In Detail with Steve Reilly

Tell us the book title and your author name.

The Fat Lady Never Sings: How a High School Football Team Found Redemption on the Baseball Diamond

Steven M. Reilly

What inspired the book?

I always thought the story of the team should be told. I think all of us have unique experiences we want to share and say to ourselves “I should write a book.” After fourteen years of thinking about these remarkable young men and their coaches and what they went through, I decided to do write the book.

The book is about redemption sought by three high school baseball players, their team, their coaches and the City they live in. In 1991, high school football was everything in Derby which is the smallest city in Connecticut. The team had a streak of twenty-eight straight years without having a losing season. The streak ended on Thanksgiving Day, 1991. Three seniors including the quarterback also played on the school’s baseball team. One of the seniors was the Mayor’s son and almost all of the other players on the baseball team played football. The head coach of the baseball team was also an assistant football coach who was also battling his own difficulty.

After blowing the streak, the football players, especially the three seniors, were labeled losers forever in the City. Their last chance at redemption was playing on the baseball team. Two of the Seniors were pitchers. The smallest school in the league, Derby battles for and makes the state tournament and ultimately, as the late North Carolina State basketball coach Jimmy Valvano would say, "survives and advances" to a state championship game.

But the game turns into a nightmare after an early lead disintegrates. We end up down by two runs with two outs in the last inning. With two runners in scoring position, the quarterback comes to the plate and ultimately gets a base hit to tie the game and send it into extras. The excitement builds as each extra inning results in Derby scoring and their adversary tying the game. Complicating matters, a pitching limitation rule forces one of the senior pitchers to return to the mound several innings after being removed. In the eleventh inning(the fourth extra inning) another Derby senior fouls off seven pitches in a row with a three-balls two-strikes two-out count until he ultimately drives in the winning runs. In the bottom of the last inning, Derby's senior pitcher hangs on despite barely being able to pitch.

What makes this book special to you?

It describes events that I played a part in as well as the relationships I was able to establish as a result. Take a look at what happened the moment the game ended on my web site: www.TheFatLadyNeverSings.com and you'll feel why I consider the team and coaches were so special.

What makes this a book that other people MUST read and WHY?

No other book in this genre has the amount of game excitement that the final game in this story has. The characters in this book are unmatched for their zaniness, tenacity and love for one another as well as the game of baseball. It's the baseball equivalent of Hoosiers, if Gene Hackman's game went into triple overtime.

Many of the people who know the characters in the book voted for who should play Coach D(the head coach in the book) in any movie version of the book on one of my web site polls. Danny DeVito bested Jack Nicholson, Jim Belushi, Jason Alexander and Kelsey Grammar in the voting. What does that tell you when the people that are familiar with the characters think Danny DeVito should play a head coach of a high school baseball team! Some thought Coach D should play himself since they felt nobody could duplicate him. Many sports books speak about the concept of never giving up, but if you read this book you'll feel as if you are in the dugout each step of the way.

What people NEED to read this book and WHY?

Anyone who is caught up with the concept of winning and losing needs to read this book to see what exactly we should be admiring about the young people who face it whenever they play competitive sports.

What sparks your creativity? Any tips to help others spark their own creativity?

Coaching sparks it as every game I'm involved in requires me to adapt to what's happening no matter how I hoped to script the outcome. I think the way to spark creativity is to find the time to just relax. It's like being up at the plate, the more you can relax, the more you can stay focused and concentrate on hitting the ball. It's like doing a crossword puzzle and you can't think of the word that fits, but the next morning you pick it up again and wonder how you ever could have missed the word the day before.

What has been the biggest stumbling block in your writing? Can you share some tips to help others get past similar problems?

I had a hard time being patient enough to keep on revising the book over and over and over again. I wanted to make it as good as it could. The editing was frustrating as it seemed to go in circles; one editor telling me to do one thing, another telling me to go in a different direction and finally a proofreader who injected his own thoughts.

My solution was simply to read as much as I could about the editing process and to trust and consider what I was being told to work on. In other words, I had to put my faith in the people who do this for a living.

My suggestion would be that after you have got your edit back, put the book down for a few days. Since I wrote my book, I became more interested in sports writing and have read numerous baseball books. I think in retrospect, I would have been better off if I had read those books before diving into writing a book in that same arena. So, I would say being an avid reader of books, especially of books in the area you wish to write in, is extremely helpful.

What do you think motivates people to become authors? What motivated you to get into this unusual industry?

I think we all thrive on stories; we get enjoyment out of listening to them, telling them and sometimes just making them up. Everybody's life is a story. What motivated me was the opportunity to tell a story that noone else had told.

Tell me about the most unusual things you have done to promote any books?

I purchased a giant baseball glove from a company called Akadema and I use it as a prop at all my events. It's an instant conversation piece to lead into the subject of the book.

NON FICTION - Why are you the BEST person to write this book? What in your background or in your research makes you qualified to do justice to this topic?

I had the best seat in the house as the story unfolded as I was the third base coach on the team. I was also as frightened as them about winning or losing the championship game. I have been coaching high school baseball players for about thirty years, so through all my experience I learned what makes them as well as their coaches tick.

NON FICTION - If a potential reader thinks that your book wouldn't interest them, what would you say to convince them to buy? I'm thinking something better than "Its the greatest book ever." Give me something more specific :)

Imagine a high school baseball coach's elderly mother adjacent a dugout in a stadium filled with 3,500 people trying to convince her son the best way to win a state championship game was to cheat!

NON FICTION - Why does the topic of your book interest you? Why would it interest potential readers? Give us a hook to reel in new readers.

Because I live it every spring, summer and fall.

Here's my hook:

Once school starts in the fall, Friday nights are typically reserved for one thing high school football games. The Fat Lady Never Sings tells the true story of Derby, Connecticut's 1992 Red Raider baseball team as told by then-assistant coach, Steven M. Reilly. When the town's remarkable 28-year football winning streak comes to an end, three seniors on the team are branded losers. Determined to seek redemption by playing on the baseball team, these multi-sport athletes forever leave their mark on this small Connecticut town after helping the team advance to the championship game of the state baseball tournament.

NON FICTION Is there a way to tie your book topic to current events? If so, tell us about how you could do that. I have a blog to feature information and examples about tying books into current events that might be a good place for you to promote your book.

Presumably the story could be tied into any sports topic as the book deals with how players, especially young players, deal with winning and losing and persevering against the odds.

If there's anything else you would like to share, this is the time and place.

Nearly all of the players and coaches have told me they read the book. At least one player's wife has told me I am responsible for the inability of her husband to get his head through their front door.

Learn more about the book and read the first three chapters for free at the book's website: www.TheFatLadyNeverSings.com. You can also read numerous reviews of the book, listen to podcast interviews, see current photographs of some of the players and the coaches at book events, and learn about the current lives of the book's characters. If you have a Myspace site, feel free to visit me.

Thank you for visiting with me and in closing, give us your website address and a link to order your book.

Www.TheFatLadyNeverSings.com

The book can be ordered at: Amazon.com; iUniverse.com; BN.com; Borderstores.com; Waldenbooks.com and a host of others listed on the website.

In Detail with Earl Ofari Hutchinson

Tell us the book title and your author name.
Earl Ofari Hutchinson
The Latino Challenge to Black America

What inspired the book?
The need to explore in depth the new ethnic clash in America between blacks and latinos

What makes this book special to you?
It breaks new ground on a compelling social and political issue and charts a course of understanding of the relatively unexplored area of black and Latino conflict.

What makes this a book that other people MUST read and WHY?
There are no others books that go into the detail and depth that this book does on black and Latino relations

What people NEED to read this book and WHY?
All Americans concerned about racial and ethnic tensions and conflicts

What sparks your creativity? Any tips to help others spark their own creativity?
Write write and keep writing there's no magic formula to creativity no lights bulbs of inspiration that go off just sweat, blood and tears in the craft of writing

What has been the biggest stumbling block in your writing? Can you share some tips to help others get past similar problems?
Simple write write write sit at the computer even when you don't have a clue where you're going with a thought and don't move until it comes to you then startp ounding away

What do you think motivates people to become authors? What motivated you to get into this unusual industry?
The burning desire to get people to think

Tell me about the most unusual things you have done to promote any books?
No magic formula just talk it up wherever there's an ear

Why are you the BEST person to write this book? What in your background or in your research makes you qualified to do justice to this topic?
A quarter century of writing on race and ethnic relations

If a potential reader thinks that your book wouldn't interest them, what would you say to convince them to buy? I'm thinking something better than "Its the greatest book ever." Give me something more specific :)
It will make you think

Why does the topic of your book interest you? Why would it interest potential readers? Give us a hook to reel in new readers.
Racial conflict in America for a century has been framed exclusively in black and white, no longer, it's black versus brown, brown versus Asian, black versus Asian, Asian versus brown, and all sorts of new interethnic combinations, better get on board the train to understanding of the changing racial paradigm in America Earl Ofari Hutchinson gives you a seat on that train

Is there a way to tie your book topic to current events? If so, tell us about how you could do that. I have a blog to feature information and examples about tying books into current events that might be a good place for you to promote your book.

The hottest topic in America is immigration and Earl Ofari Hutchinson's book deals with in three chapters with special focus on its impact on black America

Thank you for visiting with me and in closing, give us your website address and a link to order your book.

http://www.middlepassagepress.com/ and the book is available on www.Amazon.com



Nikki Leigh

www.nikkileigh.com/promo.htm

The Dowry Bride by Shobhan Bantwal

Tell us the book title and your author name.

The title is THE DOWRY BRIDE. My name is Shobhan Bantwal.

What inspired the book?

THE DOWRY BRIDE started out as a short story—a class project for the one and only creative writing course I took at the local community college. But when my instructor informed me it had the potential for a good full-length novel, I gave it serious thought. Later, as I did more research into the subject, the shocking truth struck home that thousands of young Indian women are either killed or maimed each year because they don’t bring a dowry or a large enough dowry—even in this day and age.

What makes this book special to you?

It’s very special because I turned 56 just as the book was being released! Unlike many writers, I took up writing rather late in life, at the age of 50. I never dreamt I’d be published, let alone sell a book at 54 to a fairly large publisher like Kensington. Also, I went against tradition with this book, because most Asian writers, especially Indians, tend to write literary books that reach a limited readership due to their more subdued content. I wanted to write a mainstream book which included mystery, emotion, and strong romantic elements so I could reach women who read commercial women’s fiction, including romance.

What makes this a book that other people MUST read and WHY?

THE DOWRY BRIDE is a different kind of book that both entertains and educates at the same time. Readers can not only enjoy a pleasant read but delve into the exotic Indian culture that is so unlike what most Americans know and live in. Today’s India is a modern country with superior technology and a vigorous economy. Indian women have come a long way in pursuing higher education and careers, and yet there are certain facets to the culture that cast a dark shadow over all those accomplishments. The archaic custom of dowry is an example. My book uses the dowry system as a platform to build an intriguing story of betrayal, hope and the resilience of the human spirit.

What people NEED to read this book and WHY?

People need to keep an open mind, mainly because there are some shocking truths exposed in my book. Even the concept of dowry is alien to a lot of Americans and Europeans. And yet, the story is positive and upbeat. It is the tale of a young woman who manages to overcome the roadblocks placed before her by her culture and emerges triumphant.

What sparks your creativity? Any tips to help others spark their own creativity?

I’ve come to realize that my own life is an amazing story to most Americans. I use that and other factors in my background as a storehouse of creative story ideas. I had an arranged marriage 34 years ago. I met my husband two days before we were engaged. Less than two weeks later we were married. For us, falling in love came long after we were married, and 34 years later, we’re still happily married. Imagine the stories one can spin around that factor alone!

As far as tips go, I’d say writers should look around themselves. There are so many interesting things going on with everyone’s neighbors, friends, coworkers, and the world in general, there’s no dearth of potential plots.

What has been the biggest stumbling block in your writing? Can you share some tips to help others get past similar problems?

The greatest stumbling block has been the negativity from fellow Indians. Some of them are disdainful of romantic literature and consider it trashy. A few others feel it is wrong to expose the less desirable facts about one’s culture to the rest of the world. Every time I hear comments like that, it puts a damper on my creative spirit. I try to rise above it, but it’s not easy. Nonetheless I’m learning to ignore negative remarks and carry on with what I like to write. A thick skin is a requirement in this business.

What do you think motivates people to become authors? What motivated you to get into this unusual industry?

I can’t really say what motivates other people. I suppose it could be anything from unleashing their creative genius to attaining fame and fortune. For myself, it was the challenge of going against the stereotype of writing literary novels and spinning mainstream tales with romance woven into the texture of the tapestry. Then there was also the enticing challenge of breaking into the harder-than-nails traditional fiction market.

Tell me about the most unusual things you have done to promote any books?

I’m giving away a “Dowry Bag” at my signings and through my website as a promotional idea. It contains one signed copy of THE DOWRY BRIDE and some Indian gift items like spices, tea samplers, incense, etc. Although I’ve denigrated the dowry system in my book, my wry sense of humor couldn’t resist using the concept to my advantage when M.J. Rose, writing teacher/mentor and bestselling author of some wonderful books, suggested it to me.

FICTION - If there is a setting, tell us how you decided on that setting and what you did to create a complete and vivid setting for your readers?

I created a fictitious setting: a small town in southwestern India called Palgaum. I believed it would make an interesting and exotic backdrop for my book. However, it is loosely based on the town I grew up in. Whenever I was writing about the streets and the scenery, I had an image of my own town of Belgaum, except for the river. I felt a picturesque river scene would give the story more texture and romance, so I threw in a river, which my town doesn’t have.

FICTION - What inspires you about the hero or heroine in your book? What makes them memorable for the reader? What motivates the hero and/or heroine? You can include information about both if you want.

Both my heroine and my hero inspire me. Megha, my heroine is very young and naïve, but when faced with death, she seeks out the only source of help and eventually overcomes her difficulties to emerge stronger and more practical. My hero is a young man of principles, willing to put his reputation and even his life on the line to protect Megha. Until the end, he doesn’t give up on ensuring Megha’s safety and happiness. Survival is Megha’s motivation while preservation of what’s precious is Kiran’s.

FICTION - Is there a villain or something that causes friction in your story? Tell us about what or who it is and how that contributes to the story. Any details about conflict and friction is good information to know.

The villain is Megha’s mother-in-law, Amma. She is an authoritative Amazon who is out to kill Megha because Megha’s parents haven’t paid the promised dowry. Amma is the quintessential villain, the menacing shadow that hovers over Megha constantly, even when she’s not in close proximity. Amma is very essential to the book in that the story opens with her plot to kill Megha and she remains relentless till the end.

If there's anything else you would like to share, this is the time and place.
I’d like my readers to know that the book’s cover is of special significance to me. The picture of the bride on the cover is my daughter’s, in all her bridal finery when she got married. Kensington couldn’t have made me happier when they informed me that they wanted to use the picture for my book.

Thank you for visiting with me and in closing, give us your website address and a link to order your book.

Website address: www.shobhanbantwal.com

To order the book: http://tinyurl.com/24dlec


Nikki Leigh
www.nikkileigh.com/promo.htm

L. Diane Wolfe - Mike: The Circle of Friends, Book IV

Tell us the book title and your author name.

L. Diane Wolfe (aka – “Spunk On A Stick”), “Mike: The Circle of Friends, Book IV”

What inspired the book?

The series itself was inspired by the wisp of a dream – and from that I began writing a story about an Olympic swimmer. The characters began to come alive and I could see each one had a story to tell, a struggle to overcome. Mike was an important secondary character in Book II, and his tragic story of a sinful mistake never forgiven cried out to be told. There are people out there like Mike who carry a heavy burden of guilt.

What makes this book special to you?

Mike is just such a gentle character and meant so much to the characters in Book II. It’s also pleasing this fourth book has garnered such a wide male audience. Everything about this book, from the story to the cover art, just came together so nicely, too!

What makes this a book that other people MUST read and WHY?

It is hardest to forgive oneself and most people will identify with Mike’s plight. But they won’t spend the whole book feeling sorry for him. They will become emotionally involved with the two main characters to the point they are angry with Mike for not escaping his prison of guilt!

What people NEED to read this book and WHY?

Anyone who has made mistakes in their life, which covers just about all of us! Mike is for those who need hope or just want to be inspired. There are so few books fueled by optimism!

What sparks your creativity? Any tips to help others spark their own creativity?

My characters are so real to me - I am constantly watching their lives unfold within my mind’s eye! I am impassioned by music and find it the greatest inspiration. Every one of my characters has a song or group of songs, (their own theme music if you will!), and all I have to do is listen to become wrapped up in their story. Every writer must find that, whether it's a song or a place, which unleashes their imagination.

What has been the biggest stumbling block in your writing? Can you share some tips to help others get past similar problems?

Fortunately, I do not encounter writer’s block often! But if I am uninspired to continue a scene, I have several tricks. If I am excited about a scene in the next chapter, I skip ahead and write that instead, playing connect-the-dots later. Or I will go back and reread what I have completed, editing as I go. Either of those usually jars my creativity once again!

What do you think motivates people to become authors? What motivated you to get into this unusual industry?

I think at some point, everyone wants to write a book! It’s like leaving your mark on the world, a sign that you existed and meant something. I had dreamed of being an author since I was thirteen years old and holding a copy of Anne McCaffrey’s “The White Dragon” in my hands. It took me many years, but the rewards have been tremendous! Readers and fans keep me going and I cherish all of the friendships I have made along the way. Now that I’ve learned the industry, I am ready to move beyond just author & speaker and into publishing itself so that I might help others realize their dream!

Tell me about the most unusual things you have done to promote any books?

I didn’t know there was such a thing as ‘normal’ when it came to promoting a book! Seriously, though, the massive amount of book signings I have done over the past few years is unusual for most authors. I average about sixty a year, so I am on the road a lot! Interviews are always interesting, too. One time my husband and I got up at 1:30 in the morning, drove over three hours, did a 5:45am interview on an NBC morning news show, and then drove back home. My husband went to work afterwards and his co-workers thought we were crazy! But success is being willing to do whatever it takes.

FICTION - If there is a setting, tell us how you decided on that setting and what you did to create a complete and vivid setting for your readers?

Mike’s story begins his final year at Georgia Tech in Atlanta. He played college football, a sport I love, so game details were no problem to describe. Upon graduation, Mike relocates to Albuquerque, NM, a town I lived in for four years. It is the only time I have ever used my own personal experience for a location, but I could so vividly recall the beauty of the Sandia Mountains, the thrill of the International Balloon Fiesta, and the charm of Old Towne that I felt I could accurately bring the surroundings to life.

FICTION - What inspires you about the hero or heroine in your book? What makes them memorable for the reader? What motivates the hero and/or heroine? You can include information about both if you want.

I am inspired by Mike’s firm resolve to stand his moral ground, even after the terrible mistake in his past. Mike is a likeable person with a sweet spirit, and yet he is filled with such angst and inner turmoil. Danielle’s fiery and ambitious attitude forces Mike to stretch, and it is this spirit that finally frees him from self-imposed bondage.

FICTION - Is there a villain or something that causes friction in your story? Tell us about what or who it is and how that contributes to the story. Any details about conflict and friction is good information to know.

Mike’s greatest enemy is himself, which is true for most people! His guilt threatens to make him a martyr and nearly destroys his future with Danielle. When Mike believes he has it under control, life suddenly throws a curve ball, and he relapses almost to the point of no despair. Whenever you have a character with excess baggage, they will bring turmoil to their intimate relationships.

If there's anything else you would like to share, this is the time and place.
The Circle of Friends series was written to encourage and uplift! For the young person or adult struggling with negativity or a poor self-image, they need to know there is hope. I want readers to come away not only entertained but inspired to overcome all obstacles and pursue their dreams. Life is too short!

Thank you for visiting with me and in closing, give us your website address and a link to order your book.

www.thecircleoffriends.com

Order from Barnes & Noble - http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?z=y&EAN=9781425991272&itm=5#pDetails

Or Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/dp/1425991270?tag=theciroffri-20&camp=14573&creative=327641&linkCode=as1&creativeASIN=1425991270&adid=1E9NXAJTM2JSVTMQWR4W&

HOW TO SUBMIT

This blog will be for author interviews with Nikki Leigh. This will include discussion about book creation, writing inspirations, book promotion and much more. Pull up a chair and see what we can learn from each other. Authors that I host on virtual book tours will be hosted here and I'll be looking for other special authors to feature on this site. What's interesting about your book and why would I like to feature you on this site? Convince me to talk with you :)

To participate - copy these questions into a new file and answer each question, then return the file to me at nikki_leigh22939@yahoo.com. There are some question which are obviously for fiction - non fiction authors can skip those or delete them. If you feel a question does apply, let me know. But, the more information you provide, the more potential readers will learn about you and your book.

Tell us the book title and your author name.

What inspired the book?

What makes this book special to you?

What makes this a book that other people MUST read and WHY?

What people NEED to read this book and WHY?

What sparks your creativity? Any tips to help others spark their own creativity?

What has been the biggest stumbling block in your writing? Can you share some tips to help others get past similar problems?

What do you think motivates people to become authors? What motivated you to get into this unusual industry?

Tell me about the most unusual things you have done to promote any books?

FICTION - If there is a setting, tell us how you decided on that setting and what you did to create a complete and vivid setting for your readers?

FICTION - What inspires you about the hero or heroine in your book? What makes them memorable for the reader? What motivates the hero and/or heroine? You can include information about both if you want.

FICTION - Is there a villain or something that causes friction in your story? Tell us about what or who it is and how that contributes to the story. Any details about conflict and friction is good information to know.

NON FICTION - Why are you the BEST person to write this book? What in your background or in your research makes you qualified to do justice to this topic?

NON FICTION - If a potential reader thinks that your book wouldn't interest them, what would you say to convince them to buy? I'm thinking something better than "Its the greatest book ever." Give me something more specific :)

NON FICTION - Why does the topic of your book interest you? Why would it interest potential readers? Give us a hook to reel in new readers.

NON FICTION Is there a way to tie your book topic to current events? If so, tell us about how you could do that. I have a blog to feature information and examples about tying books into current events that might be a good place for you to promote your book.

If there's anything else you would like to share, this is the time and place.

Thank you for visiting with me and in closing, give us your website address and a link to order your book.

Nikki Leigh
www.nikkileigh.com/promo.htm






Nikki Leigh
www.nikkileigh.com/promo.htm