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Hello, all--
I'm long overdue for a fresh newsletter. It's been a busy past few months. I
signed another book contract, which will take me to New York, Germany and
Japan (more about that later as the completion gets closer). I'm also
working on a collaboration for another book (read: Tupac and Biggie
related). More about that one later as well.
The second edition (expanded and updated version) of "The Killing of Tupac
Shakur" is in book stores now. It's 100 pages longer, with more interviews
and new facts. I interviewed Tupac's former bodyguard, Frank Alexander, at
length, and fleshed out details of Tupac's shooting and the events
surrounding it.
"Murder of a Mafia Daughter: The Life and Tragic Times of Susan Berman" will
be released the first week in October. It's available for pre-ordering from
Amazon.com. We all worked hard on it and expect it to hit with a splash.
It's a fascinating story about a woman who grew up in the mob and couldn't
shake her past, then was herself murdered.
I'll say this about the Los Angeles Times' story that claims Notorious B.I.G.
contracted to have Tupac shot: It didn't happen. Not too many other people
are buying the theory either. That's because there's no evidence pointing to
Biggie. As a result of the Times article, I received calls from a variety of
national magazine and newspaper reporters (Vibe, Rolling Stone, Village
Voice, New York Times and CNN). I appeared on Channel 3 in San Francisco and
KVBC in Las Vegas, as well as the "Morning Zoo," a local radio talk show.
Tania from "Big Brother 3" was a guest host that morning, on the air with
me, and comedian Paul Rodriguez, who was to follow me on the show, jumped in
early to discuss the so-called Biggie conspiracy on the air with me.
There's yet another documentary about Tupac being done in the U.K. A film
crew will be in Las Vegas in early October to conduct on-air interviews
(myself included).
You can read my comments about Biggie and Tupac on this site's "Articles"
page, where I'm interviewed by both People magazine and the Las Vegas
Review-Journal. I did an interview with Rolling Stone magazine, which should
be on the stands now (late September).
Also, Writer's Digest has a profile of my writing career in its October
issue (on the stands now as well). It's not on the mag's Web site, so you'll
have to pick up a hard copy from a magazine rack. We'll scan it and put it
on this site too.
I'm teaching three journalism courses this semester at the University of
Nevada, Las Vegas, so that's also been keeping me busy.
Earlier in the summer, I had the privilege of driving a Gray Wolf from Las
Vegas to southern Utah. I often help out a rescue group and was enlisted by
them to rescue the wolf, who was living in the back yard of a house with a
Border Collie mix. Their owner neglected them. He was evicted from his
house, thus the wolf and dog were sent to the sanctuary. Karma was stolen as
a cub from the wild by a poacher and brought to Las Vegas. The wolf, named
Karma, wanted only one thing as I was driving the four-hour trek: To get in
the front seat of my Jeep with me. He laid his head on my shoulder, turned
his big yellow eyes toward me and pawed my arm. I quickly realized he liked
his ears and face pet. Karma is talk and sleek and looks like the wolf in
"Dances With Wolves." I felt honored to spend time with such a beautiful
animal. He's now living in an expansive enclosure at an Arizona wildlife
sanctuary with his dog friend Blake. He's submissive and depends on Blake,
who is the dominant one of the pair. It's too late to introduce Karma into
the wild -- he's 3 years old and, unfortunately, has lived most of his life
in captivity. The sanctuary is going to try to introduce other wolves to
him.
Hope everyone had a great summer. And thanks to all of you who read my books
and articles!
Regards,
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