Adam Jay Epstein's Blog, page 11

The Familiars Movie - Visual Development

For those of you following the Familiars blog, we thought you might be interested not only in the adventures of the book getting released, but also in the adaptation of the book into a movie. We have been writing the screenplay for the Familiars since last fall, working with producer/director Sam Raimi (Spider-Man) and Sony Animation (Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs) to turn our novel into a 3D animated film. And recently, as the script continues to evolve, an amazing team of artists at Son...

Big-Name Celebrity Blurbathon

Now that THE FAMILIARS is edited and ready to go to galleys, you'd think all that would be left for us to do is put the champagne on ice and start the countdown to hitting bookstores. But alas, our adventure has only just begun. Yes, it turns out writing the book is only a small part of being an author. There's also marketing, promoting, and selling your book! That means blogging, vlogging, tweeting, interviews, pre-sales conferences, and getting blurbs.

Yes, blurbs. The blurb, or endorsement...

FamiliarMadness Champion - Shadowfax

It was an epic familiar showdown, with only two votes separating Shadowfax and Hedwig. But in the end, Shadowfax was the last animal companion standing, crowned champion. Now Gandalf's loyal steed will not only be known as the Lord of all Horses, but the Lord of all Familiars.

Congratulations.

The Championship - #1 Hedwig vs. #2 Shadowfax

First, yesterday's results: Hedwig cruised into the final with 75% of the vote.

Familiar Madness 2010
Championship

#1 Hedwig



vs.

#2 Shadowfax



Only one familiar will be left standing at the end to call themselves the greatest of them all. Will it be Harry Potter's owl, Hedwig, or Gandalf's horse, Shadowfax? Both animal companions share the most important qualities of being a familiar: loyalty, friendship, and magic.

Your vote will decide the winner!

The Final Four - #1 Hedwig vs. #5 Pyewacket

First, yesterday's results: It was the closest match-up yet. Shadowfax and Archimedes battled back and forth, but in the end, Shadowfax prevailed with a slim 57% of the vote.

Hogwarts Regional
Round Three

#1 Hedwig



vs.

#5 Pyewacket



Preview

It's owl versus cat as Harry Potter's familiar faces off against the feline companion of "Bell, Book, and Candles" Gillian Holyrod. The winner moves on to the Familiar Madness Tournament championship. Shadowfax awaits. Your vote decides!

Tomorrow: The Championship

The Final Four - #2 Shadowfax vs. #3 Archimedes

First, yesterday's results: Argo never really got out of the starting gate, as Hedwig moved on with 83% of the vote.

It began with 16 of literature, film, and television's best known familiars, and now it's down to the Final Four. Who will emerge as the greatest of them all?

Hogwarts Regional

#1 Hedwig vs. #5 Pyewacket

Middle-earth Regional

#2 Shadowfax vs. #3 Archimedes

Today, we visit Middle-earth:

#2 Shadowfax



vs.

#3 Archimedes



Preview

Horse vs. owl. Power vs. wisdom. Gandalf's familiar vs. Merlin's ...

Round Two - #1 Hedwig vs. #9 Argo

First, yesterday's results: Shadowfax wins in a laugher, taking out Iago with 80% of the votes.

Hogwarts Regional
Round Two

#1 Hedwig



vs.

#9 Argo



Preview

The Elite 8 wraps up with #1 Hedwig battling #9 Argo. Neither familiar was challenged in the first round, with Hedwig scoring 77% of the vote against Mister and Argo grabbing an even more impressive 80% over Flotsam and Jetsam. Xena's trusted palomino horse can't be counted out, but Harry's owl is the familiar to beat. Be sure to vote!

Tomorrow: Th...