LOCAL news

LOCAL news

Sam Moffie’s novel gains recognition

YOUNGSTOWN — Although published only a few months ago, Sam Moffie’s third novel, “No Mad,” has been named a finalist in two prestigious contests, the 2009 Next Generation Indie Book Awards and Best Beach Book Awards of 2009.

The story takes main character Aaron Abrams on an odyssey full of reminiscing about classic tunes and plenty of laughs from Youngstown to New York City via Interstate 80. Readers will find Abrams to be uniquely human, slightly flawed, enduringly quirky and someone who greatly enjoys his own sense of humor.

Moffie’s novel is full of raw humor and is far from being politically correct. The thought-provoking tale also includes references to many songs and classic tunes.

Moffie, 49, lives in Youngstown with his family.

Signing scheduled by rock photographer

BOARDMAN — World-class rock photographer Janet Macoska will conduct a signing from 3 to 5 p.m. Aug 29 at the AWWWMAZING Place boutique and gallery at Southern Park Mall.

In addition to signing copies of her newest collection of historic rock ‘n’ roll photography, “Jews Rock,” she will be joined by pop artist Chris Yambar, who will have hand-colorized live concert images for display and sale.

The two will also sign exhibition prints from their 1998 standing-room only show, “Idols and Images,” featuring images of Michael Jackson, Bruce Springsteen, Tina Turner and Madonna.

Their works will be displayed at the boutique through Sept. 30. Proceeds from the event will benefit child cancer survivors and outreach programs in the Mahoning Valley through the A Way with Words Foundation Inc.

For more information, contact Macoska at (216) 496-0993 or Yambar at (330) 506-1991.

Rest of the story to be told by author

YOUNGSTOWN — William Cope Moyers, son of the renowned television journalist Bill Moyers, will speak on “Beyond Broken: The Rest of the Story,” Sept. 15 at the Rossi Auditorium in the Davis Education and Visitor Center at Mill Creek Park, 123 McKinley Ave.

The event will begin with a reception at 6:30 p.m., and dinner and the program by the best- selling author will be at 7.

The cost is $75, and proceeds will benefit the Neil Kennedy Recovery Clinic Hope Has a Home Celebration.

For information on sponsorship or advertising opportunities or to make a reservation, call (800) 228-8287, ext. 7001.

Awards

Thurber Prize nominees

NEW YORK — New Yorker contributor Ian Frazier and best-selling essayist Sloane Crosley are among the finalists for the Thurber Prize for American Humor.

Prize organizers say Frazier was cited for his book on parenting “Lamentations of the Father,” and Crosley for her popular essay collection about the 20-something life, “I Was Told There’d Be Cake.” The other contenders announced Wednesday were Don Lee’s novel “Wrack and Ruin” and Laurie Notaro’s nonfiction “The Idiot Girl and the Flaming Tantrum of Death.”

The $5,000 prize, founded in 1997 (Frazier won that year for “Coyote vs. Acme”) will be announced in October. It is named for the late author-humorist James Thurber.

Publishing Industry

Tabloid book publisher Michael Viner dies

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. — Michael Viner, who helped popularize audio books and published a line of tabloid tell-all books that included O.J. Simpson trial figure Faye Resnick and disgraced former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, has died. He was 65.

Viner died at home Aug. 8 after a five-month battle with cancer, said Kimberly Miletta, his assistant at Phoenix Books. He is survived by his daughter, Taylor Rose, 9.

Viner was head of Dove Entertainment Inc., which produced audio versions of everything from business guides to Bibles and rose to prominence with Resnick’s book, “Nicole Brown Simpson: The Diary of a Life Interrupted.”

In 2005, Viner founded Phoenix Books and stayed on after it was sold in 2007.

Phoenix’s current list includes a book about Bernard Madoff, a Larry Flynt autobiography and “a historical and personal perspective” of prostitution by Gene Simmons of KISS.

Phoenix Books Chairman and owner, Dwight D. Opperman, formerly of West Law, and Executive Vice President Julie Chrystyn have taken over the full management of the company and will guide its growth in an innovative and more consumer-driven direction.

Vindicator staff/wire reports