Monday, July 21, 2025

Publishing Portal--July 21, 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.


=Available for pre-order now! Pre-order your copy today.

=What is Words on Birds? The best of Jeff Reiter’s 225 “Words on Birds” columns for the Daily Herald, celebrating birds, birding, and birders in Chicagoland and beyond. Wherever you live, and whatever your birding experience level, this volume is entertaining, informative, and relevant. Containing more than 50 stunning photographs, Words on Birds is a must-have for any birding enthusiast.



=The Birding World is super excited about this one. For instance...

  • Birds raise our spirits and enrich our lives. For two decades, Jeff Reiter has been sharing that inspiring message with readers in the Chicago region, introducing them to the pleasures of birding through his entertaining and informative newspaper column, ‘Words on Birds.’ This collection of his best work is a joy to read, and I recommend it highly.”

    Kenn Kaufman, author of Kingbird Highway and Kaufman Field Guides
  • “. . . a very special book for both those who share Jeff’s life-long love of birds, and for the newcomers who are catching up.”

    George Archibald, co-founder, International Crane Foundation
  • “Jeff’s column in the Daily Herald has been delighting serious and occasional birders since 2008. A self-proclaimed bird nerd, he writes with charm, knowledge, and humor.”

    Lisa Miner, executive editor, Daily Herald
  • “Each column stands on its own, but taken together they provide a great sense of how birds lead us to think about environmental and cultural issues that concern us all.”

    Doug Stotz, senior conservation ecologist, The Field Museum
  • “Jeff captures the joy, wonder, and often humor found in our birding encounters. This collection is a must-read for anyone who’s ever picked up binoculars or simply paused to listen to birdsong—a true celebration of birds, birders, and the stories that connect us.”

    Brad Bumgardner, executive director, Indiana Audubon Society
  • “Whether you enjoy watching feeder birds from a cozy armchair or travel the globe to find rare species, get ready for a lively and highly personal read that teaches, nurtures, and delights.”

    Diann Bilderback, president, Bird Conservation Network
  • “Jeff’s writing speaks to all birders and no doubt has created some new ones. He conveys the excitement of birding and reminds readers that birds need and deserve our protection.”

    Carl Bendorf, former director of development, American Birding Association

=Pre-order your copy today.


Chili Dog MVP

=This is the week! Everyone involved in the Chili Dog MVP team is heading to Cooperstown this coming weekend for Dick Allen's induction ceremony, as guests of the Allen family. The family strongly believes the book was instrumental in getting Dick over the finish line with the voters. Authors John Owens and David Fletcher will be there, as will Eckhartz Press publishers Rick Kaempfer and David Stern, photographer (and Last Comiskey author) Ken Smoller, publicist/film producer Sharon Pannozzo, and even famed White Sox organist Nancy Faust. You bet you'll be receiving a full report in the next Publishing Portal. It won't be on Monday next week, however, because Rick and Dave will be traveling back to Chicago. Pencil in Wednesday (July 30).

=More press. The Daily Herald wrote about the book and film this past weekend. Also, tune in this Wednesday to the Minutia Men Celebrity Interview podcast. Dr. Fletcher will be the guest and will preview what we can all expect.

=Because the book Chili Dog MVP looks back at Dick Allen's unforgettable 1972 season with the White Sox, all of Allen's teammates from that team are also featured in the book. Here are three of them who have birthdays this week, including Dick's brother Hank Allen (July 23), former Cub Moe Drabowsky (July 21), and Buddy Bradford (July 25). Only Buddy is still around. Hank died in 2023 and Moe died in 2006. (Photos from Topps)



=The boys continue to produce videos and move product...


Celtic Knot

=Did you miss another book signing for Robert Conlon? Yes you did. Palos Heights came out for him last week.

 


=Author Robert Conlon continues to garner attention for his novel Celtic Knot. He was featured in Lakefront Living Magazine.


=And he was a guest on this highly rated podcast...


The Kiss of Night

=Author Mark Wukas will be appearing at Max & Benny's on August 11 (Northbrook) to tape a podcast and do a book signing. You can register here.

=He also was told this week that he will be part of a panel discussion at this year's Printers Row Litfest (September 7). The subject matter is: "Making Chicago a Character in Your Novel." Wukas certainly did that.


=This week is the anniversary of the concert that inspired a book cover. This book cover photograph of The Flip Side was taken July 22, 1975, exactly 50 years ago. The line forming outside the original Flip Side record store on Foster Avenue was there to buy tickets to see The Rolling Stones. That whole story is told well in the pages of The Flip Side book.



EveryCubEver

=Every now and then a story will cross the wires that makes Rick reconsider whether or not to update the book again. This one seems to qualify.

=This week in 2019, EveryCubEver author Rick Kaempfer appeared on the Club 400 Podcast to talk about his book. The hosts of the show were blown away by the details. You can still hear it here.


Patty & the Stump

=Another Eckhartz Press author is celebrating a birthday this week (July 21). Happy birthday to one half of the Patty & The Stump team, Spike Manton. He co-wrote (with Tim Clue) a children's book for us during 2016 that remains timely today. It's about dealing with political bullies. (Photo of Spike below with Eckhartz Press publisher Rick Kaempfer at Zanies in Chicago)


=Unfortunately, Spike is spending his birthday today delivering the eulogy for his friend, sportscaster/comedian/actor/playwright Harry Teinowitz. Rest in peace, Harry. (This week's Minutia Men podcast also includes a tribute to Harry.)


I Bear Witness

=Another Eckhartz Press author had very close ties to Harry. Dan McNeil was the co-host of a very popular radio show with Harry, Mac, Jurko & Harry. They had a sometimes tense relationship (some of it described well in this 2004 piece in Lake Magazine), but both men considered each other a friend. This photo of Dan and Harry was taken by Eckhartz Press publisher Rick Kaempfer.

=This week (July 25) would have been Walter Payton's 72nd birthday. Dan McNeil did a deep dive in his book I Bear Witness about the greatest football player in history. He also included this memorable photo from the Bears heyday in the 1980s. It was given to him by the other Hall of Famer in the picture, Jimbo Covert.

=Considering that Walter Payton is the either the greatest or second greatest athlete in Chicago history, and our press is a Chicago press, it shouldn't surprise you to discover that three other books in our catalog also have great stories about Walter, The Loop Files (by Rick Kaempfer)Records Truly Is My Middle Name (by John Landecker) and Your Dime My Dance Floor (by Chet Coppock). We still miss Walter, but he lives on in the pages of these Eckhartz Press books.



=Surviving Sue recently celebrated it's second birthday as a book. Author Vicki Atkinson wrote about that. She also received this incredible review from fellow author Jim Edstrom


Your book is an extraordinarily important work that deserves wide circulation. You accomplished something exceedingly rare:  at the same time that you told your story honestly and truthfully, you were able to critically assess what was happening, evaluate your mother’s behavior patterns and find for yourself a sense of peace and healing.  That is an incredible gift.  And you drew such vivid portraits of all the actors–your dad, your sister, your aunts, and most of all your mother–I felt like I truly got to know them as much as any reader can know the characters in a well-written narrative. 

None of us can ever completely escape from our own personal traumas.  But you showed that it’s more than possible to transcend one’s past, integrate it into one’s experience, and to build a better world of one’s own. I’m convinced that it has the power to transform people’s lives and remind them that no matter what traumas they may encounter, no one is ever alone.  There is always someone to turn to.  Your story and your triumphant journey of resilience underscore that Vicki Atkinson will be that someone for countless readers of your work.



=One of our authors, Lauren LoGuidice, has become a podcast star in her own right. She has a new podcast on the Radio Misfits Podcast Network where she interviews Misfits. It's called Misfits Makin' It. Sounds perfect. 


To Nudge the World

=This is always a great way to get to know the author and the book. It's a Q&A with author Jim Slusher about his 2024 book To Nudge the World.



Last Comiskey

=Yes, that's Eckhartz Press author (Last Comiskey) Ken Smoller with the ultimate White Sox spokesperson, the one and only Ozzie Guillen. We thank Ozzie for his support of this project!



1001 Train Rides in Chicago

=This week in 2018, Eckhartz Press author Richard Reeder debuted his promotional video for his book 1001 Train Rides in Chicago




=This week in 2014, author Bruce Bohrer was making the TV rounds promoting his book about being a Wrigley Field usher. Among his stops, WGN TV...

=And he also released his promotional video...


The Loop Files

=One of the biggest stars in WLUP (The Loop) history was Sky Daniels. Sky is a big contributor to The Loop Files, and this week he's also celebrating his birthday (July 24). (PHOTO: by Mike Bucek)

=Another key Loop contributor back in the day was Albert Brooks. (Albert's birthday is July 22). He was a frequent guest on Steve & Garry's show in both of Steve & Garry's Loop eras. Here he is with Steve Dahl in the early days...(PHOTO: Paul Natkin)

=There were a few years that Bears kicker Kevin Butler was on Kevin Matthews show on AM 1000 so often that he might as well have been Kevin's co-host. This classic pic of the two Kevs (by Paul Natkin) appears in the book. Butler's birthday is July 24.


We Have Company

=This week in 2017, Bobby Skafish was making the rounds promoting his rock and roll interview book We Have Company. Among the stops, WGN Radio. He appeared on the Roe Conn show, which featured Anna Davlantes at the time. Anna's birthday is this week too (July 25).

=Isn't there a rock star birthday this week that ties into Bobby's book? Well, now that you mention it, there is one. Emily Saliers (from the Indigo Girls) is also in the book. 


The Unplanned Life

=WGN radio's Steve King is celebrating a birthday this week (July 26). Steve was a long-time colleague of Roger Badesch on WGN, and plays a crucial role in the most exciting story in Roger's book. He also provided this testimonial (along with co-host and wife Johnnie) for the back cover of the book...

  • “This book’s cover photo was taken on a night we’ll never forget. Trust us, we never had a night like that on the radio before or since and, along with our WGN radio listeners, were praying that Roger would survive. Spoiler alert: He did! In this book Roger shares the details of that night and other adventures, including his time with Chicago’s first black mayor, Harold Washington, and first woman mayor, Jane Byrne. “The Unplanned Life” of this man we’re so proud to call a friend was obviously part of a bigger plan. Thankfully, he listened to the universe and went along for the ride. Buckle up, it’s a good one!”

    Steve King & Johnnie Putman, award-winning Chicago broadcasters and authors



Gruen Weiss Vor!

=This week would have been the birthday (July 21) of the recently departed German soccer superstar Uwe Seeler, who helped the West German team win the World Cup in 1954. He also appears in an Eckhartz Press book. In the 1970s he came to Chicago and attended a Green White soccer game. That story is told in the pages of Gruen Weiss Vor!