Libby Fischer Hellmann's Blog, page 51

The Gold Coast Madam

Hi, all. I am delighted to have the authors and publisher of a new book called THE GOLD COAST MADAM: The Secret Life Of Rose Laws over here today. For those of you not in Chicago, the Gold Coast, nestled just on the edge of Lake Michigan, is probably the most affluent neighborhood in the city. This non-fiction memoir was written by Rose Laws and Dianna Harris, and yes, it’s all about Rose’s former career in the ‘80s and ‘90s. And yes, she was a Madam with a slew of call girls in her employ. Here’s how Rose introduces the book, which, btw, was released by Sharon Woodhouse of Lake Claremont Press, a Chicago publisher who always seems to come up with fascinating Chicago people and stories.

“Chicago, 1988. I was 52 years old, 5’4″ tall, and 130 pounds, with red hair and a 36DDD bust, enjoying dramatic Lake Michigan and skyline views from my 21st-floor apartment in the landmark Lake Point Towers building. I had never felt more alive. I was Chicago’s reigning madam, providing $400 an hour call girls to Chicago’s business owners, traders, lawyers, judges, politicians, mobsters, pro athletes, and Hollywood stars at addresses all over Chicago’s downtown and Gold Coast.

Vice was on their way up–the doorman had tipped me off. I started thinking back on my life, where I came from, and how I ever got to where I was now.”

 

Why did you write the book?

 

ROSE: I have thought about writing about my unique experiences since I owned the Addison Motel in the ‘60s and ‘70s, but I never thought I could spell good enough. I tried many co-authors over the years, but none ever worked out until Dianna Harris and I started working together.

 

DIANA: I wrote the book because I know Rose has a part in Chicago history. I have always loved anything historical and I wanted her to have the opportunity to give a firsthand account of her life. I also loved Chicago’s very rich history and I also realized the city has a reputation for being a crime town. Rose lived a life outside the law for over three decades, and her story is fascinating. After Rose served her prison term she felt freer to write her story. Once she retired from the business completely she was able to focus more on her book project.

 

What’s been the reaction?

 

ROSE: Positive.

 

DIANNA: Very positive. People seem very curious to meet Rose and hear what she has to say. I think a lot of Chicagoans remember hearing her name in the press and want to see her in person.

 

SHARON: I’m finding that most people find the first part of the book–everything that happened in Rose’s life before she became the “Gold Coast Madam”–at least or even more interesting than her days as an illegal agent for the city’s elite. And, at public events when Rose is answering all manner of questions about her life and work, most people think they want all the details…until they hear them. Sometimes the look on their faces is: Why did she say all that? and I’m thinking, because you asked her…

 

Did you have any hesitation in “coming clean”? ROSE: Well, some things I couldn’t come clean about!

 

DIANNA: And those stories are the ones we most naturally would really love to hear! Maybe someday…Rose was actually happy to tell her story. I think it was a healing process. After being secretive and in the shadows all that time I think that she is happy to be free to talk about her life.

 

SHARON: I want to add that there are plenty of things Rose hasn’t told Dianna, including, for example, the real identity of her elegant, Italian-American sugar daddy Mr. Mysterious from Melrose Park. Neither Dianna nor I could figure it out through our own research with the details Rose provided. We’re pitching this idea to Mob Wives of Chicago: the women on the show should have a Book Club Night (!), read Gold Coast Madam, and guess who Mr. Mysterious is. We’re sure one of them would know who had a thing with Rose for over ten years.

 

How much did Karen Abbott’s book, Sin in the Second City, influence you?

 

ROSE: I’m glad her book came out first and paved the way for ours.

 

DIANNA: I read almost every book about madams that I could get my hands on. Karen Abbott’s book naturally was more relevant for me because her story is about Chicago and The Everleigh sisters working a century before Rose. The advantage I had was that Rose is still very much alive and I was able to get the stories straight from her.

 

What about Eliot Spitzer’s misfortune?

 

ROSE: Spitzer was nuts putting pictures on the Internet. That’s how he got caught. Crazy! I think he wanted to get caught. Madams and agents I met while in the business are still going big time because they keep a low profile.

 

Is it now okay to talk about the sex business? Why?

 

ROSE: Everyone talks about sex now, and everyone on T.V. Bill Maher sure talks about sex. But call girls keep out of the spotlight. I kept girls off the street, safe and clean, and with guys that didn’t want their names and faces out there. (Or, on The View!)

 

DIANNA: The press has helped make the subject way easier to talk about. I think people have always talked or whispered about sex…it is just that now with the information age everything is out there in front of us on television and cable TV shows and the Internet.

 

SHARON: Publishing this book has demonstrated to me the opposite. Sure sex is everywhere but that doesn’t mean that everyone likes that, accepts that, or feels comfortable with that. And, we’re not just talking about sex here, we’re talking about an illegal activity and exchanging money for sex. It’s controversial, which to me makes it worth discussing and exploring. Not everyone feels that way. Some of Lake Claremont Press’s regular customers (individuals and stores) and media contacts were not fine with this release, and I can respect that.

 

How has the sex trade changed? We hear about trafficking, not so much about call girls… how did you know where to draw the line in your business?

 

DIANNA: This is one for Rose to expand on. The sex trade has changed as technology has changed. Now girls advertise on the Internet and everyone has their own cell phone to set up appointments.

 

ROSE: I hate the words “trafficking” and “whores.” They were working girls and they came to me of their own free will. In all my years I never worked one underage girl.

 

What’s the thing that surprised you most about the business? DIANNA: No real surprises. Prostitution is the world’s oldest profession.

 

ROSE: The thing that surprised me most was how busy I was–all the time. Men wanted their privacy in these things and I was able to ensure that.

 

SHARON: And Rose still does. Her book does not name names…though it hints at a few.

 

You can find GOLD COAST MADAM: The Secret Life of Rose Laws here. Enjoy!  

 

This is Rose

 

       

 

This is Dianna

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It’s All About Sex

Hi, all. I am delighted to have the authors and publisher of a new book called THE GOLD COAST MADAM: The Secret Life Of Rose Laws over here today. For those of you not in Chicago, the Gold Coast, nestled just on the edge of Lake Michigan, is probably the most affluent neighborhood in the city. This non-fiction memoir was written by Rose Laws and Dianna Harris, and yes, it’s all about Rose’s former career in the ‘80s and ‘90s. And yes, she was a Madam with a slew of call girls in her employ.

Here’s how Rose introduces the book, which, btw, was released by Sharon Woodhouse of Lake Claremont Press, a Chicago publisher who always seems to come up with fascinating Chicago people and stories.

“Chicago, 1988. I was 52 years old, 5’4″ tall, and 130 pounds, with red hair and a 36DDD bust, enjoying dramatic Lake Michigan and skyline views from my 21st-floor apartment in the landmark Lake Point Towers building. I had never felt more alive. I was Chicago’s reigning madam, providing $400 an hour call girls to Chicago’s business owners, traders, lawyers, judges, politicians, mobsters, pro athletes, and Hollywood stars at addresses all over Chicago’s downtown and Gold Coast.

Vice was on their way up–the doorman had tipped me off. I started thinking back on my life, where I came from, and how I ever got to where I was now.”

Why did you write the book?

ROSE: I have thought about writing about my unique experiences since I owned the Addison Motel in the ‘60s and ‘70s, but I never thought I could spell good enough. I tried many co-authors over the years, but none ever worked out until Dianna Harris and I started working together.

DIANA: I wrote the book because I know Rose has a part in Chicago history. I have always loved anything historical and I wanted her to have the opportunity to give a firsthand account of her life. I also loved Chicago’s very rich history and I also realized the city has a reputation for being a crime town. Rose lived a life outside the law for over three decades, and her story is fascinating. After Rose served her prison term she felt freer to write her story. Once she retired from the business completely she was able to focus more on her book project.

What’s been the reaction?



ROSE: Positive.

DIANNA: Very positive. People seem very curious to meet Rose and hear what she has to say. I think a lot of Chicagoans remember hearing her name in the press and want to see her in person.

SHARON: I’m finding that most people find the first part of the book–everything that happened in Rose’s life before she became the “Gold Coast Madam”–at least or even more interesting than her days as an illegal agent for the city’s elite. And, at public events when Rose is answering all manner of questions about her life and work, most people think they want all the details…until they hear them. Sometimes the look on their faces is: Why did she say all that? and I’m thinking, because you asked her…

Did you have any hesitation in “coming clean”?



ROSE: Well, some things I couldn’t come clean about!

DIANNA: And those stories are the ones we most naturally would really love to hear! Maybe someday…Rose was actually happy to tell her story. I think it was a healing process. After being secretive and in the shadows all that time I think that she is happy to be free to talk about her life.

SHARON: I want to add that there are plenty of things Rose hasn’t told Dianna, including, for example, the real identity of her elegant, Italian-American sugar daddy Mr. Mysterious from Melrose Park. Neither Dianna nor I could figure it out through our own research with the details Rose provided. We’re pitching this idea to Mob Wives of Chicago: the women on the show should have a Book Club Night (!), read Gold Coast Madam, and guess who Mr. Mysterious is. We’re sure one of them would know who had a thing with Rose for over ten years.

How much did Karen Abbott’s book, Sin in the Second City, influence you?

ROSE: I’m glad her book came out first and paved the way for ours.

DIANNA: I read almost every book about madams that I could get my hands on. Karen Abbott’s book naturally was more relevant for me because her story is about Chicago and The Everleigh sisters working a century before Rose. The advantage I had was that Rose is still very much alive and I was able to get the stories straight from her.

What about Eliot Spitzer’s misfortune?

ROSE: Spitzer was nuts putting pictures on the Internet. That’s how he got caught. Crazy! I think he wanted to get caught. Madams and agents I met while in the business are still going big time because they keep a low profile.

Is it now okay to talk about the sex business? Why?

ROSE: Everyone talks about sex now, and everyone on T.V. Bill Maher sure talks about sex. But call girls keep out of the spotlight. I kept girls off the street, safe and clean, and with guys that didn’t want their names and faces out there. (Or, on The View!)

DIANNA: The press has helped make the subject way easier to talk about. I think people have always talked or whispered about sex…it is just that now with the information age everything is out there in front of us on television and cable TV shows and the Internet.

SHARON: Publishing this book has demonstrated to me the opposite. Sure sex is everywhere but that doesn’t mean that everyone likes that, accepts that, or feels comfortable with that. And, we’re not just talking about sex here, we’re talking about an illegal activity and exchanging money for sex. It’s controversial, which to me makes it worth discussing and exploring. Not everyone feels that way. Some of Lake Claremont Press’s regular customers (individuals and stores) and media contacts were not fine with this release, and I can respect that.

How has the sex trade changed? We hear about trafficking, not so much about call girls… how did you know where to draw the line in your business?

DIANNA: This is one for Rose to expand on. The sex trade has changed as technology has changed. Now girls advertise on the Internet and everyone has their own cell phone to set up appointments.

ROSE: I hate the words “trafficking” and “whores.” They were working girls and they came to me of their own free will. In all my years I never worked one underage girl.

What’s the thing that surprised you most about the business?

DIANNA: No real surprises. Prostitution is the world’s oldest profession.

ROSE: The thing that surprised me most was how busy I was–all the time. Men wanted their privacy in these things and I was able to ensure that.

SHARON: And Rose still does. Her book does not name names…though it hints at a few.

You can find GOLD COAST MADAM: The Secret Life of Rose Laws here. Enjoy!

 

This is Rose

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is Dianna

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Once Again, Friday Boomer Lit

 

Instead of an excerpt this week, I thought I’d show you some images from the late Sixties. The footage in the video trailer was shot at the Democratic National Convention in 1968 by Chicago filmmaker and artist Tom Palazzolo, who kindly let me use it. The passion and the intensity on all sides is still apparent. At least to me.

While I realize this technically isn’t part of Boomer Lit the way it’s being defined, it certainly takes me back to a place and time when we thought we could change the world. We didn’t, of course, and much of Set the Night on Fire tries to explain why.

Now that you’ve watched this trailer, be sure to hop over here where you’ll find other Boomer Lit offerings by a variety of authors.

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New Season, New Website, New SEO footprint

Spring brings renewed growth, green shoots, flowers… and websites. I have just updated, redesigned and SEO-ized mine. In fact, you’re reading this blogpost on the new site, now that they’re inextricably linked.  Btw, if anyone was using my RSS feed, the new one is:

http://libbyhellmann.com/feed/

The folks at PML Media taught me that, in essence, I didn’t know a thing about social media. In fact, they were amazed I had accomplished anything at all via social media. Apparently, I’ve built website on top of website, and there were thousands (really!) of links that went nowhere, others that were not 301’d (see? I’m learning), and all sorts of other “back web-office” stuff that was wrong with my social media footprint.

While some of this stuff still makes my eyes glaze over—hey, I’m a writer, not a techie—I am excited about going forward. I intend to keep talking about issues in publishing, and I hope what I have to say engages you and that you’ll keep coming back. I also will to continue to bring fun stuff to your attention, as well as bring you guest posts every once in a while.

But what I’m really looking forward to is talking more about the craft of crime fiction. As you know, I teach a lot of workshops, and I’ll be producing a series of very short one or two minute videos offering a few tips here and there. I’ll also be interviewing authors whose craft, I think, is pretty amazing, and I’ll be interested to see what you think. I’ll also be looking to you for suggestions and comments. So feel free to comment whenever the spirit moves you.

For now, though, I hope you’ll sign up for my brand new email list. When you do, you’ll get a free download of “The Day Miriam Hirsch Disappeared the short story that started it all.

Just click here.

Back in a few. Until then, Happy Spring to all (even though it doesn’t feel that way in Chicago…

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Sample Some Excellent Thrillers…

Looking for some great reads? Look no further. Some of my author pals and I have put together a Sampler of our favorite thrillers. And it’s absolutely free. And it’s available both as a Mobi file and an E-pub. (Right-click or control-click on those links to download the file to your hard drive.) Included are:

A Man Overboard by Shawn Hopkins

The Ninth District by Douglas Dorow

Jet by Russell Blake

A Cape May Diamond by Larry Enright

Three Lies by Helen Hanson

Twisted Vengeance by Jeff Bennington

Vigilante by  Claude Bouchard

 

And of course,

Easy Innocence by Yours Truly

 

So… what are you waiting for? Go for it! We hope you’ll enjoy the excerpts so much that you’ll want to buy the entire lot. 

Btw, if you don’t have an ereader yet, you can download a free Kindle App for your phone, PC, tablet, or Mac.

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A First: Dedicated to Bridget Zinn and POISON

Hi, all. I’m participating in a blog tour for a young woman who tragically passed away from cancer before her first book was published. The novel is POISON, and it launched March 12. I did not know Brigitte, but I think it’s important to honor and celebrate her first novel, since she isn’t here to do it herself. I’m joining over 100 other people in this effort, btw, and we’ve been asked to write about an important “first” for us – whatever it may be.

So… just for grins, I thought I’d tell you about my first agent.

I wrote my first novel in 1996. It was arguably the worst novel that’s ever been written, and after I realized that, I began a second one. I joined a writers’ group around the same time, and the novel that came out of that effort was certainly better than the first. So I queried a bunch of agents. (That’s what you did back in 1997). Imagine my surprise when one of the agents responded and asked for the full manuscript. Imagine my joy when, after reading it, he asked to represent me!

I was on my way. I’d snagged a New York agent on my second book. I was pretty hot stuff! As he sent it out, I started a sequel to that manuscript. It was even better than the original. Things were humming along quite nicely.

Flash forward 6 months. I’d been getting copies of the rejection letters he forwarded. But I was still optimistic. After all, it was harder to land an agent than to get published, people told me. Things would eventually work out. I wasn’t prepared for the phone call that came a short time later. It went something like this:

“Libby, I haven’t been able to sell your book.”

“I know. But don’t worry. I have a sequel. And it’s even better. Tighter. More suspense. Better characterization. And narrative. And dialogue.”

“I don’t think you’re hearing me. I don’t think I can sell a novel with those characters. I think you need to change your characters. Change your voice. Change your plots. And, btw, I think you need to change agents too, because I don’t want to represent you anymore.”

After I picked myself off the floor, I did what anyone in my situation would do. I drank an entire bottle of wine. Once I sobered up, I realized I had to make a decision. I had now written three books, none of which had been published. Maybe it was time to hang it up. Forget this writing thing. But I’m a stubborn soul when I want to be. I didn’t quit. I started a new story. With new characters. New settings. And a new voice. That book became AN EYE FOR MURDER and was the first of many novels I have now published. I guess you have to give the devil his due. That agent was right. Btw, I landed a second agent as soon as EYE was done, and she was wonderful.

And now, here’s some information about Brigette’s first novel, a perfect YA novel for teenagers.

Sixteen-year-old Kyra, a highly-skilled potions master, is the only one who knows her kingdom is on the verge of destruction—which means she”s the only one who can save it. Faced with no other choice, Kyra decides to do what she does best: poison the kingdom”s future ruler, who also happens to be her former best friend. But, for the first time ever, her poisoned dart…misses. Now a fugitive instead of a hero, Kyra is caught in a game of hide-and-seek with the king”s army and her potioner ex-boyfriend, Hal. At least she”s not alone. She”s armed with her vital potions, a too-cute pig, and Fred, the charming adventurer she can”t stop thinking about. Kyra is determined to get herself a second chance (at murder), but will she be able to find and defeat the princess before Hal and the army find her? Kyra is not your typical murderer, and she”s certainly no damsel-in-distress—she”s the lovable and quick-witted hero of this romantic novel that has all the right ingredients to make teen girls swoon.

Please go to Amazon and check it out – in honor of Brigette, and everyone who has an important “first” in their life.

.

A First: Dedicated to Bridget Zinn and POISON

Hi, all. I’m participating in a blog tour for a young woman who tragically passed away from cancer before her first book was published. The novel is POISON, and it launched March 12. I did not know Brigitte, but I think it’s important to honor and celebrate her first novel, since she isn’t here to do it herself. I’m joining over 100 other people in this effort, btw, and we’ve been asked to write about an important “first” for us – whatever it may be.

 

 

So… just for grins, I thought I’d tell you about my first agent.

 

 

I wrote my first novel in 1996. It was arguably the worst novel that’s ever been written, and after I realized that, I began a second one. I joined a writers’ group around the same time, and the novel that came out of that effort was certainly better than the first. So I queried a bunch of agents. (That’s what you did back in 1997). Imagine my surprise when one of the agents responded and asked for the full manuscript. Imagine my joy when, after reading it, he asked to represent me!

 

 

I was on my way. I’d snagged a New York agent on my second book. I was pretty hot stuff! As he sent it out, I started a sequel to that manuscript. It was even better than the original. Things were humming along quite nicely.

 

 

Flash forward 6 months. I’d been getting copies of the rejection letters he forwarded. But I was still optimistic. After all, it was harder to land an agent than to get published, people told me. Things would eventually work out. I wasn’t prepared for the phone call that came a short time later. It went something like this:

 

 

“Libby, I haven’t been able to sell your book.”

 

 

“I know. But don’t worry. I have a sequel. And it’s even better. Tighter. More suspense. Better characterization. And narrative. And dialogue.”

 

 

“I don’t think you’re hearing me. I don’t think I can sell a novel with those characters. I think you need to change your characters. Change your voice. Change your plots. And, btw, I think you need to change agents too, because I don’t want to represent you anymore.”

 

 

After I picked myself off the floor, I did what anyone in my situation would do. I drank an entire bottle of wine. Once I sobered up, I realized I had to make a decision. I had now written three books, none of which had been published. Maybe it was time to hang it up. Forget this writing thing. But I’m a stubborn soul when I want to be. I didn’t quit. I started a new story. With new characters. New settings. And a new voice. That book became AN EYE FOR MURDER and was the first of many novels I have now published. I guess you have to give the devil his due. That agent was right. Btw, I landed a second agent as soon as EYE was done, and she was wonderful.

 

 

And now, here’s some information about Brigette’s first novel, a perfect YA novel for teenagers.

 

Sixteen-year-old Kyra, a highly-skilled potions master, is the only one who knows her kingdom is on the verge of destruction—which means she”s the only one who can save it. Faced with no other choice, Kyra decides to do what she does best: poison the kingdom”s future ruler, who also happens to be her former best friend. But, for the first time ever, her poisoned dart…misses. Now a fugitive instead of a hero, Kyra is caught in a game of hide-and-seek with the king”s army and her potioner ex-boyfriend, Hal. At least she”s not alone. She”s armed with her vital potions, a too-cute pig, and Fred, the charming adventurer she can”t stop thinking about. Kyra is determined to get herself a second chance (at murder), but will she be able to find and defeat the princess before Hal and the army find her? Kyra is not your typical murderer, and she”s certainly no damsel-in-distress—she”s the lovable and quick-witted hero of this romantic novel that has all the right ingredients to make teen girls swoon.

 

Please go to Amazon and check it out – in honor of Brigette, and everyone who has an important “first” in their life.

More Boomer Lit and Blog Hops

 

Here’s more of SET THE NIGHT ON FIRE

for your Boomer Lit reading pleasure. This excerpt begins Part Two of the novel, which takes place in 1968-70.

 

Casey, you’re a Celtic knot.” Alix giggled as she passed Rain the joint. The smoke Casey had been holding in exploded out of his lungs. He coughed long and hard, drowning out the chorus of “People are Strange” by the Doors.
“Are you all right?” Rain squinted through her granny glasses.
Casey nodded, his throat so raspy he couldn’t speak.
Rain crossed her legs Indian-style and took a hit off the J. She held it in, exhaled quietly, then passed it to Dar.
“What do you mean, Alix?” Casey finally croaked.
Alix tucked a lock of blond hair behind her ear. The six of them were on the living room floor of the apartment, a shabby space with yellowed shades, torn linoleum, and cracks in the walls.
“You’re always making connections,” she said. “With people, places, events. You twist things all together. Like a Celtic knot.”
“Aw, man, you’re just stoned.” Payton wiggled his fingers and sang along with the music. “‘Faces come out of the rain . . . when you’re strange . . . ’” 

 

Now that you’ve read this, be sure to hop over here, where you will find a bunch of other BoomerLit authors to “sample.”

 

And enjoy your weekend!

Chicago Tribune Profile

Look for the profile “Libby Fischer Hellmann follows suspenseful new paths” in the Sunday (Dec. 30) Chicago Tribune, or download it here as a PDF!

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And Now, A Game…

Toby O’Donnell, a student in Hanley Kanar’s literature class at the Illinois Institute for the Arts (Schaumburg campus), designed an interactive game based on my novelToxicity. For those of you who have read it, check it out. For everyone else, what are you waiting for? I’m not just an App anymore… I’m a Game too!!

Thank you Toby. You are pushing the envelope to the future, and I hope I’ll be part of the sticky stuff.

Click on the image to see a larger version:

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