Culture
If I tell you subjects covered by the novel include incest, rape, racial hate, adolescent sex, physical abuse, the F-word, the N-word and pedophelia, would you think it is suitable for children? A selection of some banned books (Illustration: PBS) The book that has been “banned” in some school districts
Press Card
Or maybe it is. it depends on your point of view. It is a man reading my book on the beach. That opens the door for me to suggest that my first novel, ”Press Card,” is good beach reading. Many of you know this. Many of the most-frequent commenters on
Press Card
Here’s a gift idea for your favorite journalist, aspiring journalist, or anyone interested in a good yarn. Those supply-chain problems you’ve been hearing about don’t affect me. My first novel, “Press Card,” was written and printed in the U.S.A. and I have a good supply
Journalism
Here’s a two-fer freebie: Meet up with Stu (and real crabs) at a special open-to-the-public event on Wednesday, 7-9 p.m. This is a Philadelphia Weekly deal at the not-yet-opened Fin Restaurant and bar at 1000 Frankford Avenue, in blooming Fishtown. Free munchies will be offered. Free parking in
Humor
After an undersea oil pipeline burst, several hundred thousand barrels of oil escaped into the Pacific Ocean. At least the ocean doesn’t squeak any more. This joke is a memorial to my best friend, Jim Moran, a longtime spokesman for Sun Oil in Philadelphia. It was his gag. He
Uncategorized
Since my first novel, Press Card, was published, the most common question I hear is this: Are you Claude Shelby, the protagonist in the novel set at a tabloid newspaper? The answer is no, I am not Claude Shelby, and he is not me. However, there are some traits we
Uncategorized
Google is one of the greatest inventions ever made by Man, (or, for the PC -- by Woman, Undecided, or Non-binary 🤓). It’s right up there with pantyhose, air conditioning, mood rings, and fork-split English muffins. All things we can’t live without. Before I heap praise on Google, let
Press Card
As an author, there’s nothing like receiving a box ‘o books to end the gestation period. It is sort of like birth, but there will be no gender reveal. Those books are already in the mail. A second printing has been ordered. After six decades of writing journalistic nonfiction,
Press Card
CNN host S.E. Cupp has just copped to high anxiety as she comments on the news of the world. This is her reality, but she mimics a character in my new novel, Press Card, that was just released. The sample chapter on the website concerns a Philadelphia anchor who
Press Card
Well, no one would say it’s click bait, and I appreciate the helping hand. (Saying “please” might have been nice, but OK.) This was the work of the good folks at Philadelphia’s favorite weekly, a.k.a. Philadelphia Weekly, where I am happy to be a contributor. The
Journalism
After six decades of writing journalistic nonfiction, it’s time for my first novel. Years in the making, you might say. Press Card is fiction, but it reads like fact. They say journalism is a search for answers. This is a little different: As an author, I know the answers,