Pump Up Your Book Chats with Stephen Schochet Author of Hollywood Stories

Stephen

Hollywood Stories Book Tour

Author Stephen Schochet is a professional tour guide in Los Angeles who years ago started collecting fun stories to tell to the customers, had the idea the stories could be told anywhere and which led him to write the book. He is also the author and narrator of two audiobooks Tales of Hollywood and Fascinating Walt Disney. Tim Sika, host of the radio show Celluloid Dreams on KSJS in San Jose has called Stephen,” The best storyteller about Hollywood we have ever heard.” His newest book is Hollywood Stories.

http://www.hollywoodstories.com

http://www.youtube.com/htales

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1450539098

http://bighollywood.breitbart.com/author/sschochet/

http://twitter.com/#!/htales

Hollywood Stories front cover

Hollywood Stories Book Tour

Thank you for this interview, Stephen Schochet.  Do you remember writing stories as a child or did the writing bug come later?  Do you remember your first published piece?

A: I did write stories as a child that entertained the few people that read them; My first published piece was the audio book Tales of Hollywood.

What do you consider as the most frustrating side of becoming a published author and what has been the most rewarding?

A:  I think it is when you go to two different people with knowledge in a certain area and they give you two completely adamant but opposite opinions on things like type setting and margins, for example.

Are you married or single and how do you combine the writing life with home life?  Do you have support?

A:  Single.

What do you like to do for fun when you’re not writing?  Where do you like to vacation?  Can you tell us briefly about this?

A: Read, go to the beach; since I am also a tour guide I prefer vacations where I chill rather than sightsee.

If you could be anywhere in the world for one hour right now, where would that place be and why?

A: Tonight it would probably be the UCLA/ Arizona College Football game, Go Bruins!

Who is your biggest fan?

A: I have several and that is so nice; my book Hollywood Stories has been really well received; Radio Talk Show Host Anthony Lucero said it was his favorite book.

Where’s your favorite place to write at home?

A:  The couch

Do you have any pets? Not right now.

Tell us a secret no one else knows.

A:  I can’t but I was shocked to find out recently that actor Tim Robbins donated money to Congresswoman Michele Bachmann.

What’s on your to do list today?

A:  I try and do at least 10 promotion things each day; contact radio stations, post articles etc.

Now I’ve got a couple of fun questions for you.  If Tom Hanks, in the movie Cast Away, unearthed a copy of your book, how would that help him find a way off the island?

A: LOL, well I have a segment in chapter 9 about Gilligan and a section in Chapter 13 that talks about Alexander Selkirk who was the real –life inspiration for Robinson Crusoe.  Don’t know if it would help him though. Maybe the part in Chapter 13 where Hedy Lamarr helps inspire the invention of the cell phone!

You have a chance to appear on the hit talent show for authors, American Book Idol, with judges Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson, Kara Dioguardi and the newest addition, Ellen DeGeneres, to determine whether your book will make it to Hollywood and become a big screenplay where you’d make millions of dollars.  What would impress them more – your book cover, an excerpt or your author photo – and why?

A: People love the cover but I’d have to say the writing.  The stories are picked with information; here’s an example:  Marlene Dietrich found her true calling entertaining the Allied troops in 1943. The forty-two-year-old actress, who never enjoyed making movies, got a crash course in how to talk to audiences. Nothing could be tougher or more fulfilling than performing in front of young men who might die in battle the next day. The Berlin-born American citizen overcame suspicions that she was actually an Axis spy, and was proud of spurning Hitler’s request to return to Germany. After World War II ended, she enjoyed being a lusty cabaret singer for many years and tried never to take herself too seriously. Marlene, whose long list of romances ranged from John Wayne to General Patton, once mentioned to her husband that she should have married Hitler back in the thirties, and then there would have been no war. She laughed when he agreed and stated that the Fuhrer would have killed himself much sooner.

You just got word that your book has received the 2010 NY Times Bestselling Book Award and you have to attend the ceremony to give an acceptance speech.  Anyone who’s anyone will be there and it’s your shot for stardom.  What would you say and who would you thank?

A: I would share some anecdotes and  I would thank all the wonderful writers who helped provide the source material for my book such as David Niven, Bob Thomas and James Bacon to name a few.  I would thank my parents and anyone who encouraged me.  I would thank another tour guide who turned me on to some of these great Hollywood Stories, Mr. Ivan Trotter!

I understand that you are touring with Pump Up Your Book Promotion in (put month you are touring here) via a virtual book tour.  Can you tell us all why you chose a virtual book tour to promote your book online?

A: I do both on and offline media but I am very excited about the seemingly endless possibilities to promote on the net.

Thank you for this interview, Stephen. Good luck on your virtual book tour!

A: Thank you!


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