"The universe is made of stories, not of atoms."
—Muriel Rukeyser
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Getting Your Story Straight⁠ with Kenneth Atchity: Theme



Professional coaching tips to help you figure out point of view, structure, and master all the elements of story.⁠ Learn more at The Writer's Lifeline.com

Their Publishing Imprint Closed. Now They’re Bringing It Back.

In a literary landscape dominated by the biggest players, Cindy Spiegel and Julie Grau are among the executives rejecting the corporate publishing model and instead starting their own companies.




Last year, after Penguin Random House shut down the literary imprint Spiegel & Grau, the veteran editors Cindy Spiegel and Julie Grau pondered what to do next.
This week, Ms. Spiegel and Ms. Grau announced that they are back in business — this time, as an independent publishing house with a much broader definition of what publishing entails.
In its revamped form, Spiegel & Grau will produce 15 to 20 books a year, as well as original audiobooks and podcasts. It will also work on television and film adaptations and already has signed a first-look deal with Amazon Studios to develop projects from its titles.


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Author Spotlight: Rowdy Herrington Author of Father Christmas


 


Father Christmas is an unforgettable coming-of-age story that will bring families together with inspirational holiday cheer and nostalgia for the comfort of Santa Claus.

 “A beautifully-written tribute to fathers and their daughters, mothers and their sons, and the true spirit of Christmas. It will touch your heart.”— Malcolm McDowell "This beautiful family story makes me believe in Santa Claus." — Norman Stephens, former head Warner Television, Village Roadshow 

"Herrington is a born storyteller. His skills are in full display here as he reminds us all, in the tradition of O’Henry, Dickens, and the Grimms, how the Christmas season can restore our faith in each other." — John Harrison, writer/director Frank Herbert’s Dune

Kenneth Atchity on Voices in Japan Podcast with Burke & Ben!



Ken Atchity discusses the creative process, films, language & recent book "Japanese In-Law: Words and Phrases for Day-to-Day Living" for those who’ve fallen in love w/ Japanese. Available on Amazon.



Weekly podcast episodes with half-Japanese/half-American Burke (18 years in Japan) and Ben from England (13 years in Japan) and their guests. 


CMC Pictures Announces Future Movie Projects Featuring The Meg 2


 CMC Pictures, a film company specializing in the production and foreign distribution of Chinese films, showcased its future projects including the upcoming "The Meg 2."

"The Meg 2" is the sequel to the successful 2018 Chinese-American co-production "The Meg." The original installment was directed by Jon Turteltaub, starred Jason Statham and Li Bingbing, and grossed 1.05 billion yuan in China, $143 million in America, and $530 million worldwide.

The follow-up will be directed by Ben Wheatley and may see the original cast reunited. CMC Pictures included the film in its annual showcase of upcoming movies as its key project, and will partner with Discovery to produce merchandise, develop animated content and conduct marketing for "The Meg 2."

Dealing With Your Type-C Creative Mind: Embrace Action

 



Learn more about One-on-one coaching to help understand a Type-C personality and equip you with practical tools to make yourself more productive and less frustrated with storytelling.⁠

Ken's Weekly Book Recommendation Milton Lyles The Cruelest Lie

 






The CRUELEST LIE is a gritty telling of treachery, greed, love, betrayal, and courage set against the lush background of the Louisiana bayou country. ⁠
The story centers around the deaths of three young men and the small town corruption and avarice that threatens to destroy an innocent boy setting in motion a deadly struggle between integrity and iniquity, truth and deceit.⁠

Tis The Season - NEW From Story Merchant Books! FATHER CHRISTMAS: A TRUE STORY by ROWDY HERRINGTON



Father Christmas is an unforgettable coming-of-age story that will bring families together with inspirational holiday cheer and nostalgia for the comfort of Santa Claus.

In the coal mining town of Brilliant, Ohio during the Great Depression, 10-year-old Annie O’Neill is finally allowed to stay up on Christmas Eve, bursting with excitement and wonder at finally catching a glimpse of Father Christmas himself! Though her family struggles to make ends meet, Santa Claus always leaves Annie and her siblings presents that bring joy and laughter for the whole family.

When Annie’s Father returns home from a long shift at the coal mine on Christmas Eve, Annie makes a life-changing discovery about who Santa Claus really is. As her heart wrestles with reality and make-believe, Annie’s profound discovery about the real Father Christmas will touch the hearts of people everywhere. As she gracefully releases her innocence, Annie learns the true meaning of Christmas is what lies in your heart.

“A beautifully-written tribute to fathers and their daughters, mothers and their sons, and the true spirit of Christmas. It will touch your heart.”— Malcolm McDowell

"This beautiful family story makes me believe in Santa Claus." — Norman Stephens, former head Warner Television, Village Roadshow

"Herrington is a born storyteller. His skills are in full display here as he reminds us all, in the tradition of O’Henry, Dickens, and the Grimms, how the Christmas season can restore our faith in each other." — John Harrison, writer/director Frank Herbert’s Dune