Alice Germond talks about A Small Story for Page 3 on Penny's Tales

JACK GERMOND PENS BREAKOUT NOVEL A SMALL STORY FOR PAGE 3   

Montreal, Quebec, Canada—MuseItUp Publishing is proud to release political pundit Jack Germond’s break out novel, A Small Story for Page 3. Jack completed the final edits just days before his death in August of 2013 and the ebook released on the day of his passing. The print book will release November 6, 2013. 

Tell us all about Jack and what made him tick and what did he like doing when he wasn't writing! 

Jack loved the race track, would study the form almost as if he was studying candidates for President.  Always looking for that Triple Crown winner – or a great President.  He loved good food and conversation with friends and extending the evening.

Tell us about your family – married?   Kids?   Where you live!

Jack and I spent most of our not working time in our house in the country – on a bend of the Shennandoah River – where the bald eagles have returned and the sun sets like a Constable painting.    

Our kids, his and mine, have grown up nicely and out grandchildren are a source of amusement, pride and hopes.

 

If you could travel anywhere in or out of this world, where would it be?

Jack loved Scotland, French food, Lake Como and many places.  He admired the space program but freeze dried dinner not so much.

What is the most scared Jack had ever been? 

I think when his older daughter, Mandy, was diagnosed with Leukemia.  She didn’t make it.

Where did he come up with the idea for this story? 

It grew out of the many years Jack spent on the road covering politics and working for newspapers. 

What was Jack's favorite thing about writing? 

Jack liked creating the characters and letting them take on a life of their own.

What was his biggest pet peeve about writing?

 I’d guess it would have been Re-writing.

Most important – where can we buy this story? 

     

MuseItUp Publishing Store    https://museituppublishing.com/bookstore/index.php/museitup/mainstream/a-small-story-for-page-3-detail

Amazon.com

http://www.amazon.com/A-Small-Story-Page-3-ebook/dp/B00EKPWH0M/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1382307073&sr=8-2&keywords=jack+germond

Barnes and Noble

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-small-story-for-page-3-jack-w-germond/1116465961?ean=2940148435365

Blog Link for Nov 12  @ 5 am EST Muse Blog  http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=107276766153014751#editor/target=post;postID=7927791436378406190

 A Small Story for Page 3

Harry Fletcher can’t for the life of him figure out what exactly the ‘nugget’ of information his colleague, Eddie Concannon, uncovered prior to his death is. Picking his way along the threads of information, Harry soon finds himself at odds with government officials and his own newspaper seems to be involved in the collusion.  Join Harry as he deciphers the clues and enjoy a journey into the world of investigative reporting set against a colorful back drop of characters and locations.

Jack Germond (January 30, 1928 – August 14, 2013) was a retired newspaper man, columnist and TV pundit. But like a Thoroughbred racehorse, a reporter never actually retires—he just writes about other things. The author brings his vast knowledge and understanding of the press and the business of getting the information to public to bear in his breakout novel, A Small Story for Page 3. Mr. Germond was nationally known as a bemused liberal and was a regular on The McLaughlin Group as well as appearing on other public affairs TV programs — CNN, Meet The Press and The Today Show among others. He covered ten presidential elections, and with Jules Witcover wrote a book covering each presidential election from 1980 to 1992. Timothy Crouse made Germond a prominent figure in “Boys on the Bus” his acclaimed book on the 1972 presidential election. Mr. Germond has previously published two non-fiction books, his memoir “Fat Man in A Middle Seat” (Random House 2002) and “Fat Man Fed Up” (Random House 2005) a scride on the decline of politics in the United States. Along with Jules Witcover he wrote a syndicated column that ran in 140 papers five days a week from 1977 to 2001.  

 

 
Chris Farley once spoofed Germond on Saturday Night Live. Germond was known for his no nonsense approach to reporting and his love of good food, good liquor and good friends. He instituted The Germond Rule which two generations of political reporters have adhered to. The rule simply stated that when a group of reporters dined together the tab would be split evenly, no matter who ate or drank more. This caused his many friends to eat and drink defensively when covering stories and enjoying good company.

Jack Germond was one of a kind and he will be missed. MuseItUp Publishing is proud to publish his first and only fiction novel.

 

 Bio on Alice Germond

Alice Germond is the Secretary Emeritus of the Democratic National Committee. She was elected Secretary unopposed three times from 2002 to January 2013. Alice also served on the Executive Committee, the Rules and By-Laws Committee and as Secretary for the Democratic National Convention where she called the role of states that determines the Party's nominee. Alice has participated in every Convention since 1974 when the Party wrote its National Charter.  Alice currently is an elected At-Large member of the DNC and serves on the Resolutions Committee.

Active in the Democratic Party for over 45 years, she has held leadership positions in local, state and national campaigns including Political Director for Clinton/Gore in CA, Deputy National Political Director for Michael Dukakis, and Super Delegate Director for Gary Hart. In 1988 Alice moved to Washington DC, and became Director of Political Operations for Ron Brown's successful election as Chair of the DNC. She was named his Senior Advisor, coordinating DNC Party Programs and was his liaison to the 1992 Convention. From 1993—1996 she was Director of the DNC's Government and Party Affairs Departments.

A strong advocate for issues and party values, Alice led the historic effort to put Geraldine Ferraro on the Democratic Ticket while Chair of the National Women's Political Caucus Democratic Task Force. During her tenure as Executive Vice President of NARAL Pro-Choice America, Fortune Magazine ranked NARAL as the most effective women's organization in the nation. Alice also worked for the AFL-CIO's Women's Division and for SEIU. One of Alice's earliest experiences was participating in Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "I Have A Dream" March on the National Mall.

Alice has broad experience as a speaker and working with the press. Her op-eds have been published by major newspapers and on the internet, and in 1995 CBS hired Alice for their special Convention Coverage Unit. She has spoken at Party Events in 50+ States and for the campaigns, organizations and issues with which she is identified. Her international work includes lectures at Tsinghua University in Beijing, leader of two delegations to Taiwan, presentations in Madrid, London, Barcelona, Toronto, the Virgin Islands and several NDI exchanges including one for the European Parliament.

In 2013 President Barack Obama appointed Alice to the prestigious Commission on White House Fellows where she currently serves. Prior commissions include the CA Council on Criminal Justice (Gov. E G Brown, Jr.) and the LA Olympics Government Affairs Committee.  

Alice earned her BA from Bennington College, VT in 1965 where she received a non-resident term scholarship and was Chair of the school legislature.  Her MS Degree in Public

Administration/Recreation was awarded in 1977 from CA State Un. LA with a 4.0 average.
Now living on a bend of the Shenandoah River in West Virginia, Alice grows vegetables and fruits, goes running with her dog Freddy, and watches the bald eagles who have returned to the region. Coffee on the deck, warm conversation with many friends and visits from six grandchildren are a constant pleasure.  

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Reviews for A Small  Story for Page 3

Amazon.com

5.0 out of 5 stars Breathtaking Political Investigating By A Winner August 16, 2013

By Lady Bug Lin

A SMALL STORY FOR PAGE 3 by Jack W. Germond

I never expected my first review for author Jack W. Germond to be my last, but I guess if it has to be the last, it might as well be a top notch book to review...and that's the case here.

Inside a major D.C. Newspaper hub where the busy world of digging out political intrigue is daily fair that makes the headlines and sells the papers, Jack W. Germond has created a tense, boiler pot of a story. He shows one and all the glamour we all think the media news possesses is actually coated beneath many layers of tarnish, some obvious, some concealed, some seedy, and some spreading like a dry rot through the majestic limbs of our stately cherry trees.

No one alive today can look at the day-to-day business that transpires within the Beltway and not know lies, deceit, and subterfuge play huge parts in creating the ever shifting sands creating the foundation of politics. Jack Germond's ace reporter, Harry Fletcher knows this seedy world very well, and plays it with the panache of a man who's been at it for a long time.

Upon the death of his colleague and friend, Harry is given what those in the business call a "nugget"...a story not fully developed, and told to flesh it out...find the meat...get the story...if it really exists, but keep it close to his chest.

Treacherous waters. Harry must swim upstream against the odds, but when he does, who will he uncover are the real sharks waiting to tear him fin from fin?

This is a gripping story I read from beginning to end in one sitting. Mr. Germond's story telling skills captivated and had me cheering Harry Fletcher on as he came up against obstacle after obstacle and obstacle while ferreting out the truth. Read more ›

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4.0 out of 5 stars An Insider's Story About News Reporting August 20, 2013

By ANOTHER AUTHOR

Amazon Verified Purchase

Ace political reporter Harry Fletcher has problems: a politician threatening him, a young reporter gunning for his job, a wife having an affair and a publisher who doesn't want to print his latest story. This first novel by veteran newsman Jack Germond gives an insider's look at the job of journalism as Fletcher interviews sources who wish to remain anonymous, tracks down promising leads, rallies his editors' support and finally, confronts his boss. You'll never read a newspaper again without thinking of this "small story" and the ethical dilemma it describes.

5.0 out of 5 stars Turn to Page 3 September 15, 2013

By Patricia Stocker

Amazon Verified Purchase

I have some newspaper background and the book is written by a former newsman.

The book reveals how newspaper ownership and management can censor and color the news, as it now does.

A bit of sex spices up the story.

Jack Germond is an excellent writer with a lifetime of experience.

5.0 out of 5 stars What is it like to be a political reporter? September 12, 2013

By George W McDonald

Amazon Verified Purchase

I love to read about politics. My favorite political reading is a book looking back on events and giving the big-picture story and, usually, details that didn't make the daily newspapers. My favorite such books were written by Jack Germond and his partner Jules Witcover, especially "Mad As Hell," about the 1992 presidential election. Jack was also a well-known talking head (The McLaughlin Group); Jack was the one that wasn't full of himself.

I had the great pleasure of meeting and getting to know Jack and having dinner with him and his wife Alice over Thanksgiving weekend for most of the past ten years or so. I was in heaven sitting at the table with Jack and hearing his political stories. This novel (his first) was published the day he died. Not surprising, it's about political reporters. It provides a window into their lives and the issues they live with - what is fair to report? how does one build a story? how does a reporter persuade people to help him get to the truth? I suspect it also gives a good glimpse into Jack's own personal life. It provides an object lesson in the ethics of journalism. I highly recommend it to those who care about political reporting and/or want a good read.

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