Wyatt-MacKenzie Lands 1977 Bestseller/Movie

Okay... I can't contain my excitement! For the last year we have been working on our September release WOMEN'S GROUP which is the bookend to the author's 1977 novel. We have now signed the re-release of the first book THE CRACKER FACTORY (New York Times bestseller, turned into a made-for-TV movie)! 

We have retitled the new September book THE CRACKER FACTORY 2: Welcome to Women's Group and designed the two as a very cool collector's set...

THE CRACKER FACTORY 1977 RE-RELEASE

The New York Times called it "A cross between 'Lost Weekend' and "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest'… with a touch of 'Fear of Flying' thrown in."

Chicago Tribune reviewed, "Picture TV's Rhoda with a drinking problem, put her into a female version of 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest', and you have 'The Cracker Factory' in a barrel."

Los Angeles Times wrote, "A frankly autobiographical and hilarious novel … Comparisons are bound to be made with 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest' but I found Rebeta-Burditt's book much more effective than Kesey's because its insights are not those of an interested spectator but of a walking wounded, a hurting actor in the hospital's ongoing drama… A novel that will shake you, delight you and lift you high, as only fine writing can." 

THE CRACKER FACTORY 2: Welcome to Women's Group (2010)

Reviewed by Marcy Carsey, Co-creator of Carsey-Warner, producers of The Cosby Show, Roseanne, Grace Under Fire, A Different World, Cybill, Third Rock from the Sun, Grounded for Life, and That 70s Show:

“Joyce Rebeta-Burditt has written a wonderful gift of a book that reaches out and grabs you by the heart. It’s like a deeply felt conversation with the best friend you ever had. If you’re an alcoholic, or if you love one, or if you’re any sort of living, breathing, feeling human being, let this book into your life... in one way or another, it will change you.”

Stay tuned for more big news on these titles…!

Soul to Soul Publishing

Last week our new title SOUL TO SOUL PARENTING, by Annie Burnside, officially released! It's a powerful book with a big message. When someone asked me this weekend, "How do you find the books you take on your traditional roster?" The thought "soul to soul publishing" flashed through my mind. Annie writes about connecting soul to soul with people, not role to role. And, as much as I question my role in this world (as do the big literary agents!), for some reason I can't question the way the Universe delivers amazing souls and their manuscripts to me which resonate in a way that is beyond the marketing plan and author's platform. That's the answer to how I get our most amazing titles... Wyatt-MacKenzie authors who have enjoyed their journey become the catalyst to new connections... soul to soul to soul! A new connection we made a few weeks ago was with one of the strongest, most resilient souls I have ever met. I received the email below from one of our authors...

"I also want to tell you about an amazing autobiographical manuscript I read, All the Pretty Shoes by a very unassuming writer, Marianne R. Klein who, at 12, saved her life from the Nazi's by inserting herself into a pile of her executed neighbors and friends. As an orphaned fugitive of WWII, she was exposed to rape and murder. On the way to America via Montreal Canada, she became a teenage mother, a dance instructor and a fashion model. What's extraordinary about Marianne is that through all this turmoil, she never stopped believing in and looking for true love. How many people could hold such an ideal in their hearts given the life she lead. And yes, she found her soul mate! Against all odds and reason! It's a lovely book, not grim at all and about so much more than war and oppression. Only a valiant and determined woman could keep ideal love as the goal of her life. It's well written. Marianne has studied creative writing at UCLA where this ms has been very highly praised and has, lately, done UCLA's Writer's Boot Camp for Screenplays. You'd be the perfect publisher for her, Nancy. Your insight into the writing of women would make her very comfortable. As I said, she's unassuming. And funny, and still beautiful."

I read the manuscript the Friday night I received it... brought it to bed with me and fell asleep after closing the last page, with tears in my eyes. I signed her immediately as our first 2011 release, and found a brilliant UK artist's painting for the cover. 

This weekend I received the author's photos. I was breathless, and actually shook as I flipped through generations of sepia photos, the actual photos. I smelled them, I held them, I can't believe the Universe brought this experience to me, this writer, this book, this journey...

Wyatt-MacKenzie Signs Wild Bobby Kennedy Book!

We have signed our third novel! Humping Credenzas with the Late Bobby Kennedy: A Convict's True Account. It is the re-release, revised edition of an absolutely wild, very adult, story. Not for the faint of heart, the author Robert Gordon masterfully crafts a tale of reincarnation and redemption. Read more about Robert in Huff Post essays "Letter to Obama from a Dying Friend" and "Life Lessons from a Dying Friend" - you will be as awed as I am by this amazing man. And, having grown up outside of Boston, anything Kennedy perks up my ears. Wyatt-MacKenzie Imprint Naomi Baltuck introduced Robert to us, and has been instrumental in working with the author on the final manuscript up in Seattle these last few weeks.  

Originally published as "When Bobby Kennedy Was a Moving Man" - here is our new cover design. Robert took the photo of Bobby Kennedy himself when he was a child, sharing the story with me: "In Washington D.C. with my father in 1967. My father urged me to go and take a picture. Kennedy spent 5 minutes showing a scared little boy how to use his own new Instamatic camera! It is my most prized possession."

The major review rags went nuts over the first edition in 1994 and this one has been polished to the point of international, award-winning, film-worthy shine. New York Times Book Review: "Audacious. Full of wicked humor and compelling forays into the dark side of the Kennedy myth." Booklist called it a "Whimsical Fantasy." Kirkus: "A nimble, electrifying debut."

Represented by the prestigious Donadio & Olson, Inc., I worked with Neil Olson, who was fantastic, and I am so honored that Wyatt-MacKenzie is in partnership with this respected NY agency.

Stay tuned for a quick Fall 2010 release!

Playful Parenting Audio

We're anxiously awaiting the brand new release of Dr. Larry Cohen's PLAYFUL PARENTING AUDIOBOOK on Amazon and iTunes! Here's the final cover. I have been enraptured by Larry's wonderful parenting ideas for many years, he was one of the first to endorse our book CONNECTION PARENTING.  Our two books are always matched up on Amazon and I'm beyond excited to add such a talent to our roster! Learn more at PlayfulParenting.com. Larry's great parenting tips are also on our free app PARENTING THE FUTURE.

Wyatt-MacKenzie Signs with Audible

Wyatt-MacKenzie has signed with Audible.com for the distribution of our Audiobooks! Audible is the exclusive distributor of downloadable audiobooks through Amazon, iTunes, and their own membership program at audible.com.

Stay tuned for the downloadable audiobook releases of Pam Leo's CONNECTION PARENTING and Sharon Ellison's TAKING POWER STRUGGLE OUT OF PARENTING. And... we are thrilled to announce the acquisition of the downloadable audiobook rights to Dr. Larry Cohen's PLAYFUL PARENTING!


MORE ABOUT AUDIBLE
Audible, Inc., an Amazon.com, Inc. subsidiary, is the leading provider of premium digital spoken audio information and entertainment, on the Internet. Audible specializes in the spoken experience, providing digital audio editions of books, newspapers and magazines, original programming, and TV and radio subscriptions. Audible has over 60,000 audio programs from more than 600 content providers that include leading audiobook publishers, broadcasters, entertainers, magazine and newspaper publishers, and business information providers. Audible is the preeminent provider of spoken-word audio products for Apple’s iTunes® Store.

New Book about Conscious Parenting

Let me introduce Annie Burnside, Soul Nurturer and the author of SOUL TO SOUL PARENTING: A GUIDE TO RAISING A SPIRITUALLY CONSCIOUS FAMILY due out Summer 2010 from Wyatt-MacKenzie!

Many parents today are searching for an updated model of family spirituality, Annie has created it. Here's some raw footage from the book trailer in progress:

This book is a guide for parents who desire a fresh, non-denominational, universal model for bringing spiritual consciousness to their family. 

SOUL TO SOUL PARENTING integrates a mother’s personal spiritual journey into a comprehensive guidebook to be shared with the whole family. It's amazing, and we're thrilled to bring this book to market.


On a side note... Annie's agent, William Gladstone is the author of the cool book THE TWELVE  and also represents Eckhart Tolle. In my opinion, Annie's book takes the essence of Eckhart Tolle's teachings and applies it to parenting in a clear, applicable way to build the consciousness of a family.  

It's Eckhart meets Avatar in a family-friendly guidebook form!

¡Nuevos Libros en Español!

I'm thrilled to announce the upcoming Spring 2010 SPANISH EDITIONS from Wyatt-MacKenzie...

Karin Piper's CHARTER SCHOOLS is currently being translated into Spanish by Laura Hercha and will be available mid-May 2010. We are excited to be reaching Spanish-speaking families that are facing school choice decisions and are seeking an informative guide from the perspective of a parent. Learn more about public charter schools from Karin's informative blog. 


Danielle Rocheford's MOMMY I FEEL FUNNY! A Child's Experience with Epilepsy has been translated into Spanish and will be available mid-March 2010. This book has been embraced by the Epilepsy Foundation and we're thrilled to put it into the hands of Spanish-speaking children who have epilepsy. Learn more, and find great epilepsy resources, at Danielle's site mommyifeelfunny.com.
  
¡Celebre!

Alcoholism isn't a spectator sport...

Have you ever seen this quote: "Alcoholism isn't a spectator sport. Eventually the whole family gets to play." It's from bestselling author and prolific screenwriter Joyce Rebeta-Burditt (IMBD). In 1977 Joyce wrote THE CRACKER FACTORY, a semi-autobiographical novel, which was optioned by Natalie Wood and turned into a made-for-TV movie. Watch a clip:



This past fall we signed Joyce for her next novel! WOMEN'S GROUP will be released in September 2010. It's the bookend of the story begun in 1977. Now, with 41 years sobriety, the main character shares a deliciously cryptic peek inside her world of Hollywood as a network executive and TV writer/producer. 


I am so honored to sign this huge title with such a major player, but truly the reward of attracting this to me is on a deeply personal level. The first time I was published was in an Al-Anon book in 1985. Here's the original typed poem, I still keep in my dream box.


How did Joyce choose Wyatt-MacKenzie? First, refer back to the "wish list" blog entry - almost every author I sign has an author who inspired them. I encourage my authors to reach out to those oftentimes famous personalities and ask for their dream endorsement. Author of THE SECOND CHASM, Karen Kibler, was not only inspired by THE CRACKER FACTORY, it helped her label her own depression, saved her life, and directly inspired the writing of her book. When Karen reached out to Joyce to review her galley, we both danced when she accepted! Then, having watched Karen's publishing journey, Joyce emailed me asking if I'd be interested in her next book. I couldn't respond fast enough with a YES! Karen has been able to serve as editor, working with her idol, and meeting her in Beverly Hills for a final manuscript review!

10 years after a stem-cell transplant...

When I received the following book pitch: "It is my story about fighting Multiple Sclerosis while raising small children, having a stem cell transplant before the Bush administration, and how it all got me into comedy," I cheered. A little research proved Sandi's success story is absolutely ground-breaking in the United States - diagnosed with M.S. and told she was bound for a wheelchair, Sandi became the second person in California to receive a transplant. And now, ten years later, she is a walking medical breakthrough. WON'T DO STAND-UP IN A WHEELCHAIR is Sandi's compelling story of her recovery and radical jump into stand-up comedy, out March 31, 2010.  

A recent blog post I read on Jan. 3, 2010 including this closing remark: "At present, the potential of stem cells are more and more recognized by many in the medical field. The only challenge relating to stem cells that remains is proving just how effective their transplantation is to big groups of people." We hope Sandi's humorous perspective will provide hope to the 2.5 million individuals worldwide suffering from M.S., especially to the 200 newly diagnosed every week.