The Haunted Mansion Storm & Shade

Gray, Claudia

Welcome, foolish mortals, to an original and eerie novel inspired by the Haunted Mansion attraction at Disney Parks!

When high school student Audrey Perez moves to a town that's supposedly home to a haunted mansion, she and a few of her new friends decide to investigate. Audrey is quickly swept up in a macabre mystery and eerie adventure that holds the fate of the Haunted Mansion's 999 happy haunts in the balance. A storm is coming—both literally and figuratively—and it'll be up to Audrey and her friends to save the Mansion—and its ghosts—before it's too late. But can Audrey do so while dealing with her own anxieties and while caught in a love triangle between her boyfriend and the enigmatic Sterling—who just might be a ghost?

Read on, foolish mortal, if you dare . . .FIRST BOOK OF ITS KIND: This is the first Haunted Mansion young adult novel, and will be done in the tone of the attraction, creepy and fun but not overly scary or gory. It perfectly tees up the possibility of future books in the series.

HALLOWEEN IS HOT: As we’ve seen internally from success with Hocus Pocus and The Nightmare Before Christmas, Halloween-timed properties continue to be extremely popular, and we’ll time this to Halloween promotions in 2022.

THE HAUNTED MANSION IS HOT TOO: The Haunted Mansion itself is a hugely popular property, with a large selection of merchandise available and a devoted following. Word is there is a Haunted Mansion film in development as well.

HIGH CONCEPT FRANCHISE, BUT MAKE IT RELATABLE: This story mixes the horrors of a new school, a new house, trouble with anxiety, and a long-distance relationship with the supernatural spookiness of the Haunted Mansion and its 999 happy haunts.

NEW ORLEANS LOCALE: The book is set in New Orleans, and the author lives in New Orleans, so not only does it feel fully authentic, but provides a perfect location for spooky author events! Marketing:

• Promote at New York Comic Con 2023
• Paid Facebook and Instagram advertising targeting Disney/Haunted Mansion fans
• Email campaign
• Cross promotions with Disney Parks & Resorts
• Social media assets including book photography
• Cross promotions with Disney-owned social media
• Promote on Disney Books social and DisneyBooks.com

Publicity:

• Launch event in New Orleans
• 3 city tour
• Cover reveal with major entertainment outlet
• Pitch for national reviews, roundups, and interviews
• Pitch to influencers on Instagram, TikTik and YouTube
• Include in Fall Reads/Halloween Reading pitches
• Pitch to Disney influencers
• Explore synergy opportunities, including events in the park