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GIRL GOES TO HOLLYWOOD, GETS A JOB AT A BIG P.R. FIRM, GETS A LOOK AT THE BEHIND-THE-SCENES, FLEES AND BECOMES AN INDEPENDENT PUBLICIST
Freelance publicist/writer who saw from a bird's eye view how a "real" PR firm of "A-List" celebrities worked way back in the late '80s. Was quite the show. After three and a half years of watching what those publicists went through inside one of those offices, I decided I'd never cut it. (Or rather, I could cut it, but in a better environment)
Let me give you a hint: A woman came into the office wearing a wig as she was hiding from her ex's cronies (he was a famous so-called spiritual leader) and wanted to hire a PR firm as she was writing a book. Notice that I said "was." There was no book deal at that point. One of the senior publicists breezed in and said "I definitely see this in Life Magazine!" and breezed out... I don't even remember what kind of coverage, if any, ever happened for that poor woman. But it certainly wasn't Life. Get the picture?
SETTING UP OFFICES IN SILVER LAKE
So I retreated to my digs in Silver Lake and have worked as a freelance publicist, overall freelancer, ever since. On occasion when I think I should, I have interviewed at these firms, but it never feels quite right. So for the past 20 years (yes, it's actually been that long and I'm not even in a rocker) I have worked with indie and major record labels covering rock, blues, jazz, world music, Cajun & Zydeco, South Indian Classical, Crossover Classical ensembles, New Age, country/pop - as well as independent films, plays, authors/book tours (you've never been on a book tour until you've been on a few jaunts to San Francisco with Holly Woodlawn), music publishers, etc.
WHY YOU SHOULD BE SELECTIVE ABOUT WHO YOU HIRE
I'm very selective about who I work with these days and work on a variety of PR projects, but how many times have you called me and cried and said you hate publicists because the last one you hired didn't "get you anything." Publicists, unfortunately, try to dazzle you with the myths and one is.... "Sure, I can get you on Leno!" Look at where you are at in your career when you hire a publicist, read the magazines and watch the talkshows and ask yourself, when was the last time someone at your level was featured in those publications or on those shows? It's pretty basic. If someone tells you that you're as good as in as a walk-on guest on Letterman, and you're not a well known artist, author, name brand, please thank them for their time and find someone, i.e, me, who will tell you the truth. <[b>SEE MY BLOG: LONG LIVE AL NINO - for how sometimes publicity just happens] And you can get exposure in magazines, but it's a building process and may only be a mention at first, or a review blurb, but you have to start somewhere. Remember, there are no guarantees, but if you approach it right and look to the media outlets best suited for your projects you will get exposure to some degree, on some level.
THESE DAYS...
These days I'm also currently working on short stories, freelance writing bios and press releases. I really appreciate a well-crafted story and have met some budding writers through My Space, some of them well on their way. Writing bios and press releases helps me with short story form in having to take someone else's life and pare it down to two pages or less. When I feel I've gotten the craft of the short down, then I will attempt novel territory.
The rest of the time I'm walking all over Silver Lake, Los Feliz Village, going to readings at Skylight Books, holding court at the House of Pies , (where, hey you'll even see Willie Chambers of The Chambers Brothers having lunch), speaking a few words into the mic doing calendar announcements and general chit chat about blues music every other Thursday evening 10:30 p.m. - midnight on KPFK 90.7 FM's "Blues Power".Oh yes, and listening to lots of jazz, blues, rock, and reading a lot of dead authors, and sometimes a few of the living ones. Chasing the cat out of the house when they bring in mice from the great outdoors and chopping back morning glories. Venturing over to the stables and walking my friend's horse. Ever want to learn more about yourself and people in general - try walking a horse. Can't explain it - you'll have to find out for yourself.
