Wendy Coakley-Thompson Goes Mainstream with Kensington Books

Wendy Coakley-Thompson, author of the Infinity novel, Back to Life, has secured a two-book deal with Kensington Books. The New York City based mainstream house will re-publish Back to Life under its imprint, Dafina, in September 2004. A second book by Wendy is included in the publishing contract and Kensington Books has it scheduled for publication in late 2005. Back to Life is Wendy’s first novel.

Kensington Publishing Corp. is the last remaining independent U.S. book publisher of hardcover, trade and mass market paperback books. 2004 marked their thirtieth year in business. From the time their very first book became a bestseller, Kensington has been known as an astute and determined David-vs.-Goliath publisher of titles from fiction and romance to health and nonfiction. Kensington accounts for about 7% of all mass market paperback sales in the U.S. Through the Kensington, Zebra, Pinnacle and Citadel imprints, the company releases close to 600 new books per year and has a backlist of more than 3,000 titles. They are considered a leader and innovator in such areas of publishing as African-American (Dafina), Gay and Lesbian, Erotic Romance (Brava), Wicca, Alternative Health (Twin Streams) and romance.

Wendy Coakley-Thompson has written articles and fiction for music and fashion/lifestyle magazines in New Jersey, her adopted home state, and in Nassau, Bahamas, where she was raised. She graduated from Syracuse University with a Ph.D. in Education. Her work as a commentator for Metro Connection on WAMU, a Washington D.C. National Public Radio affiliate, earned her a 2003 Associated Press/Chesapeake Award in the Editorial category. Coakley-Thompson’s scholarly work includes the dissertation entitled The Use of Popular Media in Multicultural Education: Stressing Implications for the Black/Non-Black Biracial Student. Wendy will be one of our featured authors at the 5th Annual Express Yourself... Authors’ Conference and Book Fair that will be held at the Sheraton Park Ridge at Valley Forge, PA, on October 29 – 31, 2004. Participants will have the opportunity to talk with Wendy and learn how she worked with her agent to bring her dream to life.

Tom Gregory, president of Infinity Publishing, said, “I was delighted to learn of Wendy’s success in having her first novel re-released by Kensington Books. With Infinity, authors keep their options open for a mainstream book publishing contract. This is why it is important for our authors to retain all the rights to their books. When they publish their books with Infinity under our unique non-exclusive publishing agreement they have an actual book to shop around to traditional houses with. Our book publishing family at Infinity extends sincere congratulations and best wishes for her continued success as she travels along her new publishing path.”