BOOK NOTES . . .

Rainbow Wins the Gold Medal for Design

Winning the Gold Medal for Design from the Florida Book Awards is Rainbow's coffee table book, Seminole Views: A Postcard Panorama of America’s Only Unconquered Tribe, by Sarasota author and wildlife photographer Emmett H. L. Snellings, Jr. Books in the design category were judged for production, quality, format and overall design of jacket, binding, or cover, and illustrated, typographic and technical text. Jurors were authorized to select up to five medalists; however, only one medal was awarded in the design category — to Seminole Views. Snellings was awarded the Gold Medal in March at the Historical and Cultural Awards Ceremony sponsored by the State of Florida’s Division of Cultural Affairs and was recognized at the May Florida Library Association Conference's Florida Book Awards Banquet.

Photo: Florida Secretary of State Kurt S. Browning (L) and Governor Charlie Crist.

The Florida Book Awards is coordinated by The Florida State University Program in American and Florida Studies, and co-sponsored by the Florida Center for the Book, State Library and Archives of Florida, Florida Historical Society, Florida Humanities Council, Florida Literary Arts Coalition, Florida Library Association, “Just Read, Florida!,” Governor’s Family Literacy Initiative, Florida Association for Media in Education, Florida Center for the Literary Arts, the Florida State University Friends of Libraries, and Florida Chapter of the Mystery Writers of America.

The Whipped Parent Honored by Parenting Blog

Honored in May by Radical Parenting as one of 50 Best Parenting Books for Families with Teens or Tweens is Rainbow's The Whipped Parent: Hope for Parents Raising an Out-of-Control Teen by Kimberly Abraham, MSW, CSW; Marney Studaker-Cordner, MSW, CSW; with the late Kathryn O’Dea. Radical Parenting is a company run by youth. As the only parenting blog and company from the kid’s perspective, RadicalParenting.com has made a huge impact in the parenting blogosphere, by not only bringing a new perspective to parents on how digital youth are really growing up, but also by giving teens a voice.

The Whipped Parent helps parents learn to stop blaming themselves, handle disappointment from unmet expectations, and work with courts and schools. A practical, realistic and easy-to-understand resource for dealing with behaviors that can leave even the most experienced parents “whipped.”Therapist authors Abraham and Cordner, both in Michigan, specialize in helping both parents and their oppositional-defiant and conduct-disordered teens.

Good News for Rainbow Author Patti Henry

Patti Henry, a Houston, Texas psychotherapist in private practice, wrote The Emotionally Unavailable Man. Once published, word got around swiftly that Patti had written a remarkable, common sense book on relationships that changed lives for the better. Soon it soared to the number two spot in the men’s nonfiction category on Amazon.com, the Earth’s largest bookstore. Check out the reviews on Amazon.com. Nearly every review on her book carries an impressive five-star rating! The book is currently being considered for translation purchases by European publishers, and it is now available at Amazon.com as an audiobook.

From Page to Film

Rainbow Books, Inc. recently signed the novel, Twenty-One Aldgate, by Patricia Friedberg. Friedberg, a successful screen writer as well, has now had her film script, based on the book, signed by Progress Pictures, LTD. UK and co-produced by The Future Film Group, UK. Producer Mary Ann Amato has scheduled filming in London, with direction by the award-winning Niall Johnson. According to Amato, casting will begin sometime in late 2009, and the film will enjoy an international release. Stay tuned. Photo: Film Producer Amato, standing, works with Friedberg on her Progress of the Sun film script, which is based on Twenty-One Aldgate.

Highly Praised Mystery Garners Subsidiary Rights Sale

Library Journal featured Mystery at Clareton Manor by first-time novelist, Kathleen Newberg, when her book was published in 2006 for “returning to the complex plot and techniques used by Agatha Christie.” In a Subsidiary Rights arrangement, Rainbow Books has sold the mass market pocketbook rights on Newberg’s book to the Harlequin Books S. A.’s imprint, WORLDWIDE Mystery, with publication in 2010. Rainbow Books will continue to sell the trade softcover edition. Congratulations, Kathleen!

Library Journal's prepublication review of Mystery at Clareton Manor read, "...a very traditional, deftly plotted cozy peopled with characters who could have done it. For cozy mystery readers everywhere."

On Keeping Your Book Alive!

Bob Sanford, author of a memoir about his old boss, eccentric billionaire John D. MacArthur, has now racked up over 100 speaking engagements on the history of MacArthur and the West Palm Beach, Florida area. There, MacArthur staked his claim in years gone by and ran his empire from a table in the bar of a hotel he owned. With MacArthur's passing, his vast wealth now underwrites research, PBS entertainment and the “genius” awards through the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. Meanwhile, Bob keeps the MacArthur name alive in a very personal way, speaking at every event — from library teas to posh country club dinners; and, almost every Christmas finds his book on bestseller lists throughout the Palm Beaches. This is called “keeping a book alive.”

John D. MacArthur: A View from the Bar was first published by Rainbow Books in 1996. Photo: Bob Sanford gives his 100th presentation at MacArthur Beach State Park.