Author Events and Media - Penguin Group (USA) Weekly Update 10/19:

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Actor Mario Lopez Garners Major Media for New Celebra Picture Book, Mud Tacos!

Actor and “Extra” Host Mario Lopez has written his first children’s book with his sister Marissa Lopez Wong titled Mud Tacos!, which was published this week by Celebra children's books, simultaneously in English and Spanish. Mud Tacos! is a loving tale about their family and the nurturing bond between a brother and sister. The story follows Mario and Marissa and their cousins Chico and Rosie playing in their nana’s backyard and using their imagination to have fun.

Mario Lopez was on "Live with Regis and Kelly" yesterday morning and also did a cooking segment on “The Today Show” where he made tacos. Mario has been talking about his book all week on “Extra” and will also be featured on “Ellen” and the “Wendy Williams Show.” People, OK!, amNewYork, Hartford Courant, San Diego Tribune, WNBC, and News12 Long Island, among many others, will all feature Mud Tacos! and Mario Lopez.
 

Riverhead Author The RZA Draws Standing-Room-Only Crowd to Launch His New Book, The Tao of Wu 

Riverhead author and Wu-Tang Clan founder The RZA drew a standing-room-only crowd of over 300 fans at Barnes & Noble Union Square last night, at an event to launch his new Riverhead book, The Tao of Wu. MTV News interviewed RZA at B&N and taped footage of his event to air on an upcoming show.

Be sure to tune in to NPR’s “Weekend All Things Considered” this Saturday to hear RZA discuss his book, which Rolling Stone called an “artist memoir, ghetto narrative and manual of divine mathematics.” This interview adds to a full lineup of national media, which includes interviews on “The Colbert Report,” “On Point,” and PRI”s “Marketplace” and print coverage in GQ, Rolling Stone, Interview Magazine, The Source Magazine, Metro, Time Out New York and more.

Pictured: RZA signs copies of The Tao of Wu for some of his youngest fans.

Viking Authors Andy Williams and Robert Lacey Both Appear on “Good Morning America” to Kick off Respective National Publicity Tours

Viking Author Andy Williams appeared on “Good Morning America” for an interview this past Tuesday to launch his memoir, Moon River and Me. His tour is off to a great start with a sold out crowd at the Barnes & Noble Lincoln Center. Click here to view his GMA interview.

In addition, journalist and bestselling author Robert Lacey kicked off his tour for Inside the Kingdom (Viking) with an appearance on ABC’s “Good Morning America” this morning. Lacey traces the incredible impact Saudi Arabia has had on American lives over the past 30 years. In a world where events in the Middle East continue to have geopolitical consequences far beyond the region’s boundaries, Inside the Kingdom gives readers an essential understanding of this complex nation. Following the GMA appearance Lacey will be interviewed by MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” on 10/19, and PBS’ “World Focus” (airings begin 10/20).
 

Viking/ Penguin’s Craig Johnson Headlines at Bouchercon

Viking /Penguin author Craig Johnson will be participating in the 40th annual Bouchercon World Mystery Convention, which is being held this weekend in Indianapolis. Craig will be on two panels: “Heroes for Our Times: In Troubled Times, Who Can We Turn To?,” which will also include Dutton author Meg Gardiner, as well as “Eiteljorg Museum: The Art of the Western Mystery,” discussing mysteries set in western territories with Putnam author C.J. Box, among others. Rounding out the weekend, Craig will be at Bouchercon’s Bazaar, where he will get the opportunity to meet and greet new readers and introduce them to his previous works.

Craig Johnson is pictured here signing copies of The Dark Horse (Viking) and Another Man’s Moccasins (Penguin).