The latest news from Eckhartz Press, and a chance to peek into some of the great previous offerings from our humble little publishing company.
NOW AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER: Slivers by Vicki Atkinson
=In a single week in the summer of 1973, a quiet suburban neighborhood implodes when generations of mystical deceit become too much to bear. Drawn to the web of secrets and lies, the other worldly slivers refuse to be ignored, pushing one family to the brink.
=Vicki Atkinson is the author of Surviving Sue and Slivers and is a licensed professional counselor with a doctorate in Adult Education and degrees in Psychology. Vicki is a consultant in private practice and lives near Chicago with her husband Paul and is the proud mother of Delaney and guardian to her disabled sister, Lisa.
=Pre-Order Slivers now! Ships in a few weeks.
=We announced the pre-sale of Randy Merkin's new book last week, but you might have missed Randy's announcement. He likes to do these things via video (Listen closely, the date of the upcoming launch party is also mentioned)...
Also Coming Soon...
=A novel about Civil Rights and baseball, written by local literary legend Richard Reeder. We have a (gorgeous) cover! The book interior design is almost done. This one will be out before you know it!
Two Chances to meet Eckhartz Press authors this week...
=In early May there's another important preview for the movie...
=Record Store Day is this weekend (April 18), and author/rock jock Mitch Michaels is making a return appearance to Blue Village Vinyl in Westmont, signing and selling copies of his book Doin the Cruise. There will be live music (Michael McInerney) as well.
Meet Three More Eckhartz Press Authors Next Week...
=Book of the Year winner Jim Slusher (To Nudge the World) will be appearing on April 23 at the Aurora Public Library, and Jeff Reiter (The Best of Words on Birds) and Gloria Golec (South Side Memories) will be at the Wheaton Public Library Local Authors Fest on April 25.
=Nick Digilio had another exceptional night at the Lake Theater last week...
=Thanks to everyone who came out to meet Jim Elsener and get a copy of his book Sirens in the Loop at the Book Loft in Oak Brook on Sunday. We like to support our independent book stores in the Chicagoland area, and The Book Loft is an important one in that vibrant community.
Always a Pleasure
=On April 15,
1974, the Dutch rock group Golden Earring released their big hit "Radar Love." Eckhartz Press author Doug E. Jones uses that rocker as a sort of literary musical backdrop for the exploits of his characters in the book. You'll find yourself humming it while you read. If you click on this video below, you'll have the song in your head all day long.
=Vicki Atkinson has a new novel available for pre-order (first item in this column), but she also wrote a memoir for us a few years ago. It's mainly about her difficult mother Sue, but it's also about her disabled big sister Lisa. Lisa is a resident of Clearbrook, a wonderful organization dedicated to individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities. Lisa was honored at Clearbrook's Shining Star Gala at the Ritz Carlton this past weekend (this is the video tribute to her). Vicki was there for that memorable event...
=Yes, it's true, Rick Kaempfer did not do an update of EveryCubEver this season. On the other hand, he is featuring every Hall of Fame Cub on or around their birthdays this year right here on this blog. And those entries will be from EveryCubEver. Two Cubs Hall of Famers were born this week. Cap Anson (April 17, 1852) and Greg Maddux (April 14, 1966). Read about them here.
=Rick Kaempfer was out and about, making the rounds last year promoting EveryCubEver. This week was a busy one. First he appeared on Ray Stevens' show on WLS...
My appearance this morning on The Ray Stevens show on WLS-AM 890. omny.fm/shows/ray-st...— Rick Kaempfer (@rickkaempfer.bsky.social) April 7, 2025 at 10:48 AM
=Then he appeared on the podcast The Heart of the Matter.
=And finally, he appeared on John St. Augustine's podcast.
=Flip Side writer Ken Churilla reported another great review this week...
=Last year on Record Store day The Flip Side co-author Larry Rosenbaum made a few appearances promoting the book. Thanks to everyone in Oak Park and Barrington who came out to see Larry and get their copies of his book.
=Eckhartz Press author Keith Conrad is celebrating a birthday this week (April 17). . This Q&A with Keith will give you an idea of how interesting his novel is.
=On April 18, 1991, the ballpark now known as Guaranteed Rate Field (The Rate), but then known as New Comiskey, held its very first Opening Day. Naturally, Eckhartz Press author (and longtime WGN sportscaster) Rich King was on field. Don't ask what the score was.
=This week in 2020 Roger Badesch got the first copy of his memoir The Unplanned Life (photo). It came just one day after what would have been former Chicago Mayor Harold Washington's birthday (April 15). Part of Roger's unplanned life was working for Mayor Washington for a time. There's a memorable story in the book about the time Roger had to set up the stereo equipment at Harold's house.
=This week in 2021 Roger was interviewed by Steve Dale on WGN Radio.
=This week in 2021, Ken Korber got a shout out on Bruce Springsteen's website Backstreets. Ken's book is about a young girl getting to meet her hero, Springsteen sideman Little Stevie Van Zandt. Van Zandt not only endorsed the book, he used it as part of his Teach Rock curriculum.
=Two people who contributed to the Loop Files are celebrating birthdays this week, Jack Landreth (April 14) and Seka (April 15). Jack told stories about his days working as Kevin Matthews' producer. Seka was one of the stars of the photo section (shown below with co-host Stan Lawrence).
Kareem!
=This week's birthday boy Kareem Abdul Jabbar (April 16) appears in three different Eckhartz Press books, Chet Coppock's Your Dime My Dance Floor, Chuck Swirsky's Always a Pleasure, and Ryan Trembath's Signature Shoes.
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=This week in 2012, Windy City Reviews posted their review of the first ever Eckhartz Press release, The Living Wills. Here's a portion of what they said...
In the preface, the authors note the novel's structure is influenced by the Harold, an improvisational theater form created by Del Close. While the novel does not exactly follow the form, the interwoven stories lend themselves to the influence of improv. Sullivan and Kaempfer set themselves up for a challenge by telling the stories of five main characters each through a different point of view, but each of the story lines is unique, all the characters are clearly drawn, and there is no confusion for the reader. Short chapters advance the plot quickly and keep the reader engaged.
What struck me most about this novel was its sweetness.
What struck me most about this novel was its sweetness. Sullivan and Kaempfer navigate issues of love, loss, and family dynamics with a care that is crucial to the success of the novel. The straightforward, unadorned prose does no work to convey the depth of emotion in the novel; that job is reserved solely for the characters, and they carry the load well. Though each of the characters trend slightly towards the stereotypical, the reader is able to accept them as individuals thanks to Sullivan and Kaempfer's well-placed personal details. Delmar, the toilet salesman, is a salesman to his core, and his application of sales principles to his romantic relationship is at once comic and endearing. Similarly, the scenes in the parking garage with the executive and the attendant are injected with emotion when we learn that “Reed went through the usual charade of offering a smoke to Henry, who always pretended to consider it before declining.” These details elevate the novel from cliché to something much deeper and more satisfying for the reader.
As difficult as it is to wrap up intricately woven narratives, Sullivan and Kaempfer succeed there, as well. On the whole, The Living Wills was a pleasure to read for Sullivan and Kaempfer's deft characterization and effective structural choices. The rich details about Chicago only add to the novel's appeal, and I find myself thinking of Henry, Reed, and Delmar when I pass Waveland Bowl or a parking area on lower Wacker Drive.
Rest in Peace
=Sad news this week in 2019 (April 17). We lost Eckhartz Press author Chet Coppock. He was only 71 years old when he perished as the result of injuries sustained in a car accident. Eckhartz Press publisher Rick Kaempfer was dispatched to radio and television stations to eulogize Chet. A few weeks later friends gathered for Chet's memorial service and paid tribute to one of the all-time greats.
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