A Book and a Chat with John-Manuel Andriote

Today’s guest on “A Book and a Chat” is John-Manuel Andriote,  he is an author, journalist and speaker focused on cultural trends, politics, health and medicine, LGBT issues, specializing in reporting on HIV/AIDS.

John was working on his masters degree in journalism at university in 1985 when he learned two of his friends like John  in their twenties had died of AIDS.

While the news headlines went on about the growing  plague John himself chronicled the efforts of America’s gay community to care for those already sick and help others prevent becoming infected with HIV, at the same time battling for equality as American citizens.

For the next 20 years John wrote for many publications including working as senior editor for Family Health International HIV/AIDS technical assistance program.

John is now a noted historian of the AIDS epidemic with his own unique personal story.

His book "Victory Deferred" won the 2000Lambda Literary Awards "Editors' Choice" award. It was named an "honored book" by the American Library Association and a finalist in its gay/lesbian nonfiction awards.

Mix with that, his book "Hot Stuff: A Brief History of Disco" and a history of Washington, DC’s "Metropolitan Club" and you can see what a talented author John-Manuel Andriote.

Now John is turning his talents to another area with his first children's book, "Wilhelmina Goes Wandering", which will be published in April of this year. Based on the true story  from my own neck of the woods her in Connecticut  about a runaway cow that became a cult hero and illustrated by Vermont-based artist Katie Runde.

About "Wilhelmina Goes Wandering"  (taken from book press release)

Journalist and author John-Manuel Andriote teams with artist, musician and dairy farmhand Katie Runde to re-imaging the true story of Wilhelmina, the Black Angus cow who decided one hot July day in 2011 to run away from her farm in Orange, Connecticut.

For five months, Wilhelmina hangs out and travels with a herd of deer. Daisy the doe becomes her best friend. They’re seen around Orange, Milford, and West Haven. For some reason, animal control officials believe Wilhelmina is a bull, and refer to her as Waldo. Until, that is, the first of their unsuccessful efforts to capture her.

When the humans appeal to her sweet tooth and finally succeed in tranquilizing the eight-hundred-pound bovine, they move her to an animal sanctuary twenty miles away in Oxford, Connecticut. They expect Wilhelmina will be happy there for the rest of her life.

It turns out that’s the only thing they were right about. Betty, the gentle farmer who adopts Wilhelmina, accepts her because the old Scottish lady shares Wilhelmina’s sense of adventure. As Wilhelmina comes to understand, acceptance and love can cure wanderlust and let you know you’re home at last.

With a follow up book about one of the other characters in the book already being planned the success of John-Manuel Andriote is set to continue.

So listen now and share an interesting, and entertaining show as I chat with my special guest today on A Book and a Chat with John-Manuel Andriote

Barry
Direct link to the show
A Book and a Chat with John-Manuel Andriote

or you can download the mp3 file of the show from
"John-Manuel Andriote"

You can find out more about my guest and their books at:
"John-Manuel Andriote - Victory Deferred"

Barry Eva (Storyheart)

Author of "Across the Pond" and "The Bathroom Book of Romance"
A Book and a Chat Blog
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A Book and a Chat with Noah Baird

Noah Baird makes a welcome return to “A Book and a Chat” this evening. He is the only guest I’ve had on the show that failed to get into clown school… his grades were not good enough. However he did get into the navy for fourteen years. Now I’m not sure if that just shows how hard it is to be a clown, or how many failed clowns there might be in the navy.

After that as he spent time as a standup comedian, in Hawaii, working for food, in a dry club, often as we heard trying to tell jokes to a non English speaking audience. Still as we now know, he did have a boat named after one of his joke punch lines… (You’ll have to listen to the show to find out just what that was.).

When last on the show Noah shared about his book “Donations of Clarity” of which Genny "Honu" LaFontaine wrote… “I haven't laughed this hard since 1967." We don’t know what made her laugh in 1967, but as anybody who listened to tonight’s “A Book and a Chat” can vouch the author and his debut book are certainly things to exercise your chuckle bone.

About Donations to Clarity:

The plan was simple: hoax Bigfoot, then sell tours to Bigfoot enthusiasts. The plan wasn't brilliant, and neither were Harry, Earl, and Patch. The three chemical-abusing friends only wanted to avoid the 9 to 5 rat race, but their antics attract the attention of a real Bigfoot. When the misogynistic Earl is mistaken for a female Bigfoot by the nearsighted creature and captured; it is just the beginning of their problems.

The U.S. Government has a plan to naturalize the mythical creatures living within the U.S. borders. The problem is the plan needs to be carried out carefully. You can't just drop little green men and Sasquatch in the middle of Walmart without warning Ma and Pa Taxpayer. The naturalization program is not ready to be set into motion, and the rogue Bigfoot is bringing too much attention to itself, including a feisty investigative reporter who uncovers the truth of the government conspiracy and two Bigfoot researchers. No longer able to contain the situation, government agents are tasked with eliminating the Bigfoot and all witnesses.

Between bong hits and water balloon fights, Harry and Patch come up with a plan to save Earl and the lovestruck Bigfoot. Where do you hide a giant, mythical creature? In an insane asylum, because who is going to listen to them?

Now Noah has a new book out, this time aimed at a younger audience, in fact as we learned it was written at the request of his two children, who wanted him to write a book they could read.  Kimberley McMaugh also provides beautiful illustrations for  this charming new children’s book “Southpaw”.

About “Southpaw”

In a wacky town of only left-handed people, something is not right . . .
South Paw explores the ideas of discrimination, bias, and acceptance. Read this book for enjoyment, or use it to stimulate deeper discussions on how we should treat each other.

As one reviewer stated…

Wonderful book with unique illustrations! A fun book for children with a valuable life lesson. Hope to see more from the talented team of Noah Baird and Kim McMaugh!

So listen now and share an interesting, and entertaining show as I chat with my special guest today on A Book and a Chat with Noah Baird

Barry

Direct link to the show
A Book and a Chat with Noah Baird

or you can download the mp3 file of the show from
"Noah Baird"

You can find out more about my guest and their books at:
"Noah Baird - Southpaw"

Barry Eva (Storyheart)

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