Baseball, brain tumors, babies and bad hair days

Baseball, brain tumors, babies and bad hair days.

Okay, so maybe those don't go together as nicely as baseball, hot dogs, apple pie and Chevrolet.

But they all somehow do come together as parts of journalist Liz Holzemer's story, which she recounts in her new book, Curve Ball: When Life Throws You a Brain Tumor (Ghost Road Press).

Liz's story is not really a Chicago one. As the wife of an ex-big league pitcher, she's lived in places all over the country and all over the world. But Chicago isn't one of those places.

So why am I telling her story? Because it's a universal story of survival, one that she tells in a touching but also humorous way.

I came to know Liz because she and I are both columnists for Sanity Central, a parental humor website. What made Liz unique among the crowd of columnists at this site is that she was writing a humor column about her battle against a brain tumor. How does she manage to write with such candor and wit?

Find out in my interview with Liz at ChicagoWrites.org.

Stroller Derby Season

Check out the August issue of Chicago Parent. There's a picture of me and my son in it - and, oh yeah, - my essay "Stroller Derby Season" is there, too.

No kidding: My kid story's a semi-finalist

Just got the news that my kid essay "One Lump or Two?" placed as a Semi-Finalist in the April/May 2007 "America's Funniest Humor!(TM) Writing Contest & Book Publishing Project!" sponsored by HumorPress.com.

This marks the third consecutive time that I've been a winner in the bimonthly humor writing contest - and my highest finish to date (the other two received Honorable Mentions).

You can read my latest winning in the online Humor Showcase. Like my previous winning entires, it will be published soon in a humor anthology from HumorPress. 

Playing Fair

Okay, I'm not really back. Just stopping by for a quick little announcement...

I'd pretty much called it quits, done, finito on doing appearances in support of my book Lost in the Ivy. The last time was last year. Basically, my thinking was that it was time to move on.

But there was one place left where I wanted the chance to shop my book. And now, nearly two years after its release, I'm getting that opportunity.

I'll be signing copies of my book at the Chicago Tribune Printers Row Book Fair -the largest free outdoor literary event in the Midwest-on Saturday, June 9, from 2-4 PM, and on Sunday, June 10, from 4-6 PM. You can find me at the Chicago Writers Association table #271, which will be in the main block between Polk and Harrison. We'll be on the east side of Dearborn, closer to Polk (between tents AA and Z) and just north of the Kids Alley Stage. Click here to download a map of the fair.

Update on Wednesday, June 13, 2007 at 02:34PM by Randy Richardson

Here I am on Sunday afternoon, after two tiring, but very fun days at the Printers Row Book Fair. (Photo courtesy of fellow CWA member and author Lynn Voedisch.)

Just in time for Mother's Day (or Father's Day)

Hey, more big news has brought me out of seclusion here.

Not one. Not two. But three (yes, THREE) of my parenting essays, including one that is new to readers of this blog, are featured in the just released anthology, "Minders' Keepers: Parenting Stories Too Good to Be Forgotten," published by Motherwise.

I just got the book myself, and it's a quick, fun read. And at only $8.95 for paperback or $2.95 for the e-book, it's a bargain.

Here's the official description from the anthology's publisher, Mary Fagan:

A collection of 40 quick reads that are funny, embarassing and/or heartwarming. Enjoy stories written by real-life parents and grandparents about their most prized possessions - children. Inside, find out how Spiderman saves the day (again), a desperate search for a diaper makes one dad realize his blessings, how a true fairy tale romance got started and what lengths a man can go to, to protect his daughter's innocence at Christmas time. Great for sharing with a new parent or grandparent - a celebration of family!

Um, a couple of hints..."a desperate search for a diaper makes one dad realize his blessings" (that's me) and "how a true fairy tale romance got started" (that's me, too).

So if you're looking for that perfect Mother's Day or Father's Day gift, look no further. The book is sold exclusively through Lulu.