Working Titlez

When Brooke’s mom Ginger Meurer, deputy editor of the View newspapers, asked me if I could use some help for a few weeks, I was delighted. Yes, I sure could! When Brooke showed up the next day, and jumped in feet first, I was overjoyed. She was unflappable, greeting every assignment with enthusiasm. She got a really good mix of work, from writing and editing, to lots of research. Internships are a great way to gain some “real world” experience and a meaningful addition to one’s resume. If you, or a young person living in your home, could benefit from a publishing internship, please get in contact: cuber@stephenspressbooks.com. ~CHU

Winter Break Internship: Fun!

By Brooke Mikkelsen

When I came in my first day of being an intern at Stephens Press, I thought it would just be a good way for me to get out of the house over Winter break.

Upon arrival, I was given a notebook and told to start taking notes. Then Carolyn launched into all the things I would need to know and do, never repeating herself without my asking, but explaining things that needed explaining.

The scariest part to me was answering the phone. I’ve always been good at communicating with people, but somehow, when that phone starts ringing, I start to doubt myself. This internship really forced me to turn that fear into a skill that I shall probably use for the rest of my life.

The best part was how trusted I was. I got to be the face of Stephens Press for a few weeks, writing letters, returning calls, and even talking to the press!

At the end of every day, when I was about to leave, Carolyn asked me if I had had fun that day. Every day, I answered in the affirmative. Even though my tasks had been to help me grow as an intern, they were also exciting.

I’d like to thank Carolyn Uber for not only giving me this internship, but letting me become a part of Stephens Press. I hope that my positive impact lasts longer than the few short weeks that I have interned!

Sharon Galligar Chance, Las Vegas Review-Journal guest reviewer

Our colleagues at CityLife have named the trio of journalists Local Heroes in the December 22, 2011 issue. The comprehensive investigative report Deadly Force is available as an e-book here. All Stephens Press e-books can be viewed here. ~ CHU

BRIAN HAYNES, LAWRENCE MOWER, REVIEW-JOURNAL REPORTERS; ALAN MAIMON, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

The conduct of those we empower to protect us should be a matter of constant concern and vigilance on the part of citizens. But there have been enough officer-involved fatal shootings in Las Vegas, and the seemingly routine clearing of those officers by a controversial coroner’s inquest system, that you couldn’t be blamed for becoming inured to the whole grim spectacle. Which is what made “Deadly Force,” the Review-Journal’s comprehensive examination of police shootings, so important and resonant: It pried our eyes open again. (Disclosure: CityLife is owned by the company that publishes the R-J.) It’s the sort of long-term (the reporters spent a year on it), resource-intensive (the paper spent thousands acquiring records), wide-ranging, public-service journalism that big metro dailies were born to undertake.

“I suppose what surprised me the most,” Lawrence Mower tells CityLife, “was that for years — forever, really — we’ve been hearing that shootings were justifed because the person had a knife, or a gun, or a car. That is likely true in the legal sense. But what we discovered was that just because the shooting was justified didn’t mean that it had to happen in the first place. That some other departments held officers accountable for tactics leading up to a shooting was a huge surprise and allowed us to look at all 378 incidents in a new light.”

While the series certainly has local cops feeling the heat of renewed scrutiny, it’s also prompting an internal dialogue in the department about its policies and behavior, and that can only be good. Kudos, guys. ~SCOTT DICKENSHEETS

Bauman Rare Books seeks an articulate, well-read, energetic individual for a long-term, full-time bookseller position at our Las Vegas gallery.

Experience with antiquarian books is not crucial, but a strong liberal arts background is required. A minimum of a bachelor’s degree is necessary. Excellent verbal and social skills are essential in this position to communicate effectively by phone, in writing, and in person. Applicants must be comfortable selling in a results-driven, luxury retail environment.

Booksellers are also responsible for mastering a great deal of historical, bibliographic, and market information in a short span. Applicants must be available to work weekends and nights.

As a dynamic, highly motivated team of booksellers, we provide our clientele of largely private collectors with exceptional customer service and expertise in our field. Learn more about our company and the type of material we offer on our website: www.baumanrarebooks.com.

To apply, please forward your resume/CV and a brief cover letter detailing your interest in antiquarian books and relevant experience to this posting. Any phone or in-person inquiries will be asked to do the same. Qualified candidates will receive our application.

Bauman Rare Books sells rare books, fine bindings and autographs in all fields, dating from the 15th through the 21st centuries. The company has three locations: offices in Philadelphia, a gallery on Madison Avenue in New York, and a gallery at the Palazzo in Las Vegas.

For great cities aren’t just described by great novels. They are defined and shaped by them.

It comes as no surprise to writers (and readers, for that matter) that the setting is an important part of a story – whether novel or non-fiction – and often, can become a character in itself. The surprise is in finding a literary work that creates an identifiable backdrop – or captures the essence of a city’s character.

Las Vegas is certainly a character – and as a setting – quite popular. Unfortunately, Sin City is also an enigma, as book reviewer Patrick Coolican of the Las Vegas Sun remarks,  and few writers have been able to harness its pulse and put into words. Cynical by profession, Coolican readily admits that tackling the city that never sleeps is a challenge best left alone.

But then came Crit, Andrew Kiraly’s fast-paced vividly descriptive debut novel that isn’t about Las Vegas and until the end, doesn’t even take place in Las Vegas, but still, manages to impress Coolican with its “on-the-money” portrayal of the 24-hour desert town.  Kiraly’s talent gives hope to Coolican that the great Las Vegas novel is within reach. For the full article, read here:

Book signings, blog posts, Facebook entries … all are great ways for a publisher to introduce a new book and its author (or authors) to the public. An easily dismissed medium, but equally as powerful, is the good old-fashioned radio talk show. In fact, listeners get an added bonus: they can actually hear excerpts in the authors’ own voices!

This Sunday night from 11 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Coast to Coast AM radio (100.5 AM and 840 AM, Las Vegas), Emmy award-winning journalist and radio host George Knapp will be sharing the microphone with Vegas Rag Doll co-authors Wendy Mazaros and Joe Schoenmann. They’ll reminisce about days gone by, the Las Vegas mob, and Wendy’s former life as the wife of a hitman.

It promises to be a (late) night to remember: a prize-winning interviewer, an accomplished writer, and a woman with a story that’s difficult to imagine come together to burn up the airwaves with humor as well as drama. If you’re not a nightowl, or won’t be in Las Vegas for this holiday weekend, you don’t have to miss the entertainment; check out the radio’s website here for archived shows and station call numbers across the country.

Oh! Oh! Oh! The UK’s Guardian has named FADE SAG CRUMBLE (www.fadesagcrumble.com) one of the ten BEST BOOKS SET IN LAS VEGAS! Right alongside Hunter S. Thompson, Larry McMurtry, James Ellroy, Tom Wolfe, Dave Hickey, Charles Bock, and John O’Brien. Whoa, that’s exalted company! So proud of our editor Scott Dickensheets and our amazing gang of ten authors! Danielle Kelly’s essay on decay and the Neon Museum is quoted in the article. Thrilled!!

The book is the signature project of the 2011 Vegas Valley Book Festival and features ten of the finest Las Vegas writers exploring decay.

10 of the best books set in Las Vegas

Congrats and kudos to our Stephens Press authors and editors who won Nevada Press Association 2011 awards this past weekend. We knew we were keeping good company! Bravo to Joe Schoenmann, Andrew Kiraly, Joan Whitely, Lynette Curtis, John L. Smith, Michael Green, Deborah Wall, Heidi Knapp Rinella, Danielle Kelly and Ginger Meurer.

Kevin Janison

Writers used to squirrel themselves away in remote cabins, dusty offices, revealing themselves only briefly to hand over completed manuscripts to their publishers or to appear shyly at the corner bookstore or coffee house for a book signing or reading. Rarely did authors speak to large audiences or get involved in marketing their great American novel.

But times have changed. Bookstores are closing — both big chains and little indie shops — providing fewer opportunities for book signings and appearances. Authors develop follows through their websites, tweets, and Facebook pages, but never meet face-to-face with their audience. Readers buy online or download straight to their Nooks and Kindles.

Stephen Nasser

What’s a writer to do? Stephens Press authors have found a way to reach out to the community and share their stories by visiting schools and speaking to students. Stu Michaels, author of You Can’t Make This Up! spent time with high schoolers in a creative writing class. Stephen Nasser, author of My Brother’s Voice, has presented stories of the Holocaust at middle school assemblies and Kevin Janison, has entertained elementary-age students with his Deputy Dorkface series. What a delightful partnership! Professional authors doing what they do best — telling stories — and inspiring a whole new generation of budding readers and budding writers.

Stu Michaels