Got my book done! Submitted! Details inside!

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underthecity

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It's been a busy six months. Evenings, weekends, mornings, late nights writing, rewriting, rewriting, editing, more rewriting, and even more rewriting. I missed some weddings and other social events, missed lots of beautiful spring days (but watched them through the windows), spent lots of days at the libraries, meeting with people, interviewing, studying old photographs, writing details, and more researching. And I was (and still am) working a full-time job.

I stuck to a writing schedule and monthly deadlines and managed to stay on schedule. I finished slightly ahead of time, and had to stop rewriting when it got to the point where I was rewriting just to change, not to improve. That's when I knew it was finished. That was this week.

And I submitted the manuscript today, and will have it at the publisher's a day before the deadline date.

See the book here

with an Introduction, seven chapters, 31,000 words (text and captions), 210 vintage photographs and illustrations, 128 pages. Publisher: Arcadia.

This is my third book with Arcadia.

This is an exploration of entertainment history in Cincinnati, with lots of unpublished and unseen photographs.
  • Movie theaters and palaces: where they were, what they were like, what it was like to see a movie a hundred years ago, what finally happened to the palaces. A total of 51 theater and early movie-related photos and illustrations.
  • Prohibition era: discussion of saloons, 3,000 speakeasies in Cincinnati, life during a time with no alcohol (they drank anyway).
  • Burlesque and vaudeville history: with a selection of never-before-seen photographs of actual vaudeville and burlesque stage performances, and even a few from the 1934 Ziegfeld Follies.
  • Nightclub and hotel ballroom entertainment: live orchestras, small bands, lives of vaudevillians and traveling musicians.
  • Gambling casinos and prostitution across the Ohio River in Newport: photos showing the clubs, and clandestine photos taken inside several Northern Kentucky casinos
  • Black entertainment venues. Black folks didn't mingle in public with the white folks in pre-1960 Cincinnati. This chapter gives their story, as well as 20 great photographs of clubs and performances.
  • Radio and television history in Cincinnati. Radio replaced vaudeville, television helped put an end to downtown movie-going. Lots of rare, some never-before-seen photographs of early radio and television entertainment.
This is my first public announcement of the book, except for a few past postings, including the cover shot you can see here.

I'm taking a couple weeks off to watch some DVDs I've been wanting to see, get some house maintenance done, and attend my sister's wedding. Then I'll be starting the next book, this time a children's book with an end of World War II setting. Oh yes, it takes place in Cincinnati.

It's been a hectic six months, but AW has been my constant companion for inspiration and support all along the way. Even something Uncle Jim said once made it into my book. Oh, and Uncle Jim and AW received an acknowledgement.

Look for it Christmas, 2005.

underthecity
 
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rtilryarms

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That is Awesome! I love local history books. Nice touch leaving football and the Bengals out of it.

 

arrowqueen

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Congrats, utc. All the best for its success.
 

maestrowork

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Awesome Allen! Can't wait.

I went to the B&N on the Levee the other day (my favorite place) and saw your signed copies on display, near the front counters. Cool! Such handsome books (I already have one -- I need you to sign it some time).
 

mommie4a

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Congratulations, Allen! I look forward to seeing it up here in Cleveland. I don't have a ton of contacts, but I can pass on a couple of names that might help, if you need them.
 

underthecity

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Thanks so much for the comments! My first book is the stronger seller, but I don't mind saying that this one is going to surpass.

The main "hook" of this book is the vast Cincinnati movie theater history, more complete than any other source I have seen, but it also transcends into other aspects of entertainment: vaudeville, speakeasies, live performance, black entertainment, and radio/television. And the photos of the insides of the casinos puts a "human face" on the illegal gambling taking place in Newport. Thank you Saturday Evening Post.

In short, the book turned out awesome. I just hope the readers and reviewers will feel the same.

Thanks again! :)

allen
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Perks

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That's fantastic and an inspiration for all of us! The satisfaction reaped from an honored work ethic... way to go, man!! Bet you can't wait to hold it in your hands.
 

maestrowork

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underthecity said:
Thanks so much for the comments! My first book is the stronger seller, but I don't mind saying that this one is going to surpass.

The main "hook" of this book is the vast Cincinnati movie theater history, more complete than any other source I have seen, but it also transcends into other aspects of entertainment: vaudeville, speakeasies, live performance, black entertainment, and radio/television. And the photos of the insides of the casinos puts a "human face" on the illegal gambling taking place in Newport. Thank you Saturday Evening Post.

In short, the book turned out awesome. I just hope the readers and reviewers will feel the same.

Thanks again! :)

allen
underthecity

Make you a deal. I'll come to your signing if you'll come to mine. ;)

BTW, I'm PM you about something...
 

underthecity

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maestrowork said:
Make you a deal. I'll come to your signing if you'll come to mine. ;)

Maestro,

No problem at all, just let me know when. I still think it's cool how you got a copy of my book long before I started posting at AW. :Sun:

allen
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maestrowork

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underthecity said:
Maestro,

No problem at all, just let me know when. I still think it's cool how you got a copy of my book long before I started posting at AW. :Sun:

allen
underthecity

It's a small world. ;) Actually I even went to the subway tour but I sat way in the back... I don't think I met you. The tour was one of the coolest things I ever did.
 

Sarita

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Yay Allen! Such happy news. Keep us updated and I'll keep my eye out for it. I love history. :)

Sara
 

underthecity

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Thanks everyone for the wonderful comments! :)

Jdkiggins, I remember your reading my Idol entry, the burlesque-half of the vaudeville/burlesque chapter. Of course, the chapter has vastly improved since that entry.

And Triceretops, you flatter me too much. Me, one of the nicest guys on this board? Surely someone like James MacDonald, Ed Williams, maestrowork, or triceretops gets that distinction.

I've kept somewhat of a low profile on these boards for the past six months, chiming in every now and then when I thought I could contribute something, usually on the NEPA thread. Now that this book is finished, hopefully I can contribute more on other threads. Since I done did wrote three books, I's thinks I kin write somewhat good, and may have pointers or tips on research and making it all flow together.

This subject has come up before, and I wanted to mention it here. I owe a lot to my wife, who was very understanding through this whole process. She's not a writer or reader, and really doesn't care one way or another about Cincinnati history. However, she has been awesomely supportive, allowing me numerous evenings and sometimes entire weekends for me to work. She knows I love doing it, and she knew I would produce results, as opposed to not having a deadline and getting the book finished "whenever."

She even spent several entire days with me at the public library conducting newspaper microfilm research. Cut my research time in half.

I found the proper "balance" between writing and married life, which started during the first book. I've never shut her out or anything, and still did the husband thing as often as I should. Thankfully we have gone past the point of my having to spend every waking hour at her side. However, she also wanted her full-time husband back and couldn't wait for me to finish the book.

I am back, but will soon be embarking on book #4. Then there will be book #5. And #6. It'll never end, so I hope she's ready. In between all that are the magazine articles I write, and any other freelancing gigs that come my way.

In the next month I will have the webpage up for the new book, along with many updates and changes to the exisiting page, which you can check out by clicking on my signature line, also to change soon.

Thanks again, and I'll see y'all around the boards!

underthecity
allen, in real life
 

arrowqueen

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Awww. What a lovely tribute to your wife. You're a good lad!
 

JerseyGirl1962

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Congrats, utc!

I love historical books, esp. ones connected with old movies, movie theaters, etc. It's right up my alley!

I hope you post again when it's out in December - I'll need a reminder to buy it! :)

~Nancy
 
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