Exclaiming About Jake!!!!!

!!!!!!!!!

Are musicians excitable people? Or is is just writing about Jake that inspires them to fill their work with exclamation marks? I'm thinking it's probably a bit of both. I removed approximately 879 exclamation marks from the approximately 200 pages of the manuscript. Let's see, that's an average of 4.39 exclamations per page. Yup, sounds about right. But don't worry. I still left at least two per page :-)

The book is almost finished!

Yesterday I wandered through the book section of the Harvard Coop, indulging in one of my favorite pastimes: imagining which of the tables will feature my book. I've done this many times before, but this was the first time that I've had a publishing contract that would result in the book being sold there, or anywhere.  It was a very nice feeling!

I'm editing now, so this is the book I'm relaying on these days:

Yup, the good ole Chicago Manual of Style. Everything I ever wanted to know about editorial style and methods and lots more.


But it's exciting to have gotten this far. I have hundreds of stories from 165 contributors, a wonderful mix of humor, nostalgia, affection, and very warm memories. I never know what awaits each time I open my email folder or stop by the Post Office.

The manuscript should go to the publisher by the end of March and we're aiming for an October publication date.

What A Great Tribute!

Wednesday's Jake Hanna tribute on WPKN-FM Bridgeport (89.5 Mhz) was terrific. We're grateful to Joe Corsello, who shared some wonderful Jake music and Jake stories for three hours on the Jazz Sounds with Rick Petrone. 

The program is archived and you can listen to it by clicking on the Archive  button in the Listen Now box in the upper left section of the website http://www.wpkn.org/wp/.Then choose Wed, Dec 28 from the dropdown box, and click on the Jazz Sound with Rick Petrone at 1 pm. You'll hear the entire show.

Jake Hanna Tribute Wed Dec 28 at 1 pm on WPKN-FM

WPKN-FM Bridgeport (89.5 Mhz) will be broadcasting a tribute to Jake on the Carl Frano Show this Wed. December 28, from 1-4 pm EST.  Those outside of the listening area can hear the show online by clicking on the Live Play button in the Listen Now box in the upper left section of the website http://www.wpkn.org/wp/.

Many thanks to Joe Corsello for arranging this. He was invited to be the musical guest but very kindly suggested they instead pay tribute to Jake. He’s been busy pulling music together to feature on the show.

Happy Boxing Day to all.

Merry Christmas from the Jake Hanna book

Merry Christmas to all the Jake Hanna fans, friends and family members. 

A few months ago, for inspiration, I hung a poster-sized picture of Jake on the wall of my office, and surrounded it with some of his albums. Since he liked to celebrate the holidays I try to decorate the wall in appropriate seasonal fashion. Here's the Christmas decor. And yes, that is a figgy pudding that he's drumming on.

We Have a Publisher!

I'm thrilled to report that I have signed a contract with Meredith Music Publications, who plan to release the book in the fall of 2012. So I'm really working hard to finish it.

For several years November has been NaNoWriMo - National Novel Writing Month - in writing circles. People actually try to write an entire book in 30 days! I'm borrowing that 'template' and modifying it as MaLyMeWriMo - Maria Lynette Memoir Writing Month - as my writing partner Lynette and I both undertake to finish our books by November 30.

May the literary forces be with us.

We've hit 100!

100 contributors, that is.

I'm still waiting to hear from about 30 more.

The book is coming along very nicely.