VACATION TIMESHARING BOOK TO HIT STORES THIS FALL

Career Press Source: Business Wire

March 2, 1999
For the first time in nearly 20 years, a leading publisher plans to release a consumer-oriented book about vacation timesharing (also called vacation ownership or interval ownership). Ron Fry, founder and president of New Jersey-based Career Press, says "Timesharing: Your Essential Guide to Vacation Ownership" will ship to the nation's book retailers in late 1999.

Fry says he's been interested in publishing a book about timesharing since launching Career Press in 1985. More than 4 million households worldwide include vacation owners. There are timeshare resorts in 90 countries.

"With all of the public companies entering the timeshare business and recent spin-offs by hotel brands such as Four Seasons and Westin following the success of Marriott, Disney, Hyatt and Hilton, the timing is right," Fry says. "This is also the 25th year for interval ownership in the United States, which not only speaks to the credibility of the subject matter, but to the need for a definitive book on vacation timesharing."

Teaming up to write and edit the book are three journalists with impressive timeshare credentials. Anne Crawford, principal of Indianapolis-based Anne Crawford Associates and a 17-year timeshare-industry veteran, will author the book with assistance from Judith Kenninger of Brownsburg, Ind.-based Kenninger Communications. Betsy Sheldon, a former editor-in-chief of Endless Vacation magazine, the world's largest-circulation publication for timeshare owners, will serve as editor.

Crawford has run her own marketing communications business for seven years interviewing hundreds of vacation owners and resort operators -- in addition to holding several communications and marketing positions during 10 years with Indianapolis-based Resort Condominiums International (RCI), the world's largest membership organization for timeshare owners. Kenninger, who has been a working journalist for 15 years, spent three years at RCI as a senior writer and corporate relations specialist. Sheldon, with 20 years as a writer/editor/consultant -- including 12 years at RCI -- has authored five books.

"We couldn't have dreamed up a better team," Fry says. "Anne Crawford is recognized for her solid writing style, her grasp of the timeshare business, her tenacity to present a complete and accurate picture, and her credibility within timeshare circles. Judith Kenninger's collaboration is a big plus because in recent years she has interviewed the most influential individuals in the timeshare industry. And Betsy Sheldon is an accomplished book author/editor and travel writer -- just the right combination to ensure a winning editorial formula." He says, "We believe this will be the most representative, objective book about timesharing ever published for consumers."

The book will include dozens of interviews and anecdotes from vacation owners. Fry says the editors are searching for additional interview participants. Resort representatives or individual timeshare owners who are interested in recommending interview subjects are encouraged to e-mail that information to Crawford via the Career Press Website at www.careerpress.com.

In addition to retail book sales, Fry says Career Press will take special orders from resort developers and operators who want to customize the book for release to prospective purchasers and timeshare buyers as premiums or gifts. "We've already heard from resort representatives who want special book covers -- even an inside chapter that focuses on a specific resort or resort collection."

Fry says the backing by Career Press of "Timesharing: Your Essential Guide to Vacation Ownership," will further enhance the book's credibility and reach. The publisher's books are found in chain and independent bookstores, drug stores, warehouse clubs and other retail outlets throughout the United States, as well as in Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong and South Africa. Career Press will publish 50 titles in 1999 alone, with more than 300 titles in print by year's end.

Fry explains, "We're in the business of publishing books on topics most needed in the marketplace, written by established professionals with top-flight credentials. We promote and publicize all of our books full force."