Finally, some good news to report about Bandstandland: It looks like we have a publisher.
Since we haven't reached a final agreement yet, I can't provide all the details, but here are the main points:
- The book will likely be released sometime in 2019, probably in the second half of the year.
- The book will be available in English worldwide and in a variety of formats, including print and e-book. This includes online through Amazon and other outlets, major bookstore chains like Barnes & Noble and independent bookstores.
- I'm pushing for a book release/signing event in the Philadelphia area, possibly including a deejay spinning records from the Philadelphia years of Bandstand and American Bandstand. I should caution that this is not a major publisher and we're aiming for a reasonable price point for the book, so it's not like we're swinging for the fences here, but a Philadelphia event almost seems obligatory to me. A tie-in with a Philadelphia bookstore willing to take advance orders and handle onsite sales is a must. Please share with me any ideas you may have on this and I'll pass them on to the publisher. An enthusiastic response will help make this possible.
As I've mentioned before, the written portion of the book is done, all 125,000 words of it. The biggest hurdle now is getting photos to illustrate the story. This is where you can help. I'd like to find 40-50 photos that tell the story of the book visually. To recap: The title of the book is Bandstandland: How dancing teenagers took over America and Dick Clark took over rock & roll. It covers the years the show was in Philadelphia, 1952-64. Here are the guidelines for photos to be considered for the book:
- They must be of print quality. Snapshots are OK, but they must be in focus, well-lit and relatively uncluttered.
- You must own the rights to the photos, or they must be in the public domain.
- The best photos will include people associated with the show, including guest stars, and taken in studio or on location for Bandstand shows and/or events. Preference will be given to previously unpublished photos.
If you have photos you'd like to be considered, please contact me. If you know someone who may have such photos, please share this post with them and have them contact me.
Obviously, I'm pleased to finally be able to share my work with readers like you. I'll be posting more as details become available. If you have any questions, comments or Bandstand stories to share, please contact me.
Meanwhile, check out my other Bandstand-related posts on this site and ...
Author Larry Lehmer's book about Dick Clark and American Bandstand -- Bandstandland: How Dancing Teenagers Took Over America and Dick Clark Took Over Rock & Roll --is available from Sunbury Press. Go here to learn the story behind the writing of Bandstandland or here to listen to the Pennsylvania Cable Network's interview with author Larry Lehmer.
Larry Lehmer's book about the last tour of Buddy Holly, the Big Bopper and Ritchie Valens -- The Day the Music Died -- is available at Amazon.
