Gerry Anderson’s Gemini Force One secures publishing deal with Gollancz

Gerry Anderson's Gemini Force

In an exciting development for fans of shows such as Thunderbirds and Captain Scarlet, word breaks this morning that the successful Kickstarter project, Gerry Anderson’s Gemini Force One, is to be published by Gollancz in 2014 and Orion Children’s Books in 2015.

Let’s hope this also means there’s a possibility of a comic based on this new venture at some point.

The book deal was agented by Robert Kirby of United Agents with Orion Children’s Books Editorial Director Amber Caravéo and publication will celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the first broadcast of Thunderbirds.

Gemini Force One was devised and developed by Gerry Anderson before his death and completed by bestselling author M G Harris with the approval of the Estate of Gerry Anderson, led by his son Jamie Anderson.

A special, and strictly limited edition of Gemini Force One: A New Horizon will first be published by Gollancz in August 2014 and will be available to the project’s original Kickstarter supporters, and will also be sold in collaboration  with  key specialist bookseller Goldsboro Books.

An Orion Children’s Books main paperback edition will then be published in spring 2015 with books Two and Three to follow in 2015 and 2016.

The Gemini Force One project – which includes plans for a TV series, utilizing vehicle designs by former Star Trek designer Andrew Probert – has been developed by Anderson Entertainment, which was founded by Gerry Anderson, MBE, creator of Thunderbirds, Captain Scarlet, Stingray, UFO, Space:1999 and many more.

Among other things, the company is currently organising Andercon, the first official Gerry Anderson convention, which will take place in April.

When the GF1 project first achieved successful Kickstarter funding, gaining over £30,000 in backing from fans, Jamie Anderson said: “With over 600 Anderson fans from around the world chipping in to get this project launched – Gemini Force One is go!”

“Dad was a prolific creative, and was constantly coming up with new ideas,” he adds of the just-announced Gollancz deal. “Gemini Force One was one of his final projects, and something that he felt passionately would inspire a whole new generation.

“In continuing to develop GF1 we’ve been lucky enough to team up with best-selling author MG Harris who really understood the premise of the project and its ‘Gerry Anderson spirit’ from the get-go.

“Now I’m delighted that we’re able to team up with Orion, who share our passion for GF1, to bring this fantastic book series to a global audience. Stand by for action!”

Gemini Force One is a complete reinvention of the magic formula of adventure and rescue which formed the core of Gerry’s most successful series, Thunderbirds, and should appeal to the several generations of Thunderbirds fans and a generation of readers entirely new to the Thunderbirds phenomenon.

MG Harris is best known for her bestselling series, The Joshua Files. Brought on board with the project at an early stage, she is passionate about the project and says of the collaboration:

“It’s a huge honour for me as a Gerry Anderson fan to be involved in bringing Gemini Force One to life,” she says. “The enthusiasm of Orion Publishing Group at all levels for this project has been inspiring. I’m delighted to be working with Orion Children’s Books to add a brand new action-adventure title to their list.”

“It is a great honour to work with Jamie Anderson and M.G. Harris on  this hugely exciting new  Gerry Anderson project,” adds Orion Children’s Books Editorial Director Amber Caravéo. “It has all the hallmarks of a typical Gerry Anderson concept – action, adventure and a great story at its heart that simply races along! As soon as I read the outline I could see that this was going to be a fantastic new Gerry Anderson brand and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to bring it to long-standing fans and new readers alike!”

• Further detail is up and on-going news will be shared both at the Kickstarter site:  http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1717674777/gerry-andersons-gemini-force-one

• On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GeminiForceOne

• And via Gollancz and Orion Children’s Books: www.orionbooks.co.uk

•  A Q & A with MG Harris is live on her website: http://www.mgharris.net/2013/09/20/gemini-force-one-qa-mg-and-jamie-anderson/



Categories: British Comics - Books, Featured News, Other Worlds, Television

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