August 8, 2007 Back to Fall Philly: Adam had such a good time at last year's SCBWI conference in Eastern Pennsylvania, that he's decided to go back! The conference will return to the Whitford Country Club in Exton, PA, and will take place on Saturday, September 29. If you're interested in children's writing or illustrating, visit www.scbwiepa.org. July 24, 2007 Ira In Sunny FLA: No Ira hasn't retired. But you can pick up a copy of Coaching Ira in Boca Raton, Florida. Visit Cohen's Judaica, 8903 Glade Road, or call the store at 561-488-2028 to reserve your copy. Tell them Adam sent you and you'll get...well, you'll get a blank stare and "thanks for shopping!" February 22, 2007 New Hoopville Interview: NJIT has made the jump from Division II to Division I basketball. Adam interviews coach Jim Casciano about the ups and downs of the Highlanders' first season playing with the big boys. Says Adam, "Coach Casciano seems to have the right attitude going into this venture. It's all about patience and learning, and he's been doing a nice job of keeping his kids' heads up despite all the losing." Read the Hoopville interview. August 21, 2006 Adam To Attend Fall Philly Conference: No, Adam will not be appearing in the newest Rocky film, but he will be in the Philadelphia area on Saturday, September 30. He'll be attending the 14th Annual Fall Philly Writer's Conference sponsored by the Eastern Pennsylvania chapter of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI). This year's event will be held at the Whitford Country Club in Exton, PA. Says Adam, "The no jeans policy at the country club is a real drag, but it's worth throwing on a pair of slacks for a day to meet some other talented writers and editors." For more info visit: http://www.scbwiepa.org/events.html. April 10, 2006 Adam Interviews Fellow Author: There's a new college basketball book out there about Bevo Francis, the most prolific, little-known scorer in college hoops history. Check out Adam's interview with Kyle Keiderling, author of Shooting Star, The Bevo Francis Story. Kids' Book Circuit: Adam is planning to attend the New Jersey chapter of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) Conference on June 17. The author is working on his first full-length novel for children that he describes as a "space adventure for kids 8-12." December 27, 2005 Happy New Year! Adam wishes you and yours and them and theirs and happy and healthy holiday season. We'll see you on the other side of 2006 with new developments! Ford Driving Adam interviews newly appointed UMass head basketball coach Travis Ford. Check out this latest "Conversation with Adam" on Hoopville.com. July 25, 2005 Finding His Thrill in Cherry Hill: New Jersey that is. Adam has booked another Coaching Ira talk for Sunday, November 20th at 9:30 am. Adam will be addressing Temple Beth Sholom's Men's Club and USY chapter at a breakfast and, as of now, will discuss the origins of Ira and read selected passages from the book. More information about the event will be posted on this site, so check back frequently for more details. For more on Temple Beth Sholom in Cherry Hill, NJ, visit www.tbsonline.org. Says Adam, "I know this event isn't till November, but that'll give me about four months to read Coaching Ira again and remind me of what I wrote." June 9, 2005 Adam Shandler - Pregnant Father: For those of you not living in Yenta-land, Adam and his wife Michelle are expecting their first child at the end of August. No, they don't know what they're having and they're not announcing the names just yet. So don't ask. And no, there's no Name The Baby Contest where you can win a year's supply of Coaching Ira-branded bibs. (Y'know, for excessive dribbling. Yuk, yuk.) "We do have a pool going on due date and gender," says Adam. "It's like a big roulette table, so email me your bets and I'll put a chip down in the number of your choice." Check out Adam's pregnancy-related blog entries at www.shandelier.blog-city.com. April 13, 2005 Adam Makes House Calls: On Sunday June 5, Adam will be visiting the New Jersey home of a book club organizer to discuss his debut novel Coaching Ira. He will also read from the book. The meeting will involve ten to twelve people and should allow for more of a conversational atmosphere and less of a random Q&A session that occurs during bigger book talk events. Says Adam, "The big speaking enagements are a great way to reach larger audiences and sell a lot of books at one time. But these book club meetings are more intimate. You can field more questions, discuss the book in greater detail and build substantial relationships with the reader base. Sheesh, listen to me. That almost sounded all grown up and stuff." Contact Adam if your book club would like him to speak at your next meeting. He promises to wipe his feet before entering your home. January 10, 2005 Bloggery, I say!: Adam's gone a-blogging, though he does his blogging a little differently. "Rather than make the blog my online diary," says Adam, "I prefer to write short fiction based on actual events that have impacted me recently." Visit The Shandelier to read Adam's serial "The People That Don't Care About You". It's a satire about bad customer service, bureaucracy at the office and the people we rely on who are unqualified to do their jobs. May not be suitable for those who don't get sarcasm. January 1, 2005 Happy New Year: The entire staff at AdamDShandler.com wish you and yours a happy and healthy new year. By the entire staff we mean Adam and his webmaster, but both of them hope you have a prosperous 2005. Keep checking back for updates on new projects and future Adam events. November 14th, 2004 Home Game For Adam: On Tuesday, November 16, Adam will be speaking at the Jewish Community Center, Metrowest, in West Orange, NJ at 7:30 pm ET. He will be speaking about the origins of Coaching Ira and signing books afterwards. Adam will be sharing the floor with Chickie Rosenberg, author of several snowboarding books for men and women, as part of the Sports and Fitness program for JCC Book Fair Month. Says Adam, "I grew up at this JCC and I just joined as a member again. It'll be exciting to address this crowd because these are the people that I wrote about and grew up with. It'll be fun to come back and be part of an event that serves the community of my roots." Books will be on sale at the fair. September 23, 2004 Remember the Ira-mo: Adam has officially agreed to speak at the Barshop JCC of San Antonio Book Fair on Thursday night, November 4 at 7 pm CT. He will lead a discussion on the Perceptions of Jews in Sports, which will include a brief history of the People of the Book when they were the People of Bats and Balls. Adam will also read some excerpts from Coaching Ira. Says Adam, "I'm thrilled to be part of the JCC's book fair. I've also never been to San Antonio, so this trip will be kind of an adventure for me. I plan on visiting the Alamo, but I don't see what the big deal is. It's just a car rental company." Homecoming: Shortly after Adam returns from Texas, he will be speaking at the JCC of Metrowest's Book Fair, the JCC in his new hometown of West Orange, NJ. The talk is slated for Tuesday night, November 16, 7:30 pm ET. He will be joined in a discussion by renowned snowboarding author Chickie Rosenberg as part of the fair's sports and fitness program. Adam says, "I'm looking forward to speaking with Chickie. I don't snowboard, so I hope I don't come off like the dorky dad who tries to impress the kids by spouting out snowboarding buzz words but can't pull it off." ADS at LBI, The Sequel: A reminder for all you South Jerseyans. Adam will return to the JCC of LBI on Sunday morning, October 24, for a visit with the center's men's club. He'll lead a discussion on Perceptions of Jews in Sports and will have copies of Coaching Ira available for purchase. September 17, 2004 Adam Goes 'Fox-Hunting': Check out Adam's recent Hoopville interview with Matt Brady, new men's basketball coach of the Marist College Red Foxes. Hoopville. Your hometown for college hoops. September 8, 2004 Back To The Beach: Adam will be heading back to the JCC of Long Beach Island, NJ, on Sunday, October 24. Adam will lead a discussion with the JCC's Men's Club on The Perception of Jews in Sports. Breakfast is also part of the deal, or so the negotiators of this event tell us. All's Fair: November is Jewish Book Fair Month, and Coaching Ira will be appearing at one near you. (Or at least within driving distance.) Adam's debut novel, about a ragtag Jewish youth basketball team and its reluctant coach, will be available at the MetroWest NJ Book Fair at the West Orange, NJ, JCC. (Note: Adam will not be signing books at this event, but copies of the book will be available for sale.) Adam is also in talks to appear at the book fair at the San Antonio JCC Book Fair sometime between October 31 and November 5. More details on both events to follow. Keep checking back! June 27, 2004 A.D.S. in L.B.I.: Adam heads southbound on the Garden State Parkway for a Coaching Ira talk at the Jewish Community Center of Long Beach Island (New Jersey). On Sunday morning, July 25, Adam will discuss the origins of his debut novel Coaching Ira with congregants at a brunch as well as read a few passages from the book. For more information on this and future events, Contact Adam. June 1, 2004 'Shore' Enough: Adam will don his board shorts (circa 1988) and splash on a little SPF 15 as he heads to the Jersey Shore for another promotional stop on the Coaching Ira tour. On Sunday morning, July 25, Adam will be speaking to members of a synagogue in Long Beach Island, NJ at their membership brunch. Specific details, like time and exact location, will be posted to this site in the near future, so make sure you check back! Contact Adam for more information about Coaching Ira, press inquiries and speaking/reading engagements. March 4, 2004 Island Hopper: Long Island, that is! Adam will be speaking at the Metro New York USY Chapter Spring Kinnus, or weekend convention, at Temple Beth Sholom in Roslyn Heights on March 28. The talk is scheduled for 10:30 AM. The author of Coaching Ira will discuss his favorite topic (next to cereal and comic books), "Perceptions of Jews in Sports", and will read a few passages from his critically acclaimed debut novel. "I'm excited and honored to be speaking at another USY (United Synagogue Youth) event, especially a convention of this size." Says Adam, whose novel, Coaching Ira, is loosely based on his own experiences as a USY teenager. "These kids were like me when I was their age. Except they probably have better hair than I did. Probably better dancers, too." Contact Adam for more information about this and future events. January 7, 2004 Happy New Year!: Adam and his webstaff would like to wish you and yours a bountiful harvest and prosperous endeavors in 2004. You can define bountiful harvest and prosperous endeavors any way you like. Ladies Night, An Evening With Hadassah: Adam has scheduled another speaking engagement in his hometown of Livingston, NJ. He'll be speaking to members of the Livingston chapter of Hadassah, a Jewish women's organization, on Thursday night, January 22 at 7:30 PM, at Temple B'Nai Abraham, 300 E. Northfield Road. Adam's novel, Coaching Ira, is loosely based on his teen years growing up in Livingston, so he'll talk about the influence the township had on the story, as well as read a few passages. For more info, contact Adam. November 19, 2003 Having Your Judaism...and Your Sports, Too: As part of USY Awareness Week, Adam spoke to members of the Fair Lawn/Glen Rock (NJ) chapter of USY on November 9th. The author served up a brief history of the Jewish sports experience and led a discussion and debate on the conflicts that arise when being a Jewish athlete. Visit Notes From the Above Ground for a summary and pictures of the event. October 24, 2003 Signing/Talk Official: The plans are set for Adam's talk and book signing at the Fair Lawn (NJ) Jewish Center on Sunday, November 9. The 7 PM event will be a joint function of both the Fair Lawn and Glen Rock USY chapters. USY and its basketball league inspired Adam's debut novel, Coaching Ira, the story of a Jewish youth group basketball team and their hapless coach. Adam will discuss the great and little-known Jews of Sport, the genesis of Ira, and host a sports trivia contest. Most importantly, there'll be snacks. For more information contact USY advisor Darin at FLGRUSY@aol.com. October 13, 2003 The Ira Tour, Second Leg: After taking a much-needed summer hiatus from the road, Adam resumes his tour to promote Coaching Ira. Adam's next appearance will take place at the Fairlawn (New Jersey) Jewish Center on the night of Sunday, November 9th. His talk will be part of a celebration of USY awareness week. USY is the Jewish youth organization featured in Coaching Ira. Keep checking back for specific times and details on this event as well as future events. What next?: So what's Adam up to now? Although mum on most of the details, Adam says he is "working on a project in the sci-fi/adventure genre. It's something that's been written on scratch paper for years and now it's really taking form. To say it's going to be an epic would be presumptuous, but I think it could be quite a saga." Adam also says, "Don't let the sci-fi tag fool you. This is a story inspired by current events, so I feel it's got something for everyone." Keep your eyes on adamdshandler.com for updates and progress reports. August 13, 2003 Adam as Literati? Well, not quite, but the scribe of Coaching Ira has begun reviewing basketball-related books and interviewing their authors. In the first installment of the Hoopville.com Public Library, Adam covers Asphalt Gods, An Oral History of the Rucker Tournament, by New York Times sports editor Vincent Mallozzi. If you know of a basketball book that Adam should review, contact him and provide as many details as possible. July 2, 2003 Normally Adam would only use this site to promote his own wares, but his good buddy, Tim Tyrrell, has a website that just can't be passed up. Tim has been making headlines with The Oliver Factor, a hilarious look back at annoying cast members who came along to ruin our favorite TV shows. The "Oliver" in The Oliver Factor refers to the Brady Bunch's runt cousin Oliver, a recurring role played by Robbie Rist. Tim encourages visitors to email any Oliver Factors not listed on his site. Keep an ear out, as Tim might be appearing on a radio station in your area. May 15, 2003 In the Company of Champions: Adam had one of his most rewarding talks in Rumson, New Jersey, on Sunday, May 4. He addressed the crowd of Rumson USY champions at Congregation B'nai Israel. USY Hoops is the same organization that inspired Coaching Ira, Adam's novel about the adventures of a Jewish youth basketball team and their reluctant coach. It was a night of sharing great USY hoops memories...and tons of baked ziti. To read more about the event, and to see some pictures, visit Notes From the Above Ground. April 15, 2003 Hurley. Shandler. The Baller. The Writer.: On Sunday, May 4, Adam will join former Duke and NBA great Bobby Hurley, Jr. at a dinner to honor the last five season of Rumson, NJ, USY/Kadima basketball teams -- the same USY Basketball upon which Coaching Ira based. At the Sunday evening dinner, to take place at Rumson's Congregation B'nai Israel, Adam will reminisce about his own USY playing days and talk about the origins of his novel. Hurley will likely discuss his storied basketball career, but not before spellbinding the crowd with the milk-in-the-newspaper trick. For more info contact Barry Lewin, 732-842-1800. Hooked on Phoenix: Adam has returned from a speaking event/book signing in Phoenix...and only now has he gotten all the sand out of his shoes. He managed to squeeze the wedding of friend Andrew Flynn in there as well. For the full story visit Notes From the Above Ground. A Tax-Season Deal: Just call him Crazy Adam! Now you can buy a signed, personalized copy of Coaching Ira direct from the author -- for a considerable discount no less! Visit the Buy Adam's Books section of this site for the full lowdown. March 24, 2003 Raising Arizona: Adam's next speaking event/book signing will take place at Phoenix, Arizona's Congregation Beth El on Sunday, April 6, between 10:30 am and Noon. The topic? What else? Perceptions of Jews in Sports Culture and the origins of Coaching Ira. Brunch (the magic word) will be served and a book signing will follow the discussion. For more info, contact David Brook at 602-944-3359 or dbrook@bethelphoenix.com. For a preview of Adam's visit, check out this article in the Jewish News of Greater Phoenix. Absolutely Adam: Adam recently chatted with Jenna Glatzer of Absolute Write.com about taking the authoring leap, marketing your self-published book and something about not quitting your day job. Visit AbsoluteWrite.com for the full interview. March 3, 2003 Adam has rescheduled his interview with FOX-5 New York for this Thursday, March 6 at 11:30 am ET. This is of course, barring any natural disasters, inclement weather or horrible mishaps. "I've been checking the weather for Thursday every hour on the hour and it looks like it's going to be a clear day. So weather-wise, we're in good shape; I can't speak for unexpected occurrences but I'm keeping my fingers crossed." Adam and FOX 5's news anchors will discuss Coaching Ira and Adam's adventures in self-publishing. On Friday, Adam will head to San Francisco for the UJC Western Regional Convention and a speaking engagement and book signing. February 21, 2003 Fire and Ice: The elements have not been kind to Adam and his television interview plans. First, a snowstorm keeps him from an interview with News 12 New Jersey on Monday the 17th (which was rescheduled for the 20th and went off rather well), then an oil refinery in Staten Island, NY bursts into flames on the 21st, postponing his interview with FOX 5 NY for another day. Check back here to find out when that interview will be rescheduled. Adam says: "I thank everyone who tuned in on my behalf. Sometimes, stuff happens, and I just hope nobody was hurt in the fire. I greatly respect FOX 5's decision not to have me on on Friday. It would have been really awkward to go from covering a catastrophe like that to an interview about a lighthearted novel." February 18, 2003 Due to a blizzard that pounded the Northeast with a ludicrous amount of snow, Adam was unable to make it to the News 12 New Jersey studios for a Monday interview. However, Adam's appearance has been quickly rescheduled. "Thursday morning (February 20th), sometime between 8 and 9 AM (ET). I know that that's a huge window of time, but at least I'm not like the cable guy who tells you he'll be at your house between 8 AM and 5 PM." Adam's interview on FOX 5 NY is still on for this Friday, February 21st, between 11:30 and Noon. February 10, 2003 Adam on the Tube: Live in the New York area? Adam will be featured on News 12 New Jersey's Daytime Edition to spread the Coaching Ira love and chat about his self-publishing adventures. The program airs at 8 AM on Monday, February 17th. Check local listings and adjust your satellite dish accordingly. On Friday, February 21st, catch Adam on Fox 5 NY's 11:30 AM newscast, where he'll be interviewed about Coaching Ira and self-publishing. This is one interview that will change the face of midday news show author interviews. (For better or worse is still up in the air.) Adam will be on somewhere between the Attaq on Iraq story and the one about suspended alternate side of the street parking. January 16, 2003 Back From Big D: Adam just returned from Dallas, Texas, where he spoke about Jews in Sports Culture and his novel, Coaching Ira. To read Adam's take on the events at Congregations Shearith and Tiferet Israel, and to see some pictures, visit Notes From the Above Ground. 50,000 Ira Fans Can't Be Wrong: Okay, maybe not that many, but people are talking about Coaching Ira. And some of those people aren't even related to Adam! See what critics in the Jewish, sports and news media have to say about Adam's debut self-published novel in the Reviews section. He'll Be Going To San Francisco (And Wearing Some Flowers In His Hair): It's official! United Jewish Communities has invited Adam to speak at its West/Midwest Regional Conference in San Francisco (March 7-9) Other speakers include well-known radio talk show host Dennis Prager, motivational humorist Scott Friedman, and Ernie Gruwell, President and Founder of the Tolerance Education Foundation. December 16, 2002 The Tour, 2002-03: Adam has begun his book tour to promote Coaching Ira. (Tour T-Shirts not on sale as of yet.) The author appeared at the Princeton University Hillel on November 18 and the offices of the American Associates of Ben Gurion University on November 26. To read more about these events, and to find out how to book Adam for one of your programs, visit Notes From the Above Ground. Future Dates: Everything is bigger in Texas - including Adam D. Shandler book events! It's a double-whammy in Big D when Adam visits Dallas on Sunday, January 12th for talks at Congregation Shearith Israel (or CSI-Dallas) and Congregation Teferet Israel. At CSI, Adam will be addressing the local USY chapter (the organization whose basketball leagues inspired Coaching Ira), and at Teferet Israel, it's a "Jews in Sports Culture" talk with that synagogue's brotherhood. Right on! Adam is also in discussions to appear at both the East and West Regional United Jewish Appeal conventions. Check back for updates on those events. November 1, 2002 Adam hits the road! The author of Coaching Ira tries on the lecture and book signing circuit with two engagements for the month of November. On the 18th, Adam will be visiting Princeton University's Hillel (Jewish Student Union) for a talk on Jews and Sports Culture. On the 26th, it's a Coaching Ira book reading and signing at the New York offices of the American Associates of Ben Gurion University of the Negev. Those interested are welcome to either event. For more info, visit Notes From the Above Ground. October 15, 2002 Adam is mouthing off again . . . about college basketball! Adam is back, this time as a hoity-toity regional editor and columnist for Hoopville.net. "The 'Ville," a one-stop shop for all things college basketball, is new and improved, packed with a full roster of new writers and teeming with thorough anaylsis and commentary for all 31 Division I conferences. More women's hoops coverage, too! Hoopville -- your hometown for college hoops. September 26, 2002 Adam is back from a wedding and a lovely honeymoon in Vancouver and Alaska. He even brought his wife along! Was there gold in them there hills? Find out by visiting Notes From the Above Ground. August 12, 2002 The Coaching Ira Price Wars You may have noticed that Barnes and Noble.com has recently raised the price of Coaching Ira from $14.65 to $20.99, comparable to what Amazon and Borders.com are charging. "For whatever reason, B&N.com jacked up the price of the book," says Adam, "I can't really explain it, but I am doing my due diligence. Naturally, I want the book to be available at the best price for the reader." At this point in time, Xlibris Publishers offers Coaching Ira for the lowest price: $17.85. Come back in September when Adam reports about his wedding and honeymoon in Notes From the Above Ground! June 25, 2002 Coaching Ira, which has been making some buzz in its first two months, is now available through Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble.com, and Borders.com! You can also visit your favorite bookstore, and if they don't have a copy, they can order one for you. Adam adds two new short stories to this site! Wintermore's Ghost is the tale of a poor public relations grunt at a bumbling family-owned company. Club Policy is a new 100-word story. May 7, 2002 Coaching Ira is now available! Adam's first novel can be purchased through the Xlibris website. It will still be about a month or so until the book is available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble or Borders.com. Cost is $17.95 on the Xlibris site. For more info, visit Buy Adam's Books and be sure to check out Adam's personal message in Notes From the Above Ground. April 12, 2002 What's up with Coaching Ira? Adam's debut novel, Coaching Ira, the story of a man and his Jewish youth league basketball team, will be available "in the next few weeks." It was slated for a mid-April release, but after receiving the Author's galley from publisher Xlibris, Adam decided to make a few more subtle but effective changes. The release date is now scheduled for early-mid May. The author explains in Notes From the Above Ground. March 20, 2002 A young man on his way to work. A lost cell phone that rings. Could love be on the other end? Burned, Adam's newest short story, is ready for reading on the Short Stories page. Adam is currently working hard on the publicity/marketing campaign for Coaching Ira, but has promised at least one more short story by mid-Spring. February 15, 2002 Coaching Ira update! Coaching Ira, Adam's self-published debut novel, has been submitted to the publisher. Adam has selected Xlibris, a strategic partner of Random House, as his publisher of choice. "(Xlibris) was very discreet with the step-by-step production process, and their customer service department was the most available and accessible. Considering I am funding this project with loose change that I find in my couch cushions, they were also the most cost-effective producer of self-published books. One of my favorite authors, Piers Anthony, has also gone with Xlibris for some of his books, so that kind of won me over."