Case Study
Norman Ollestad
Collaborative Editing Process Yields Bestselling Book and Movie Deal
Collaborative Editing Process Yields Bestselling Book and Movie Deal
As featured in
Norman's Story
When Norman Ollestad reached out to Kevin Anderson & Associates (Launch Books Publishing) in 2008 about his debut memoir, he had a rough draft in hand and was seeking editorial help. He was an unknown author with an incredible story, and he believed it could resonate with a wide audience.
Launch Books Publishing had a series of editors, of various demographics, review the book and provide feedback and editorial support through several rounds of review. Ranging rom high-level review and consultation, to line-by-line editing, the Launch Books Publishing team and Norman worked closely together over several months until the manuscript was reader to present to an agent.
Norman successfully queried Rob Weisbach, who also represents Jerry Seinfeld, Paul Reiser, and Ellen DeGeneres.
Crazy for the Storm was bought by HarperCollins’ Ecco imprint.
The title sold more than 100,000 copies and became a New York Times bestseller. The book has garnered notable media coverage, including New York Times, Time Magazine, and Los Angeles Times reviews. The movie rights were also optioned, with Josh Brolin set to lead, with Sean Penn directing.
Launch Books Publishing has helped Norman with two subsequent novels, French Girl with Mother (Counterpoint, 2016) and Gravity (Kindle Single, 2015), and is currently at work on a fourth.
