Award-Winning Short Story Published, Tops Publisher’s Bestseller List, Destined for the Silver Screen?

“Cellfish Ways,” by Courts Mroch, garnered a Special Honorable Mention nod in the New Century Writers Award 2003 Short Story competition before finding publication through Echelon Press’s Dollar Download program. Released on January 10, 2004, “Cellfish Ways” now finds itself the year-to-date leader of Echelon’s Dollar Download bestseller list. If the author’s lucky streak continues, her wish of seeing her story as a movie could come true.

Jacksonville, FL (PRWEB) February 13, 2004-–Is the fast-paced suspense story about a cell phone-stalking vigilante responsible for Courts Mroch’s selling success? Fed up with a world seemingly full of selfish people, does the story strike a sympathetic nerve with the reading public? Or is it the author’s aggressive marketing style combined with a flexible company policy that has this e-book claiming number one in sales?

Says the author, Courtney “Courts” Mroch, “I’d like to think my story is so good everyone’s snatching it up. In truth, it’s because Echelon allows authors to print out our e-books. And taking the cue from Kelle Riley, another Echelon author, I figured out how to create little booklets like she did. After that it was just a matter of letting people know they existed. Seems people are willing to buy most anything for a dollar.”

E-books are becoming more popular, but this author quickly found out what many other electronically published authors already had: offering readers various formats increases sales. Some people are not comfortable reading books on their computers or PDAs. Some still prefer to read a book the old-fashioned way. To meet this need, Mroch decided printing was necessary.

“I take a bit of a hit on the ink and the paper, but I was willing to sacrifice royalties for exposure. Especially after I saw people were buying five copies at a time. I figured friends and family would buy because, you know, it’s almost like an obligation. But everyone’s been so intrigued by the booklets. They were fun and unique and unlike anything they’d ever seen before. They wanted one for their friends and family, who in turn wanted some for their loved ones. I tell you, word of mouth truly is an extraordinary thing.”

Granted it’s only been a month since its release, but sales have even exceeded the author’s expectations. “I didn’t know how many e-books I could expect to sell, but I had a certain overall figure in mind to aim for. That goal was surpassed within the first week.”

Only time will tell if “Cellfish Ways” will hold its position as Echelon’s number one best-selling Dollar Download, but with this initial momentum giving the author confidence, she’s setting her sights on new highs.

“Cellfish Ways has the same pulse-pounding suspense as the movies Joy Ride, Phone Booth, or Panic Room. I’d love to find a way to get a copy of the book to J.J. Abrams or David Fincher. Have them see about adapting it to the silver screen.”

Every author dreams of writing an award-winning bestseller that gets converted to a movie. Mroch has already accomplished two of the three. With her quirky persistence and perpetual optimism, it wouldn’t be surprising if she made it a triple-header.

For additional information, or to get a copy of “Cellfish Ways,” contact the publisher: Echelon Press, Attn: Karen Syed, 56 Sawyer Circle #354, Memphis, TN 38103. Phone Numbers:

Main: (901) 578-2946 Fax: (901) 572-7292, website: www.echelonpress.com. Or contact the author: Courtney Mroch via email at cmroch@courtneymroch.com.

“Cellfish Ways” ISBN 1-59080-339-6 is available online from the publisher at www.echelonpress.com for $1 or in print from the author.

About Courtney “Courts” Mroch:

A member of the Mystery Writers of America and the Electronically Published Internet Connection, Courtney Mroch’s award-winning short stories have appeared in a dozen different magazines and on-line zines. “Cellfish Ways” is her first e-book release. Her paranormal mystery set in France, Beneath the Morvan Moon, is due out this spring in trade paperback, with an e-book format to follow soon after. Her website is www.courtneymroch.com.

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