Today we're welcoming authors Jeffrey Ross and Jann M. Contento to the blog on their tour with Goddess Fish Promotions for their novel, "College Leadership Crisis: The Philip Dolly Affair", a satirical look at community colleges.The authors are giving away a novel-companion e-form [PDF] “chapbook” of poetry “voiced” by one of the novel’s characters, panish Professor Jack Frost to one randomly drawn commenter. So comment today AND follow his tour (if you click on the banner over there on the left, it'll take you to a list of his tour stops) -- the more you read and comment, the better your odds of winning. You could be introduced to a fun new book AND win!
I asked Jeffrey and Jann to tell us five things (each!) about themselves we might not guess. Take it away, Jeff and Jann!
1. Jann: I witnessed the nation-wide “ceremonial ringing” of the Liberty Bell during the country’s bicentennial year -- July 4th, 1976. I hitched a ride with some friends to Philadelphia that summer, exclusively for the event.
2. Jann: I really like shirts and ties on women-- think Annie Hall.
3. Jann: I have worked for pay in a number of physical labor-based occupations. I ingested road dirt from construction sites, cleared soot-filtered nostrils as a hot-tar roofer, maneuvered a forklift in a propane-scented warehouse, sodded grass patches on well-watered soil, and moved innumerable mattress sets and box springs up endless stairs… all after earning a baccalaureate degree.
4. Jann: I do not own a microwave, a television, or a cell phone.
5. Jann: I appreciate warm, home cooked meals made from all fresh ingredients.
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6. Jeff: On the night of July 20, 1969, while Neil Armstrong and team were on the Moon, I was fishing in the Blue River, cane pole in hand, with my Uncle Valta and Grandpa [Sam] Ross. I remember, very clearly, sitting in tall weeds on the bank, smelling the damp Nebraska air, swatting mosquitoes, and gazing at the pock-marked Moon so far away as it listed slightly in the night sky….
7. Jeff: I rode a Yamaha 350 from Nebraska to California and back with my friends Mike and Brian (also on Yamaha 350’s). We took in Albuquerque, Phoenix, Shttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifan Diego, LA, Ely, Denver and all sights in between.
8. Jeff: I would rather have a bowl of my grandma’s hamburger and noodles than any delicacy prepared by any chef on the planet earth. Anytime, my friends.
9. Jeff: I prefer the solitude of my Quonset hut cabin to any script-drive vacation in a beach house, time share, Disknee Cruise, gym membership, theme park, or resort. I fully embrace life—not the script, not the TEXT.
10. Jeff: I don’t own a smart phone. Probably won’t. Have you noticed how everyone in the country can be seen staring at a hand held device 24/7?
While community colleges are currently receiving heightened attention, this novel provides a behind-the-scenes analysis of many whispered truths, those simmering but unspoken workplace behaviors, issues, and machinations every worker (Everyman!) will recognize. A humorous and biting read with a clever mix of satire, political intrigue, failed romances, and tragic-comedy, this novel will open your eyes to the truth about community colleges …
About Jeff and Jann:
Jann M. Contento has a broad range of experiences in higher education including student affairs administration, athletics, and institutional research. He is currently working in a community college setting and has co-authored several articles on leadership and college culture.
Jeffrey Ross, who resides in Gilbert, Arizona with his wife and son, is a writer, rockabilly musician, and former full-time community college teacher. He has had four "Views" pieces published on InsidehigherEd.com since 2007, has authored and co-authored several op-ed articles on community college identity, purposhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gife, and culture, and has recently had several pieces published on the Cronk News higher education satire website.
Online Presence and Social Media Links
Facebook Page
Getting to Know Phil Dolly Blog
Twitter Account @SalinasChick\
Jeffrey Ross Creative Efforts Home Page on Web Eden (Music and More)
Jeffrey Ross Open Salon Blog—other poetry and essays
Thank you for hosting the authors today.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading about you both. I don't think I could get along without my cell phone, never mind all the
ReplyDeletefancy apps. I just like having it with me for safety reasons.
I love to travel, although I wouldn't do it on a bike.
Thank you for checking in, MomJane. I do appreciate having the ability to "use the phone" (plain old talking-- yes, I do own a cell phone) most anywhere I'm at, though. We have enjoyed and appreciated your comments on our Virtual Tour.
DeleteDear It's Raining Books-Thank you for hosting this stop on the Phil Dolly Virtual Book tour today!
ReplyDeleteJann...No microwave, TV, OR cell phone?? I get absolutely confused looks from my students on the first day of class when I say I don't have a cell phone (never have and may never). BUT, I would be lost without a TV. A microwave, I could take or leave.
ReplyDeleteInteresting bits from each of you. Thanks for sharing.