Press Release for Thunderbirds Books

Thunderbirds Are Go!…Again!

US Publisher Now Licensed to Publish Novels Based on the Thunderbirds TV series

FTL Publications, a press based in Minnetonka, Minnesota, has received a license from Granada Ventures in London to produce two novels a year based on the Thunderbirds television series.

“I’m thrilled to have this license,” says Joan Marie Verba, the Publisher at FTL Publications. “No series of novels based on the original series has been published in 40 years, and never before has a North American publisher been granted a license to produce novels featuring these classic characters. It’s quite an honor.”

Verba believes there will be no problem finding readers in the US or Canada. “I run into people all the time who remember Thunderbirds from the 1960s, or from Tech TV, or currently, from the Voom! satellite channel.”

Verba herself is a fan of the Thunderbirds universe. “I remember watching the Gerry and Sylvia Anderson productions during the 1960s. I loved Supercar, and Stingray, and Fireball XL-5. I watched every episode. When Thunderbirds came along later, I enjoyed that series as well. Early in the 21st century, the complete series was released on DVD, and I was delighted to recapture all the excitement.”

Verba will write the novels as well. “As a fan myself, I know how important it will be to the readers that the characters and situations be true to the series. Each character has a following, and I know the readers will be watching to see that their particular character has enough to do. Further, fans of Thunderbirds will be pleased to know that there will be plenty of action and adventure, as well as rescues, rescues, and more rescues.” The events of the first book will be set just before the premiere episode, “Trapped in the Sky,” and will detail the development of International Rescue. That book will be released in June 2008. Subsequent novels will focus on each of the Tracy brothers.

A member of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America and a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, Verba has experience not only in writing in a futuristic setting, but also in writing stories that will appeal to every member of the family. Further, with a bachelor’s degree in physics and one year’s experience as an associate instructor of astronomy, Verba can bring a level of scientific expertise to the stories, as well.

Verba expects the books to appeal to a wide range of readers: “Thunderbirds was a great series, and has the potential to generate unlimited stories. I’m looking forward to engaging not only current Thunderbirds fans, but those who have not yet discovered Thunderbirds.” 

Posted by Publisher at 2/16/2008 9:23 PM

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