Well, move over George R. R. Martin, Terry Pratchett, and Neil Gaiman. There's a new sheriff in town. International supermodel Tyra Banks is writing a fantasy series. I kid you not. . .
You don't believe me, right? Just click on this link to learn more.
This from the press release:
Tyra Banks Presents MODELLAND…
Tyra Banks Launches MODELLAND under Bankable Books, the newly created division of Bankable Enterprises, which is also the parent company of Bankable Productions, Bankable Digital and Bankable Studios. Tyra Banks continues her mission to expand the definitions of beauty with a fantasy trilogy that will be published by Delacorte Press of Random House; the first book of the Modelland (pronounced Model Land) series will launch in summer 2011.
See below for an excerpt from the Delacorte press release and a quote from Tyra’s letter to her fans which is posted NOW at Tyra.com. For the full letter and for MODELLAND-inspired photos check out http://www.tyra.com/.../BANKABLE_BOOKS
Excerpt form Tyra’s Letter posted on Tyra.com:
“Modelland has always been a part of my mind and my heart. As you might know, I step into a bookstore and I shake (really!) because I love books so much. Ever since I was a kid, I couldn’t wait to pick up a new book and see what worlds the writers had created for me. I especially loved books with strong girls and women – you know, girls with guts, smarts and attitude – and then one day it came to me… MODELLAND! I’m getting it ready for you through my new division called Bankable Books and now I’m shaking for a different reason… I’m excited that you’ll be able to read about this magical world that’s been living in my dreams for so many years.”
Excerpt from Release – Tyra Banks Signs Multi-Book Deal with Delacorte Press:
Delacorte Press has acquired MODELLAND, the first novel in a three-book series written by international, entertainment, and media icon Tyra Banks, it was announced today by Beverly Horowitz, Vice-President and Publisher, Delacorte Press. Drawing from an area of expertise she is avidly passionate about, Tyra’s MODELLAND is the story of a teen girl in a make-believe society who finds herself competing for a way of life that's both hotly desired and woefully out of reach at an academy for Intoxibellas, the most exceptional models known to humankind. As the plot unfolds, readers will uncover lessons that are buried beneath the surface of this magical world. The premise of the 3-part fantasy series is deeply rooted in Tyra’s core mission of expanding the definitions of beauty. In MODELLAND, Tyra’s innate ability to connect with women on issues ranging from relationships to body image finds a natural extension to the page. MODELLAND will launch in summer 2011 and will be supported by a major national marketing and publicity campaign.
This marks the first fiction foray into publishing for Bankable Enterprises, which includes Bankable Productions, Bankable Digital and Bankable Studios – which serve as strategic platforms for the continued development of the MODELLAND series.
For all you speculative fiction authors toiling endlessly to produce original and thought-provoking novels and series and looking for some well-deserved respect and recognition, this will surely help. . .
This one's for Larry, methinks!:P
You don't believe me, right? Just click on this link to learn more.
This from the press release:
Tyra Banks Presents MODELLAND…
Tyra Banks Launches MODELLAND under Bankable Books, the newly created division of Bankable Enterprises, which is also the parent company of Bankable Productions, Bankable Digital and Bankable Studios. Tyra Banks continues her mission to expand the definitions of beauty with a fantasy trilogy that will be published by Delacorte Press of Random House; the first book of the Modelland (pronounced Model Land) series will launch in summer 2011.
See below for an excerpt from the Delacorte press release and a quote from Tyra’s letter to her fans which is posted NOW at Tyra.com. For the full letter and for MODELLAND-inspired photos check out http://www.tyra.com/.../BANKABLE_BOOKS
Excerpt form Tyra’s Letter posted on Tyra.com:
“Modelland has always been a part of my mind and my heart. As you might know, I step into a bookstore and I shake (really!) because I love books so much. Ever since I was a kid, I couldn’t wait to pick up a new book and see what worlds the writers had created for me. I especially loved books with strong girls and women – you know, girls with guts, smarts and attitude – and then one day it came to me… MODELLAND! I’m getting it ready for you through my new division called Bankable Books and now I’m shaking for a different reason… I’m excited that you’ll be able to read about this magical world that’s been living in my dreams for so many years.”
Excerpt from Release – Tyra Banks Signs Multi-Book Deal with Delacorte Press:
Delacorte Press has acquired MODELLAND, the first novel in a three-book series written by international, entertainment, and media icon Tyra Banks, it was announced today by Beverly Horowitz, Vice-President and Publisher, Delacorte Press. Drawing from an area of expertise she is avidly passionate about, Tyra’s MODELLAND is the story of a teen girl in a make-believe society who finds herself competing for a way of life that's both hotly desired and woefully out of reach at an academy for Intoxibellas, the most exceptional models known to humankind. As the plot unfolds, readers will uncover lessons that are buried beneath the surface of this magical world. The premise of the 3-part fantasy series is deeply rooted in Tyra’s core mission of expanding the definitions of beauty. In MODELLAND, Tyra’s innate ability to connect with women on issues ranging from relationships to body image finds a natural extension to the page. MODELLAND will launch in summer 2011 and will be supported by a major national marketing and publicity campaign.
This marks the first fiction foray into publishing for Bankable Enterprises, which includes Bankable Productions, Bankable Digital and Bankable Studios – which serve as strategic platforms for the continued development of the MODELLAND series.
For all you speculative fiction authors toiling endlessly to produce original and thought-provoking novels and series and looking for some well-deserved respect and recognition, this will surely help. . .
This one's for Larry, methinks!:P
24 commentaires:
Don't laugh. She, at least, admits to writing fantasy. Her own fantasy.
Ellestra
she might surprise us all.
imagine that not only she can actualy write as well as g.r.r.martin but that she will also complete a series ?
lol, couldn't help myself.
but seriously, give her a break.
btw, i read this piece and i still don't understand what the book is abot.
An excerpt doubtless will appear in BAF 4, Pat, once I manage to read it ;)
Oh I don't know. It can't be any worst than "Twilight" can it?
My money's on "cry".
So which series finishes first? Tyra Banks or George R.R. Martin?
Banks, because she will have a team of models who actually write the books for her.
First off, here's a mainstream celebrity carrying the banner for the genre world. If nothing else, we should be glad for that!
I'm holding out hope that it's not as God awful as it sounds.
I would bet almost anything that her book, like William Shatner's, will not be written by her, but a ghostwriter. I highly doubt she has had time to devote to writing seeing that she is and has been a full time model. Or maybe it is just a joke? I hope so.
oh, I can't wait to read your reviews for these books *evil grin*
Perhaps I'm being naive but I think the hate is a bit premature. To me, everything know about the series seems absurd, but why not wait and see as opposed to hate first, (before anyone has read a word) and bash later (upon release).
when faced with the choice;
laugh, always laugh.
Although in this case I think cringing is more appropiate.
Does this mean we could get fantasy writers as guest judges on ANTM( America's next top model). Isn't that every genre writers dream.
I think the site needs an update.. I don't see Tyra listed on the right under the Speculative Fiction Authors. tsk tsk ;-)
NO. FUCKING. WAY.
I'm going to try really freaking hard to remember that if it's a best-seller, it will generate enough money so her publisher will feel free to take risks on new, obscure talent.
Hah -- verification word "pride"
First off, being German and shying away from the tabloids I know very little about Tyra Banks' reputation.
There's a good few German, ahem, "celebrities" that would make me laugh out loud it they declared to tackle a fantasy novel (or a novel of ANY kind) because they are known to be dumb as a slice of bread as we say over here (I'm talking about the celebs intelligence, not the fantasy novels!).
That said, ignorant of Ms Banks' perceived IQ I'd rather wait for the finished product before judging her based on her image. - In fact, isn't that what the literary community does with genre literature in general: judging based on the never-changing inferior image they hold of speculative fiction without ever having read a single book (and not planing to).
We shouldn't join them I think.
At least, based on the scarce outline, I guess we can't blame the books to be unoriginal Tolkien clones! ;-)
I'm kinda curious. I'll give any author a shot, even Tyra Banks.
So just because she's a mainstream personality and doesn't spend all her time playing Dungeons and Dragons in her parents' basement means we shouldn't take her seriously as a fantasy author? Personally, I'm just happy to read a summary for a new series that didn't contain 14 unpronounceable names peppered with inexplicable apostrophes: "In the war-torn country of Krr'laaazvan, a super hot elfish princess named La'mvaak'naaan must battle the hordes of Sh'vmel..." Now THAT makes me cry.
Ditto What Zach said. Lmao
I, for one, hope that this series will be a run away success, and eagerly await Tyra's new show America's Next Top Genre Writer.
Obviously NTM is on the skids, so she's decided to write about it instead of film it. Sadly it will find an audience.
There are several celebrities who I can imagine writing some good fiction - or at least have a ghostwriter to get it to be credible. Sadly, I don't think that this fits into that category. And, say, isn't it ironic that it's "Bankable Publishing", etc...yes, I realize it's a play on Ms. Banks' last name, but also, it lets us know what she's concerned about, and it isn't the "state of the genre". :)
Let us at it!
You could do both...
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