Anderson Entertainment, the company founded by Gerry Anderson – the man behind such shows as Thunderbirds and Space:1999 as well as modern hits like Space Precinct and the 2005 reimagining of Captain Scarlet – has announced its entry into the direct-to-consumer publishing business.
The new books will be aimed at a vast, and still growing, audience, with the direct-to-consumer approach building on the strength of the online Gerry Anderson shop and Anderson Entertainment social and owned channels – with access to over 150,000 fans. This approach will allow Anderson Entertainment to market effectively by initially targeting its strong customer community.
Following the direct-to-consumer publishing business being established, the books will also be made available through the mainstream book trade.The publishing project begins with novels – a series of stories originally published in the 1960s and 1970s. These books are now being reprinted and repackaged for a modern audience. In particular, the books will target a growing fan base of all ages now able to access Anderson classics on both linear and streaming services.
The books will be available in four formats: as physical print books in hardback (with slight adjustments to the content for a 2021 audience), as Kindle e-books, as digital audio downloads and as packaged audiobooks, including extras.Thunderbirds: Terror from the Stars, an adaptation of John Theydon's 1965 book Thunderbirds, is the first of the new books.
The audiobook version features both narration and a full cast, with characters voiced by such major names as Dead Ringers favourite Jon Culshaw and Harry Potter star Genevieve Gaunt. The packaged audiobook comes in a four-CD set that includes a behind-the-scenes documentary. All physical formats are being made available at the Gerry Anderson online store from July. The digital download audiobook version is now available and is also being sold on the website of Anderson Entertainment production partner Big Finish, while e-book releases will be available globally via Amazon. More titles will appear on a monthly basis from this summer.
The growth plans follow a new agreement with rights holder ITV Studios, which allows Anderson Entertainment to expand its ranges of product derived from its classic brands. This agreement will enable not only published output but also a wide range of new and innovative products inspired by the Gerry Anderson creations.
