About 31 Months in Japan: The Building of a Theme Park
Universal Studios Japan™ was the first and, to date, only theme park to open ahead of schedule and under budget. This is the story of how that feat was accomplished. The authors’ debut effort, published by iUniverse, Inc., is their first-hand account of the events and people who made it happen.
31 Months in Japan – the Building of a Theme Park combines interesting details and behind-the-scenes descriptions of how magic is made in the entertainment industry with the challenges and frustrations of adapting to a foreign lifestyle. After spending nearly three years in Japan during the construction of the Universal Studios® theme park in Osaka, authors Larry K. and Lorna Collins share the funny, frustrating, touching and sometimes difficult events of that experience.
“I was lost, thoroughly lost, in a country where I neither read the signs nor spoke much of the language. I was just trying to get to a dentist. The crown on my front tooth had fallen out the day before, and English-speaking friends had recommended their Harvard-trained doctor. I called his office and made an appointment for that afternoon. Then I boarded the train…”
So begins the adventure as the reader shares the experience of being foreign—and confused. Discover the challenges and frustrations of building a world-class entertainment venue outside the United States. Enjoy their discovery of the beauty and the people of Japan. Share the laughter, tears, surprise and final triumph as the park is completed. Meet fascinating characters like Jurassic Jack, the Nihon Cowboy and Dote-san through their eyes.
31 Months in Japan – the Building of a Theme Park is the first book which addresses the experience of Americans working in the entertainment industry on a foreign construction jobsite. It recounts the challenge of meetings where everything is translated while following the formal Japanese business style when the American objective is to achieve a creative guest experience. The funny and touching personal remembrances will be of particular interest to those visiting or intending to live or work in Japan, people doing business with the Japanese, theme park aficionados and anyone with a sense of adventure.
Larry K. Collins and Lorna Collins are residents of Dana Point, California who found themselves involved in the design for a theme park to be built in Osaka, Japan. Larry was the Project Engineer for the Jurassic Park, WaterWorld and JAWS attractions and the related shops, restaurants and other facilities. Lorna was the Document Control Specialist in the Osaka office. They had worked together previously and enjoyed sharing this experience.
31 Months in Japan – the Building of a Theme Park is now available in hardcover, trade paperback and e-book through all major online book sellers and directly from the publisher.
Cover design by Larry K. Collins
ISBN: 0-595-34584-0
HC ISBN: 0-595-67133-0
PDF EISBN: 0-595-79331-2
About Murder ... They Wrote
What if a retired NYPD officer is asked to investigate a mysterious death at the National Authors Conference where various attendees offer their theories and suspicions?
Murder …They Wrote answers this question as Agapé Jones, retired NYPD detective, tries to determine the truth surrounding the death of Robert Dyer, noted poet and critic. Confusing and confounding him are Robert’s ex-girlfriend, award-winning romance novelist Phoebe Skye, current young girlfriend Summer Winters, ex-wife Sheila “Cookie” McGuire, recently discovered illegitimate daughter Sarah Jane Streshinksy (AKA Tinker Belle), action/adventure author Steve Bold, famous psychic Clara Casper, long-time friend Sylvia Sanchez, agent Dennis Purcell and the mysterious Countess Elektra Rozanska.
While Agapé enjoys getting a chance to exercise his old skills, his wife of over forty years, Geraldine, isn’t pleased. She teaches English at Maui Community College and talked Agapé into volunteering as head of security for the National Authors Conference where she volunteers in the bookstore.
Peopled by a cast of quirky and deliciously amusing characters, Murder …They Wrote will quickly engage the reader. It is filled with accusations, theories, twists, turns and surprises. The authors each have unique personalities and bring them to the creation of the fictional authors.
The approximately 250-page book is written in first-person real-time over a two and a half day period. It is fast-paced, humorous and touching. The manuscript is complete and ready for publication.
Murder …They Wrote is the first in a planned series featuring detective Agapé Jones.
Coming Soon