BOOKS
Spinning Eva: A Novel
While spinning records at the campus station, a young woman falls in love with radio and decides to make it her career, but will radio choose her? Will her dream of being a rock DJ match the reality of working in the demanding business? Spinning Eva is the story of Eva LaVette, a small-town DJ, and her complex, volatile relationship with radio as it becomes her passion and her escape. The motivation behind Spinning Eva is summed up in this quote from Toni Morrison:“If there's a book that you want to read, but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it." So here it is... Whether you did a semester in college radio or made an entire career of it, this novel was written to entertain you. If you loved radio in the days of vinyl records, you'll enjoy a peek behind the scenes at the radio life. |
SPINNING EVA
Vinyl rules the airwaves, and starry-eyed Eva LaVette spins records along with the personas she’s created—sexy jazz siren Billie, overnight Lizzy, perky Tanya, and country Belle—all while navigating the cutthroat industry. But as her passion for radio grows, so do her challenges, from the overwhelming sexism to the struggle of finding her true voice amidst the repetitive, sometimes sappy music. While her supercool radio friend Coco’s career takes off, Eva’s is curbed by her marriage to a frustrated musician. The discord between them and a careless mistake lead to both an affair and an assault. As Eva emerges from the reckoning, will she find the success and fulfillment she longs for, or will she be forced to choose between her radio career and her loved ones?
Set in the Midwest against the colorful backdrop of the ‘70s and ‘80s, Eva’s story explores the cost of chasing dreams, and delves into the universal struggle of how to reconcile the life we have with the life we want. For fans of Daisy Jones & The Six, Firefly Lane, Lessons in Chemistry, and WKRP in Cincinnati, Spinning Eva is a backstage pass to a journey of self-discovery and the power of tuning in to one’s own frequency.
For fans of Contemporary Fiction, Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction, Coming of Age Fiction, Women’s Fiction, Small Town & Rural Fiction, Friendship Fiction, Workplace Fiction
Vinyl rules the airwaves, and starry-eyed Eva LaVette spins records along with the personas she’s created—sexy jazz siren Billie, overnight Lizzy, perky Tanya, and country Belle—all while navigating the cutthroat industry. But as her passion for radio grows, so do her challenges, from the overwhelming sexism to the struggle of finding her true voice amidst the repetitive, sometimes sappy music. While her supercool radio friend Coco’s career takes off, Eva’s is curbed by her marriage to a frustrated musician. The discord between them and a careless mistake lead to both an affair and an assault. As Eva emerges from the reckoning, will she find the success and fulfillment she longs for, or will she be forced to choose between her radio career and her loved ones?
Set in the Midwest against the colorful backdrop of the ‘70s and ‘80s, Eva’s story explores the cost of chasing dreams, and delves into the universal struggle of how to reconcile the life we have with the life we want. For fans of Daisy Jones & The Six, Firefly Lane, Lessons in Chemistry, and WKRP in Cincinnati, Spinning Eva is a backstage pass to a journey of self-discovery and the power of tuning in to one’s own frequency.
For fans of Contemporary Fiction, Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction, Coming of Age Fiction, Women’s Fiction, Small Town & Rural Fiction, Friendship Fiction, Workplace Fiction
What advance readers are saying:
"I adored this book and can’t wait for the sequel. The author nailed it!"
~ Liane Hansen, former NPR Weekend Edition host
"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, former 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, former NPR Weekend Edition host
"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, former Morning News Anchor, 1010WINS New York
"I found it to be an absolutely fascinating story."
~ Brooks Kohler, Laptiast
RADIO DREAMS…
At the campus station, Eva cued a record on Turntable 1. “With my background as a musician, I’ll be a shoo-in for music director somewhere. Someday.”
“When I’m famous,” Coco said, leaning forward in the squeaky chair, “I’ll live in a high rise with a pool on the roof and fly to my morning show gig in a helicopter.”
“So glamorous! Will you pick me up?” Eva imagined flying over a cityscape, coffee and newspapers in hand, so accustomed to the breathtaking view she no longer looked.
“We’ll be the first all-girl morning show.” Coco raised her hand for a high five.
...AND DEAD AIR NIGHTMARES
The VU meters fell dead. Eva frowned as she searched the studio. What song was only twenty seconds long? The shelves were devoid of a single record. Why weren’t there any carts in the rack? Where was the emergency PSA? Panicking, she called out. “Coco-raahhgle…”
Eva's eyes flew open; her hands clutched the sheets. There was no dead air, no empty studio. Artie snored next to her in bed. Like the end of a ballad, the nightmare faded away.
At the campus station, Eva cued a record on Turntable 1. “With my background as a musician, I’ll be a shoo-in for music director somewhere. Someday.”
“When I’m famous,” Coco said, leaning forward in the squeaky chair, “I’ll live in a high rise with a pool on the roof and fly to my morning show gig in a helicopter.”
“So glamorous! Will you pick me up?” Eva imagined flying over a cityscape, coffee and newspapers in hand, so accustomed to the breathtaking view she no longer looked.
“We’ll be the first all-girl morning show.” Coco raised her hand for a high five.
...AND DEAD AIR NIGHTMARES
The VU meters fell dead. Eva frowned as she searched the studio. What song was only twenty seconds long? The shelves were devoid of a single record. Why weren’t there any carts in the rack? Where was the emergency PSA? Panicking, she called out. “Coco-raahhgle…”
Eva's eyes flew open; her hands clutched the sheets. There was no dead air, no empty studio. Artie snored next to her in bed. Like the end of a ballad, the nightmare faded away.
More advance reader comments:
- I love how Eva loves radio. The novel puts readers into a new world.
~ There's music on every page!
- 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!
- The character in all her places are vividly drawn. It's a page-turner.
- 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.
- I'll never look at radio the same way again.
- I love how Eva loves radio. The novel puts readers into a new world.
~ There's music on every page!
- 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!
- The character in all her places are vividly drawn. It's a page-turner.
- 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.
- I'll never look at radio the same way again.
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!"
There's music on every page
Eva begins her radio career 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. Each chapter is headed by a song; one that Eva would choose from her personal record collection, not the music she is forced to play on the air!
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!"
There's music on every page
Eva begins her radio career 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. Each chapter is headed by a song; one that Eva would choose from her personal record collection, not the music she is forced to play on the air!
LAKE MICHIGAN: THE WISCONSIN SHORE
Finalist: National Indy Excellence Awards
Lisa 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
Lisa 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 ~