Monthly Archives: March, 2023
Renowned Scientist Robert Lanza and Award-Winning Author Nancy Kress’s OBSERVER is #1 National Bestseller
Observer by Robert Lanza and Nancy Kress
Cover of the #1 bestseller OBSERVER by Robert Lanza and Nancy Kress
NEW YORK, March 31, 2023 (Newswire.com) - The Story Plant announced today that OBSERVER by Robert Lanza, one of Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential People for his pioneering work in stem cell research, and Nancy Kress, whose novels have won multiple Hugo and Nebula awards, was the #1 overall top bestseller on Barnes & Noble in ebooks as well as being a #1 Amazon bestseller in numerous categories (and in the top 20 for all fiction and nonfiction ebooks sold in the United States).
OBSERVER also received prestigious "starred reviews" from both Kirkus Reviews and Publishers Weekly, calling it "Mind-bending… A thought-provoking fictional examination of big ideas" and a "brilliant Crichtonesque thriller," respectively.
OBSERVER is a tour de force collaboration that combines Lanza's work at the forefront of science and technology and Kress's talent for crafting critically acclaimed novels. The plot centers on Caro Soames-Watkins, a talented young neurosurgeon whose career has been upended by controversy. Forced to accept a job at a mysterious medical facility and tasked with conducting dubious experiments into the nature of consciousness, reality, and life after death, she finds a lot more than she bargained for, including murder, love, and cutting-edge science that tests her understanding of life itself.
Publisher Lou Aronica, legendary editor of such science fiction greats as Ray Bradbury and Arthur C. Clarke, says, "I am delighted that so many people have embraced this novel, which is both a great reading experience and profoundly illuminating. I'm thrilled to see it get the audience it deserves."
Hailed by Rhonda Byrne, #1 New York Times bestselling author, as "Brilliant … A riveting and moving story" and by Kim Stanley Robinson, New York Times bestselling author, as "a startling, fascinating novel." Robin Cook, #1 New York Times bestselling author, called OBSERVER "a thrilling story you won't soon forget."
The Story Plant is a book publisher founded in 2008 by long-time industry veterans Lou Aronica and Peter Miller. The company focuses on quality publishing fiction for a broad readership. It is distributed in the United States by National Book Network.
Contact Information:Lou Aronica
President and Publisher
[email protected]
203-722-7920
Original Source: Renowned Scientist Robert Lanza and Award-Winning Author Nancy Kress's OBSERVER is #1 National Bestseller
pixiv partners with Crypton Future Media to hold the ‘Hatsune Miku 16th Anniversary Illustration Contest’ in celebration of Hatsune Miku’s Sweet Sixteen
TOKYO, March 31, 2023 (Newswire.com) - pixiv Inc. (hereinafter referred to as "pixiv", Office: Shibuya, Tokyo, Representative Director: Shingo Kunieda)'s communication platform "pixiv", where users can share illustrations, manga, and novels, is collaborating with Crypton Future Media, Inc. (hereinafter referred to as "Crypton") on their project "Hatsune Miku, Happy 16th Birthday -Dear Creators-" and will hold the pixiv x Crypton "Hatsune Miku 16th Anniversary Illustration Contest" from March 31, 2023.
"Hatsune Miku 16th Anniversary Illustration Contest" Special Page:
https://www.pixiv.net/contest/miku16th
This year, the virtual singer Hatsune Miku will be celebrating her sixteenth anniversary, meaning that her real-life age has finally caught up to her official virtual age! To celebrate, Crypton is launching the project "Hatsune Miku, Happy 16th Birthday -Dear Creators-", with one element of the project involving an illustration contest in partnership with pixiv. pixiv will also be celebrating the 16th anniversary of its founding this year. Fans are encouraged to submit new original illustrations of Hatsune Miku, as well as older illustrations previously posted on pixiv.
The 390 winning works will be exhibited at various events being held to celebrate this sweet sixteenth anniversary and printed in a digital artbook collection, while winners of the Special Prize may have their works adapted into commemorative merchandise.
*Please check the contest guidelines on the special website for further details.
pixiv will continue to carry out contests to fulfill its mission of "building an exciting space for everyone to enjoy creative activities".
■ About "Hatsune Miku, Happy 16th Birthday -Dear Creators-"
Crypton Future Media, Inc. created this project to commemorate the sixteenth anniversary of their virtual singer Hatsune Miku.
Hatsune Miku is a voice synthesizer software launched on August 31st, 2007 that was created to sound like a sixteen-year-old girl. Since her launch, she has inspired countless creators to create music, illustrations, videos, CG and other genres of media featuring her character.
This project aims to bring creators together to reflect upon 16 years of creative joy and love, while fostering the creative culture of the future.
Hatsune Miku 16th Anniversary Special Website: https://piapro.net/miku16thbd
■ About Hatsune Miku https://piapro.net
Hatsune Miku is a "virtual singer" software developed by Crypton Future Media, Inc. that allows anyone using the software to make a song simply by entering lyrics and a melody.
Many creators have created songs for Hatsune Miku and posted them online, which prompted an online movement that allowed Hatsune Miku to become what she is today. The "character" aspect of Hatsune Miku has also gained widespread attention, and her popularity continues to expand worldwide through merchandising, live shows, and many other activities.
Hatsune Miku was released on August 21st, 2007 as the first in the Character Vocal Series (CV Series) virtual singer software. After sixteen years of collaborations with various creators, she is now preparing to celebrate her sweet sixteenth birthday on August 31st, 2023. The centerpiece visual for her sixteenth anniversary was created by illustrator/designer Rella, and celebrates Hatsune Miku's sixteen years while looking forward to her expanding future.
■ About pixiv https://www.pixiv.net/about.php?lang=en
pixiv is a social networking service for creators, focused on "communication through sharing works". It launched in September 2007 as a specialized service for presenting and exchanging artistic works (illustrations, manga, and novels), based on the philosophy of "creating a space for making artistic activities more fun". Currently, pixiv has more than 90 million registered users.
■ pixiv Inc https://www.pixiv.co.jp
Representative Director: Shingo Kunieda
Established: July 25th, 2005
Contact: Takahashi and Nishidoi
E-mail: [email protected]
Mika Nishidoi
editor, pixivision
[email protected]
Original Source: pixiv partners with Crypton Future Media to hold the 'Hatsune Miku 16th Anniversary Illustration Contest' in celebration of Hatsune Miku's Sweet Sixteen