Down But Never Out & HBR

Had a very successful launch of Down But Never Out and The Hummingbird Review at the SOCAL Writers’ Conference in San Diego on Feb 14th. I am not going on a schedule tour just yet. I am holding off the publisher’s publicist for now. I am learning about the wholesale and distribution channels for both books as most independent publishers do not provide the sale forces at the wholesale level. Much paperwork, B&N requires their own forms and procedures, the B&N college book stores require different forms as do the other chains and independent stores. For March and April I had planned to stay local in southern California. In late May or early June the Philly Boxers Association plans to unveil the Giardello statue in south Philly, planning a tour of greater Philly area at that time including readings and signings with Down syndrome organizations and other community groups.

HBR up, up and away!

Want to launch your book in a big party setting? Then be the reason behind the social mixer on a Friday night before a conference of writers. About 200 attendees of the San Diego Writers’ Conference came to the mixer and heard all about American’s newest literary journal—The Hummingbird Review straight from the organizers. They also announced a contest we sponsored, offering a $100 prize with possible publication in the next issue of up to 1,000 words (they judge, we retained right to publish or not). With a table by the front door and next to the bar every evening, we got to meet and talk up HBR with many of the attendees during the three days. We sold books at our own table and not through the bookstore that wanted a 40% cut. We sold 30 books and gave some to the staff and instructors. It was a fun weekend, especially when Jackie came by to say hello. Wish more of you could have stopped by. Next conference, Newport Beach in September!

NEWS! NEWS! NEWS!

Been too busy to blog.
Let me catch a breath.
Okay, here’s the news:

1. Down But Never Out, the bio of former middleweight champion Joey Giardello and his relationship with his son, Carman, born with Down syndrome is now available. It can be purchased online at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Open Books Press and my website: charlieredner.com
2. The Hummingbird Review, America’s newest literary journal will within days be available at the same sites mentioned above.
3. My book of poetry, Long-A-Coming is available at Amazon and my website.
4. All three books will be on sale at the Southern California Writers’ Conference, February 12-15. The official launch of all three books will be celebrated during the Conference. Would love to see you there. For more info see www.writersconference.com

Lasorda in Philly

Lasorda Sleepwalks Through Philadelphia
Sports Hall of Fame Honor Ceremony
The 6th Annual Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame dinner and induction ceremony provided a marvelous opportunity for family, friends, and fans to meet and greet their idols. The event took place on November 12, 2009, at Philadelphia’s Penn’s Landing Hyatt, a grand setting.
Modern inductees, in part, included: former Phillies infielder, Larry Bowa; Penn State football’s, John Cappelletti; former Philadelphia middleweight boxing champion, Joey Giardello; Eagles’ great, Pete Retzlaff; the LA Dodgers’ Tommy Lasorda; plus Legacy of Excellence inductees, Philly Daily News reporter/columnist, Bill Conlin; and Merrill Reese, Eagles radio broadcaster.
Some fans paid $275 for the privilege of spending an hour and a half before the dinner to talk with, and be pictured with, their heroes. If one desired time with Tommy Lasorda, they were disappointed as unlike the other inductees, Tommy skipped the preliminary event all together. He walked into the main dining hall just minutes before the program began. Each inductee was ask to speak for four minutes as there were a total of fifteen inductees—a long program. Most exceeded the time limit by a few minutes, Lasorda talked for 34 minutes and during the long dissertation he lost his place numerous times when telling what could have been very funny stories.
At the conclusion of the event, Lasorda was whisked away by his entourage before the dinner plates were even cleared. He also abandoned the beautiful plaque commemorating the occasion and his induction into the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame.
Joey Giardello died on September 4, 2008 or he would have relished being among some of his very own heroes, as he was one of the biggest Philly sports enthusiasts the city had ever seen. He was a baseball fan and loved playing as a kid, and even while a professional boxer, a usually contract no-no clause. Once Joey tore up a knee sliding into second base and had to call off an important fight thereby losing a big payday. He lived in the Philadelphia area most of this life and was a diehard Phillies fan but having been born in Brooklyn, the Dodgers were never far from his heart. Most of the 1950-era Dodgers were personal friends, Pee Wee Reese, Carl Erskine, Duke Snider, Dick Williams and Tommy Lasorda. Many years ago, Joey and Tommy were inducted into the National Italian America Sports Hall of Fame together.
Joey Giardello bled “Dodger Blue” as well as Lasorda, so I’m convinced that he would have been mightily disappointed in Tommy’s apparent indifference to the Philadelphia honor that he so nonchalantly accepted.
Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame Inductee Class VI: 2009:
Larry Bowa, John Cappelletti, Eddie Collins, Joey Giardello, Charlie Jenkins, Judy Johnson, Neil Johnston, Tommy Lasorda, 1974-75 Philadelphia Flyers, Pete Retzlaff, Betty Shellenberger, Mel Sheppard, Emlen Tunnell, Bill Conlin and Merrill Reese.

Ahhhh, say it is so...

Long-A-Coming my first book of poetry is now available -- go to Amazon.com books. Best to write my name, Charles Redner and the book should be on top of the first page.
Long-A-Coming.
Some say that a southern New Jersey town where I once worked, was originally named for an old Indian trail. To the English speaking, it sounded something like ‘Lonaconing.’ Others say, it came from the colonial seamen who walked from the Delaware Bay on their way to Philadelphia. When they finally reached the town and were asked about their travels replied, “It was long a coming.”

This work is called “Long-A-Coming,” as like the early sailors remarked; it has been literally long a coming. In high school and college I closed my eyes and ears to anything remotely referred to as “poetry.” Along the way, I was required to read some Shakespeare, Whitman, Frost and Eliot but was not, at the time, captured by their genius as I am today.

My conversion took place in September 2008, while attending a writers’ conference where I heard Taylor Mali perform his work. I have been reading and writing verse almost daily ever since, even at the expense of my other writings. As I tease in “Infidelity,” poetry, if allowed, could overpower one’s life. But like all good things should be taken in measured amounts to remain interesting and enjoyable. So I now take my own advice and return to finishing my nonfiction work, Down But Never Out and continue writing a second novel. With a wink and my fingers crossed behind my back, here’s wishing that I execute my plan.

I truly hope that reading this eclectic collection brings you as much pleasure as I had creating it.

—Charles Redner
October 2009

Ahhh! Say it ain't so, Joe.

Publisher wants finished manuscript of Down But Never Out in 14 days. Much to do!
--Charlie

Don't look now!

Don’t look now!
Okay, go look. We’re live @ TheHummingbirdReview.com
The magazine was also long-a-coming but I think you’ll find it worth the wait. Didn’t submit for the Cabin 20 Home Fires section, don’t miss the next opportunity, bet the call will go out soon. www.thehummingbirdreview.com