Monday, October 06, 2025

Publishing Portal--October 6, 2025








The latest news from Eckhartz Press, and a chance to peek into some of the great previous offerings from our humble little publishing company.


The Sun at the End of the Road

=Tony Fitzpatrick got some amazing press for his fabulous new book this week in the Chicago Tribune. Unfortunately, as you can tell by reading the story, additional news was revealed. Tony is currently experiencing some serious health issues.

=Tony managed to attend his book launch on Saturday via Zoom, and was greeted with this wonderful video from his friends and supporters...

=Unfortunatley, Steppenwolf Theater issued the following statement about his upcoming run there...

Tony Fitzpatrick’s engagement of “The Sun at the End of the Road,” “presented as part of Steppenwolf’s LookOut Series, has been postponed indefinitely due to the artist’s ongoing health complications,” Steppenwolf advises. “Steppenwolf looks forward to bringing Tony’s show to his Chicago fans in the future.” 

=He may be in the hospital, but he's still making people happy with the book, including his health care workers...



40 Years, 40 Films

=Film critic/podcaster/broadcaster Nick Digilio announced that his new book is available now as an e-book on Amazon. You can get it here. Guess what else? In a few weeks it will also be available as a book-book (technical term) at Eckhartz Press. Look for the official pre-order announcement in the coming weeks. In the meantime, here's the pretty cool cover...


Mob Adjacent

=Speaking of films, authors Jeffrey and Michael Gentile, along with publishers Rick and Dave, got a screening of the Mob Adjacent film over the weekend. Oh boy. This one is going to be incredible. Buckle up, everyone. We will keep you updated on all upcoming film news. There's a lot of excitement going on behind the scenes.

=Another promotional video from the guys. This one stars Michael Gentile, Jr.


Doin the Cruise

=The October issue of Illinois Entertainer is out and it includes a profile of our latest Hall of Famer, Mitch Michaels. You can read that here.


South Side Memories

=One of our brand new books (available for pre-order now) is called South Side Memories by Gloria Golec. Knowing that you might not know Gloria, or what her story is about, we conducted the following Q&A that will give you a better idea of what to expect.


The Loop Files

=For the past few weeks The Loop Files author Rick Kaempfer has been accumulating Loop artifacts and memorabilia, and quietly writing various different Loop displays. Why has he been doing that? Big announcement coming soon.

=This week in 2023, the publicity machine was just getting rolling for The Loop Files. It wasn't even officially released yet. Rick was on the Matt Kissane podcast talking about the book on October 9th, and the RAMP Newsletter featured the book in their popular radio publication on October 11.




=The Cubs are still in the playoffs, which means this playoff special deal is still in effect for EveryCubEver. Use the coupon code and save five bucks. Click here.


=Vicki Atkinson has an upcoming event at Harper College. She'll be reading from her book Surviving Sue on November 6, from 11:00am--12:15pm, as part of their cultural arts lecture series.



=Another chance to meet Eckhartz Press author Mark Wukas is coming up soon as well. I think Mark has his finger on the pulse of his audience based on the location and name of his next appearance. He will be at Dovetail Brewery's Boozy Bookfair. Details below.



=Two chances to meet Robert Conlon coming up. He will be at a Meet the Author event at the Western Springs Libary (The Thomas Ford Memorial Library) on October 16th. You can sign up for that event here. 
=Bob will also be signing books and making a presentation at this year's IBAM (Irish Books and Music), November 22 and 23 at the Irish American Heritage center (4626 N Knox Ave). Get your tickets for that fun event here.




=Don't tell us that birdwatching isn't cool. Jeff Reiter, author of The Best of Words on Birds, is way ahead of the curve on this. Just ask these members of the Buffalo Bills football team.


Happy Birthday!

=Two Eckhartz Press authors are celebrating birthdays this week. Happy birthday to Chili Dog MVP co-author John Owens (October 7) and one of our new authors, To Nudge the World writer Jim Slusher (October 10). Both of them work in the media. Owens was the senior producer at the Chicago Tribune for years, and is now a producer for ABC-7 in Chicago, and Slusher is the Managing Editor for Opinion at the Daily Herald.  



I Bear Witness

=One of the evergreen parts of Dan McNeil's excellent book about the Chicago Bears is his chapter eulogizing the Bears greats who have passed away in recent years. This week in 2023 (October 5), we lost Dick Butkus. Dan wrote a wonderful tribute to the immortal Bears linebacker.


Your Dime My Dance Floor

 =This week in 2017 (October 9), Eckhartz Press signed one of the most famous sportscasters in Chicago to a book deal, Chet Coppock. Just a year later (October 12) Chet was on the airwaves at WGN touting his book. That interview is here.

 


AWARD SEASON

=This week in 2019 (October 11), two of our books were named finalists for the Chicago Writers Association Book of the Year.  The Scar Dance (in the fiction category), and EveryCubEver by Rick Kaempfer (in the non-fiction category).


=This week in 2022 (October 11), two Eckhartz Press books were named finalists for the Chicago Writers Association Book of the Year--and in the same category (non-fiction). Ike & Me by Rich King, and Chili Dog MVP by Dr. David Fletcher and John Owens. Chili Dog MVP brought home some hardware that year.

  


Hugh Hefner's First Funeral

=This week in 2015 (October 6), the reviews came in for Pat Colander's award-winning book Hugh Hefner's First Funeral. Here are a few of them...

  • As Paul Simon bookended…”Time it was, and what a time it was….A time of innocence. A time of confidences.” Chicago in the ’70’s was surreal, scary and freaking hilarious. My Second City kith and kin may have found brighter lights in N.Y. and L.A. — but we were spawned and fermented at North and Wells. Good thing Pat Colander thought to take notes and chronicle everything.

    Tim Kazurinsky, Actor, screenwriter, television and movie star, Saturday Night Live, Police Academy, Neighbors
  • Pat Colander toiled with me in the belly of the Chicago journalism beast in the 1970s and 1980s. When major stories were reported, she asked questions. When the questions were poorly answered or evaded, she asked even more questions of even more people. Then in a clear, true voice, she wrote it all down. She found the real stories behind the stories and this collection of her work is just great. She ought to be long-listed for the Man Booker prize, If I can figure out how to do it I will.

    Denise DeClue, Writer of films including About Last Night, teleplays, documentaries, journalism, humor columns and a great deal of other funny stuff


Cubsessions

=One of the interviewees for Becky Sarwate and Randy Richardson's book about celebrity Cub fans is celebrating a birthday this week. Happy birthday to journalist and author Jonathan Alter (October 6). He rates his own chapter in the book Cubsessions.


We Have Company

=This week in 2016 (October 7), Bobby Skafish visited the WLS studios to talk about his book with his old colleague at the Loop, Steve Dahl. It just happened to be the same day that Trump's Access Hollywood tape came out. (Also in the photo--Brendan Greeley and Dag Juhlin)

=Two of the rock stars featured in We Have Company are celebrating birthdays this week. Happy birthday to Jackson Browne (October 9) and David Lee Roth (October 10)
   


Grace and Friends Fire Activity Book

=This week in 2020 (October 7), co-author of Grace and Friends Fire Activity Safety book Paul Possenti was called a COVID hero. Read this to find out more. 



 Behind the Glass

=Two football legends are celebrating birthdays this week, and both of them are featured in Randy Merkin's Behind the Glass book. Former Bears great (and Hall of Famer) Mike Singletary (October 9), and Tony Dungy (October 6).  Each get a chapter in Behind the Glass. That's Tony with Randy below.


An Off-White Christmas

=This week in 2018 (October 9), Christine Sneed interviewed author Donald G. Evans about his excellent collection of short stories.



=This week in 2020, (October 9) Roger Badesch was interviewed by WGN Radio's John Landecker. You can listen to that here.


The Best Reason to Become a Publisher

=The thing we enjoy the most about being a publisher is the look we see in the eyes of our authors when they get the first copy of their book. This week in 2017, TV producer Tom Weinberg got the first copy of his book Chasing the Lost City. This week in 2018, artist William Mansfield got his first copy of his book The Scar DanceChasing the Lost City became a television show on WTTW. The Scar Dance was nominated for CWA Book of the Year.

  

=William recently staged an art show (his day job). Take a look at his amazing artwork here.

Monday, September 29, 2025

Publishing Portal--September 29, 2025








The latest news from Eckhartz Press, and a chance to peek into some of the great previous offerings from our humble little publishing company.


The Sun at the End of the Road

   

=Tony Fitzpatrick got some great press this week. For instance, this piece in Block Club Chicago is a wonderful primer on the book. The Chicago Tribune will be featuring Tony later this week.

=Tickets are available for Tony's show at Steppenwolf, get your tickets now. The show runs from October 16--November 2.

=Tony recently had a few medical issues and had to be hospitalized. Guess who visited him there? His old pal Richard Kind.
=Richard also mentioned Tony when he sang "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" at Wrigley on Friday.

=Tony was touched by that moment, even though he's a Sox fan. Another friend of his sent a cake with a slightly different message. The 100 represents the 100th loss by the White Sox. Tony may be sick, but he's still Tony.


Chili Dog MVP

=We have some photos from the red carpet preview of the Dick Allen movie, My Father Dick Allen, at the Boston Film Festival. Pictured below, producer (and author of Chili Dog MVP) David Fletcher. The second photo features Dick Allen's son Richard and another producer of the movie, Sharon Pannozzo. And finally the third photo is David Fletcher with Richard Allen and fellow Eckhartz Press author (Last Comiskey) Ken Smoller. Ken is the official photographer for the film.

  

=Speaking of David Fletcher, he's celebrating a birthday this week (September 30). Happy birthday Doc!


Mob Adjacent

=We're going to get our first look at the film based on our book Mob Adjacent this coming weekend. Can't wait. In the meantime, here's another trailer from the fellas...

=As long as we're sending out birthday wishes, one of the Mob Adjacent brothers, Jeffrey Gentile is also celebrating a birthday this week (September 29). Happy birthday Jeff! See you this weekend for the screening. ( Listen to Jeff talk about Mob Adjacent.)



=It's playoff time, Cub fans. How are we feeling about our chances? Hopefully it goes better than it did in 2008. See below.

=This week in 2008 (October 5), EveryCubEver author Rick Kaempfer was interviewed by CBS-2 TV just as the Cubs were ending their playoff run. It would be another ten years before EveryCubEver was completed. The seventh edition is out now. Perfect gift for your Cub fan friends. If you have a previous version, it's time to upgrade. This one also has hundreds of vintage photographs.



=If you go to the Arcada Theater in St. Charles, look what you'll find in the gift shop there!

Celtic Knot

=Remember, nearly every Eckhartz Press author is available to come to your book club. Just ask Bob Conlon. He was in Crystal Lake this week for a bookclub, and enjoyed every minute of it.




=Sometimes we forget that we have actual newspaper journalists in the Eckhartz Press stable. Jeff Reiter's latest column was a front pager in this section of the Daily Herald last week (photo). Look for a full in-depth piece about Jeff and his book this week.


To Nudge the World

=Jeff isn't the only Daily Herald journalist in our stable. This week last year we staged a book launch party for Daily Herald editor Jim Slusher and his book To Nudge the World. Great turnout. Inspiring reading. His book couldn't be more timely today. Much of it examines the role of the press, and the freedom of the press.




Happy Birthday! 

=Big week for author birthdays. Two more also have birthdays this week. 1001 Train Rides in Chicago author Richard Reeder (September 30), and Signature Shoes author Ryan Trembath (October 4). Listen to Ryan talk about Signature Shoes Richard may have another book coming out soon. We have inside sources about these things.

 


Worth a Second Look

=It's the one-year anniversary of Eric Litt's second Eckhartz Press book. Worth a Second Look is the book that every movie fan should have at their disposal when they can’t find anything to watch. Super Movie Fan and author of Oscars Biggest Mistakes Eric Litt handpicked 200 films that are either underrated, a forgotten hit, a hidden gem or a guilty pleasure from the past 50 years. This book is full of recommendations for terrific films that deserve to be seen again from almost every genre from action to comedy to horror to holiday. There is something in this book for everyone. 


Staying Alive is a lot of Work


=It's also the one-year anniversary of Staying Alive is a Lot of Work. One day Pat Camalliere was finally enjoying her family, newfound success as a historical mystery writer, and singing in a classical chorus, passions she had put off during her forty-year career in medical administration. The next day she found herself struggling to survive after being diagnosed with advanced tongue cancer. With knowledge gained from a lifetime in the field of medicine, as a writer of character driven novels, and as a cancer patient herself, Camalliere walks readers through slices of her life growing up in Chicago, relating moving experiences with detail and humor, demystifying the day-to-day struggles of a cancer patient in a way few can do. There is no one better to explain the cancer experience from diagnosis, chemotherapy and radiation, through side effects and recovery. Although staying alive is a lot of work, personal efforts to understand cancer and the people who treat it can ease the journey to recovery. This memoir will benefit anyone who has or has had cancer, their loved ones, and all who treat and support cancer patients.


Meta Stories

=Meta Stories is one of our stellar 2024 releases. We had a chance to sit down with author Dr. Joe Novak and talk about the book. The Q&A is here.




AWARD SEASON!

=This week in 2017 (October 3), two of our books were named finalists for CWA Book of the Year. We Have Company by Bobby Skafish in the non-fiction category, and Out the Door! by M.L Collins in the fiction category. 




=This week in 2018 (October 5), two more of our books were named finalists by the Chicago Writers Association for Book of the Year. Doin the Cruise by Mitch Michaels and Ken Churilla in the non-fiction category, and Safe Inside by Lee Kingsmill in the fiction category.


=This week in 2020 (October 2), Roger Badesch's book The Unplanned Life was also named a finalist for Book of the Year.


Nose Over Toes

=Janet Sutherland was on WLS Radio to promote her annual walk for the Brain Aneurysm Foundation. Thanks so much to Ray Stevens for having her on his show. You can listen to it here.

=Janet was recognized at last year's walk (the 10th annual) for her tireless work as the foundation's Ambassador for the past twenty years. A letter of thanks and recognition from Congressman Sean Casten was presented to Janet at the walk. Congrats to Janet!



We Have Company

=This week in 2016 (September 30), Bobby Skafish held the launch party for his book We Have Company. It was a star-studded event at Toons on Southport Avenue. In the photo below with Bobby...Greg Solk, Rick Kaempfer, and Johnny Mars.

 

=Also, two of the rock stars featured in Bobby's book are celebrating birthdays this week. Live Aid's Bob Geldof (October 5), and Fleetwood Mac's Lindsay Buckingham (October 3, photo below)



=Speaking of rock stars, the immortal Jerry Lee Lewis was born this week in 1935 (September 29). Bill Paige features an interview with the Killer in the pages of his book.

=This week in 2022 (October 4), Bill Paige made a return trip to Chicago (He now lives in Thailand) and played a gig on the North side of the city. Eckhartz Press publisher Rick Kaempfer was there to cheer him on.


Pat Cassidy

=For years Pat Cassidy reigned supreme on the Chicago airwaves as the morning co-anchor at WBBM-AM (with Felicia Middlebrooks). He also managed to find his way into two Eckhartz Press books. That's Pat in Rich King's memoir Ike & Me (along with fellow WBBM pros Jim Benes and Bernie Tafoya), and there's Pat in Mitch Michael's memoir Doin The Cruise. Two very different books, but with one significant similarity...Pat Cassidy. Pat's birthday is September 30.




Close Encounters of a Chicago Kind

=This week in 1971 (October 1), the Chicago Reader was founded. The Reader has been a champion of Eckhartz Press author Vicki Quade her entire career. This is the quote they provided for Vicki's book Close Encounters of a Chicago Kind...

  • “I love observational journalism. When a writer simply listens and watches, and interprets a story through their senses. Chicagoan Vicki Quade is that kind of writer. She beautifully captures the small nuances of movement and conversation that make Chicago what it is—a city of people, a city of neighborhoods, and a city of a million stories, big and small.”

    — Tracy Baim, publisher, Chicago Reader


Truffle Hunt

=October 1 is World Vegetarian Day. We have a few vegetarian authors at Eckhartz Press, but only Brent Petersen incorporated that into his novel (Truffle Hunt).  Before he even wrote that fun foodie novel, Brent explained his vegetarianism in this essay. The money quote: “I am not a vegetarian because I love animals, I am vegetarian because I hate plants.”



Life Behind the Camera

=Not to brag, but how many authors have a photo of Sting (born October 2) holding a copy of their book? Chuck Quinzio has one. 



Brandwidth

=Media strategist Kipper McGee appeared on a podcast this week in 2017 (October 2) to discuss his book about the media, Brandwidth. The podcast is called Voices of Vision. 



Cubsessions

=This week in 2018, Cubsessions co-authors Randy Richardson and Becky Sarwate appeared on the Club 400 show to talk Cubs. You can still listen to it here.


Transatlantic Passage

=One of the most colorful soccer players of all-time, Zlatan, is celebrating a birthday this week (October 3). Paul Banks writes about Zlatan in his Eckhartz Press book. He also once got close enough to the legend to snap this photo...


The Unplanned Life

=This week in 1979 (October 4), Pope John Paul II came to Chicago to make a few appearances. Eckhartz Press author Roger Badesch was there covering the event as a newsman at WKQX. His report from that time, which is found in the pages of The Unplanned Life, includes a description of what it was like hanging out in a scrum of reporters outside the Cardinal's house (where the Pope was staying). Roger passed the time waiting for His Holiness by doing "latch-hook." He created something for his daughter's room.  

=This week in 2021 (October 5), shortly after his book was released, Roger announced his retirement from WGN. 


Embrace Retirement

=This week in 2018 (October 4), Russ Fahrner (far left) and Bruce Bohrer (far right) appeared on WCGO with Bill Turck to talk about their retirement book...

=Keep an eye on this column in the near future. Russ has written another book. More details to come.

Tony LaRussa

 =The former White Sox manager, who is celebrating a birthday this week (October 4), has appeared in multiple Eckhartz Press books. You'll find him in the pages of Ike & Me by Rich King, as well as in the book Your Dime My Dance Floor by Chet Coppock. Both books have pictures of LaRussa as well...(notice Jerry Reinsdorf is in both pictures too)

 


Your Dime My Dance Floor

=This week in 2018, Chet Coppock unveiled the promo video for his book...

=We still miss you Chet.