The first Game of Thrones still, courtesy of grrm's journal, is here.

It's official, HBO has given the go ahead for the upcoming series Game of Thrones based on the book series "A Song of Ice and Fire" by George R.R. Martin. Talk of the pilot being picked up has been floating around the rumor mill for about a year now but things didn't become official until March 2nd. For more info on this new development, feast your eyes on the bullets down below.



* "I have absolutely no idea whether "March" will translate to "early March" or "the end of March." The decision could be announced today, for all I know. Or maybe they will make us all wait until March 31. The Ides... well, maybe not. I don't know if I can wait another fifteen days, and anyway that date has ominous connotations. "Beware the Ides of March," and all that. So please let us know before that, HBO." Martin said on his "not blog" Monday morning. By Tuesday afternoon he was at a presumed loss for words, and simply posted a classic Peanuts video.

* HBO has requested a total of ten episodes, including the existing pilot. Filming is said to resume this June, locations include Northern Ireland and Morocco.

* Although the number of actual seasons is dependent on ratings, it's said each season will cover the storyline of at least one book.

* The cast includes Mark Addy ( A Knight's Tale, Still Standing, The Full Monty), Sean Bean (Troy, Lord of the Rings, Percy Jackson & The Olympians), Peter Dinklage (The Station Agent, Elf), Jamie Campbell Bower what (Sweeney Todd, Rocknrolla), Jennifer Ehle (Wilde, Pride and Prejudice), Lena Headey (300), and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau (Black Hawk Down, Kingdom of Heaven), among others.

* The pilot episode was directed by Thomas Mc Carthy (The Station Agent) and is credited as having been written by David Benioff and D.B. Weiss.



Source
I'm reading the first book right now and it's absolutely fantastic. I really hope this series does it justice. Thankfully it's on HBO so they can cut back on the censorship.

posted by GossipGander \\ tags: books / authors

Princeton University professor Edmund White discusses his contemporary and Ivan Sandrof Lifetime Achievement Award 2009 winner Joyce Carol Oates.

Joyce Carol Oates picked up her first lifetime achievement award Thursday night (March 11, 2010) at the National Book Critics Circle 2009 Awards Ceremony. Amid cheers, clapping and what Oates called "a kinship in the room," the renowned author took the stage at the New School's Tishman auditorium to accept the award.

Richard Holmes then won the nonfiction award for "The Age of Wonder: How the Romantic Generation Discovered the Beauty and Terror of Science." The critics' board claimed the book was "witty without ever making jokes…and in all senses, wonderful." Holmes was not on hand to pick up the award.

Diana Athill earned the autobiography award for "Somewhere Towards the End," her second memoir. The 92-year-old who missed the event sent an email correspondence thanking the board but also reminding them, "let us not waste our time drizzling."

For his life story of John Cheever entitled "Cheever: A Life," Blake Bailey won the biography award. "I am Blake Bailey, by the way," he said as he approached the microphone. Bailey praised the Cheever family for their "touching and bemusing" honesty and attitude toward their father.

Eula Biss' "Notes from No Man's Land: American Essays" took the criticism award while Rae Armantrout was named the winner for "Versed" her 121-page book of poetry. Their respective awards came as a surprise to both authors.

Hilary Mantel won the fiction award for her book "Wolf Hall." Although she was not in attendance, she issued a statement saying that she was already in the process of writing a sequel to the novel and that the award was "the best possible encouragement."

New Yorker dance critic Joan Acocella received an honorary award for excellence in reviewing.

The National Book Critics Circle awards were established in 1974 to encourage and raise the quality of book criticism in all media, according to Jane Ciabattari, the 2009 board president. There are over 600 professional reviewers who vote for the awards.

This year, three of the six winners were British authors.



wsj

posted by GossipGander \\ tags: award show nominees / winners, books / authors

The comedy sensation Celebrity Autobiography: In Their Own Words features a line-up of rotating performers who interpret the actual words and stories written by the famous and the infamous, in both solo and ensemble "chamber" pieces. Some of the "authors" that are featured include Ivana Trump, VAnna White, Mr. T, Star Jones, Kenny Loggins, Tommy Lee, Sylvester Stallone, and the Jonas Brothers, which are edited together to create a Rashomon-esque playlet in the participants' own words.















Dick Cavett and Larry Miller



Caroline Rhea and Scott Adsit


Scott Adsit and Rachel Dratch


Megan Mullally, Mario Cantone, and Eugene Pack


Scott Adsit and Caroline Rhea


Jane Krakowski, Eugene Pack, Dayle Reyfel, and Scott Adsit


Cast of Celebrity Autobiography


More pictures at the source.

posted by GossipGander \\ tags: books / authors

JK Rowling doesn't deserve to be a billionaire: the Harry Potter books are second-rate.



Tucked away beneath the headline that Bill Gates has been overtaken as the world’s richest man by Carlos Slim according to Forbes’s latest rich list is the unwelcome reminder that JK Rowling is still a billionaire.

Don’t get me wrong. It’s great that a writer has managed to amass — and hold on to — such an enormous fortune. Traditionally, writers have been horribly exploited, rarely paid the true value of their work. I could give hundreds of examples, but one springs to mind. Candace Bushnell, whom I got to know when we were both jobbing hacks in New York, was paid a grand total of $50,000 for the television rights to Sex and the City. Given the global success of that franchise she should have been paid at least 100 times as much. Unfortunately, she was poorly represented and poorly managed and, as a result, she was taken to the cleaners. So I’m pleased that JK Rowling has been astute enough — and well-managed and well-represented enough — to ensure that she’s paid properly.

But on the other hand, there’s something depressingly second-rate about the Harry Potter franchise. The books are a bland amalgam of more interesting work by more imaginative authors. The plots are feeble and episodic. And what little interest the characters and stories contain has long ago been eradicated by endless repetition.

Of all Britain’s celebrated children’s authors, JK Rowling is among the least deserving of this honour. Off the top of my head, I can think of half a dozen better candidates — Beatrix Potter, AA Milne, Kenneth Grahame, CS Lewis, Richmal Crompton and Roald Dahl. A hundred years from now, children will still be reading those authors and Harry Potter will be a distant memory.

By Toby Young

Toby Young is the author of How to Lose Friends & Alienate People (2001) (Yes, it was made into a film with Megan Fox & Simon Pegg) and and The Sound of No Hands Clapping (2006). In addition to being a freelance journalist, he is leading the efforts of a parent group in West London to set up a state secondary school.

source



Discuss. Do you agree or disagree?

posted by GossipGander \\ tags: books / authors

Hilary Duff, film and television star, recording artist, clothing designer, and philanthropist, has signed a world rights deal with Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers to publish her first-ever young adult fiction series, it was announced today. The first novel in the multiple-book series, publishes in hardcover in October 2010. Also part of the deal are world rights for a nonfiction title to be published in spring 2012 concerning the challenges faced by children of divorce--an issue that has touched Duff's own life.

Duff's Elixir combines the overpowering allure of a dangerous love triangle with thrilling international adventure. Clea Raymond is a talented young photojournalist who has spent her entire life in the spotlight as the daughter of a Washington politician and a renowned surgeon. Haunted by the strange appearance of a mysterious young man in her photographs, Clea travels the globe with her best friends, Rayna and Ben, in a race against time to unravel a centuries-old mystery that could unlock the key to her soulmate's true identity and the secret of her father's disappearance--and ultimately save all their lives.

Says Duff, "I've always loved the escape of a great book, especially one that features a strong, inspiring female character you feel you really understand, someone who could be you, but living a more fascinating life. I'm hoping Elixir will be that kind of book--a novel that will transport readers and open new worlds for them."

Hilary Duff is a multifaceted actress and recording artist whose career began on the popular Disney Channel sitcom, Lizzie McGuire. She has since worked on a number of films and TV series, and most recently appeared in a guest-starring role on Gossip Girl. She has also released three multiplatinum albums as well as a clothing line for DKNY and a bestselling fragrance, With Love... Hilary Duff, for Elizabeth Arden. Hilary's humanitarian work is recognized throughout the world. She is actively involved with the charity Blessings in a Backpack, a program that provides quality nourishment for children who wouldn't otherwise receive it. She has served on the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation and was named Youth Ambassador of Bogota, Colombia. Elixir is her first book.

"Hilary Duff is a multi-talented international sensation and we are positive her leap into young adult books will be an incredible success," said Justin Chanda, VP, Publisher of Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers. "Elixir is a smart, unique page-turner, and we are thrilled to be able to give Hilary's fans the opportunity to connect with her in an entirely new way."

Justin Chanda negotiated the book deal for Simon & Schuster, with Rob Weisbach and Fonda Snyder of Rob Weisbach Creative Management representing Hilary Duff. Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers Executive Editor Emily Meehan will edit the books.

Source

posted by GossipGander \\ tags: books / authors

I haven't had a good YA post in a while so here I go :)



Rachel Deahl -- Publishers Weekly, 3/5/2010 9:44:42 AM

In a major pre-Bologna acquisition, Laura Arnold at Harper Teen pre-empted North American rights to a debut YA trilogy by Josephine Angelini.

Mollie Glick at Foundry sold the series--the first book is called Starcrossed--and said she pitched it as "a Percy Jackson for teenage girls." Foundry's Stephanie Abou and Hannah Brown Gordon will be handling foreign rights at the Bologna Book Fair, and film rights are being handled by Angelini's manager, Rachel Miller at Tom Sawyer Entertainment.

In Starcrossed, which brings Greek tragedy to high school, a shy Nantucket teenager named Helen Hamilton attempts to kill the most attractive boy on the island, Lucas Delos, in front of her entire class. The incident proves more than a bit inconvenient for Helen, who's already concerned that she's going insane--whenever she's sees Lucas (or any of his family members) the image of three crying women appear to her.

The murder attempt does have an upside though, as it ultimately leads to Helen's revelation that she and the local heartthrob are, in fact, playing out some version of a weighty ancient love affair. (Said female apparitions are, in fact, the Three Fates.) So Helen, like her namesake, Helen of Troy isn't going crazy, she's destined to start a Trojan War-like battle by being with Lucas. This then begs the unfortunate question: should she be with the boy she loves even if it means endangering the rest of the world?

The second book in the trilogy, Persephone's Garden, follows Helen's journey to the Underworld, and the third book, Ilium, chronicles the final battle between mortals and the gods. Harper Teen is planning to publish Starcrossed in summer 2011.

source



Percy Jackson for teen girls. But I thought teen girls like Percy Jackson? I'm confused :(

Still it looks like it...might be interesting? If it doesn't screw over Greek myths (glittery Achilles?), I'll at least get it out of the library :)

BTW friend me on goodreads yall

posted by GossipGander \\ tags: books / authors

Martin Scorsese's latest has a whopper of a conclusion. It's almost a note-perfect adaptation of Dennis Lehane's book. "Almost" because there's one comment made at the end which throws the entire house of cards constructed by the author into question. Lehane already told us that he stays out of the writing process once an agreement has been made to adapt one of his books. But he did share his thoughts on the slightly altered ending seen in the film.

SPOILER WARNING: "Shutter Island" concludes with the revelation that Leonardo DiCaprio's U.S. Marshal Teddy Daniels is in fact an alternate persona constructed by former U.S. Marshal and current Shutter Island inmate Andrew Laeddis. The entire investigation that unfolds over the course of the story was in fact an elaborate ruse designed to rattle Laeddis so much that he puts his Daniels persona to rest.

In this book, there's no question about how the ending plays out. Laeddis, seemingly on the road to recovery after his shocking ordeal, goes to sleep. He wakes up and meets with his doctor, who had been playing the role of his partner for the "case," outside the main facility. As the two sit there, it becomes clear that Laeddis has once again lapsed into his Daniels persona, essentially sentencing himself to a lobotomy.

The film is more ambiguous. Things play out similarly, but as Laeddis/Daniels sits and has a smoke with his doctor/partner, he asks the question "Would you rather live as a monster or die as a hero?" This raises the possibility that his relapse is in fact intentional, that Laeddis is so tired of being sick, he longs for the blissful ignorance that a lobotomy will bring.

We asked Lehane for his thoughts on the altered ending in an interview last week. "I would say that line, which comes across as a question, he asks it sort of rhetorically," he explained. "Personally, I think he has a momentary flash. To me that's all it is. It's just one moment of sanity mixed in the midst of all the other delusions."

"When he asks the question, he does it in such a way that, if he were to say it as a statement... then there's no solution here but to stop the lobotomy. Because if he shows any sort of self-awareness, then it's over, they wouldn't want to lobotomize him. My feeling was no, he's not so conscious he says 'Oh I'm going to decide to pretend to be Laeddis so they'll finally give me a lobotomy.' That would just be far more suicidal than I think this character is. I think that in one moment, for a half a second sitting there in that island he remembered who he was and then he asks that question and he quickly sort of lets it go. That was my feeling on that line."

That's about as detailed an explanation as a fan could hope for. It's also a sensible read, even if you don't agree with the decision to make the change. Lehane was and is okay with it though.

"I liked that line when I read the script," he said. "There was just some debate as to how much of a question it is and how much of a declarative statement. In the end they went with it being a question, which I think is important."

I read the book first, so I didn't think it was intentional; I thought he just genuinely relapsed. But it was an interesting moment in the film, and I liked the way Leo played it. What do you think, ONTD?
source

posted by GossipGander \\ tags: books / authors

Acclaimed author Barry Hannah has died at his home in Oxford, Miss. He was 67.



Lafayette County Coroner Rocky Kennedy tells The Associated Press that Hannah died Monday. Kennedy says Hannah died of "natural causes," but wanted to withhold further details of the cause until he shared them with Hannah's wife.

Hannah's first novel, "Geronimo Rex," was published in 1972 and was nominated for a National Book Award. His 1996 short story collection, "High Lonesome," was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize.

Longtime friend Malcolm White, the director of the Mississippi Arts Commission, called Hannah "Mississippi's irreverent poet of the dark side."

Hannah worked as writer in residence at several places, including the University of Mississippi, the University of Iowa, the University of Montana-Missoula and Middlebury College in Vermont.


source: http://www.todaysthv.com/news/natInt/story.aspx?storyid=100355&catid=288

posted by GossipGander \\ tags: books / authors

Relativity Media, LLC (RML) announced today that Vincenzo Natali (Cube) will direct the feature film Tunnels. Natali's recent film, Splice, premiered at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival.

Tunnels will be the film adaptation of the first installment of the New York Times best-selling children's series by first-time authors Roderick Gordon and Brian Williams. The book was originally optioned by RML in 2007. The project is being produced by Ryan Kavanaugh, Mark Canton, Danny Davids and Neil Canton. Simon Sandquist and Joel Bergvall scripted the screenplay.

The novel was published by Barry Cunningham of Chicken House/Scholastic Inc., who signed "Harry Potter" creator J.K. Rowling. Achieving sales of more than a million copies and published in more than forty countries worldwide, the authors have already completed two sequels to the series - "Deeper," published in '08, and the third installment, "Freefall" to be published in the USA in spring 2010.

Tunnels tells the story of Will, a 14-year-old boy driven by a fascination of the buried past, who is drawn into a subterranean world after his archaeologist father abruptly goes missing. This hidden civilization, beautiful and unforgiving, is dominated by a sinister, vicious race called the Styx, who have presided over generations of enslaved colonists.

"This first installment of the 'Tunnels' franchise will open up a whole new universe of excitement and adventure to audiences throughout the world," said Mark Canton. "It represents the next level in family entertainment, combining a science-based reality reminiscent of the classic fiction of Verne and Wells, but in a completely contemporary setting, with today's immersive cinematic technology to create a believable, yet unforgettable movie-going experience."

SOURCE

I've never heard of this book until now, is it good enough to be turned into a film?

posted by GossipGander \\ tags: books / authors

Nick Pustay hired to write 'Shiver'



Young adult novel adaptation underway
By DAVE MCNARY
'Shiver'

"Shiver," penned by Maggie Stiefvater, centers on a bittersweet romance between a teen girl and a boy who becomes a wolf each winter. As the temperature drops, the race to keep him human begins. First installment was published by Scholastic Press in August and has been on the bestseller lists for 31 weeks. Sequel "Linger," will be published in August.

"At the core is this heartbreaking love story, between two people who know that their time together is slipping away," Pustay said.

"Ramona and Beezus" starring Selena Gomez and Joey King, is set for release through Fox in July. Pustay's penned "Just Like Beauty" for producer Oren Segal and toon "Scarecrow" for Laika Entertainment.

Unique Features, which has a first-look deal at Warner Bros., is developing an adaptation of Paul McCartney's "High in the Clouds."; trilogies based on J.C. Hutchins' "7th Son" graphic novels and Cassandra Clare's young adult fantasy "The Mortal Instruments"; and two Broadway musicals, "Elf" and "Secondhand Lions."

source


NEVER FORGET

Bonus Article: Because a new post would have been redundant



By Michael Avila
posted: 12 February 2010 02:10 pm ET

Comic book adaptations may get the headlines and the prime summer release slots, but young adult books are rapidly gaining ground on super heroes in Hollywood’s eyes.

This weekend’s theatrical release of the adventure "Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief" is exhibit A.

While the translation of popular books to the big screen is certainly not new, the growing emphasis on adapting young adult literature – especially those books with a fantasy/supernatural bent – is a relatively recent development.

“There are dozens and dozens of Young Adult fantasy titles and series out there -- with more coming out every week,” according to Sara Gundell of the Young Adult Lit website Novel Novice.

Gundell says Hollywood is scooping up many titles as soon as they hit the shelves. And just as is happening with comics and graphic novels, many titles’ film rights are being snapped up before a single copy has been printed.

“The movie rights for “Beautiful Creatures” by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl were actually signed before the [first] book was released,” she said, adding that the authors of that series have four more installments planned.

Other titles getting ready for their onscreen debut include the werewolf love story “Shiver” by Maggie Stiefvater and the dystopian science-fiction tale “Uglies” by Scott Westerfeld, who also has another hit book, the steampunk period adventure “Leviathan” that has attracted Hollywood attention.

Angels are actually trying to steal market share from vampires, fairies and gods. Winged protagonists are featured prominently in “Fallen,” a love triangle from author Lauren Kate involving a young woman and two fallen angels, which was optioned by Disney last December. As well as in Becca Fitzpatrick’s “Hush Hush” and Cassandra Clare’s “The Mortal Instruments.” Ben Schrank, publisher for Penguin’s Young Readers division, says there are “probably dozens” of other titles being sought by movie producers at the moment.

Why the mad rush? Look no further than the “Twilight” phenomenon. After selling millions of books, the first two movies took in more than a billion dollars and turned Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart into international mega-stars.

Even books that haven’t experienced the success “Twilight” have sparked intense fan devotion. Some creative followers of Penguin’s popular “Vampire Academy” novels by Richelle Mead aren’t waiting for their favorite series to be optioned by a studio. They’ve started creating their own trailers and posting them on You Tube.

“There are tons of these and they are incredibly entertaining,” said Schrank. “The fans are making the movies for us!”

Visions of that kind of dedication and the success that invariably trails it are why studio executives are scouring the young readers section at local bookstores for future blockbusters. Many Young Adult fantasy books tell the same story with a different spin; the coming-of-age tale, where the hero learns his true purpose, or the mercurial, no-chance-of-succeeding love story. What these stories have that make them resonate with their target audience, what heightens the connection with the readers, is that grownups take a backseat. The kids are being asked to save the day.

That’s what happens in “Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief.”

Sharing more in common with the Godfather of the Kid-Lit set, the “Harry Potter” franchise, than the Stephanie Meyer’s teen vamp series, the first “Percy Jackson” novel was actually published several months before the first “Twilight” book.

It tells the story of a New York City teenager who has no idea he’s the offspring of the Greek God Poseidon. Accused of stealing Zeus’s all-powerful lightning bolt, Percy is forced on a quest to save his mother from Hades, clear his name and prevent a war among the Gods that threatens to cause more Earth-bound destruction than a multiplex full of Roland Emmerich movies.

The first in author Rick Riordan’s five-book series, “Percy Jackson” struck a chord with young audiences with its modern twist on Greek mythology. Percy (AKA ‘Perseus’) is alienated and alone, has major issues with his ‘rents, and even suffers from Dyslexia and ADHD.

The ‘New York Times’ awarded “The Lightning Thief” a Notable Book honor in 2005 for its clever blend of education and entertainment. Logan Lerman stars as the titular hero, along with big-name stars such as Pierce Brosnan, Uma Thurman and Sean Bean in supporting roles in a film 20th Century Fox has high hopes for.

Recent history, however, shows that turning a Kid-Lit sensation into a movie star has proven as challenging for studios as getting a handle on teenagers is for parents.

For every “Harry Potter” or “Twilight” there is a “Golden Compass,” “Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events” or “Eragon” (another Fox release), films that fell short of expectation and budgetary consideration.

Disney thought it had its own fantasy franchise with “The Chronicles of Narnia.” But the spectacular success of “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” was diminished by the underwhelming performance of “Prince Caspian” in 2008. Disney dumped the saga, and the third chapter in C.S. Lewis’ series, “Voyage of the Dawn Trader,” was in jeopardy until it was picked up by ... wait for it ... Fox! It will be released this December.

Given the mixed results of recent adaptations, and with so many projects of similar theme and audience share on the way, overexposure is an obvious concern for the Young Adult fantasy genre. After all, the target audience is the same fickle group that embraces and abandons TV shows such as “Gossip Girl” in the time it takes to send a text message or Twitter update. Will it reach a tipping point?

"As a fan of Young Adult fare, I say, ‘bring it on -- the more, the merrier!’ This is something I love, so why wouldn't I want more of it?,” said Gundell.

“Most fans feel the same way. We can't keep rereading the same books over and over again, and we can't keep watching the same movies over and over again. But we want something with a similar flavor -- so if more books in this genre get the big screen adaptation, it can only be a good thing.”

From the publisher’s perspective, Schrank agrees, saying, “Genres within young adult, vampires, angels, rich kids, mean girls, will come and go but we never fear overexposure.”

The “Twilight” factor has been a blessing and a curse to the Kid-Lit genre.

Comic books, and in turn, comic book movies, suffered from mainstream media slights for many years due to the perception given off by the 60s “Batman” TV series. Today it’s Young Adult books & their cinematic offspring who have to endure broad brush comparisons, but instead of to a campy television show, to the pale, pouty vampires who have become perhaps the signature fictional characters of a generation.

“People have a tendency to compare something new, to something that's already been proven successful -- but those comparisons are rarely (if ever) accurate,” Gundell points out.

“How many times have you heard people call “Twilight” the new “Harry Potter?” The two series are nothing alike!”

That aside, the rising popularity of the Young Adult fantasy genre – in books and film – perhaps can also be a reflection of the current struggles in modern society.

“We think that there's an enormous need for all things fantasy among kids right now,” said Schrank. “The country is in an economically bleak spot and kids feel that. So stories that allow readers to step outside their circumstances are really welcome.”

source

posted by GossipGander \\ tags: books / authors