Sep 20, 2018
The following is from Deadline: The company, which is producing forthcoming Jenna Coleman-fronted BBC drama The Cry, won the hotly contest auction for the book, which was published by imprints Echo and Zaffre – part of Bonnier Books UK – in January 2018.
The series is already in development and Synchronicity hopes that it will be ready to air in January 2020, to tie in with the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. Jacquelin Perske, who adapted The Cry and wrote Australian drama Seven Types of Ambiguity, is attached to write.The book tells the true story of Lale Sokolov, a Jewish prisoner who was given the job of tattooing identification numbers on prisoners’ arms in the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp during World War Two. One day, he met Gita while she was waiting in line to be tattooed and it was love at first sight. And so began one of the most life-affirming, courageous, unforgettable and human stories of the Holocaust and a tale of the very best of humanity in the very worst of circumstances.
Claire Mundell, founder and creative director at Synchronicity Films, struck the deal for the book rights with CAA, which represented Bonnier Books UK. She said, “We are beyond thrilled to have secured the rights to this incredibly brilliant, confronting and uplifting book. I fell in love with it within a few pages and was desperate to bring it to the screen, to reach the widest audience possible for this unforgettable story. There was a huge amount of interest in this title and I am grateful that Heather Morris, Bonnier Books UK and CAA responded so well to our vision for the story.”
Author Morris added, “Lale Sokolov placed a great deal of trust in me when he first shared his story. I am now passing that baton on and am so pleased that Synchronicity Films was successful in negotiating for the rights. Claire and her colleagues have an obvious passion for my book and have demonstrated clear sensitivity to producing a real person’s story. I know Lale will be smiling down at this new phase of his and Gita’s story”.
The #1 International Bestseller & New York Times Bestseller
This beautiful, illuminating tale of hope and courage is based on interviews that were conducted with Holocaust survivor and Auschwitz-Birkenau tattooist Ludwig (Lale) Sokolov—an unforgettable love story in the midst of atrocity.
“The Tattooist of Auschwitz is an extraordinary document, a story about the extremes of human behavior existing side by side: calculated brutality alongside impulsive and selfless acts of love. I find it hard to imagine anyone who would not be drawn in, confronted and moved. I would recommend it unreservedly to anyone, whether they’d read a hundred Holocaust stories or none.”—Graeme Simsion, internationally-bestselling author of The Rosie Project
In April 1942, Lale Sokolov, a Slovakian Jew, is forcibly transported to the concentration camps at Auschwitz-Birkenau. When his captors discover that he speaks several languages, he is put to work as a Tätowierer (the German word for tattooist), tasked with permanently marking his fellow prisoners.
Imprisoned for over two and a half years, Lale witnesses horrific atrocities and barbarism—but also incredible acts of bravery and compassion. Risking his own life, he uses his privileged position to exchange jewels and money from murdered Jews for food to keep his fellow prisoners alive.
One day in July 1942, Lale, prisoner 32407, comforts a trembling young woman waiting in line to have the number 34902 tattooed onto her arm. Her name is Gita, and in that first encounter, Lale vows to somehow survive the camp and marry her.
A vivid, harrowing, and ultimately hopeful re-creation of Lale Sokolov’s experiences as the man who tattooed the arms of thousands of prisoners with what would become one of the most potent symbols of the Holocaust, The Tattooist of Auschwitz is also a testament to the endurance of love and humanity under the darkest possible conditions.
Sep 9, 2018
A few days ago I saw this amazing photo of an older couple – a man and his girl on a bike with the words:
“Growing old isn’t so bad when you have someone to grow old with that can hang on tight during hardest storms of life.”
The words moved me and I mentioned to my book club group that I would love to see something like that for my characters of Eva and Zoe. You know what they say about putting it out in the universe. Well my friend Hayriye Makas Uygun decided to surprise me and create an Eva and Zoe version!
I LOVED THIS so much. May you have that special someone to grow old with who hangs on tight even through the hardest of times.
Sep 4, 2018
For immediate release:
Readers’ Favorite recognizes “Nor The Battle To The Strong” by Mary D. Brooks in its annual international book award contest, currently available at http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0994476582.
The Readers’ Favorite International Book Award Contest featured thousands of contestants from over a dozen countries, ranging from new independent authors to NYT best-sellers and celebrities.
Readers’ Favorite is one of the largest book review and award contest sites on the Internet. They have earned the respect of renowned publishers like Random House, Simon & Schuster, and Harper Collins, and have received the “Best Websites for Authors” and “Honoring Excellence” awards from the Association of Independent Authors. They are also fully accredited by the BBB (A+ rating), which is a rarity among Book Review and Book Award Contest companies.
We receive thousands of entries from all over the world. Because of these large submission numbers, we are able to break down our contest into 140+ genres, and each genre is judged separately, ensuring that books only compete against books of their same genre for a fairer and more accurate competition. We receive submissions from independent authors, small publishers, and publishing giants such as Random House, HarperCollins and Simon & Schuster, with contestants that range from the first-time, self-published author to New York Times bestsellers like J.A. Jance, James Rollins, and #1 best-selling author Daniel Silva, as well as celebrity authors like Jim Carrey (Bruce Almighty), Henry Winkler (Happy Days), and Eriq La Salle (E.R., Coming to America).
“When the right books are picked as winners we pay attention. We will be spreading the word about Readers’ Favorite.” –Karen A., Editor for Penguin Random House
Readers’ Favorite is proud to announce that “Nor The Battle To The Strong” by Mary D. Brooks won the Finalist Award in the Fiction – Fantasy – Urban category.
You can learn more about Mary D. Brooks and “Nor The Battle To The Strong” at https://readersfavorite.com/book-review/nor-the-battle-to-the-strong where you can read reviews and the author’s biography, as well as connect with the author directly or through their website and social media pages.
“Reviewed By Rabia Tanveer for Readers’ Favorite
Nor The Battle To The Strong – Intertwined Souls: Eva and Zoe Book 6 by Mary D. Brooks is the story of how a woman’s need to find closure can stir up some bad memories and incidents from the past that best stay where they belong. I’m not new to this series and this is the sixth novel by Mary D. Brooks that I have read. I was glad to see that these two beloved heroines are still great. A lot of that has to do with the great way Mary D. Brooks writes and pulls you right in, and the rest is all because of the great story line.
The story follows Eva and Zoe, two women who found love, friendship and companionship with each other, and now they finally have the life together that they craved. However, the past comes knocking again when Eva and Zoe go back to the Aiden Research Facility where 18 years ago Eva was a victim of the cruel and brutal ways of the sick men. Eva believes that she is ready to confront her past and be done with that chapter in her life; Zoe is there to provide her with support and help her achieve whatever she wants. However, things are not so easy. There is a mystery there that needs to be resolved. Although these two amazing women went back to the Aiden Research Facility to open a memorial for the lost souls of that facility, they are now stuck. What will happen next? You need to read the book to find out.
Brooks does an amazing job of building the story without losing sight of the characters’ past struggles. I was happy to meet Zoe and Eva once again, and I was glad that I read this novel. Right from the first chapter, I had a big smile on my face because I missed these women so much. As always, the storyline is very powerful, but these two women are even stronger and better than ever. I love their partnership and how they look out for each other. They show that you don’t need a man to be strong and you don’t need a man to help you. If you are strong and the person next to you loves you and believes in you, you can conquer mountains. I love these two women and I love Mary D. Brooks for writing such an amazing novel.”
You can learn more about Mary D. Brooks and “Nor The Battle To The Strong” at https://readersfavorite.com/book-review/nor-the-battle-to-the-strong where you can read reviews and the author’s biography, as well as connect with the author directly or through their website and social media pages
Aug 20, 2018
Ref: Mabel of the Anzacs and the WW2 Cretan Resistance
The Cretan Resistance caused significant damage to German morale and is likely one of the reasons why Hitler’s invasion of the Soviet Union was unsuccessful….
Aug 15, 2018
I was recently interviewed by Sheena on The Lesbian Talk Show podcast.
Being An Author, Ally & Starting AUSXIP with Mary D Brooks
The Lesbian Review Podcast
In this episode of The Lesbian Review Podcast Sheena is joined today by Mary D Brooks author, ally and founder of AusXip.
Find out Why Mary D Brooks thinks that fanfic is a great place for writers to start
How AUSXIP was born
Why the questions of being an ally was never a question
Aug 13, 2018
Two things happened today that would be quite special. My box of my new novel “Mabel of the Anzacs” arrived! Lots of love went into this novel from everyone: writer (me), editor, beta readers, proofreaders. It takes a village to create a novel.
Watch this video. The photographer Derek Cutting from Firemate Photographic created this video. Derek is a friend who is a phenomenal photographer. He also is the owner of the War Bike (aka Zoe’s motorcycle “Mabel”) I did suggest to Derek that he rename his War Bike to Mabel but don’t think that will happen! Check out the video, I was chuffed
