February 06 , 2015
Children's Trifecta -- Solomon Screech Owl and Flying Pants take off -- Sunbury Press bestsellers
MECHANICSBURG, Pa. -- Sunbury Press has released the bestsellers list for January, 2015. The late Beth Lancione's Solomon Screen Owl Goes to the Galapagos was #1, followed by Solomon Screech Owl's First Flight. Lola James claimed the third spot with Flying Pants. All were childrens books benefitting from Children's Day at the Sunbury Press Store.
About Solomon Screech Owl Goes to the Galapagos:
In the second of Solomon Screech Owl’s stories, Sollie travels, with help from some whales, to the Galapagos Islands, where he meets birds that seem very different from himself. As he gets to know them better, he comes to understand that they all have more in common than he first thought.
About the author & illustrator:
Beth and Kathy, with their husbands Mel Lancione and Gary Haney, visited the Galapagos Islands in 2005 and saw, at very close range, all of the fascinating creatures that Sollie encounters in this book.
Beth said, “A fellow traveler once told me, ‘If you go only one place in your life, go to Galapagos.’ I agree. I’ve been to many other places, but Galapagos is my favorite. I definitely wanted to show Sollie, and all of our readers, the wonders of these special, unique islands.”
Kathy said, “The Galapagos Islands are home to some of the earth’s unique birds and animals. There are few places in the world where you can have an upclose and personal interaction with wild creatures.
The Blue-Footed Boobies captured our imaginations, along with the iguanas, tortoises, and many other birds. We want to share our love of Galapagos with you.”
| SUNBURY PRESS - Bestsellers for January, 2015 (by Revenue) | ||||
| Rank | Last Month | Title | Author | Category |
| 1 | -- | Solomon Screech Owl Goes to the Galapagos | Beth Lancione | Childrens |
| 2 | -- | Solomon Screech Owl's First Flight | Beth Lancione | Childrens |
| 3 | -- | Flying Pants | Lola James | Childrens |
| 4 | 4 | As the Paint Dries | Carrie Wissler-Thomas | Art History |
| 5 | -- | Jesus the Phoenician | Karim El Koussa | Relgious History |
| 6 | -- | Shadows in the Shining City | John Cressler | Historical Fiction |
| 7 | 2 | Geology of the Mahanoy, Mahantongo and Lykens Valleys | Steve Troutman | Earth History |
| 8 | 9 | Call Sign Dracula | Joe Fair | War Memoir |
| 9 | 11 | Amelia Earhart: The Truth at Last | Mike Campbell | History |
| 10 | NEW | Beagle Tales 5 | Bob Ford | Pet Humor |
| 11 | -- | Petrified | Tanya Reimer | YA Fiction |
| 12 | 1 | Pit Bulls | Anthony Julian | History |
| 13 | -- | Going Home | Sharon Marchisello | Thriller Fiction |
| 14 | 18 | Winter of the Metal People | Dennis Herrick | Historical Fiction |
| 15 | -- | Emeralds of the Alhambra | John Cressler | HIstorical Fiction |
| 16 | 3 | Visions of Teaoga | Jim Remsen | YA Fiction |
| 17 | -- | The Trevorton, Mahanoy and Susquehanna Railroad | Steve Troutman | History |
| 18 | -- | Tulpehocken Trail Traces | Steve Troutman | History |
| 19 | -- | The Phoenician Code | Karim El Koussa | Action Adventure |
| 20 | -- | Whimsy and Wry | Guy Graybill | Literary Fiction |
Sunbury Press had its best January ever, up nearly 3x from last January, and 4.5% from December. It was the first time in 5 years that January sales topped December. Hardcover books grabbed the top 4 spots in the bestseller rankings, dominated by the Children's category. Trade paperback sales were double hardcover sales, and remain the most popular format. EBooks have slipped to third, amounting to only 5% of all sales. Hardcover sales were over 6x the eBook sales. EBook sales were up over last month, however, by nearly 20% thanks to price increases implemented after Christmas.
The three children's books were helped by the standing-room only Children's Day event at the Sunbury Press Store -- more successful than the 10th Anniversary Party with Keith Rommel, Brahm Gallagher, and Bang. Ten Percent of all sales from that day were donated to help the Lanciones following the death of Beth, the author of the Solomon Screech Owl series, and her husband Mel. As the Paint Dries, Carrie Wissler-Thomas's history of the Art Association of Harrisburg, co-authored by Michael Barton, held at #4 due to demand at the Art Association. Karim El Koussa's Jesus the Phoenician(#5) and The Phoenician Code (#19) took two spots on the list due to export orders to Lebanon. John Cressler's due, Shadows in the Shining City and Emeralds of the Alhambra grabbed #6 and #15 due to author events. Steve Troutman's Geology of the Mahanoy, Mahantongo and Lykens Valleysheld at #7 thanks to author activities. Troutman also charted at #17 with The Trevorton, Mahanoy, and Mahantongo Railroad and #18 with Tulpehocken Trail Traces. Joe Fair's Vietnam memoir Call Sign Dracula climbed the rankings to #8 thanks to author appearances. Mike Campbell's Amelia Earhart: The Truth at Last inched up to #9 due to continued national media attention for the search for the aviatrix's plane. Beagle Tales 5 debuted at #10 thanks to Bob Ford's following. Petrified, the YA novel by Canadian Tanya Reimer, returned to the chart at #11 thanks to sales north of the border. Tony Julian's Pit Bulls, available in both trade paperback and hardcover, slipped to #12 following a strong Christmas showing. Sharon Marchisello's Going Home grabbed lucky #13 thanks to sales in the Southland in advance of her events. Winter of the Metal People, by Dennis Herrick, moved up to #14 thanks to author activities. Jim Remsen's Visions of Teaga slipped to #16. Guy Graybill's Whimsy and Wry rounded out the list, thanks to author activities.
The company released five new titles during the month of January
| SUNBURY PRESS – New Releases for January, 2015 | ||
| Malaformed Realities Volume 1 | Thomas Malafarina | Thriller Fiction |
| Beagle Tales 5 | Bob Ford | Pet Humor |
| Courting Doubt and Darkness | J. M. West | Thriller Fiction |
| The Bookseller's Secret | Catherine Jordan | Thriller Fiction |
| How to Achieve Peace of Mind | Dorsman & Davis | Mindfulness |