(Los Angeles)Minstrel’s Alley has just acquired the Kindle, Smashwords, and other eBook publishing rights to “The Constant Travellers,” a novel written by Gordon Basichis.  The ad copy refers to itself as sex and drugs in the West That Never Was and tells a comic, but metaphysical Western tale involving a journey between  a young Civil War veteran and an Indian Shaman.  The two meet in the middle of the desert, and as they embark on a journey where they encounter endless colorful characters, they discover their destinies have long been intertwined.

“We are thrilled to be offering  “The Constant Travelers,” in a Kindle, Smashwords, and other ebook versions, “ said M.J. Hammond, president of independent publisher and media company, Minstrel’s Alley.   It is part of our program where we bought all electronic rights to Gordon’s books.   Film rights for “The Constants Travellers” had been optioned by two different film studios, Twentieth Century Fox, and MGM.  But at that time special effects technology could not fully render the scope and texture of this wonderfully funny epic Western.”

“The book was first published in hardback by G.P. Putnam’s, but it was so quirky and psychedelic, mixing genres, that it was way ahead of its time.   It was then 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,” we believe,  is an unsung classic, a story set in the old West but told in the modern idiom.   The novel is fresh and relevant and should appeal especially to a younger audience as well as the Boomer set”

Hammond maintained that the steady flow of sales in trade paperbacks inspired Minstrel’s Alley to acquire the E-rights to the book and publish it through Kindle and Smashwords.  It will soon also be available through other electronic books platforms, including the Barnes and Noble’s Nook, Sony Reader, and Apple’s  iBooks.

Minstrel’s Alley recently published “The Guys Who Spied for China,” its first publishing effort.  “The Guys Who Spied for China,” also written by Gordon Basichis, is based on his real life experiences uncovering Chinese Espionage Networks operating in the United States in the eighties and nineties.   Basichis is now the Co-Founder of Corra Group, which specializes in background checks and corporate research and investigation.

“We look forward to treating the world to “The Constant Travellers.”  The book is like nothing else on the market.  It is irreverent, philosophical, and very funny.  It is a joy to read.”

The suburbs of Southern California house a cluster of unlikely international spies in this espionage novel set in the 1980s. Witty journalist/novelist (unnamed) meets a pocket of second-amendment-loving weapons enthusiasts when his dentist, Louis Dubin, invites him over for a small gathering at his home. There, he meets federal agent Noah Brown, who’s secretly keeping tabs on the group. Noah later reveals that the bunch of “Average Joe’s, dressed in Levi’s and L.L. Bean” is part of a network that feeds information to the Chinese government. As one of the group members says, “Power is information, and information leads to wealth.” As Noah draws the journalist further into his battle with the Chinese spy community, the journalist finds himself relishing the rush despite the danger involved. Even though the novel takes place more than 30 years ago, the story still feels fresh, as socially marginalized “techno-happy gun nuts” banding together in the name of political radicalism doesn’t seem that far-fetched in today’s culture. The dialogue between the journalist and Noah, which is necessary to explain complicated portions of the plot, gets tedious, but when the author shows rather than tells, it’s an engaging and suspenseful read. The story, however, never really gains traction, as each encounter Noah and the journalist have with the enemy (whomever the enemy happens to be in each scene) seems fragmented from the arc of the book. Fans of espionage, though, will likely relish the tale of good guys gone bad.

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,” is being published by Minstrel’s Alley, an independent publishing and media group.  The book was also released as a trade paperback and Kindle and is available through Amazon, Ingram, Baker and Taylor as well as bookstores around the country.

“We are very excited about seeing “The Guys Who Spied for China released through iPad” said M.J. Hammond, publisher and president of Minstrel’s Alley.  The Apple iPad is a breakthrough platform for many applications, including EPublishing.  And 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.  We are pleased that it is now a Quarter Finalist in the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Competition.

“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.   We believe it. should draw not only from spy freaks but from a wider, more literary readership as well. ”

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.”

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

“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

‘We are pleasantly surprised by the Kindle sales of ‘Beautiful Bad Girl,’ said M.J. Hammond, president of independent publisher and media company, Minstrel’s Alley. ‘We acquired the Beautiful Bad Girl, knowing that its trade paperback sales have proved enduring for many years. It is a controversial book dealing with a major sex scandal that Reagan administration back in the eighties. It helped define exotic and obsessive sex practices of the late twentieth century.

‘Beautiful Bad Girl has enjoyed brisk sales from the day we first launched the Ebook version through Kindle. We will soon be launching it through Barnes and Noble’s nook, Sony Reader and Apple’s iPad. No matter what a reader’s preference, Beautiful Bad Girl will be accessible for downloads.’

Hammond noted that Beautiful Bad Girl, The Vicki Morgan Story was first published in 1985 by Santa Barbara Press. At that time, the political and social climate of the times did not fully allow for it to achieve its rightful place as a best seller. ‘It was put back into print as a trade paperback in 2000, when Basichis and iUniverse published it as part of the Author’s Guild ‘Back in Print’ program.

‘The book sold steadily all these years. For a dozen year the audio version was distributed by Books on Tape, where it was one of their featured books.’

Minstrel’s Alley recently published ‘The Guys Who Spied for China,’ its first publishing effort. ‘The Guys Who Spied for China,’ also written by Gordon Basichis, is based on his real life experiences uncovering Chinese Espionage Networks operating in the United States in the eighties and nineties. Basichis is now the Co-Founder of Corra Group, which specializes in background checks and corporate research and investigation.

‘We are encouraged by the sales as both a trade paperback and through Kindle on ‘The Guys Who Spied for China,’ said Hammond. ‘The book is getting great reviews and the recent CBS 60 Minutes segment on Chinese Espionage has appeared to have boosted sales even more.

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.’

“We are delighted to be offering “Beautiful Bad Girl,” in a Kindle, ebook version,” said M.J. Hammond, president of independent publisher and media company, Minstrel’s Alley.    “This book has created a lot of controversy over the years, as it delves into the obsessive nature of this major sex scandal that helped define sexual and social mores during the Reagan era and late twentieth century.”

“The book sold well when it was first published in 1985 by Santa Barbara Press, but the political and social climate of the times did not fully allow for it to achieve its rightful place as a best seller.   “It was put back into print as a trade paperback in 2000, when Basichis and  iUniverse published it as part of the Author’s Guild “Back in Print” program.

“The book sold steadily all these years and for ten years was distributed by Books on Tape, where it was one of their featured books.”

Hammond maintained that the steady flow of sales in trade paperback inspired Minstrel’s Alley to acquire the E-rights to the book and publish it through Kindle and, eventually, through other electronic books forms, including the Barnes and Noble’s Nook, Sony Reader, and Apple’s  iBooks.

Minstrel’s Alley recently published “The Guys Who Spied for China,” its first publishing effort.  “The Guys Who Spied for China,” also written by Gordon Basichis, is based on his real life experiences uncovering Chinese Espionage Networks operating in the United States in the eighties and nineties.   Basichis is now the Co-Founder of Corra Group, which specializes in background checks and corporate research and investigation.

“We are encouraged by the sales as both a trade paperback and through Kindle on “The Guys Who Spied for China,” said Hammond.   “The book is getting great reviews and the recent CBS 60 Minutes segment on Chinese Espionage has appeared to have boosted sales even more.

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.”

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

The 60 Minutes segment proves all too revealing about a prevalent problem
that has long been ignored for what is perceived as long term economic gain.
In short, we have taken way too lightly the continuing issues of Chinese
Espionage and how it has impacted our economy and strategic advantage. Both
Chinese Nationals and American workers trusted with our most sensitive
technological and military secrets have sold them off for ideological
purposes but mostly for personal financial gain. I hope this segment of 60
Minutes when aired, we make its viewers aware of our need to establish
measures that can best blunt Chinese Espionage efforts.

To  see  the video teaser go to CBS.com

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.