Teen pop sensation Justin Bieber has it all: A booming musical career, a dedicated fan base, a smile that makes young girls swoon and an innocence that makes parents smile. Now Bieber is set to become a comic book hero when Bluewater Productions taps his life story for its popular Fame series of biographical comics. Bieber certainly has a story worth telling. He’s a self-made star who used technology and social networking to promote himself and his music. He also happens to make music that’s undeniably infectious. Writer Tara Broeckel Ooten said that while researching the comic she became convinced that Bieber has what it takes to craft a long musical career. “I’m reminded of the stories my mom tells about when she was young and Beatelmania invaded the United States. For me it was New Kids on the Block,” Broeckel Ooten said. “Now today’s teens and tweens go wild for Justin, and rightly so. He is a talented young musician. He has such an enormous global fan base. That and his talent will probably give him some real staying power in the industry.” and she continues to express her feelings “I listened to Bieber’s music for the first time while working on this project, and I have to admit, it can really stick with you, I would hear it played somewhere, usually in Target, and I’d start singing along. I respect the musicianship that Bieber brings to his projects.” Claudio Avella is the artist on the book, and Broeckel Ooten said that he perfectly captured the feel of her story. “He is an extraordinary talent,” Broeckel Ooten said of Avella. “His work has a real energy and life to it, a positive energy that works well for this book.” Bieber joins a long list of celebrities on the Bluewater’s Fame series list. Lady Gaga and Twilight star Robert Pattinson, both of whose Fame issues sold out of their first runs, along with Tyler Lautner and soccer star David Beckham. Two new issues of Fame come out this month featuring Kristen Stewart and Taylor Swift. Darren G. Davis, founder and president of Bluewater Productions, says that the biographical comics continually bring new readers to sequential storytelling. “This is a great medium for kids as well as adults. I had a hard time reading as a kid and comic books really improved my reading skills. One of the goals is trying to get kids away from the video games and reading more. With the Fame series, we have succeeded in exposing comic books to readers who otherwise wouldn’t pick up, say, an issue of Spider-Man.” and he continues with confidence “I’m certain that our Justin Bieber comic will do the same; he certainly has a devoted group of fans whom I’m sure will be thrilled to see their favorite performer immortalized in comic form.” Fame: Justin Bieber is a traditional biography comic book and will hit comic book shops and online retailers in October. This 32-page issue will retail for $3.99. You can check out exclusive pages of the Fame: Justin Bieber comic book visit RADARONLINE.COM and clicking http://bit.ly/8ZHVUn. To pre-order the comic book visit www.comicshoplocator.com . Bluewater aims to unite cutting-edge art and engaging stories produced by its stable of the publishing industry’s top artists and writers. For more information, visit www.bluewaterprod.com.
Thursday, May 27th, 2010
To win one of Michael’s new book Between Boyfriends, please e-mail your name, phone/cell, city to: giveaways[at]pinkmag.com
Michael Salvatore’s debut novel, BETWEEN BOYFRIENDS, is in stores now. This fresh, funny and sexy story is sure to get you attention on Fire Island, Provincetown…or even the Jersey Shore. Whatever your “situation”, BETWEEN BOYFRIENDS is sure to please.
Published by Kensington, Paperback, $15.00 ($17.95 Canada)
PINK: Why did you want to write this novel?
Michael: I simply set out to write a story about a gay man that is both honest and hysterically funny and I believe I achieved my goal.
Do you think your novel has crossover appeal to a straight audience?
Definitely. While Steven, the main character, and his friends are gay, what grounds the book is Steven’s relationship with his family, especially his mother. This relationship broadens the appeal of the book so it’s more of one man’s journey to find his place in this world and not just a gay man’s search for the perfect boyfriend. Because of that difference the characters and their exploits will appeal to everyone.
Is this novel autobiographical?
No, not in the true sense. There are elements of the book that mimic pieces of my own life such as being a Jersey boy and having strong family ties in New Jersey. My mother did live in the Rocco Impreveduto Towers which I turned into the Salvatore DeNuccio Towers so there are things like that, but sadly I don’t produce a soap opera nor am I friends with any Olympic figure skaters.
How did you pick the careers and likes of all the characters?
That’s where art does imitate life. I love figure skating, soap operas, theatre, ‘70s television, and London so I threw all of that stuff into the novel. I thought I may never get another chance to write a novel so I might as well use all my favorite things in this book. It also made it easier to focus on plot and characterization since I didn’t have to do any research to find out specific things like how to spell a certain Russian figure skater’s name.
Who should play Steven in the TV series?
I actually didn’t write the part of Steven with anyone specific in mind, but I think when it becomes a TV series, which it definitely needs to be since TV needs a new gay role model, it should be an unknown, somebody who doesn’t come with any baggage and someone the audience can relate to. Having said that, however, Kevin Rikaart, an actor on my favorite soap, The Young and The Restless, would be perfect. Beyond that, John Stamos would make the ideal Gus and I’m sure he can do a British accent. I also really like Marc Blucas who was Buffy’s boyfriend for a while as Flynn and there has to be a blonde Mario Cantone out there who could bring Lindsay to life.
The novel does have some dramatic elements, did you include these specifically to offset the humor?
Yes, I wanted the novel to portray the real year in the life of a gay man and in order for the reader to accept the madcap adventures I think they need to root for the protagonist, a good way to do that is to put him into some real, dramatic situations. The struggle for me has been to find a balance since I have a tendency to write a bit melodramatically in the first draft or in an outline. The dramatic beats are there, but I tend to overplay them and make them larger than life so they don’t have the same impact. Larger than life works when it’s comedy, but if you’re trying to convey honest, raw emotion, I believe, it’s best to simplify. Simply write the situation with some grace and the reader will have an emotional reaction. The most important thing I’ve discovered is that readers and audiences respond to the humor in my writing, whether it be a play or fiction, so I have decided to stick with what I know I can do.
Thursday, May 27th, 2010 Summertime is travel time and most of us are on the lookout for that perfect memory. You know the one – your favorite picture that makes you laugh, cry or transports you back in time just by looking at it. Capturing the perfect moment can be a matter of luck but for Marcelo Bendahan, author of the new book Jerusalem Always, it was a labor of love. In Jerusalem Always, Marcelo demonstrates his innate ability to capture life and light with remarkable insight into the human soul. He lets his work ‘speak for itself’ to reveal the positive, vibrant, and wonderful nature of an often misunderstood city with a turbulent history. “The city’s vitality and colorfulness constantly enchanted and amazed me,” adds Bendahan, “My hope is Jerusalem Always brings the awesome beauty of the city to life.” Available on www.amazon.com, www.barnesandnoble.com, www.maestrobooks.nl/order.html and in bookstores throughout the United States and Canada.
Michelangelo was a shining star of the Renaissance and a genius of consummate virtuosity. His achievements as a sculptor, painter, draughtsman, and architect are unique—no artist before or after him has ever produced such a vast, multi-faceted, and wide-ranging oeuvre.
This special edition explores Michelangelo’s life and work in depth and detail, and is the second publication in TASCHEN’s new series of GOLDEN BOOKS created to celebrate the company’s 30th anniversary. The different parts of the book concentrate on the life of Michelangelo via an extensive and copiously illustrated biographical essay and include gorgeous, full page reproductions and enlarged details that bring readers up close to the works.
Michelangelo – Life and Work – Hardcover 9.6 x 14.6 in – 368 pages at $ 39.90
Friday, April 30th, 2010Dr. Charlyn Belluzzo offers ways for busy moms to engage their senses to help reconnect with the richness of life – despite a busy schedule. Moms are known for giving to everyone else, and not taking enough time for themselves. Health and wellness expert Dr. Charlyn Belluzzo, author of Authentic Sensual Living, offers tips for moms and busy people everywhere to help manage daily stress and replace it with authentic sensual living. Experts reveal that engaging our senses – the rich world of sight, sound, smell, taste, touch and intuition, can influence moods and counteract stress. Dr. Belluzzo encourages readers to use their senses to live in the moment, so they can be fully present in the now, which can have wonferful affects not only for mom but everyone else she loves and cares for. Tips offered in Authentic Sensual Living include:• Learning how to live in the moment and make the most of today • Mastering simple visualization techniques to clear your mind and approach tough situations • Reordering your home, your workspace and even to your wardrobe to refresh mind and body Another tip of Dr. Belluzzo’s is to use the power of scent, since smell is a powerful way to elevate mood. Dr. Belluzzo had created a line of 100% soy candles, available in four sizes and a selection of elegant, soothing fragrances like plumeria, lemongrass and rain. Amorosa Bella candles are so pure, they can be used as a silky moisturizer for your skin as they melt, or for massage. Authentic Sensual Living (SRP $19.95) is available at amazon.com or amorosabella.com. Amorosa Bella Soy Candles (SRP $6.95 – $24.95) are available exclusively at amorosabella.com.
by Deborah Ball
Friday, March 12th, 2010
Versace. The very name conjures up images of outrageous glamour and bold sexuality, opulence and daring. Yet Versace is also the legacy of a great creative genius from a poor, backward part of southern Italy who transformed the fashion world through his intuitive understanding of women, and how a changing culture influenced the way they wanted to dress. The first book in English about the legendary designer, HOUSE OF VERSACE: The Untold Story of Genius, Murder, and Survival (Crown; $26.00) shows how Gianni Versace, with his flamboyant sister Donatella at his side, combined his virtuosic talent and extraordinary ambition to almost single-handedly create the celebrity culture we take for granted today.
Gianni Versace was at the height of his creative powers when he was murdered in Miami Beach. The story was front page news around the world and the manhunt for his killer a media obsession. His beloved sister Donatella demanded no less than a funeral befitting an assassinated head-of-state to be held in Milan’s magnificent cathedral. In what was the ultimate fashion show, the world’s rich and beautiful – Princess Diana, Elton John, Carla Bruni, Naomi Campbell, Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, Anna Wintour and others – gathered to mourn the man who was one of fashion’s great pioneers.
Deborah Ball, a long-time Milan correspondent for The Wall Street Journal, conducted hundreds of interviews with Versace family members, Gianni Versace’s lovers and business rivals, models such as Naomi Campbell whom he helped launch to international stardom, and fashion industry icons including Anna Wintour, the legendary editor of Vogue.
Ball vividly recounts the behind-the scenes struggles – both creative and business – of Donatella as she stepped out of her brother’s long shadow and took control of the House of Versace. The book offers the first inside look at the enormous challenges Donatella faced in living up to Gianni’s genius, her struggle with a decades-long drug habit, her battles with her brother Santo, and the mystery of why Gianni left control of his house to Donatella’s young daughter, Allegra. HOUSE OF VERSACE is a compelling, highly readable tale of a rise from obscurity, a painful fall, and ultimate redemption as the Versace empire returned to health – for now.
Pride/Prejudice – by Ann Herendeen (HarperCollins)
Thursday, February 11th, 2010
Diehard LGBT Jane Austin fans have Ann Herendeen to thank for bringing a haughtily naughty same-sex twist to Austin’s most-popular work, Pride and Prejudice. In this retelling, Fitz and Charles are doing it doggy style—with no graphically dirty detail left untold—and they’re doing it despite the gentlemen of Netherfield’s courtship of the ladies of Longbourn. Meanwhile, Elizabeth is at odds with her secret discovery of the men’s gay sex even though her best friend Charlotte seems to think it isn’t any less immoral than their own lesbian love—told in comparable English akin to Austin’s era and all leading up to a crux of 19th century bisexuality that teases and tantalizes.
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