Filmmakers Challenged to Synthesize Two Storytelling Media

Dorchester Publishing and Circle of Seven Productions have teamed up to present a contest offering a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for amateur and professional filmmakers who also love books. Participants will create book trailers based on their favorite novel in the SHOMI series of modern-day fantasy fiction. The best trailer--as selected by internationally bestselling author Stephen King--will be shown at a movie premiere in New York City as well as a theater in the winner's home market.

The contest will provide a creative outlet for the filmmakers' visions while ultimately allowing the winner to showcase his or her talents before a potential audience of tens of millions of people through Circle of Seven's distribution relationships. "We're thrilled to offer filmmakers a means to broadcast their gifts," said Brooke Borneman, Director of Sales and Marketing for Dorchester, "and hope that the contest gives the winner a platform that will propel his or her film career to new heights."

Book trailers--which are similar in style, content, and technique to movie trailers--are a powerful and increasingly popular method for communicating why a particular novel or series of novels is a 'must read.' A memorable short film can visually highlight a book's most compelling elements and draw viewers into the story and the author's universe, making a prospective reader want to know more.

A groundbreaking line of speculative fiction that combines the best elements of the fantasy, thriller, science fiction, cyberpunk, and romance genres, the SHOMI imprint has been hailed by reviewers for its genre-blending, high-velocity action-adventure stories and emotional impact.

"SHOMI books have received comparisons to films ranging from Underworld and Resident Evil to Blade Runner and The Matrix," explained Borneman. "The cinematic quality of the books and the sheer physicality of the storytelling are what make the SHOMI universe a natural for filmmakers to explore."

For more information on SHOMI and complete rules for the contest, including submission guidelines and deadlines, please visit www.shomifiction.com.

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Stephen King is the internationally bestselling author of over 40 books and the recipient of The National Book Foundation Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters, 2003. He lives in Maine and Florida with his wife, novelist Tabitha King. For more information, please visit www.stephenking.com.

Dorchester Publishing has been publishing mass-market books since 1971, making it the oldest independent mass-market publisher in America. In addition to building the careers of New York Times bestselling authors such as Christine Feehan, C. L. Wilson, and Marjorie M. Liu, Dorchester distributes the award-winning Hard Case Crime line of pulp mysteries and the Cosmos line of SF/Fantasy novels. Dorchester novels are available wherever books are sold and online at www.dorchesterpub.com.

Circle of Seven Productions created the Book Trailer market in 2002 and is the leader of book trailer production in the United States. Circle of Seven Productions encompasses a network of experienced, professional production partners who have won awards, created commercials for high profile companies and created music videos for well known celebrities. For details regarding their video distribution platform, please visit www.cosproductions.com.