Friday, March 20, 2026
Sunday, March 15, 2026
Publishing Portal--March 16, 2026
The latest news from Eckhartz Press, and a chance to peek into some of the great previous offerings from our humble little publishing company.
=This is the week for the Sirens in the Loop book launch party!
=Here are the details for this all-star event...
Chili Dog MVP/My Father, Dick Allen
=Big night last Thursday night in Mesa, Arizona. The producers of My Father, Dick Allen, including Eckhartz Press author (Chili Dog MVP) Dr. David Fletcher unveiled the first episode of their documentary to a star-studded crowd. Eckhartz Press publishers Rick and Dave were on hand for the festivities as well, and brought back a few photos...
=It's a big deal when the likes of Rick Kogan comes out to interview you. That's what happened on Sunday afternoon to Nick Digilio in front of a crowd of movie fans discussing films and the Oscars. It was a magical event.
=Great event on Sunday afternoon at the G-man tavern on Clark Street (just down the street from Wrigley Field). Eckhartz Press author Brendan Sullivan interviewed Eckhartz Press author Robert Conlon about his book Celtic Knot, in front of a packed house. Thanks to everyone who came out.
St. Patrick's Day
=St Patrick's Day has always been a big day for Eckhartz Press. In addition to our latest Irish classic Celtic Knot, our Irish cup runneth over with these other titles. Tony Fitzpatrick (The Sun at the End of the Road) wrote an essay about St. Patrick's Day in his Eckhartz Press book. He also created the beautiful art piece in honor of Sinead O'Connor (Psalms for an Irish Girl) below. Joel Daly (The Daly News) covered the St. Patrick's Day parade for Channel 7 for 40 years. John Landecker (Records Truly Is My Middle Name) been has going to the parade since the 1970s (photo below with Bob Sirott), Brendan Sullivan (The Living Wills) wrote a piece for us about what it means to grow up South Side Irish (It's here.) and his co-author Rick Kaempfer once got an opportunity to jam at the Irish Rock and Roll Museum in Dublin.
=Also, don't forget the first day of Spring is this week, or as we call it at EveryCubEver headquarters, the first day of Jack Spring.
=This is a great interview with Mark Wukas, author of The Kiss of Night.
=Mark will also be at the book launch party for Sirens in the Loop on Thursday night.
Slivers
=Not many people have had the chance to read Vicki Atkinson's new book, a novel called Slivers, which will be coming out on Eckhartz Press in the next few weeks. One person who has seen it, is author Joy Neal Kidney, and here's what she thought of it...
You may think your family is a tribe of misfits, but what if there’s a backstory from generations earlier? I’ve never chewed my fingernails, but I could have with this story of ancestral secrets run amok. Teenagers living with secrets, rituals, tension, deceit, assured by their mothers that things are okay but sensing otherwise. Important things, worrisome, unspoken. Family dysfunction on steroids. With whispers about the gift of intuition in her own family from generations across the ocean, Vicki Atkinson has woven a compelling story of inherited tentacles deeply entangled in the lives of younger descendants.
-Joy Neal Kidney, author of the Leora trilogy and other heartfelt books about family
=Gloria Golec's memoir about growing up on the South Side of Chicago is now available for sale at TownHouse Books and Cafe in St. Charles Illinois (105 North 2nd Avenue). Great little independent book store. Swing by if you're in the neighborhood and look for Gloria's book there.
=Jeff Reiter has a full calender of upcoming events to promote The Best of Words on Birds, his incredible book about bird watching ("It's called Birding, Rick"). Here are just a few of them...
To The Men I've Loved (God Help Them!)
=Reader reviews of Take Me Back to Chicago by Doug E. Jones have been pouring in, and it seems like Doug has struck a nerve with Chicago readers. Here's a sampling...
=This week is former Bears center Jay Hilgenberg's birthday (March 21). He was kind enough to provide us with a blurb for Dan McNeil's book I Bear Witness.
Dan gets puffy chested about his titanic drives and he does have length. He gets club head speed with that Barney Rubble body and hits it a long way. In every direction. The pride he takes in his radio work gets much better results.
Happy Anniversary!
Two Eckhartz Press books had book launch parties this week, Cameo by Beth Jacobellis (2018) and Nose Over Toes by Janet Sutherland (2019). Photos from those book launch parties are below.
Records Truly Is My Middle Name
=This week in 2013 was a big week for Records Truly Is My Middle Name. You don't really know what you have with a book until the Chicago Tribune's Rick Kogan chimes in. His excellent review in the Tribune came out this week, and Rick also conducted this interview in the Tribune newsroom.
=Two of the contributors to Cubsessions are celebrating birthdays this week, actor Gary Sinese (March 17) and Shawon Dunston (March 21). Dunston himself doesn't appear in the book, but the man who created the Shawon-O-Meter (Dave Cilha) does. That's Dave (on the far right) at one of the Cubsessions book signings. Others in the photo--author Randy Richardson, former Cubs ball girl Kathy Wolter, and Ronnie Woo Woo.
Scott Simon
=The NPR host is celebrating a birthday this week (March 16). He appears in the two Eckhartz Press books mentioned above. His late 1970s report on the John Landecker show was a significant turning point in Records Truly Is My Middle Name, and Simon was also interviewed by Randy Richardson and Becky Sarwate about his love of the Cubs for their 2019 book Cubsessions.
=This week in 2023, Windy City Reviews dropped an incredible review of Rick Kaempfer's novel Back in the DDR...
“For those reminiscing on or wishing they could have visited Cold War Europe, this reviewer has the next best alternative for you, in the form of Rick Kaempfer’s fascinating new novel Back in the D.D.R. In his highly polished and breezy writing style, Kaempfer takes the reader on a literary adventure of a lifetime, back to Checkpoint Charlie and the whispers of espionage.
Having an understanding of the geography, when added to Kaempfer’s descriptive and detailed writing, helps to transport the reader to these locations. Indeed, the reader may begin to feel as if they are physically accompanying Rudi and his family as they travel.
This fantastic story ends on a triumphal note for thirteen-year-old Rudi, who is forced to mature in a short time. Emblematic of this dawning maturity is when Rudi states, “In Chicago I always felt like a German boy pretending to be American, in Germany I discovered that I was not pretending.”
=This week in 2016 (March 21), Dobie Maxwell was making the rounds in his native Milwaukee. He had a big appearance at Shank Hall.
=This week in 1989 (March 18), Steve Dahl got his vasectomy live on the radio, and Garry Meier had to describe it. That story is told in the pages of The Loop Files.
=This week in 1861, the Benedictine Sisters of Chicago was founded. Eckhartz Press author Vicki Quade is a huge supporter of the organization, and they, in turn, are huge supporters of Vicki...
“Vicki Quade’s new book reminds me of Martin Buber’s quote which was always a favorite of mine: All real living is meeting. Anyone who loves or wants to know Chicago will enjoy Vicki’s keen humor and vivid memories. They invite us to find new ways to live and laugh, especially during this pandemic isolation. Maybe it will encourage some to write their own memories of human encounters!”
=This week in 2020, Lee Kingsmill's great book was given a long and heartfelt endorsement by WGN Radio's Steve King and Johnnie Putman.
=This week in 2023 Chuck Swirsky pitched his memoir Always a Pleasure in Canada. It was a coming home of sorts for Swirsky who was the play-by-play man for the Raptors for many years.
Saturday, March 14, 2026
EveryCubEver--Hall of Famers
Yes, it's true, I'm not doing an update of EveryCubEver this season. On the other hand, I do plan on featuring every Hall of Fame Cub on or around their birthdays this year right here on this blog. And those entries will be from EveryCub Ever.
Thursday, March 12, 2026
Monday, March 09, 2026
Publishing Portal--March 9, 2026
The latest news from Eckhartz Press, and a chance to peek into some of the great previous offerings from our humble little publishing company.
=Another big week for Jim Elsener. The Chicago Tribune printed a fabulous piece about his new book.
=Jim Elsener's book launch party will be on Thursday March 19th, from 6-8pm at Kappy's American Restuarant at 7200 W. Dempster in Morton Grove. Fellow Eckhartz Press author Mark Wukas (The Kiss of Night) will be there too. We're expecting a ton of CNB veterans coming to this one. If you're a CNB alum, you're guaranteed to run into some old friends. Be there for the group photo!
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=Jim will also be in Oak Park at the Book Loft on April 8th.
=This Wednesday, March 11, Nick Digilio will be back at the Lake Theater in Oak Park for this month's Nick's Pix. He'll be screening the film Zero Dark Thirty. Come on by, pick up a copy of Nick's book, and watch the film. Nick goes up on stage before and after the movie to talk about it with the audience.
=Here's another film anniversary relating to Nick's book. The film Lost in America was released on March 15, 1985. Nick picked the Albert Brooks classic as his Film of the Year for 1985. It still stands up today.
=Here's the next one to put on your calendar. March 15th at 3pm, Robert Conlon (Celtic Knot) will be appearing at the G-man tavern on Clark Street (near Wrigley Field) to talk about his book. It will be a conversation with fellow Eckhartz Press author (and Celtic Knot endorser) Brendan Sullivan (The Living Wills). Doors open at 2pm. It's a free event, but they'd like you to RSVP here.
=Speaking of Nancy Faust. Her birthday is this week (March 11). The co-author of Chili Dog MVP, David Fletcher, talked about Nancy's importance in this podcast interview. This photo of Nancy with Eckhartz Press publishers Rick and Dave was taken at a previous Chili Dog MVP book signing.
=Eckhartz Press author John Records Landecker isn't just a celebrity here in Chicago (and a Radio Hall of Famer), his daughter Amy is famous too. She returned to her hometown of Chicago to premiere her film last Thursday at the Music Box Theater. The film is a rom-com called "For Worse" and it's a heartwarming and hilarious film--written, directed, and starring Amy Landecker. Her husband Bradley Whitford also stars in the film. John is in it too! After the screening John interviewed Amy & Bradley on stage at the Music Box. It was a wonderful night that the packed house (people were standing in line for over an hour to get in) absolutely loved.
=This week in 2013, John Landecker started doing his media tour for his memoir Records Truly Is My Middle Name. It began with this incredible review of the book by Chicago media writer Robert Feder. Then John appeared on the television show Windy City Live. He was surprised live on the air with a phone call from his old friend, Larry Lujack. John's daughter Amy was also on the line to surprise him, but told the producers not to interupt Larry and John. She was enjoying listening to the old friends too much.
=The sports world lost a giant this week, former Notre Dame head coach Lou Holtz died at the age of 89. Chuck Swirsky featured Lou in his book Always A Pleasure.
=Chuck Swirsky has also known the great Stephen Curry since he was a young boy. Chuck was the Toronto Raptors announcer when Steph's dad Del Curry was a Raptor. That heartwarming story is in the pages of Always a Pleasure. Curry's birthday is this week (March 14)
=This week in 2024 a group of Loopers also gathered in NW Indiana. Here are a few photos from a memorable afternoon. Note the plethora of former Loopers, including Mitch Michaels, John Landecker, Roman Sawczak, Rick Kaempfer, and Dan McNeil.
=This is a special Loop-related week for author Rick Kaempfer. This week in 1987 he was hired to work at the legendary radio station. That is the opening story in the book The Loop Files.
=Ken Churilla was out and about this week last year in NW Indiana promoting The Flip Side. First, he and Flip Side co-owner Larry Rosenbaum appeared on Tom Lounges radio show (3/4). Listen here.
=Then, Tom did his column about the book in the NW Indiana Times.
=From the Flip Side archives, Robin Trower (March 9) is celebrating a birthday this week. Black Oak Arkansas released their first album this week in 1971 (March 10). Naturally we have pictures of both (with the Rosenbaum brothers) in the Flip Side book...
=It's been out for a few years now, but it's incredible how often new reviews still come in about Vicki Atkinson's wonderful memoir, Surviving Sue. Here's another great example.
=Vicki's new novel Slivers is being prepared for publication as you read this. It won't be too long now.
=This week in 2019, Janet Sutherland began her publicity tour for her book Nose Over Toes. One of the stops on that tour was a visit to WGN Radio.
=Janet is currently working on another book. It will be called "Great Dames: Women You Should Know"
=Randy also has another Eckhartz Press book in the works (his 4th for us). It will be coming out later this year. More details in the coming weeks.
=Eckhartz Press author Dobie Maxwell released his memoir Monkey in the Middle on his birthday in 2016 (March 14), and it remains one of our top selling books. He made the Chicago media rounds when it came out, including an interview on WGN radio, hosted one of the all time great book launch parties at Zanies comedy club on Wells in Chicago, and then did another media tour in Milwaukee, which is where the book takes place.
=Dan McNeil does a deep dive into the Bears with this book, including what happened to some of the Bears after their playing days were over. One of them, tight end Chris Gedney, came to a very unhappy ending this week (March 9) in 2019.
=One of the players featured in Ken Smoller's book Last Comiskey was outfielder Phil Bradley, who was part of that 1990 White Sox team. He is celebrating a birthday this week (March 11)
=This week in 2018 we signed these two guys to a publishing deal, Bruce Bohrer and Russ Fahrner. (Photo with EP Co-publisher David Stern). A few months later they delivered the manuscript of their book Embrace Retirement.
=One of Bobby Skafish's interview subjects from We Have Company: Four Decades of Rock and Roll Encounters is celebrating a birthday this week: Adam Clayton of U2 (March 13) rates his own chapter in Bobby's book.
=This week in 2017, Skafish appeared on WGN Radio with Dave Hoekstra.
The Balding Handbook
=David Stern's self help book for balding men is currently sold out, but not before it made its mark. This week in 2014, Dave appeared on Steve Cochran's show to talk about the book.
=This week is also the anniversary of the Ken doll (March 11, 1961). This photo from the Anger & Rage chapter of The Balding Handbook (The subtitle of the book is: The five stages of grieving for your hair loss), might give you an idea of one of Dave's suggestions.
=This week in 2014, Joel Daly appeared on Windy City Live to talk about his book The Daly News. It was a homecoming of sorts for Joel, because the show was filmed at Channel 7 in Chicago, where Joel had starred as an anchorman for nearly 40 years. After the interview we visited the news studio and chatted with his old friends and colleagues.
Close Encounters of a Chicago Kind
=Famous Chicago playwright Vicki Quade (Late Night Catechism) wrote a book for Eckhartz Press a few years ago about her entertaining encounters with everyday Chicagoans. She broke the book up into chapters based on topic. Considering that this week is the anniversary of O'Hare being named (March 13), it's a good week to pick up Close Encounters of a Chicago Kind and read the travel chapter.
=This week in 2015, the two Rick K's (Kogan and Kaempfer) chatted on the radio about Father Knows Nothing.
=It just so happens that it's also the birthday of Rick's middle son (photo) Johnny (March 12). Johnny is 28 years old now. On the day he was born, Rick called into John Landecker's radio show (WJMK) to announce the birth. The transcript of that birth is in the pages of Father Knows Nothing. It's also here, if you'd like to read it. The participants include John Landecker, Catherine Johns, and Richard Cantu.
=One of the great things about the Gentile brother's book about growing up near the mob, Mob Adjacent, is the intersection of the crime world and Hollywood. For instance, this week's birthday girl (March 12) Liza Minelli, makes an appearance in the pages of the book.
=When Eckhartz Press author Chet Coppock died unexpectedly in a car accident in 2018, his friends gathered to hold a tribute for him in Arlington Heights, Illinois. Among the people there that day was fellow broadcaster (and former Chicago Bear) Dan Jiggetts. Jiggetts celebrates a birthday today, March 10. (Photo L-R: Dan Jiggetts, Cheryl Raye Stout, Jim O'Donnell, Rick Kaempfer)
