Minneapolis, MN, USA, November 3, 2006 -- The July 17, 2006 issue of "Publisher's Weekly" magazine offers a grim reality check for authors and publishers: Of the 1,200,000 titles tracked by Neilsen BookScan in 2004, 950,000 or 79 percent sold fewer than 99 copies. Additionally, fewer than 500 titles sold more than 100,000 copies.

Richmond's sales success puts her in an elite group four times over. Since she released her first book in 1997, four of her six titles have sold more than 100,000 copies each.

Soft cover versions of books: "I Love You So..." (ISBN: 0-9753528-8-1) and "Hooray for You!" (ISBN: 0-9741465-3-6) occupy spots in the book spinners in key mass merchants around the country, out-selling some better-known preschool titles. "Scholastic" recently licensed "Hooray for You" for worldwide school distribution.

"I Love You So..." also appears in the children's book section at Target Stores; the popular retailer is scheduled to feature the author's newest title, "Fish Kisses and Gorilla Hugs" (ISBN: 978-1-934082-03-4) on a 2007 Valentine's Day endcap.

Richmond has also been the recipient of numerous accolades by select organizations which include: the Benjamin Franklin award, a Mother's Choice award, and a Creative Child.

The author's self-created mission is to help people connect with those who mean the most to them by publishing books to honor the miracle of birth, the pain of loss, the love of parenthood and the celebration of individuality, among others.

"In our media driven world," Richmond said, "it is refreshing to know that publishing success can be found through one heartfelt connection at a time."

Marianne Richmond Studios, Inc. is WBE Certified by the Women's Business Enterprise National Council (www.wbenc.org) and was selected as 2005 "Vendor of the Year" by Books are Fun - a Reader's Digest Company that distributes books and gifts to schools and corporations nationwide.

Richmond also takes time to donate thousands of gently-used books to non-profit groups that help needy children.

Most newsworthy is Richmond's ability to inspire and touch people's lives in positive, life-affirming ways.

Richmond is a non-celebrity working mom. She lives in Minneapolis with her husband, four young children, and their beloved Border Collie, Clay.

Contact:
Marianne Richmond
Marianne Richmond Studios, Inc.
+1-800-768-9197
mr @ mariannerichmond.com

News Source: Send2Press Newswire