Marshamarksblog

What happened with the Hollywood Pitch meeting...

2006-04-28T16:22:00.000-07:00

OK, everybody is asking me for an update on what happened in Hollywood!

Here's what happened: 1. The Producer that met me in the Hall at the Sheraton, turned out to be Legit. She did infact call ACTOR Kym Whitley, twice... telling Kym she needed to meet me. When Kym finally got to speak to me, she told me the Producer I'd met...who called her... was actually a Producer on one of Kym's other Television shows...so hmmm, kind of wonderful to have just bumped into her, while I was in Hollywood, praying for a way to get to Kym Whitley, whom I wanted to star in the sitcom (along with Rachael Harris).

About two weeks ago, Kym's people http://www.kymwhitley.net/
called to set up a meeting while I was in LA. But, I was too busy, and couldn't do it. Then Kym wasn't available when I was. So, finally, YESTERDAY we finally all had the pitch meeting. It went very well. So well in fact, that I'm thrilled. What? You want details? OK, below are some details. Incidentally, before the pitch meeting, I did have a consultation with my Entertainment Attorney. So, that I wasn't allowed to talk business, just creative stuff. What? (if you are a new author) You are wondering...why I need an Entertainment Attorney when I have a literary Agent? Well, here is something I've learned in my few years in publishing books. Literary Agents do not or should not handle deals where a TV project or film is being adapted from a Book that is already copyrighted and published by (in this case) a division of Random House. It is best for a Hollywood Entertainment Attorney who is experienced in deals like this to handle this stuff. My Entertainment Attorney has handled deals with such well known authors as Nicholas Sparks. www.nicholassparks.com/ This is a good thing.

Now, if you're an experienced author, editor, agent... You are wondering ...how it was that I retained Film and TV rights to my books. Well, it's a small miracle, that I did. But, it had to do with the fact that when I signed the three book deal, with WaterBrook/Random House, in 2002, it was supposed to be for a certain type of book, that at the time did not seem to be adaptable to Movies, or Film, but after I signed the contract, the Publisher decided they wanted very different types of books, which turned out to be very adaptable, but they didn't remove the clause that had already been agreed to on the contract. So, I got to keep all TV and FILM rights.

It all sounds kind of unbelievable, but it all happened.

Now, earlier in the month, it was going to be Michael Morris www.michaelmorrisbooks.com and I writing the script together, but after spending one weekend with Michael in LA meeting with people, it occured to me that we worked better seperately. We are still close friends. He just called today. And he will actually be a writer for this sitcom if I have any say in it, but at the time, it's just me.

Now comes the problems with everything: I want to be the Executive Producer on this project, and everyone is telling me that NO ONE is going to make me executive producer. But, here's the thing, I want the sitcom to be FUNNY and FAMILY FRIENDLY. I don't want any sexual jokes in the sitcome. It's called AIR MARSHA (about an airhead Flight Attedant and her Flight attendant co-worker) It's LUCILLE BALL MEETS SWEET HOME ALABAMA, only in this case Lucille Ball is a larger -out-there black woman, and her Ethel is a smaller uptight white woman who goes to Church. (Both Characters are based on my stories in my books). They are both Flight attendants, and when I pitched 8 different scenes to Kym Whitley, and her people, they loved them. So, I might have to get the funding myself, and produce the Pilot myself, which is possible. I mean, "What is impossible with man, is possible with God." And I want this Pilot to be funny and family friendly so Christians, and other 200 million believers in God, in America alone, can watch it with their young children. Like, heeellloooo - the old I Love Lucy shows. I don't think you have to have sexual content to be funny! So, if I get the funding and backers myself, and shoot the Pilot, and it goes well, then we can sell it and I can stay on as Executive Producer.

Also, I desperately want Rachael Harris to star in the Sitcom with Kym Whitely.

But, Actor Kym Whitley, is very good friends with Commedian Caroline Rhea, www.carolinerhea.com
And even though I LOVE Caroline, and have another project she'd be great in....
I don't want her in this sitcom with Kym. Because she and Kym are too much alike...and the whole funny thing in any sitcom is CONFLICT. And Rachael Harris (google her, she played the assistant in Kirstie Alley's FAT ACTRESS) would be the perfect straight person to Kym Whitley. Rachael, is the best DRY HUMOR actor I've ever seen. In fact it was in watching an episode of CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM (The Car Pool Lane) where I saw how funny it was to see an out-there character played by KYM WHITLEY pitted against the uptight, neurotic white guy, Larry David...that I got the idea for this show. OK, that's not exactly true - the idea for the show came all the dumb things I've done that is all documented in my books. But, the casting of actors, came from watching Racheal Harris on FAT ACTRESS and CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM and on watching KYM and Larry David.

OK, so that's what happened. KYM is going to try and pitch this to ABC, (who, I can guarentee you... isn't going to let me be the Executive Producer). But, the good news is, KYM is under a development deal with ABC.

And in an amazing twist of fate, I just emailed an Entertainment Attorney I met 7 years ago, at the Maui Writers conference,
www.mauiwriters.com
and told him what's going on with this...and you're not going to believe this, but he represents Racheal Harris... my other dream actor for the sitcom.

So, as a Christian, I have to say, this whole experience might be God on the move in my life, trying to get the idea of a FAMILY FRIENDLY funny sitcom with a tiny bit of Christian values in it, on NETWORK TV.

But, we'll have to wait and see, I mean, hey, look at Moses, he went before Pharaoh 9 times pitching his script, and he got rejected each time, until finally God granted release from the Negative enviornment and fullfilled his dream, but not before having him walk a while on hot sand.

More later, as I try and set the people free to get to the promise land that is flowing with a Funny Family Friendly sitcom.

Love, Marsha

HOT FROM HOLLYWOOD

2006-04-07T23:04:00.000-07:00

Ok, you all, this is coming direct from beautiful downtown Burbank, where I have just returned from a day meeting with writers and some producers. Then tomorrow, I pitch first to one production company - for our sitcom. Then to the second largest (talent) agency in the world, for the movie. Everything we're pitching is based on the stories in my books! We've had amazing success today - thanks to those of you who said prayers for me. How much success? OK, I'll just tell you one thing. In the sitcom, as you know, I want two stars. 1. For the lead, I want Rachel Harris. She's funny and has a great dry sense of humor and would be hilarious opposite the co-star, which I wanted to be Kym Whitley. (They are so opposite not just in looks but in humor, but are both hilarious!!!)

So, I go into one meeting at the Sheraton in Universal Studio's and walk out of the meeting and start talking to a girl I see in the hall. I have no clue who she is, I just liked her. You know it was chemistry or something. So, I start telling her why I'm in town, and about the sitcom...Then I ask her if she's ever heard of a star called Kym Whitley, she say's "Yeah, she's a friend of mine". I say, "NO WAY! ABSOLUTELY NO WAY! Then I say, "I love her! I think she is so funny! I loved her in CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM! I want her to star in the sitcom!" She says "Let me call her." She whips out her cell and calls KYM right there! Can you believe it!!

She gets her message machine. And leaves KYM a message!

It was almost as if our meeting was divinely ordained. Proverbs 21:1

OH and almost forgot to tell you, the girl I met in the hall was a PRODUCER for half hour TV shows. And a believer! (We had lunch together with a screenwriter, who had just sold her script after 9 years. Please God, don't make me wait 9 years.)

There's more, but no time to write right now.

So stay tuned to see what happens next.

Best, Marsha

The New Sitcom for Hollywood.

2006-04-03T19:07:00.000-07:00

OK, here is the freaky twilight zone thing: I was doing a TV show in Agusta GA, about six months ago. It's a religious show which is mostly an hour of fun banter with the host...fun talk and I love it. But, the last time I did it, the host, stopped and said, right in the middle of the show... "What we need is a SITCOM of your life Marsha Marks. Let's pray for that." And right there, on her TV show - she paused and prayed for me to have a sitcom. That the powers that be would want this sitcom. I had this thought that she didn't know Hollywood, and how they are not too receptive to a sitcom about a Christian Intellectual/who feels too wordly for the Church and too Churchy for the world, and is a Flight Attendant/surrounded by airheads, and trapped in a steel cigar while trying to make it as a writer. But she prayed anyway.

Then, and this is the twilight zone part. ...two week ago, my good friend "Award Winning Author Michael Morris (A Place Called Wiregrass, and Live Like you were dying) http://www.michaelmorrisbooks.com/
called my house, and said, "We have to do a sitcom of your life, of every dumb thing you've done as recorded in your books - like the time you went to Church and made your daughter spit out the communion wafer because she's allergic to wheat and you didn't realize the wafer was wheat, until she ate it... and the whole Church thought you were demon possessed. Or the time you rushed your daughter to a Doctor because you thought she had a hematoma on her leg and it turned out to be a gummie bear. Or the time you called everyone because you thought you were dying of cancer and it turned out to be a "food activated tumor' that was making your hips spread. The Initials were FAT. It wasn't a real tumor at all but cellulite.

So, anyway, I agreed with him, we need this sitcome and so we got a great name for the sitcom (actually title credit goes to the Southern Living Editor who loved the idea and gave us the great title) and got it all down out of my books (I own the TV rights to my books)

And we are now going to LA with meetings on Friday - Sat and Sun to pitch the thing, and we are pretty dang excited.

So, if you are the praying type, pray for me. I need wisdom here. And wit. And if you are not the praying type but want to see a funny funny sitcom that is family friendly and doesn't make the Church look like it's completely full of phycho's - just half full of them, then hey write me a letter of support about this. marshamarks@aol.com and I'll take your emails to Hollywood and show em, there are 250 Million fun lovin Christians out there, who feel they are not properly represented on TV!!!

Bye, Marsha Marks

The Joey Reynolds Show

2006-03-17T01:16:00.000-08:00

OK, going to New York is fun - and not just for the food and the shopping! We're talking the JOEY REYNOLDS show (google him - you younger kids). I love doing this show! Listen in for a live in studio interview with Joey, and me, on St. Patricks Day, March 17th, 2006.

Also, just heard from my friend Suzane Hansen - and her new book YOU'LL NEVER NANNY IN THIS TOWN AGAIN - is #30 on the NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER list!
http://www.randomhouse.com/crown/hollywoodnanny/pages/aboutsuzanne.html

Heeelllloooo that is the dream of so many people. And it used to be my dream. Now, I just dream of having enough money/capital to publish my own books - make that all the books that are in my heart with lil ole www.underdogpublishing.com (don't judge a publishing company by the website. And for those of you who do - it will get better next week!).

New Gift Book

2006-03-16T17:01:00.000-08:00

OK, running a small company involves a lot of running. That's all I have to say right now. Today we got the final edit of the new gift tag book - When you were 8, when I am 80...a story about being young and growing old. And already the interest in this book is overwhelming - (I'm not just saying that.)

It turns out there are so many people caught between their 8 year old children and their 80 year old parents - or near 80 year old parents...that we all could use a book that promotes understanding between the young, the old and those in between.

Also, SOUTHERN LIVING MAGAZINE is coming to my house!!!! Heeeelllooo - I think this means, I need to clean! They are intersted in "The Southern (ha) Flight Attendant who writes books. (Oh, Thank you God for this publicity...or potential publicity)

The guy said not to get too excited yet. They are not bringing the photographer this time, just the interviewer, who will take a couple of 'shots' to let the photographer know what he is up against.

And tomorrow, in New York, I'll be meeting with the Senior Editor of Family Circle magazine. I don't want to be too nervous about this...you know the old saying..."some trust in Chariots, some in horses...but we trust in something greater than the things money can buy..." Still, I wish I did have a nicer suit, which money could buy.

I'm just going to have to try and be who I am, and hope that doesn't scare her. ...smile.

Just before the book Mary McCowski Was Not a Pretty girl came out

2006-03-01T09:21:00.000-08:00

OK, back last summer (2005) I was walking through the Dallas Ft Worth Airport and saw the last book in my three book deal with WaterBrook Press (a division of Random House).

Here I am in that airport bookstore, with FLYING BY THE SEAT OF MY PANTS - Flight Attendant Adventures on a Wing and a Prayer. But, just this morning, (March 2006) I was thinking that I'm glad I left all that behind - (I mean being owned by the big boys of publishing) to do my own little thing - which is publish Mary McCowski Was Not a Pretty Girl. Because - now there is great freedom and peace in knowing, that no one else has their vision inside of a book with my name on it. And (this is the really odd thing) I'm making more money per book and having more sales per store with Mary McCowski, than I ever was when I was with any 'corporate' publisher. Go figure. It's just the way it works, when you self publish a book that - well, that takes on a life of it's own.

Success and finding lost socks

2006-03-01T07:58:00.000-08:00

OK, the little book Mary McCowski was not a pretty girl, is taking off so much, that I've had to order another 2500 books printed. This is the 5th printing I've had since the little book was published - just 5 months ago, and it's only been sold on Amazon, my website and TWO tiny bookstores for the last 45 days! So this is GOOD news on the business side. Also, the good press continues - which is good. But, here's the problem. I'm still without a US or Foreign distributor. I am the only one shipping orders except for Amazon.com. So every morning I check new orders and ship them, while trying to find matching socks for my daughter and packing her lunch and trying to not totally neglect our 17 year old foreign exchange student. I never read books about men who go off to the office to be successful - who sweat the concept of what their child will eat for lunch, or if she has her Latin flashcards up to date. What is the deal with that? So, I've decided I don't just want to be Martha Stewart (without the Prison part) but also Mother Theresa (but with a better body...so I've started working out) - and I've been thinking lately, it's not as important to be successful business wise, as it is to be kind to those I'm dealing with on a daily basis, so I'm praying a prayer...it goes like this, "God help my business decisions, and help me to be loving to everyone, even my enemies - because that's just like you."

The Flight Attendant report

2006-02-09T07:46:00.000-08:00

OK, I'm not joking, this could have been me. I mean, she made a little mistake, she bought a little gift that her son would love.

So it was a hand grenade...it wasn't active.

Now, please realize I'm not saying I work for this airline, but hey, I have done stupid things like this - I mean not exactly like it, but I did show up at the airport last week, with 6 inch steel nails in my bag, because they were garden stakes and I'd put them in my purse from my last trip to home depo and I forgot about them...and was detained an hour...so, this sooo could have been me. She want to jail and all...aggghhh

http://wcco.com/local/local_story_026010403.html

To the top of the house, and then hitting the fireplace

2006-02-08T11:00:00.000-08:00

OK, here's the point - I don't know how really famous people feel, I mean those people who are famous (more than just in their own minds) but here's how wanna-be-successful people feel - people like me who are getting some media lately and fielding calls from Magazines and stuff.

We think we are on top of the world, or at least on top of 'our house' for a minute - and then we land back into the fireplace. Which is where I just was...and am now covered with soot.

Why was I in our Fireplace?

Well, I was walking by the fireplace and noticed soot on the floor in front of the fireplace. A whole pile of soot. Then I saw little cat paws made in soot, leading away from our fireplace and across our cream colored carpet. Yes, folks you have guessed it, our cat must be deluded and think the fireplace is her litter box. She has never done this before, and I'm new to the whole cat thing.

But, I've just come back from cleaning soot off of everything, and taking everything out of the fireplace. Oh, and the cat thought she should roll around on the furniture while she was covered with soot. Maybe she wanted to clean herself.

But, there you have it, the ups and downs of running a small business out of your home, with no 'cleaning staff.'

AGGGHHHHHHHHH

What LEEZA SAID ON HER SHOW

2006-02-08T08:00:00.000-08:00

RE: The www.LEEZAGIBBONS.com the LEEZA LIVE SHOW

OK, you guys, when I was interviewed on Leeza Live she said: (about Mary McCowski was not a Pretty Girl) ".....it's a tiny little book, with a great big message". OH MY, said Marsha, so excited, for a minute she forgot she was the President of a respectable publishing company with a first months payroll of $1.00 and for just a minute she thought - maybe she was dreaming. So, she kept the email from Lezza's producer to remind her, it wasn't a dream.

Can you believe it?!!!

(And sorry, but No, I can't give out the name of Leeza's producer - do ya think I'm nuts!)

Hear Marsha Live Monday, Feb 20th 9:30 AM EST

2006-02-06T12:33:00.000-08:00

OK, you guys, there is this hilarious and fun Radio Host named Teresa Tomeo - http://www.teresatomeo.com/

whom I think is a clone of me...somehow.... And she and I will be chatting on her Nationally Syndicated Radio Show on Monday, Feb 20th, 2006, at 9:30 AM EST. http://www.avemariaradio.net

All about Mary McCowski was Not a Pretty Girl and of course, www.underdogpublishing.com

www.leezagibbons.com

2006-02-03T19:57:00.000-08:00

Hey, next Tuesday Morning, Feb 7th 2006, 9:30 AM PST - I'll be on the Leeza Live National Radio Show. Talking about www.underdogpublishing.com and the new book MARY McCOWSKI WAS NOT A PRETTY GIRL!

SKYWEST MAG/ASA MAGAZINE

2006-02-03T11:20:00.000-08:00

Hey, watch Atlantic Southest Airline in the MAY/JUNE issue on all ASA Flights! Look for the HOMETOWN HERO's section and read about Marsha Marks and www.underdogpublishing.com

Doing interviews while fielding interuptions

2006-02-03T08:51:00.000-08:00

The weird thing about doing media interviews (at least those where the Radio Station or Magazine calls your home) is you can be in your old sweats, and a ballcap with no makeup on and food in your teeth, from inhaling your breakfast, and they don't care! As long as you sound peppy, funny and have a great story - they love you. I've been doing phone interviews now for years, from home. But this is the first set of media I've done for the new book Mary McCowski was not a pretty girl, and for my own publishing company. But, it's no different. The listening audience doesn't care who published the book - they only care about hearing tantelizing sound bites about the book - so they will want to buy the book. And that's why you do media...isn't it - to get the word out?

So, this morning I did a LIVE Morning Talk show, AM1310 with Mark Wayne in CT. And was on the phone for 40 minutes with a taped interview for www.briomag.com for the Career Column (to run in the July 2006 Brio and Beyond Issue). But, I think BRIO was more intersted in me being a Flight Attendant than a small business owner. Hey, I'm both. And there in lies the frustration. I'm also a mom who will have her 9 year old home from school soon, and 13 people for dinner tonight and NO STAFF (as they say) to help.

Back to interuptions - all phones have to be off when you're doing an interview from home. No interuptions allowed. So, of course I forgot to turn off my cell phone during the BRIO interview, but it was taped so not so big a deal, and she's going to trascribe from it. But, there was a time, when I was doing a morning interview, and it was summer and this little boy came to our door to play with my daughter. And just as I opened the door for him, our phone rang (I'd forgotten to write down the time of this interview) and after I said "Hello" The voice on the phone said, "Hey this is WWWW (can't use the real letters) and we're ready for our interview live in 50 seconds." I thought a friend was playing a joke on me, and said "You're joking right?" "NO" He said, we'll be live in 30 seconds. So, I just scooted the little four year old out the door and gave my 6 year old the odd sign that Mommy was on a business call and did the interview for 3 minutes until a commercial, and then opened the door and the four year old was still there, and I told him to go back and tell his mommy that Mandy couldn't play right now, cause Marsha was on the Radio. But, she could play in 15 minutes. The message that got delivered to her was "Mandy can't play because the Radio's on". But his mom got the point. I try to alert my neighbors if it's summer and I'm on a media tour - from home.

I don't know how other authors do tours, but media in the summer is with kids at home is fraught with potential problems. So, thank God for the fact that this tour is in February, and Mandy's still in School. And may I just say something else. Nobody pays you to do interviews. OK? It's free time you donate hoping the publicity pays off. That's all I'm saying, I used to think people got paid to go around and promote books, but they don't. At least not until the book really sells well - if it sells well. OK, that's all I'm saying right now.

Starting ones own publishing company - while being a Flight Attendant

2006-02-01T10:57:00.000-08:00

OK, I'm trying to get this little publishing company out of the sky. I mean it took off all right, almost right out of my hand, like a kite, is what I mean, and I'm just trying to hang on to the string, and make sure the kite doesn't get into some highwires and freak everybody out, especially me. And my family. (The company is www.underdogpublishing.com and the only thing we've got out now, to buy, is this little book called Mary McCowski was not a Pretty Girl. ) You can read a bit at my website, www.marshamarks.com when you click on read excerpts. But, here's the problem. The book started selling hundreds of copies the first few days it was introduced to it's first retail store, and then we got the word out about the big sales (by writing a press release about it's great sales. We used www.publishersandagents.net they have a new service that sends out Press Releases to editors of newspapers and such.) And HEEEEELLLLLOOOOOO we were swamped with results. I've got requests to do interviews from big magazines, and little magazines, and New York Talk shows, and TV shows in Denver and SFO and ...it's just me. When I say just me, I mean, I'm the President; Author; Head of Marketing; Publicity Coordinator; Copy Editor; Art Director; Mail Room Clerk; Secretary; Lunchroom Manager; Office Manager; Billing Clerk; Secretary; Receptionist; Copy girl; and etc. YES, I use the word WE a lot, but by that I mean, I mean, my husband, who works full time on another job. My 9 year old who goes to school. Our Cat. And one manager, who has - a lot of other people to manage. Of course there is my Speakers Bureau, but they are not a Publicity Company...they book speakers...like me. So I'm fielding interviews, and trying to get our second book to the Printing company and approving final text, and mailing amazon.com orders. And everything. All I'm saying is you don't expect to have problems with success. You just don't expect that. But, then you do. That's all I'm saying. You don't have to feel sorry for me, unless you've ever been a small business owner. Then, I will accept your empathy! Gladly.

Seeing James Frey FRY

2006-02-01T10:35:00.000-08:00

I think Frank McCourt’s memoirs are great. But, it’s a good thing he wasn’t subjected to the same scrutiny that James Frey was with a Million Little Pieces. And what about the book THE LIARS CLUB, by Mary Karr? Great Book! I totally enjoyed it, but …hmmm was every detail true? In fact, has there been a memoir written in the last 10 years in America that is all absolute facts --able to stand up to the meticulous sifting given to James Frey’s book? I’m thinking now of a former Presidents Memoir, you remember - “I did not have sex with that woman”?

The only reason Frey’s book was the sacrificial lamb, is because his book is so powerful, it cuts into the core of those who read it --- and success like that --- a powerful book – and powerful sales, just kills some people. It gets to them, they can’t stand it. I’m talking about the type of people who will gloss over a Presidents lies to his wife, and every person in the country he represents, as he testifies under oath; but will nail to the wall, a kid who writes a book, and has success in the writing.