Minstrel's Alley » literature

Minstrel’s Alley to Expand Its Book List

Gordon Basichis — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 06:58:33 +0000

(Los Angeles) Minstrel’s Alley, an independent publishing and media group, has announced its intention to expand its book publishing efforts in the forthcoming year. The Los Angeles based company has scheduled three books for publication in 2011. The books will be published as trade paperbacks as well as in the EBook format.

“The success of our initial book publishing efforts has enabled us to publish three books in the forthcoming years,” said M.J. Hammond, Publisher and President of Minstrel’s Alley. For the year 2011 we will add to our book list with The Blood Orange, a romantic mystery thriller by Gordon Basichis. The novel is set in contemporary Los Angeles but harkens back to the days of old, Spanish California. The story is one of corporate and government intrigue.

“ We will also be publishing Ghosts of Havana, by Cameron Lee, and a non-fiction work, tentatively entitled, The Sorority Letters.

“Ghosts of Havana, is a romantic mystery thriller with an international scope,” said Hammond. “The novel begins in pre-Castro Cuba and reaches its climax in the North Sea in contemporary times..

“The Sorority Letters is a multi-decade spanning compilation of actual correspondence among friends who lived together in a Tri-Delta Sorority back in the sixties. This is an exciting project, and we have high hopes for its commercial potential.”

Hammond points to the success of its three previous book publications, all written by author Gordon Basichis. The Guys Who Spied for China was a roman a clef based on the author’s real life experiences uncovering Chinese Espionage Networks operating in the United States. It was a quarter finalist in the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Competition and was published as a trade paperback as well as on Kindle, Apple iPad, Sony Reader, and other Ebook formats.

Additionally, Minstrel’s Alley published in the EBook format “Beautiful Bad Girl, The Vicki Morgan Story.” The non-fiction work documents the tempestuous affair during the Ronald Reagan Presidential Administration between department store scion, Alfred Bloomingdale, and his long time mistress, Vicki Morgan. The hardback book was originally published by Santa Barbara Press, and for twelve years was licensed by Books on Tape. It sells briskly as an Ebook through Minstrel’s Alley.

Minstrel’s Alley also published in EBook format, The Constant Travellers. “The quirky Western fantasy was first published in hardback by G.P. Putnam’s, and its film rights were optioned by Twentieth Century Fox and MGM. It was later published as a trade paperback when Basichis and iUniverse published it as part of the Author’s Guild “Back in Print” program.

“The Constant Travellers is an unsung classic, a story set in the old West but told in the modern idiom,” says Hammond. “The novel is fresh and relevant and never received its due. It appeals especially to a younger audience as well as the Boomer set.

Hammond remarked that Minstrel’s Alley is a small company on a limited budget that has grown cautiously in spite of the tentative nature of the book publishing industry. “We believe we can find our way in what is a shaky market. By specializing in quality books with a strong commercial value we believe we can bring together the best of both worlds.”

IPPY Highlights “The Guys Who Spied for China”

Gordon Basichis — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 21:06:15 +0000

Gordon Basichis’ book, “The Guys Who Spied for China” has been selected as a “Highlighted Title” by Independent Publishers Online (IPPY). Here is their endorsing quote:
“As if to demonstrate how the recently exposed Russian spy ring could exist, this timely and entertaining book explains how easily you might find yourself with a ‘spy next door,’ or even be recruited to be one yourself! ‘The world is indeed a strange place when your allies and your enemies are often the same,’ muses the hero in a quirky cast of characters involved in the full range of spy activities, from utterly boring surveillance to fiercely violent gun battles. Based on true events, Gordon Basichis’ book brings insight to news stories past and present, and points out just how commonplace international spying really is.”
- Jim Barnes, Editor, Independent Publisher Online

TAN Magazine – Today’s Author News

Gordon Basichis — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 20:23:51 +0000

In the April edition of TAN Magazine (Today’s Author Magazine) David Ewen includes suggestions for great Summer Reading. David has several radio shows where he has been supporting authors since 1998. He gives a shout out to Gordon Basichis‘ “The Guys Who Spied for China” (Minstrel’s Alley).

To find the piece on this new book, open the link and flip in 5 pages! Other great suggestions contained there as well.

David’s show can be found at www.blogtalkradio.com/ewenprime

The Guys Who Spied for China Quarter Finalist in Amazon’s Breakthrough Novel Competition

Gordon Basichis — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 06:26:57 +0000

(Los Angeles) Minstrel’s Alley, an independent publishing and media group, has had its first release, The Guys Who Spied for China, by Gordon Basichis, selected as a quarter finalist in the Amazon Breakthrough Novel competition. The book was first released as a trade paperback and then as in E-Book through Kindle.

“We are quite pleased with The Guys Who Spied for China’s selection as a quarter finalist in the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Awards.,” said M.J. Hammond, publisher and president of Minstrel’s Alley. “About five thousand books were submitted from around the world, and The Guys Who Spied for China is among the final 230 quarter finalists.”

Hammond described The Guys Who Spied for China as a roman a clef detailing the uncovering of Chinese Espionage Networks in California during the eighties and nineties. The book is based on Basichis’ real life experiences uncovering Chinese Espionage Networks operating in the United States in the eighties and nineties.

“We are delighted but not really surprised by the novel’s reception,” said Hammond. “This is a most unusual spy book as it breaks the mold for this genre. It is quirky and authentic, with touches of dark humor. Reviews, so far, have been very favorable.

Hammond noted that sales have been helped by the growing tensions between the United States and China. She claims the recent CBS Sixty Minutes Segment on Chinese Espionage boosted sales. She believes the novel gives the reader the feeling of what it’s like to be suddenly thrust into the world of espionage.

“You can’t be an independent publisher and give readers the same-old-same-old and expect it to sell. Publishing independently is slow going and demands patience. The good news is when most mid list books from mainstream publishers are on the remainder pile, and independently published book is still going strong. These days, we are the Energizer Bunnies of the publishing industry.”

She said that in addition to Amazon and Barnes and Noble, Baker and Taylor and Ingram are now distributing the trade paperback. Minstrel’s Alley will soon be extending the E-Book version to Apple’s iPad, the Sony Reader and Barnes and Noble’s Nook.

Gordon Basichis is the author of two previous books, “The Constant Travellers” and “Beautiful Bad Girl, The Vicki Morgan Story.” He is the co-founder of Corra Group, a Los Angeles based company that conducts employment background checks and corporate research for companies throughout the United States and around the world.

M.J. Hammond is a former entertainment industry executive who founded Minstrel’s Alley to publish popular books not found in mainstream publishing.

Background: Minstrel’s Alley is a Los Angeles based independent publisher that seeks to bring adventure back into the publishing industry by publishing books that have popular appeal but with more complexity than the standard mainstream fare. The new publishing group distributes its books through Amazon, Kindle, and assorted Internet outlets as well as through bookstores around the country. You can view Minstrel’s Alley at www.minstrelsalley.com

Author Gordon Basichis Interviewed on Nanci Arvizu’s Page Readers

Gordon Basichis — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 05:50:23 +0000

Minstrel’s Alley author, Gordon Basichis, was recently interviewed by Nanci Arvizu for her Internet talk radio show, Page Readers. Arvizu invited Basichis on to discuss his new book, “The Guys Who Spied for China.”

The two discussed the newsworthiness of this roman a clef, based on Basichis’ personal experiences helping uncover Chines Spy Networks that have been operating in California and throughout the United States. The novel has received a number of reviews, describing the book as quirky and darkly humorous. It is also the first offering from Minstrel’s Alley.

Here is the link to the thirty minute interview. We believe you will find it informative and most compelling.

Minstrel’s Alley Publishes First Book on Amazon and Kindle

Gordon Basichis — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 05:05:24 +0000

(Los Angeles) Minstrel’s Alley, an independent publishing and media group, has entered the publishing world with the publication of its first book, “The Guys Who Spied for China.”   The book was written by Gordon Basichis and is based on his real life experiences uncovering Chinese Espionage Networks operating in the United States in the eighties and nineties.
“The Guys Who Spied for China,” has been listed on Amazon.com and will soon be released as an EBook on Kindle, the electronic publishing site.   It is also scheduled for listing on the Barnes & Noble website and will soon be available in bookstores around the country.
“We are very excited about the publication of “The Guys Who Spied for China,” said M.J. Hammond, publisher and president of Minstrel’s Alley.   “This roman a clef is a most unusual spy book as it breaks the mold for this genre. It tells the story of what it is like to be suddenly thrust into the world of espionage. Unlike most spy books, this one is set in California and Beverly Hills.”
Hammond describes the book as quirky and authentic with touches of dark humor that will engage the reader.   “If you are looking for the basic spy book where two guys save the world from imminent disaster, this is not your cup of tea,” said Hammond.   This tells a much richer story. This is a timely book, given the ongoing headlines about Chinese Espionage and the growing tensions again between the United States and China.”
Gordon Basichis is the author of two previous books, “The Constant Travellers,” and “Beautiful Bad Girl, The Vicki Morgan Story.”   He is the co-founder of Corra Group, a Los Angeles based company that conducts employment background checks and corporate research for companies throughout the United States and around the world.
M.J. Hammond is a former entertainment industry executive who founded Minstrel’s Alley to publish popular books not found in mainstream publishing.
“Mainstream publishing has its purpose,” said Hammond. But the industry’s focus on celebrity and genre based books has left readers wanting. We hope to help bring a sense of adventure back to books and publishing.”

Minstrel’s Alley Publishes First Book on Amazon and Kindle

Gordon Basichis — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 02:17:06 +0000

(Los Angeles) “The Guys Who Spied for China,” by Gordon Basichis has just been posted on Kindle, Amazon’s EBook publishing arm.   The novel is based on his real life experiences uncovering Chinese Espionage Networks operating in the United States in the eighties and nineties.
“The Guys Who Spied for China,” is being published by Minstrel’s Alley, an independent publishing and media group.   This is the company’s first effort.   The book was also released as a trade paperback and is available through Amazon, Baker and Taylor and is available in bookstores around the country.
“We are very excited about the publication of “The Guys Who Spied for China,” said M.J. Hammond, publisher and president of Minstrel’s Alley.    We are excited to see the book listed on Kindle as we believe E-Publishing is the wave of the future.”
“The Guys Who Spied for China,” is our first published offering, so we naturally wish to oversee every stage of our marketing effort. The novel should draw not only from spy freaks but from a wider, more literary readership as well.
“This roman a clef is a most unusual spy book as it breaks the mold for this genre. It tells the story of what it is like to be suddenly thrust into the world of espionage.”
Hammond describes the book as quirky and authentic with touches of dark humor that will engage the reader.   “If you are looking for more than the basic mainstream spy book , you are in for a pleasant surprise.   This tells a much richer story. This is a timely book, given the ongoing headlines about Chinese Espionage and the growing tensions again between the United States and China.”
Gordon Basichis is the author of two previous books, “The Constant Travellers,” and “Beautiful Bad Girl, The Vicki Morgan Story.”   He is the co-founder of Corra Group, a Los Angeles based company that conducts employment background checks and corporate research for companies throughout the United States and around the world.
M.J. Hammond is a former entertainment industry executive who founded Minstrel’s Alley to publish popular books not found in mainstream publishing.
“Mainstream publishing has its purpose,” said Hammond. But the industry’s focus on celebrity and genre based books has left readers wanting. We hope to help bring a sense of adventure back to books and publishing.”