Musings, observations, and written works from the publisher of Eckhartz Press, the media critic for the Illinois Entertainer, co-host of Minutia Men, Minutia Men Celebrity Interview and Free Kicks, and the author of "The Loop Files", "Back in the D.D.R", "EveryCubEver", "The Living Wills", "$everance," "Father Knows Nothing," "The Radio Producer's Handbook," "Records Truly Is My Middle Name", and "Gruen Weiss Vor".
The latest news from Eckhartz Press, and a chance to peek into some of the great previous offerings from our humble little publishing company.
COMING SOON: Cul-de-sacs by Joni Hirsch Blackman
=Writing a lifestyle column about families in Naperville for The Daily Herald and The Naperville Sun opened Joni Hirsch Blackman up to questions from grocery cashiers, other parents on the
bleachers, her kids’ teachers and others. “Are you that columnist?” was a
question she didn’t love to answer, but she got used to it. Writing Cul-de-sacs
was a great job for a “Naperville mom who lives on a cul-de-sac with her three
children and dogs” and a wonderful way to spend more than a decade staying up
way too late writing 500 or so weekly columns. This book contains some of her favorites. It will be available for pre-order very soon!
3 Chances to meet Eckhartz Press authors this week!
=This Wednesday,August 12, Nick
Digilio (40 Years, 40 Films) will
be at Classic Cinema's Lake Theater in Oak Park screening the Albert Brooks
classic Defending Your Life at 7pm. He'll also be selling his first book, 40 Years, 40 Films. Don't miss your chance to see one of Albert Brooks' best films on the big screen.
=This weekend, August 14-16, Robert
Conlon (Celtic Knot)
will be appearing at the Milwaukee Irish Fest. Look for him in their Literary Corner. We have it on good authority there might be some Guinness available there as well.
=This book was written to celebrate the 60th anniversary of one of Chicago's most-respected soccer clubs, Green White. That was now 10 years ago. How do we know that? This weekend (August 15) Green White Soccer Club is throwing a huge party at Metro Majewski Park in Des Plaines to celebrate their 70th anniversary (don't let anyone tell you we can't do math). Both authors (Rick Kaempfer and Todd Schneider) will be on hand, and so will the book. There will also be live music, a beer truck, a roasted pig, homemade sausage and more!
=Saturday night at Martyrs for the 5th annual Chuckie Ar La Fest in honor of Charlie Sullivan, the son of The Living Wills author Brendan Sullivan. Eckhartz Press authors Rick Kaempfer, Robert Conlon, and Kim Strickland also attended.
=Vicki Quade is celebrating a birthday this week (August 15). Vicki came to Eckhartz Press after meeting us on this podcast. She was already well known in Chicago for her play Late Nite Catechism. Her book is a character study of the people in Chicago who she meets on the streets. Very funny and insightful.
=By the way, Vicki's latest show is coming soon. Her newest comedy,Late Nite Catechism Trivia Bingo, at Stars & Garters Theater (3914 N. Clark St., Chicago), promises to have you laughing your sins off. The show opens for only three Sunday matinee performances in September (2 p.m., Sundays, September 13, 20, 27).
Andrea Darlas
=The Chicago radio newscaster has been a big supporter of Eckhartz Press books over the years. She provided a testimonial to Janet Sutherland's book Nose Over Toes (below), appeared on the radio with Patti Vasquez and Cameo author Beth Jacobellis (photo), and also invited EveryCubEver author Rick Kaempfer(photo with former Channel 2 anchor Brad Edwards) into the WGN Radio studios. Andrea's birthday is this week (August 11).
I was truly captivated by Janet’s story…from front to finish! I laughed out loud and even welled up with tears as I read page by page of her journey. Janet is a survivor in every sense of the word. When anyone else (including myself!) would have given up, Janet persevered. Whether it was through the help of her parents, her beloved dogs, her friends or her co-workers, Janet’s journey is one everyone should know about. She makes me “stop and smell the roses” at the end of every chapter! As a friend and former co-worker, I have always looked up to Janet, but now I truly admire her courage, her strength and her humor.
=Pat Colander's book won the Book of the Year from the Chicago Writers Association in 2016. They always say you can't judge a book by its cover, but let's face it, with this book you can. The cover photo is the handiwork of the great Chicago photographer Barry Butler, who is celebrating a birthday this week (August 11).
=One of the stars of our last great Bears team, Tom Thayer, is celebrating a birthday this week (August 16). This photo of Tom appears in Dan McNeil's book.
=Sirens in the Loop is about the City News Bureau of Chicago, the training ground for journalists. So many of the greats worked there including this week's birthday boy (August 11), David Brooks. You may know him as a New York Times columnist. His story is featured in the book.
=Eckhartz Press author Chet Coppock literally knew everyone in the sports world, including basketball legend George McGinnis (born August 10), wrestler Hulk Hogan (born August 11) and NBA Hall of Famer Magic Johnson (born August 14), All of them appear in Chet's book...
=One of the joys of the Gentile brothers (Jeff & Michael) book Mob Adjacent is the way it intersperses Hollywood and the Outfit in Chicago. Eddie Fisher was born this week in 1928 (August 10). One of the funnier sections in the book involves mob wives arguing about the merits of allowing Eddie Fisher to perform in mob nightclubs after he was so cruel to his first wife, Debbie Reynolds, dumping her for Elizabeth Taylor. Mob Adjacent was a finalist for Chicago Writer's Association Book of the Year in 2020.
=August 12, 1985—The Outfield released their mega-blockbuster hit record Play Deep. Guess which Chicago-area record store hosted the band for an in-store appearance? That's right, the best one of all-time, Flip Side Records. This photo, and that story, are in the book.
=This week in 2022, William Wagner's novel was released by Eckhartz Press. The book is about what happened to Pete Townshend's guitar after he threw it into the crowd at Woodstock. Naturally, it was released on the anniversary of Woodstock (August 14). Will appeared on WGN Radio to talk about it.
=This week in 2017, on the 40th anniversary of Elvis Presley's death (August 16), Bob Shannon released his book Turn it Up. The book is about that first generation of disc jockeys who helped make rock and roll famous.
=The same week in 2017 (August 15), we were preparing to release the book Safe Inside by Lee Kingsmill, and began taking pre-orders. That book was later awarded honorable mention in the Book of the Year awards by the Chicago Writers Association. It was greeted with reviews like these...
“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"
=This week in 2018 (August 16), Bill Paige launched his great rock and roll interview book in his home town (at the time) of Austin, Texas. Here are a few photos from that launch party.
=Two of the rock stars Bill interviewed in the book are celebrating birthdays this week, Joe Jackson (August 11) and Mark Knopfler (August 12).
=This photo of Joe Jackson in concert was taken by Eckhartz Press publisher Rick Kaempfer at the Park West in Chicago a few months ago. When it was posted on Facebook, Bill contacted us and said..."Hey! Did you give a copy of my book to Joe? He's in it." Doggone it. Opportunity missed.
=This week in 2016 (August 10), Eckhartz Press released the memoir In Small Boxes written by Ann R. Wilson. Ann had a great launch party in her hometown...
=This week in three successive years (2013, 2014, 2015), John Records Landecker was making appearances promoting his book. In 2013 (August 11), it was the Morning Show Bootcamp in Chicago. In 2014 (August 11), it was in Georgetown, Illinois for a county fair. In 2015, he appeared on the Justin Kaufmann show on WGN Radio.
=He now appears in that timeslot every Monday through Thursday. Tune in to WGN AM 720 to listen.
And finally, some news from our fearless co-leader...
Operating for over a century, the bureau served as the ultimate “journalism boot camp,” training thousands of reporters under the demanding mantra: “If your mother says she loves you—check it out!”
The book captures the bureau’s evolution from its 1890 founding as a cooperative news-gathering source for Chicago newspapers, and later for broadcast outlets, to its final closure in 2005. It explores the unique “Chicago style” of journalism, characterized by speed, accuracy, and a relentless 24/7 pursuit of the story.
Readers are taken behind the scenes of major historical events, including the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre, the disastrous fire at Our Lady of the Angels Church in which 92 children perished, and the still unsolved Tylenol Murders.
Beyond the headlines, the narrative is driven by hundreds of anecdotes from alumni—including luminaries like Mike Royko, Kurt Vonnegut and Seymour Hersh, who survived the “unspoken wrath” and guiding hand of veteran editors.
The book details the bureau’s inner workings, from the clattering manual typewriters, the underground pneumatic tube news delivery system to the frantic “bulletins” of “Sirens in the Loop!” which signaled immediate breaking news.
It stands as a testament to a bygone era of street-smart reporting that shaped the landscape of American journalism.
=From the CLHOF Website: Tony Fitzpatrick published his essay collection,The Sun at the End of the Road, just weeks before his death. Tony was celebrated as a visual artist, radio personality, boxer, and actor, but too often his accomplishments as a writer were overlooked. He was a fantastic writer--this last book is proof of that. It's a kind of memoir told in a series of small reflective prose pieces. His publisher,Eckhartz Press, expedited the release date, and because of that Tony was able to experience a small bit of the book's success. The founders and owners of Eckhartz,Rick KaempferandDave Stern, will moderate a discussion aboutThe Sun at the End of the Road. Special guests includeThomas DyjaandDave Hoekstra.The event is free, butregistration is required. You'll get the registrat release the Zoom link shortly before the event start time. Registration is now open.
=Tony debuted one of those essays this week last year, January 14, 2025. “Motor Gypsy” was the name of the essay, and it had an accompanying work of art (below). At the time Tony and Eckhartz Press didn't yet know we would be working together on this project.
=January 13, 1950, director John McNaughton was born. The famous Chicago film director (Mad Dog & Glory) was a friend of Tony's and is also featured in The Sun at the End of the Road. Happy birthday to John.
=It's next week--mark your calendars for our big night. Jim Slusher will be appearing at the Book Cellar on January 23, accepting his Book of the Year award from the Chicago Writers Association. Can't wait to see another Eckhartz Press author bring home the hardware.
=You don't have to wait until next week to see Nick Digilio. Nick is hosting his "Nick's Pick" on Wednesday night at the Lake Theater in Oak Park. This month's film is the Warren Beatty classic Heaven Can Wait.
=That film doesn't appear in Nick's book because it came out before he became a film critic. On the other hand, two of the films he did pick came out this week in history. His best film pick of 1991 (Barton Fink), and his best film pick of 2000 (Magnolia).
=In case you missed it, Nick Digilio (40 Years 40 Films) was on WCPT with John St. Augustine on January 2. You can listen to it here.
=You'll also have a chance this week to meet Eckhartz Press authorJeff Reiter (The Best of Words on Birds). He will be hosting a talk at Mayslake Peabody Estate in Dupage County on January 15.
=If you missed it over the holidays, The Daily Herald gave a big spread to Jeff as he recapped the year in birds. You can read that here. It includes some beautiful color photographs, including this one of Snowy Owl by Elizabeth Schissler.
=And here's one to mark on your calendar. Jeff will be appearing at the great birder event, Gull Frolic in Lake County, on February 15.
Happy Birthday!
=Eckhartz Press author John Martucci(When the Beast Comes for You) is celebrating a birthday this week (January 18). Happy birthday to the good doctor.
=Dick Allen will be given the Lou Boudreau Hall of Fame
award on January 18. Dick Allen Jr. and Chili Dog MVP authors Dr.
David Fletcher and John Owens will be there at the
Tinley Park Convention Center at 3:30pm. Check out the news about the five-part docu-series based on the book and Dick Allen's life...
=FYI...before the year is done, we will have a new updated Hall of Fame edition of the book. Stay tuned!
=This week in 2025, Book of the Year finalist author Ken Smoller was making the rounds discussing our third White Sox book. He was featured in this piece in the Medium about what makes him a successful author.
=Also, a happy birthday is in order for one of the big supporters (and featured Sox players) in the book. Jack McDowell (January 16) is not only in the book, he appeared at the big launch party at the Chicago Historical Museum...
Ron Kittle
=Speaking of White Sox, former Sox slugger Ron Kittle had a birthday last week (January 5) as well. He has been a part of three different Eckhartz Press books, the aforementioned Last Comiskey(at the book launch--shown here with Eckhartz Publishers Rick and Dave), Your Dime My Dance Floorby Chet Coppock, andIke & Meby Rich King.
=Don't worry. We haven't forgotten the Cubs. In fact, this year Rick Kaempfer will be posting free excerpts of all the Hall of Fame Cubs (from the book EveryCubEver) around their birthdates. This week you can find Bruce Sutter (January 8, 1953) and Dizzy Dean (January 16, 1910). Just click here.
=That's not our only Cubs book. Cubsesessions is a book about celebrity and die-hard Cub fans, and what Cubdom means to them. One of the featured fans was the Bleacher Preacher Jerry Pritikin, seen below at the book launch party with Eckhartz Press publisher David Stern. His birthday is this week (January 18).
=Another contributor to the book was Pat Brickhouse, widow of Hall of Fame broadcaster Jack. She not only contributed to the book, she contributed to our website justonebadcentury.com. Unfortunately Pat passed away this week in 2022.
Additional upcoming Eckhartz Press author events. Mark your calenders...
=Mark Wukas (The Kiss of Night) will be appearing at Welcome to the Show at the Getaway (4530 N. Lincoln Avenue) on February 16.
=Vicki Atkinson (Surviving Sue) will be appearing at Wauconda Library (11am-12:30pm) on February 20. Vicki's debut novel is coming out later this year on Eckhartz Press.
=Robert Conlon (Celtic Knot) will be appearing at the Gman (on Clark in Chicago) on March 15.
=Over the holidays, The Loop Files author Rick Kaempfer had a chance to bring his entire family to the Museum of Broadcast Communications to see the Loop exhibit there. Yes, the exhibit features a signed giant poster of The Loop Files. They are also selling the book on site, and have special Loop t-shirts to commemorate the exhibit.
=This week in 2024,Rick Kaempfer appeared on WLS Radio withPete McMurray andSteve Cochran.
=Martin Luther King Jr. was born this week (January 15) in history. One of our authors not only knew King, he got the opportunity to interview him on television. Joel Daly tells that story in the pages of The Daly News.
=Rarely has an interviewer and interviewee hit it off as quickly as Eckhartz Press author Richard Reeder and TV personality Rabbi Doug. This interview is from this week in 2019.
=Richard has turned in the manuscript for his follow up novel. It will be coming out around Opening Day in 2026.
=To give you an idea of what the topic of that novel is, maybe you'll want to check out Richard's next live interview at Max & Benny's. On February 3 he'll be interviewing baseball radio reporter Bruce Levine. Details are here.
=This week in 2012 the authors of our first book The Living Wills made an appearance on the WGN-TV Midday News. It was the first of many TV appearances by Eckhartz Press authors.
=Also, 14 years ago this week, Rick and Brendan discussed the tricky collaboration that led to the first Eckhartz Press book, The Living Wills.
=Thanks to everyone who came out to see Dan McNeil in Morton Grove this week last year. A fun time was had by all. Eckhartz Press publishers Rick and Dave might have accidentally spent a little cash on some baseball card goodies as well.
=This week is alsoJulius Peppersbirthday (January 18). The recently inducted Hall of Famer rates a big write up in Dan's book.
=Vicki Quade is famous in Chicago for her theater work, but she also penned a witty Eckhartz Press book Close Encounters of a Chicago Kind about her everyday encounters with Chicagoans. We love the way she organized the stories by location. For instance, an entire chapter is about her experiences in the post office. This might be good week to read that chapter. The first U.S Postmaster, Benjamin Franklin, was born on January 17.
=On January 18, 1974—Black Oak Arkansas appeared at the Auditorium in Chicago. The Flip Side brothers (Carl & Larry) were there, presenting the show...
=This week last year there was a nice write up in the Cook County Chronicle about Larry Rosenbaum's appearance at the Arcada Theater. Also attending the symposium were fellow Eckhartz Press authors Rick Kaempfer from the Loop Files and Mitch Michaels from Doin the Cruise, and Jim Summaria and Mark Plotnick. (Click on the article to enlarge it)
=Rod Stewart is celebrating a birthday this week. You may not realize that Doin The Cruise author Mitch Michaels played a key role in Rod's song "Maggie Mae" becoming a big hit. He tells that story in the book. (That's Mitch in the middle of the pic below)
=Bobby Skafish's 2016 Eckhartz Press book We Have Company: Four Decades of Rock and Roll Encountersis a rock and roll lover's dream. Bobby has met and interviewed them all. Two of them had birthdays last week; the late David Bowie and Dave Matthews. Their stories (and these photos) are in the book. Matthews was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame last year.
=John Records Landecker's book was a finalist for CWA Book of the Year in 2013. When John was inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame in 2017, we re-released the book with additional stories and photos. Among the new photos...this one of John and his daughter Amy with the richest man in the world (at the time), who happens to be celebrating a birthday this week (January 12).
=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.
=We sold out of the book, but before it went out of print, The Balding Handbook helped countless balding souls. 13 years ago this week author David Stern was on Mancow's television show talking about it.
=We have two books about soccer in the Eckhartz Press library. One is called Grun Weiss Vor! and the other is Transatlantic Passage. That second book is about the Premier League in England. Author Paul Banks was lucky enough to get to speak to some legends, including this week's birthday boy (January 18) Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola.
=Here's what this week's birthday boy Dave Kerner had to say about the book...
“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.”
.jpg)
.jpg)
.JPG)
=From the CLHOF Website: 
.jpg)
.jpg)
