Pear Jam Books Party

Wednesday, December 05, 2012

Pear Jam Books Party

The newest stars from boutique publisher Jill Marshall’s Pear Jam Books stable sparkled at Stardome last night, where their books were officially launched.

Jill Marshall captivated the crowd with her lively and interactive presentation, with books covers whirling around the Planetarium’s dome, as if they’d shot straight from space.

Jill Marshall has just published six eclectic new books for children, young adults and adults: Granny Gorilla by Sher Foley (illustrator Jennifer Smith); Chittens in Trouble by Julie Scott; My Secret List of Lists by Stina Kornfeld; Generation Icarus: First Flight by J L Pawley; The Rapture Trilogy: Tribulation by Phillip W Simpson; and The Anatomy of Toni Handcock by Shelley Iñón. And last night, she sent them out into the universe with enthusiasm and passion. For more about each of these books and their authors -: www.pearjambooks.com.

It was a special and unique night in more ways than one. With animal themes being common to a number of the new Pear Jam books, it was fitting that the launch was also a fundraiser for SPCA Auckland. Buckets were rattled for gold coin donations and Jill Marshall kicked things off with panache, by starting the auction for her signature pink Nissan car (á la her bestselling Jane Blonde series of books). You can do your bit for SPCA Auckland by placing a bid on Trade Me via the following link: http://www.trademe.co.nz/books/children-babies/other/auction-540025679.htm.

SPCA Fundraising Manager Catherine Davies spoke with warmth and passion about the work that she and her team did, and said that she was delighted to be associated with Jill Marshall and her authors, whose books she couldn’t wait to buy for herself, friends and family as Christmas gifts.

Jill Marshall also announced that Andrea Kean (above with Cheryl Rowe) has been appointed as VP South for JillMarshall.co, which incorporates Marshall's own books, the Jill Marshall Author Academy, and her publishing house Pear Jam Books.

With a 25 year background in books and bookselling which includes nearly four years merchandising for Whitcoulls Auckland Airport branches, Kean has spent the last eight years as manager and buyer for TakeNote St Heliers. She's proud to be continuing a family tradition of working with books which covered three generations and a family bookstore (HBE Books).
"I'm looking forward to coming in at the ground floor and making things happen, and sharing my passion for books in all forms with readers, authors and booksellers," says Kean.
"I've known Andrea since she promoted my first Jane Blonde book dressed in a blonde wig," says Jill Marshall. "With her talents, passion and enthusiasm for the industry, she's the ideal person to take on this ground-breaking role."

Jill Marshall will launch her latest Pear Jam children’s books at Next Page Please in Takapuna on Saturday 8 December at 2pm. All welcome!