Meet the Eckhartz Press Author--Lee Kingsmill

   Now that we have such a big stable of talented authors, we're going to take some time this year to re-introduce them to you. This week it's Lee Kingsmill, author of the great novelized memoir, Safe Inside, a finalist for the Chicago Writers Association Book of the Year.

Lee Kingsmill

Lee Kingsmill grew up on the south side of Chicago. A stint in the army took him to pre-statehood Alaska where he served in the military police. After graduating from the University of Chicago, he taught high school English and humanities for thirty-four years. A highlight was accompanying student groups on Spring break trips to Italy. Since retirement, he continues to travel abroad, and much of Safe Inside was written in Mexico. He resides in Munster, Indiana. In his next life, he will have intimidating shoulders and only one left foot on the dance floor.

Eckhartz Everyday

 *On this day in 2013, WGN-TV's Nancy Loo wrote this piece about Chuck Quinzio and his book Life Behind the Camera.

*On this day in 2017, Eckhartz Press author Lee Kingsmill (Safe Inside) held a book signing near his home in Indiana.

*Today is Dennis Franz's birthday. He appears in Cubsessions by Becky Sarwate and Randy Richardson. It's also Bill Zehme's birthday. Zehme contributed to the book Records Truly Is My Middle Name.

*On this day in 2020, the book The Most Beautiful Place in Hell was released by Eckhartz Press.

*On this day in 2019, I appeared on WGN Radio with Andrea Darlas to talk about my book EveryCubEver. The other guest on the show that day was CBS-2's Brad Edwards.

Eckhartz Everyday

 *On this day in 2018, two Eckhartz Press books were named finalists for CWA Book of the Year, Mitch Michaels' book Doin the Cruise, and Lee Kingsmill's novel Safe Inside.

*On this day in 2017, Eckhartz Press author Randy Richardson won a national award for writing.

Eckhartz Everyday

 *On this day in 2017, Eckhartz Press announced the upcoming release of "Safe Inside" by Lee Kingsmill. It would go on to be named a finalist for Chicago Writers Association Book of the Year.

Here's a sampling of the critical acclaim...

“The best books expand our humanity by the vicarious experiences and opportunities for compassion they provide. Lee Kingsmill’s Safe Inside is just such a book. It’s rich and textured, filled with family dynamics, religion, sexuality, the refuge of the imagination, the sanctuary of movies, and most of all, the depth, truthfulness, and complexity of humanity.”
Michael Lister, New York Times Bestselling author of "Blood Work"

“This beautifully written and sensitive novel about growing up in Chicago in the 1940s and ’50s and falling in love with the movies is that rare thing, a story that totally recreates a vanished world. Every detail of both place and character is so closely observed and evocative that you feel like you are there. ”
Dan Callahan, associate editor of Simon Media Works and author of "Barbara Stanwyck: the Miracle Woman," and "Vanessa"

“The meticulous detail of Safe Inside leads us through the memories and emotions that take hold early and never let go.”
Walter J. Podrazik, Media historian and author

Eckhartz Everyday

 *Today is the birthday of Eckhartz Press author Lee Kingsmill (Safe Inside). Happy birthday Lee! To read our Q&A with him, click here.

*On this day in 2005, I appeared on Taped with Rabbi Doug, a local Chicago cable television show. Yikes was I young. 

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Eckhartz Everyday

 

*On this day in 2018, Eckhartz Press author (and Book of the Year finalist) Lee Kingsmill started up his blog. 

If you are a fan of his writing (like I am), you should check it out. He has been pretty good about updating it over the last four years. The blog chronicles his life since the death of his long-time partner. It's called "Me Now" and you can read it here.

Eckhartz Everyday

 *Today is the birthday of NY Times bestselling author Michael Lister (Blood Work). He's not an Eckhartz Press author, but he is a big admirer of one our authors. Here's what he said about Safe Inside by Lee Kingsmill...

• “The best books expand our humanity by the vicarious experiences and opportunities for compassion they provide. Lee Kingsmill’s Safe Inside is just such a book. It’s rich and textured, filled with family dynamics, religion, sexuality, the refuge of the imagination, the sanctuary of movies, and most of all, the depth, truthfulness, and complexity of humanity.”

Eckhartz Everyday

 *On this day in 2018, Eckhartz Press author John Landecker (Records Truly Is My Middle Name) was lured to Grand Valley State University to give a speech to a media class. Little did he know that we had been working behind the scenes to get him his college diploma. (He had left school a few hours short because he got a great job offer). He was shocked, surprised and thrilled when he was informed he was now officially a college graduate.

*Also on this day in 2018, Lee Kingsmill (Safe Inside) appeared on WGN Radio to promote his new Eckhartz Press book. On the other end of the microphone that day, Nick Digilio. You can listen to it here.

*On this day in 1974, Joel Daly delivered a commentary about the Apollo mission. That commentary is included in his book The Daly News, and because I am so swell, I've also excerpted it here.

Eckhartz Everyday

*On this day in 2017, Dave and I signed author Lee Kingsmill to an Eckhartz Press contract. His incredible novel Safe Inside was a finalist for Chicago Writers Association Book of the Year. It's still available at Eckhartz Press.

*On this day in 1965, legendary radio disc jockey Alan Freed died. Bob Shannon wrote a book about the early rock and roll radio greats for Eckhartz Press (Turn it Up), and Freed's son provided a blurb for it...

Factual, warm, affectionate, and respectful are a few words that come to mind. I know he would have been pleased by what you wrote. Bravo to you, Bob, and kudos from his son.

Lance Freed