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Tag Archives | authors

"Early Burbank" book wins award

Shout-out to twin authors honored for book about Burbank

A shout-out to twin authors honored for a book about Burbank. , Erin K. Schonauer and Jamie C. Schonauer, identical twins, are a successful writing team. Back in April of 2014, their book, “Early Burbank,” was published.  Subsequently, the Schonauers held a book signing here in Burbank, at the Buena Vista Library. The event was covered by Media City Groove. “Early Burbank”, as you might have guessed, is about the early beginnings of the Media City. Today, the twins are being feted at a reception where they will... Read More →

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Long lost brother of notorious mob boss Al Capone

Jeff McArthur has written a book about the long lost brother of infamous 1920s mob boss, Al Capone. The older brother, Vincenzo Capone, changed his name to Richard Hart and worked on the side of law and order. McArthur’s book is “Two Gun Hart” and he will be speaking about it and signing copies at the Burbank Central Library. Books will be available for purchase at the event.

 

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“Mother Rabbit” a memoir set in the Playboy empire

book cover for "Mother Rabbit" by  Tekla Dennison Miller

“Mother Rabbit” is based on the real-life adventure of a Bunny Mother at a Playboy Club back in the 1960’s, during the struggle between the old school mores and the new feminist views of women. The memoir is a collaborative effort between two sisters. Alyce Bonura who lived the adventure, then used it as a stepping stone to an MBA and a career as a Southland financial and tax expert. And Bonura’s  younger sibling author, Tekla Dennison Miller, who is a former prison warden.

The Burbank Central Library is hosting “Coffee and Conversation” with the author. A book signing is included as well. Both Miller and Bonura are expected to attend. More information at  http://www.burbank.lib.ca.us/event/2014/oct/mother-rabbit or call 818-238-5600.

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Amy Poehler new book cover for "Yes Please"

Amy Poehler has a new book coming out

   Actress and funny lady, Amy Poehler, has a new book coming out. “Yes Please” will be published by a new imprint of  HarperCollins called Dey Street Books. The “Today Show” website  was the first to reveal the book cover. Poehler reportedly will dish up advice about friendship, parenting, and oh yes, her experience in the rough and tumble entertainment biz. Poehler is the star of the hit NBC series, “Parks and Recreation.” The 42 year-old actress has appeared on the big screen... Read More →

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Photo:FLLewis/ Media City G -- Twin authors Jamie C. Schonauer and Erin K. Schonauer signed copies of "Early Burbank" in Burbank on April 26, 2014

Twin authors conduct book signings for “Early Burbank”

Identical twins, Jamie C. and Erin K. Schonauer, have a lot in common beyond their obvious appearance. They both like history and are talented writers who work in the children’s market. A little over a year ago, the Burbank residents decided to pen a book about the early beginnings of the Media City. It was published last month by Arcadia Publishing. In doing their research, the twins told me they “… interviewed local historians such as Erik C. Andersen from the Burbank Tournament of Roses Association and... Read More →

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Paul Stanley of KISS new book "Face the Music: A Life Exposed"

LA KISS football co-owner rocker Paul Stanley writes a tell-all book

Paul Stanley, the frontman for the famous rock band KISS, is in the spotlight for two new ventures — arena football and writing his memoir. Stanley’s team, LA KISS, mixes, rock and roll, flashy productions, and football to create a new kind of entertainment. Last, Saturday, more than 12-thousand fans of the rock group KISS joined football lovers to watch the LA KISS win their home opener in Anaheim against the Portland Thunder 44-34. LA KISS is a new Arena... Read More →

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Photo: www.oprah.com -- Oprah says good-bye to her millions of fans on the finale of "The Oprah Winfrey Show," which aired May 25, 2011

Web Buzz: March 26, 2014

Oprah is going on tour. The big announcement in the Media and on Oprah.com today. “Oprah’s The Life You Want Weekend” will feature Oprah Winfrey and special guests in 8 city arenas:  San Jose, California, Miami, Florida, Washington, DC, Atlanta, Georgia, Newark, New Jersey, Auburn Hills, Michigan, Houston, Texas, and Seattle, Washington. So far, the Southland is not on the fall tour. “All of my life I have wanted to lead people to an empathy space. To a gratitude space,” said Oprah Winfrey in a statement on her... Read More →

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Cover of Jim Carrey's children's book"How Roland Rolls"

Actor Jim Carrey self-publishes a children’s book

Actor Jim Carrey is now a  self-published author. He hasn’t given up acting, but he is passionate about his new children’s book, “How Roland Rolls,” released last week.  It’s aimed at kids 4-to-8 and it teaches some life lessons in the story of Roland a wave who is afraid he will be no more once he hits the beach. Carrey has played some very creative characters on the big screen, from Riddler in “Batman Forever” (1995) to the Grinch in Dr. Seuss’ “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” (2000) to... Read More →

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Beatle song to become a children’s book

  Ex-Beatle, Ringo Starr, will soon be a published children’s author. The rocker has snagged a deal with Simon & Schuster to turn his 1968 tune, “Octopus’s Garden” into an illustrated children’s book, according to a PR Newswire release. The song appeared on the Beatles album, “Abbey Road” (1969). The way the story goes, Starr composed the song while cruising on actor, Peter Seller’s yacht. Apparently the boat captain gave the Beatle drummer a lesson on how the octopus trawls the sea bed searching for shiny stones and... Read More →

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Entertainment Bits: “Fast & Furious 6,” Rick Springfield sells a novel, and NBC’s relief concert for tornado victims

Box office bonanza “Fast & Furious 6 ” burned rubber all over the competition Memorial Day weekend. Not a whole lot of new moves in this sequel, but moviegoers did not care. They love this franchise. “Fast &  Furious 6”  took in $120 million for its debut in the U.S. The top six films helped generate more than $300 million at the domestic box office, beating the previous record for a Memorial Day weekend. No surprise, “Fast & Furious 7” is in the works. More here... Read More →

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Cleveland Browns clipart

Entertainment Bits: Disney star gets book deal, hip hop artist hooks movie role, and NBCUniversal plan is a go

Teen TV star scores book offer Disney Channel star, Bella Thorne, is now an actress, singer, dancer, and author. The 15-year-old has a new deal to write a YA, young adult, book series called, “Autumn Falls,” according to Galleycat. Not familiar with Thorne? Well, she’s co-stars in the sitcom, “Shake It Up,” and reportedly has 2.9 million followers on Twitter! Sean Combs joins football movie cast Hip hop artist, music mogul, entrepreneur, and actor, Sean “P.Diddy” Combs has been added to the ensemble cast... Read More →

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Burbank Rose Parade float 2013

The scramble is on to get those spectacular floats ready for the 124th Rose Parade in Pasadena on January 1, 2013. The theme this year is from the famous Dr. Seuss book, “Oh, the Places You’ll Go.” The City of Burbank’s official entry is called, “Deep Sea Adventures.” The idea/concept is from Richard Burrow of Mission Viejo and it won first place in the Burbank float 2013 design contest. More on the Burbank float here.

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M. Catherine Berg photo courtesy author

A Writer’s View: From TV police drama “Hunter” to mystery author

My first paid writing job fell into my lap when working for a TV syndication company.  My boss needed to hire someone to watch seven seasons (23 shows a season) worth of “Hunter,” the police drama starring Fred Dryer and Stepfanie Kramer, and compose a one page, double spaced synopsis of each show to be faxed (our office didn’t have a computer yet) directly to TV Guide.   Since I happened to be the only one around the office (and probably the only one that would undertake such a chore)... Read More →

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girl daydreaming clip art

Does daydreaming make you smarter?

You might think daydreaming is a waste of time, but according to some new research it can be one of the best ways to pump up your brain power. On The New Yorker website, in an article “The Virtues of Daydreaming,” Jonah Lehrer argues mind-wandering allows those creative and problem solving juices to flow freely. And that’s a good thing. Read about it here.

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Book cover for Ricki Lake's new book "Never say never"

Ricki Lake’s new book hits store shelves

Actress and TV talk show host, Ricki Lake, has had plenty of life drama. In her new memoir, “Never say never: Finding a life that fits,” Lake shares the lessons learned from a painful childhood, weight issues, divorce, and the struggle to find a comfort level in her own skin. “Never say never” hit stores last week. Lake is out and about promoting her new book with TV appearances as well as stops in stores. Tonight at 7 p.m., she’ll be at the Barnes & Noble... Read More →

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Fifty Shades of Grey book cover

Major Hollywood book to film rights deal for “Fifty Shades of Grey”

Who says romance doesn’t sell in Hollywood? “Fifty Shades of Grey,” a bestselling erotic romance novel trilogy, with BDSM (bondage, discipline, sadism, masochism) elements, reportedly has sold to Universal Pictures and Focus Features. The X-rated book series was inspired by the hugely popular “Twilight” book saga and is written by British author E. L. James. The romance is about a female college student and a young intriguing billionaire who has some dark sexual desires. The  other two novels in the series are... Read More →

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