Portland, OR, March 2012―RainTown is delighted to announce the digital debut of Sarah Neufeld’s novel, Visibility, on May 20th, 2012.
RainTown Press purchased the rights to Visibility from its original publisher, Bowler Hat Comics, and has taken the opportunity to put their own stamp on it by redesigning the look of the novel. The first edition with the original artwork by D. Meister will still be available for purchase, as RainTown has chosen to release their version as an ebook, exclusively.
Natalie Irving is used to living in the shadow of her infamous mother’s celebrity—she’s done it all her life. So when she discovers that she has inherited Jaydn’s claim to fame, the talent to turn invisible, she knows she finally has the chance to step into the spotlight. Now that she is one of only two people in the world with such an ability, Natalie has a choice to make: follow in her mother’s footsteps or choose a different path, crafting a unique identity that is hers alone.
For all of you non-Oregon readers, we have some exciting news! Spartacus and the Circus of Shadows is now available in all formats through Amazon. Whether you prefer hardback, paperback, or reading on your Kindle, we’ve got you covered.
Molly is also making her way through various local bookstores. You can keep track of her through her Facebook page and her website, or track Spartacus news through the book’s official Facebook page. We also have some very exciting, super-secret stuff in the works right now. Keep checking back for more news.
Thank you, loyal Spartacus fans; we do it all for you!
Shannon and Misty are headed to Chicago for the National Council of Teachers of English convention! The too-early flight has guaranteed over-caffeination (these girls won’t be sleeping; yay for extra reading time). Booth set up started this afternoon and the Exhibition Hall opens at 12pm tomorrow. English teachers, come find us and let the Literary Death Match begin!
Follow our NCTE adventures on twitter and on our blog!
We’re proud to announce the release of our first book, Spartacus and the Circus of Shadows, by Molly E. Johnson and with illustrations by Robin E. Kaplan. He launched on his adventure in late October, and you never quite know where you’ll be seeing Spartacus next.
Currently the best place to buy Spartacus is through our website. If you’re a local Portlander, you can also pick up a copy at Green Bean Books and St. Johns Booksellers, or watch for Molly E. Johnson appearing at a bookstore near you.
We’ve got other buying options in the works, so stayed tuned.
Update: Spartacus is now available for Kindle!
Update: Amazon is officially now carrying all version of Spartacus. Hardback, paperback, and e-book. And the reviews have started coming in!
With the official release of Spartacus and the Circus of Shadows happening in just over a week, on October 26th, Spartacus and his author, Molly E. Johnson, are on the move. The blog tour for Spartacus, set up by The {Teen} Book Scene, started yesterday and will run until the end of next week. Check it out at the following awesome stops:
Monday, October 17: Corrine at Lost for Words (Author Interview)
Tuesday, October 18: Nicole at Books Complete Me (Review)
Wednesday, October 19: Reagan at Star Shadow Blog (When I’m Not Writing)
Thursday, October 20: Basma at In Between the Lines (Review)
Friday, October 21: Jessica T at Hopelessly Devoted Bibliophile (This or That List)
Monday, October 24: Jessica T at Hopelessly Devoted Bibliophile(Review)
Tuesday, October 25: Basma at In Between the Lines (Author Interview)
Wednesday, October 26: Corrine at Lost for Words (Review)
Thursday, October 27: Nicole at Books Complete Me (Tens List)
Friday, October 28: Reagan at Star Shadow Blog (Review)
You can currently pre-order Spartacus and the Circus of Shadows from our website.
Portland, OR, September, 2011—RainTown is delighted to announce their intention to release all versions (from hardback to e-book) of each title they publish, on the same day.
This cutting-edge move is being discussed in many publishing houses in an attempt to stay current with the present economic climate, but few have yet to implement it. RainTown’s decision to adopt this model from title one on, is sending a confident message about their perception for the future of books, and their role in this advancement.
“This is where we see publishing going, and we want to be on the forefront of this wave,” states Anna Noak, Associate Publisher for RainTown. “We want readers to be able to make the choice that works best for them. The expectation is that many publishers will be transitioning to this model in the future.” Embracing this uncharted territory, RainTown is sure to draw attention—keep an eye out for the next move they make.
RainTown Press is dedicated to encouraging young readers to become lifelong readers and lovers of great literature. RainTown Teaching Classics and RainTown Originals aim to engage young readers in a way that will exemplify and perpetuate America’s great book tradition and reading culture. They make it their mission to help give rise to young voices, speaking directly to the spirit they embody, through their books and other multimedia endeavors.
Hello friends and followers,
We’ve given the blog a bit of a makeover, and moved it over to its own space: Blogtown. This old blog is only going to be updated with press releases and RainTown news–all the fun stuff will be over on Blogtown, so update your bookmarks, and look for us there!
At RainTown Press, we feel there are few things in life that are as cool as making the kinds of books we love. Until today, we couldn’t think of anything much cooler. That is—until today. On a whim and a hunch, we solicited several authors of famous books to write quotes for our first book Spartacus and the Circus of Shadows by Portland author Molly E. Johnson—and this morning our prayers were answered. Dale E. Basye, author of the HECK: Where the Bad Kids Go series had much to say about Molly’s debut novel, and we would like to share his praise with you. Here’s what Dale had to say:
As an author, there’s a moment when noble emotions such as “admiration” and “respect” for a fellow scribe cross over into outright, green-eyed jealousy. And, about midway through reading Molly E. Johnson’s page-turning debut Spartacus and the Circus of Shadows, my appreciation for her quirky, breezy style quickly gave way to wanton prose-envy of the worst kind. The “E” surely stands for either “Effortless,” “Eclectic,” or perhaps “Eunice”…I can’t be sure. Only someone with the middle name of Eunice, like a creepy secret hidden at the nougaty center of their name, could create a charming outsider such as Spartacus Zander, AKA “Poop Lip.”
As exotic as his name is, Spartacus grounds the fantastical events of his story in a deeply affecting and relatable way. His insights and feelings at being a runaway in a difficult situation at a difficult age hold your metaphoric hand as Johnson leads you, circuitously, to the inevitable big showdown at the Big Top. But it’s the various roadside attractions and delightful deviations along the way that make her story sparkle like the creepy-shiny eyes of a carnie. Seriously: your mind will do advanced yoga moves at the story’s twisting twists and—at times—stomach-turning turns. But I’m a better person for every mile spent with Spartacus on his darkly comic road trip. And, if you’re from inner- or even outer-Portlandia, you will derive extra joy from the numerous inclusions of various beloved landmarks, twisted like a helium-filled balloon animal into Johnson’s wonderful story.
— Dale E-for-Eunice Basye
So, as it turns out, that the only thing cooler than making the books we love, is when authors of other books we love give praise for the books we make. Thanks, Dale. It means the world coming from you.
Order a copy of Spartacus RIGHT NOW. (instant gratification rules!)
Portland, OR—RainTown Press brings Robin Kaplan on board as illustrator for Molly E. Johnson’s debut novel, Spartacus and the Circus of Shadows. Using both traditional and digital media, Kaplan adds an extra punch to Spartacus’s wild adventure with 27 chapter plates and a stunning, full-color cover. “I’ve really enjoyed developing a gothic-ink style, harkening to some of my favorite kids books growing up,” says Kaplan. Robin E. Kaplan holds a BS in design from the Art Institute of Portland where she focused on video game art and children’s book illustration. Kaplan’s work has appeared on the online children’s show Mrs. P’s Magic Library and at art shows throughout the country. Spartacus and the Circus of Shadows is the thrilling middle grade coming-of-age adventure of thirteen-year-old Spartacus Zander who must rescue his human-cannonball mother from the sinister Bartholomew’s Circus of the Incredible. It releases October 2011. Established in 2010 by Cory Freeman, RainTown Press is Portland, Oregon’s, first and only independent press dedicated to publishing middle grade and young adult literature that engages avid and reluctant readers alike. For more information, please visit their website at http://www.raintownpress.com.
Trudy Zufelt, who runs the blog Boys and Reading, Writing and Learning, did a review of Spartacus, and also interviewed Spartacus’ author, Molly E. Johnson.
“Molly E. Johnson’s debut novel, Spartacus and the Circus of Shadows is a humorous novel with unforgettable characters and an unpredictable ending. I loved the travelers Spartacus ends up with. Spartacus’ quest is hilarious and even a bit heartbreaking. It’s a fun novel that is hard to put down. I loved the twist of a not so happily ever after ending. Anybody who has ever had an older brother will love the sibling dynamics. The author does a great job with the theme of loving and accepting others, especially your own family. My twelve year old and seventeen year old sons like the novel as well. Highly recommended for the middle school reader or ages 10-14.”