THE FIFTH BEATLE NOMINATED FOR FIRST ANNUAL LAMBDA LITERARY AWARD FOR BEST GRAPHIC NOVEL

March 7, NEW YORK, NY— Vivek J. Tiwary’s debut graphic novel, The Fifth Beatle has been named a finalist for the Lambda Literary Award for “Best LGBT Graphic Novel.” This is the first year for the graphic novel category, which celebrates achievement in lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender writing for graphic novels published in 2013. The Fifth Beatle, published by Dark Horse, has already garnered recognition as a New York Times #1 Best-Seller for three weeks upon release in November.

Started in 1989, The Lambda Literary Awards, or the “Lammys”, were created to celebrate and preserve LGBT literature through programs that honor excellence, promote visibility and encourage up-and-coming writers. In its 26^th year, there were 746 submissions across 24 categories. Winners will be announced during a ceremony on June 2^nd in New York City, in conjunction with Book Expo America.

“What an honor to be nominated for a Lammy!” Tiwary said. “‘The Fifth Beatle’ Brian Epstein was homosexual at time when it was deemed a felony, and yet he dreamed of spreading the Beatles’ message of love across the globe– while tragically needing to hide his own love away. His story has deeply inspired me in both my personal and professional life, so I’m full of joy that this recognition by the Lambda Literary Foundation will further spread Brian Epstein’s inspiring life story to others.”

Fellow nominees in the Lammy’s “Best LGBT Graphic Novel” category are: Artifice, written by Alex Woolfson and illustrated by Winona Nelson; Calling Dr. Laura: A Graphic Memoir, by Nicole J. Georges; and Duck! Second Chances, by Tana Ford.

Vivek J. Tiwary, who is a multiple Tony Award–winning producer (Green Day’s American Idiot, The Addams Family, Mel Brooks’ The Producers) wrote the novel, which was painted by fanboy favorites Andrew C. Robinson (Dusty Star, King Conan, Starman, Superman) and Kyle Baker (The Shadow, Plastic Man.) The Fifth Beatle is the untold true story of Brian Epstein, the visionary manager who discovered and guided the Beatles to unprecedented international stardom. More than merely the story of “The Man Who Made The Beatles,” The Fifth Beatle is an uplifting, tragic, and ultimately inspirational human story about the struggle to overcome seemingly insurmountable odds. Epstein was homosexual when it was illegal to be so in the United Kingdom, Jewish during a period of pervasive anti-Semitism, and from Liverpool when it was considered just a dingy port town. He helped spread the Beatles’ message of love to the entire world, yet died painfully lonely at the young age of thirty-two, consumed by staggering ambition and the endless struggles that came with it. The Fifth Beatle is available in bookstores everywhere and on Amazon.com.

The Fifth Beatle film adaptation, written and produced by Tiwary, has Peyton Reed (BRING IT ON, THE BREAK-UP) signed on to direct and Academy Award-winner Bruce Cohen (AMERICAN BEAUTY, SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK) is attached as producer as well.

About Vivek J. Tiwary

Vivek J. Tiwary is a New York Times bestselling author and an award-winning producer of Broadway shows, film, television, and graphic novels.

He is the producer and writer of “The Fifth Beatle,” a New York Times best-selling graphic novel based on the life of Beatles’ manager Brian Epstein. “The Fifth Beatle” has secured unprecedented access to Beatles’ music and a feature film is in development to shoot in 2014.  “The Fifth Beatle” will be produced by Academy Award-winning producer Bruce Cohen (AMERICAN BEAUTY, MILK, SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK.)

Vivek is attached to lead produce a Broadway adaptation of Alanis Morissette’s Jagged Little Pill. The production will include the participation of Morissette, as well as that of Pulitzer and Tony award winner Tom Kitt.

In television, Vivek sold a sitcom pilot “Punk Rock Dad” to CBS, based on the bestselling memoir/parenting manual by Pennywise lead singer Jim Lindberg.  He is developing a number of additional series including Amelia Rules! — a children’s film franchise and television series based on the series of tween graphic novels by New York Times best-selling author Jimmy Gownley.

On Broadway, Vivek’s productions have won a combined 25 Tony Awards from 44 Tony nominations—every single one of his shows have been decorated. They include “The Addams Family,” Green Day’s “American Idiot” (the groundbreaking adaptation of the superstar rock band’s multi-platinum album), Mel Brooks’ “The Producers” (the most Tony Awards ever) and “Young Frankenstein”, “A Raisin In The Sun” (starring Sean Combs), and “A Little Night Music” (starring Catherine Zeta-Jones and Angela Lansbury). Off-Broadway, Vivek produced a theatrical collaboration between electropop/performance artists Fischerspooner and avant-garde theatre collective The Wooster Group (founded by Willem Dafoe, Spalding Gray, and others) that launched the 2008 Sao Paulo Art Bienal.

Vivek also serves on the Board of Directors for Valiant Entertainment (www.valiantentertainment.com), a multi-platform company that boasts the third largest and most-loved universe of comic book characters and has been hailed by the New York Times as “Marvel 2.0”.

Prior to founding Tiwary Entertainment Group (www.tiwaryent.com) and online music education/empowerment company StarPolish, Vivek held a number of major label music-industry positions, including launching and heading the Alternative Marketing Department at Mercury/PolyGram Records, and managing Video Promotion for Mercury/PolyGram, where he worked closely with MTV and VH1. Vivek has worked with artists covering the entire musical spectrum including Bruce Springsteen, Shania Twain, Bon Jovi, Pearl Jam, Kiss, LL Cool J, John Mellencamp, Allen Ginsberg, Oasis, Hanson, 311 and The Mighty Mighty BossTones to name but a few.

Among many charitable pursuits, Vivek is the Co-Founder of Musicians On Call (www.musiciansoncall.org), a nonprofit organization that uses music and entertainment to complement the healing process.

Vivek is a Magna Cum Laude graduate of both the Wharton School of Business and the University of Pennsylvania’s College of Arts and Sciences. He also holds a filmmaking certificate from The New York Film Academy and is an acting student of Susan Batson/Black Nexxus Acting Studio.

Vivek is represented by Lawrence Mattis and David Alpert of Circle of Confusion 310-253-7777.

Press Contact: Rachel Depew, Rachel.Depew@42West.net