Mark Twain

August 11, 2013

THE PRESLEY PLOT THICKENS….. AGAIN!

First, a confession…..  As many of you know, I’m never wrong.  I once thought I was wrong, but as it turned out, I was mistaken.  I have no idea what any of this has to do with today’s blog, but I thought you should know where I stand.  (Even though I’m sitting.)  Speaking of standing in the right place…..

If you go to Scandinavia, be careful where you stand in the water, and DO NOT go skinny-dipping!  The Pacu, a nasty-looking fish from South America, (related to the Piranha) has invaded the waters between Denmark and Sweden.  I know it sounds like a Brothers Grimm folk tale, but it’s true, and here’s the worse part…..     the Pacu is a testicle-biting fish!  Holy mackerel!

My uncle once got bit on the ear by a fish.  He lost his herring.  (As a courtesy, I shall leave out my Swedish meat ball jokes!)

ATTENTION ELVIS FANS!    An amazing auction is about to take place, just in time to coincide with the newly released edition of THE PRESLEY PLOT……    Way back in 1958, when the King was 21 years old, he accepted conscription (the draft) to the U.S. Army.  The young lad was eventually assigned to the 3rd Armored Division in Friedberg, Germany.  (A few miles from the home of the Brothers Grimm!)  Well, guess what?  Private Presley’s 3-piece uniform is about to be sold at auction!  (In case you’re wondering, the uniform is owned by Patsy Presley, one of his cousins.)  By the time you read this blog, somebody will have plunked down a small fortune, as the uniform has already become the MOST collectible item of the year!  (So much for Michael Jackson’s silly glove!)

If you should find yourself in Kerrville, Texas on Tuesday, stop by Louise Hays Park and you can listen to me ramble on about MURDER ON MAIDEN LANE and DEVIL’S COVE.  I will also be signing books and drinking some beer.  Our tent will be set up on the banks of the Guadalupe River, which runs through the city.  It is a very scenic park and there should be some good food available.  Traveling can take a toll on the mind and body as one ages, but as the great Mark Twain was fond of saying……   “Age is an issue of mind over matter.  If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.”   Amen, brother!

Have a safe and pleasant week…..  Love to all…..

Doc Yanoff

July 21, 2013

WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS…..

Well, if you’ve been reading VARIETY, the show-business magazine, you probably know the huge, earth-shattering news…..  Murder Ink Press has purchased the book and movie rights to THE PRESLEY PLOT and MURDER ON MAIDEN LANE!!  Both books will be revised (and lengthened) and reissued with new and improved front book covers in both soft-back and hard-back versions!!  They will also be available on Amazon.com, Barnesandnoble.com, Kindle, Nook, etc.

In a word, I am….. Astonished!  Delighted!  Grateful!  Flabbergasted!  (Wait a minute, that’s four words!)  Well, what can I say, a lot of books have “four-words!”

Seriously though, this is wonderful news, and I am one very lucky author.  A lot of the credit goes to you, my loyal blog followers, so thank you very much for your continued support and encouragement!  I shall not let you down!

So what else is new?  Judge Susan is coming over today for a “Mexican Swim Party.”  (Lots of “dips.”)  She is bringing her three gorgeous grandchildren, too.  After I finish this blog post, I’m going to Home Depot to buy 100 gallons of Chlorine!  (Use your imagination here.)    Congratulations to Rita and Michael Hennecke on the birth of their new daughter.  She is absolutely beautiful, but due to rising hospital costs, the parents have not yet chosen a name for her!  (I suggested “Hey, you” but I doubt the name will stick!)

My Texas Hold ‘Em tournament play remains hotter than a stolen tamale.  I’ve made it to the “final table” seven times in a row!  (Without winning the tournament, mind you.)  Last Thursday, I had the pleasure of sitting next to the beautiful and talented Beverly Skipper Lange.  My dear friend just got back from the MAIN EVENT at the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas, where she placed 86th and won…..  $70,000!  Well done, Miss Beverly!

Another poker great, Kevin Evans, surprised our last tournament group with some very special t-shirts.  The shirts were emblazoned with the front book covers of my first three mystery novels!  (The Presley Plot, Murder on Maiden Lane, and Devil’s Cove.)  Thank you, Kevin!  The shirts were very cool… very considerate… and very colorful!

Several of my blog followers have asked about my upcoming trip to Detroit.  We had to cancel the trip, mainly because people are moving out of the city in record numbers.  (Motown has become LessTown!)  Even the schools are falling apart.  Did you know that Detroit kids spend the first two weeks of school studying their Miranda Rights?  What do you think the average Detroit student gets on his or her SAT?  (Drool!)     **The preceding jokes are dedicated to my one and only Detroit friend, Gary Rubenstein!

In conclusion, I would like to remind you that the first novel ever written on a typewriter was….  TOM SAWYER!  (I forget the author’s name.)  I still use an electric typewriter, which is why the neighbors think we have a pet woodpecker.  (No woodpecker jokes, please!)   Have a safe and joyous week!

Love to all…..

Doc Yanoff