Convincing Mike Farrell to write a memoir was no easy task for the
actor's friend, Robert Greenwald, a filmmaker and co-founder of Akashic
Books' nonfiction imprint RDV Books. "He insisted. I demurred,"
acknowledged Farrell, who continued to oppose the idea until Greenwald
suggested he use the book to raise awareness about his activism.
Best known for his roles on the TV series M*A*S*H and
Providence, Farrell has spent decades championing various causes. He is co-chair emeritus of Human Rights Watch in
Southern California and president of Death Penalty Focus, an
organization that seeks to stop executions. He has visited war-torn
regions around the world, from Rwanda to the Gaza Strip, and writes
about human rights issues for the Los Angeles Times.
Now Farrell shares his life story in Just Call Me Mike: A Journey to Actor and Activist (on sale March 1), from his childhood in West Hollywood to his acting career to his tireless advocacy work. The book's title, says Farrell in the opening pages, is the answer he gives when people ask if they should call him an actor or an activist.
This unassuming attitude is evident in Farrell's contribution to an ambitious book tour that will take him to nearly 30 cities in the U.S. and Canada. The breadth of the tour "is a reflection of how hard Mike is willing to work," said Akashic publisher Johnny Temple. "We're a small company with a limited budget," he added, and Farrell was more than willing to extend the number of cities by driving rather than flying to as many places as possible.
Farrell's first appearance will be on March 6 at Dutton's Brentwood Bookstore in his hometown of Los Angeles. "You're thrilled any time an author of his caliber wants to set up an event in your store, but his daughter used to work here and so we feel like he's family," said Lise Friedman of Dutton's. Along with a warm welcome for the author, the book will receive prominent placement in the store. It will be featured in both the new nonfiction and film/TV sections, and the event will be promoted with a window display, flyers handed out in the store, press releases sent to community organizations and venues and an ad in LA Weekly.
On March 20 Farrell will speak at the Town Hall, a community cultural center, in Seattle, Wash. The event, with a $5 admission fee, is co-sponsored by the Elliott Bay Book Company and the Washington Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty, which will receive part of the proceeds. "I always like to pair up with local groups where possible partly because they can help us advertise the event," said Karen Maeda Allman, Elliott Bay's events coordinator, who expects a minimum turnout of 300. The Coalition will promote Farrell's appearance during a fundraiser in early March, and Allman has also contacted the local ACLU to help spread the word. Elliott Bay's in-store promotions, mailings and other publicity endeavors will be supplemented by the Town Hall's outreach to its member base.
Farrell's upcoming event at Brookline Booksmith in Brookline, Mass., on March 29 is already generating buzz with customers. "We wanted to book him because of his reputation on M*A*S*H," said events director Brian Foley, who is lining up a local political organization to co-sponsor the signing. A listing on the store's Web site has elicited early interest, and Foley and other staff members are talking up the event.
Just Call Me Mike is shaping up to be a hit for Akashic, which is located in Brooklyn, N.Y. "Certainly the media profile of Mike's book will probably be the highest of the year for us," said Temple. Farrell's confirmed media includes Hannity & Colmes, the Tavis Smiley Show and CNN Showbiz Tonight, with more local and national television, radio and print coverage expected.
Temple is confident about Farrell's appeal to potential book buyers. "Mike is a really unique person," he said. "There are a lot of Hollywood activists who are motivated by the desire to do good deeds, but there are also image issues too in the political causes they get involved with, whereas Mike is very selfless. Anyone who reads his book will come away knowing that."
Farrell would like the book to have more than mere entertainment value. "My fondest hope," he noted, "is that reading this book encourages others to recognize both their responsibilities as citizens of the U.S. and the good they can do by engaging in our society." He added, "Despite the fact that some of the things I have to say in the book are harsh, it is intended to be meaningful and helpful and it comes with love. Mostly."--Shannon McKenna
To view Mike Farrell's complete tour schedule, visit www.akashicbooks.com.
Best known for his roles on the TV series M*A*S*H and
Providence, Farrell has spent decades championing various causes. He is co-chair emeritus of Human Rights Watch in
Southern California and president of Death Penalty Focus, an
organization that seeks to stop executions. He has visited war-torn
regions around the world, from Rwanda to the Gaza Strip, and writes
about human rights issues for the Los Angeles Times.Now Farrell shares his life story in Just Call Me Mike: A Journey to Actor and Activist (on sale March 1), from his childhood in West Hollywood to his acting career to his tireless advocacy work. The book's title, says Farrell in the opening pages, is the answer he gives when people ask if they should call him an actor or an activist.
This unassuming attitude is evident in Farrell's contribution to an ambitious book tour that will take him to nearly 30 cities in the U.S. and Canada. The breadth of the tour "is a reflection of how hard Mike is willing to work," said Akashic publisher Johnny Temple. "We're a small company with a limited budget," he added, and Farrell was more than willing to extend the number of cities by driving rather than flying to as many places as possible.
Farrell's first appearance will be on March 6 at Dutton's Brentwood Bookstore in his hometown of Los Angeles. "You're thrilled any time an author of his caliber wants to set up an event in your store, but his daughter used to work here and so we feel like he's family," said Lise Friedman of Dutton's. Along with a warm welcome for the author, the book will receive prominent placement in the store. It will be featured in both the new nonfiction and film/TV sections, and the event will be promoted with a window display, flyers handed out in the store, press releases sent to community organizations and venues and an ad in LA Weekly.
On March 20 Farrell will speak at the Town Hall, a community cultural center, in Seattle, Wash. The event, with a $5 admission fee, is co-sponsored by the Elliott Bay Book Company and the Washington Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty, which will receive part of the proceeds. "I always like to pair up with local groups where possible partly because they can help us advertise the event," said Karen Maeda Allman, Elliott Bay's events coordinator, who expects a minimum turnout of 300. The Coalition will promote Farrell's appearance during a fundraiser in early March, and Allman has also contacted the local ACLU to help spread the word. Elliott Bay's in-store promotions, mailings and other publicity endeavors will be supplemented by the Town Hall's outreach to its member base.
Farrell's upcoming event at Brookline Booksmith in Brookline, Mass., on March 29 is already generating buzz with customers. "We wanted to book him because of his reputation on M*A*S*H," said events director Brian Foley, who is lining up a local political organization to co-sponsor the signing. A listing on the store's Web site has elicited early interest, and Foley and other staff members are talking up the event.
Just Call Me Mike is shaping up to be a hit for Akashic, which is located in Brooklyn, N.Y. "Certainly the media profile of Mike's book will probably be the highest of the year for us," said Temple. Farrell's confirmed media includes Hannity & Colmes, the Tavis Smiley Show and CNN Showbiz Tonight, with more local and national television, radio and print coverage expected.
Temple is confident about Farrell's appeal to potential book buyers. "Mike is a really unique person," he said. "There are a lot of Hollywood activists who are motivated by the desire to do good deeds, but there are also image issues too in the political causes they get involved with, whereas Mike is very selfless. Anyone who reads his book will come away knowing that."
Farrell would like the book to have more than mere entertainment value. "My fondest hope," he noted, "is that reading this book encourages others to recognize both their responsibilities as citizens of the U.S. and the good they can do by engaging in our society." He added, "Despite the fact that some of the things I have to say in the book are harsh, it is intended to be meaningful and helpful and it comes with love. Mostly."--Shannon McKenna
To view Mike Farrell's complete tour schedule, visit www.akashicbooks.com.