Penguin Group (USA)
Penguin to Become First English-Language Trade Publisher to Publish Classics in Portuguese in Brazil
Penguin has reached an exclusive agreement with Companhia das Letras to publish the Penguin Classics in Brazil. Penguin Classics is the largest and most comprehensive publisher of classic literature in the world. Companhia das Letras is one of the most prestigious publishing houses in Brazil, internationally renowned for its commitment to publishing the best in Brazilian and foreign literature. This new partnership makes history as Penguin becomes the first English language publisher to publish classics in Portuguese. The initial list of titles will launch in 2010.
The new imprint under Companhia das Letras will be called Penguin Companhia Classicos, and will also include an accompanying line called Penguin Companhia. Some of Companhia's most renowned authors and masterworks of Portuguese history and fiction will be published under both imprints.
The classic titles published in this joint partnership will carry the world famous Penguin Classics livery with Portuguese text. The books will include Portuguese translations of existing Penguin Classics editions along with translations into Portuguese of additional titles commissioned by Companhia das Letras. The books will uphold Penguin Classics' established standards of excellence and will be accompanied by introductions, notes, and other scholarly apparatus.
John Makinson, Penguin Chairman and Chief Executive, comments: "Penguin is thrilled to be introducing its iconic classics brand to Brazil, one of the most dynamic and promising publishing markets in the world. The opportunity is enormous and we could not wish for more compatible partners in this adventure than Luiz Schwarcz and Companhia das Letras. The publishing pedigree and style of Companhia are completely consistent with our own, and together we hope to reinvent the publishing of classic literature in Brazil."
Viking/Penguin's Elizabeth Gilbert to Publish a New Memoir with Viking
Elizabeth Gilbert, author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Eat, Pray, Love, will have a new memoir out from Viking in January 2010. Committed: A Skeptic Makes Peace with Marriage begins where Eat, Pray, Love ended-just after Gilbert fell in love with Felipe, a Brazilian-born man of Australian citizenship who'd been living in Indonesia when they met. Resettling in America, the couple swore eternal fidelity to each other, but also swore to never, ever, under any circumstances get legally married. (Both were survivors of divorces.) But providence intervened one day in the form of the U.S. government, which-after unexpectedly detaining Felipe at an American border crossing-gave the couple a choice: they could either get married, or Felipe would never be allowed to enter the country again.
Since its initial publication in January 2006, Eat, Pray, Love has spent 57 weeks in the #1 spot on the New York Times trade paperback bestseller list and 135 weeks on the list overall. It has shipped over 6 million copies in both hardcover and paperback in the U.S. and has been published in over thirty languages.
Also, filming has commenced on Columbia Pictures' adaptation of Eat, Pray, Love, with an all star cast: Julia Roberts, Javier Bardem, James Franco, Billy Crudup, Richard Jenkins and Viola Davis. Ryan Murphy is directing, Brad Pitt and Dede Gardner of Plan B and Rod Om Films are producing. The film is tentatively scheduled for release next summer.
Charlaine Harris's Entire Sookie Stackhouse Series on the New York Times Bestseller Lists Simultaneously
Publishing phenomenon Charlaine Harris and her Sookie Stackhouse series have been featured prominently on the New York Times bestseller lists in 2009. Harris's eight mass market paperbacks, plus the latest Ace hardcover, Dead and Gone, appeared simultaneously on the bestseller lists in the same week in August and September. This may be a publishing record with an entire series placing on the list all at the same time!
Charlaine participated in Comic-Con International in San Diego in August, where she met fans and signed a ton of books. On Saturday she joined the cast and creator of HBO's hit television series "True Blood" (which is based on Harris' novels and has just been picked-up for a third session) on a panel discussion about the show in front of 5,000 cheering fans. Charlaine answered several questions and thrilled everyone with the announcement of a new three book contract, promising that Sookie Stackhouse's adventures will continue into 2014!
Penguin Classics and the Union of Concerned Scientists Form Unique Collaboration for Interactive Book about the Effects of Global Warming
Penguin Classics and the Union of Concerned Scientists, in a unique collaboration between a publisher and a non-profit organization, present essays and photos from a wide array of contributors from across the US to personally illustrate the effects of global warming in a new interactive book called Thoreau's Legacy: American Stories About Global Warming. This special anthology was launched in July and is available for free online as an interactive book here and as an eBook through the Penguin site limited edition hardcover is also available for purchase.
A team of reviewers from Penguin Classics and UCS went through nearly 1,000 submissions and selected 67 contributions from scientists, students, grandparents, activists, veterans, journalists, evangelical Christians, artists, and businesspeople who live in 32 states stretching from Alaska to Florida. A foreword on global warming by award-winning novelist, poet and nonfiction author Barbara Kingsolver helps to set the context.
Penguin Classics Editorial Director Elda Rotor said, "I have great respect for the work of the Union of Concerned Scientists and it's been very satisfying for us to have been able to help generate public participation in this project, and we hope their voices will be heard; particularly as Congress debates legislation to reduce the pollution that contributes to global warming."
The Union of Concerned Scientists is the leading science-based nonprofit working for a healthy environment and a safer world. UCS combines independent scientific research and citizen action to develop innovative, practical solutions and to secure responsible changes in government policy, corporate practices, and consumer choices.