The latest news from Eckhartz Press, and a chance to peek into some of the great previous offerings from our humble little publishing company.
4 Chances to Meet Eckhartz Press authors this week...
The 12 Steps: And Tales of Fellowship
BOOK LAUNCH PARTY
=A huge party is coming this Saturday afternoon (August 8) to launch Tom Serritella's The 12
Steps: And Tales of Fellowship. Come on out to Moretti's in Hoffman Estates (Higgins and Barrington Road/right off I-90), from 1:30--3:30pm. Grab a burger. Grab a book. Grab an autograph from Tom. Perfect afternoon. (Learn more about the book here)
BOOK LAUNCH PARTY
=The next day (August 9), we'll be in the city to launch Richard Reeder's novel Sarasota at Edgewater Public Library (6000 N. Broadway) at 2pm. Richard is such a thoughtful speaker, and this novel is a great story about an important topic. Learn more about it here.
=Another chance to meet Jeff Reiter is this week! His next book talk is this Wednesday night (August 5) at 6:30 pm, at Elgin Public Library, 270 N. Grove Avenue in Elgin.
=Brendan Sullivan is the co-author of our very first book, The Living Wills. Brendan is a famous improv artist and creativity coach in Chicago. He teamed up with Rick Kaempfer 15 years ago to co-write a novel that launched a publishing company.
=Six years ago, Brendan's son Charlie passed away at the way too-young age of 24. It inspired Brendan to write this beautiful piece warning other parents about the horrible scourge of Fentanyl. He called it The Elephant in the Room. It's still on our website.
=Ever since that time, the Sullivan family and the large legion of Charlie's friends have created a foundation (The Charlie Sullivan Foundation) which promotes social justice, peace and understanding through musical expression. (Charlie's passion). Every year they throw a big party called the Chucky Ar La Fest. The fifth annual party is this Saturday, August 8th at Martyrs (3855 N. Lincoln).
=Brendan sent us a note...
"Hope you guys can make it. So much love in that room. Tix at www.martyrslive.com. Your kids would enjoy it too. Doors open at 5."
ANNOUNCING OUR NEWEST BOOK: 40 Years, 40 Horror Films
=Here's some more info about the book...
For more than forty years, Nick Digilio has been one of Chicago’s most recognizable and passionate voices on film, and he has written a deeply personal and wildly entertaining book that dives headfirst into his favorite genre: horror. A lifelong fanatic and a beloved fixture at Chicago’s Flashback Weekend Horror Convention, Nick brings decades of knowledge, enthusiasm, and unapologetic love for the macabre to this thrilling new volume.
40 Years, 40 Horror Films is more than just a list—it’s a journey through the evolution of fear on screen. From Day of the Dead to Nosferatu, Nick selects and examines his favorite horror film from each year since 1985, offering sharp, insightful, and often surprising commentary in his signature no-filter style. Along the way, he explores the full spectrum of the genre: slashers, ghost stories, found footage nightmares, psychological horror, monster movies, possession tales, and everything in between. If it’s meant to scare you, unsettle you, or crawl under your skin, it’s in here.
With a Foreword by “Svengoolie” Rich Koz.
=The book ships in September, so please be patient if you pre-order now. We wanted it to be available for the big festival this weekend. It's a Halloween season book, obviously.
ANNOUNCING OUR NEWEST AUTHOR: Dann Gire!
=Dann Gire was also at FlashbackWeekend (photo with his daughter Morgan below), but that's not the big news for us. The big news is that we signed Dann to write a book for us. It's called "Mem-noirs of a Chicago Film Critic." If you don't know Dann, he's been the film critic for the Daily Herald for 50 years. He's won multiple awards for his writing, and is the founding member of the Chicago Film Critics Association. He also has some reeeeeeeally good stories. Look for it this Christmas season!
=Our thoughts and prayers are with one of the stars of The Loop Files, Steve Dahl. He had a fairly serious procedure this weekend. Hoping for a speedy recovery. (Photo by Matt Dahl: Steve & his family, wife Janet, and sons Pat, Mike, and Matt, just before surgery)
=The August issue of Illinois Entertainer is out and includes the story of the day Kevin Matthews met the Pope. You can read it here. Kevin also stars in The Loop Files.
=This week in 1979 (August 5), just a few weeks after Disco Demolition, the Loop was back at Comiskey Park. This time it was a mega-concert called A Day at the Park. Among the acts on the bill that night: Journey, Santana, and Thin Lizzy. Sky Daniels and Mitch Michaels were on hand to introduce the bands. (Photos: Paul Natkin). The story of that magical day is told in The Loop Files.
Randy Richardson
=Three-time Eckhartz Press author (Lost in the Ivy, Cheeseland, Cubsessions) Randy Richardson certainly had a memorable day last week. This is pretty amazing...
=Randy's next book for us (Bobbleheading) comes out around MLB's Opening Day (even if they are on strike).
=Another book launch party coming up in a few weeks (August 22), for Russ Fahrner's Face Your Monster. It will be on August 22nd at Salerno's Pizza (1201 W. Grand Avenue, Chicago) from 1:30-3:30.
=The book is getting excellent reviews, like this one by Jack Gjeldum...
"Russ, I'm not sure that I could ever match the courage you displayed in battling your Monster. You attacked it with confidence and a plan that was truly admirable. I was reminded over and over just how easy my life is, and how I have taken it for granted. Your words will stick with me for a long, long time, and my hope is that when the day comes and I have to fight adversity, I will be a Russ Fahrner Warrior."
=This is always a good way to learn more about a book. Check out this peek behind the scenes with Slivers author Vicki Atkinson...
=By the way, Vicki has an event coming up too. She'll be part of a panel discussion at the Harper Bookmarks event (Schaumburg campus) on August 29. Admission is free, but you do need to register. Here's the flyer for that event...
=Jim Elsener appeared this weekend at the River Forest Public Library talking about his book Sirens in the Loop. This is what he posted on his Facebook page yesterday...
=Mitch Michaels is not just an Illinois Rock and Roll Hall of Famer for his incredible radio work at classic rock stations in Chicago like WLUP, WXRT, WKQK and WCKG, and not just an author for Eckhartz Press (Doin' the Cruise), he's also an audio book narrator. He dropped us a note about his latest project...
"I'm the narrator for the book 'Reach for the Stars', the book about the rock band M&R Rush. It's written by Jim Arvia, and they are offering an exclusive pre-sale package on their website
=No, it's not an Eckhartz Press book, but Mitch is our guy, and M&R Rush is an important midwestern band from rock's hey day. They were big supporters of Mitch's book when it came out (and even appeared at a few of his signings), so we thought we'd help them promote it.
=As for Doin' the Cruise, one of the most memorable passages of Mitch Michaels' Eckhartz Press book is about the crazy times he experienced in his WLUP days at ChicagoFest. That music festival debuted this week (August 8) in 1978. The cover photo for Mitch's book was taken there, on Navy Pier. Seems appropriate to post it as Chicago recovers from another Lollapalooza. ChicagoFest might have even been crazier back in the day.
=Eckhartz Press author Becky Sarwate is celebrating a birthday this week (August 8). In 2018 and 2019 she co-wrote two different editions of the book Cubsessions for us. Still one of our favorites. Have a great birthday, Becky!
Behind the Glass and Beyond the Glass
=Yes, Randy Merkin was a sports-radio producer, and yes, most of the stories in his book Behind the Glass are about sports figures. However, he also has at least one story about booking a guest who would become the president of the United States. That former president, Barack Obama, is celebrating a birthday this week (August 4).
=Randy's current book, Beyond the Glass, features another famous birthday boy (August 9), former World Series winning Chicago Cub Jason Heyward.
=We are currently working on a redesign of our website, and one of the things we want to do is showcase some of the great multi-media work of our authors. One of those is Truffle Hunt author Brent Petersen. Since his novel came out in 2015, Brent has gone on to build a foodie empire, with a website, travel guidebooks, and a podcast called Destination Eat Drink. Here's a great recent podcast interview: Brent interviews Dusty Baker about his Baker Family wine. Here's another one: Brent's 400th episode is an interview with Devo's Gerald Casele. He has a vineyard too.
=Eckhartz Press author Roger Badesch also dips his toes into the audio waters occasionally. This past weekend he was on WGN Radio with Dave Plier. They talked about Chicago's 77 neighborhoods. You can listen to that here.
What? You missed me on The #DavePlier Show on #WGNRadio? Time to correct that little mishap. Click the link, play the ‘tape’! https://t.co/uglwnvvL96
— Roger Badesch (@TeacherRB) August 1, 2026
=We sold a ton of Chili Dog MVP books in Cooperstown during the Hall of Fame induction weekend for Dick Allen last year. Thanks so much to Willis Monie books for hosting us multiple times over the weekend. We kept getting visits from White Sox royalty. Former Sox pitcher Tom Bradley (shown below with Doc Fletcher), former White Sox manager Chuck Tanner's son (shown below with John Owens), and the grandson of former White Sox owner John Allyn, Brian (shown below with Doc Fletcher)
Bob Sirott
=The WGN Radio morning host Bob Sirott has also been a big supporter of Eckhartz Press over the years. He endorsed the book Life Behind the Camera by Chuck Quinzio with these words...
Anyone in broadcasting will be fascinated by Chuck Quinzio’s TV and radio adventures. I thought I heard Chuck’s best stories during my time working with him in the TV news business, but he saved the best for this book! His writing talent makes it a great read for everybody.
=Bob also contributed several stories to John Landecker's book Records Truly is My Middle Name, and was interviewed by Randy Richardson & Becky Sarwate for Cubsessions. Bob also interviewed Rick Kaempfer about EveryCubEver. Sirott is celebrating a birthday this week (August 9). Happy birthday Bob!
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=Whitney Houston was born this week in 1963 (August 9). She appears in the Eckhartz Press book, The Flip Side. (That's Carl and Larry Rosenbaum flanking Whitney)
=Bob Conlon appeared on the Chicago Writes podcast. The interview was conducted shortly after the book came out, this week last year.
Life Behind the Camera
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=Happy birthday to Anthony Rizzo. The star first baseman, 3-time All-Star, and core leader of the 2016 World Series championship team is celebrating a birthday this week (August 9). He is featured in several different parts of EveryCubEver including the segment highlighting 10+ year Cubs. Of course, all anyone was talking about these past few weeks was this Rizzo moment in the bleachers.
=Another Cubs birthday boy, former pitcher Rich Nye (August 4), is one of only a handful of Cubs featured in EveryCubEver who have also had their photograph taken with the author of the book Rick Kaempfer.
Records Truly Is My Middle Name
=This week in 1997, five great movie trailer voice over artists debuted this video at the Hollywood Reporter Key Art Awards
=One of those five men, John Leader, is also featured in John Landecker's book Records Truly Is My Middle Name. The two Johns went to college together and worked in radio together in Michigan during their formative radio years. This photo is in the book.
=This week in 2013 (August 6), the Heidelberg American Middle School closed its doors for the final time. That school plays a critical role in Rick Kaempfer's novel Back in the DDR. One of the scenes at that school is featured here.
=Legendary Chicago newscaster Fahey Flynn was born (August 6, 1916) and died (August 8, 1983) this week in history. His longtime co-anchor Joel Daly delivered Fahey's eulogy. That entire moving eulogy is in the pages of Joel's Eckhartz Press book, The Daly News.
=This week in 2004 (August 8), the Dave Matthews band made headlines when their tour bus dumped a load of human waste into the Chicago River. Unfortunately, there was a boat tour going on directly under the bus at the time. Bobby Skafish got the first interview with Dave Matthews after that unfortunate incident. It rates a full chapter in Bobby's book We Have Company.
=When Janet Sutherland-Madden's mother passed away in 2019, one of her final wishes was to donate a hundred of Janet's books (Nose Over Toes) to the UIC Department of Neurosurgery. That wish was fulfilled this week in 2019 (August 5). The book is now being given out to patients who are afflicted with brain aneurysms. That's Janet with Dr. Konstantin Slavin.
=One of the very first signature shoes was worn by tennis star Rod Laver (born August 9). A decade later, basketball star Patrick Ewing (born August 5) debuted his own signature shoe. Both are featured in Ryan Trembath's book.
=This week in 2018 (August 9), Chet Coppock officially released his Eckhartz Press book Your Dime My Dance Floor. (Q&A with Chet). We had a book launch party in Arlington Heights, and it was like a trip down memory lane for Chet as his former co-workers came out to cheer him on. That's Mike Davis, Jim Modelski, and Tom Serritella. (Yes, that's the same Tom Serritella featured at the beginning of this column for his book launch party this coming weekend.)
=This week in 2018 (August 5), Eckhartz Press author Richard Reeder appeared on WCGO radio (Playtime with Bill Turck)... (Yes, that's the same Richard Reeder featured at the beginning of this column for his book launch party coming this weekend.)
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