YA Imprint from Wizards of the Coast

Wizards of the Coast will launch a new imprint this summer aimed at children eight to 14. The imprint, Mirrorstone, will feature two fantasy series, Dragonlance: The New Adventures and Knights of the Silver Dragon. The first two titles in the Dragonlance line, Temple of the Dragonslayer and The Dying Kingdom, will be released in June. The adult Dragonlance titles have done very well for Wizards, but the new series is the first time an original Dragonlance story line has been developed specifically for young readers. The first book in the Silver Dragon series, Secret of the Spiritkeeper, will be published in July. Wizards said the line is inspired by the popular Dungeons & Dragons game. To promote the Knights series, readers will have the chance to join the Order of the Knights through a club and Web site. Club members will receive a number of benefits, including giveaways and special correspondence.

All books in the Mirrorstone imprint will be mass-market paperbacks and sell for $5.99. After the initial launch, Wizards will release one book per month in each series in alternating months, a pattern that will continue through 2005, said Peter Archer, director of book publishing. Archer said the launch of Mirrorstone is being done to "tap into the young adult market. The success of Harry Potter showed how vital that section is."

Wizard will launch a third series for that market next April. Star Sisterz, based on a new collectible game, will be written for eight- to 12-year-old girls.