newfletcherrhodenblog

Four-novel release cycle underway from Fletcher Rhoden.com

2011-01-13T16:48:00.000-08:00

This month, Fletcher Rhoden.com published FREEDOM HALL, a Rhoden-penned historical novel from 2002, in both ebook and paperback formats. The release was quickly followed up by the 2003 novel WARRIOR TIDE: MIGUEL DE CERVANTES AT THE BATTLE OF LEPANTO, which is already available as an ebook and awaits an upcoming paperback release. Two other Rhoden novels, these contemporary fictions, are to follow; each already available as an ebook and coming soon in paperback. NEVER DIE TWICE is a modernized DON QUIXOTE that follows a young man's weekend with his deranged grandfather, who believes himself to be a retired secret agent destined for one final mission against his arch enemy. SISTERELLA is a modernized CINDERELLA from one sister's point of view as the trio finds disharmony when the heir to a rock'n'roll dynasty enters their lives. Both books are comedies, in contrast to the historical novels.

"I've written well over a dozen novels, almost two dozen," Rhoden said. "For me, these are the four that count; two historical novels and two contemporaries, two dramas and two comedies, one in each category with a male protagonist and one with a female. These four books definitely represent where I was with the novel writing. There are others, but for various reasons I strongly doubt they will ever be published. I have a great WWI comedy novel, but it was based on a script I wrote with a woman with whom I am no longer in contact; I am sacrificing a terrific little kids' novel for the same reason. There are other things wrong with a variety of my other books; story lines have become dated, certain literary elements were underdeveloped. I'm not really interested in rewriting all my old stuff. And I don't foresee writing any more long-form fiction like this, at least not in the foreseeable future. So fans, here's the feast; tuck in!"

Which is not to say there won't be any publishing at all for the Los Angeles hyphenate. "There's a chance one or two more from the archives might get released. And there's a book of poetry I'm considering releasing." Those poems are currently posted for free at www.fletcherrhoden.com/poems.htm. Other releases for 2011 include a possible CD collection of Rhoden's best recordings over the past 5 years and a possible internet radio show and a possible return to Rhoden's never-produced 2003 0ne-man show based on the WARRIOR TIDE novel. Rhoden may also be directing Charles-D'Andres Wright in a one-man show in February, although details have not been finalized even at this late date.

FREEDOM HALL historical novel now an ebook, coming in paperback

2010-12-26T08:58:00.000-08:00

Inspired by actual events, FREEDOM HALL (404 pages, $7.99) is the story of Evangeline Mott, a white woman who enlists the aid of a township of free African / Americans to build an abolitionist hall in central Boston at the peak of the
antebellum era. The issues of liberty, dedication and integrity are as vital today as they were during those trying years leading up to the American Civil War.

Rhoden: "This is one of my favorite pieces, one of two that I w0uld call my best novels. It took years to craft this book, first as a screenplay and then as a short story, afterward as a novel. It's also one of my most personal pieces. The protagonist's struggle to build an abolitionist hall not only reflects on First Amendment issues that have always been dear to me, but in many ways I see it as the story of an artist who, despite antagonism from every corner, pursues her goal to the bitter end."

The book is the culmination of a series of official releases for the Los Angeles-born Rhoden. "The past years have seen a kind of rebranding for Fletcher Rhoden.com, so all my projects have been analyzed and the good ones have been released. 2009 was a year for DVD releases, for instance, including some older material released for the first time or, in some cases, re-released. "2010 saw the release of my kids' books, even though they'd been written and illustrated between 2007 and 2009. 2011 was set aside for the unpublished novels, of which there almost two dozen." But don't expect 24 novels to be released this year or any other. "Not all the novels can be published. Some of them just aren't good enough, some are kind of dated, some are based on material I developed with a writing partner I no longer work with, some don't exist in digital form and would have to be retyped, a huge job." There is the possibility of one more novel release this year, a 110,000-word novel about the battle of Lepanto. "If I've got in on disc, I'll put it out," Rhoden said. If not, FREEDOM HALL may mark the end of an incredible spat of media released by the prolific Rhoden, whose last was REDHEAD CUBAN HAUSFRAU HUSBAND, a stage musical which he wrote, scored and directed. Online sales are brisk for the Original Cast Recording CD and World Premiere Edition DVD releases, which came out in November 2010. "Those are my biggest sellers, no doubt," Rhoden said.

Meanwhile, two of Rhoden's novels, SISTERELLA and NEVER DIE TWICE, remain available as ebooks from the NOVELS and the STORE pages of the author's home website, fletcherrhoden.com.

Acclaimed author Rhoden's historical fiction has been called, "Amazingly well written... thoughtful yet riveting from first page to last... a must-read and not to be missed..." by local and online press. FREEDOM HALL will be released in paperback in January, 2011.

15%-off sale at Fletcher Rhoden.com

2010-12-02T15:41:00.000-08:00

Fletcher Rhoden.com celebrates the holidays with a 15%-off sale on all DVDs, most books and more! The sale includes the new releases REDHEAD CUBAN HAUSFRAU HUSBAND Original Cast Recording CD and World Premiere Edition DVD. Rhoden's four paperback books for kids, IMAGINE NATHAN ON SUPERMARKET SAFARI, THAT'S RUDE, JUDE! and two BALLOONZEE books, are also featured in the holiday sales event. The site's first contest is also still active -- visitors who sign the guest book on the site's front page may win a FREE DIGITAL DOWNLOAD of the RCHH Original Cast Recording -- a $7.99 value! One winner a week until Christmas (limit one per email!)

http://www.fletcherrhoden.com/index.htm

REDHEAD CUBAN HAUSFRAU HUSBAND DVD out now!

2010-11-28T09:06:00.001-08:00

The World Premiere Edition DVD of REDHEAD CUBAN HAUSFRAU HUSBAND, the acclaimed musical about the making of TV's first great sitcom, is now available! Joining the Original Cast Recording CD that was released earlier this month, the DVD features interviews and previews and comes in widescreen HD! The play was called, "...Fabulous... a lot of wit and inspiration..." by local and online press!

https://www.createspace.com/297638

new online article THE LAST BLACK FRIDAY?

2010-11-22T11:11:00.000-08:00

I have posted a new online article, THE LAST BLACK FRIDAY? Are brick-and-mortar stores dying? What effect will the digital revolution have on our holiday shopping habits? I am posting a portion of it here, with a link to the entire article. On that page, you can read other articles about Lucille Ball, Marlon Brando, Davy Crockett, pro sports and much more!

The Last Black Friday?

An online article by Fletcher Rhoden

It is often called the busiest shopping day of the year and the official start of the holiday shopping season. The Friday after Thanksgiving is also called Black Friday and traditionally sees lots of sales and long lines filled with camped-out bargain hunters. News broadcasts do stories about it, shoppers and retailers are interviewed, sales figures scrutinized.

But all that may be over.

This year, 2010, has seen the continuation of shopping trends away from brick-and-mortar stores and toward online outlets. And the effects of the digital revolution have been painfully clear in the bankruptcy of big chain stores on the one hand and the meteoric rise of sales figures for sites like Amazon.com on the other. The same products can be purchased for less, sent directly to the purchaser's home or the home or office of a gift recipient. Even some items once thought to be the exclusive province of brick-and-mortar stores, such as clothes, shoes and even groceries, are now commonly purchased online.

And the nature of distribution isn't the only area of change that spells doom for many brick-and-mortar outfits; the nature of the products themselves has also changed. With books being published on demand with greater frequency, bookstores are dying. With CDs and DVDs on the way out and digital media replacing it, the things we now call "record stores" seem certain to become extinct. Video rental outlets, once on every block, are fast disappearing thanks to streaming media and other options, such as Netflix. Paypal, Payloadz and other online automated file-sharing and payment services make it easy for anyone to open their own online store, on their websites or blogs, and sell directly to the public.

So, what stores (if any) are invulnerable to this revolution? The answer can be found in a related question: What CAN'T you buy online? I have not found an answer to this question.

Read the entire article:

http://www.fletcherrhoden.com/onlinearticles.htm

REDHEAD CUBAN HAUSFRAU HUSBAND CD, DVD

2010-11-22T09:49:00.001-08:00

The new stage musical REDHEAD CUBAN HAUSFRAU HUSBAND, about the making of TV's first great sitcom, is now available online! The 13 acclaimed new songs appear on the Original Cast Recording, which is available as a digital download and as a CD. The World Premiere Edition DVD is expected by Dec. 1 and, like the CD, will be available at CreateSpace, Amazon.com and other online outlets and can be purchased directly from the REDHEAD CUBAN HAUSFRAU HUSBAND page of Fletcher Rhoden.com or on that site's STORE page.

RCHH is Rhoden's first stage musical, for which he wrote the lyrics, music and script (he also produced and directed the World Premiere run in Los Angeles, CA in 2010) is his 4 stage play to be produced and the 3rd to be released on DVD (the others include SOUL CANCER and LAST TANGO WITH MARLON.) RCHH was praised by local and online press as "...Fabulous..." and filled with "...A lot of wit and inspiration...one is destined to become entertained." Rhoden's other works, including the 5-star novellas LAST TANGO WITH MARLON and THE TRAIL OF DAVY CROCKETT, have been called, "... Exquisite... funny and fast moving... thoughtful yet riveting from first page to last... amazingly well written..." and much more by local and online press, including Mid West Book Review.

Known mostly for mature work, Rhoden also has books and videos for kids. His IMAGINE NATHAN ON SUPERMARKET SAFARI, THAT'S RUDE, JUDE! and BALLOONZEE books are available in paperback, on DVD and as digital video downloads.

The site also features lots of free content, including online articles, novel excerpts, fine art, exclusive audio and video clips and much more!

http://www.fletcherrhoden.com/index.htm

http://www.fletcherrhoden.com/store.htm

http://www.fletcherrhoden.com/childrensstore.htm

http://www.fletcherrhoden.com/redheadcubanhausfrauhusband.htm

REDHEAD CUBAN HAUSFRAU HUSBAND opens in Los Angeles

2010-07-10T23:54:00.000-07:00

The new Fletcher Rhoden musical REDHEAD CUBAN HAUSFRAU HUSBAND opened at the Mt. Hollywood Theater in Los Angeles CA this weekend to big crowds and rave responses. The two-act musical about the making of television's first great sitcom features a number of stand-out numbers and has been widely covered in local and online press, including LA Weekly and Broadway World.com. Reviews are expected to be widely published in next week's tabloids.

"I am grateful to my awesome cast and crew," creator Rhoden posted on his Facebook page after the opening weekend. Video was captured and at least one clip is expected by week's end at the home site:

http://www.fletcherrhoden.com/redheadcubanhausfrauhusband.htm

BALLOONZEE: BLUE, NO CLUE now in paperback!

2010-05-22T15:27:00.000-07:00

The 2nd BALLOONZEE book for kids, BALLOONZEE: BLUE, NO CLUE is now available from CreateSpace, following closely on the release of BALLOONZEE: LET'S GO FLOATIN'. Whereas FLOATIN' was mostly a picture book, designed to inspire children's imaginations and introduce them to various geographical concepts, BLUE, NO CLUE is a rare kids book that deals with the very serious subject of childhood depression. Using all-digital imagery, the 40-plus page book helps readers deal with the widespread and dangerous mental state in a way that is funny and friendly. Like other kids' books written and illustrated by Fletcher Rhoden, IMAGINE NATHAN ON SUPERMARKET SAFARI and THAT'S RUDE, JUDE! the BALLOONZEE books are ideal for early readers and homeschoolers! Both BALLOONZEE books, as well as the other Rhoden books, are also available in downloadable video and ebook form for easy use on iPods, iPhones, iPads and other portable media devices. A BALLOONZEE dvd is also available from CreateSpace, featuring original songs and other exclusive material.

http://www.fletcherrhoden.com/childrensstore.htm

Two more Eva James/Fletcher Rhoden acoustic vids online

2010-03-07T16:12:00.001-08:00

Acoustic performances of "Paradigm" and "I Love You, Now Change" by Eva James with Fletcher Rhoden are now online and can be seen from the PERFORMANCES page of the home site, Fletcher Rhoden.com (http://www.fletcherrhoden.com/performances.htm). These 2006 performances feature percussionist Voyce McGinnley III. The performance videos follow several others from the Eva James Band, including "Shallow" and the title song from James' cd "Love & War". The postings celebrate James' March 6 birthday. A dvd of these and other EJB performances had been expected, but it does not appear on the FR.com release schedule.

An announcement is forthcoming on the premiere run of a new stage musical by Fletcher Rhoden, expected in July and August of 2010. Rhoden produced and directed his two-act stageplay, LAST TANGO WITH MARLON, about the lives and friendship of Marlon Brando and Wally Cox, in 2008 to great acclaim and issued a dvd, now available from Amazon.com along with several other Rhoden DVD releases.

Give the gift of TRUE love this Valentine's Day

2010-01-25T20:46:00.000-08:00

Last year, an estimated $14.7 billion was spent on Valentine's Day-related purchases. This year, that money is sorely needed in Haiti, where over one hundred thousand people are believed killed in the recent earthquake, with countless thousands more injured, orphaned and homeless. This Valentine’s Day, instead of exchanging chocolates or jewelry, flowers or stuffed animals, please give that money to a reputable Haiti relief fund, such as the Clinton Bush Haiti Relief Fund. Give the gift of true love for Valentine’s Day this year.

God bless.

Pro Ball League Tax video now online!

2010-01-22T17:56:00.000-08:00

Fletcher Rhoden has taken his plea for a pro ball league tax to save our public schools online in video, or VLOG, format; now up at Youtube and Yahoo! video. The published OpEd piece is available in the previous newfletcherrhodenblog entry, at Writing.com or at www.fletcherrhoden.com/onlinearticles.htm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDtg-dOKpy0

Buy Fletcher Rhoden's new single, "Bowl You Over (Rock Your World)" at www.fletcherrhoden.com/music.htm

Watch the "Bowl You Over (Rock Your World)" video free at www.fletcherrhoden.com/videos.htm

A Pro Ball League Tax To Save Our Public Schools

2010-01-17T20:17:00.001-08:00

A PRO BALL LEAGUE TAX TO SAVE OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS

My fellow Americans:

As a singer/songwriter whose new single Bowl You Over (Rock Your World) celebrates the great American sport football, I am supportive of both public music / arts education and also of the college and professional levels of organized sport. Sadly (and unnecessarily) the two things now seem to be at odds.

One of the great losses of our recent economic challenges is to our public schools across the United States. Music and other arts programs are being cut from the budgets, schools are overcrowded and understaffed. Yet organized sport at the high school level remains a priority. This is because high school athletes get college scholarships, fueling the college ball industry, and the great college athletes go on to populate the pro ball leagues. Without organized sport at the high school level, the professional sports leagues would collapse and with them so many associated industries, such as clothing and home gear manufacture, food vendors, broadcasters and so on. Clearly there are too many good people whose lives depend on pro ball who would be hurt were high schools to abandon organized sport. It is also said that sports are often the only way some kids can get into college, and to deny them this would be unfair. And I agree. On the other hand, the music industry doesn’t recruit its talent from high school or college band classes, nor does Hollywood recruit from high school or college theater. Clearly, organized sport is the more productive choice for our society. There is almost no choice at all.

But there is an option to funding one at the expense of the other: I suggest that since the professional athletic leagues depend so heavily on sports at the high school level that they should pay for it. Let the major leagues pay special taxes that go right to the schools (as federal subsidies) to pay for the gear, the coaches, the buses and gasoline and other expenses. This way the school boards could allocate their sports budgets (along with some surplus) back into the arts and sciences, into building more schools and hiring more teachers, serving better food and supplying better books; not only on the high school level but all the way down to the elementary or middle public school levels, where budget cuts continue to wreak havoc.

Those who object might say that the major leagues will only pass the expenses along to the fans as higher ticket prices. I would say, firstly, that the fans are the ones for whom the entire industry is designed, it is around the fans that the industry revolves, it is the fans who benefit most from the high schools’ investment in young athletes’ futures; why shouldn’t the fans be ready to pay a little more? It could be easily argued that we fans have had it too good for too long. Secondly, I would say a price increase to the fans wouldn’t even be necessary. To pay the league tax, the leagues could charge the ball teams an additional league fee. Should one cry foul that this would strain the ball clubs, let them get some of the money from the players; just as laborers and Teamsters pay dues from their salaries for the benefits of their unions. Should one claim that these young players shouldn’t have to shoulder that burden, I would ask, Why shouldn’t they? They are the ones earning astronomical salaries, and it is most often as a result of the benefits they enjoyed from organized sport at the high school level. Why shouldn’t they give a little back to support the next generation of players, to keep their own industry alive?

Some would argue that only a few star players in each league earn the truly enormous salaries and that most players are conservative earners. Also, some leagues spend much more than others on players’ salaries. To this I would say the dues extracted from the players’ salaries would be commensurate with their earnings. I suggest that a straight percentage would be fair. And how much could that be? In 2009 the NFL salary cap was raised to $128 million per team, with all teams collectively paying roughly $4.1 billion. The league’s independent revenue, according to sources, is almost an additional $1 billion. A CONTRIBUTION OF JUST ONE PERCENT (1%) OF THIS $5 BILLION TOTAL WOULD PUMP $50 MILLION INTO OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS YEARLY. And that’s from the NFL alone.

Not only can they easily afford it, I would go on to say that the pro ball leagues are the only ones who should reasonably be asked to pay. Why should the taxes of someone who has no children and no interest in pro sports have to pay for all this while those who earn fortunes from it contribute only in the general sense? Why should budding artists and musicians have to lose out on their own education and the chances to better their own future? Why is our society ready to settle for a generation of undereducated, malnourished children while one particular industry thrives? Why indeed, when a remedy is so close at hand?

Professional sports are vital to our economy, to our way of life, and to the pride and identity of nations all over the world. But when it comes at the expense of the educational system we rely upon to keep our society great, does this not rob the sports industry of its honor? What are we left with but corporations who sacrifice the health and well-being of their own players (steroid use, increased nervous system injury and cardiovascular failure are only a few such personal abuses) in order to keep alive a billion-dollar revue stream from merchandise and broadcast rights? And doesn’t this corrupt, self-serving attitude trickle down from the power elite to any player who would balk at giving back to the community in this way? Is one single percent really so much to ask, or too much to give? Even the very sports fan whose money and dedication fuel the entire industry is also to blame for failing to insist that the leagues they support do something more to help us recover our public educational system, the same system those leagues have richly harvested at others’ expense.

And it is not a question of sports fans versus non-fans. For there is another vital reason the leagues should pay for the high school sports programs they value so highly and need so dearly; these programs are being cut from public schools across the country, just as music and art programs already have been. This league tax is not simply a good idea, it is a must if the professional leagues want to keep their talent (and thus economic) resources plentiful. Beyond plenty, it would seem a question of simply keeping the entire North American sports industry alive or allowing it to perish from the ground up. And this is something I think we all agree cannot be allowed to happen.

In the United States we are a nation of laws, and such a tax would require the passing of such a law. But must decency and fairness and a sense of responsibility be institutionalized and mandated? If just one major sports league (the NFL for example) could put this together without a law being passed (thus circumventing the long delay of the legislative process) it would set an example the other North American leagues, and later the entire world, would follow. It would demonstrate how great, and how American, our great American pastimes truly are; and how great America still is.

And, as I illustrated, it would put $50 million a year into our public schools, to make sure America stays great in the years to come. We simply cannot afford to ignore this remedy.

This is a big idea and will cost many rich people and their even-richer corporate masters many millions of dollars. As such, it will be met with great opposition. A champion is required to take this idea forward; someone with the clout, power or recognition to bring this plea to light. We need somebody with ties to the worlds of sports, celebrity, politics or all three; or perhaps a team of champions from these professions. Pass this open letter on, forward it to interested parties, and I know we will find our champion. Send a copy to your government representatives with your support. Consider it, discuss it, refine it, define it. Perhaps you are that champion; or perhaps like me you just want to help save our schools, our sports and, with them, our futures.

Fletcher Rhoden

Fletcher Rhoden.com

New Fletcher Rhoden single available for download!

2010-01-13T16:34:00.000-08:00

Fletcher Rhoden.com is making the new single, "Bowl You Over (Rock Your World)" available to download for less than a dollar. The hard-rockin' new song celebrates the great American sport football -- just in time for Super Bowl madness! This is the first tune by Rhoden to be available for download as an mp3. An awesome new video for the tune is up at the home site (fletcherrhoden.com) on the VIDEOS page. The song can be purchased and downloaded from the MUSIC page (fletcherrhoden.com/music), where you can preview the song for free.

There is also a new video of Robbie Rist's "I Guess I'm Not A Kid Anymore" on the FAMILY AND FRIENDS page. Clips of the actor's career play over a solo rendition of this stirring tune, available nowhere else and yours to enjoy at no cost.

Look for more archival clips to appear soon (along with lots of other free content) at Fletcher Rhoden.com, the digital download superstore!

FR.c