Lorraine Evanoff's Blog, page 17
February 13, 2020
Appearance on WBGR-FM Scott Thompson Show
Listen to yours truly, Lorraine Evanoff, from my BIGRADIO interview on February 13th!
It was last minute and early for us West Coasters (6:30AM PST) and in case you missed it, I saved the audio for you to enjoy.
BIGRADIO has been serving Southern Wisconsin and Northern Illinois for over 60 years and I was so excited to take questions from Scott.
A big Thank You goes out to Scott Thompson and everyone at WBGR!
Lorraine Evanoff BigRadio Interview
https://lorraineevanoff.com/Audios/BigRadioInterview.mp3
October 21, 2019
PINOT NOIR IS HERE!
Available now on Amazon in Kindle Unlimited!
Louise Moscow is still in witness protection when billionaire banker Ekram Almasi and his nurse are murdered. Even though investigators seem to have found the ideal culprit, the case is not as open-and-shut as it might seem. After leaving her “paradise,” Louise starts an investigation that will take her to Monte Carlo, Paris, and Burgundy. The amazing scenario, however, cannot hide a complicated and awful truth.
Praise For Pinot Noir
From award-winning author Lorraine Evanoff, a high concept “noir” adventure that goes down like a fine wine. “Pinot Noir is one of the best thrillers I have read in recent times”. ~ Astrid Iustulin, Readers’ Favorite
“This book grabbed me from the start! The 2nd novel about Moscow starts out with quick brisk chapters, I couldn’t put the damn thing down and read it straight through.” ~ Michael Part, International Bestselling Author
“Lorraine Evanoff is able to spin a complex tale of international finance – as she did in FOLIAGE – and make it feel like classic mystery storytelling.” ~ Patrick McDonald, Hollywood Chicago Magazine
August 30, 2019
Praise from Matthew Dowd!
Foliage: An International Banking Spy Thriller!
The timing couldn’t be better as I prepare for the release of
Book 2 of the
Louise Moscow Novel Series
Pinot Noir: An International Banking Spy Thriller!
Buy for KindleRead Book 1
Foliage: An International Banking Spy Thriller
Praise From Matthew Dowd!
The timing couldn’t be better as I prepare for the release of
Book 2 of the
Louise Moscow Novel Series
Pinot Noir: An International Banking Spy Thriller!
Foliage is available at multiple retailers.
September 9, 2018
The Book Excellence Award and Other Louise Moscow Updates!
Book 1 of my Louise Moscow Novel Series, Foliage: An International Banking Spy Thriller, received a Book Excellence Award! They will be showcasing honorees for their new Success Stories section on their website that will be launching soon.
My Goals and Process
For my debut novel Foliage, my modest goals of getting a few positive reviews and some press far exceeded expectations. Foliage received 4 independent book awards (so far) and over 45 five-star reviews on Amazon and Goodreads, and was also featured in Discover Hollywood Magazine and Newcity Chicago!
Marketing has been very challenging because I do everything myself. My marketing approach was to submit Foliage to as many book contests as possible and to promote through social media, Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads, Bookbub, etc. In addition to social media, I developed a website and blog with newsletters distributed through Constant Contact.
After the release of Foliage, the amazing publicist Sheryl Johnston arranged a book signing tour in my hometown of Chicago. Then, in Los Angeles, I was able to schedule several events including a book signing release party at the historic Chevalier Books and signings at the Sisters in Crime and Mystery Writers of America booths during the 2017 LA Festival of Books. Foliage was also featured in Discover Hollywood Magazine Summer Reading!
Although it has been very time consuming, this approach was not very expensive. National visibility and book sales remain the biggest challenge. For Book 2, I hope to get a publisher or a national publicist to reach a wider audience.
The Book Excellence Awards Program
The Book Excellence Awards Program is one of the best honors Foliage has received because of their visibility and credibility. It was also a great boost to my confidence and encouragement for Book 2! The news of becoming a Book Excellence Awards Finalist was a thrill that got my heart racing! It felt unbelievable because it was not an easy award to get and was very unexpected.
I have already urged several independent authors to submit their books to the Book Excellence Awards. As a highly respected and recognizable organization in independent publishing the Book Excellence Award is a great honor.
My Continued Journey as an Author
This experience has led to Speaking Engagements including an upcoming Chicago Public Library appearance in 2019, Media Coverage including features in Discover Hollywood Magazine and NewCity Chicago, increased Readership and Social Media Growth, Increased Book Sales, and the Book signings and readings.
Chevalier Books, Los Angeles
Los Angeles Festival of BooksMystery Writers of America
Discover Hollywood Magazine Summer 2016 Editor’s Picks
I’m looking forward to the release of Book 2 of the Louise Moscow Novel Series, expected in mid 2019.
In addition to writing novels, I have a screenplay in development with start of principal photography expected in early 2019.
Stay tuned!
July 30, 2017
What an Honor!
Greetings! “Foliage,” my debut novel that shines a spotlight on the banking world has won another award!
‘Foliage: An International Banking Spy Thriller’ was chosen as the solo “Medalist Winner” in the Historical Fiction category by 2016 New Apple Annual Book Awards for Excellence in Independent Publishing!Oh lord help me, I haven’t posted a newsletter since December. But it’s not for lack of writing. Words are being typed as fast as my little fingers can fly across the keyboard. Yes, best marketing practices dictate at least one newsletter should go out per month. Minimum! But, truth be told, I only like to write when I have something to say.
Well, ‘Foliage’ has received another literary award, so there’s that. According to New Apple, “Web designers are still in the midst of putting together all postings for online announcements at NewAppleLiterary.com and are hoping to see it go live by the end of the week. Throughout the coming months, New Apple will roll out the prizes associated with the awards including press releases, tweet blasting, banner advertising, awards certificates and both digital and foil medallions to place on your book covers.”
Very cool. That gives Louise Moscow three awards in independent publishing and an Editor’s pick in the Summer 2016 edition of the awesome Discover Hollywood Magazine. What an honor and much needed encouragement as I close in on the first draft of Book Two of the Louise Moscow series. 55K words and counting!
Other than that, I’ll use the remainder of this newsletter to shout out some amazing things my friends have accomplished in the art world:
Since I serve on the Advisory Board of The Theater School at DePaul University, I must brag about their latest news. First, Congratulations, DePaul University Alum and Chicago playwright Ike Holter who won the $165,000 Windham-Campbell literary prize awarded annually to writers of poetry, fiction and drama by Yale University. If that is not impressive enough, congratulations to DePaul University alumnus Tarell Alvin McCraney on his Oscar wins for Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay for the film MOONLIGHT. The Theatre School community could not be more proud. Last but not least, I’m so excited to have scored tickets to World
Premiere of Building the Wall — The newest play by Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning playwright Robert Schenkkan (Hacksaw Ridge, The Kentucky Cycle, All the Way), directed by award-winning Michael Michetti. Produced by Simon Levy, Stephen Sachs, Deborah Lawlor. The Fountain is amazing so if you haven’t already been I highly recommend going to any of their productions.
Well, back to writing my latest Louise Moscow novel. It is a fun thriller and I can’t wait to announce the title soon! It has been a learning process and it’s still a work in progress, but I’m thrilled with my NEW WEBSITE! It is now my official author website LorraineEvanoff.com LouiseMoscowNovel.com also links to the same site.
Let me know what you think of the new website!
Praise for Foliage: An International Banking Spy Thriller – NEW REVIEWS!
“First Rate Financial Thriller, this is an exciting novel written in the “Stephen Frey” class of thrillers. It is refreshing to have a female protagonist who is intuitive and intelligent. I can’t wait for the nextLouise Moscow adventure” – By Max B. January 24, 2017
The post What an Honor! appeared first on Lorraine Evanoff.
December 8, 2016
“If it be a sin to covet honor, I am the most offending soul.” – Shakespeare
This award is a great honor for me since it makes me even more excited to finish Louise Moscow Book 2. There are already 50 chapters outlined, so I hope to have the first draft by March!
Regarding the script that I had the honor of co-writing with my dear friend Michael Harkins, which is based Mike’s book Move to Fire, we have a signed option agreement and have been meeting with producers. More on that when the time comes.
Speaking of honors, it is awards season again and I have been watching all the screeners. So I thought it would be fun to play mini film critic. I only ask that my friend and professional film critic for HollywoodChicago.com Patrick McDonald not to be too critical of me!
So for Cinephiles, here is my rating system: The number of 
October 29, 2016
ART IMITATES LIFE AND IT’S AWESOME
Photo by Cheryl Mann“We write to taste life twice, in the moment and in retrospection.”—Anaïs Nin, The Diary of Anaïs Nin
Everyone loves a great story. Once the story grabs us, we want to know more: what happened, how did it happen, who, when, where, why? Now, make that a true story and the level of fascination amps up exponentially. When art imitates life, it’s a gift that keeps on giving. New facts might come to light. More witnesses might come forward. Over the years the story evolves. That’s why I love historical fiction: War and Peace, Gone With the Wind, The Devil in the White City, to name just three.
Some authors write non-fiction only. I asked my friend, a world-renowned expert in Edwardian-era literature, when he would write his own novel. He gave me that deer-in-the-headlights look and said that his brain just doesn’t work that way. Other writers stick to pure fiction, happy to refer back to their own first-hand experiences, free from the tedium of excess research. But, real life underlies all good writing. Otherwise it won’t ring true.
Going the Extra Mile
Granted, writing historical fiction requires fastidious fact checking and footnotes. But if you write what you know you’re halfway there. For example, Vanity Fair investigative journalist Dominick Dunne re-crafted his fact-based articles into novels. American John Grisham and Brit Ian Fleming with their combined years of political, military, legal and spy experience turned in some of the most riveting fiction.
When art imitates life in literature, not only do we benefit from their masterful retelling of great stories, but we also learn stuff. We get a second chance to relive the moment, to figure out what happened, to make vital connections between the past, present and future. The new TV show, Timeless, does a brilliant job of linking past and present, cause and effect. In the current climate of seemingly global chaos, there are moments in Timeless that give the impression the world actually makes sense. As my screenwriter friend said, writing let’s you play God. For me, at least with historical fiction, I can try to understand God.
Metaphysical Connections
These moments of metaphysical connection, however fleeting, can be comforting. So, it was heartwarming and thrilling to read the latest review of my novel Foliage by the excellent Chicago film critic, Patrick McDonald. In his review he writes, “[Foliage] is a reminder of The Devil in the White City, as it gives a mind blowing history lesson on high finance and banking from the era that resonates to even our most recent banking problems.”
Seeing Foliage in the same sentence as one of the greatest contemporary novels has inspired me to keep writing more and better. Book Two of the Louise Moscow Novel Series is underway. Thank you Patrick, you get me.
The post ART IMITATES LIFE AND IT’S AWESOME appeared first on Lorraine Evanoff.
September 1, 2016
Reader's Favorite recognizes ���Foliage��� in its 2016 international book award contest!
For Immediate Release: September 1, 2016Reader's Favorite recognizes “Foliage” in its 2016 international book award contest.
The 2016 Readers' Favorite International Book Award Contest featured thousands of contestants from over a dozen countries.
Los Angeles, CA. – Readers' Favorite has become the fastest growing book review and award contest site on the Internet. They have earned the respect of renowned publishers like Random House, Simon & Schuster, and Harper Collins, and have received the “Best Websites for Authors” and “Honoring Excellence” awards from the Association of Independent Authors. They are also fully accredited by the BBB (A+ rating), which is a rarity among Book Review and Book Award Contest companies.
In addition to reviewing for some of the biggest names in the literary industry, as well as the first time independent author, they host a respected award contest which features entries from new authors to NYT best-sellers, as well as celebrities like Jim Carrey and Henry Winkler.
“Readers’ Favorite is proud to announce that "Foliage" by Lorraine Evanoff is a Finalist in the Romance - Historical category in our 2016 International Book Award Contest.”
Foliage is a deft mix of spy thriller and romance set against a backdrop of real events, namely the 1991 collapse of the Bank of Credit and Commerce International (BCCI), the first of the recent wave of big financial scandals. The protagonist, Louise Moscow, is a sexy, smart, likable heroine who finds herself enmeshed in the shadowy world of high finance and international espionage. Code word: FOLIAGE!
Lorraine Evanoff has over twenty years of film industry experience in Paris and Los Angeles, notably as CFO of National Lampoon and other film companies. She also worked in Silicon Valley during the dot.com era. Lorraine and her husband reside in LA where she is writing her second novel and developing scripts.
Learn more at https://readersfavorite.com/book-review/foliage
Discover Hollywood Magazine Summer 2016 Editor’s Pick
“Ms. Evanoff has written an incredibly timely book, especially given the release of the Panama Papers and the exposure of corruption within the banking and financial services industries. The book is a wonderful combination of non-fiction and fiction, with a heroine who is smart, beautiful, spiritual, and complex. – Simon Levy, Director, Writer, Producer, Fountain Theatre, Los Angeles
Lorraine Evanoff, Author
Foliage: An International Banking Spy Thriller
https://readersfavorite.com/book-review/foliage
(310) 980-1303
Lorraineevanoff@gmail.com
Reader’s Favorite recognizes “Foliage” in its 2016 international book award contest!
For Immediate Release: September 1, 2016
Reader’s Favorite recognizes “Foliage” in its 2016 international book award contest.
The 2016 Readers’ Favorite International Book Award Contest featured thousands of contestants from over a dozen countries.
Los Angeles, CA. – Readers’ Favorite has become the fastest growing book review and award contest site on the Internet. They have earned the respect of renowned publishers like Random House, Simon & Schuster, and Harper Collins, and have received the “Best Websites for Authors” and “Honoring Excellence” awards from the Association of Independent Authors. They are also fully accredited by the BBB (A+ rating), which is a rarity among Book Review and Book Award Contest companies.
In addition to reviewing for some of the biggest names in the literary industry, as well as the first time independent author, they host a respected award contest which features entries from new authors to NYT best-sellers, as well as celebrities like Jim Carrey and Henry Winkler.
“Readers’ Favorite is proud to announce that “Foliage” by Lorraine Evanoff is a Finalist in the Romance – Historical category in our 2016 International Book Award Contest.”
Foliage is a deft mix of spy thriller and romance set against a backdrop of real events, namely the 1991 collapse of the Bank of Credit and Commerce International (BCCI), the first of the recent wave of big financial scandals. The protagonist, Louise Moscow, is a sexy, smart, likable heroine who finds herself enmeshed in the shadowy world of high finance and international espionage. Code word: FOLIAGE!
Lorraine Evanoff has over twenty years of film industry experience in Paris and Los Angeles, notably as CFO of National Lampoon and other film companies. She also worked in Silicon Valley during the dot.com era. Lorraine and her husband reside in LA where she is writing her second novel and developing scripts.
Learn more at https://readersfavorite.com/book-review/foliage
Discover Hollywood Magazine Summer 2016 Editor’s Pick
“Ms. Evanoff has written an incredibly timely book, especially given the release of the Panama Papers and the exposure of corruption within the banking and financial services industries. The book is a wonderful combination of non-fiction and fiction, with a heroine who is smart, beautiful, spiritual, and complex. – Simon Levy, Director, Writer, Producer, Fountain Theatre, Los Angeles
Lorraine Evanoff, Author
Foliage: An International Banking Spy Thriller
https://readersfavorite.com/book-review/foliage
(310) 980-1303
The post Reader’s Favorite recognizes “Foliage” in its 2016 international book award contest! appeared first on Lorraine Evanoff.
