Keith H. Hirshland, Author of Cover Me Boys I’m Going In: Tales of the Tube from a Broadcast Brat: On Tour

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This post was most recently updated on March 19th, 2014

Publisher: Create Space, August 8, 2013
ISBN-978-1482760521
Category: Memoir, Television Broadcasting, Behind the Scenes
Tour Dates: February, 2014
Available in: Print & ebook, 519 pages

Growing up in the shadow of one of network affiliate television’s groundbreakers, Keith Hirshland was destined to follow in his father’s footsteps. In this gripping new memoir, readers will follow Hirshland’s stories as he witnesses the creation of sports networks and works alongside the legends of broadcasting. With a career that spans more than thirty years, Hirshland has seen it all.

From the meteoric rise of Tiger Woods to the Kelly Tilghman “lynching” controversy and countless stories from the incredibly successful SKINS GAME golf franchise, his amazing stories provide a behind-the-scenes look into one of the most revered industries in the world.

Cover Me Boys, I’m Going In: Tales of the Tube from a Broadcast Brat gives readers an informative, reflective, and often humorous look at live television from both in front of and behind the camera. Offering an insider’s look at the television industry as well as the creation of two sports networks, this gripping memoir’s stories include some of the most famous athletes and broadcasters in the world.

With a behind-the-scenes look into sports television that few will ever experience, this exciting memoir gives readers a priceless glimpse into one of the nation’s most coveted industries. The first book to document the creation of the Golf Channel, Cover Me Boys, I’m Going In is a unique memoir that covers a number of fascinating industry moments. Covering the Golf Channel as well as the earliest days of ESPN2, these wonderful stories are packed with the larger-than-life personalities that made these sport networks successful.

Inspired by his parents’ death, Hirshland wanted to document as much as possible about his professional life. After having led an interesting and unique life, he wanted to find a way to honor his parents while passing his stories down to his children. A mesmerizing read for anyone interested in sports, television, or “behind the scenes” stories in general, Cover Me Boys, I’m Going In is sure to hook readers from the very beginning. With its eclectic mix of playful, humorous, and dramatic stories, this excellent collection is truly the entertaining, informative, and enlightening book that readers have been waiting for.

Praise for Cover Me Boys, I’m Going In:

“A broadcast veteran dishes about the evolution of TV as we know it.  The memoir is a fascinating personal record that might serve as a compendium of people, places, and events from one niche of television history.  Hirshland’s gentle humor and friendly tone are entertaining and his unique riffs on “on-air talent” serve to be fresh and funny. A memorable personal chronicle of a very public phenomenon. Hirshland offers a unique glimpse into the world of television, and his enthusiasm and positivity make for an inspiring treatise on dedication and success.”- Leia Menlove, Foreword Reviews

“Hirshland comes across as admirably hardworking and dedicated, feeling lucky to do what he loves. An engaging memoir by a true TV sports insider.”–Kirkus Reviews

“A humorously entertaining and insightful autobiography. Like playing golf? Like to watch golf on TV? Don’t have any interest in golf, but want an enjoyable read? I recommend “Cover Me Boys…”–Larry Green, Amazon Reviewer

“Great read for everyone!  Awesome Read!!! A honest behind the scenes view of three decades in the world of TV, what was most striking to me was the honesty that it takes courage to write with. Keith tells his story with a very comfortable style that keeps you turning pages and really gives you a great picture of the world and the people that work so hard to bring us what we take for granted on the screen. Any sports lover (especially golfers) will love the book, but Keith’s open and frank discussion of his personal successes and failures offer a little something for anyone. I’d recommend this engaging read to anyone.”- William F. Porter, Amazon.com Reviewer

About Keith H. Hirshland:

Growing up in the shadow of one of network affiliate television’s groundbreakers, Keith Hirshland was destined to follow in his father’s footsteps.

In this gripping new memoir, readers will follow Hirshland’s stories as he participates in the creation of sports networks and works alongside the legends of broadcasting.

With a career that spans more than thirty years, Hirshland has seen it all. From the meteoric rise of Tiger Woods to the Kelly Tilghman “lynching” controversy and countless stories from the incredibly successful SKINS GAME golf franchise, his amazing stories provide a behind-the-scenes look into one of the most revered industries in the world. With its eclectic mix of playful, humorous, and dramatic stories, this excellent collection is truly the entertaining, informative, and enlightening book that readers have been waiting for.

Hirshland is the son of a local television broadcast icon and an Emmy Award-winning veteran of the television industry. His experience has taken him all across the country, covering sport’s most famous athletes and television’s most interesting and charismatic personalities.

Having worked at both the local affiliate and national network levels, Hirshland was on hand for the beginning stages of ESPN2 and one of the first forty people hired at the Golf Channel when the world’s first niche sports channel began its preparations in 1994. For years, he was part of the production team for golf’s nationally televised SKINS GAME. Hirshland has worked alongside sports television’s most iconic figures while following sport’s most recognizable names.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/keith.hirshland
Twitter: https://twitter.com/khirshland

Buy Cover Me Boys, I’m Going In:

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Book Depository

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So Many Precious Books Mar 16 G & spotlight
Deal Sharing Aunt Mar 17 Review & Giveaway
Dr. Bill’s Book Bazaar Mar 18 Review
From L.A. to LA Mar 19 Review

Jane Allen Petrick, Author of HIDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHT: The Other People in Norman Rockwell’s America: On Tour

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This post was most recently updated on March 3rd, 2014

Hidden In Plain SightPublisher: Informed Decisions Publishing, October 8, 2013
Category: Nonfiction – multicultural; cultural/social issues; biography & memoirs; art criticism
Tour Dates: February, 2014
Available in: ebook, 143 pages

Kirkus Review named “Hidden” a Best Book of 2013!

Norman Rockwell’s America was not all white. As early as 1936, Rockwell was portraying people of color with empathy and a dignity often denied them at the time. And he created these portraits from live models.

Hidden in Plain Sight: The Other People in Norman Rockwell’s America unfolds, for the first time, the stories of the Asian, African, and Native Americans who modeled for Norman Rockwell. These people of color, though often hidden in plain sight, are present throughout Rockwell’s more than 4000 illustrations. People like the John Lane family, Navajos poignantly depicted in the virtually unknown Norman Rockwell painting, “Glen Canyon Dam.” People like Isaac Crawford, a ten year old African-American Boy Scout who helped Norman Rockwell finally integrate the Boy Scout calendar.

In this engrossing and often humorous narrative, Jane Allen Petrick explores what motivated Norman Rockwell to slip people of color “into the picture” in the first place. And in so doing, she persuasively documents the famous illustrator’s deep commitment to and pointed portrayals of ethnic tolerance, portrayals that up to now have been, as Norman Rockwell biographer Laura Claridge so clearly put it, “bizarrely neglected”.

Hidden in Plain Sight: The Other People in Norman Rockwell’s America is an eye opener for everyone who loves Norman Rockwell, everyone who hates Norman Rockwell and for all those people in between who never thought much about Norman Rockwell because they believed Norman Rockwell never thought much about them. This book will expand the way you think about Norman Rockwell. And it will deepen the way you think about Norman Rockwell’s America.

View the Trailer:

Praise for Hidden In Plain Sight:

“A fresh, well-researched study of artist Norman Rockwell’s treatment of race.”

Petrick (Beyond Time Management, 1998), in this smart, nuanced book, encourages readers to look again at Rockwell s varied body of work. She argues that Rockwell was far from a closed-minded portrait artist; he actually went to great lengths to represent African-Americans and other minorities in his works, motivated by an intense desire to represent all of America. She provides many frequently overlooked examples,including Working on the Statue of Liberty (1946), which depicts five workers cleaning the famous statue; the model for the figures was white, but Rockwell painted one of the workers as having brown skin.
Petrick relays all this with clarity and insight, drawing on the portraits, Rockwell s own biography and the ample scholarship that surrounds the artist. She also talks to the African-American models for some of his paintings, and these interviews can feel extraneous at times, as when the author occasionally delves too much into the models lives today. However, they highlight Rockwell’s desire to capture all facets of America and all of its stories.
The irony, Petrick wisely points out, is that so few people choose to see this side of Rockwell today, preferring instead the whitewashed version. In this book, she manages to say something revealing about the artist and about us. A brief but enlightening social history of a great American artist. –Kirkus Review

“Whether you love the work of Norman Rockwell, hate it or just haven’t given it that much thought, after all it pervades most of American life in one way or another, this book is well worth your time to read to gain a new perspective on his work, or allow you to look at it with fresh eyes.
Through thoroughly engaging and captivating stories the Author lets the reader into the mind of Mr. Rockwell and experience his feelings about those in society who are ‘hidden in plain sight’. This book features a section of those people, those of colour, who he used as models for his work which in turn served to give his illustrations a depth and also a social awareness that many have failed to notice. In compiling this book the Author provides the reader with a greater understanding of America, as seen through the brush strokes of an artist who snubbed his nose at convention and included people in his artwork that were largely overlooked by society as a whole.  I highly recommend it.”-Cate’s Book Nut Hut

“Hidden in Plain Sight shows a beautiful and fun kind of history. It’s the kind that has not been told within the confines of a normal history of Rockwell. Any history or art buff will love to get their hands on this fascinating display of culture, history, and an America revealed.” –Katelyn Hensel, Readers Favorite

“ This book delivers more than beautifully written narratives and documentation about some of the many hidden lives of the models for Norman Rockwell. This elegant book simultaneously brings to life aspects of the Artist and the Man and looks closely at the Icon himself in unpretentious, non-didactic, easy-to-read prose. This is pure American History; gracefully revealed on multiple levels.”- Niobrara, Amazon Reviewer

About Jane Allen Petrick:Jane PR Elegant Black and White

Jane Allen Petrick is the author of several books on topics ranging from biography to workplace issues. She was a bi-weekly columnist for the Knight Ridder Newswire, and her articles have appeared in numerous publications including the New York Times, the Denver Post and the Washington Post.  Kirkus Review describes her book, Hidden in Plain Sight: The Other People in Norman Rockwell’s America as “smart, nuanced” and written with “clarity and insight.”

Born and raised in Connecticut, Jane earned a BA in economics from Barnard College and received her Ph.D. in organizational psychology from Saybrook University. Retired as a vice-president of ATT Wireless, she is now an adjunct professor at Capella and American Sentinel Universities, and has provided consultation in organizational behavior and diversity competence to numerous corporate clients including IBM, Nextel and Xerox.

Jane Allen Petrick was chosen as one of the “100 Best and Brightest Business Women in America” by Ebony Magazine.

Long a passionate supporter of cultural and historic preservation, Jane has contributed to local preservation efforts in both Florida and New York State. A licensed tour director, Jane conducts cultural heritage tours on the East Coast, from the Everglades to the Maritimes.

Jane and her husband, Kalle, divide their time between New York’s Hudson Valley and Miami, Florida.

Website: http://www.janeallenpetrick.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JaneAllenPetrick

Buy Hidden in Plain Sight:

Amazon
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So Many Precious Books Feb 6 Review, Giveaway
Serendipity Feb 7 Review
Book Lover’s Journal Feb 14 Review
Every Free Chance Feb 17 Review & Giveaway
Every Free Chance Feb 18 Interview & Giveaway
Dr. Bill’s Book Bazaar Feb 18 Review
I’d Rather Be At the Beach Feb 20 Review
From L.A. to LA Feb 21 Review
Deal Sharing Aunt Feb 24 Interview
From Isi Feb  25 Review
My Devotional Thoughts Feb 28 Interview
Mina’s Bookshelf Feb 28 Review
Indies Reviews Behind the Scenes Feb 28 Live Blog Talk Radio Excerpt 8 pm cst
My Devotional Thoughts March 3 Review

 

 

Jamie Zerndt, Author of Korean Word For Butterfly: On Tour

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This post was most recently updated on March 21st, 2014

Publisher: Create Space, March 27, 2013
ISBN-13:  978-1483997476
Category: Literary Fiction, South Korean Society
Tour Dates: February, 2014
Available in: Print & ebook, 329 pages

Set against the backdrop of the 2002 World Cup and rising anti-American sentiment due to a deadly accident involving two young Korean girls and a U.S. tank, The Korean Word For Butterfly is told from three alternating points-of-view:

Billie, the young wanna-be poet looking for adventure with her boyfriend who soon finds herself questioning her decision to travel so far from the comforts of American life;

Moon, the ex K-pop band manager who now works at the English school struggling to maintain his sobriety in hopes of getting his family back;

And Yun-ji , a secretary at the school whose new feelings of resentment toward Americans may lead her to do something she never would have imagined possible.

The Korean Word For Butterfly is a story about the choices we make and why we make them.

It is a story, ultimately, about the power of love and redemption.

Praise for Korean Word For Butterfly:

“5 stars. Full of fresh, original writing.” –THE KINDLE BOOK REVIEW

“This is one of the best young novels of the year.” –Grady Harp, Amazon TOP 50/HALL OF FAME REVIEWER

“Zerndt is a wonderful writer, and BUTTERFLY is an absolutely beautiful story. I was drawn into his characters from the first page, and I found myself devouring the novel in huge, satisfying gulps.” – kacunnin, Amazon TOP 500 REVIEWER

“The author had his finger on the pulse of how naïve Americans react to Korean culture and a spot on depiction of how Korean culture plays into this sort of scenario.” –Wayne, Amazon TOP 500 REVIEWER/VINE VOICE

“Zerndt has managed to write something completely different from The Cloud Seeders yet equally captivating. These deliciously flawed characters will capture your heart from page one and have you sweating when you realize you’re reaching the end of the story entirely too soon. Zerndt is a master storyteller who seems to be able to write from absolutely anyone’s point of view with ease. Can’t wait to see more from this author.”-Sheri Meshal, Author of Swallowtail

From the Back Cover:

“Zerndt is the real deal.” -Jonathan Harris, author of The Wave That Did Not Break

About Jamie Zerndt:

James Zerndt lives in Portland, Oregon, with his wife and son. His poetry has appeared in The Oregonian Newspaper, and his fiction has most recently appeared in Gray’s Sporting Journal. He taught English in South Korea in 2002 and still loves kimchi.

Jamie’s short story, “The Tree Poachers”, recently won WCCHA’s fiction award. Some of his short stories have also won Honorable Mention in both Playboy’s and The Atlantic Monthly’s Fiction Contests.

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/JamesZerndt
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ZerndtJ
Google+: https://plus.google.com/107437037060168201663/posts?partnerid=gplp0

Buy Korean Word For Butterfly:

Amazon

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So Many Precious Books Feb 3 Spotlight & Giveaway
Joy Story Feb 4 Review
Every Free Chance Feb 5 Spotlight & Giveaway
She Treads Softly Feb 7 Review
The Book Diva Reads Feb 10 Guest Post & Giveaway
Joy Story Feb 11 Interview
Indies Reviews Behind the Scenes Feb 14 Blog Talk Radio Excerpt/discussion 8 pm cst
Reader’s Muse Feb 14 Interview
The Princess Gummy Bear Feb 17 You Tube Review
Reader’s Muse Feb 18 Review
Serendipity Feb 19 Review
From Isi Feb 20 Review
Deal Sharing Aunt Feb 21 Review
Tracy Riva Feb 24 Review
Deal Sharing Aunt Feb 24 Interview
Book Dilettante Feb 25 Review
Tracy Riva Feb 25 Guest Post & Giveaway
So Many Precious Books Feb 26 Review
Carole Rae’s Ramblings  Feb 27 Review
Margay Leah Justice Feb 28 Guest Post
Romance & Inspiration Mar 3 Review

Roland Hughes, Author of John Smith: Last Known Survivor of the Microsoft Wars: On Tour

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This post was most recently updated on March 27th, 2014

Publisher: Logikal Solutions, May 30, 2013
ISBN-13: 978-1-939732-00-2
Category: Dystopian, Science Fiction
Tour Dates: January, 2014
Available in: Print, ebook & Audio, 272 pages

What if the Mayans got the start of the end correct because they had survived it once before? What if our written history was just as accurate as the old tale about three blind men describing an elephant? What if classic science fiction writing and television shows each got a piece of it correct, would you know which ones? If your eyes can only see a tiny portion of a collage do you know it is a collage?

Many might jump to the knee-jerk assumption that this book is a sequel to “Infinite Exposure” but they would be wrong.  This book does occur after that book and will make reference to the outcome of the prior book, but it is definitely not a sequel.

“John Smith” ties together Atlantis, cell phones, the Mayans, God, the Egyptians, “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea”, and the outcome of the terrorist attack yet to come all in the form of an interview between the last known survivor of the war and a reporter for the largest newspaper of its day, serving 5000 people twice monthly.

During the course of this interview the reporter and reader will learn what did and did not survive, both this time and the previous times.  Throughout the course of this interview both blatant and subtle nods are made to such works as “1984”, “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea”, “Peter Pan”, “Battlestar Galactica” (the new one), “Star Trek TNG”, and “Babylon 5” because one must both acknowledge greatness and build on what the fans already know.

To steal a line from the Rolling Stones, “but what was-in you is the nature of this game.”  When one finishes reading this book they should fall into exactly two categories:  The morally offended and those who sit around for days questioning their beliefs and the true meaning of life.

The book should be incredibly easy for an organization like the SyFy channel to turn into a film or made for TV movie, interspersing clips from old movies and shows, with or without sound, where their topics are being discussed and where they are being directly referenced.

Praise for John Smith: Last Known Survivor of the Microsoft Wars:

“John Smith is the last known survivor of the Microsoft Wars, which are not directly related to the Microsoft company we all know today. The story begins with a young reporter interviewing a man who lives in the bunker, which allowed him to survive the Microsoft Wars. One of the first things said to this young woman is that she has no frame of reference to ask any questions of the Microsoft Wars. This leads into a discussion of many things including nuclear power and subsequently, warfare. Religion is explained to Susan Krowley, the reporter, as well as many other things that no longer exist. She experiences a computer and telescope, first hand and becomes intrigued at the International Space Station.
Roland Hughes spins a very diverse tale, which makes you think about the world around you in a new way.  This is a publication that makes you think, it is a very enjoyable read for those that enjoy science fiction and tales of things that may just be true. As I began the book I thought I would find the interview style annoying to read, but I was sucked in within a few pages.”-D. Martin, Amazon Reviewer

“I believe that Roland Hughes’ novel should be considered as important as ‘1984’ and Aldous Huxley’s ‘Brave New World’. Highly recommended as a thought provoking and fascinating read.”–Susan Parkinson

“This story freaked me out a little bit. It reminded me of “Cell” by Stephen King where the technology causes you trouble. What if this book were true and all the what ifs in it were also true? The world as we know it would be extremely different. I often think about the Mayan calendar and wondered why they picked what they did. I was also nervous about my computer crashing on 1/1/2000.   This was definitely a thought provoking book for me and I will be wondering about some what ifs for awhile.”  – Vicky, Deal Sharing Aunt

“Intriguing style of writing. Microsoft Wars is written from the point of view of a reporter interviewing an individual who is supposed to be the last known survivor from a war or series of wars that involved Microsoft. The book is set in the future – although I certainly hope the future painted in this book is not one that we follow after. I was very entertained as this fictional history unfolded. The story is not overly complicated but still done in a way that draws a reader into the setting. Definitely worth five stars in my opinion.”– CherylH72, Barnes & Noble Reviewer

“It has a great storyline that makes you wonder can this happen, truly? Can we honestly do what he tells Susan in his interview. It was amazing at some of the history he told her, ranging from all time era’s. I laughed when she had no idea what a computer was, or a microwave. It makes you think about how one with no knowledge of the past can truly affect the future. Microsoft Wars is a great read, a good page turner. Once I started it I had to finish it. Roland Hughes has a great story that will have you thinking and guessing about the facts and fiction stories that are told. Some things I could believe some are just myths to some, but I will leave that up to you. I gave enough information, but there is so much, much more I am leaving out.   This is a must read.  I look forward to more of his stories, once you start you won’t put it down. I know I will be wondering what will happen.  
Five Stars.”– Ana Torres,  Barnes & Noble Reviewer

About Roland Hughes:

Roland Hughes is the president of Logikal Solutions, a business applications consulting firm specializing in VMS platforms. Hughes serves as a lead consultant with over two decades of experience using computers and operating systems originally created by Digital Equipment Corporation (now owned by Hewlett-Packard).

He is the recipient of the 2008 Best Books Award Winner in the category Business: Computers/Technology/Internet for his book, ” The Minimum You Need to Know About Service Oriented Architecture” and a 2009 Finalist Eric Hoffer Awards.

Website: http://www.johnsmith-book.com

Buy John Smith: Last Known Survivor of the Microsoft Wars:

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So Many Precious Books Mar 3 Guest Post & Giveaway
Voracious Reader Mar 6 Review
Reading for Sanity Mar 7 Review
Sweeps4Bloggers Mar 10 Valerie Review & Giveaway
Joystory Mar 11 Review
Readers Muse Mar 12 Review
Readers Muse Mar 13 Guest Post
My Readers Block Mar 17 Review
Cassandra M’s Place Mar 18 Review & Giveaway
So Many Precious Books Mar 21 Review
Tracy Riva Mar 27 Review & Interview