Allen Wolf's Blog, page 4
June 13, 2018
From the Heart Productions Partners with Hooked the Movie
The non-profit organization, From the Heart Productions, is partnering with the film production of Allen Wolf’s Hooked so that all contributions
toward the movie are tax-deductible. “From the Heart Productions, Inc. is honored to provide fiscal sponsorship for the feature film project, Hooked,” says Carole Dean, the president of the non-profit. “We carefully select the films we sponsor, and believe that Hookedwill make a positive contribution to society and to the field of filmmaking.”[image error]
From the Heart has been successfully partnering with films since 1993 as a 501(c)3. They are classified as a public charity so that any monetary donations or non-cash contributions qualify as charitable contributions under the U.S. Tax Code. The organization issues receipts for the value of those goods or services as needed. From the Heart Productions will administer any funds received in support of Hooked. In 2017 and 2018, Great Non-Profits named From the Heart Productions as a top-rated non-profit.
“We carefully select the films we sponsor, and believe that Hookedwill make a positive contribution to society and to the field of filmmaking.”
Hooked is a romantic comedy that brings attention to human trafficking. The screenplay to Hooked has won multiple awards and the film is working toward going into production this August in Seattle. The film will be directed by Allen Wolf and the production team is made up of a mix of professionals and over 200 volunteers.
“As fiscal sponsor for Hooked, we will be closely monitoring its progress. We will contribute advice and feedback where needed on fundraising initiatives, trailers, rough cuts, festival submissions, distribution, and outreach strategies,” says Dean. “We are proud to endorse Hookedand encourage people to support this project as they work to bring awareness to the issue of human trafficking.”
For information about the crowdfunding campaign for Hooked, visit the Seed and Spark Website.
The post From the Heart Productions Partners with Hooked the Movie appeared first on Allen Wolf | Author, Filmmaker, Game Creator.
March 31, 2018
Contest Celebrates Disneyland
Disneyland has been one of the most inspiring places where I’ve worked on my novels so we’re going to celebrate that wonderful place in our new contest.
We’re giving away The Disneyland Encyclopedia which is filled with magical histories of Disneyland. Since its humble beginnings in the mid-1950s, Disneyland has captured the imagination of millions of v[image error]isitors. This new edition of The Disneyland Encyclopedia spans the entire history of the park, from its founding more than 60 years ago to the present day.
This fascinating book features detailed explorations of 600 Disneyland topics, including lands, attractions, restaurants, stores, events, and significant people. Each of the main encyclopedia entries illuminates the history of a Disneyland landmark, revealing the initial planning strategies for the park’s iconic attractions and detailing how they evolved over the decades.
Enriching this unique A-to-Z chronicle are profiles of the personalities who imagined and engineered the kingdom known as “The Happiest Place on Earth.” Discover unbuilt concepts, including Liberty Street, Rock Candy Mountain, and Chinatown, and delight in fascinating trivia about long-lost Disneyland features, from the real rifles in the shooting gallery that was once located on Main Street to the jet-packed Rocket Man who flew above Tomorrowland. The new “Mouscellany” feature adds fun facts, hidden secrets, and odd trivia to this third edition.
Overflowing with meticulously researched details and written in a spirited, accessible style, The Disneyland Encyclopedia is a comprehensive and entertaining exploration of the most-influential, most-renovated, and most-loved theme park in the world.
If you love Disneyland as much as I do, you’ll enjoy getting lost in the storytelling of this book. Enter to win today.
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March 28, 2018
Excuses to Eat More at Disneyland
If you were looking for excuses to eat more at Disneyland, your time has come. The resort is celebrating the imminent arrival of the Pixar Pier in Disney’s California Adventure (opening June 23) by offering special treats throughout both parks. Starting April 23, you can debate with friends whether a fried balogna sandwich is pronounced “balogna” or “belongee” as you stuff one into your mouth. Here’s what they’ll be featuring and the movies that inspired the menu:
“Up”
Fried Bologna Sandwich – Carnation Café, Disneyland park
Pork Chop TV Dinner – Carnation Café, Disneyland park
“Up” Merit Badge Éclair – Jolly Holiday Bakery Café, Disneyland park
Nutella Pastry with Chocolate Fredrickson House & Balloons – Capuccino Cart, Disneyland park
“Toy Story”
Root Beer Float Served in a Souvenir Woody’s Boot – Golden Horseshoe, Disneyland park
Berry Funnel Cake (House-made funnel cake topped with blueberries, strawberries, chocolate cookie crumbles, crème anglaise, white chocolate, and gold-dusted whipped cream) – Stage Door Café, Disneyland park
Strawberry Funnel Cake (Strawberry-cherry topping, strawberry butter and streusel, with spiced syrup drizzle) – Hungry Bear Restaurant, Disneyland park
Strawberry Churro – Tomorrowland, Disneyland park
“Coco”
Cocoa Churro (Chocolate and vanilla bean dust and salted cinnamon sugar served with a spiced Mexican chocolate dipping sauce) – Frontierland, Disneyland park
“Monsters, Inc.”
Mike Wazowski Bread – Pacific Wharf Café, Disney California Adventure park
Sulley Premium Popcorn Bucket – All Disneyland Resort popcorn carts
Mike Wazowski Sipper – Disney California Adventure park quick-service restaurants
Which of these treats are you most excited to try?
Bon apetit!
The post Excuses to Eat More at Disneyland appeared first on Allen Wolf | Author, Filmmaker, Game Creator.
March 20, 2018
How to Love Others Well
Author Paul Tripp wrote a blog about how to love others well and I found it very compelling. Here are the highlights:
1. Love IS willing self-sacrifice for the good of another that does not require reciprocation or that the person being loved is deserving.
2. LOVE IS being willing to have your life complicated by the needs and struggles of others without impatience or anger.
3. LOVE IS actively fighting the temptation to be critical and judgmental toward another while looking for ways to encourage and praise.
4. LOVE IS making a daily commitment to resist the needless moments of conflict that come from pointing out and responding to minor offenses.
5. LOVE IS being lovingly honest and humbly approachable in times of misunderstanding.
6. LOVE IS being more committed to unity and understanding than you are to winning, accusing, or being right.
7. LOVE IS a making a daily commitment to admit your sin, weakness, and failure and to resist the temptation to offer an excuse or shift the blame.
8. LOVE IS being willing, when confronted by another, to examine your heart rather than rising to your defense or shifting the focus.[image error]
9. LOVE IS making a daily commitment to grow in love so that the love you offer to another is increasingly selfless, mature, and patient.
10. LOVE IS being unwilling to do what is wrong when you have been wronged, but looking for concrete and specific ways to overcome evil with good.
11. LOVE IS being a good student of another, looking for their physical, emotional, and spiritual needs so that in some way you can remove the burden, support them as they carry it, or encourage them along the way.
12. LOVE IS being willing to invest the time necessary to discuss, examine, and understand the relational problems you face, staying on task until the problem is removed or you have agreed upon a strategy of response.
13. LOVE IS being willing to always ask for forgiveness and always being committed to grant forgiveness when it is requested.
14. LOVE IS recognizing the high value of trust in a relationship and being faithful to your promises and true to your word.
15. LOVE IS speaking kindly and gently, even in moments of disagreement, refusing to attack the other person’s character or assault their intelligence.
16. LOVE IS being unwilling to flatter, lie, manipulate, or deceive in any way in order to co-opt the other person into giving you what you want or doing something your way.
17. LOVE IS being unwilling to ask another person to be the source of your identity, meaning, and purpose, or inner sense of well-being, while refusing to be the source of theirs.
18. LOVE IS the willingness to have less free time, less sleep, and a busier schedule in order to be faithful to what God has called you to be and to do as a spouse, parent, neighbor, etc.
19. LOVE IS a commitment to say no to selfish instincts and to do everything that is within your ability to promote real unity, functional understanding, and active love in your relationships.
20. LOVE IS staying faithful to your commitment to treat another with appreciation, respect, and grace, even in moments when the other person doesn’t seem deserving or is unwilling to reciprocate.
21. LOVE IS the willingness to make regular and costly sacrifices for the sake of a relationship without asking for anything in return or using your sacrifices to place the other person in your debt.
22. LOVE IS being unwilling to make any personal decision or choice that would harm a relationship, hurt the other person, or weaken the bond of trust between you.
23. LOVE IS refusing to be self-focused or demanding, but instead looking for specific ways to serve, support, and encourage, even when you are busy or tired.
24. LOVE IS daily admitting to yourself, the other person, and God that you need God’s protecting, providing, forgiving, rescuing, and delivering grace.
Which of these will you put into practice today?
March 5, 2018
How I Found John August’s Golden Ticket
A Fan of John August
I’ve been a long-time supporter of John August’s work. You might recognize him as the writer of Charlie’s Angels, Big Fish, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, or any of his other movies. I joined John’s Kickstarter campaign for his Writer Emergency Pack, attended his directorial premiere of The Nines at the Sundance Film Festival, saw his Broadway show Big Fish, and met John on a few occasions. I’m also a big fan of Scriptnotes, the screenwriting podcast John hosts with Craig Maizen, which I’ve been listening to since it launched in 2011. As a writer of screenplays and novels myself, Scriptnotes has been an essential part of my artistic growth.
So in February 2018, when John launched his first novel, Arlo Finch in the Valley of Fire, I was excited to explore his latest work. The book is aimed at middle-graders and has magical elements ala Harry Potter, so I was immediately interested, especially since I’ve also been writing for middle grade. To mark the occasion, John started a new podcast called Launch to chronicle the making of his book.
The “Golden Ticket”
During his podcast, John ventured down to the publishing plant that was printing his book to get a firsthand look at the process. While he was there, he placed special stickers in five of his books, his own version of Willy Wonka’s golden ticket. He let listeners know these five unique books would be fanning out across the United States, and if a reader discovers one, they’ll get a special surprise.
I started reading Arlo Finch on Kindle soon after it was released. After hearing the podcast, however, I was also interested in seeing how the physical copy looked, so I reserved a print copy at three local libraries. I got a notice that one of the books had arrived. When I pulled it off the shelf, I opened it up to discover… the special sticker! Inside the front cover was a message signed by John August that read, “Hey there! You have found a very special copy of this book. I am tracking where these books end up. Please email me at info@johnaugust.com. I would like to send you something special. Thanks!”
Crazy Circumstances
It fascinated me to think about all the circumstances that had to line up for me to be the person to find one of the books. I almost didn’t pick up the book version since I was reading it electronically, and at the library where I found it, they had 10 copies in circulation. Yet, this was the one destined for me.
I immediately snapped a picture of the sticker and emailed it to the email address. The next day, I got an email from his assistant, Megan:
Hi Allen, what a coincidence! I’ve been emailing those online retailers looking for answers. Would you be interested in hopping on the phone with John today or tomorrow? Thanks! Megan
We set up a time for me to talk with John on Friday and I asked if I was the first person to find the book. She told me I was the second, by a hair. Both of us who found a book reported it on the same day.
Interview with John
The next day at 4:00 p.m. John called.
“This is John August. Do you mind if I record this call?”
I said I didn’t mind and realized I might be part of a future podcast. John asked me about the book and said the episode he was working on would be about statistical possibilities and the likelihood of moments happening. We talked for a few minutes about the book and a few other things.
“You don’t sound like you’re between eight and twelve years old,” John said, since that was the target audience for his book.
I laughed and confirmed his suspicion. He asked me what I thought of Arlo Finch. I had only been able to read the first four chapters at that point but I told him I loved the way he set up the story and built in tension right away. It made me realize something exciting was going to be happening every time I turned the page.
I wondered what would happen when I returned the book to the library. Would each person who checked it out email John to tell him they had found it? John told me he’d send me a sticker that said “Allen Wolf found this book first,” to solve that problem.
The Launch Podcast
Days later, John’s final Launch podcast aired, and you can hear part of our conversation and the likelihood of any of this happening. John tweeted about two of the books being found and posted the picture I had emailed him. Several people commented about being frustrated by not finding one of those books.
It’s not too late. There are three more special stickers out there. Perhaps your circumstances will line up too. And, in case you’re wondering, that something special is a specially designed water bottle that John gave to people who were key in making Arlo Finch and his podcast possible. I look forward to finishing his book, listening to the next Scriptnotes podcast, and discovering whatever else John August has up his sleeve.
February 8, 2018
Is Disneyland Safe?
With all the craziness all over the world, some people might wonder if Disneyland is safe since it’s a major tourist destination. If anything happens regarding safety at Disneyland, it’s a big deal. I discovered that personally on May 28, 2013, when I accidentally broke an international news story while I was at Disneyland working on a screenplay.
I Heard A Boom
In Toontown, I was sitting at a table in the City Hall where I often went to write screenplays. All of a sudden, I heard a very loud gunshot–a strange sound to hear in that area of the park. I stopped what I was doing and felt my skin tingle. I looked up from my computer, wondering if anyone else noticed. People nearby also stopped doing and were looking around. There was a nervousness in the air. I exchanged glances with several people and it became obvious that none of us knew what had happened. After a few moments, people hurried onward.
Security Appeared
This tweet started a news cycle.
Security personnel soon appeared and asked us to leave the area. Before I slide my computer into my bag, I tweeted, “Something went BOOM in Toontown at Disneyland and now they’re evacuating.” There was a tenseness as employees ushered us from the area while security personnel formed a wall between us and a set of trashcans next to the parked trolley. Taking a few pictures of the fleeing crowds, I posted them on my Twitter account. I had been to Disneyland hundreds of times but had never experienced something like that.
I relocated to another one of my favorite writing spots in Frontierland and returned to my writing, wondering what had happened.
My Tweet Became News
My phone started buzzing. I picked it up and noticed I had several messages on my Twitter account. Then I started getting calls from NBC, CBS, and ABC news who had tracked down my phone number.
One of the TV news producer asked, “We’re not allowed to come into the park but can you meet us outside of the entrance to give us a statement?”
“Is this really a big deal?” I asked.
“Any news at Disneyland is a big deal.”
I said, “no” because I had work to do. Then the calls kept coming in and I noticed others had tweeted about the boom in Toontown. A radio station sent me a message and asked if they could interview me live on air. I agreed, since I could do the interview and keep writing. There was something strange about sitting in the midst of churro-eating tourists wearing Mickey ears while I was doing a live interview about an incident that happened at the park.
After the interview, I got even more calls and messages. A news organization in Russia asked if they could use my pictures. Then CNN sent me a message asking me to get in touch with them.
Finally, I agreed to step out of the park to talk to the news stations. I packed my computer and hurried past the throngs of people watching the parade marching down Main Street. Crossing the street, I found several news trucks lined up in front of the hotels. I told them who I was and each station interviewed me about what I experienced in Toontown.
News Traveled
Rachel Maddow broke the news on MSNBC where she described it as a “dry ice explosion.”
Cast Members block the entrance to Disneyland while police investigate.
That night, I returned home and flipped through the stations to see if they had discovered any more information. It was strange to see my face on NBC.
The Los Angeles Times ran the picture I took of people evacuating Toon Town as well as my Twitter conversations with people, and that night I agreed to allow CNN to publish the pictures I took at the scene. Thousands of news sites and TV stations ran the story all over the world.
The next day, the news revealed that the gunshot sound was caused by an “improvised explosive device” created by a Disney employee, Christian Barnes. He was 22 years old and was held on a $1 million bond for creating a “dry ice bomb.” He was a vendor who put dry ice into a bottle filled with liquid, which he placed into a trash can where it exploded.
The Verdict Was In
Barnes pleaded not guilty to possession of a destructive device in a public space. Since no one was injured, the judge allowed him to plead guilty to one misdemeanor count of possession of a destructive device. The judged sentenced Barnes to three years’ probation, 36 days in jail and 100 hours of community service. The judge also ordered Barnes to stay away from Disneyland.
Given the way his dad talked about his son, I wonder if Barnes was experimenting or thought of it more as a prank that went terribly, terribly wrong. Though, he never made a statement supporting either theory.
Disneyland Changed Their Security
Since that time, Disneyland has dramatically increased its security procedures at the park. Now you can’t get anywhere near the Disneyland gates without going through TSA-style security.
In the over 400 days I’ve been to Disneyland, the day of the “dry ice bomb” was one of the most surreal. I’m glad Disneyland took it seriously. Through my experience with all of this, I discovered the great lengths Disneyland will go through to protect the people who visit the park. On their website Disneyland says, “We have a comprehensive approach to security that includes measures that are visible and others that are not. We do not broadly discuss the specifics of our security procedures to avoid compromising their effectiveness.” I feel safe whenever I’m there with my family. It takes a lot to protect the Happiest Place on Earth.
Do you think this deserved to be an international news story? Do you think Barnes was treated fairly?
November 22, 2017
The Best and Worst at Disneyland During the Holidays
The twinkling lights, sparkling decorations, Christmas parade, and fireworks mean it’s the holiday season at the Disneyland Resort. Here’s the best and worst at the Disney theme parks so you can make sure your holiday trip is extra magical:
The Best:
Let it Snow: Growing up in Ohio meant Christmas=cold and snow. But in Southern California, Christmas=warm and sunshine. Disneyland rushed to the rescue with their fake snow. Not only is it plasticized and strategically placed across the top of Sleeping Beauty’s castle to make it look like they’re braving a snowy winter, it also falls from the sky at the end of their spectacular fireworks show, “Believe…in Holiday Magic” (spoiler alert: it’s soap). If that’s not enough, they launch snowflakes bigger than my four-year-old child at the end of “World of Color: Season of Light” in California Adventure while you gawk and wonder, “How’d they do that?” It’s magical.
Yummy Treats: The Disneyland Resort knows how to delight your taste buds. It’s a foodies dream. On a recent trip, I bought a chocolate covered Mickey marshmallow treat thinking it was just that. But – surprise! – it was marshmallows, covered with caramel, covered with chocolate, covered with sugar, covered with my mouth.
They bring out so many treats it’s hard not to find an excuse to indulge in something. They even create candy canes by hand alternatively between Trolley Treats in California Adventure and the Candy Palace in Disneyland. If you’re there on a day when they’re being made, you’ll get a wristband you can use to return later to buy a candy cane that will melt in your mouth as it melts away your wallet. They’re around $15. But Mmmmmmm…
The Food: Throughout the holidays, the Disneyland Resort changes out the menu at several restaurants in both parks and offers mini bites and wine during the Festival of Holidays in California Adventure. One of my favorite places to eat in that park is the Plaza Grill that offers a Mexican menu in conjunction with their Viva Navidad celebration. The week of Christmas, Flo’s V-8 Café and Carnation Plaza (in Disneyland) offers a turkey meal that’s delicious.
Mardi gras themed Christmas decorations.
The Shows: In both parks, there are tons of festivities to ring in the holidays. In Disneyland, the fireworks in Disneyland are fantastic and I always appreciate the nod to the real meaning of Christmas when the music plays “Silent Night” and a single firework shoots across the sky to look like the star of
Bethlehem. I also enjoy the Christmas Fantasy Parade where you get to see toy soldiers play trumpets and hear Santa say “Merry Christmas” in multiple languages. The Candlelight Ceremony is especially meaningful but is not advertised because of its popularity. It’s December 2nd & 3rd and features an orchestra, choir, and a celebrity reading Christmas passages from the Bible. In Calfornia Adventure, Viva Navidad is delightful and they have entertainment throughout the day.
The Decorations: Both parks feature decorations that match the theme of different areas. In Disneyland, New Orleans square lights up with Mardi Gras themed Christmas decorations, Frontierland has more of a rustic appeal, Fantasyland’s décor is more light and airy, and Main Street features animpressive Christmas tree and many lights. In California Adventure, they redo the shop windows on Buena Vista Street and give Radiator Springs a fantastic makeover filled with visual treats.
The Rides: During the holidays, they re-theme several attractions to give them a fresh spin. In Disneyland, It’s a Small World is themed for Christmas and the music is far less irritating than hearing the small world song bore a hole in your ears. The re-theming of the Haunted Mansion also ads a fun dimension to that ride. In California Aventure, they add some Christmas flare to Mater’s Jingle Jamboree and Luigi’s Joy to the Whirl attraction in Radiator Springs.
The Worst:
The Crowds: There’s a reason the Disneyland Resort blocks out nearly all of their passholders during the week of Christmas: it’s incredibly crowded. You are in a constant sea of people and it can feel particularly crushing after one of the big shows has ended and you’re trying to make your way out of the park. For parents, it can be unnerving but a stroller can help part the seas. Pro tip: when a show has ended, find a place nearby to sit down to wait out the crowds or slip into a ride near the event and – voila! – the crowd has disappeared when it’s over.
Being Incorrectly Politically Correct: In California Adventure, they feature a tree near the entrance that is decorated with twinkling Christmas lights, Christmas ornaments, and images of Santa’s face. It
This is NOT a Christmas tree.
looks suspiciously like a Christmas tree but the Disneyland Resort labels it as the “Holiday Tree.” Every night they light the “Holiday Tree.” I’ve asked Disney Cast Members why it’s not called a Christmas Tree and the answer I most frequently got was “they’re trying not to offend anyone.” A few of them even told me they thought it was ridiculous. Come on, Disneyland, we all know it’s a Christmas Tree.
Angels with Pumpkin Heads: While I think the re-theming of the Haunted Mansion is great, I’m always disturbed at the end of the ride where they’ve removed the heads of angels blowing trumpets and replaced them with scary jack-o-lantern heads. Given the significance of the birth of Jesus, I’ve always felt those props were in poor taste. Mixing up Christmas and Halloween is inherently funny but I think they cross a line when they tamper with the birth of Jesus. Am I being too sensitive?
Okay, my “Worst” list is short. I didn’t mention all the holiday merchandise because it’s not really my thing. I once bought the blinking Christmas lights necklace and wore it around proudly but that has been the extent of my purchasing. If you’re excited about Christmas merchandise, you’ll find it in abundance.
The holiday season is one of my favorite times of year to visit the Disneyland parks and I’ve always thought it was well worth the trip. If you can endure the crowds, you can enjoy a magical day.
What do you think is the best/worst at the Disneyland parks during the holidays?
August 25, 2017
The Wizard of Oz Opened in Theaters 78 Years Ago Today
Today is the day when The Wizard of Oz first opened in theaters across the United States 78 years ago. Amazingly, it didn’t become popular until it started airing repeatedly on TV starting in 1956. That’s where I first experienced the magical story many years later when it became a yearly tradition for my family to watch The Wizard of Oz when it aired around Easter. One of my favorite parts of the movie was when the tornado destroyed Dorothy’s farm but the TV always cut to a commercial in the middle of that scene. So frustrating. The Wizard of Oz has now likely been seen by more people than any other movie in film history.
Over the years, multiple theories have developed about the themes behind the story. Some see it as a Christian allegory with the yellow brick road representing the path to heaven while others look at the same symbols in the story as an atheist allegory, since the Wizard (spoiler alert) turns out not to be real. Other theories say the story is about female empowerment, that adults are weak, or Glinda is the true villain of Oz (sorry, little girls everywhere).
I’ll be putting my own spin on Baum’s The Wizard of Oz story in two upcoming novels, The Journey to Oz, and The Quest for Oz. To celebrate the completion of my novels, I’m giving away a beautifully designed collectible book that commemorates the release of The Wizard of Oz.
Written by the foremost authorities on the subject—Jay Scarfone and William Stillman—and designe
d in close collaboration with Warner Bros., The Wizard of Oz: The Official 75th Anniversary Companion delivers an entertaining and interactive experiece, transporting readers over the rainbow and into the Land of Oz. The authors detail filmmaking secrets—the inspiration behind the film’s realistic tornado; why Dorothy’s shoes were ruby-colored;
and how the filmmakers got a fleet of monkeys to fly. They also reveal never-before-seen artwork from their personal collections, including rare stills, Technicolor test frames, and costume and set illustrations.
Enter my giveaway to win The Wizard of Oz: The Official 75th Anniversary Companion.
I’m so thankful The Wizard of Oz was created over 75 years ago because it opened my imagination to a colorful new world when I was a child. Where did you first see The Wizard of Oz? How has the movie impacted you?
July 27, 2017
Hooked Wins Gold Medal from Literary Classic Awards
A.D. Wolf’s romantic comedy novel Hooked won the Gold Medal from the Literary Classic Awards. Selected from submissions by entrants around the world, Hooked was recognized as exceptional literature by the panel of judges comprised of experts with backgrounds in publishing, writing, editing, design, illustration, and book reviewing.
Hooked is about a man who believes he found his perfect soulmate but his autism prevents him from realizing she’s actually a prostitute. In its review, Literary Classics called Hooked “a wonderfully comedic and light-hearted read. This book could easily be made into a movie, which is no surprise given that the author is also a filmmaker. Hooked is replete with comedy, action, drama and suspense.”
Wolf was thrilled to receive the award. “I appreciate all the recognition Hooked has received. I especially love hearing feedback from readers about how much the story moved them. These awards are icing on that cake.”
Hooked also won a Book of the Year Award from Foreword Reviews, Gold Medal from Readers’ Favorite Book Awards, and the Silver Medal from the Benjamin Franklin Book Awards, among others. Kirkus Reviews called Hooked, “Entertaining, Well-Paced, and Highly Visual. It’s a charming, humorous, and hopeful tale. A quirky, touching love story that offers insights into autism, religion, and personal tragedy.”
Literary Classics is dedicated to furthering excellence in literature while promoting classic literature that appeals to youth, while educating and encouraging positive values. Judging was based upon the criteria set forth by the awards committee which seeks to honor books promoting character, vision, creativity and learning, through content which educates and inspires audiences. The Literary Classics Award Ceremony will be held in conjunction with the Great American Book Festival in Rapid City, South Dakota, over Labor Day Weekend in 2017.
Hooked is available in print, eBook, or Audiobook from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Books-a-Million, and at local bookstores through Indiebound.
July 15, 2017
Contest Celebrates Completion of New Wizard of Oz Book
Wizard of Oz which she has never believed until her mom is abducted to the Land of Oz. Thea sets out to rescue her mom and must also save Oz from the shocking return of the Wicked Witch of the West.Allen’s writing has received numerous awards, including a Book of the Year Award from Foreword Reviews, Gold Medal from Literary Classics Awards, Silver Medal from the Benjamin Franklin Awards, Bronze Medal from IP Awards, and finalist recognition from USA Book Awards.
To celebrate the completion of The Quest for Oz, the website is giving away the beautifully designed book that commemorates the seventy-fifth anniversary of The Wizard of Oz. Officially licensed with Warner Bros., this collectible edition features accessible text, a host of never-before-seen memorabilia, and nine removable features.
Written by the foremost authorities on the subject—Jay Scarfone and William Stillman—and designed in close collaboration with Warner Bros., The Wizard of Oz: The Official 75th Anniversary Companion delivers an entertaining and interactive experience, transporting readers over the rainbow and into the wonderful Land of Oz. The authors detail filmmaking secrets—the inspiration behind the film’s realistic tornado; why Dorothy’s shoes were ruby-colored; and how the filmmakers got a fleet of monkeys to fly—and reveal never-before-seen artwork from their personal collection, including, but not limited to, rare stills, Technicolor test frames, and costume and set illustrations.
Additionally, the book will contain nine removable features as well as several innovative graphic components. More than your average anniversary edition, this book promises to be the most definitive look at The Wizard of Oz yet. It is comprehensive in its scope yet accessibly written and beautifully designed—perfect for The Wizard of Oz fans, film buffs of all ages, and collectors.
Enter the contest today.
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