ANDY BRIGGS FILM 'SUPERVIZED' AT THE BERLINALE

Andy Briggs' upcoming comedy Supervized has finished post production, with Great Point Media behind sales at the Berlin Film Festival.

Directed by Steve Barron (Teenage Mutant Ninja TurtlesMike Bassett: England Manager) and produced by Barron and Kieran Corrigan (Evelyn), the film will star Tom Berenger (Platoon), Beau Bridges (The Mountain Between Us) Fionnula Flanagan (The Others), and Louis Gossett Jr (An Officer And A Gentleman).

Supervized follows a group of senior superheroes who have been put out to pasture in a care home but decide to come out of retirement to take down one last villain.

Great Point Media’s EFM slate also includes Damsel, the Robert Pattinson and Mia Wasikowska-starring comedy-drama that premiered in Sundance and will have its international premiered in competition at Berlin.

Another film of Andy’s, CROWHURST, is out in cinemas in March.

ICON BOOKS ACQUIRES SELF-CARE GIFT BOOK BY BUZZFEED UK EDITOR, AILBHE MALONE

Kiera Jamison, senior commissioning editor at Icon Books, has acquired World English language rights from Juliet Pickering at Blake Friedmann Agency to 101 TINY CHANGES TO BRIGHTEN YOUR DAY by Ailbhe Malone, Lifestyle Editor at BuzzFeed UK.

101 TINY CHANGES TO BRIGHTEN YOUR DAY is a beautifully packaged gift book filled with practical self-care tips for when you need a simple pick-me-up. It will offer help on how to look after yourself and your mental health, in an age where we too often forget to pause and take a breath.

With small actions, you can make a big improvement to your wellbeing – whether it’s making your phone a source of positivity instead of stress, engaging in habits that make you feel healthier and more positive, or preparing for darker days. Malone’s simple tips combined with witty illustrations from Naoise Dolan to create a resource you can dip into whenever you need a helping hand.

Jamison said: ‘The self-care trend is such a positive addition to the self-help and gift market, but what really struck me about Ailbhe’s approach is how practical and forgiving it is. You don't need to subscribe to a radical new plan; it's not about making sweeping New Year’s resolutions; it's just about making life better, one tiny act at a time. I love that. We’ll be publishing in October, a time when most people aren't prioritising looking after themselves and could use a friendly guide to brighten their days.’

Malone said: ‘I'm passionate about accessible, affordable self-care tips, and about finding out what works for you. So I'm delighted to work with Icon on this project. I've been a fan of Naoise's work for a long time, so it's a dream collaboration for me all round. I hope this book can find a home on your bookshelf, in your backpack, or on your desk at work - there for you whenever you need it.’

101 TINY CHANGES TO BRIGHTEN YOUR DAY will be a totem for your bedside table, backpack, or to give to a friend in need. It believes that you are worth looking after, even when you don’t.

Icon will publish as a £9.99 hardback in October 2018.

Women who shaped the world: I KNOW A WOMAN by Kate Hodges published today

The beautifully illustrated book, I KNOW A WOMAN by Kate Hodges, is published today by Quarto Books. A celebration of the world’s most influential and inspiring women, from artists to musicians to political activists, I KNOW A WOMAN reveals the unexpected connections that link them. The book contains a thoughtful foreword by author Lucy Mangan, and vibrant illustrations by Sarah Papworth.

Behind every great woman… is another great woman. Here, the extraordinary achievements, relationships and secret histories of 84 pioneering women are revealed in inspirational stories which together show the indomitable strength of womankind. From ground-breaking scientist Marie Curie to political activist Malala Yousafzai, from feminist author Virginia Woolf to the game-changing Billie Jean King; I KNOW A WOMAN creates a gigantic web of womanhood which celebrates the relationships between the world’s most inspirational and influential women. Threading tales from across the globe and throughout history, the lives of innovative aviatrixes, gun-toting revolutionaries and women with incomparable intellects are revealed.

Kate Hodges graduated from the University of Westminster with a BA in Print Journalism. She has over 20 years writing experience on magazines, having been a staffer on publications including The Face, Bizarre, Just Seventeen, Smash Hits and Sky, and written for many more, including The Guardian, The Sunday Express, Kerrang! and NME. She has also worked for Rapido TV, makers of the cult show Eurotrash, luxury brand marketing company Noir Luxe, and P For Production films. Her first book, Little London, a guide to free and cheap, family-friendly things to do in the capital, was published in 2014. London in an Hour and Rural London came out in 2016.

HEADLINE ANNOUNCE NEW TWO-BOOK DEAL WITH SHEILA O’FLANAGAN

© Bill Waters

Sunday Times bestselling author Sheila O’Flanagan has signed a two-book deal for World English language rights with Headline Publishing Group. The deal, negotiated by agent Isobel Dixon of Blake Friedmann and Headline Executive Publisher Marion Donaldson, means fans of Sheila can expect two exciting new titles in 2019 and 2020 from the Headline Review imprint.

Sheila O’Flanagan is the author of twenty-five thought-provoking, gripping and unforgettable Sunday Times and ebook bestsellers, including THE MISSING WIFE which was published in the US this month by Grand Central following its UK success. It became a Sunday Times and Irish Times paperback bestseller in 2017, as well as becoming a No.1 ebook bestseller. Her interlinked short story collection CHRISTMAS WITH YOU reached No. 2 in the Irish bestseller lists in the run up to Christmas. Headline has sold over 7 million copies of Sheila’s novels.

Sheila O’Flanagan says: ‘It has been a joy to work with the world-class team at Headline for so many years, and I look forward very much to continuing what has been a very satisfying professional and personal relationship.’

Isobel Dixon says: ‘It’s a great privilege to represent Sheila and her glorious books, and I’m absolutely delighted that we’re continuing a very happy relationship with Marion Donaldson and the super-effective team at Headline. Sheila’s delicious new book THE HIDEAWAY is out this summer, and with this deal inked, her fans can rest assured there’ll be even more splendid bestsellers in the years ahead.’

Marion Donaldson says: ‘I couldn’t be more thrilled; I’ve loved Sheila’s brilliant, sophisticated novels from the start. One of the most gratifying aspects of working with Sheila is that the books constantly evolve, with ever greater depth of characterization, new and recognizable dilemmas handled in a uniquely thoughtful and sensitive way, and a mixture of light and shade that helps create a perfectly balanced and utterly satisfying read. We are very proud at Headline to have published Sheila’s books for eighteen years, and to have shared her bestseller success on the Sunday Times and Irish Times bestseller lists time and time again. We look forward to more bestseller success this year and beyond.’

Sheila’s new novel WHAT HAPPENED THAT NIGHT, which tells the story of a mother and daughter and the life-changing decisions they make, will be published in paperback by Headline on 22 February. Set in a picturesque Spanish villa, Sheila’s next novel THE HIDEAWAY will be released on 31 May, just in time for the summer holidays. SHIELD OF LIES, the second book in Sheila’s Young Adult fantasy series THE CRYSTAL RUN is published on 8 March by Hodder.

Internationally, new translating publishers have recently acquired Sheila O’Flanagan titles, with new publications and deals in markets including Croatia, Estonia, Germany, Norway, Sweden, Russia, the Czech Republic and Italy.

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20th ANNIVERSARY EDITION PAPERBACK OF PETER JAMES’ CLASSIC THE TRUTH PUBLISHED TODAY

Suspense-lovers have much to be excited about as ten of Peter James’ classic backlist titles are republished by Orion including SWEETHEART, FAITH, HOST, TWILIGHT, DREAMER, ALCHEMIST, POSSESSION, DENIAL and PROPHECY. It marks an exciting period for Peter James fans, as the chilling suspense novels are brought to an audio audience for the first time. THE TRUTH, a dark tale of one couple’s desperate measures to avert financial ruin, is the first to be released in a 20th Anniversary Edition paperback today following the audiobook’s December publication. THE TRUTH audiobook, read by Matt Addis, features a new introduction read by Peter himself.

Susan and John Carter are crazy about each other and life is perfect but for one thing - they are on the brink of financial disaster. Surely being a surrogate mother to another man's child won't harm such a strong relationship? Especially when the mysterious Mr Sarotzini is offering to save their home and business - everything they've worked for.

What seems to be a perfect solution begins to feel like an impossible situation. Susan's pregnancy is disturbingly painful but no-one will tell her why. It becomes apparent that Sarotzini wields immense power and Susan begins to doubt everything she knows. As she realises the terrifying origin of the dark forces Saratzini controls she is in fear for herself and John but most of all for her unborn baby...

Peter was awarded an Honorary Platinum Award in January at the Specsavers Bestseller Awards, powered by Nielsen Book, recognising his considerable achievement, selling over five million copies in the UK over ten years. He will enter the Nielsen 21st Century Hall of Fame for bestselling authors. Peter’s outstanding contribution to the crime writing genre was also celebrated in October, when he travelled to Germany to receive the first Rheinbach Glass Dagger Award for Crime Fiction.

Tonight the Theatre Royal in Brighton hosts “An Evening with Peter James”, where Peter will talk about his career, his inspiration and his bestselling novels. On 15 February, he will be discussing his writing career at The Dead Good Evening event at the Sir Robert Woodard Academy in Lancing in aid of Care for Veterans.

Set to be DS Roy Grace’s most difficult case yet, the newest addition to Peter’s thrilling crime series DEAD IF YOU DON’T will be published by Pan Macmillan this May. In October ABSOLUTE PROOF, Peter’s stunning new standalone, will hit UK shelves with rights already sold across the world.

Peter James is an international bestselling thriller writer. He is a New York Times bestseller, as well as achieving multiple Sunday Times No 1s. His work is published in 37 languages. The DS Roy Grace crime novels have sold 19 million copies worldwide. He has won numerous awards, including the coveted 2016 CWA Diamond Dagger for sustained excellence, and he was publicly voted by WH Smith – Britain's biggest book selling chain – The Best Crime Author of All Time.

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Praise for Peter James:

‘Peter James is one of the best crime writers in the business’ — Lee Child

‘Peter James is one of the most fiendishly clever crime fiction plotters.’ — The Daily Mail

‘...fast-paced and gripping...’ — Jessica Hamzelou, New Scientist

‘...a blindingly hot read set at the edges of our reality and indicative that Peter James can carve a thriller as tortuous as the DNA Double-Helix – In a word, remarkable.’ — Ali Karim, Shots Mag

‘A superior thriller … agreeably chilling moments and entertaining twists.’ — The Times