Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing to Release Follow-Up Books to New York Times Bestselling Dork Diaries
December 07, 2012
The popular series currently has over 8 million copies in print. The agreement was negotiated by Aladdin Deputy Publisher Mara Anastas and Writers House Agent Daniel Lazar, with Simon Pulse Executive Editor Liesa Abrams slated to be the editor on the books.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SIMON & SCHUSTER CHILDREN’S PUBLISHING TO RELEASE FOLLOW-UP BOOKS TO
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING DORK DIARIES
New York, NY, Thursday December 6, 2012– Aladdin, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing, announced today plans to publish the seventh and eighth books in the New York Times bestselling Dork Diaries seriesby Rachel Renée Russell in Summer 2014 and Summer 2015 respectively. The popular series currently has over 8 million copies in print. The agreement was negotiated by Aladdin Deputy Publisher Mara Anastas and Literary Agent Daniel Lazar from Writers House with Simon Pulse Executive Editor Liesa Abrams slated to be the editor on the books.
Dork Diaries 5: Tales from a Not-So-Smart Miss Know-It-All, which went on sale October 2, debuted at #2 on the October 7New York Times Bestsellers List and at #5 on the October 7 Wall Street Journal Bestsellers List. In June 2013, Aladdin will be releasing Dork Diaries 6: Tales from a Not-So-Happy Heartbreaker. In the sixth book, the biggest dance of the year is coming up and Nikki is hoping that her crush, Brandon, will ask her to the dance. Aladdin will also be publishing a Dork Diaries interactive journal in October 2013.
In addition to the new books, JLK Brand Licensing Group has announced that Pressman Toys will be releasing the first licensed Dork Diaries product in Spring 2013. The “Dork Diaries Not-So-Truth-Telling Game” captures the irreverent and sassy style of the books and translates it into a board game that eight-to-twelve-year-old girls will love. This game will be the first in a range of Dork Diaries board games by Pressman and will be available in bookstores, specialty, and mass market. JLK Brand will be working with licensees to introduce additional Dork Diaries product with an emphasis on youth products, accessories, room décor, and other tween-appropriate categories.
Rachel Renée Russell is an attorney who prefers writing children’s books to legal briefs. Dork Diaries was her debut novel. Rachel currently resides in northern Virginia.
Simon Pulse Executive Editor Liesa Abrams says, “It’s always a joy watching new readers discover Dork Diaries—Nikki Maxwell is a fantastic, funny, endearing character who never loses sight of the fact that she’s proud of who she is. And we’re incredibly proud to be publishing more from the enormously talented Rachel Renée Russell, so that dorks everywhere can look forward to many more fabulous books!”
Rachel Renée Russell says, “I'm overjoyed to know that there is going to be a Book 7 and a Book 8 to continue the drama of Nikki Maxwell’s dorkalicious life. With each new book, Nikki Maxwell and I still break into our Snoopy Happy Dance! Working on Dork Diaries and meeting my fans from all over the world is a dream come true! Always remember that dorks rule!”
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ABOUT SIMON & SCHUSTER CHILDREN’S PUBLISHING
Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing, one of the leading children’s book publishers in the world, is comprised of the following imprints: Aladdin, Atheneum Books for Young Readers, Beach Lane Books, Libros para niños, Little Simon®, Margaret K. McElderry Books, Paula Wiseman Books, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, Simon Pulse, and Simon Spotlight®. While maintaining an extensive award-winning backlist, the division continues to publish acclaimed and bestselling books for children of all ages. In addition to numerous Caldecott, Newbery, and National Book Award winners, Simon & Schuster publishes such high-profile properties and series as Eloise, Olivia, Raggedy Ann & Andy™, Henry & Mudge®, The Hardy Boys®, Nancy Drew®, the Dork Diaries series, the Mortal Instruments series, Mike the Knight, and the original Cupcake Diaries and Creepover series. For more information about Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing, visit our website at www.simonandschuster.com.
Simon & Schuster, a part of CBS Corporation, is a global leader in the field of general interest publishing, dedicated to providing the best in fiction and nonfiction for consumers of all ages, across all printed, electronic, and audio formats. Its divisions include Simon & Schuster Adult Publishing, Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing, Simon & Schuster Audio, Simon & Schuster Digital, and international companies in Australia, Canada, India, and the United Kingdom. For more information, visit our website at www.simonandschuster.com
Contact: Paul Crichton, VP, Director of Publicity
212-698-2809, Paul.Crichton@simonandschuster.com