CURRENT PROJECTS
The Crossover
Acoustic Rooster's Barnyard Boogie Starring Indigo Blume
Acoustic Rooster's Barnyard Boogie Starring Indigo Blume
Based on the Newbery Medal and Coretta Scott King Award–winning middle grade bestseller by Kwame Alexander, where basketball and heartache share the court in this slam-dunk novel in verse. Twelve-year-old twins and basketball stars Josh and Jordan Bell must learn to deal with problems on and off the court as they navigate homework, first crushes, family and, of course, basketball. Premiering in 2023 on Disney+ and Disney Channel.
Acoustic Rooster's Barnyard Boogie Starring Indigo Blume
Acoustic Rooster's Barnyard Boogie Starring Indigo Blume
Acoustic Rooster's Barnyard Boogie Starring Indigo Blume
The world premiere Kennedy Center musical adaptation brings two beloved Kwame Alexander children’s books to the stage, Acoustic Rooster and Indigo Blume. Alexander teams up with his writing partner Mary Rand Hess and long-time musical collaborator Randy Preston in a story about being scared, being brave, and believing in yourself that will have children (and families) dancing in their seats. On tour Spring 2023.
America's Next Great Author
America's Next Great Author
America's Next Great Author
America’s Next Great Author is the groundbreaking reality television series geared toward anyone who loves drama on or off the page. First, nationwide tryouts in iconic American cities show off amateur writers as they get one minute to pitch their book ideas to a panel of publishing experts. Eight charismatic finalists from vastly different places and backgrounds enter the House of Dreams together for a month of live-wire challenges and spectacular storytelling. These talented amateurs have to start their books from scratch on day one of the Retreat and finish the first draft of a novel by the end of the thirty days. None of the writers will be eliminated! The climactic finale will reveal who made it to the finish line when their published books are presented to the viewing audience.
The World of ¡Vamos!
America's Next Great Author
America's Next Great Author
Meet Little Lobo, his dog Bernabé, and his luchador friends as they tackle daily adventures in a bustling border town. Peppered with Latin American Spanish vocabulary, the engaging, award-winning books in The World of ¡Vamos! by Raúl the Third immerse children in the vibrancy and joy of Mexican American culture. In addition to a robust publishing line under Versify, the imprint founded by Kwame Alexander, an animated series for kids and families is in development with Sony Pictures Television – Kids (formerly known as Silvergate Media).
Our Partners
OUR TEAM
Kwame Alexander
Kwame Alexander
Kwame Alexander
President & Founder
Kwame Alexander is a poet, educator, producer, and #1 New York Times Bestselling author of 38 books, including: The Door of No Return; An American Story; Becoming Muhammad Ali, co-authored with James Patterson; Rebound, which was shortlisted for prestigious UK Carnegie Medal; the Caldecott Medal and Newbery Honor-winning picture book, The Undefeated, illustrated by Kadir Nelson; and his Newbery medal-winning middle grade novel, The Crossover. He is also the writer, executive producer, and co-showrunner of forthcoming TV series on Disney+ and The Disney Channel. A regular contributor to NPR's Morning Edition, Kwame is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award, the Coretta Scott King Author Honor, three NAACP Image Award nominations, and the 2017 Inaugural Pat Conroy Legacy Award. He also founded the publishing imprint Versify and opened the Barbara E. Alexander Memorial Library and Health Clinic in Ghana as part of LEAP for Ghana, an international literacy program he co-founded. His forthcoming memoir, Why Fathers Cry at Night, and related podcast debuts in May 2023. Find him online at KwameAlexander.com.
Arielle Eckstut
Kwame Alexander
Kwame Alexander
Co-Founder & Executive Producer
Arielle Eckstut is an author and entrepreneur who creates new ideas and businesses that are more inclusive, creative, and inspiring. She started her career as a literary agent at Levine Greenberg Rostan Literary Agency where she launched the careers of dozens of award-winning and bestselling authors. She then co-founded LittleMissMatched, a revolutionary company that sold socks that don’t match in packs of threes, opening stores everywhere from Disney World to Grand Central Station. After co-authoring The Essential Guide to Getting Your Book Published with her husband, David Henry Sterry, they traveled to 46 states with their signature event, Pitchapalooza. The event is the cornerstone of America’s Next Great Author, a Big Sea project in partnership with Can Do Entertainment, which Arielle also co-founded. Arielle is the author of 11 books and has been featured in, among others, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, People Magazine, USA Today and NPR’s Morning Edition.
Angel Tyree Johnson
Sarah Grace McCandless
Angel Tyree Johnson
Producing Partner
Gina Smith
Sarah Grace McCandless
Angel Tyree Johnson
Creative Executive
Sarah Grace McCandless
Sarah Grace McCandless
Sarah Grace McCandless
Chief of Staff