Author Army

An Evening With TV Icon Kathy "Cissy" Garver, star of "Family Affair"

2010-06-22T14:13:00.000-07:00

Tour a collection of some of the most famous fashions from motion pictures and the personal wardrobes of the world's greatest stars, including: Judy Garland. Audrey Hepburn, Elizabeth Taylor, Marilyn Monroe, Clark Gable, and Cary Grant.

Kathy will be autographing copies of her new "Family Affair Cookbook" - $25 includes book, autograph and reception. Thursday, June 24, 2010, 6 to 8 pm. Wine reception at: Metreon, 101 Fourth Street, Ground Level, San Francisco, CA 94103

Tickets available at the door. Wine courtesy of Jerry Tusan, Classic Wines of California.

RSVP: _Kgarver333@aol.com_ (mailto:Kgarver333@aol.com)Hope you can make it!

Busy weekend for Matt

2010-06-11T15:14:00.000-07:00

Author Matt Beckoff is doing a book signing/release party for the book July 16th in Burbank at Dark Delicacies. That same weekend he'll also be at the Dark Shadows festival.

Cowboy Festival in Santa Clarita, CA

2010-04-22T22:54:00.001-07:00

I've been invited again this year to sign my book, Guy Williams, the Man Behind the Mask at the Santa Clarita, CA, Cowboy Festival, April 24 and 25th, one hour each day in the Buckaroo Book Store, along with 31 other exciting authors. This fun-filled, entertaining weekend is on the Melody Ranch Movie Studio set.
www.cowboyfestival.org.
Antoinette G. Lane

The Compleat Biographer Conference

2010-03-31T17:25:00.000-07:00

This conference, which addresses the very genre in which BearManor Media specializes, will be held on May 15, 2010 at the University of Massachusetts Boston. Biographers from around the world are expected to make Boston their destination.Taking its name from Izaak Walton’s famous book 17th century book on fishing, the Compleat Biographer Conference will focus on the practical aspects of the craft and art of biography. Sponsored by Biographers International Organization (BIO), the daylong conference will feature speeches by prominent biographers—such as Pulitzer Prize winner and BIO president Debby Applegate—and workshops, panel discussions, and networking opportunities. Many literary agents will be attending as well and the conference includes an opportunity to meet with them.

Workshop topics will include:
Working in Archives: At the JFK Library, a discussion by archivists and biographers on the challenges and opportunities of working in archives today.
Trends in Biography: Editors, agents, and a bookstore owner look at the future of biography.
Dealing with the Family: Veteran biographers discuss issues of permissions, copyright, authorization, and other pitfalls of working with a subject’s family or heirs.
Choosing a Subject: Discussion by several biographers about how they selected or rejected subjects for their books.
Marketing your Biography: It’s one thing to write the darn thing, it’s entirely another matter to find readers.
New Ways to Publish: An overview from digital books to I-Universe. Authors discuss the technology, money, and viability of going it on your own.
Self-Editing: Tips on how best to prepare your manuscript for publication in the post-Max Perkins era.
New Frontiers in Electronic Research: An overview of the new resources now available from government documents to newspapers, photographs, and films.
Funding your Work: In addition to advances, this panel will look at how to obtain research grants and other means of supporting one’s work.
The Proposal: Tips on writing a winning proposal for a biography (samples included)

For more information on the conference, visit: http://www.biographersinternational.org/conference.html

Internet Radio Program

2010-02-28T21:22:00.000-08:00

On March 8th, at 9 p.m. (EST), I’ll be talking about The Lucky Strike Papers, my book about early television, on the Internet radio station “Radio Once More” (www.radiooncemore.com).

The program—the station’s “Live Show”—airs Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 9 p.m.-12 a.m., and Sundays from 6 p.m.-9 p.m.

The show’s hosts are Neal Ellis and Ken Stockinger.

Those Lucky Folks at Williamette Oaks!

2010-02-24T15:31:00.000-08:00

Lon Davis is not only a very gifted author and historian, but he also shares his knowledge with the retirement community at Williamette Oaks in Eugene, Oregon. He has scheduled 2 screenings in April:

"Love and Laughter: 1917-1924" for April 3rd, is described as "We open the 2010 public Silent Film season with 3 short films, each featuring live piano accompaniment by Willamette Oaks resident Mary Griggs. In the first film, Roscoe “Fatty” Arbuckle stars as a smitten country boy in Love, a hilarious two-reel farce from 1919; our second presentation has Felix the Cat trying to prove his courage in the cartoon Felix Finds ’Em Fickle; and in our final showing of the day, Gloria Swanson is tied to the railroad tracks by Wallace Beery in the 1917 Keystone satire Teddy at the Throttle. (75 mins)"

Then, on April 17th, he'll give a showing of "The Family Secret" (1924), with special guest Diana Serra Cary (Baby Peggy). Here's how this one is described: "Baby Peggy Montgomery was one of the two most popular child stars during the silent film era (the other being Jackie Coogan). Now in her nineties, Baby Peggy—for many years known as Diana Serra Cary—is a respected historian of this art form. She will be our special in-house guest for a screening of her 1924 comedy-drama, The Family Secret. This is your opportunity to meet one of the last surviving silent film stars, ask your questions, and hear first-hand her childhood experiences during the infancy of the silver screen. She will also be signing copies of her critically acclaimed autobiography, What Ever Happened to Baby Peggy? (90 mins)"

To learn more, see http://www.willametteoaks.com/news.asp. Way to go, Lon!

Lonnie Burr is One Busy Man!

2010-02-23T12:46:00.000-08:00

This Wednesday evening at 9 p.m. west coast, 6 p.m. east coast, an interview with Lonnie Burr will be aired live over Neal Ellis' "Radio Once More" website http://www.radiooncemore.com/.

ALSO: His latest print interview is posted at: www.tft.ucla.edu/profiles/industry/lonnie-burr_mouseketeer [Lonnie has an MA in Theatre Arts at UCLA at 20, and is part of UCLA Film and TV Archives, who have a copy of his memoir and MANY other items.].

His latest podcast, a 25-minute audio interview, is at http://www.disneyroyalladies.libsyn.com/.

Lonnie's also up for the PBS show "Oregon Art Beat" in Portland, OR. No date has been set for that yet.

Bob's a Busy Man!

2009-12-28T06:23:00.000-08:00

Bob Mills, author of The Laugh Makers, his terrific book about his experiences working as Bob Hope's gag writer, hit the ground running when it came to promoting his book. He tells us what his next two events are:

a) Jan. 11 book signing at the L.A. Memorial Library -- 6:30 pm.

b) A book signing at the Ventura County Library Book Club -- avg.attendance 100 -- with a special appearance by Gene Perret during duringwhich we will reminesce about the old days on the road with Hope. Should be fun.

Book title on Bonus disks of new Zorro DVDs

2009-12-27T11:28:00.000-08:00

Disney's new Zorro DVDs in the original Black and White version, part of the Disney Treasures tins, arrived November 3, 2009. As I am the biographer of Guy Williams who played Zorro on TV from 1957-1960 I was asked by Leonard Maltin to be a part of the bonuses on the 6th disk of Season One and Season Two along with luminaries which include Guy's son. My name and the title of my book, Guy Williams, the Man Behind the Mask are seen on the lower third of the screen, hopefully a boon for sales. I was thrilled to be asked and I'm thrilled with the end product, digitally enhanced brillantly with original previews added at the end of each episode.

Get It Now While You Can

2009-12-03T06:20:00.000-08:00

The following very important note came in from Wes Britton: "I just got off the phone with Dave White, my partner for "Dave White Presents," and he's soon going to take down the old "Talking Television with Dave White" website which holds the archives of his previous KSAV show. Despite the fact he's still getting hits, the site is getting too expensive to maintain, so it will probably come down in 3 months.> > > > So, should you be interested in any of Dave's "Talking Television" shows, now's the time to download them for your files. Should any of the broadcasts be of special interest to you, perhaps you'd like to host some of the interviews with authors, producers, or actors at your own sites. If so, let me know and we can arrange this. Note: many of the archives are in two parts. Part one is the first 30 minutes of a particular show with DVD reviews, announcements, and news relevant to that week in television. Part two archives are the hour-long interviews with the guests, and these are the features probably worth a longer shelf-life> > > > > www.talkingtelevision.org"

A new discovery

2009-11-25T14:27:00.000-08:00

And in our can’t-imagine-even-needing-this-five-years-ago department, we have Clicker.com, available at http://www.clicker.com/>http://www.clicker.com/. This site describes itself as the “first complete programming guide to Internet television,” and contains information on over 400,000 episodes over 1200 sources in over 1200 categories. (And that doesn’t even count the 30,000 movies available on demand from Netflix and Amazon, or the 50,000 music videos from 20,000 artists.)The front page of the site lets you look for content in a variety of ways: you can browse by show title or by category, or look for Web originals, TV, movies, or music. I decided to look for comedies and got a screen that looked like this:http://www.researchbuzz.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/screenshot1.jpg. Not only are there new and popular comedies, but you can filter your result to find only those comedies from the 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s. You can also filter just for movies or for original Web programming. I took a look at the comedies available for the 70s and was presented with a list of shows that included Saturday Night Live, WKRP, Electric Company, Sanford and Son, and Rhoda. I was confused to note that some of the shows listed included the number of episodes available as 0. Why list them, then?I took a look at Barney Miller, which has 70 episodes available online and its own page, which looks like this:http://www.researchbuzz.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/screenshot2.jpg (Barney Miller on Clicker.com) The show’s page lists the episodes with air dates, titles, and brief descriptions of the plot. The screnshot will take you to view the episode in this case on Hulu. Show information has a space for external links and additional information, but none of the shows I looked at had additional information added.Since I watched way too much TV in the 70s I went and took a look at the Web originals instead. Here I found content in a huge number of categories, including news, art, drama, documentary, business & finance, etc. Like the TV episodes, these series had episode listings, descriptions, room for editing, etc.While this site was packed with listings, and actually reminded me of some TV shows I’d forgotten about, I couldn’t imagine using it as I watch TV. I need an easy way to connect my computer to my television to make the most of Clicker.com. I don’t think we’re quite there yet or did we get there and I missed it? - Jim Parish, jrparish@sbcglobal.net, www.jamesrobertparish.com

Congratulations!

2009-11-24T14:54:00.001-08:00

Congratulations to Hank Moonjean (Bring in the Peacocks), Annette D'Agostino (Harold Lloyd), and Scott O'Brien (Virginia Bruce) for earning the "Best Book of the Year" designation by Classic Images magazine; Hank Moonjean (Bring in the Peacocks) for "Funniest Book of the Year"; Wright King and Sandra Grabman (No Retakes!) for "Best TV Book of the Year"; and Diane Kachmar and David Goudsward (The Fly at Fifty) for "Best Cover of the Year"! You did your publisher proud!

The World Wants to Know

2009-11-20T18:15:00.000-08:00

Hey, folks, don't forget to post any news about your books and your author-activities at http://authorarmy.blogspot.com/. We'd love to know what's happening.

BearManor Media publishes Cartoon Scripts by Daws Butler, the voice of Yogi Bear

2009-10-08T12:53:00.000-07:00

For Immediate Release
Contact: joebev@joebev.com
845-647-9475

BearManor Media publishes Cartoon Scripts by Daws Butler, the voice of Yogi Bear

2009-10-08 17:01:22 - "Uncle Dunkle and Donnie" was edited, co-written and illustrated by Butler protégé Joe Bevilacqua (of NAPANOCH, NY), who has also recorded the audio "cartoon" book. Available at: http://bearmanormedia.bizland.com/id244.html

A seal who can't balance? An elephant who always forgets? A green cow who walks on her front feet? These are just some of the wacky characters from the unique mind of Daws Butler, the man who voiced most of the classic Hanna-Barbera characters--Yogi Bear, Huckleberry Hound, Quick Draw McGraw and Snagglepuss, to name a few.

Uncle Dunkle and Donnie is a collection of imaginative, never-before-released cartoon scripts by Butler, who also worked on the classic 1960s Jay Ward "Fractured Fairy Tales" and "Aesop and Sons" animated cartoons.

The book was edited, co-written and illustrated (in retro Hanna-Barbera style) by Joe Bevilacqua, who has also recorded an audio "cartoon" book of UNCLE DUNKLE AND DONNIE, doing all the voices himself!

As the protege of cartoon voice legend Daws Butler (Yogi Bear), Bevilacqua, a veteran award-winning broadcaster (NPR, XM Radio), is no stranger to the cartoon world. Joe Bev even co-authored his mentor's
authorized biography, "Daws Butler, Characters Actor", available at http:/www.BearManorMedia.Com">http:/www.BearManorMedia.Com

Uncle Uncle and Donnie is available at:
http://bearmanormedia.bizland.com/id244.html, for Just $19.95 plus postage.

What the animation industry is saying about UNCLE DUNKLE AND DONNIE:

"It all started with Daws Butler--actor, writer, teacher--writing UNCLE DUNKLE AND DONNIE children's stories with exquisite sophisticated humor but always resonating with gentle and subtle lessons in morality. Then came Joe Bevilacqua--also actor, writer and producer--vocally bringing to life all of the charming characters in the Daws Butler book. Reading and listening to UNCLE DUNKLE AND DONNIE is a delightful experience that you and your family can and will enjoy!"

- June Foray, legendary voice actress (Rocky the Flying Squirrel, Witch
Hazel, Granny)

"Any cartoon fan can recognize Daws Butler's multitude of voices, but few know of his writing. Butler, a purveyor of witty wordplay and twisty tales, will surprise and amuse readers. These stories now come to life as told by the hilarious Joe Bevilacqua, man of 97 voices!"

- Linda Simensky (Senior Director of Programming for PBS Kids)

"Those of us who loved (and still love) Daws are grateful to Joe for all his endeavors that keep the name alive. This fine collection of the works of Butler and Bevilacqua is yet another in a long list."

Mark Evanier, Writer-Historian

---

From October 2 to November 16, 2009, Joe Bev. will be performing in New York, New Jersey and California, promoting UNCLE DUNKLE AND DONNIE. His personal appearance schedule can be found here:

http://www.pr-inside.com/veteran-broadcaster-announces-october-november-per-r1505863.htm

---

Joe Bev. also hosts a daily radio show, CARTOON CARNIVAL, "The first radio cartoon show ever!" You can listen online EVERY day at WWW.SHOKUSRADIO.COM - 3 PM (PDT), 5 PM (CT), 6 PM (ET)

---

If you'd like to order by check or money order, please add $5 for the 1st book, and $1 per additional book for postage, payable to:

BearManor Media
P O Box 71426
Albany, GA 31708

Phone: 580-252-3547 (Sandra Grabman)
Fax: 814-690-1559
books@benohmart.com

Retail book orders over $99 always receive FREE US SHIPPING!
We only ship to the USA. Foreign orders please order via amazon.com.

Press Information:
Waterlogg Productions

P.O. Box 374
Napanoch, NY 12458

Contact Person:
Joe Bev.
Owner
Phone: 845-647-9475
email: joebev@joebev.com

Web: http://www.joebev.com

BearManor Media publishes Cartoon Scripts by Daws Butler, the voice of Yogi Bear

2009-10-08T12:39:00.001-07:00

For Immediate Release
Contact: joebev@joebev.com
845-647-9475

BearManor Media publishes Cartoon Scripts by Daws Butler, the voice of Yogi Bear

2009-10-08 17:01:22 - "Uncle Dunkle and Donnie" was edited, co-written and illustrated by Butler protégé Joe Bevilacqua (of NAPANOCH, NY), who has also recorded the audio "cartoon" book. Available at:
.

A seal who can't balance? An elephant who always forgets? A green cow who walks on her front feet? These are just some of the wacky characters from the unique mind of Daws Butler, the man who voiced most of the classic Hanna-Barbera characters--Yogi Bear, Huckleberry Hound, Quick Draw McGraw and Snagglepuss, to name a few.

Uncle Dunkle and Donnie is a collection of imaginative, never-before-released cartoon scripts by Butler, who also worked on the classic 1960s Jay Ward "Fractured Fairy Tales" and "Aesop and Sons" animated cartoons.

The book was edited, co-written and illustrated (in retro Hanna-Barbera style) by Joe Bevilacqua, who has also recorded an audio "cartoon" book of UNCLE DUNKLE AND DONNIE, doing all the voices himself!

As the protege of cartoon voice legend Daws Butler (Yogi Bear), Bevilacqua, a veteran award-winning broadcaster (NPR, XM Radio), is no stranger to the cartoon world. Joe Bev even co-authored his mentor's
authorized biography, "Daws Butler, Characters Actor", available at http:/www.BearManorMedia.Com.

Uncle Uncle and Donnie is available at:
., for Just $19.95 plus postage.

What the animation industry is saying about UNCLE DUNKLE AND DONNIE:

"It all started with Daws Butler--actor, writer, teacher--writing UNCLE DUNKLE AND DONNIE children's stories with exquisite sophisticated humor but always resonating with gentle and subtle lessons in morality. Then came Joe Bevilacqua--also actor, writer and producer--vocally bringing to life all of the charming characters in the Daws Butler book. Reading and listening to UNCLE DUNKLE AND DONNIE is a delightful experience that you and your family can and will enjoy!"

- June Foray, legendary voice actress (Rocky the Flying Squirrel, Witch
Hazel, Granny)

"Any cartoon fan can recognize Daws Butler's multitude of voices, but few know of his writing. Butler, a purveyor of witty wordplay and twisty tales, will surprise and amuse readers. These stories now come to life as told by the hilarious Joe Bevilacqua, man of 97 voices!"

- Linda Simensky (Senior Director of Programming for PBS Kids)

"Those of us who loved (and still love) Daws are grateful to Joe for all his endeavors that keep the name alive. This fine collection of the works of Butler and Bevilacqua is yet another in a long list."

Mark Evanier, Writer-Historian

---

From October 2 to November 16, 2009, Joe Bev. will be performing in New York, New Jersey and California, promoting UNCLE DUNKLE AND DONNIE. His personal appearance schedule can be found here:

http://www.pr-inside.com/veteran-broadcaster-announces-october-november-per-r1505863.htm

---

Joe Bev. also hosts a daily radio show, CARTOON CARNIVAL, "The first radio cartoon show ever!" You can listen online EVERY day at WWW.SHOKUSRADIO.COM - 3 PM (PDT), 5 PM (CT), 6 PM (ET)

---

If you'd like to order by check or money order, please add $5 for the 1st book, and $1 per additional book for postage, payable to:

BearManor Media
P O Box 71426
Albany, GA 31708

Phone: 580-252-3547 (Sandra Grabman)
Fax: 814-690-1559
books@benohmart.com

Retail book orders over $99 always receive FREE US SHIPPING!
We only ship to the USA. Foreign orders please order via amazon.com.

Press Information:
Waterlogg Productions

P.O. Box 374
Napanoch, NY 12458

Contact Person:
Joe Bev.
Owner
Phone: 845-647-9475
email: joebev@joebev.com

Web: http://www.joebev.com

TV Confidential interview

2009-05-24T21:34:00.000-07:00

On June 2, Tuesday night, at 8 pm Pacific time, I will be a guest on Ed Robertson's TV Confidential radio show on KSAV.

http://www.ksav.org/

Click the Listen button in the left column of the website and tune in to hear us talk about my biography on Guy Williams who played Zorro in the late 1950s and John Robinson on Lost in Space in the mid 1960s plus several other roles on TV and movies.

Thanks,
Antoinette G. Lane
author, Guy Williams: The Man Behind the Mask

Guy Williams: the Man Behind the Mask

2009-04-15T21:06:00.000-07:00

The Annual Cowboy Festival will feature several authors in the Buckaroo Bookstore, such as Robert Michum's daughter and Cheryl Rogers, daughter of Roy Rogers and many more. I will be signing my biography of Guy Williams (Zorro and Lost in Space) on Saturday and Sunday, April 25 & 26th from 12:30 to 1:30 pm in Santa Clarita, CA. Check out this event at http://www.cowboyfestival.org.
It's held at Melody Ranch once owned by Gene Autry, and used for numerous western movies.

Hi!

2009-03-24T15:42:00.000-07:00

I'm Ed Solomonson and together with my partner, Mark O'Neill, we have written what we think, and hopefully you will too, is the B*E*S*T book ever written about M*A*S*H, the TV Series. How nice of Ben to invite me to be a part of, and a contributor to his Author Army. Bearmanor has the best books on radio, television and film, and I'm flattered to be a part of that. I wish I had the time to read them all. However, the books I have a particular interest in, besides mine, are "Stooges Among Us" by Lon and Debra Davis and the newly released "Flights of Fantasy," the story of Radio and TV's Superman by Michael J. Hayde. (Can't get enough George Reeves' Superman. Is it possible to wear out DVDs?)
Thanks for the invite, Ben. Glad to be here!

Ed Solomonson

Bob Mills' "Laugh Makers" Off & Running!

2009-03-21T07:24:00.000-07:00

New Bear Manor author Bob Mills -- "THE LAUGH MAKERS: A Behind-The-Scenes Tribute to Bob Hope's Incredible Gag Writers" (Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble.com) was released on Valentines Day -- has been doing more press interviews than Lindsay Lohan after a bust. He recently was interviewed live by Joel Bloomberg who hosts a national radio show out of New York.

Bob did another live interview on "Access Unlimited." KPFK 90.7fm Los Angeles and 98.7fm Santa Barbara reaches from Santa Barbara to San Diego and the show is archieved at www.kpfk.org.

Bob just completed an hour-long pre-taped interview with LA radio legend Frank Brezee whose Saturday night show airs on www.yesterdayusa.com.

Upcoming events on Bob's agenda:

FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2009: Hour-long interview on Boston's WBZ Radio and WCCO, Minneapolis-St. Paul with host, Jordan Rich. The interview will kick off the station's Salute to Old Time Radio and will be live-streamed @ www.WBZ.com at 9-10 PM PDT.

FRI-SAT-SUN, MAY 1-2-3, 2009: The annual SPERDVAC CONVENTION (Society to Preserve and Encourage Radio Drama, Variety & Comedy). Beverly Garland's Holiday Inn, 4222 Vineland Avenue, North Hollywood, CA (818) 980-8000. Host: "I Love a Mystery" Panel; Authors' Panel and book signing with fellow author, Martin Grams. Jr. (Mission Impossible: Unlocking the Door to a Television Classic). For further info and event times phone: Barbara Williams 530-990-4231.

SATURDAY, MAY, 9, 2009: Author's Talk + Q&A followed by book-signing at BOOK SOUP, 8818 W. Sunset Boulevard, Hollywood, CA. (310-659-3110) 7:00 PM (Wayne Schulman 818-512-4474)

____________________________________________

A BEAR MOUNTAIN FIRST! Plans are underway for Bob to record an audio version of THE LAUGH MAKERS which will be released on the Bear Manor Media label. We'll keep you posted on this! The guy's a real dynamo and sales of his book should sky rocket. Go, Bob!

Whitey Mitchell does radio!

2008-09-05T12:14:00.000-07:00

Hey Friends,

Whitey and I will be in Toronto, Canada next week and he'll be appearing on a live radio show Wednesday, September 10, 2008 at 4:00pm, our time (7:00pmEST), with an invited in-studio audience. It will be a jazz musical event as well as an interview discussing his book "Hackensack To Hollywood-My Two Show Business Careers". Whitey will be playing with John Sherwood on piano, a very popular local favorite, and our very own son-in-law, world-class drummer, Terry Clarke, who lives in Toronto. Actually, Sir Terry Clarke.....he was awarded the Order of Canada, the country's highest civilian honor, by Queen Elizabeth!

The Toronto radio station is JAZZ FM91.1, Canada's premiere station for jazz. So tune in if you can, as they "go live" at 4:00pm Wednesday. Go to their website at www.jazz.fm and click the "Listen Live" box at the top.

For any early risers, the following day, Thursday 9/11/08, at 6:00am our time and (9:00amEST), Whitey will do an in-studio interview on "Jazz World With Wally D",
broadcast on CKLN FM 88.1 from Toronto. Their website is www.ckln.fm. Click on the circle at the right, "Listen Live".

I'm Marilyn Mitchell and I approve this message!

Janet Gari's birthday signing!

2008-08-14T07:20:00.000-07:00

Janet Gari (Eddie Cantor's daughter) is having a book signing/birthday celebration on Oct 5th at the Drama Book Shop (3-5PM) in New York City!

the great Bill Marx!

2008-07-05T06:35:00.001-07:00

Playing at his club at Vicki's Restaurant!

the sci-fi cookbook blog!

2008-06-25T06:59:00.000-07:00

http://itcamefromthekitchen.blogspot.com/

Guy Williams book discussion on "Talking Television"

2008-06-24T15:43:00.000-07:00

Hi
Just an FYI to tell you I'm going to be on Dave White's Talking Television show on Internet Radio on July 1st, 2008 to talk about my book, "Guy Williams, The Man Behind the Mask" focusing on the making of the Disney Zorro TV show and Guy's life and career.

Please check this website for the time in your area and to hook up for a Listen:
http://www.ksav.org/
Click Listen Now on the left. If any of you are interested in getting on the show to promote your book, you should contact him. He likes to read the book first.

Thanks,
Antoinette

Newark radio convention!

2008-06-21T08:08:00.000-07:00

We're gonna be here too!

October 23- 26, 2008
Friends of Old-Time Radio Convention in Newark, NJ
Bear Manor Media authors will be guests at the event, autographing their books!
Mel Simons (Old-Time Radio Trivia and Old-Time TV Trivia Books)
Ben Ohmart (Walter Tetley, Joan Davis)
Brian Gari (Late Night Comic, We Bombed in London)
Martin Grams Jr. (The Railroad Hour, I Led Three Lives)
Arthur Anderson (Let's Pretend)
Jim Cox (The Great Radio Soap Operas)
Jack French (Private Eyelashes)

author convention!

2008-06-12T13:40:00.001-07:00

MID-ATLANTIC NOSTALGIA CONVENTION
Bear Manor Media will be displaying their books at the 3rd Annual Mid-Atlantic Nostalgia Convention in Aberdeen, Maryland, on September 18 - 20, 2008. If you have an idea for a book, or want to submit a manuscript, here's your chance! Come on over and say hi! The weekend event includes movie stars signing autographs, nostalgic TV and movies 24 hours in the movie room, and panels and presentations. Among the guests are Edd Byrnes (77 Sunset Strip), Patty McCormack (The Bad Seed), Margaret Kerry (The Little Rascals), Jon Provost (Timmy on Lassie), Conrad Brooks (Ed Wood), Kathleen Hughes (It Came From Outer Space), Larry Storch (F-Troop). Bear Manor Media's authors will be there signing books and offering presentations. Jack French (Private Eyelashes), Mike Nevins (Ellery Queen), Ben Ohmart (Paul Frees), Martin Grams Jr. (Information Please) and Derek Tague (contributor for Let's Pretend).
http://www.midatlanticnostalgiaconvention.com

Come pay us a visit at the convention!

Bob Rocca's blog

2008-04-27T06:19:00.001-07:00

He's written the Definitive book on The Professionals, the still-popular UK action series. Check out Bob's blog at http://bobrocca.blogspot.com/

It's out, so now let's publicize!

2008-04-25T13:38:00.001-07:00

Hi, folks.

Wright King's and my book, No Retakes! (about the exciting era of live television), is now out and ready for its readers. Right away, we have a radio interview lined up. On Tuesday night, we'll be interviewed live (how appropriate is that?) on Peter Anthony Holder's show at CJAD, which broadcasts to Montreal and Toronto. Our segment will be 30 minutes long, and airs at 1:00 a.m. Eastern time (actually, that's Wednesday morning). Wright's the lucky one. It'll be only 10:00 p.m. his time. If you're in CJAD's listening area, I hope you'll tune in.

Sandy

Fred M. Grandinetti & the rock band Someday Rome

2008-04-14T17:20:00.000-07:00

The author of the Jack Mercer (voice of Popeye) book gets even More famous!

Hot off the press!

2008-04-10T18:24:00.000-07:00

Wright King's and my new BearManor Media book, entitled No Retakes!, is hot off the press and ready for its readers. In this book, Wright and other actors/actresses tell us what it was like to work in live television. Some loved it; others got ulcers. Among those who shared their memories with us were Peter Mark Richman, Betsy Palmer, Rance Howard, Steve Marlo, Kathy Garver, Bill Erwin, Jack Klugman, and Eva Marie Saint. I don't know about you, but I like the "Bloopers" chapter best.

It's That Time Again 4!

2008-03-19T08:41:00.000-07:00

Yes, Jim Harmon is ready with the 4th in the series of new stories of old-time radio shows, and we'll be putting up the link to it soon. This time it's gonna be all Mysteries!

Ben Ohmart

A Book Signing

2008-03-03T18:26:00.000-08:00

On Saturday, March 15th, I'll be signing copies of my BearManor book about early television, The Lucky Strike Papers, at the "Amazing Grapes" wine bar/wine and spirits shop, in Pompton Lakes, NJ.

"Amazing Grapes" hosts wine tastings on Saturdays, from noon until 6 p.m. I'll be signing copies of the book towards the end of the event--from 4 until 6 p.m.

"Amazing Grapes" is located at 23 Wanaque Avenue, in the Pompton Lakes Towne Square Shopping Center. The phone number is: (973) 831-5700.

Ward Morehouse III

2008-02-26T07:25:00.000-08:00

The man has an Excellent site here. More info than a blog! If you like hotels and stories of celebrities in hotels, you'll be surprised.

Latest Update

2008-02-19T12:38:00.000-08:00

Ben Ohmart forwarded a very nice review for my book from Peter E. Blau's Sherlockian newsletter:

Michael A. Hoey's ELVIS, SHERLOCK & ME: HOW I SURVIVED GROWING UP IN HOLLYWOOD (Albany: Bear Manor Media, 2007; 335 pp., $24.95) is written with humor and style, about the author's interesting career in Hollywood, but (more important for Sherlockians) it offers an excellent account of the stage and screen career of his father, Dennis Hoey, who played Lestrade in six of the Basil Rathbone films made by Universal in the 1940s.

I spent a very interesting weekend at the Hollywood Collectors Show in Burbank, California. Sold a few books and renewed a lot of old acquaintances. Mark Evanier was there and I gave him a copy - he's already talking about it on his website www.newsfromme.com/ and saying nice things. He'll give it a full review in a couple of days. I'm being interviewed by Nigel Patterson of the Elvis Information Network tomorrow afternoon. Nigel's website www.elvisinfonet.co/bookreview_hoey.html also gave my book a terrific review.

meet Whitey MItchell

2008-02-10T15:05:00.001-08:00

Michael Hoey's new website

2008-02-10T08:18:00.000-08:00

I’ve finally managed to overcome the intricacies of the internet and create my website. It has taken much too long, but now it is up and running. Take a look at www.mhoey.com

it's Brian Gari's birthday!

2008-02-09T19:34:00.000-08:00

Brian Gari, the grandson of Eddie Cantor says:

I'll be doing my annual birthday show with special guest Liz Larsen
February 18th at 7PM
at Don't Tell Mama
343 w 46 street
$5 cover/2 drink minimum
no credit cards
reservations: 212 757-0788
Hope you can make it!

Your Hit Parade

2008-01-28T19:56:00.000-08:00

Greetings, again.

Here’s a 1951 print advertisement; it’s for Lucky Strike cigarettes, and features singer Dorothy Collins, one of the stars of the TV show Your Hit Parade (also known as The Lucky Strike Hit Parade).

A 1979 conversation I had with Dorothy Collins—who passed away in 1994—is included in my recently published BearManor book, The Lucky Strike Papers (subtitled Journeys Through My Mother’s Television Past).

The Hit Parade aired on television between 1950 and 1959. My late mother, Sue Bennett, was a featured singer on the program in 1951 and 1952. The show—in particular, its early years on TV—is profiled, at length, in The Lucky Strike Papers.

Waiting is the hard part

2008-01-09T13:37:00.000-08:00

Hi, folks.

Co-author Wright King and I have submitted our manuscript to BearManor Media right before its deadline, so now the hard part has begun -- waiting for the editors to work their magic. The book's topic is the 1940s-1950s era of live television, from the actors' perspective, and its title will be No Retakes! Just wait until you see the rare photos we found for it!

During the past eight years, I've been continually either researching or writing, so now I'm taking a six-month break. In technical terms, "I be pooped!"

Happy New Year!

Sandra Grabman
Author of:
Spotlights & Shadows: The Albert Salmi Story
Plain Beautiful: The Life of Peggy Ann Garner
Pat Buttram, the Rocking-Chair Humorist

new book - Vic Flick!

2008-01-09T13:24:00.000-08:00

Yes, we've just signed up THE James Bond guitarist himself - Vic Flick - to publish his autobiography. The incredible guitarist who put the original Twang in the James Bond theme, and so much more, tells his story. Coming later this year!

http://www.vicflick.com/

we've lost Bill Idelson

2008-01-06T18:19:00.000-08:00

I was so sorry to hear that our beloved Bill Idelson, star and author of the Vic & Sade book, has passed on. He was one of the funniest people I've ever talked to. And one of the nicest. He will be Missed.

NBC & ME, Bionics, Life Goes On, E. Montgomery, Star Trek and Kung Fu

2008-01-01T10:13:00.000-08:00

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Ben Ohmart for believing in my work. It was a dream come true when Ben agreed to publish both The Bionic Book and and Life Story - The Book of Life Goes On - two books I waited over 15 years to see in publication. Had it not been for Ben - and the great Charles Tranberg (author of BMM's I Love The Illusion: The Life And Career of Agnes Moorehead), who introduced me to everything BearManor, that dream would have never become a reality.

I look forward to 2008 and 2009, in which I shall see published NBC & ME, Twitch Upon A Star: The Elizabeth Montgomery Story, my Animated Star Trek companion book, and the revised and combined-into-one-volume edition of my Kung Fu Book of Caine and Kung Fu Book of Wisdom.

Blessings for a Happy and Safe New Year and New NOW,

Herbie J Pilato

Michael Hoey book signing!

2007-12-31T20:28:00.000-08:00

Get your copy of Elvis, Sherlock and Me signed here:
http://www.hollywoodcollectorshow.com/Burbank.htm

Next Chapter

2007-12-03T23:27:00.000-08:00

I don't know what's next on the horizon, but after seven years as a travel writer for AAA I'm moving on--the Auto Club's whole travel editorial department is being cast adrift. I do intend to make time for some passion projects, including a book of my photos of OTR recreations that Ben Ohmart will be publishing, and a redesign of my website. This past year I contributed to BearManor's "Well! Reflections on the Life and Career of Jack Benny;" wrote a play about a comedian-turned-activist called "Kvetcher in the Wry;" served as consultant on a BBC Radio documentary; and did a fair amount of traveling as usual, including two trips to NYC.

Are biographers sexier and smarter than novelists, Sonny asks. Having written two biographies, including one of Spike Jones now available in its 3rd edition from BearManor, I would say yes, absolutely. Unless the novelist is John Steinbeck or Chaim Potok.

Jordan R. Young

Because It Wouldn't be Thanksgiving Without Him

2007-11-21T10:01:00.000-08:00

Recommended reading - 'How Underdog Was Born' by Buck Biggers & Chet Stover. Published by BearManor Media, naturally.

Find out how Underdog - and Tennessee Tuxedo - were created by a couple of Madison Avenue advertising workers in the early 1960s. Same time and place as 'Mad Men,' seen this past summer on AMC-TV.

Greetings, again.

2007-11-14T19:53:00.000-08:00

As I mentioned in a previous post, my upcoming BearManor book, The Lucky Strike Papers, concerns early television, and the network programs on which my late mother, Sue Bennett, sang--such as NBC's Your Hit Parade (she appeared on the show in 1951 and 1952), and Kay Kyser's College of Musical Knowledge (1949 and 1950). In 1951, she also sang regularly on NBC's Freddy Martin Show, and Van Camp's Little Show, which starred actor and singer John Conte.

Thought I'd share a picture of Kay Kyser, from the cover of a 1949 issue of Chicago's TV Forecast magazine. The issue was published a couple of weeks before the bandleader's TV program made its debut on NBC.

--Andrew Lee Fielding

Shop Talk - with Sonny Drysdale

2007-11-07T11:02:00.000-08:00

I, for one am grateful to Ben for starting up this 'Author Army' blog. All of us in the Writing Game love to 'talk shop' but depending on your circumstances that's not always easy to do.

For one thing, your close friends and family couldn't care less. Or if they at least try, it comes out patronizing - "So Sonny, what words do YOU have a hard time spelling?" To put them out of their misery, you change the subject to cars or girls. Or shopping, depending on your gender.

So, with all good wishes for this potential cyber-Algonquin Roundtable, here are a few subjects which will hopefully generate some serious debate. Feel free to talk amongst yourselves and comment accordingly.

1. So - what words do YOU have a hard time speling?

2. Biographers - sexier AND smarter than novelists. True or false?

3. Dress code for work for men - a.) bathrobe & slippers; b.) the 'Lou Grant' look - white shirt and out-of-style tie - shirt-sleeves rolled up, tie loosened at collar. c.) the traditional tweed jacket - patches on elbows optional.

4. Dress code at work for women - a.) white dress with pearls; b.) a little black dress; c.) bathrobe & slippers. d.) nothing at all (as suggested by all male writers.)

5. Plagiarism - is it flattery; a "homage" or just plain stealing?

6. The 'dash' - has it become the lazy-man's semi-colon?

7. The hardest part of becoming a published author - finding a publisher? Or sitting down and writing the damn book?

8. The ball-point and lined paper versus computers and the 'Word' format - which will survive?

9. Agents - is 20 per-cent really enough?

10. Background music at the typewriter - an aid or a distraction? Suggestions?

11. Promotion - a new author has to be a shameless self-promoter. Does that mean hiring the best publicist you can afford?

12. The hottest chicks in literature - Lady Macbeth or Betty & Veronica?

13. 'Writer's Block' - myth, reality - or just a good excuse for spending the day watching the Turner Movie Classics channel?

14. When tallying your final word-count - do you include words like 'and' or 'the'?

15. Writers - are we artistic geniuses? Or damn good craftsmen?

16. Editors - why do they make such a big fuss about proper grammer, and correct spelling?

17. Run-on sentences that go on and on and on and don't make a point but just go on and on and on without making a point. Are they they latest trend?

18. James Frey - does Oprah owe him an apology?

19. Role models - William Shakespeare; Stephen King; Harvey Kurtzman?

20. Other than John Irving, has any writer ever gotten laid by claiming to be "a published author"?

21. Can a change in ward-robe change a 'published author' of the male sex into a chick-magnet? Women writers are always smartly dressed. No need to ask the question from their point of view.

22. Carbon-paper - you hate it, right?

23. What's all the big deal about misquoting? Isn't that what libel-insurance is for?

24. Favorite forms of procrastination when a deadline is looming? ... Other than "Killing an afternoon posting on your publisher's blog." Or "TCM."

Coming down the home stretch

2007-11-06T19:42:00.000-08:00

After another working visit with my co-author, retired actor Wright King, our manuscript is almost finished. We have just a few more additions to make, then will have a couple friends read it and offer comments. Once that's done, it'll be on its way to BearManor Media by its December 15th deadline, where they'll work their magic on it to make it the best book it can be. The topic? The golden era of 1940s-1950s live television, told from actors' points of view. Wright and I are getting excited about it. I think the readers will like it. I can hardly wait to find out.

welcome to Author Army!

2007-11-03T18:08:00.000-07:00

Here's where you'll find the latest news for what's going with BearManor Media authors. Comment on books, find out where the next booksigning's going to be, see photos, interact, the whole ten yards!

Ben Ohmart
BearManor Media