New Book Announcement: comic-fantasy "How To Succeed in Heaven Without Really Dying".

In his first novel, author Adam McDaniel has written "a darkly satirical, modern-day urban fairy tale concerning the adventures of a young man coming to terms with life, death, and all their crummy consequences". The work originated as a screenplay, which received attention in Hollywood two years ago thanks to a favorable review from the staff of popular entertainment website Aint It Cool News, citing it as one of the best undiscovered scripts of 2000.

New indie publishing company WHY WORRY PRESS has announced its first novel: Adam McDaniel's "How to Succeed in Heaven Without Really Dying".

The company, based in Glendale, CA, is first distributing limited hardcover editions of the work to independent bookstores and through its website.

McDaniel, 29, first developed the story as a screenplay titled "Heaven Spent". It received attention in Hollywood two years ago thanks to a favorable review from the staff of entertainment website Aint It Cool News, citing it as one of the best undiscovered scripts of 2000.

Not satisfied in letting his story sit on a shelf because producers deemed the project too offbeat, dark and expensive for a feature film, McDaniel reworked and rethought the material into a full-length novel.

"Contrary to what the title implies, HOW TO SUCCEED IN HEAVEN WITHOUT REALLY DYING is not a self-help book," McDaniel said. "And while it deals with issues of faith and morality -- sometimes faith vs. morality -- it's primarily a dark comedy designed to entertain, even if there are some very dramatic, very poignant, and even romantic and scary moments."

The novel is described as "a darkly satirical, modern-day urban fairy tale concerning the adventures of a young man coming to terms with life, death, and all their crummy consequences."

SYNOPSIS

When Micah Cohen was five years old, he lost his parents to a horrible accident. He was convinced he would have died himself, had it not been for his guardian angel -- in the form of a little girl he never saw again.

Now, over twenty years later, Micah is living in the frenzy of Manhattan. With Christmas right around the corner and no one to share it with -- add a thankless job, no close family or friends -- Micah believes that his life has become too hard, his existence too inconsequential. Sadly, he decides to end it all...but the attempt fails ridiculously.

And thats just when Coltan pops up in the middle of Micahs living room. Possessing supernatural powers and a sadistic sense of humor, this bumbling agent for the afterlife" has come to collect Micahs soul. But there are two slight problems: Micah is still alive, and now has second thoughts about committing suicide. Reluctantly, Coltan must admit defeat.

Rejuvenated by his new lease on life, Micahs determined to set things right. One good thing comes in the form of Christine -- a young homeless woman he befriends. But soon Micah learns that she is more than she appears to be: his childhood guardian angel, now grown up. (Naturally, they cant help but risk upsetting the cosmic order of the universe by falling in love.)

Yet this happiness may be fleeting. Just as Micah realizes how wonderful his life has become, Coltan reappears to inform him that his days are now numbered -- for Death Himself is hunting Micah down. And so Christine, ever the dutiful protector, must prepare to do battle over Micahs soul.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Adam McDaniel grew up in Connecticut and New Jersey. He attended New York's Vassar College, winning honors at various festivals for his student film work and receiving the college's academic film & cinematography prize upon graduation. (He also wrote a stageplay that had the misfortune of opening the same night as an on-campus Billy Joel concert.) McDaniel has served as a technical director and set designer for several theatrical stage shows, and as a production designer and cinematographer for independent films and documentaries. He currently works in Hollywood within the field of post production for motion pictures, and does freelance illustration and writing in his spare time. Sharing his home in southern California with an adopted 13 lbs. Siamese cat named Kubrick, he tries to visit his family in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, as often as heaven allows.