<<return to Press Release archive
Kissena Park Press Announces First Book Selected For Publication
Marathon by W. William Winokur to be Published Fall 2005
NEW YORK -- March 10, 2005 -- Kissena Park Press, an imprint of Starlight Runner Entertainment, Inc., today announced the selection of the house's first title for publication. A work of fiction, Marathon by W. William Winokur was selected from over 100 manuscript submissions received since the press launched in late January 2005. The publication date has been set for October 2005. A significant marketing and publicity budget has been allocated to the book. National distribution is being handled by CDS, based in New York with warehouses in Jackson, Tennessee.
In Marathon, Marianna, a disaffected female power broker, finds herself driven to embark upon an epic journey to Greece by Ion Theodore, a mysterious former marathon runner, scholar and slave. There, Marianna learns that Ion's past, her future and a timeless love all lead to a revelation that will transform the way they perceive the world.
"Marathon is exactly the kind of book we were dreaming of publishing," says Jeff Gomez, publisher of Kissena Park Press. "Its scope and passion, as well as the fact that it's based on a true story, make it even more compelling. This is a gorgeous novel from a talented, unknown writer. We're going to put tremendous care into its publication, and we expect it to be a breakout book."
Author Bill Winokur said from his home in Southern California, "I was thrilled to learn that Marathon had been chosen for publication. The timing was perfect when Jeff called me, since I was at that point weighing two other offers with established New York publishers. I chose Kissena Park Press because I felt a true rapport with them and I trusted their vision of the book in the marketplace. I am honored that my book is the first choice for this distinguished new publishing house."
Kissena Park Press received over 100 manuscripts, several hundred written queries, and calls from media and literary agents after the January search announcement was released. "We narrowed it down to about 25 books and queries for serious consideration," Gomez says, "but the decision was in many ways an easy one because Marathon fulfills our goal of publishing literary titles that have strong, marketable plots and memorable characters."
Kissena Park Press's 2006 title list is scheduled to be released later this spring. The press, a full-fledged trade book imprint, publishes adult trade hardcover fiction and nonfiction, poetry, young adult and children's literary fiction and collaborative educational media for children and adults. Its mission is to create a fertile environment for new, original properties while honoring the industry's grand traditions.
Kissena Park Press can be reached by calling 212-337-0900, e-mailing Mark Pensavalle at mark@starlightrunner.com or visiting http://www.KissenaParkPress.com.
For media inquiries, contact Christi Cassidy at 505-986-1142 or christi@kissenaparkpress.com
previous: Starlight Runner Entertainment Launches Book Imprint
next: Starlight Runner CEO Jeff Gomez Profiled On "American Latino" TV
