The Smooch imprint of Dorchester Publishing is hoping to catch teens' eyes this summer with a contest and the release of two books per month from July through October.
The young adult arm of Dorchester, aimed at girls 12—16, launched last September with The Year My Life Went Down the Loo by Katie Maxwell, the first book in the Emily series, which has four books planned. "The launch of the Smooch line was so successful," said manager of public relations Leah Hultenschmidt, "and we wanted to make a big splash when going to two books a month."
This summer's first two titles are Eyeliner of the Gods by Maxwell and Chloe, Queen of Denial by Naomi Nash. The books are related, telling two sides of a single story, which takes place on a summer archeological dig in Egypt. The covers of both books, when placed side-by-side, form one main image to emphasize that they are connected. Editor Kate Seaver said, "Since the books are linked editorially, we wanted a graphic representation of that as well."
A promotional contest, whose winner will receive round-trip airfare, three days/two nights accommodation in New York City, $500 in spending money and other goodies, is centered around the Egyptian books and is being run online at www.smoochya.com and www.seventeen.com. In order to enter the contest, readers must answer questions about the books. "People have to read the first chapters in order to get the information they need to enter the contest," said Hultenschmidt. "We're hoping they'll like the first chapters enough to keep reading."
Hultenschmidt hopes to have a similar program in place next year, with the possibility of beginning it earlier in the summer season. "We want to reach kids when they have more free time to read, and the summer months are key," she said.
Future releases this summer in the Smooch line include SuperWhat? by Jax Abbott, about the daughter of superheroes who comes into her own powers; and The Used-to-be-It Girl by Amy Kaye, about a former sitcom star who has to figure out how to survive high school.
