Andrews McMeel Turns The Playmakers into Timeless Toys

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Keys Publishing
PMB 180 5342 Clark Road
Sarasota, FL 34233-3227
(941) 926-8004
www.theplaymakers.com

Sarasota, Florida (November 1, 2005) – The worldwide publishing rights to The Playmakers have been sold to publisher Andrews McMeel. "We are excited about this opportunity," said author/publisher of The Playmakers, Tim Walsh. "We sold over 10,000 copies of a self-published book at a retail of $50 in less than two years. That is remarkable. Andrews McMeel was first to recognize that the content of the book had to be exceptional for that to happen."

The glowing reviews didn’t hurt either. The Wall Street Journal called The Playmakers, "…An illustrated compendium of America’s 20th-century favorites." The Associated Press said it, "tells the behind-the-scenes toy stories of some of the world’s most beloved playthings…," and Publishers Weekly called The Playmakers, “A fun book that feels like it should accompany a museum exhibition…."

Andrews McMeel has released the book as Timeless Toys: Classic Toys and the Playmakers Who Created Them. The 312 page book is a celebration of classic toys and a tribute to the people who brought them to life. "In our country, if you create music which sells a million copies, you’re on the cover of Rolling Stone," says Walsh. "But if you create a game or toy that sells over 100 times that amount, no one knows who you are. Alfred Butts, Merle Robbins, Eleanor Abbott – these people have touched countless lives through their creations (Scrabble, Uno, and Candy Land respectively), yet remain relatively unknown. My hope is that Timeless Toys helps to change that. Andrews McMeel has improved the book's price to $29.95 in hardcover and placed it in bookstores and gift shops across America. I think many, many readers are going to enjoy meeting these amazing inventors."

An Andrews McMeel press release positions the company as, "an emerging leader in book and calendar publishing and gift and stationery merchandising. In 1997, the privately-held company became Andrews McMeel Universal to reflect its diversification into magazine publishing and new media. Every year, the company publishes the work of more than 125 syndicate creators and writers, more than 300 books, and a prestigious line of calendars and gift and stationery items."

Tim Walsh brings 15 years of experience to the project. In 1990 he co-invented TriBond, a board game that has sold over 3 million copies in thirteen countries. In 1994, he invented the board game Blurt!, which has sold over 1 million copies. Both games are sold by Mattel. Timeless Toys is his first book.