Tag: author

First newspaper coverage of ‘Wicked’

I’d like to thank Brian Blair for doing a great job on this coverage of “Wicked Columbus, Indiana” in The (Columbus) Republic on June 15. You may also be able to view the story on The Republic’s website here, although you may need to be a subscriber.

One note: I do have TWO events planned for next week:

Monday, June 26: Program/book signing at Bartholomew County Public Library,Columbus, IN, 6:30 p.m.

Tuesday, June 27: Program/book signing at the Harlequin Theatre, Fair Oaks Mall, Columbus, IN, 7 p.m.

We will have local authors read excerpts from “Wicked” and books will be available for purchase.

Republic 061517001

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‘Wicked’ chatter on the radio

If you’d like to hear some excerpts from “Wicked Columbus, Indiana,” tune in to WCSI-1010 AM on Saturday, June 24 from 8:30-9 a.m. That’s the time slot when the Bartholomew County Public Library conducts its Library Chatter Show.

This Saturday, library employee Michelle Williams will be reading parts of my book on the air.

If you can’t tune in, you can stream the show here.

Here are some more opportunities to find out more about the book:

Monday, June 26: Program/book signing at Bartholomew County Public Library,Columbus, IN, 6:30 p.m.

Tuesday, June 27: Program/book signing at the Harlequin Theatre, Fair Oaks Mall, Columbus, IN, 7 p.m.

Saturday, Aug. 12 and Saturday, Aug. 19: Signature Saturday Authors Event at Viewpoint Books, 548 Washington St., Columbus, IN 47201. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. My wife, Kimberly S. Hoffman, will also be signing her book, “Emma’s Dancing Day.”

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A Return to Imaginarium

I’m eager to get back to Kentucky this fall to be part of Imaginarium Convention. This will be the second straight year I’ve been chosen to serve as a guest to lend what expertise I have to panels. And this year, my wife will also be serving as a guest.EntertheImaginarium

The convention is a three-day annual event held in Louisville, Oct. 6-8 at Ramada Plaza Hotel and Conference Center this year. It is centered entirely around creative writing, including the worlds of books, movies, gaming, music and comics/graphic novels. It features extensive programming content, with panels and workshops presented by more than 150 professional guests covering everything from the craft of writing to various genres, industry-specific topics, publishing and social media/publicity. The convention features a film festival with a full array of awards, a masquerade/costume contest, live music, gaming, an expo open to the general public, an awards banquet, a series of literary awards called the Imadjinns and more activities, creating a welcoming, inclusive atmosphere that is content-rich and ideal for networking, promotion and personal development.

Last year, I served as a panel expert at the following sessions: Historical Writing; New Author Boot Camp; Faith in Fiction; Breaking into Freelance Writing; Homonyms, Semi-Colons, Serial Commas, Oh My! And I attended a few other sessions to learn a few things.

Who knows what topics will be on tap this year.

My wife, Kimberly S. Hoffman, just published her first book, “Emma’s Dancing Day,” and she’ll be serving as a guest panelist at Imaginarium, too.

For more info on Imaginarium 2017, click here.

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‘Wicked Columbus’ Book Launch

I am pleased to announce that we will be conducting a book launch for my next book, “Wicked Columbus, Indiana,” at the Harlequin Theatre in Columbus at 7 p.m. on June 27.

We’ll have some fun with historic photos projected onto a large screen for viewing ease, readings from several of the chapters, some refreshments and who really knows what else at this point … more details will be revealed as we get a little closer to the date.

And of course, books will be available for purchase.

I am grateful that Robert Hay-Smith has opened his venue to me for this event. My wife and I have been to the Harlequin many times for plays, comedy shows and more. This is really a gem in town that more people need to check out.

The book is scheduled to be released June 19. Pre-sale has commenced.

I also have a program scheduled at the Bartholomew County Public Library in Columbus at 6:30 p.m. June 29.

Who knows what other events will be planned. Check here to see updates.

 

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‘Wicked’ release date announced

My second book, “Wicked Columbus, Indiana” is scheduled to be released on June 19. As we get closer to that date, I’ll be announcing book signings, a possible book launch party, media coverage and a pre-sale where you can order signed b8791-wick-front-cvrooks from me before they’re published and I mail them to you as soon as they arrive in my clutches. Price to be determined by The History Press.

The book will also be available at your local bookstore (if it’s not in stock, just ask them to get it for you and all your friends) as well as all major online book vendors (Amazon, Barnes & Noble, etc.) And if you prefer reading on your Nook, Kindle or other e-reader, “Wicked” will also be available in that format.

My first book, “Murder in Wauwatosa: The Mysterious Death of Buddy Schumacher,” are still available in print and e-book formats. In fact, I just mailed three to former Wauwatosa East classmates of mine this week! Email me at phof63@sbcglobal.net for details.

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Look at this groovy cover

8791-wick-cvr

After a few minor changes, the front and back covers of my next book have been approved. This is quite a colorful display. I can’t wait for it to come out in print (and in e-book).

My first edits have gone back to The History Press. The folks there will go through the manuscript one more time and page it before I get one final look.

My best guess is that our release will be March 2017. Details to come.

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Making ‘wicked’ progress on my next book

I’ve been researching at breakneck speed for my second book, “Wicked in Columbus, Indiana.” The book, which will be published by The History Press, should be out sometime early 2017. It focuses on some of the crummy stuff the city has experienced (although nothing more recent than 1980). I also talk about how some of this crummy stuff has been cleaned up.

I’m about 90 percent done with the research for three of the chapters, which center on a public fight between the oldest editor and the youngest mayor in the state of Indiana in 1877, the Ku Klux Klan’s presence in Columbus and Bartholomew County over the years, and a look at two doctors who were poisoned and the investigation into who did it.

Many more chapter to work on, including two areas of the city that were considered the worst slums the city has ever seen, a bevy of brothels in the early 1900s, as well as a few murders and robberies and a few other topics.

Click on the photos below to see caption information.

Isaac M. Brown, editor of The Evening Republican when he got into a public fight with Mayor George W. Cooper in 1877.
Death Valley was a poor area of Columbus that featured substandard housing and seasonal flooding through the first half of the 20th century.
Geroge W. Cooper, who was 26 years old when he fought 56-year-old Isaac M. Brown in Columbus in 1877.
Dr. Griffth Marr’s lunch was poisoned at Bartholomew County Hospital in 1977. He survived.
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So, I think I’m an expert?

My schedule is set for Imaginarium Convention in Louisville Oct. 7-9. Below are the sessions that I’ve been chosen to serve on as a panel expert.

The event is centered entirely around creative writing, including the worlds of books, movies, gaming, music, and comics/graphic novels. It will be held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. Click here for more info on the convention.

Besides serving as a guest panelist for the five sessions detailed below, I’ll also be doing a book signing Saturday at 10 a.m. Signed copies of my first book, “Murder in Wauwatosa: The Mysterious Death of Buddy Schumacher” will be available for $10 each. You’ll have to wait until early 2017 to get my second book, “Wicked in Columbus, Indiana” yet. Both are/will be available in print and e-book formats from all your regular book outlets online and in bookstores.EntertheImaginarium

Historical Writing
Whether it’s immersive content or just a hint of flavor for the period, historical writing can challenge your skills with setting and the portrayal of historical events for a contemporary audience.
Friday, Oct. 7, 5 p.m.

New Author Boot Camp
So you wrote a book…now what? This panel will take you through the steps of being a new author – from publishing to promotion, the tools you need to succeed, making friends in the industry, and the hard lessons learned from simple mistakes.
Friday, Oct. 7, 6 p.m.

Faith in Fiction
A general discussion about presenting spiritual beliefs in fiction, how to be culturally sensitive to others’ beliefs and your audience, and how to write about religions/spiritual paths you do not know.
Saturday, October 8, 7 p.m.

Breaking into Freelance Writing
Many individuals want to write full time, but they do not yet have the financial freedom to do so. Freelance corporate writing can offer flexibility and financial security as they pursue a full time fiction/non fiction writing career. This panel will explore how to break into freelance corporate writing, the skills required, where to find clients, what they can expect to earn and more.
Sunday, October 9, 10 a.m.

Homonymns, Semi-Colons, Serial Commas, Oh My!
Grammar Geeks, come on down! Panelists discuss why grammar is so important to a writer, why editors enforce the rules, and best resources for those tricky little squiggles.
Sunday, October 9, noon

This is going to be great!

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Tons of writing topics to be covered at Imaginarium

Tons (figuratively) of topics will be covered at Imaginarium Convention in Louisville, Kentucky, Oct. 7-9, an event that I’m proud to be a part of for the first time this fall. The event is an annual event centered entirely around creative writing, including the worlds of books, movies, gaming, music, and comics/graphic novels.

Authors, illustrators, poets, publishers, podcasters, gamers and more will benefit.

Here are just a few of the topics to be discussed:EntertheImaginarium

What’s in a Name?
How to create names for your characters that fit your world’s language and culture.

Controversy!
Panelists discuss how to navigate the minefield of controversial topics without censoring yourself or offending the masses.

Faith in Fiction
A general discussion about presenting spiritual beliefs in fiction, how to be culturally sensitive to others’ beliefs and your audience, and how to write about religions/spiritual paths you do not know.

New Author Boot Camp
So you wrote a book…now what? This panel will take you through the steps of being a new author – from publishing to promotion, the tools you need to succeed, making friends in the industry, and the hard lessons learned from simple mistakes.

Query Crazy!
The book is done and polished. Now…to query. Our panelists provide tips on how to write a query which will sell your book.

Getting Into Illustration
You like to draw and would like to do it for books. How do you go about it? Do you need an agent? What’s it like to work with the author? This panel will cover these questions and more.

Creating Your Romantic Lead
Romantic leads don’t have to look like Fabio anymore. What makes a good romantic lead, male or female? They can be quirky, nerdy, and even a little bit evil … so long as we love them.

Game of Thrones
All things GoT! Panelists discuss the books, the tv adaptation, and how the two can coexist so peacefully in such a hard world.

Page to Screen
What books-to-screen have worked, and which could have worked better? Does a great book make for a great TV show or movie?

The Language of Fear
Good horror is all about atmosphere. Panelists discuss how to set the scene for a good scare without going too far.

Promotion for Self-Pubbers
How to cost-effectively promote your books on-line and in person without the support of a publisher behind you.

Podcasting 101
Technology has lowered the bar…you should be podcasting! Our panelists will tell you how and why.

Historical Writing
Whether it’s immersive content or just a hint of flavor for the period, historical writing can challenge your skills with setting and the portrayal of historical events for a contemporary audience.

The Psychology of Speculative Fiction
Why do people write (and read) it? Using examples – and writers – to help explain the effects of being creative in this field. I’ve never had a boring session moderating this panel!

Why Young Adult Works for All Ages
From The Hunger Games and Harry Potter to Goosebumps, writers discuss the universal appeal of writing for the YA audience – and why it’s never just for teens.

Again, this is just a tiny smattering of topics to be covered. See the entire list here.

Specific times and dates and my schedule to be announced.

 

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