Publishing Portal--January 2, 2024

 

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

EP News

*The Loop Files publicity tour continues

=Thanks to Pete McMurray and Steve Cochran for having me on WLS last week.

=The Chicago Writes podcast also features The Loop Files this month. 

=Thanks to everyone who bought it over the Christmas season. 

*A Peek Inside: Surviving Sue. Author Victoria Atkinson discusses the feedback she got at a recent book club event. Vicki also co-hosts a podcast called The Heart of the Matter.

*Eckhartz Press author Brent Petersen (Truffle Hunt) is featured in this month's Illinois Entertainer, talking about his podcast Destination Eat Drink.

*One of the questions I got asked quite often during my recent publicity tour: How do you choose the books you publish? We are a Chicago-based publisher, so we are looking for Chicago stories and/or Chicago authors. Our submission guidelines are posted on the website.

This Week in Eckhartz Press history

This week's look back at Eckhartz Press history gives some good examples of the type of stories and authors that we look for...

*In 2022, one of our top selling books was Chili Dog MVP, a look back at the magical 1972 White Sox season that featured the heroics of the great slugger Dick Allen. It was honored at the Book of the Year awards by the Chicago Writers Association that year.

*The Daily Herald featured the book this week in 2022.

*One of the other players featured in the book, the late Bart Johnson, was born this week in 1950.

 

*In 2012 we were a brand new company pushing our very first book. The Living Wills was a collaborative novel written by Brendan Sullivan and Rick Kaempfer using techniques we learned from the world of improv.

*We wrote it at The Catalyst Ranch, and they interviewed us this week in 2012 about our process.

*The Northwest Indiana Times also reviewed the book this week in 2012. 

*This week the Chicago Literary Hall of Fame celebrates its 10th year as a 501c3 Not For Profit. It's a great organization and we're proud to have the president and founder of the CLHOF as part of the Eckhartz Press stable of authors. Donald G. Evans wrote a wonderful collection of short stories called An Off-White Christmas.

*The notorious Chicago gangster Joey "the Clown" Lombardo was born on January 1st. Lombardo is featured in the pages of Mob Adjacent by Jeffrey and Michael Gentile. The Eckhartz Press book was a finalist for CWA Book of the Year in 2020.

 

 

*The former Chicago Daily News arts reporter (and Northwestern University professor) Jack Hafferkamp released his novel Sepsis via Eckhartz Press this week in 2017.

 

*In 2022, Eckhartz Press released Chuck Swirsky's memoir Always a Pleasure. It features some great stories about his life as a sportscaster, and some memorable photos as well. Here he is with this week's birthday boy Lou Holtz. 

*In 2018, Eckhartz Press released the final book from another great Chicago sportscaster, Chet Coppock. Your Dime My Dance Floor is a tour through the history of Chicago sports, told by someone who had a front row seat. This photo from the book features Chet with this week's birthday boy, former White Sox slugger Ron Kittle.

 

*In 2021 we released a book about all the American soccer players who had gone to play professionally in the Premier League. It's called Transatlantic Passage, and was written by Paul Banks. Here's what this week's birthday boy Dave Kerner had to say about it...

• “You’ll love reading about what it’s like to be a soccer (always going to be football to me!) fan from multiple perspectives. Thanks to Paul and this in depth look at the evolution of international soccer in the United States, in some ways negative for the men’s game, and in some ways positive for the women’s game.”

  Dave Kerner, Sports Anchor, WBBM Radio

 

And finally, this time last year I appeared on David W. Berner's podcast to tell him my New Years Resolutions. I vowed to finish a book I was writing about a certain radio station. For once, I lived up to my New Years resolution.

Eckhartz Everyday

 

*On this day in 2012, I was asked to participate in something called "The Next Big Thing" about my novel The Living Wills. Ten years later it's interesting to read this again...

Authors are being asked to answer ten simple questions (and no more than ten...we can get a little wordy), and then tag five other authors to do the same. I've chosen to accept this assignment to promote "The Living Wills" (co-written with Brendan Sullivan), which is still available in the Eckhartz Press store, the amazon Kindle store, Barnes & Noble, Apple iBookstore, and the Sony Reader store. You know what? Now that you mention it, it would make an excellent stocking stuffer for Christmas.

Ten Interview Questions for The Next Big Thing:

1. What is the (working) title of your book?

“The Living Wills”

2. Where did the idea come from for the book?

It was created in a very unusual way. My co-author Brendan Sullivan and I wrote individual chapters with no idea where the story would take us. After creating a few memorable characters using that technique, we met and improvised a story line featuring those characters. It was a really interesting experiment in creativity that worked out much better than we ever thought it would.

3. What genre does your book fall under?

It’s not a genre book, really. More of a standard commercial novel.

4. Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?

We’ve actually gotten a few nibbles from film directors and producers, but I'm guessing my dream cast for the five main characters of the book might be a bit out of any movie studio's price range...

Henry—Henry’s a bigger than life kind of figure, in his 60s. I can see Brian Dennehy playing that role very convincingly. Or CSI’s William Petersen (who actually endorsed our book on the back cover).

Reed—Reed is in his 50s, and just going through the motions in life. How about Tom Hanks? (It’s a dream cast, right?)

Gina—She has a sassy attitude, and is young and tall. I’m thinking Maggie Gyllenhaal

Delmar—Late 30s/early 40s lovable nerd. How about Jack Black?

Peter—I like Jason Segel in this role, but it may be a little too serious for him.

5. What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?

The Living Wills is about a split second decision made thirty years ago and the ripple effects it has caused.

6. Was (Will) your book (be) self-published or represented by an agency?

Trick question. The book was published by Eckhartz Press, but I’m one of the co-publishers of Eckhartz Press. (We’ve since published four other books by other authors). I've been previously published and represented by an agency, and to be honest, I didn't like the experience. I much prefer doing it this way.

7. How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?

I think it took us about a year to write the first draft. Working on that first draft was pure joy. Polishing subsequent drafts, on the other hand, was a little more challenging. It took us another two years to do that.

8. What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

I can’t really compare it to another book because it is a little unusual. I guess it's a bit similar to a movie like The Royal Tenenbaums. It has quirky intersecting story lines, and beneath the humor, the reader will unexpectedly encounter real human drama.

9. Who or what inspired you to write this book?

It's hard to explain where ideas come from when you're improvising, but I think it's safe to say that the emotional parts of the book were inspired by the deaths of our parents (Brendan’s mom, and my dad).

10. What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?

The Living Wills connects the worlds of baristas and Army veterans, bowling teams and exploding port-a-potties, cartoon pirates and young love. Find me another novel that does that!

The Book That Launched a Publishing Company

 *Today was the official launch of The Living Wills (11 years ago), which launched our publishing company Eckhartz Press...

We've literally received hundreds of responses from people who have read and enjoyed "The Living Wills". Here are a few of them...






"I downloaded a copy of the book on my e-reader (NOOK), and I just finished reading it. This is one of the best books I read in an awfully long time. I lived 1/2 block from Waveland Bowling Alley. I bowled in 4 leagues every week for about 3 years and traveled that neighborhood for 11 years. It brought back so many memories, people I bowled with, things that happen after bowling, having coffee in their coffee shop, etc. You did a great job in taking us around the northwest side of the city via the various street names. The way the individual stories came together and, of course, the last chapter. My only regret is that I bought it as an e-book and therefore can't get it autographed."
--John S.

"I absolutely loved this book! I enjoyed everything about it - the characters, the storylines, and how it all fits together in the end. It took a few chapters for me to really get into it, and then I didn't want to put it down. I cried when I finished it, but mostly because it was over. The story illustrates how connected our lives really are to so many other people, and in ways that we may not even realize. I read Rick Kaempfer's first novel, "$everance", and I liked that one too, but this one was even better! I would love to see more books from this team of authors - keep it up, guys!!"
--Chocoholic mom

""The Living Wills" is a wonderful story of the meaning of family and friendship in life. This book especially strikes a chord if you're from Chicago, but I would think that any reader would identify with at least one of the main characters, their problems, joys and relationships. Highly recommended!"
--Dina S.

"I am an avid reader across many genre. I enjoy taking diverse ideas and rubbing them together to see how I might surprise myself and learn something new, feel something different. The Living Wills is a terrific story that does the same thing between its covers. I laughed, I cried, I thought deeply, and I have taken action based on the wonderful and realistic story. This is a magnificent book for adults and particularly those of us who are into the second half of our lives or who know someone who is. It gives new insights into how to measure the meaning of one's life - whether in its entirety or just two seconds."
--Gil H.

"I absolutely loved this book! I loved the characters, the storylines, and especially how the stories all came together at the end. I also laughed and cried, and was sad when I finished the book. I would love to read more books by these two authors. Keep writing, guys!!!"
--Carol R.

Eckhartz Everyday

 *Today is Stevie Van Zandt's birthday. He is the star of the Eckhartz Press children's book "Grace's Rockin Roll Adventure."

*Today is also the anniversary of JFK's assassination. John Landecker wrote about his memories of that day in his book "Records Truly Is My Middle Name." Read the excerpt here.

*On this day in 2011, our first book got this nice write up from media writer Robert Feder, who at the time was writing for TimeOut Chicago...

    Two former Chicago radio producers, Rick Kaempfer and Brendan Sullivan, have co-written The Living Wills, a novel about “a split-second decision made 30 years ago and the ripple effects it caused.” Harnessing the power of collaborative creativity, the two improvised the book’s three interweaving story lines. Set for release December 1 by Eckhartz Press, it’s available online at eckhartzpress.com. Kaempfer, whose previous novel, $everance, was a brilliant satire about the radio business, also writes an impressive series of blogs, including the Chicago Radio Spotlight.

Eckhartz Everyday

*On this day in 2014 we released I Like Big Books and I Cannot Lie by Lori Oster (photo). The book is used as a textbook at Oakton College.

*Dick Biondi is 90 years old today. The Wild Itralian is featured in the pages of Bob Shannon's book Turn it Up.

*Today is also Chicago Tribune columnist/WGN Radio host Rick Kogan's birthday. Rick has been kind enough to blurb a few of our books. Here are a few of his obversations...

• Rollicking and real on so many levels, The Living Wills is a captivating collaboration by two immensely talented writers. I hope this team keeps at it for keeps.

• Records Truly Is My Middle Name is terribly astonishingly honest! A story of a generation.
• You may think you know Roger Badesch if you have listened over the years to his exact and artful news reports on radio, but between the covers of this book (The Unplanned Life) you will find so much more–a man of great depth, many passions and skills. His is a wonderful life that you can now share.
• A fascinating book…a fascinating read. Mob Adjacent will open your eyes. The stories are true and genuine and heartfelt, and there’s a real honesty in this book.

Eckhartz Everyday

 *Happy birthday to Eckhartz Press author Brendan Sullivan. Brendan is the co-author (with me) of the first ever book released by Eckhartz Press, The Living Wills.

Eckhartz Everyday

 *On this day in 2020, Ken Korber released Grace's Musical Haiku Adventure.

*Today is Mark Leepsen's birthday. The acclaimed Vietnam Veteran/Author had the following to say about our book The Living Wills...You have to give credit to Rick Kaempfer and Brendan Sullivan, the two authors of “The Living Wills”. The authors have come up with a cast of realistic, non-sensationalized Vietnam veterans living out their lives in the early 21st century–no Nam vet stereotypes here. That in itself is worth the price of admission.

Eckhartz Everyday

 

*On this day in 2021, Bruce Springsteen's website gave a shout out to Eckhartz Press author Ken Korber for his great children's book that featured Stevie Van Zandt. You can read that piece here, and of course, Grace's Rockin Roll Adventure is still available at Eckhartz Press.

*On this day in 2012, Windy City Reviews offered up this review of The Living Wills: 

• 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. 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. You can read the entire review here.

• 
  
  *Yes of course we also know it's 4-20, man. Eckhartz Press even has a book that's appropriate for the occasion, written by Scott Redman and Edward Reyes, it's called: Illinois Adult Use Cannabis.

Eckhartz Everyday

*On this day in 2013, Eckhartz Press author Brendan Sullivan (The Living Wills) appeared at Marist High School, which had just introduced the book into their literature curriculum. See more about that here. 

*Today would have been Chicago mayor Harold Washington's birthday. Eckhartz Press author Roger Badesch worked with the Mayor and wrote about those experiences in his book The Unplanned Life.

Eckhartz Everyday

 *Happy birthday to Dobie Maxwell. Dobie's great book Monkey in the Middle is one of the best selling books in Eckhartz Press history, and one of three Eckhartz Press books optioned for film rights.

*On this day in 2013, John Landecker began his publicity campaign for Records Truly Is My Middle Name with an appearance on Windy City Live. Two surprise callers joined in...his daughter Amy, and the legendary disc jockey Larry Lujack.

*Today is radio host/podcaster Steve Cochran's birthday. Steve was a big fan of the Eckhartz Press book The Living Wills and said this about it: 

An amazing accomplishment. You couldn’t pick a more difficult way to write a book, and they have pulled it off.

Eckhartz Everyday

 *On this day in 2013, The Living Wills becomes first Eckhartz Press book to be used in school curriculum (Marist High School in Chicago). It will not be the last. Co-author Brendan Sullivan (a Marist alum) was on hand to talk to the students about the book.

*On this day in 2014, Cubs author ("Wrigley Field: The Unauthorized Biography" and "Wrigley Field: THE LONG LIFE AND CONTENTIOUS TIMES OF THE FRIENDLY CONFINES") Stuart Shea wrote this review of the Eckhartz Press book Lost in the Ivy by Randy Richardson: 

• Randy Richardson’s Lost in the Ivy expertly captures the weirdness and excitement of the streets that the Chicago Cubs—baseball’s weirdest and most exciting franchise—call home. And aside from being a terrific “I’ve been there” walk through Wrigleyville, it’s a cracking murder mystery to boot!

  
  

Eckhartz Everyday

*On this day in 1983, future Eckhartz Press author Joel Daly (The Daly News) was one of the most popular broadcasters in Chicago, and he posted this report about the end of the great show M*A*S*H... 

 

*Today is also Leslie Keiling's birthday. Leslie contributed several stories to John Landecker's book Records Truly Is My Middle Name., including the story about what it was like being on the air the morning of 9/11, and how the morning show reacted to that life-changing event. (We recently told that story together on Garry Meier's podcast)

*On this day in 2012, future Eckhartz Press author Margaret Larkin (Wicker Park Wishes) interviewed me about my two novels, $everance, and The Living Wills. It's a fun interview. 

You can read it here.

*On this day in 2014, Chuck Quinzio's Life Behind the Camera got a great write-up from the NABAT Union.. 

Read the piece here. 

*On this day in 2019, Litpop paid tribute to the late great Pat Colander, author of the award-winning Eckhartz Press book Hugh Hefner's First Funeral. 

Read the tribute here.

Eckhartz Everyday

 

*Today is actor William Petersen's birthday. Petersen is best known for his roles in iconic films like To Live and Die in LA, and television series like CSI, but he's also a fan of the Eckhartz Press book The Living Wills. Here's what he said about it on the back cover...

…a hell of an old-fashioned read. It brings to life ‘the city of broad shoulders’ and makes me homesick. I want a Billy Goat cheesborger and a shot of whiskey.

From the Writing Archives

In 2014, Eckhartz Press published my fifth book Father Knows Nothing. The book features about a hundred of the four hundred plus columns I wrote during the nine years it ran (in various publications owned by the Northwest Indiana Times). That means a lot of the columns did not make the final book, including this one I'm featureing today. I teased it yesterday in a post. This one goes back to 2011, right after my novel The Living Wills came out.

My kids never tire of hearing stories about my childhood, but there is one thing they will never ask me about under any circumstances.

My career.

They just don't care. I can understand that on a certain level. My own father was an engineer, and I remember that after I discovered he wasn't a train engineer...he was just a civil engineer...his job didn't interest me in the slightest. Even when I attended a school he had personally designed (Heidelberg American Middle School), I wasn't impressed. I remember telling him: "The hallways are a little confusing."

So, I suppose it's only fair that my own kids are similarly unimpressed with my career. When they were little, I worked in radio. My two oldest sons Tommy and Johnny were even featured on the show quite a bit. But I remember their reaction one time when a stranger was impressed by meeting them because he had heard them talking on the radio.

They thought the guy was nuts.

When this fan asked Tommy what it was like hanging out with a famous disc jockey like John Records Landecker, he just shrugged his shoulders. So did Johnny. To them, John was just one of Dad's friends. No big deal. And being on the radio was also no big deal. It's just a bunch of people sitting in a room with microphones.

When my first book came out, I gave an autographed copy to my oldest son. He put it in the closet. When my first novel came out two years later, I gave copies to all three boys. Two of them have no idea where their copies are now. When my most recent novel came out, none of the boys wanted a copy. None of them even asked me what it's about.

But when that book came out, I did something I thought might actually interest them: I was interviewed by WGN Television.

I mentioned it to the boys at breakfast that morning as I put on my suit.

"Is it going to be on the Internet?" Sean asked.

"I'm not sure," I said. "I hope so. If not, I can probably post it on YouTube."

"Do you know how to do that?" Tommy asked.

"No. Do you?"

He just shook his head and continued eating his waffles. No follow up questions. Not the slightest bit of interest. After they came home from school I asked them if they wanted to watch the interview. All three of them said no. Bridget, to her credit, actually did want to see it when she came home from work. I even heard her guilting the boys into watching it too. Only two of them were moved by her techniques; Tommy and Sean. Johnny still didn't care. He stayed in his room reading Captain Underpants.

The rest of us watched the segment together. After it was over, Tommy said: "That's it?"

"Yup," I replied.

Sean didn't say a word, he just walked away. Bridget said: "That was pretty good, but..."

"What?"

"You were a little slouchy."

Gotcha.

I must say, there's very little chance of getting a big head in this household. I suppose that's probably for the best. But I also have a pretty good idea now how my Dad felt when I told him the hallways in his school were a little confusing.

Father Knows Nothing is here at Eckhartz Press for only $10, and the e-book here at amazon.com

Eckhartz Everyday

 

*On this day in 2012, Brendan Sullivan and I appeared on WGN-TV to promote our book The Living Wills (Still available here at Eckhartz Press). I wish I still had the video of that appearance, but I don't. I do, however, have a review from my wife who watched us being interviewed by Dina Bair. Despite our witty repartee and Dina's overt endorsement of the book, Bridget's review was this: "You looked a little slouchy."

*On this day in 2019, Eckhartz Press author Richard Reeder appeared on Rabbi Doug's television show in Chicago to promote his book 1001 Train Rides in Chicago. (Still available here at Eckhartz Press) It was like the meeting of two kindred spirits. That video does still exist, and you can watch it below. 

*Today is the birthday of America's first-ever Post Master General, Benjamin Franklin. Vicki Quade's Eckhartz Press Book Close Encounters of a Chicago Kind has an entire chapter about her entertaining encounters at a local Chicago post office. Hilarious, and highly recommended. Her book is still available here.

*Former Chicago Bull Dwayne Wade is celebrating a birthday today. D-Wade gets his own chapter in Randy Merkin's great Eckhartz Press book, Behind the Glass. That book was our top selling book this Christmas season and is still available here.

Eckhartz Everyday

 *On this day in 2012, Brendan Sullivan and I sat down and discussed our book The Living Wills. This is the video of that interview...

Eckhartz Everyday

 On this day in 2012, esteemed magazine publisher and writer Pat Colander reviewed my book (written with Brendan Sullivan) The Living Wills. Here is what she wrote...

“If the data that suggests people are reading more now that e-readers and tablets have come along, I am living proof. Read any good books lately? I sure have. Rick Kaempfer and Brendan Sullivan’s The Living Wills, a saga of life, death, fractured relationships,lies and families. If you don’t think people can keep big secrets for many years, you are about to meet some pretty complex characters. I loved this book despite how sentimental I am. It doesn’t end happily for everyone; but it does for some of the characters — just like in real life.”

Eckhartz Everyday

*Ten years ago today, Brendan Sullivan and I were interviewed about our book The Living Wills (Still available here at Eckhartz Press) by the Catalyst Ranch. Read the entire interview here.

*Today is former Chicago White Sox slugger Ron Kittle's birthday. He is featured in a chapter of Chet Coppock's book Your Dime, My Dance Floor. The book is still available here, and the free excerpt about Kittle can be read here.