Ever since "The Living Wills" was released in December, we've been hearing from Chicagoans who love all the Chicagoland locations in the book. One of the main locations is an actual bowling alley on Western Avenue in Chicago. It's called "Waveland Bowl".
Well, no one was more excited to have a novel taking place at Waveland Bowl than the owner of the establishment. He has given us free bowling coupons to give out with every new purchase of the hard copy (not e-book) version of "The Living Wills".
Thanks so much Waveland Bowl! And, of course, get your hard copy of "The Living Wills" exclusively at eckhartzpress.com
A blog dedicated to the comings and goings, news and reviews, and literary mutterings and ruminations of our talented Eckhartz Press authors.
Monday, January 30, 2012
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Chicago Radio Spotlight Interview: Brendan Sullivan
Eckhartz Press author Brendan Sullivan ("The Living Wills") is interviewed about his radio career at Chicago Radio Spotlight.
Read the interview here.
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Rick and Brendan on the South Side
Rick and Brendan have another author event coming up this weekend, their only event on the South Side of Chicago...
Date: January 29, 2012
Time: 2pm
Place: Beverly Arts Center
Address: 2407 W. 111th St
Cost: $5 (or $4 for BAC members)
Books are available to purchase at event to have signed by the authors.
Description of Event: Author Afternoon, starring Brendan Sullivan and Rick Kaempfer, co-authors of "The Living Wills". "Two former Chicago radio producers, Rick Kaempfer and Brendan Sullivan, have co-written The Living Wills, a novel about “a split-second decision made 30 years ago and the ripple effects it caused.”
Author Afternoons is a monthly interview series featuring Chicago authors discussing their works. Facilitated by Penny Golden, the series has welcomed Jonathan Eig (Get Capone), Dave Reidy (Captive Audience), Arnie Bernstein (Bath Massacre: America’s First School Bombing), Kevin Guilfoile (The Thousand), Hilary Wagner (author of the children’s fantasy novel Nightshade City) and more.
More info and box office here.
Date: January 29, 2012
Time: 2pm
Place: Beverly Arts Center
Address: 2407 W. 111th St
Cost: $5 (or $4 for BAC members)
Books are available to purchase at event to have signed by the authors.
Description of Event: Author Afternoon, starring Brendan Sullivan and Rick Kaempfer, co-authors of "The Living Wills". "Two former Chicago radio producers, Rick Kaempfer and Brendan Sullivan, have co-written The Living Wills, a novel about “a split-second decision made 30 years ago and the ripple effects it caused.”
Author Afternoons is a monthly interview series featuring Chicago authors discussing their works. Facilitated by Penny Golden, the series has welcomed Jonathan Eig (Get Capone), Dave Reidy (Captive Audience), Arnie Bernstein (Bath Massacre: America’s First School Bombing), Kevin Guilfoile (The Thousand), Hilary Wagner (author of the children’s fantasy novel Nightshade City) and more.
More info and box office here.
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Making the Rounds
When Brendan and Rick did their interview on WGN-TV last week we had no idea it would make the rounds like it has. It hasn't just aired here in Chicago, it's all over the country including Fox 59 Indianapolis, WTVR Richmond, KCPQ-Seattle, Fox 17 Grand Rapids, KTXL Sacramento, WPIX New York, KTUU Alaska , WGNO New Orleans, WPMT York/Harrisburg/Lebanon/Lancaster, KWCH Kansas City, KDAF Dallas Fort Worth, KTVI St. Louis, My Fox 8 Greensboro/Winston-Salem, WPHL Philadelphia, KDVR Denver, WJW Cleveland, KTSU Utah, Fox 6 Milwaukee, WHNT Huntsville Alabama, Fox 5 San Diego, and many more.
Please disregard everything Rick wrote in his first novel "$everance". This media consolidation thing is obviously better than he thought.
Please disregard everything Rick wrote in his first novel "$everance". This media consolidation thing is obviously better than he thought.
More Reader Reviews for "The Living Wills"
We've literally received hundreds of responses from people who have read and enjoyed "The Living Wills". Here are a few of them...
"I heard you on WGN Sunday morning and decided to check out "The Living Wills". I recently received a Kindle Fire as a gift, found your book on Amazon at the right price and bought it. I just finished reading it! BRAVO! I loved it. What an interesting story. I grew up in Chicago and its nice to read a book and find familiar street names and places. I loved the way the characters were introduced, the story lines and how you tied everything up in a great big bow to finish it off. I laughed and cried. It was definitely a page turner. Looking forward to your next title. You guys must have a special bond and an ability to focus on each others talents to come up with a winner. Again, congratulations on a great book and making it an enjoyable read."
--Valentina
"I downloaded a copy of the book on my e-reader (NOOK), and I just finished reading it. This is one of the best books I read in an awfully long time. I lived 1/2 block from Waveland Bowling Alley. I bowled in 4 leagues every week for about 3 years and traveled that neighborhood for 11 years. It brought back so many memories, people I bowled with, things that happen after bowling, having coffee in their coffee shop, etc. You did a great job in taking us around the northwest side of the city via the various street names. The way the individual stories came together and, of course, the last chapter. My only regret is that I bought it as an e-book and therefore can't get it autographed."
--John S.
"I absolutely loved this book! I enjoyed everything about it - the characters, the storylines, and how it all fits together in the end. It took a few chapters for me to really get into it, and then I didn't want to put it down. I cried when I finished it, but mostly because it was over. The story illustrates how connected our lives really are to so many other people, and in ways that we may not even realize. I read Rick Kaempfer's first novel, "$everance", and I liked that one too, but this one was even better! I would love to see more books from this team of authors - keep it up, guys!!"
--Chocoholic mom
""The Living Wills" is a wonderful story of the meaning of family and friendship in life. This book especially strikes a chord if you're from Chicago, but I would think that any reader would identify with at least one of the main characters, their problems, joys and relationships. Highly recommended!"
--Dina S.
"I am an avid reader across many genre. I enjoy taking diverse ideas and rubbing them together to see how I might surprise myself and learn something new, feel something different. The Living Wills is a terrific story that does the same thing between its covers. I laughed, I cried, I thought deeply, and I have taken action based on the wonderful and realistic story. This is a magnificent book for adults and particularly those of us who are into the second half of our lives or who know someone who is. It gives new insights into how to measure the meaning of one's life - whether in its entirety or just two seconds."
--Gil H.
"I absolutely loved this book! I loved the characters, the storylines, and especially how the stories all came together at the end. I also laughed and cried, and was sad when I finished the book. I would love to read more books by these two authors. Keep writing, guys!!!"
--Carol R.
Monday, January 23, 2012
Rick & Brendan at the Catalyst Ranch
We've mentioned this event a few times before, but we're publishing the entire write up from the Catalyst Ranch's website here one more time, because the event is tomorrow. Come out and see the fellas at the location they created the book...
Don't Miss Our Match Books Event
THE LIVING WILLS by Brendan Sullivan & Rick Kaempfer
Tuesday, January 24th from 6pm-8pm
One novel, two authors!? Creativity coach Brendan Sullivan wants to show you how he used the same techniques he brings to clients like Kelloggs, PepsiCo, GE and Harley-Davidson (think improv, mind mapping and other ideation processes) to create a new novel with co-author Rick Kaempfer. Much of the work was done during sessions right here at the Ranch! Join us as Brendan & Rick share these techniques with you and demonstrate how you can incorporate them into your life and work to be more creatively productive. Rick Kogan of the Chicago Tribune calls THE LIVING WILLS "rollicking and real on so many levels." This Match Books session is not to be missed!
Date: Tuesday, January 24th from 6pm-8pm
Location: Catalyst Ranch
Cost: $15 or 2 new children's books (all proceeds donated to Open Books). Light refreshments will be served. (Eckhartz Press note: We're bringing beer)
RSVP from our Happenings Page. If you are bringing books please RSVP to amber@catalystranch.com.
Click here to visit our blog: Interview with Brendan Sullivan & Rick Kaempfer on their new book The Living Wills.
Don't Miss Our Match Books Event
THE LIVING WILLS by Brendan Sullivan & Rick Kaempfer
Tuesday, January 24th from 6pm-8pm
One novel, two authors!? Creativity coach Brendan Sullivan wants to show you how he used the same techniques he brings to clients like Kelloggs, PepsiCo, GE and Harley-Davidson (think improv, mind mapping and other ideation processes) to create a new novel with co-author Rick Kaempfer. Much of the work was done during sessions right here at the Ranch! Join us as Brendan & Rick share these techniques with you and demonstrate how you can incorporate them into your life and work to be more creatively productive. Rick Kogan of the Chicago Tribune calls THE LIVING WILLS "rollicking and real on so many levels." This Match Books session is not to be missed!
Date: Tuesday, January 24th from 6pm-8pm
Location: Catalyst Ranch
Cost: $15 or 2 new children's books (all proceeds donated to Open Books). Light refreshments will be served. (Eckhartz Press note: We're bringing beer)
RSVP from our Happenings Page. If you are bringing books please RSVP to amber@catalystranch.com.
Click here to visit our blog: Interview with Brendan Sullivan & Rick Kaempfer on their new book The Living Wills.
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Rick & Brendan on "The Sunday Papers"
Thanks so much to Rick Kogan (photo) of WGN for having Rick and Brendan on the show this morning to discuss "The Living Wills"
Kogan has obviously endorsed the book previously (his blurb is on the book jacket), but he had much more to say about it during the interview this morning.
You can hear that interview here.
Kogan has obviously endorsed the book previously (his blurb is on the book jacket), but he had much more to say about it during the interview this morning.
You can hear that interview here.
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