Tupelo

June 14, 2012

DON’T STOP THE PRESSES!

Well, I scored some big points today…..

In fact, I scored four points.  (As in THE FOUR POINTS NEWS!)

In case you’re wondering what I’m babbling about, I just had the privilege of being interviewed by THE FOUR POINTS NEWS, one of our

outstanding local newspapers.  (They have a large and growing circulation that reaches almost 10,000 homeowners in West Austin!)

The reporter and I spent about an hour together discussing THE PRESLEY PLOT, and then she took some photographs of my rock garden.

(Rumored to be one of the largest privately owned rock gardens in our galaxy and most of the universe as presently understood by the scientific

community!)

I really enjoyed the interview and will post the full article as soon as it is published.  Hopefully, this will be the first of many such interviews.

Meanwhile…..  orders for THE PRESLEY PLOT continue to pour into Amazon.com, and much to my surprise, they are now on their third

or fourth printing.  (God bless my mother!)  I would like to thank everyone who has purchased a book (and especially those who have purchased

more than one) and I want you to know that I intend to take each and every one of you to the Academy Awards.  (What a bus trip that will be!)

Starting planning your vacation days and looking for baby-sitters!

(Brad and Angelina will be supplying the hot dogs and beer.)

Love to all…..       Doc Yanoff

June 11, 2012

I TOLD YOU ELVIS WASN’T DEAD!

Well, hold onto your cape and jumpsuit, friends…..

The company behind the Tupac (the rap music gent) hologram recently announced

that they intend to go for the gold, or perhaps I should say the sequins, and bring

the King back to life!  (Sort of.)

Digital Domain Media Group plans to produce a “virtual” likeness of Elvis Presley.

The likeness will be used in stage shows, television, and film appearances!  (Can a

White House invitation be far off?)

No word yet on whether the King will appear in the movie version of my book,

THE PRESLEY PLOT.  I sent a virtual “feeler” to his agent, but he turned out to be

a hologram himself, and thus far, I have heard nothing from the good folks at

Graceland.  (I hope they’re real people!)  One never knows.

In any case, if you haven’t seen a hologram, you will be amazed by the effect of

having someone “reappear” before your very eyes.  It is quite spooky in a way, but

also incredibly entertaining.  If you’re an Elvis fan, I would be curious to know what

you think about this project.  I have mixed feelings, but what do you think?

For those of you that can’t wait for the hologram, I would remind you that you can

now purchase THE PRESLEY PLOT on Amazon. com   (Just go the Amazon site and

type in the title of the book or my name.)  If you like what you read, PLEASE take a

moment and write a short review.

Thanks and God bless…

Doc Yanoff

 

June 9, 2012

“BOOK ‘EM, DANNO!”

These immortal words uttered by Steve McGarrett (played by Jack Lord), now have

a special meaning to me, and it has nothing to do with Hawaii.   No, I was not

charged with “murder one,” or any other crime.  (Unless you count impersonating a

mystery author a crime!)

“BOOK ‘EM” refers to the joyous fact that THE PRESLEY PLOT, my new mystery

novel, is now available on…..  AMAZON.COM!

All you have to do is go to the Amazon site and type in the name of the book (or

my name) and then hit the “go button.”     A photo of the book cover, and a brief

description of the plot will be posted in a few days.

AMAZINGLY….. there were over 300 pre-orders for the book and they have

already depleted (TEMPORARILY) their stock.

However, you can still order the book and once a new shipment arrives your copy

will be promptly sent out.  I suggest you purchase a book A.S.A.P.   (Before my

mother buys all the copies again!)

As a courtesy to my readers, I would be more than happy to autograph any and all

copies purchased.  What a marvelous gift a “personalized” book would be!

Once again, thank you for all of your love and support.  If I could, I would give

each one of you a big hug!

Take care…  and let me hear from you!

Doc Yanoff

June 5, 2012

WELCOME ELVIS FAN CLUB MEMBERS!

Groucho Marx famously declared that he would never join any club that wanted

him as a member.

Well, I don’t feel that way!

I have recently joined a couple of Elvis Presley Fan Clubs and I’m quite impressed

by their members and the clever posts they create.  These are very talented and

passionate folks, and they are doing a great job keeping The King in the public

eye.  (As I have previously stated, Elvis is selling more records today than when he

was alive!)

To all of you fan club members I have one (or two) things to say…..

Keep up the good work!

And thank you.

Now, for all of you old salts (and young peppers) hold onto your life jacket because

Carnival Cruise Line is now offering a 7-day voyage called….  “THE LEGENDS

ELVIS CRUISE!”     The ship leaves from Galveston (without Glenn Campbell)

on February 3, 2013.     Stops include Montego Bay, Grand Cayman, Cozumel,

and Tupelo, Mississippi.  (Just kidding about that last port!)

If you’re interested check out the ship…  the Carnival Magic.

Well, shiver me timbers, it’s time to go.  (Believe it or not, I’m on my way to an

authentic Hawaiian luau!)  In Austin!  Go figure.

Happy “sails” to you until we meet again!

Doc Yanoff

June 4, 2012

WRITING ACROSS TEXAS…..

If this name sounds familiar, you must live in the Texas Hill Country.  (Or perhaps

in lovely Austin.)  Writing Across Texas was the name of the local television show

that I co-hosted a few years back.  (We used to interview famous authors who lived

or worked in Texas.)  The show was quite popular, and was brilliantly produced and

directed by Larry Brill.  (Brill Media)

I was thinking about the task of writing early this morning when two (semi)

humorous questions popped into my head…..

First, how would we know if a word was misspelled in the dictionary?

Second, what’s another word for Thesaurus?

See, you thought it was easy being a writer!  Not so.  (I could have asked why

“sour” cream has an expiration date.  What happens if you keep it too long?  Does

it become fresh?)

For my loyal Elvis fans, I would like to point out that on this day (In 1992) the

U.S. Postal Service announced that it was going to adopt the “younger Elvis” stamp

design.  (The skinny version cost the same as the heavy version, which in my view,

just doesn’t seem fair!)

Well, I must leave you now.  Perhaps I shall close with a thought by Jimmy

(Margaritaville) Buffet:   “Elvis Presley was the only man from Mississippi who

could shake his hips and still be loved by rednecks, cops, and hippies.”

Hmmmm.

Doc Yanoff

June 1, 2012

THE KING AND I

Well, just when I thought I was out of coincidences (between me and Elvis) lo and

behold, I discover that this very weekend (my birthday weekend, mind you) there is

an Elvis Presley Festival in Lake George, New York.  Why, you might ask, is this a

coincidence?  Because my family used to own a motel on Lake George, and in fact,

that is where I learned to swim, waterski, and scuba dive!  Our resort was located in

the charming village of Diamond Point.  It was called the Flamingo Motel, and it is

still in operation, run by the folks who bought it from our family.  If you know of this

lovely venue, or have ever stayed in Lake George, drop me a line!  We can stroll down

Memory Lane together.

Last week, coming home from a late-night poker tournament, I pulled into my

driveway in west Austin, and there in front of me was a VERY large rope curled up,

and strangely enough, it was moving!  Upon closer examination, I discovered that

the  “rope” was actually a big old rattlesnake!  Being an organic gardener, I like most

snakes, but this bad boy was mean spirited and full of venom.  (And I am very close

friends with several dogs in the neighborhood.)   So…..  I had little choice but to

dispatch said snake with a 12-guage shotgun.  I have young children living on both

sides of me, so I really couldn’t allow the darn thing to just crawl away.  (and live to

bite another day!)  Anyway, such is life out here in the Texas Hill Country.

Maybe I’ll work the incident into my next novel.  Of course, by then, the poor reptile

will have grown to eight or nine feet!  (I believe that’s called literary license.)  Down in

these parts we call it braggin’.   Then again, as Col. Travis said, “It ain’t braggin’ if

it’s true!”

Have a great day….  and watch those moving ropes!

Doc Yanoff

 

 

May 29, 2012

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO….. ME!

I hate to admit it, but today is my 39th birthday.  (I started counting when I was

twenty!)  Accordingly, I am offering 500 autographed copies of THE PRESLEY PLOT

to the first person who can correctly state the names of the other 3 famous and

talented Americans who were born today.  (No cheating!)  Naturally, you will be

obliged to purchase said books on Amazon.com (hopefully at the end of June)

BUT…..  the autographs are free!

Now for some fascinating news about…..  ELVIS PRESLEY!

When the King was found dead in his Graceland mansion in August, 1977,

he was first interred in a crypt in Memphis Cemetery (with his mother) but two

months later, both were reburied in Meditation Garden at Graceland.

So…..  Elvis Presley’s original crypt is now being auctioned off!  (No joke.)

The sale is being conducted by Julien’s Auctions of Beverly Hills, and the

bidding starts at…..  $100,000!

I hear they had to erect a fence around the crypt…..   people were dying to get in!

If you see me at the auction, don’t wave.  (They might think you’re bidding on the

crypt!)

Well, Elvis may have left the building, but the building is now for sale.

Good luck to all you bidders!

Fondly,

Doc Yanoff

 

P.S.   The answers to the quiz:  Patrick Henry, Bob Hope, JFK.

May 27, 2012

BIRTHDAY BASH!

No, it’s not Elvis Presley’s birthday, but…  MINE!    (The King was born on January

8, 1935)  In fact, if he had not passed away on August 16, 1977, he would be….

VERY OLD!)  Somewhere around 77 years of age!

Actually, it’s not even my birthday, which is officially celebrated in 10 southern states, two foreign countries, and the District of Slovakia, on May 29th.

Nevertheless, I will be celebrating my own birth today, and in so doing, I have sent

my mother a “congratulations card” for giving birth to me.  (Truthfully, what choice

did she have?)  Seriously though, this is an especially wonderful birthday thanks to

all my family and friends and the marvelous good luck I have recently experienced

with the publication of the (now) International Best-Seller…  THE PRESLEY PLOT!

AS A REMINDER TO MY LOYAL BLOG FOLLOWERS…..  Next week, in Tupelo,

(the birthplace of Elvis) the city fathers (and a couple of mothers) are holding their

annual ELVIS FESTIVAL!   (June 1, 2, and 3 are the main days.)  If you find yourself

or someone else anywhere near Tupelo, you should definitely check this out.  My book

will not be available in time for me to appear as a guest speaker or sign autographed

copies, but I do intend to visit Tupelo in mid-July.  I have some interesting publicity

events lined up and will post them as time draws near.

Please remember that there is still time to purchase a modest gift for your favorite

author!  (I have plenty of clothes, but I do need a new sports car…  preferably a pink

cadillac!)  Take care, all, and remember that this weekend is not about me, Elvis, or

anyone else except the brave men and women who serve and protect us in all

branches of the military.  Thank God we still have folks like them!

I salute them all….

Doc Yanoff

May 25, 2012

THE (PRESLEY) PLOT THICKENS!

Good evening, fellow followers of fun fiction!

 

If you cast your gaze upward upon thy blog page you shall see a truly amazing sight!  The cover of my first mystery novel, THE PRESLEY PLOT, is now

officially completed and at the printer!  As I have stated previously, I think the good folks at Aberdeen Bay did a marvelous job, and I am most grateful

for their assistance.  The book cover (in my semi-humble opinion) came out perfect and captured the exact mood is was hoping to see on the front.

So far, we have over 450 book orders and the number keeps growing daily!

 

Just for the record…  the general public will not be able to purchase the book until it is officially listed on Amazon.com, which I am told, should be

on or about July 1st.  (Naturally, I will keep you informed of the situation as it progresses.)

 

In the meantime, I have some more wonderful news to share with you…  two different production agents/companies have already expressed an

interest in offering a “production option” on the book!  (Basically, they offer you a nice chunk of change for giving them the 1-year option of turning

your work into a movie.)  I have not made any commitments, nor do I intend to, until the book has a chance to reach the reading public and run

its course.  Time will tell where we end up, but it’s all good.  Especially since I have so many loyal fans anxious to support me….  and God knows

I am so grateful for that!

 

Well, time to go….  book three in the series (DEVIL’S  COVE) awaits!

 

If you get a moment, please drop me a line and let me know your thoughts on the cover!

 

Love to all,   Doc Yanoff.