BOOKS
SPINNING EVA: A Radio Novel
Inspired by true stories of DJs in the 1970s and beyond, SPINNING EVA is the tale of Eva LaVette, a naïve yet determined young woman who struggles to find her own voice in the thrilling world of radio. As she navigates the airwaves from the late ‘70s into the early ‘90s, Eva spins records along with the perky personas she's created: Billie, Lizzie, Tanya, and Belle. It's heady at times. But in radio--where getting fired is an occupational hazard--she works alone on the graveyard shift with meager pay and plays music that doesn't resonate with her soul. While her best friend Coco’s radio career skyrockets, Eva’s wings are clipped by her marriage to a frustrated musician whose priorities lie elsewhere. To cope with the challenges at work and home, Eva immerses herself in her eccentric radio family, finding solace in the fake characters she portrays. She finally lands a gig on a morning show and swiftly realizes the unpredictable nature of the industry when she’s fired. Eva swears off radio for good, but like a bad boyfriend, it seduces her back. At a country station, when she falls for a captivating, rumbly voiced coworker (who never calls her by her real name), a whirlwind affair ensues and her life spins out of control once again. Set against the backdrop of ingrained sexism of the times, Eva's journey explores the price of chasing one’s dreams and how to reconcile the life one has vs. the life one wants. Lisa is seeking representation for this unpublished work while writing the follow-up. |
What advance readers are saying:
"I adored this book and can’t wait for the sequel. The author nailed it!"
~ Liane Hansen, retired NPR Weekend Edition host, Emmy and Peabody award winner
"It's a unique take on radio written from a realistic but still joyous perspective. It flows... the ups and downs, the self-doubt, elation, marital strife, and 'inside radio' elements, described in a way that interesting to both radio types and avid listeners."
~ Lee Harris, Morning News Anchor, 1010WINS, New York
"I found it to be an absolutely fascinating story."
~ Brooks Kohler, Laptiast
"I adored this book and can’t wait for the sequel. The author nailed it!"
~ Liane Hansen, retired NPR Weekend Edition host, Emmy and Peabody award winner
"It's a unique take on radio written from a realistic but still joyous perspective. It flows... the ups and downs, the self-doubt, elation, marital strife, and 'inside radio' elements, described in a way that interesting to both radio types and avid listeners."
~ Lee Harris, Morning News Anchor, 1010WINS, New York
"I found it to be an absolutely fascinating story."
~ Brooks Kohler, Laptiast
- You have a very strong gift of putting your readers into a new world. I love how Eva loves radio.
- This was great fun to read. Engaging cast of characters, sweet insider's look at the radio and music scene, young women facing the reality of the man's world they are living in and trying to break the barriers. Well done!
- I'll never look at radio the same way again.
- The character in all her places are vividly drawn. It's a page-turner.
- I'm blown away.
- I am usually reading two or three books at a time, and for this I set the others aside. I was totally immersed in the story, pulling for Eva the entire way.
- I'm pulled in. I like it a lot. I like the characters Eva and Coco, and am happy the first chapter wasn't exposition overload. Funny stuff and crisp dialogue. A lot of atmosphere and locale. Even Wisconsin weather.
- This was great fun to read. Engaging cast of characters, sweet insider's look at the radio and music scene, young women facing the reality of the man's world they are living in and trying to break the barriers. Well done!
- I'll never look at radio the same way again.
- The character in all her places are vividly drawn. It's a page-turner.
- I'm blown away.
- I am usually reading two or three books at a time, and for this I set the others aside. I was totally immersed in the story, pulling for Eva the entire way.
- I'm pulled in. I like it a lot. I like the characters Eva and Coco, and am happy the first chapter wasn't exposition overload. Funny stuff and crisp dialogue. A lot of atmosphere and locale. Even Wisconsin weather.
You'll love this story if you're a fan of:
Daisy Jones & The Six - Taylor Jenkins Reid
Lessons in Chemistry - Bonnie Garmus
The Female Persuasion - Meg Wolitzer
Sweetbitter - Stephanie Danler
Firefly Lane - Kristin Hannah
Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow - Gabrielle Zevin
Daisy Jones & The Six - Taylor Jenkins Reid
Lessons in Chemistry - Bonnie Garmus
The Female Persuasion - Meg Wolitzer
Sweetbitter - Stephanie Danler
Firefly Lane - Kristin Hannah
Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow - Gabrielle Zevin
Music
Because Eva is immersed in her various jobs in radio, she misses out on the cliché 1980s. She works in jazz, then plays Lite Hits, country, and polka. Mixed into her story and her friend Coco's are disco, grunge, punk, classic rock, Motown, bluegrass, and deep-track '70s rock through alternative rock in the '90s.
Chock full of radio bits
Dead air dreams, hitting the post, accidentally saying your real name, cue burn, fun contests, breaking up with someone while you're on the air, getting locked out of the station, gifts from prisoners, having to clean the station on overnights, lips moving while listening to ads, low pay, PDs screaming on the hotline, pesky AEs, Marti units hitting power lines, radio urban legends about getting fired, live remotes, rigged contests, show prep, smoking in the studio, stuttering, taking requests, tight playlists, tumbling carts, working every holiday, wacko callers/telephone screamers, and writing ad copy: For all your (cliché ) needs is a running joke.
"Bits, spots, pots, carts. Bumpers, kickers, sweepers, liners. Programming, promotions, production, remotes!"
Because Eva is immersed in her various jobs in radio, she misses out on the cliché 1980s. She works in jazz, then plays Lite Hits, country, and polka. Mixed into her story and her friend Coco's are disco, grunge, punk, classic rock, Motown, bluegrass, and deep-track '70s rock through alternative rock in the '90s.
Chock full of radio bits
Dead air dreams, hitting the post, accidentally saying your real name, cue burn, fun contests, breaking up with someone while you're on the air, getting locked out of the station, gifts from prisoners, having to clean the station on overnights, lips moving while listening to ads, low pay, PDs screaming on the hotline, pesky AEs, Marti units hitting power lines, radio urban legends about getting fired, live remotes, rigged contests, show prep, smoking in the studio, stuttering, taking requests, tight playlists, tumbling carts, working every holiday, wacko callers/telephone screamers, and writing ad copy: For all your (cliché ) needs is a running joke.
"Bits, spots, pots, carts. Bumpers, kickers, sweepers, liners. Programming, promotions, production, remotes!"
LAKE MICHIGAN: THE WISCONSIN SHORE
Finalist: National Indy Excellence Awards. Over 2,000 sold.
By Lisa A. Lehmann
Nine Wisconsin photographers share their best images in this beautiful, glossy, hardcover book. Many are once-in-a-lifetime shots such as white-tailed deer running through the shallow waters of Lake Michigan and pictures taken while crewing on the tall ship Denis Sullivan in the Sheboygan Harbor at sunset. The book showcases over 100 gorgeous photographs along with descriptive captions, poetry and Great Lakes facts.
Photos include sunrises, sailboats, surfers, freighters, fishing boats, wildlife, lots of lighthouses and more breathtaking scenes of the lake and its shore. The book includes images of deer and sand hill cranes at Kohler-Andrae State Park, the Sheboygan lighthouse at dawn, Milwaukee skyline at night, autumn along the Kenosha Sand Dunes, the view from Eagle Tower at Peninsula State Park in Door County, grassy shore along trails at Point Beach State Park, glorious kite-filled skies at the Kite Festival in Two Rivers, the craggy bluffs at Lions Den Nature Preserve, golf at Whistling Straits, and so much more that you will not want to miss!
- This book has been on our coffee table since we got it. It is a great conversation piece and is adored by every person who picked it up.
- The photography by all the artists who submitted their photos for this book is astounding! It is definitely a must-have for anyone with a love for the Lake Michigan shoreline.
- A beautiful book created by very talented Wisconsin photographers.
- What a beautiful book! Being a Wisconsin native I am familiar with these places. The photographers caught the beauty of the shoreline. The images are crisp and clear. So glad to add this to our library.
Finalist: National Indy Excellence Awards. Over 2,000 sold.
By Lisa A. Lehmann
Nine Wisconsin photographers share their best images in this beautiful, glossy, hardcover book. Many are once-in-a-lifetime shots such as white-tailed deer running through the shallow waters of Lake Michigan and pictures taken while crewing on the tall ship Denis Sullivan in the Sheboygan Harbor at sunset. The book showcases over 100 gorgeous photographs along with descriptive captions, poetry and Great Lakes facts.
Photos include sunrises, sailboats, surfers, freighters, fishing boats, wildlife, lots of lighthouses and more breathtaking scenes of the lake and its shore. The book includes images of deer and sand hill cranes at Kohler-Andrae State Park, the Sheboygan lighthouse at dawn, Milwaukee skyline at night, autumn along the Kenosha Sand Dunes, the view from Eagle Tower at Peninsula State Park in Door County, grassy shore along trails at Point Beach State Park, glorious kite-filled skies at the Kite Festival in Two Rivers, the craggy bluffs at Lions Den Nature Preserve, golf at Whistling Straits, and so much more that you will not want to miss!
- This book has been on our coffee table since we got it. It is a great conversation piece and is adored by every person who picked it up.
- The photography by all the artists who submitted their photos for this book is astounding! It is definitely a must-have for anyone with a love for the Lake Michigan shoreline.
- A beautiful book created by very talented Wisconsin photographers.
- What a beautiful book! Being a Wisconsin native I am familiar with these places. The photographers caught the beauty of the shoreline. The images are crisp and clear. So glad to add this to our library.
~ A portion of the proceeds was donated to Glacial Lakes Conservancy ~