Author Events and Media - Penguin Group (USA) Weekly Update 11/2:

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Sentinel’s Mike Huckabee Hits the Road on a 60-Bookstore Tour through 21 States

On November 3rd, Sentinel will publish former Governor Mike Huckabee's new book, A Simple Christmas: Twelve Stories That Celebrate the True Holiday Spirit.

Unlike his previous New York Times bestseller, Do The Right Thing, this one has nothing to do with politics. It's a collection of true stories from his own life, ranging from childhood to the present -- all taking place at Christmas time. Some of these memories will bring a smile, some may bring a tear, but all will help readers reconnect with the things that really matter -- faith, family, love, and hope.

Huckabee is going on another massive national bus tour (his bus is pictured) - 60 bookstore signings in 21 states in 3 weeks. The events will cross-promote the paperback of Do The Right Thing. In addition, he is scheduled to make several national TV, radio, and print appearances, starting with his own talk show ("Huckabee") on Fox News Channel this weekend. In December, after the tour, he will wrap up with mainstream media including “The Daily Show” and “The View.”

For more information, click here.

Penguin's Scott Schuman Rounds out a Whirlwind Book Tour

After a whirlwind tour where he was greeted by thousands of fans in New York, Washington, Dallas, and San Francisco, Penguin's Scott Schuman, author of The Sartorialist, ended his book tour in Los Angeles, with a glamorous event at the Beverly Center. Over 400 people waited in a line that snaked throughout the mall for a chance to meet the legendary fashion photographer, who was interviewed by Los Angeles magazine’s Style Director, Lauren Pike. The Sartorialist has become the go-to guide for all things style, and is the perfect gift for anyone looking to make a fashion statement.

Pictured: Storefront display of the book at Traffic, a trendy shop in the Beverly Center frequented by stylists for shows like “Entourage” and “Mad Men
 

Greg Mortensen is the Keynote Speaker at St. Louis Big Read Festival

Viking/Penguin author Greg Mortenson delivered the Keynote address earlier this month to commence the Big Read Festival in St. Louis. Greg spoke to over 300 enthusiastic fans, answered questions then signed books for more than two and half hours. The Big Read gives communities the opportunity to come together to read, discuss, and celebrate one of 30 selections from U.S. and world literature. Activities will take place through February 2010.

Pictured: Greg Mortenson with his Penguin paperback rep, Gerry Flavin, and Gerry’s daughter.
 

Penguin Young Readers Group Re-Create “Million-Dollar Throw Challenges” to Promote Mike Lupica’s New Book (to top)

In honor of #1 New York Times bestselling author and sports personality Mike Lupica’s new novel, Million-Dollar Throw, Penguin Young Readers Group will re-create the book’s title scene with special “Million Dollar Throw challenges” in six cities around the country. At each event, young readers ages 8 to 15 will have the chance to compete for a $1,000 prize by throwing a football through a target. Mike Lupica will be on-site to give a presentation, sign books and present the winner with an oversized prize check. The “Million Dollar Throw Challenge” events will kick off on NBC’s “Today Show” next Friday, November 6th, with a throw for charity. Challenges will take place November 9th-18th in Boston, Philadelphia, Washington DC, Dallas, Denver and Los Angeles.

“Mike Lupica’s characters and stories resonate with boys who might not otherwise pick up a book. He is a master at bringing to life the passion, pain, disappointment and victory of the sports world, and that talent has garnered him millions of young fans,” says Emily Romero, VP of Marketing for Penguin Young Readers Group. “In Million-Dollar Throw, a boy named Nate Brodie wins the chance to throw a pass through a target at a Patriots game and win one million dollars. So we thought, since Lupica’s fans are such avid sports enthusiasts, wouldn’t it be fun to give them the chance to actually make that throw?”

Media coverage includes NBC’s “Today Show,” Parenting, Sports Illustrated for Kids, Time for Kids, New York Daily News, “Imus in the Morning,” NPR’s “Here and Now”, WJR “The Mitch Albom Show”, WFAN “The Fan”, and ESPN Radio.

Watch the trailer for Mike Lupica’s heartwarming new sports novel, Million-Dollar Throw.

Pictured: Penguin Young Readers' Sara Zick (left) and Samantha Dell’Olio posing with the giant check that will be presented to the young winners.
 
 

Major Media Lineup and Publicity Tour for Viking’s David Plouffe (to top)

David Plouffe was not simply the engineer of the historic campaign that won Barack Obama the presidency; he also designed a grassroots movement that forever changed the face of U.S. politics and revitalized the notion of democracy itself. In The Audacity to Win: The Inside Story and Lessons of Barack Obama’s Historic Victory, Plouffe narrates the incredible story of what many people consider the most brilliantly executed presidential campaign in American history.

Read an exclusive excerpt from The Audacity to Win, which appears in Time magazine on-stands today and catch Plouffe on “Meet the Press” this Sunday or on the “Today Show,” the “Early Show,” “Fresh Air” and “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart” on Tuesday. Over the next couple weeks you’ll also see him on “Anderson Cooper 360,” “Power Lunch,” “Countdown with Keith Olbermann,” “On the Record with Greta Van Susteren” and many more shows. Plouffe will tour to 10 cities to promote the book and on Tuesday, November 3 at 3:30 p.m. ET, Viking will host a live conversation between Plouffe and the public. Sign up for this free webcast / teleconference here.