Today is (finally) publication day for my first non-fiction book – Blacklisting Myself: Memoir of a Hollywood Apostate in the Age of Terror. The books are (also finally) in stock at Amazon (those who pre-ordered should be getting theirs shortly) and, unlike for my novels, people seem to want me on radio and TV to talk about this book. (With novels, there’s really not much to say beyond “nice plot” or “loved that MacGuffin.”)
So I’m off on a media blitz of sorts today, starting with the Michael Reagan Show (taped, to air 6-7 ET) and then heading down to Hugh Hewitt’s studio in Orange County to do Hugh’s show live Shows (7 ET for a full hour). The next day I’m on the plane to Seattle to do the Michael Medved Show in studio (5PM ET) . I’ll also be doing some local shows in the Northwest before heading to NY and Washington next week where I’ll be on Laura Ingraham, The Mancow Show, Martha Zoller, Jim Bohannon, Lars Larson and Gordon Liddy, among, as they say, many, many others – 24 radio shows as of now. (Note to self: bring lozenges) I’m particularly looking forward to Liddy since he was – as many know – partnered for a bit with Timothy Leary, a sometime friend of mine discussed in the book. (Part of the Leary chapter is currently excerpted on PJM.)
For television, I’m on Greg Gutfeld’s RedEye on Tuesday night and CSPAN’s Book TV (AfterWords) on Wednesday for an hour chat with Armstrong Williams (should be fun). Possibly more,
But will all this whirlwind generate sales? Beats me. I’ve never done anything like it in my life. In my old detective writer days, I’d turn up for a conference or two, maybe do a few signings at mystery stores and that would be about it.
Will I feel humiliated if it doesn’t amount to much? (No, but I’ll need a few martinis.) Will I write again? (Of course, I’m a writer to the core – they’ll have to drag me off kicking and screaming and maybe they will.)
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22 Comments
1. Joseph:Roger I see you will be speaking mostly with a bunch of fellow travelers. I wouldn’t sweat it too much.
Feb 5, 2009 - 3:14 am 2. Newcomb Carlton:You might ask Armstrong Williams about the sexual harassment suit from his male personal trainer. He first called the allegations, “…false, baseless and completely completely without merit.” Then when more men came forward Mr. Williams quietly admitted he had lied and settled out of court.
People like Joseph think conservatives must be interrogated and harassed at every opportunity, even by their “fellow travelers.” So, according to him, Roger, while promoting his book should change the subject and ask Armstrong Williams about a case that, as angry, fascistic Joseph admits, has been settled. How often is Bill Clinton asked about the sexual harassment case he settled out of court?
Feb 5, 2009 - 3:58 am 3. Peter G:Congratulations Roger. With all those broadcasts you will reach a large audience that would otherwise be unaware of your book, so I think it’s a given that it will significantly help sales.
Feb 5, 2009 - 7:11 am 4. Mike_K:Well, you sold one. I am up to the Dartmouth phase. Too bad you can only get Dartmouth Indian shirts from the Dartmouth Review.
Feb 5, 2009 - 7:52 am 5. Ethel P.:God luck on your tour.
Joseph, whoever you are, I feel sorry for you.
Feb 5, 2009 - 8:30 am 6. Jamie Irons:Roger,
I got mine (sounds like the title of a Ry Cooder song!) yesterday and read most of it last night. I sent you an email about my preliminary reaction. In brief, I really like it.
Jamie Irons
Feb 5, 2009 - 9:08 am 7. Lightnin' Hopkins:Glad to see you’ll be on RedEye, Roger. Be sure to ask Greg about the houseboys he has tied up in his basement (a running joke on the show, for those unfamiliar with it) — Joseph can then log the results in his super secret book of conservative sex offenders that he has hidden under his bed. It’s all very exciting, isn’t it Joe?
Feb 5, 2009 - 9:11 am 8. Rob:You’ll do fine; the book looks timely and interesting.
Feb 5, 2009 - 9:18 am 9. John Moore:Good to hear it. I got mine yesterday and am 1/3 through it. Fascinating (e.g. the Abbie bit was rich).
If the shows are archived on the internet, it would be nice if you posted links to them somewhere for those of us who can’t get them real-time.
Now you’ll have to write a book about the reaction in Hollywood to your book.
Good luck with it.
Feb 5, 2009 - 9:47 am 10. David Thomson:I received my copy yesterday in the early evening hours. My customer review should be posted on Amazon.com sometime later today. And yes, it will be a positive one.
Feb 5, 2009 - 10:02 am 11. Mareyel:Roger, I just rec’d my copy in the mail. Be back later, gotta read a real book now! Good luck.
And Joseph….you’ve made your silly little point, now you’re excused while the adults converse.
Feb 5, 2009 - 11:18 am 12. Charlie (Colorado):John, the Red Eye appearance, at least, will be available at hulu.com .
Joseph, I think you might want to look up the phrase “fellow traveler”. I think you’d be surprised who made it famous in US politics.
Feb 5, 2009 - 5:21 pm 13. Anita Hope:Joseph
Feb 5, 2009 - 5:24 pm 14. AlanC:Your comment’s are ridiculous, but you are receiving your minutes of recognicion, now sign up for a course in proper criticism of the topic at hand and as we all more than agree, your on the wrong page.
Roger, it is a great read and the book will be a big success, Honesty always draw’s readers to spread the word on a good book. Have a wonderful whirlwind trip and don’t forget the lozenger’s and then the martini’s….
Roger,
Congratulations. I’m waiting on my copy. If this is as I expect it to be it will be passed to my sons (23 & 27) as a learning experience. I’ve enjoyed your mysteries and LOVE this blog and your kindly e-mail in the past.
Ever think of running for office? 8^)
Peace,
Feb 5, 2009 - 5:40 pm 15. Paul:Please, could you do Howie Carr, WRKO, afternoon drive time for Boston and most of New England?
Feb 6, 2009 - 8:25 am 16. Noah Sbagles:When are you going to have Joe the Plumber interview you? The man is a genius.
Feb 6, 2009 - 9:06 am 17. Mike_K:My review is posted to Amazon. I liked it and the picture of Hollywood the past twenty years is kind of sad. My (former-now deceased) mother-in-law was in the business in the 40s and 50s when it was a lot more like a family. I’m sure it was cut throat at the time, as well, but this seems really angst ridden.
The OJ story was interesting. My wife knew the Brown family and spent some time with OJ and Nicole when they lived in Laguna. My theory is that he was in an amphetamine rage when he killed her. There were always lots of drugs around them. Nicole was quite a girl in high school.
Good job on the book. Lots of good stories.
Feb 6, 2009 - 10:01 am 18. Ray S:Just read a great post from Wolcott about you and your very funny failure at Pajamas Media. Joe the Plumber in Israel was a panic! Very entertaining. You guys need to stick to radio (that’s where all of the old scared people and ignorant rednecks are). Zionism and the Bush doctrine are going the way of the Rambler, but people like you and Coulter can always sell paperbacks with big type to the dumbasses. Good luck.
Feb 6, 2009 - 10:18 am 19. Kirk Parker:“But will all this whirlwind generate sales?”
Well, not from me, since I placed my Amazon order some time ago (and they just emailed that it’s on the way.) But hopefully it will do well, and may lots of copies fly off the shelves!
I’m also hoping you’ll do some kind of local appearance here in the Seattle area at some point during the tour.
Feb 6, 2009 - 4:56 pm 20. Scott:Cashed your check yet from Ali Khamenei yet,Ray?
Feb 7, 2009 - 8:05 am 21. Anita Hope:Ray S
Apparently you are as talentless as your idol, Wolcott, ugliness is your focuss due to lack of ability as writers. # 20 has it right, go to the back and see if they will cash your check. Roger Simon has been a successful writer for many years and PJM is not a failure, even you seem to come in to read it. Though, Ann Coulter is not one I listen to or read I wonder why you tend to group her on this blog, Roger Simon does not mention her above, so stick to commenting on the blog when sprewing your negativity. And for your information, “THE RAMBLER” was a fuel effictant car and if you look at the “SMART CAR” it seems to be somewhat of a copy, and it is ‘THE SMART CAR”, or is it by your standards going to disappear?
Feb 7, 2009 - 12:47 pm 22. Sissy Willis:You must be very young and anti semetic and uneducated to say radio is only listened to as stated above by you, Hopefully you will never apply for a media job as your hatred needs to disappear from our society.
Have a gentle week.
Can’t wait to catch you on “Red Eye.” Very cool, sir.
Feb 9, 2009 - 4:23 pm