90 years ago," said Virginia McEnerney, Executive Director of the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers. "The founder of the Awards, M.R. Robinson, who also founded Scholastic Inc., dreamed of a day when teenagers who are creative would receive the same kind of accolades as teenagers who are athletic. The Awards strive to do that every year by recognizing talented teens, first in their local communities and then on a national stage."

The exhibits of winning students' work will be open to the public through June 15; starting in the fall, a traveling exhibit of student work entitled ART. WRITE. NOW. will visit cities across the United States, ensuring that work by these outstanding teens is accessible throughout the country. The exhibitions and accompanying public programs are co-sponsored by the Sheila C. Johnson Design Center.

2013 marks the 90 th anniversary of the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, which attracted more participants than ever before, with more than 230,000 submissions in 28 categories including dramatic script, journalism, humor, novel-writing and science-fiction, as well as painting, sculpture, photography, fashion design, film and animation, and video game design. Each student work was blindly adjudicated, first locally through the 116 affiliates of the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers, and then nationally by panels of judges comprised of renowned artists, authors, educators, and industry professionals. This year's list of jurors included Edwidge Danticat, Myla Goldberg, Kurt Andersen, Red Grooms, and Elizabeth Wurtzel, among others.

Works were judged on originality, technical skill, and the emergence of personal vision or voice. More than 1,600 outstanding students in grades 712 from throughout the nation, as well as students in American schools abroad, were chosen to receive national medals. Select honors provide students with cash awards totaling $200,000, and graduating seniors who received national medals are now eligible for an additional $8.5 million in scholarships from more than 60 colleges, universities, and art institutes across the country. The teachers of national winners were also recognized with Awards. A complete list of the 2013 national winners is available here.

The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards is generously supported by Scholastic Inc., the Maurice R. Robinson Fund, The New York Times, the Institute for Museum and Library Services, the President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities, Command Web Offset Co., the AMD Foundation, Blick Art Materials, the National Endowment for the Arts, 3D Systems, New York Life, Bloomberg L.P., Ovation, Amazon.com, the Jacques and Natasha Gelman Trust, the Bernstein Family Foundation, Duck Tape , the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, and contributions from numerous other individual, foundation, and corporate funders. The travelling exhibition is funded in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.

For more information on the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, please visit the media room.

The Alliance for Young Artists & Writers, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, identifies teenagers with exceptional creative talent and brings their remarkable work to a national audience through The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. Founded in 1923, the Awards is the longest-running, most prestigious program of its kind, having fostered the creativity and talent of millions of students through recognition, exhibitions and publications. Over the past five years alone, students have submitted nearly 900,000 pieces of work and more than $25 million has been made available in scholarships and awards to top winning participants. The Alliance partners with 116 regional affiliates across the country to bring the program to local communities, and works with a network of more than 60 colleges and universities to increase the range of scholarship and award opportunities. With the President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities and the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the Alliance is a founding partner of the National Student Poets Program, the country's highest honor for youth poets, which selects five students exclusively from current Scholastic Art & Writing Award poetry winners. More information about the Alliance and its programs can be found at www.artandwriting.org.

SOURCE Scholastic Inc.

Elsevier and Hanser Announce Plastics Engineering E-Book Collection

Wed, 22 May 2013 09:36:18 PST

Elsevier, a world-leading provider of scientific, technical and medical information products and services, and Hanser Publishers, the premier publisher of plastics technology and applied materials titles, today announced the companies will offer plastics researchers and engineers a new plastics e-book collection on ScienceDirect.

Plastics Engineering from Hanser on ScienceDirect includes more than 55 titles from leading authors, such as Dr. Robert A. Malloy, a member of the Plastics Academy's Hall of Fame. Other key titles cover plastics design principles, adhesives, rubbers, polymers, and extrusion. The addition of Hanser content with the benefits of full-text, online access on ScienceDirect delivers improved workflow data and best practice information to people in research and development in the field of engineering design and manufacturing.

The Hanser collection complements the engineering books from Elsevier's William Andrew and Butterworth-Heinemann imprints, as well as chemistry and materials science books collections already available on ScienceDirect. This focus on plastics and polymers will benefit corporations in plastics manufacturing, chemicals, consumer goods, construction, aerospace and automotive, and other downstream sectors where plastic materials are utilized.

Hanser titles now available in the collection on ScienceDirect include:

Material Science of Polymers for Engineers, 3rd Edition
This unified approach to polymer material science covers the wide range of underlying principles: from molecular structure to material properties; from the relationships between part design, processing and performance to mechanical properties and failure mechanisms.

Mixing of Rubber Compounds
This book covers the major aspects of rubber compounding. All relevant issues are covered including machine design, process technology, and material parameters in one comprehensive volume.

Engineering with Rubber, 3rd Edition
This book provides the principles of rubber science and technology, such as what rubber is, how it behaves, and how to design engineering components with rubber. It introduces the principles of rubber components and offers solutions to the questions engineers in rubber processing face each day.

All 55 Hanser titles can be purchased as a collection on ScienceDirect.com.

# # #

Note to Editors
The collection is available to credentialed journalists upon request; contact Michelle McMahon at +1 781 663 2268 or m(dot)mcmahon(dot)1(at)elsevier(dot)com to request a review copy or to schedule an interview with the author.

About Hanser
Hanser Publishers, or Carl Hanser Verlag GmbH & Co.KG Munich, Germany, is the premier publisher of plastics technology and applied materials titles, Hanser's widely read publications have long been the premier source of plastics engineering information for practitioners and academics alike. Hanser books offer engineers the best, and often hard-to-find, technical references vital for successful design and manufacturing decisions. Hanser publications and training materials are ideal for industry, science, education, and business needs related to manufacturing and engineering. http://www.hanserpublications.com

About Elsevier
Elsevier is a world-leading provider of scientific, technical and medical information products and services. The company works in partnership with the global science and health communities to publish more than 2,000 journals, including The Lancet and Cell, and close to 20,000 book titles, including major reference works from Mosby and Saunders. Elsevier's online solutions include ScienceDirect, Scopus, Reaxys, ClinicalKey and Mosby's Suite, which enhance the productivity of science and health professionals, and the SciVal suite and MEDai's Pinpoint Review, which help research and health care institutions deliver better outcomes more cost-effectively.

A global business headquartered in Amsterdam, Elsevier employs 7,000 people worldwide. The company is part of Reed Elsevier Group PLC, a world leading provider of professional information solutions in the Science, Medical, Legal and Risk and Business sectors, which is jointly owned by Reed Elsevier PLC and Reed Elsevier NV. The ticker symbols are REN (Euronext Amsterdam), REL (London Stock Exchange), RUK and ENL (New York Stock Exchange).

Amazon Publishing Introduces 'Kindle Worlds'

Wed, 22 May 2013 09:35:42 PST

Today, Amazon Publishing announces Kindle Worlds, the first commercial publishing platform that will enable any writer to create fan fiction based on a range of original stories and characters and earn royalties for doing so. Amazon Publishing has secured licenses from Warner Bros. Television Group's Alloy Entertainment division for its New York Times best-selling book series Gossip Girl, by Cecily von Ziegesar; Pretty Little Liars, by Sara Shepard; and Vampire Diaries, by L.J. Smith; and plans to announce more licenses soon. Through these licenses, Kindle Worlds will allow any writer to publish authorized stories inspired by these popular Worlds and make them available for readers to purchase in the Kindle Store.

Amazon Publishing will pay royalties to both the rights holders of the Worlds and the author. The standard author's royalty rate (for works of at least 10,000 words) will be 35% of net revenue. As with all titles from Amazon Publishing, Kindle Worlds will base net revenue off of sales price-rather than the lower, industry standard of wholesale price-and royalties will be paid monthly.

In addition, with the launch of Kindle Worlds, Amazon Publishing will pilot an experimental new program for particularly short works-between 5,000 and 10,000 words. For these short stories-typically priced under one dollar-Amazon will pay the royalties for the World's rights holder and pay authors a digital royalty of 20%.

Beginning today, interested writers are encouraged to visit Kindle Worlds (www.amazon.com/kindleworlds) to learn more and get a head start on writing. In June, the Kindle Worlds store is expected to launch with over 50 commissioned works from authors such as #1 New York Times best-selling author Barbara Freethy, Bram Stoker Award-winner John Everson and RITA Award-winner Colleen Thompson. At that time, the Kindle Worlds self-service submission platform, where any writer can submit completed work, will also open.

World Licensors benefit from Kindle Worlds because:

It's an entirely new way to monetize their valuable franchises
It allows them to extend their Worlds with new stories and characters and more deeply engage with existing fans, while also reaching new audiences
Amazon Publishing will work with them to establish content guidelines that balance flexibility and openness for writers with what's reasonable for the franchise

"Our books have generated a massive amount of fan fiction, and we see this as an evolution in publishing and a valuable way of broadening our brands and engaging fans," said Leslie Morgenstein, President Alloy Entertainment. "When working with Amazon Publishing on this scale, we know we're in good hands and everyone will benefit."

"Seeing Pretty Little Liars fans adapt and create their own stories is both exciting and flattering and I think what Amazon Publishing is offering through Kindle Worlds is a great way to reward their ingenuity," said Sara Shepard, author of Pretty Little Liars.

Writers benefit from Kindle Worlds because:

Amazon Publishing has already secured the necessary licenses to write about any Kindle World
They can earn royalties writing about established characters and universes
The Kindle Worlds self-service submission platform is easy to use

"I loved writing the characters in this world, the dynamics of the friendship between the four girls as they deal with life-threatening situations," said Barbara Freethy, writing in Pretty Little Liars. "I also really enjoy the ongoing mysteries and surprising twists that always keep the reader guessing. It's great that Amazon Publishing has given those who put passion into fan fiction the opportunity to commercialize this work."

And readers benefit from Kindle Worlds because:

They can find a stream of new stories in Worlds they love
They can discover new Worlds and corresponding great new stories
As with all Kindle books these are "Buy Once, Read Everywhere"-they can read on Kindle or Kindle Fire as well as with a free Kindle app for all of the most popular devices and platforms

"At Kindle, we're not only inventing on the hardware and software side of the business, we're inventing new ways to create books," said Philip Patrick, Director, Business Development and Publisher of Kindle Worlds. "Our goal with Kindle Worlds is to create a home for authors to build on the Worlds we license, and give readers more stories from the Worlds they enjoy. We look forward to announcing additional World licensing deals in the coming weeks."

Amazon Publishing is engaged with additional rights holders from different areas of entertainment-books, games, TV, movies and music-and looks forward to announcing future deals soon. To get started writing works in licensed properties, visit www.amazon.com/kindleworlds for submission guidelines and updates on licensed properties.

About Alloy Entertainment

Alloy Entertainment, a division of Warner Bros. Television Group, develops and produces original novels, television series, and feature films. More than seventy-five of AE's books have been on the New York Times bestseller list, including The Vampire Diaries, Pretty Little Liars, Gossip Girl, The Clique, The Lying Game, Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, Private and The Luxe. AE has successfully adapted several of its top selling books into hit television shows for broadcast across multiple networks including The CW, ABC, ABC Family and Nickelodeon. Current Alloy Entertainment television series include Pretty Little Liars, The Vampire Diaries, Lying Game, and soon to premiere Originals, Ravenswood and The 100.

About Amazon.com

Amazon.com, Inc. (AMZN), a Fortune 500 company based in Seattle, opened on the World Wide Web in July 1995 and today offers Earth's Biggest Selection. Amazon.com, Inc. seeks to be Earth's most customer-centric company, where customers can find and discover anything they might want to buy online, and endeavors to offer its customers the lowest possible prices. Amazon.com and other sellers offer millions of unique new, refurbished and used items in categories such as Books; Movies, Music & Games; Digital Downloads; Electronics & Computers; Home & Garden; Toys, Kids & Baby; Grocery; Apparel, Shoes & Jewelry; Health & Beauty; Sports & Outdoors; and Tools, Auto & Industrial. Amazon Web Services provides Amazon's developer customers with access to in-the-cloud infrastructure services based on Amazon's own back-end technology platform, which developers can use to enable virtually any type of business. Kindle Paperwhite is the most-advanced e-reader ever constructed with 62% more pixels and 25% increased contrast, a patented built-in front light for reading in all lighting conditions, extra-long battery life, and a thin and light design. The new latest generation Kindle, the lightest and smallest Kindle, now features new, improved fonts and faster page turns. Kindle Fire HD features a stunning custom high-definition display, exclusive Dolby audio with dual stereo speakers, high-end, laptop-grade Wi-Fi with dual-band support, dual-antennas and MIMO for faster streaming and downloads, enough storage for HD content, and the latest generation processor and graphics engine-and it is available in two display sizes-7" and 8.9". The large-screen Kindle Fire HD is also available with 4G wireless, and comes with a groundbreaking $49.99 introductory 4G LTE data package. The all-new Kindle Fire features a 20% faster processor, 40% faster performance, twice the memory, and longer battery life.

Amazon and its affiliates operate websites, including www.amazon.com, www.amazon.co.uk, www.amazon.de, www.amazon.co.jp, www.amazon.fr, www.amazon.ca, www.amazon.cn, www.amazon.it, www.amazon.es and www.amazon.com.br. As used herein, "Amazon.com," "we," "our" and similar terms include Amazon.com, Inc., and its subsidiaries, unless the context indicates otherwise.

Forward-Looking Statements

This announcement contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Actual results may differ significantly from management's expectations. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that include, among others, risks related to competition, management of growth, new products, services and technologies, potential fluctuations in operating results, international expansion, outcomes of legal proceedings and claims, fulfillment and data center optimization, seasonality, commercial agreements, acquisitions and strategic transactions, foreign exchange rates, system interruption, inventory, government regulation and taxation, payments and fraud. More information about factors that potentially could affect Amazon.com's financial results is included in Amazon.com's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent filings.

Risa Peets Releases IT'S OK TO BE DIFFERENT

Wed, 22 May 2013 09:06:10 PST

Author Risa Peets recently published a new book titled, "It's OK To Be Different" to educate children and parents about managing childhood or juvenile diabetes. Rising obesity rates and decreased access to healthy and affordable nutrition have caused Type I and Type II diabetes to reach epidemic levels for adults and children throughout the United States. Diabetes (both types) is related to how the body makes insulin and uses sugar. "It's OK To Be Different" addresses questions or concerns parents and children have dealing with the day-to-day challenges of being diabetic.

Peets said, "The goal of this book and conversation is to let children know that in dealing with diabetes, it's OK to be different. Children can make a positive difference in their classrooms, schools and communities by helping educate others and making them aware of this important issue." Peets has been a registered nurse for more than a decade. She also speaks and provides training to educators and parents regarding healthy living and proper care for juvenile diabetes.

"It's OK To Be Different" is a 65-page book targeted toward adolescents. The main character, Lance, is a diabetic struggling with being different because of the challenges he has at school managing diabetes while still trying to fit in with the other students. The book reinforces messages about healthy eating and healthy living, and also educates youth and parents about effectively communicating their needs and concerns about diabetes.

Peets said, "One of the main lessons for readersparticularly childrenis to know and understand that although they have a chronic condition, they are NOT a chronic condition. Discussing juvenile diabetes provides a platform for all of us to learn and then educate others about this important topic."

For more information about the book, visit www.RisaPeets.com. To request Nurse Risa Peets to speak at a school or to confirm an interview, contact V.K. Fields & Co. PR PROS at (919) 829-5951 or online at www.globalprpros.com.

SOURCE Risa Peets