Inkshares eBook “The Astronaut Instruction Manual” To Be Adapted For Television By Legendary, Matt Tolmach Productions

Hit eBook THE ASTRONAUT INSTRUCTION MANUAL from first-time author Mike Mongo has been set up with Legendary Television and is in early development for a new series from Matt Tolmach Productions. The book, published on Inkshares, sparked a bidding war when it was taken out earlier this year by 2016 Launch Pad judge Brooklyn Weaver of Energy Entertainment. UTA brokered the deal between Tolmach, Inkshares, and Energy.

Pitched as “a Wimpy Kid’s Guide to becoming a Martian,” the book takes readers on a journey into the world of space travel, providing a how-to guide for a new generation of explorer that prepares them for the wonders and mysteries of interstellar life. The book, designed for children between the ages of 6 and 13, is a functioning, interactive instruction manual and has been endorsed by authors, teachers, and Congressmen. Using mad-lib-style fill-in-the-blanks, Mongo encourages his readers to articulate and illustrate their own vision of next-generation space travel.

Inkshares, the online platform that published Mongo’s debut, has partnered with The Tracking Board for the 2016 Launch Pad Manuscript Competition and will select a minimum of three Launch Pad manuscripts to publish digitally and physically. Weaver, who has served as a judge in every Launch Pad Competition and has signed over 10 Launch Pad alums, will select at least one writer and manuscript to represent from the entries that select the Guaranteed Signing add-on.

Tolmach is a producer on the upcoming Spider-Man: Homecoming as well as the Jumanji remake that will star Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart and Jack Black. He is currently the executive producer on a digital series adaptation of the iconic video game Myst for Hulu.

Legendary is the team behind the upcoming Downward Dog on ABC, and USA’s Colony which premieres season two later this year. The studio is also in pre-production on season two of Judd Apatow’s Love and season one of Lost In Space for Netflix.

Mongo is repped by Energy Entertainment.

Emily J | Staff Writer

This story was first reported by The Hollywood Reporter.