Books

Books, Edizioni Mondadori: press office and events management now closer to editorial and marketing strategies

From tomorrow changes to the organisational structure of the press office and events area of Edizioni Mondadori will come into effect, aimed at bringing product communication closer, on the one hand, to editorial development and, on the other, to marketing activities.

Changes largely determined by the so-called digital revolution have significantly reinstated the primacy of the author-publisher-reader relationship.

In line with the focus on content, regardless of the distribution platform, the role of communication needs to be reconsidered in order to ensure an ever-closer link with the publishing house.

Consequently, the head of the press office of Edizioni Mondadori, Francesca Gariazzo, will now report directly to the literary director Antonio Riccardi, who will also be responsible for the Rome office.

Promotional activities and events management – overseen by Nadia Focile – will become, like digital communication activities, part of the marketing department, headed by Giovanni Dutto.

“These organisational changes,” announced Riccardo Cavallero, the Mondadori Group’s general manager of Trade Books, “is a further demonstration of the innovative approach that characterises our publishing group and is ensuring an effective response to the new digital technologies”.

“I would like to thank Piera Cusani for the professionalism and grace with which she has managed the communication of books,” Cavallero continued, “and in the three years that we have worked together I have appreciated the enthusiasm the she brings to everything she does, from the day-to-day to the invention of the Anteprima Festival. I wish Piera every success in the future and I am sure that her team will be able to continue to work effectively along the lines that she has laid down over the years.”

The Italian Authority for Children and Adolescents and Geronimo Stilton join together for minors’ rights

What’s the best way of explaining to the citizens of tomorrow – the children and adolescents of today – that they already have rights? How can we explain in a way suitable for them an issue that involves national and international law? Vincenzo Spadafora, the head of the Italian Authority for Children and Adolescents had the idea of asking for the assistance of Geronimo Stilton. The result is a special book Che avventura stratopica, Stilton! Alla scoperta dei diritti dei ragazzi, published by Piemme: a project of exceptional ethical and educational value that aims to explain the Authority’s activities.

The book was presented on 10 June at the Senate in Rome to mark the publication of the second annual report of the Authority for Children and Adolescents to the Speaker of the Senate Piero Grasso, the Deputy Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies Luigi Di Maio, the Minster of Justice Annamaria Cancellieri as well, of course, to the guests present.

A special section of the book is dedicated to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, approved by the United Nations General Assembly on 20 November 1989. It is a pull-out insert that can be removed and kept.

Che avventura stratopica, Stilton! Alla scoperta dei diritti dei ragazzi is a special edition, created for the Authority by Piemme. Anyone interested in having a free copy can apply to Autorità Garante per l’Infanzia e l’Adolescenza – via di Villa Ruffo, 6 – 00196 ROMA, write to segreteria@garanteinfanzia.org, or contact the Authority on its Facebook profile.

Dan Brown to open Anteprime 2013

The fourth edition of “ANTEPRIME – Ti racconto il mio prossimo libro” will be held in Pietrasanta from 7 to 9 June 2013. The event, which is the result of cooperation between the municipality of Pietrasanta and the publishing houses Einaudi, Electa, Frassinelli, Mondadori, Netwon Compton, Piemme and Sperling & Kupfer.

From 6.30 pm until well into the night, in a range of different spaces in the centre of Pietrasanta Italian and foreign authors, both newcomers and established names, such as Novel prize-winner Orhan Pamuk will meet the public. This year the festival will be opened, on Friday 7 June, by an exceptional guest Dan Brown.

At the various spaces around Pietrasanta the authors will be accompanied by their editors. Some will give readings from new or even unpublished works, others will talk about the construction of their next book, all with a desire to satisfy the public demand to get a closer look at their favourite authors. Anteprime will also see the return of the now traditional appointment with poetry with a homage to Vittorio Sereni to mark the centenary of his birth. Much space will also be given to children and young readers: in addition to the children’s stories corner, a number of authors, including superstar Geronimo Stilton, will offer sneak peeks from upcoming books.

ANTEPRIME 2013 – information and program

Nuovi Argomenti celebrates its 60th anniversary

New issue out on 12 March

Geronimo Stilton and Edizioni Piemme support the research grants of the Umberto Veronesi Foundation with a book for young readers.

The Umberto Veronesi Foundation and Geronimo Stilton are sharing a project of great ethical and educational value, aimed at building an awareness in children of the importance that scientific research has for all of us.

The initiative is being realised with the support of the publishing house Piemme, a leader in children’s fiction thanks to the ability to dialogue with children that distinguishes its catalogue, and which has enables it to become a reference point for parents attentive to the needs their children and teachers involved in stimulating a love of reading.

Thanks to his ability to handle even delicate and complex topics with charm and humour, bringing them within the reach of a child, Geronimo Stilton has written a book, The Strange Case of the Blue Pimples, which recounts a very special adventure, set in Topazia, where a strange outbreak of blue pimples pushes grandfather Torquato to turn to the famous doctor and researcher Prof. Toponesi, the Island of Mice’s alter ego of the eminent Professor Umberto Veronesi!

The story continues with the family Stilton on a visit to Professor’s highly modern scientific laboratories: this gives them an opportunity to explain to young readers the importance of safety rules, of how a team of researchers is composed and the significance of research protocols, with the help of explanatory boxes accompanying the text. And all of this with a view to popularizing science in a way that can be assimilated in the early years of life and which is crucial for the training of aware future adults, and using a language and approach suitable for the ages to which they are addressed.

With this book Geronimo Stilton and Edizioni Piemme support the research grants of the Fondazione Umberto Veronesi.

XS author extras A new digital-only series from Mondadori

XS is a new digital series from Mondadori of short texts by great authors, available exclusively in the ebook format.
A new, fast and direct way to read. New or preview content, fiction and non-fiction, by the best known and most appreciated authors, offering the reading public a guarantee of excellent quality. A small challenge for the ebook market: while there is no shortage of short books out there, the XS Mondadori series is characterised by the choice of authors, stories or subjects, and aims to become a sort of think tank, suggesting new ways of seeing, reading and dealing with reality.
Most of the texts are previously unpublished, but there will also be little known works or preview passages from forthcoming books.
The six launch titles in the series are a mix of these different approaches: two new works (Con Picasso incasso by Francesco Bonami and 2012 Ultime notizie dalla fine del mondo by Roberto Giacobbo), two that previously appeared in Nuovi Argomenti (Pastiche proustiano in salsa biancoceleste by Alessandro Piperno and Una suora siciliana by Dacia Maraini) and two teasers for upcoming titles (E adesso facciamo il cinematografo! by Francesco Rosi with Giuseppe Tornatore and Nashira, Nascita di una ribelle by Licia Troisi).
Low, really low prices: from 0.99 cents to €1.99. Available from all major e-book stores.

Francesco Bonami
Con Picasso incasso
The irreverent art critic explains the sensational, commercial and public success of Pablo Picasso.

Roberto Giacobbo
2012 Ultime notizie dalla fine del mondo
The author of the best-selling 2012 – la fine del mondo brings us up to date with the latest news about a date that gets closer and closer, and tells us how not to be afraid.

Alessandro Piperno
Pastiche proustiano in salsa biancoceleste
The tragicomic misadventures of a Lazio fan in Rome. From Proust to Cragnotti, the story of an obsession with hilarious moments and surprising reflections.

Dacia Maraini
Una suora siciliana
An impossible encounter between two women of different ages, in a Sicily caught between nostalgia for the past and hope for the future.

Francesco Rosi with Giuseppe Tornatore
E adesso facciamo il cinematografo
A preview of the book Io lo chiamo cinematografo. Extracts from the biography of a great film director, with never before published stories, such as his first time at the Venice Film Festival.

Licia Troisi
Nascita di una ribelle
The magical story of Eshar, set in the fantasy world of the I regni di Nashira saga (the second volume of which is due out in November).

Geronimo Stilton opens house in Piazza Duomo in Milan!

In the centre of Milan, in Piazza Duomo, inside the Libreria Mondadori Multicenter, for a number of days Geronimo Stilton, the popular editor of the The Rodent’s Gazette, has been preparing a cheddarific (surprise for his young readers: in fact it will be possible to visit the house where he stays on his frequent visits to the city!

The space features the characteristic screaming yellow walls, which recall the house in New Mouse City and, as you enter on the left, you’ll find the relax corner, in which the fireplace stands out, and beside which is an armchair that invites you to take a seat and read from the pages of an exciting book …
In the study there is a desk, where you will see the typewriter that Grandpa William gave to Geronimo when he turned over the management of The Rodent’s Gazette to him.

On the walls there are maps of New Mouse City and Mouse Island, as well as the most important prizes won.
Continuing the tour, the young visitors will come to the kitchen with a wonderful stove.
And of course, a house like this wouldn’t be complete without a big bookcase!
The Geronimo Stilton house can be visited for free by everyone during the Multicenter Mondadori’s normal opening hours (every day, including Sundays, from 9am to 11pm).

Geronimo Stilton is an extraordinary publishing phenomenon that since 2000, the year in which the first books were published by Piemme, has spread from Italy across the world. Indeed, the character can now rightly be considered and authentic “classic” that is destined to live on and become increasingly popular.
Born in New Mouse City (Mouse Island), Geronimo Stilton is the Rattus Emeritus of Mousomorphic Literature and Neo-Ratonic Comparative Philosophy. He is the editor of The Rodent’s Gazette, Mouse Island’s leading and most popular newspaper. His book, which have been translated into 36 languages, have sold more than 23 million copies in Italy alone, and 74 million around the world.
His web site is: www.geronimostilton.com

Open Road Media and Mondadori form international digital publishing partnership

Open Road will publish and market English language ebooks around the world of a wide range of Mondadori titles

Mondadori and Open Road Integrated Media, a digital publisher and multimedia content company announced today from The London Book Fair that they have formed an international digital publishing partnership. Open Road will digitize, distribute and market english language versions of titles from Mondadori’s catalog starting with 50 ebooks. Mondadori is Open Road’s first foreign publishing partner and this announcement kicks off Open Road’s International Publishing Partner Program.

Jane Friedman cofounder and CEO of Open Road said: “The rise of digital publishing has made the world a smaller place and we are now able to quickly and efficiently publish translations of international books. Open Road is committed to working with international publishers to bring
works from foreign countries to a wider audience than they have ever had before. We are excited to build on the success we have enjoyed with our American partners and to start our international publishing program with Mondadori.”

“Thanks to the digital revolution,” said Maurizio Costa, deputy chairman and chief executive of the Mondadori Group, “geographical barriers are falling and the publisher is increasingly becoming also the promoter of its authors, not only at the national level, but also internationally. To publish in English the works of our most prestigious Italian authors,” Costa continued, “is a source of pride and satisfaction for Mondadori. Thanks to our commitment to digital and our partnership with Open Road, we can finally offer our authors direct access to the biggest market in the world.”

Open Road will digitally market all of the titles in the partnership. The company will create original marketing videos that will be distributed through its online platform and syndicated to content partners.
This announcement takes Open Road’s publishing partners program global. Since its launch, Open Road has worked with a variety of American publishers including MysteriousPress.com, Pegasus Books and Albert Whitman & Company.

The ebooks will be on sale globally starting this summer from Amazon.com, Apple iBookstore, BarnesandNoble.com, Google/IndieBound, Kobo Books,OverDrive, and the Sony Reader Store.

 

Open Road Integrated Media is a digital publisher and multimedia content company. Open Road creates connections between authors and their audiences by marketing its ebooks through a new proprietary online platform, which uses premium video content and social media. Open Road
has published ebooks from legendary authors including William Styron, Pat Conroy, Alice Walker, Jean Craighead George, Bette Greene, and Virginia Hamilton.

The Mondadori Group is among the most important publishing houses in Europe and is Italy’s biggest publisher of books through its publishing houses Edizioni Mondadori, Einaudi, Piemme and Sperling & Kupfer. Its wide-ranging production covers all market segments, including the ebook market.

Mondadori Electa and FAI – Fondo Ambiente Italiano together again in 2012: a book and a promotional campaign in support of FAI

Following on from the 2011 campaign for the Mondadori guides in support of FAI – Fondo Ambiente Italiano for the recovery of the St Francis’ Wood in Assisi, 2012 begins with a renewal of cooperation between the publisher and the most important non-profit foundation for the protection of the Italian countryside.

Mondadori is proud to publish the book by the chairman of FAI Ilaria Borletti Buitoni: Per un’Italia possibile. La cultura salverà il nostro paese? (Towards a Possible Italy: Can Culture Save the Country?, Mondadori) in bookshops from 13 March 2012. A documented pamphlet of 128 pages devoted to the wealth of Italy’s assets, which, after years of abandonment and political inaction, are in a state of emergency. An engaging and disturbing portrait in which the author doesn’t forget to list the many positive examples, large and small, and increasingly numerous, of efforts and initiatives committed to building environmental awareness, the recovery of lost areas (oasis, historic gardens, sanctuaries, etc.) and the enhancement of cultural tourism..
Part of the proceeds from the sale of the book Per un’Italia possibile will be devolved to support the work of FAI – Fondo Ambiente Italiano.

The book is published just a few days ahead of the XX Edizione di Giornata FAI di Primavera (the 20th FAI Spring-day) which will take place on 24-25 March 2012, one of the most important events organised by FAI, a keenly anticipated and successful annual event (500,000 visitors in 2011), during which hundreds of particular locations, many of which are inaccessible during the rest of the year, are opened to the public (this year 670 locations across Italy will be open). The Mondadori guides will celebrate the 20th edition of the Giornate FAI di Primavera and anyone who buys a Mondadori Top10 guide on 24 or 25 March will also be supporting the initiatives of FAI – Fondo Ambiente Italiano.

Writers speaking

To celebrate the redesign and relaunch of the SIS, Scrittori Italiani e Stranieri series, Mondadori has organised four special encounters, to be held at the Teatro Franco Parenti in Milan, with some of the publishing house’s most important authors.

Taking the stage on 6 February will be Alessandro Piperno, on 27 February it will be the turn of Paolo Giordano, while on 5 March the guest will be Carlos Ruiz Zafon. This series of encounters will close with Margaret Mazzantini and David Grossman on 26 March.
Entry is free though limited to the capacity of the theatre.

After thirteen years, Mondadori is redesigning and relaunching the SIS, Scrittori Italiani e Stranieri series, the company’s most important fiction series that includes the great masters, new discoveries and the most fascinating and interesting voices of international literature.
Making a return of the covers of the titles from the Scrittori Italiani e Stranieri series is the noble and ancient symbol of the rose and a quotation from Dante “in su la cima” (right at the top), a symbol of patience and beauty that, since 1934 – when it appeared for the first time on the frontispiece of the Classici Italiani series – has characterised the books published by Edizioni Mondadori.