Category: Books & Writing

Immedium: Mega “Squid” and “Space” Contests, Octonauts on TV

from Immedium:

As the new film Megamind debuts this Friday, we cheerfully nudge you to see another big headed and slippery character, Sid the Squid.

The author David Derrick is a Dreamworks artist on How to Train Your Dragon and the aforementioned Megamind. Maybe Will Ferrell will take on a real acting challenge and portray our friendly 10-armed hero! 5 star Amazon reviews of Sid the Squid and the Search for the Perfect Job have flooded in, such as this praise from “Happy Reader”:

“This is the perfect read-out-loud book for children of all ages. The story is clever and engaging, with the type of subtle repetitive pattern that kids seem to love, followed by surprising and delightful outcomes. The story is humorous and the lesson taught is encouraging as children anticipate what Sid’s (and their) place in the world might be. The illustrations are charming with depth and unexpected detail perfect for kids (and delightful for their adult reading companions!). The witty feel of the book comes from the sense of humor evident in the paintings. Overall, a fabulous new addition to my collection of treasured children’s books.”

CONTEST: Win a 8 x 10 print of the book cover! Ask your child to draw Sid the Squid and email us a photo of them and their artwork to Sid@immedium.com. One lucky winner will get a photo print of Sid (suitable for framing).

We also offer the same GIVEAWAY for our second new adventure Space Cadet Topo: The Day the Sun Turned Off. Email your submissions to Topo@immedium.com.

The creators DGPH recently autographed copies at a toy workshop in Sao Paolo, Brazil.

“Space Cadet Topo is a fun-packed, enjoyable and incredibly imaginative tale of against all odds valor that takes you on an amazing journey of galactic proportions… This is a roller-coaster of a book. The story bolts you in and the illustrations take you on this amazing ride through space as our hero tries to save the universe. At times throughout the book I felt as if I were immersed in a video-game game; climbing through mazes, discovering new characters, testing my abilities… The crisp illustrations are littered with so many fun elements that will have kids (and adults) reading this story over and over again, each time discovering something new.” — I Like Characters

Two people who order autographed Space Cadet Topo books will get a free NASA Journey to the Stars educator’s guide and DVD!

The Octonauts travel the Globe:

International dateline update — our favorite ocean explorers have leapt onto the small screen to make new friends worldwide. For those of you who aren’t visiting the United Kingdom to watch the telly, you can still whet your Octo appetite here:

The Octonauts “sub” site: bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/octonauts/
1. Listen to the Theme Tune!
2. Dance to the Creature Report
3. Play at the TV show’s site

In France, Les Octonauts are stationed on channel TF1.
videos.tf1.fr/octonauts/

In South America, Los Octonautas headquarters is on Discovery Kids.
tudiscoverykids.com
discoverykidsbrasil.com

VIZ Media Launches Free VIZ Manga iPad App

from VIZ Media:

VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), one of the entertainment industry’s most innovative and comprehensive publishing, animation and licensing companies, has announced its long-awaited digital manga (graphic novel) application for the Apple iPad mobile device, launching today for FREE download through the iTunes Store. With this launch, the VIZ Manga App instantly becomes the leading destination to read Japanese manga on the iPad, with a downloadable library of the most popular manga series in the world.

The VIZ Manga App will launch on its first day with five legendary manga series, Bleach Vols. 1-2, Death Note Vols. 1-2, Dragon Ball Vol. 1, Naruto Vols. 1-2, and One Piece Vols. 1-2, as well as the recently launched Bakuman Vol. 1. In Week 2, the shojo fan favorite Ouran High School Host Club Vol. 1 joins the lineup. All volumes will be available for purchase and download directly within the application for $4.99 per volume. In addition, Death Note Vol. 1 will be available as a FREE download for a limited time only. Readers are encouraged to check the app regularly, as new additions to the store and free Chapter 1 previews of other forthcoming manga series for the iPad will also be featured and added on a frequent and regular basis.

“Fans have been clamoring for an official manga-dedicated app from the moment they heard of the iPad’s existence,” says Alvin Lu, Senior Vice President and General Manager of VIZ Media. “It’s easy to see how manga and the iPad make for a perfect and natural fit. The VIZ Manga App is a great start, and this is just the beginning of manga’s brave new world. Look for plenty more developments to come.”

For more information on the VIZ Manga App, please visit VIZ.com/apps.

WIN “The Art of District 9”! For Humans Only.

from GeekChicDaily:

You’ve already seen District 9 so many times you know every detail like the back of your steadily mutating hand. Or at least, you thought you did.

Do you know what was on top of the alien spacecraft? If the prawns really were a worker class, what did their leaders look like? And why did they decorate their bodies with garbage? You can enjoy the movie without knowing. But you won’t get the whole story without The Art Of District 9, from Peter Jackson’s Weta Workshop. So far, the book is only available from Weta’s website. But we’re giving one away now, WAY before the book’s general release on December 21st, 2010!

There’s more to The Art of District 9 than meets the compound eye that’s busting through your face. It has been nearly a year since the movie left theaters, hit DVD, and was nominated for an Oscar. This has given the folks at Weta plenty of time to fully open their archives. The book covers everything from concept designs to alternate takes on the material in exacting detail. If there’s ever a sequel, many clues as to what it might involve are contained within.

So don’t delay — enter our contest right now. But be warned: if any non-humans are caught entering, we’re calling the MNU on your insectoid butt.

Silly Rhymes for Belligerent Children

Silly Rhymes for Belligerent Children

from Amorphous Productions:

Silly Rhymes for Belligerent Children
The new book written by Trace Beaulieu, with illustrations by Len Peralta

NOW AVAILABLE

You certainly don’t need to be a belligerent child to appreciate these silly rhymes by Mystery Science Theater 3000’s and Cinematic Titanic’s Trace Beaulieu — but you may learn a thing or two about handling infected pets or living dangerously through sledding. While the subject matter may make you a bit queasy, you’ll delight in the perfect storytelling encapsulated in each poem. Each selection is a dark and distasteful delight — a fascinating collection of raw honesty, cool understatement and looming tragedy, all brought to life by the whimsical illustrations by Len Peralta. Silly Rhymes for Belligerent Children is not the book you’ll keep on the bookcase for decades. It’s the book you’ll keep under your bed and in easy reach so you can page through it long after you’ve committed all the poems to memory.

What people are saying:

“Mr. Beaulieu’s twisted, Gorey-esque poetry and Mr. Peralta’s delightfully demented illustrations seem perfectly suited to warping impressionable young minds.” — “Weird Al” Yankovic

“With these fiercely dark and funny poems, Trace Beaulieu and Len Peralta show they know what Edward Gorey and Shel Silverstein knew: that children do not mind being vomited upon, blown up, buried in snow, or eaten by tigers, so long as it rhymes.” — John Hodgman

BoingBoing.net
Silly Rhymes for Belligerent Children: gross poetry from MST3K’s Trace Beaulieu
“Mystery Science Theater 3000’s Trace Beaulieu and Geek-a-Week’s Len Peralta have teamed up to produce a delightfully grody book of nasty children’s poetry, called Silly Rhymes for Belligerent Children. Beaulieu’s poetry is firmly in the Shel Silverstein/Edward Gorey vein, and Peralta’s icky drawings are the perfect companions to [these rhymes].” — Cory Doctorow

The Retroist.com
Trace Beaulieu’s Silly Rhymes for Belligerent Children Now Available
“…This wonderful new book, which was written by Mystery Science Theater 3000 alum Trace Beaulieu and was illustrated by Len Peralta, is filled with silly rhymes about kids who meet horrible ends and other wonderful things (like why chickens are awesome). Every last page is a treat for the brain and the eyes and all are guaranteed to make adults cringe and bring instant joy to the young and young at heart.” — The Retroist

Silly Rhymes for Belligerent Children is available exclusively at:
tracebeaulieu.com/sillyrhymes

Starkiller Strikes Back – “Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II”

from GeekChicDaily:

Fanboy fun fact: a protagonist named Annikin Starkiller appeared in George Lucas’s 1974 rough draft of The Star Wars. He was brash, cocky, and eventually became friends with a green-skinned, gilled monster named Han Solo. Starkiller’s name was later changed to Skywalker, his salty nature transferred to a now-human Corellian scoundrel, and thereby, the Star Wars galaxy was saved from silliness for several decades. Before the dark times. Before the Gungans…

But old ideas die hard in the Lucas-verse. When Star Wars: The Force Unleashed debuted in 2008, developers who had grown up Star Wars pinned the Starkiller name to the game’s protagonist: Darth Vader’s secret apprentice. When The Force Unleashed became the highest grossing Star Wars video game ever, a sequel became inevitable. Not to mention a novelization, audio book, action figure, Lego vehicle, role-playing game and ice capade…

OK, maybe Wookies on Ice isn’t on the production slate just yet, but Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II hits stores October 26th, 2010. In The Force Unleashed II, players once again whoop Imperial a$$ as Starkiller. Or more specifically Starkiller’s clone, as (mini-spoiler) his original incarnation became one with the midichlorians in the first game’s conclusion.

Preview footage of the The Force Unleashed II looks significantly awesome, with Starkiller whirling dual lightsabers at his enemies, decimating legions of stormtroopers with the power of The Force and tossing around TIE fighters with his bare hands. Not that Vader needs to be too worried. We heard a rumor he’ll live on to star in Episodes IV, V, and VI.

Free shipping and Harry tattoos at Alivan’s for three days only!

from Alivan’s:

In this edition of The Clairvoyant: FREE shipping AND free lightning bolt tattoos (look exactly like Harry) with every order… read below for details.

  • Halloween is almost here… your entire order ships free through Monday only (orders over $40). Visit our Wizard Wears section right now to create your own authentic look from head to toe!
  • Complete your Harry costume with free lightning bolt tattoos. Tattoos are free with every order but you must use coupon code INCFREETATS.

Magically (I know… I know… short but VERY sweet),
Finneas Alivan

P.S. If you didn’t know it we now have more than forty varieties of handmade magic wands. Click here to view our wand collections now.

VIZ Media Announces the Second Season of the Hit “Vampire Knight” on VIZAnime.com, “Vampire Knight Guilty”

from VIZ Media:

VIZ Media announces the debut today of Vampire Knight Guilty, the second season of hit Vampire Knight animated series (both rated “T+” for Older Teens) available now from VIZAnime.com, the company’s premier website for anime, as well as the streaming content provider Hulu (Hulu.com).

Cross Academy is attended by two groups of students: the Day Class and the Night Class. At twilight, when the students of the Day Class return to their dorms, they cross paths with the mysterious Night Class on their way to school. Yuki Cross and Zero Kiryu are the Guardians of the school, protecting the Day Class from the Academy’s dark secret: the Night Class is full of vampires!

In Vampire Knight Guilty, Yuki is torn between the two people she cares for most when Zero is accused of Shizuka Hio’s murder and Kaname refuses to attest to his innocence. Drawn deeper into the world of vampires, Yuki struggles to recall the events of ten years earlier but fails time and again. Kaname evades Yuki’s questions about the past, but when her visions of blood grow more frequent and intense, the past may come to light whether she wants it to or not!

Vampire Knight and Vampire Knight Guilty are based on the best-selling manga series created by Matsuri Hino (rated “T+” for Older Teens and published by VIZ Media), who burst onto the scene in Japan with her debut title, Kono Yume ga Sametara (When This Dream Is Over) in LaLa DX magazine. With the success of subsequent series such as Captive Hearts and Meru Puri (both also published domestically by VIZ Media), Hino has firmly established herself as a major force in the world of shojo manga. Vampire Knight is currently serialized in LaLa magazine in Japan.

For more information on the Vampire Knight manga and to read free previews online please visit shojobeat.com. For more information on this and other animated titles from VIZ Media please visit VIZAnime.com.

Become an Exclusive “Vampire Knight” Expert with the New “Vampire Knight” Official Fanbook from VIZ Media

from VIZ Media:

VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), one of the entertainment industry’s most innovative and comprehensive publishing, animation and licensing companies, has announced the release of the Vampire Knight OFFICIAL FANBOOK on October 19th. Fans of the hit manga series created by Matsuri Hino won’t want to miss this in depth new guide, rated “T+” for Older Teens with an MSRP of $14.99 U.S. / $19.99 CAN.

Delve into the world of your favorite vampires with this official Fanbook, filled with insider information about the smash hit series. Includes a Cross Academy student ID card, glossy color pages, character design sketches, storyboards and an exclusive interview with Matsuri Hino!

Vampire Knight takes readers to Cross Academy, which is attended by two groups of students: the Day Class and the Night Class. At twilight, when the students of the Day Class return to their dorm, they cross paths with the Night Class on their way to school. Yuki Cross and Zero Kiryu are the Guardians of the school, protecting the Day Class from the Academy’s dark secret: the Night Class is full of vampires!

Vampire Knight (rated “T+” for Older Teens) was created by Matsuri Hino, who burst onto the manga scene with her debut title, When This Dream Is Over, in LaLa DX magazine. With the success of subsequent series such as Captive Hearts and Meru Puri (both published in the U.S. by VIZ Media), Hino has established herself as a major force in the world of shojo manga. Vampire Knight is currently serialized in LaLa magazine. VIZ Media also offers the Vampire Knight anime series on DVD and episodes are available online through its innovative video streaming web destination at VIZAnime.com.

For more information on the Vampire Knight manga and to read free previews online please visit shojobeat.com.

For more information on other titles from VIZ Media, please visit VIZ.com.

Beautiful Works of Art are Haunted in New Manga Series “March Story” from VIZ Media

from VIZ Media:

VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), one of the entertainment industry’s most innovative and comprehensive publishing, animation and licensing companies, will release the supernatural manga (graphic novel) series March Story on October 19th. The latest addition to the VIZ Signature imprint, by Hyung Min Kim with artwork by Kyung Il Yang, is rated “M” for Mature readers and will carry an MSRP of $12.99 U.S. / $16.99 CAN.

Among the quiet villages and towns of 18th century Europe, demons known as the Ill hide within the most beautiful works of art and are sparked to life by the torment of their creators. Attracted by their jewel-like allure, unwary viewers can find themselves possessed by the Ill and will be driven to horrific acts of violence. Only the hunters of the Ciste Vihad can dispel the Ill. March is one such hunter, tracking the Ill from town to town to find the antiques that contain the demons before they can possess anyone. If the worst has come to pass, March’s full powers are unleashed to battle the fiendish Ill.

“Great works of art are not what they appear in this intriguing new series,” says Mike Montesa, Senior Editor for VIZ Signature. “Each haunted masterpiece has a dark tale to tell, as do their creators and untimely victims. And March’s own past is filled with similar tragedy. With its elaborate artwork and quick-paced action, March Story arrives just in time for Halloween and we look forward to adventure fans never viewing pieces of art quite the same way again.”

Writer Hyung Min Kim was born in Jinju, Korea. In 2002 he entered the manga world, and in 2007 he debuted as a storywriter with March Story, originally published in Japan in Sunday GX. Artist Kyung Il Yang was born March 26, 1970. His debut work, Soma Shinhwa Jeongi, appeared in Weekly Shonen Champ in Korea. Notable works include Zombie Hunter (original story by Kazumasa Hirai) and Shin Angyo Onshi (Blade of the Phantom Master, original story by In Wan Youn). Yang also works on Defense Devil, currently serialized in Weekly Shonen Sunday.

For more information on this title, or others from VIZ Media, please visit viz.com.

Teh Itteh Bitteh Book of Kittehs: A LOLcat Guide 2 Kittens

Teh Itteh Bitteh Book of Kittehs: A LOLcat Guide 2 Kittens

“I can haz new Cheezburger book, with a book giveaway contest on the side?”

The I Can Has Cheezburger? website launched its line of LOLcat books in 2008 with I Can Has Cheezburger?: A LOLcat Colleckshun, an introductory guide to the world of LOLcats that outlines the basics of LOLcat language and culture. A year after pouncing onto bestseller lists, it was followed up by How to Take Over Teh Wurld: A LOLcat Guide 2 Winning. Not surprisingly, for a book focused on feline global domination, the manipulation and subjugation of cats’ human “owners” is the theme of Volume 2’s selection of LOLcat images. If a cat were to write an inspirational book on how to get ahead in the rat race, then How to Take Over Teh Wurld would definitely be the result.

The newest title in the captioned-kitty series, presented as the “threequel to the LOLcat dynasty”, is Teh Itteh Bitteh Book of Kittehs: A LOLcat Guide 2 Kittens. If you’re a fan of LOLspeak and the geeky memes that circulate at I Can Has Cheezburger?, but secretly (or maybe not-so-secretly), visit the site mainly to squee over the adorable pictures, then this is the Cheezburger book that you’ve been waiting for. With chapter headings like “Yr kitteh and u”, “Kyootness: resistance is futile”, “Kitteh to-do list”, “Teh artz of lol”, “Momcat knows best”, “Uh-oh bad kitteh”, “Rules kittehs live bai”, and “Itteh bitteh kitteh committeh hall of fame”, you know you’ll be responding to each page with an awww or giggle. Iconic LOLcats Ceiling Cat and Basement Cat make appearances, their kittenhood pictures showing Ceiling Cat starting out on the bumpy path to achieving divine goodness, and Basement Cat and his minions at a more playfully naughty than personification-of-evil stage. Dogs, usually the bumbling arch-nemeses of adult LOLcats, also get a gentler treatment in Teh Itteh Bitteh Book of Kittehs, posing cutely and safely interacting with the less-threatening LOLkittens.

Like its littermates, Teh Itteh Bitteh Book of Kittehs is a small, square book, the purr-fect size for popping into Christmas stockings. The pictures are printed on thick, glossy paper, securely bound so that the book will survive long after it becomes dog-eared… er, cat-eared from use.

Itteh Bitteh Kitteh Committee Boxed Set - Collectors Edition

The soon-to-be-released Teh Littr Boks Set: A LOLcat Colleckshun gathers all three volumes in a tidy box, but if you already have the first two books, and just need Teh Itteh Bitteh Book of Kittehs to complete your set, you can enter now to win a copy. Leave a comment on this post, or tweet ÜberSciFiGeek using the hashtag #USFGcontest, by November 2, 2010, and one lucky reader will be chosen at random to receive a free copy of Teh Itteh Bitteh Book of Kittehs from Gotham Books!

Order now at Amazon.com:
I Can Has Cheezburger?: A LOLcat Colleckshun
How to Take Over Teh Wurld: A LOLcat Guide 2 Winning
Teh Itteh Bitteh Book of Kittehs: A LOLcat Guide 2 Kittens

Pre-order at Amazon.com:
Teh Littr Boks Set: A LOLcat Colleckshun

I Can Has Cheezburger?: A LOLcat Colleckshun, How to Take Over Teh Wurld: A LOLcat Guide 2 Winning, Teh Itteh Bitteh Book of Kittehs: A LOLcat Guide 2 Kittens, and Teh Littr Boks Set: A LOLcat Colleckshun are distributed by Gotham Books, an imprint of Penguin Group (USA), and its international affiliates. For more information about I Can Has Cheezburger?, visit the official website at icanhascheezburger.com.

Weta: Awesome Offers on “Doctor Who” and NEW Art Book!

from Weta:

Half Price Doctor Who! This week only.
We’ve chosen a couple of our more popular Doctor Who collectibles and are offering them at an insanely low price this week. A Dalek for £74? Unheard-of. A Cyberman Leader Helmet for £19? Yes, indeed! Check out our Doctor Who collectibles and read the reviews!

The Art of District 9: Weta Workshop Shipping shortly!
We will start shipping the book World Wide this week — if you haven’t placed your pre-order yet — please get your order in. Don’t forget — when you order directly from Weta, you get the VERY cool stencil signed by Greg Broadmore, Leri Greer, David Meng, Christian Pearce and of course the author, Daniel Falconer. The books are here and we will start delivering world wide this week!

White Cloud Worlds — the very best of New Zealand Fantasy Art in new book!
A new book — White Cloud Worlds — is now available for pre-order on our website. It features a long line of New Zealand’s very best fantasy artists, many of which work or have once worked at Weta Workshop. Paul Tobin, Greg Broadmore, Jeremy Bennett, Ben Wootten, Nick Keller, Jamie Beswarick… they’re all there along with MANY many more… Available in two versions, a limited edition boxed version with an art print or a standard hardcover edition, this is an OUTSTANDING book. Check it out!

Armageddon Auckland 23-25 October. Details!
We can finally divulge a bit more about our presence at Armageddon at Auckland’s ASB Showgrounds 23-25 October. At Weta’s booth (#52) you will find senior model maker David Tremont along with Magnus and Iris as well as a long line of guests who are doing book signings:

Saturday 11-1: Greg Broadmore
The Art of District 9: Weta Workshop | White Cloud Worlds | VICTORY | Dr. Grordbort’s Contrapulatronic Dingus Directory

Saturday 11-1: Paul Tobin, Dylan Coburn, Claire Hackett, Nick Keller
White Cloud Worlds

Saturday 2-3.30: Greg Broadmore
The Art of District 9: Weta Workshop | White Cloud Worlds | VICTORY | Dr. Grordbort’s Contrapulatronic Dingus Directory

Saturday 3-5pm: Paul Tobin, Claire Hackett, Nick Keller
White Cloud Worlds

Sunday 11-1: Paul Tobin, Claire Hackett
White Cloud Worlds

Sunday 3-5pm: Paul Tobin, Claire Hackett
White Cloud Worlds

Also — For the first time at a New Zealand con:

And much much more! Keep an eye for SPECTACULAR special offers in the next newsletter and read all about the event on our Facebook page!

Have you put your questions to Daniel Cockersell?
Daniel Cockersell, a Senior Sculptor at Weta Workshop will be answering questions from fans and collectors on the Weta message boards at The Shadow and Flame. Apart from sculpting for the movies we work on, Daniel has recently worked on some of our collectibles, such as Gollum, Éowyn and the Nazgûl, Bag End and our Halo and Doctor Who ranges. Ask your questions here — there is still time!

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“Writing Tips” App by Alice Kuipers

from HarperCollins Canada:

Alice Kuipers, author of The Worst Thing She Ever Did, has written an app for Apple, called Writing Tips, featuring tips, inspiration, and over 300 exercises to help get creative juices flowing. You can download it here.

If you haven’t already read it, check out ÜberSciFiGeek’s review of The Worst Thing She Ever Did, in which Alice Kuipers is interviewed about her writing process.