BOOK

PUBLICISTS
OF
SOUTHERN KNOW THY SHELF
CALIFORNIA MARCH/APRIL 2011 ISSUE, VOLUME 17, NUMBER 2
FOUNDED IN 1976
nd
CELEBRATING OUR 34 YEAR

The Future Is Here!

‘New Directions in Publishing & PR’ - Wed., April 13
Key speaker: Ken Atchity, The Story Merchant
Display With Us
At Upcoming Fairs • In our ever-changing, tumultuous publishing world, we
can all use sage advice. And that’s what we’ll get at our next
meeting, Wed., April 13, when Ken Atchity, known as “The
2011 Story Merchant,” dishes it all out with our evening theme—

“New
“NEWDirections
DIRECTIONSin IN
Publishing,
PUBLISHING,
ENTERTAINMENT & PR”
Entertainment & PR”
(THE FUTURE IS HERE!) Ken Atchity

Sat., April 30 • 10 am to 6 pm
Sun.. May 1 •10 am to 5 pm
On USC campus, 3535 So. Figueroa St.
(corner Exposition Blvd.) Los Angeles
Our BPSC booth #099 welcomes you
as an exhibitor or in absentia —
$100 per title for both days
Get L.A.Times Sunday, April 24, 2011
for full line-up of activities
Also, be with us at 2011
BookExpoAmerica
May 24-26 10 am to 6
NYC Javits Center
11th Ave. 34th-38th St.
BPSC booth #4774
$100 for all 3 days
plus FREE admission badge
Reserve now—send check, payable
to BPSC, to Irwin Zucker, suite 730,
6464 Sunset Blvd., H’wood, CA 90028.
Info: (323) 461-3921
➠ • Ettinger & Atchity will field your questions. Both are known for their “outside
For New York action, send books &
up to 300 flyers to Zucker, Travel Inn,
515 W. 42nd St., New York, NY 10036
(mark hold for arrival: May 22)
--Brad Butler,
BPSC President
Book Publicists of Southern California — Suite 730, 6464 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, CA 90028 • (323) 461-3921 • Fax (323) 461-0917
• We’ll be meeting in the Waterfalls Room of Sportsmen’s Lodge, 12833
Ventura Blvd., Studio City (more details below). Cocktails & networking at 5:30
p.m., delicious all-you-can buffet at 7, program at 8:15, out by 10. It’s $29 for
everything; $10 for program only (no dinner).
• With more than 40 years experience in publishing and over 15 in world of
entertainment, Ken is a self-defined “story merchant”—author, producer,
teacher & literary manager, responsible for launching many books & films (30
to date). He’ll dispense latest info relevant to E-books, the internet, Kindle,
Nook, iPad, self-publishing, on-line marketing, social media plus much, much
more—including tips on cutting costs in today’s publishing. He’ll also reveal
where the publicist now fits in. “Dream big,” he likes to tell everyone.
• Among the books he has author’d are A Writer’s Time; Writing Treatments
That Sell; & How to Publish Your Novel.
• Atchity will be introduced by the veteran bookman, Andy
Ettinger, who also has an enviable track record over the
years as a top editor & publishing exec at Hawthorn/
Prentice-Hall, Simon & Schuster, Pinnacle, Hay House &
Harlequin West. In all, he has been involved one way or
another with over 2,000 books in his career.
Andy Ettinger
the box” thinking. Be prepared for an informative, enlightening course on the
future of book publishing. Tell a friend!
See you Wed., April 13 COST: For ’10 paid-up members & their guests —
$
29 each for the dinner & program—if paid in advance.
Theme: New Directions in Publishing Nonmembers or if you pay at the door—$33
● Reservations for dinner must be made before noon
PLACE: Sportsmen’s Lodge, 12833 Ventura Bl. on the day of the event (as well as cancellations).
(at Coldwater Cyn.), Studio City (818) 769-4700 ● For $10 you may attend the program (no dinner).
TIME: Cocktails and networking from 5:30 pm, RESERVATIONS: Make check payable to BPSC and mail to
dinner at 7 sharp, program at 8:15, out before 10 Irwin Zucker, Suite 730, 6464 Sunset Bl., Hollywood, CA 90028
MENU: Buffet with chicken & salmon, drinks, dessert (323) 461-3921, Fax (323) 461-0917. Tickets will be at the door.
Our website: www.bookpublicists.org DUES: Only $3750 a year (lowest of all similar organizations).

BPSC March April 2011 1 3/24/11, 8:18 AM


BOOK PUBLICISTS
of SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
(established in 1976)
MARCH/APRIL 2011 • Vol. 17/ No. 2
The programs of BPSC are to improve
the quality of book public relations:
informative speakers, IRWIN Awards,
anthologies and networking interaction
among authors, publicists, publishers,
suppliers, and print & broadcast media.
2011 OFFICERS
Brad Butler President
Patty Weckbaugh Vice President
(818) 842-4278 • casag@wgn.net
Irwin Zucker (323) 461-3921
Founder & President Emeritus
(1976-1994) Fax (323) 461-0917
Email: irwinzuckerpr@aol.com
Gloria Pall (818) 762-4800
Membership
Peggi Ridgway (800) 200-1101
BPSC Website Coordinator
Email: peg@wordpix.com
BPSC Website—
www.bookpublicists.org
Casa Graphics, Inc.
Newsletter, Directory and Programs
1718 Rogers Pl.,#1A, Burbank, CA 91504
(818) 842-4278 (Patty Weckbaugh)
Fax (818) 842-2960 • casag@wgn.net
(Producers of self-published books & anthologies)
KNOW THY SHELF
Published bi-monthly by the Book
Publicists of Southern California for its
members. Achievements of members,
news, professional tips, photographs,
address changes, dues payments, dinner
reservations should be directed to:
BOOK PUBLICISTS of SO. CALIF.
6464 Sunset Bl.,#755, Hollywood, CA 90028
(323) 461-3921 • Fax (323) 461-0917
website: www.bookpublicists.org
In Memoriam
ERNIE WECKBAUGH
BPSC Pres. 2000-2010
...OFF & RUNNING!—Atty. Edwin
Stegman, longtime BPSC member, is
shown throwing his hat into the ring as a
major candidate for the Calif. 2012 U.S.
Senate race. Here, he gets support from
actress April Sellers.
BPSC March April 2011 2 3/24/11, 8:19 AM
The Founder’s Column ”
As I ”“
Z It
by IRWIN ZUCKER
BPSC Founder (Pres.’76-’94)
As
President Emeritus
Book Ends
’N Odds
● New Yawk-ing ahead: Over
the years we’ve been happy to
help BPSC members secure
lodging in the Big Yapple for
the BEA (BookExpoAmerca) Conv. For this year’s
event, it’s May 24-26 at Javits Center, contact us at
323-461-3921 if you’d like to share a room with a
BPSC member.
● Observation car: Lotsa gab as to whether the
L.A.Times Festival of Books, after 15 years at
UCLA, will be any better this year on USC campus
April 30-May 1. Let’s give it a fair shot. Visit our
BPSC Booth #099 at USC—better yet, sign up to
display & sell your book...Our Dawn Williams has
dusted off a manuscript she wrote many years ago
about living in Libya—she has publishers interested
in the updated work...As a result of the Oscar-
winning film, The King’s Speech, Dr. Mort Cooper,
has had an upsurge in sales on his book, Change
Your Voice, Change Your Life. He
has helped cure countless
stutterers...Tany Soussana has
shifted her PR hq from downtown
LA to Santa Monica. She’s thinking
of penning her memoir, to be titled,
Oh, Soussana.
● Glitterati: Michael Meleton,
shuttling between Houston & LA, is
now in his 3rd printing with Nice
Guys Don’t Get L—D...Leave it to
...TAKE NOTE!—Don’t miss our
Linda Hatfield, the Joy of Movement Wed., April 13 meeting on the future he was the author of From
author, to plot a lit. celebration at of book publishing & PR. See pg.1 for Communism to Capitalism, based on
all details featuring Ken Atchity, The
Hatfield’s Restaurant (no relation!) Story Merchant.
on Melrose in H’wood... Memory
expert Arthur Bornstein can’t believe there’s a hit
book on the market titled I Remember Nothing by
Nora Ephron...One of our BPSC members lost a big Bookstore in the Westwood area of L.A. closed its
bundle in the Bernie Madoff mess...Authors on the
mend—Janet Goliger (shoulder surgery); Ashleigh
Brilliant (broken leg); Patty Weckbaugh (fractured
wrists).
...REMEMBERING AN ICON!—Recently we marked
the passing of a beloved fitness pioneer/author, Jack La
Lanne (glasses), at age 96. Irwin & Devra Zucker got
health tips from him many times over the years.
...BEST-SELLER FOR SHUR!—Wearing his signature
cap, BPSC founder Irwin Zucker gathers (from l. to r.)
with twin daughter Judi, wife Devra, Square One
publisher Rudy Shur & twin daughter Shari to celebrate
the twins’ new book, The Ultimate Allergy-Free Snack
Cookbook.
● Getting personal: Dentist/author David Alpan
recently took a turn for the nurse, Mary—marrying her
in grand style at the Riviera Country Club...IRWINner
Greg Doyle welcomed his second grandchild, David,
thanks to daughter Sarah Washington... Atty. Bryan
Hidalgo & make-up artist Gail O’Donnell have a good
tell-all with their book, Making It in Hollywood...
Gayleen Williams celebrated her latest birthday (39
again!) at Cafe Maurice, retitling her tome to read,
Happiness Is Power!...Milt Kahn touting an animated
Harry Potter in atty. Wade Nichol’s heart-warming read,
The Glamis Curse...There’s always something new we
can learn, especially in the invaluable Jessica Kleiman-
Meryl Cooper manual, Be Your Own Best Publicist.
● In memoriam: Sadly, we record
the passing of comedienne-author
Lotus Weinstock, who headlined
our Holiday Mixer in 1976...
Vern Lanegrasse, a longtime
BPSC member, died at age 86—he
was known internationally as “The
Hollywood Chef” & hosted many
radio-TV shows...In Beverly Hills,
we lost another member, Gordon
Riess, at age 82. A witty raconteur,
his work & life abroad...In Santa
Barbara, we noted the transition of a
dear friend, Anne Nelan Lowenkopf, 83, a teacher of
writing for many years...The 23 year-old Mystery
doors for good last month.
● Wind-ups: Our Sherry Meinberg, author of Be the
Boss of Your Brain, guested on Bill Frank’s KKZZ
Radio show where he’s known as Billy the Brain...Wish
Mary (Choosing Honor) Ficalora Happy Birthday #51
at our April 13 BPSC meeting...Bad vs. Good—a nifty
debate could team up Dr. Carole Lieberman, author of
Bad Boys: How We Love Them & Patty Hawn
(Goldie’s sister), writer of Good Girls Don’t...Bruce
Braunstein reminded me it was Ronald Reagan who
said, “Politics is not a bad profession. If you succeed,
there are many rewards. If you disgrace yourself, you
can always write a book.”
Have You Paid Your 2011 Dues?
 Book-Lovers at Our Feb.10 Valentine Program

GREETERS!—Welcoming attendees at KEY SPEAKERS!—In front: L.A. Daily News

NEW PREXY INSTALLED!—At the start of our special
Feb. 10 Valentine program at Sportsmen’s Lodge, Brad
Butler was officially inducted as our new BPSC leader,
succeeding the late Ernie Weckbaugh. Here he displays a
favorite slogan of his—O, LORD, GIVE ME A
BASTARD WITH TALENT!
the door was this wife-hubby writing
team, Kitty Dill & Gordon Durich, the
latter now enjoying success with a CD of
his play, Grandmas Rock, starring Rose
Marie.
columnist Dennis McCarthy (tieless) &
legendary publicist Michael Levine. Rear: KPQ
radio talk host Ken Johannessen with Lauren
Gale, author of Confessions of a Recovering
Drama Queen. All stuck to evening theme—How
to Get the Media to Fall in Love With You.

IT’S YUMMY!—Aspiring author Jem

Baykent offers a tasty chocolate morsel to
FLAG-WAVING!—In from her current base in Diane Laux.
London, author Joyce Alexander, left, cuddles up to
the American flag with her sister, Calif. realtor
IN GOOD HANDS!—Popular PR exec Bob Mazza in the Linda Haim.
company of his clients, Cindy Laverty, left, author of
Caregiving: Eldercare Made Clear & Simple, & Peggy
Sweeney-McDonald, producer of the monologue food show
Meanwhile Back at Cafe du Monde.

BROOKLYN BOYS!—A reunion here of hometown lads.

Center, BPSC founder Irwin Zucker, flanked on left by
Phil Margo, creator of a sci-fi lit. work, The Null Quotient
& Stan Weisleder, author of the novel, The Trees.
SHAMELESS HUCKSTERS!—Publicist Cindy
Collins, left, expresses joy at the success of client
Cheri Mancuso’s literary non-fiction books,
Coldspring & the follow-up, Coldspring: The Trial.
Cheri’s co-author is John Scarano.
Don’t
miss
our
next
gig-
See
pg.1 IN FROM SOUTH BAY!—
Specifically, Torrance, Calif. Rear:
A TRUE FAN!—George Hassan, left, author Dr. Paul Straub,left, author of My
Odyssey, with son Erik.Front: Dr.
of Iran: Harsh Arm of Islam, is an admirer
Chris Elisabeth Gilbert, left, author
of guest speaker Dennis McCarthy—and
proves it! He’s waving a Daily News fan. of My French Stethoscope, & Mrs.
Toni Straub.
NAME-DROPPERS!—Meeting for the
first time this evening: these unrelated
ladies with same last name. Left, Muriel
Donaldson, author of Always an Ally.
Right, Mimi Donaldson, writer of
Necessary Roughness. They’ll be speakers
at our June 16 program on success stories.
Last Call for 2011 Dues!
If you have paid your BPSC Dues for 2011,
we thank you! If you haven’t, please do so
today to stay on our mailing list and enjoy
all the member benefits.
Annual dues are only $37.50 or $500 Lifetime.
You can print out a Membership Form going
to our website: www.bookpublicists.org.
Mail to BPSC hq, suite 730, 6464 Sunset
Blvd., Hollywood, CA 90028. For more info:
call (323) 461-3921.

Book Publicists of Southern California—Suite 730, 6464 Sunset Bl., Hollywood, CA 90028 • (323) 461-3921 • Fax (323) 461-0917

BPSC March April 2011 3 3/24/11, 8:22 AM

 ✮✮✮ Going the Extra Mile! ✮✮✮
Saluting BPSC Members Outside Calif.

Mel & Joni Weiser Peggi Ridgway

Chandler, AZ Tulsa, OK

Diane Bucci Ardith Powell Jan Yager

Parker, CO Tucson, AZ Stamford, CT

Dan Smith Shannon Carlson

Cherry Hill, NJ Tacoma, WA

Bernard Conners Ivan Burnell

Latham, NY Dave Pierce John Wong Chuck Baker Center Ossipee,NH
Maurice, LA Huntsville, AL Las Vegas, NV

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Front Cover 
Suite 730 • 6464 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, CA 90028 • (323) 461-3921/Fax (323) 461-0917

Forward and Return Guaranteed

Address Correction Requested

BPSC March April 2011 4 3/24/11, 8:23 AM