Author Talks About Porn Star Book - Mississauga News

Burlington author Jill Nelson will be at Chapters at the Erin Mills Power Centre on Saturday to speak about the book she co-wrote with American Jennifer Sugar called John Holmes: A Life Measured in Inches. Photo supplied

Author talks about porn star book

Burlington author Jill Nelson will be in Mississauga this Saturday to sign copies of a book she co-wrote about a controversial and well-known porn star. Nelson will be at Chapters at the Erin Mills Power Centre, at 3040 Vega Blvd., between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. to speak about the book she co-wrote with American Jennifer Sugar called John Holmes: A Life Measured in Inches. Published last year by Bear Manor Media, the book is a biography of Holmes, a pop culture figure who was arguably the first porn star to gain mainstream appeal. The 581-page book includes three photo sections (including rare nudes) and a 21-page filmography. cclay@mississauga.net

Video-clip from 2009 Book Event!

We recently uploaded a 3 minute video-clip to youtube from one of our 2009 Canadian Book Signing Events that was covered by local news media. Unfortunately, Jennifer was unable to attend the engagement, but she was definitely there in spirit.

Every attainable goal is ignited with a defined curiosity that is sustained by energy, commitment and ferocity. Those integral ingredients enabled the book to be successfully completed and published more than four years after Jennifer's initial conception to compose the first and definite biography on the world's most famous (and infamous) adult film legend.

The cameraman who shot this footage had a great idea to film and zoom-in on specific photos that are included within our book.

Note: The year of publication for "Inches" that is mentioned at the end of the interview should be 2008. :)

Please click on this link to view: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucyjOoWF7Os

Please also visit: http://www.johnholmesinches.com/

John Holmes Book Review & "The First Crime Scene"

The following book review is written by Bill Castanier, an award-wining weekly newspaper editor, advertising and public relations executive in his 40 year career. Castanier writes a weekly newspaper feature on Michigan authors and is on the Board of the Kerrytown BookFest and the Michigan Notable Book Awards. He has the only daily blog on Michigan literature. (Mittenlit)

New Book Co-authored by MSU Grad Takes An Intimate Look at Porn Star John C. Holmes

It’s time to boogie with big (584 pages) John C. Holmes Book

I remember my first “blue movie”. It made a big impression on me. For one, I learned you should take off your socks. I don’t remember the stars or the name and the plot is a little blurry. I think it was the classic door-to-door salesman routine and a pretty, but bored housewife. The movie was shown at what was called a “smoker” in a dusty basement on an 8mm projector. And I think it was projected on a bed sheet.

Porno movies have come a long way since then and we can thank John C. Holmes for a lot of the improvement. Holmes who was called the “King” for a variety of reasons did for the porno industry what Elvis did for rock. He elevated it.

Now, two authors, Jill Nelson of the Toronto area and Jennifer Sugar from Michigan and MSU graduate, have written the definitive biography of John C. Holmes titled, “John C. Holmes: A Life Measured in Inches”. Sugar decided on writing a book on Holmes after seeing the movie “Wonderland” starring Val Kilmer. The movie is an abbreviated look at the porn star, focusing mostly on a gruesome, drug-related, robbery-mass murder in which Holmes was involved in 1981.

From start to finish, this is the most comprehensive and really the only biography of the “King”. Holmes had authored the autobiography, “Porn King” before his 1988 death from AIDS.

In addition, to some of the most detailed looks at more than 200 Holmes’ video and loops, the two have written a remarkable piece of film history using oral histories of the participants to carry the narrative. For most readers, the first thing they do is turn to the photographs to see “it” and yes it’s there in all its glory. This is one of the first, if not the first mainstream books on the porno industry to include full-frontal nudity. Maybe Iggy Pops’ biography published last year covered new ground.

The only comment that I have heard which isn't even close to a criticism and actually may be the book’s strongest point is that the book is too detailed.

This book is perfect for anyone involved in the film industry “blue” or otherwise. It is destined to become a basic text for film classes across the country. In the meantime, for us amateurs it is a great read and a stimulating look at the growth of the porn industry.

I was curious where you would go to see all these videos and loops so I asked co-author Jill Nelson. It wasn’t easy. It’s not like the public library has them. She said they rented films (probably got some raised eyebrows after the fifth one); they bought some on e-bay and other porn-related websites; and used a pay as you go website www.naughtynostalgia.com In addition, numerous directors in the business loaned them copies of Holmes’ work.

One real coup was that their research was the impetus for the release on DVD of the first Johnny Wadd movie, filmed in 1970. According to Jill, it was only one of the nine-part series that hadn’t seen light of day or in this case, dimly lit rooms.

The two authors asked around the industry for the availability of the film and one director ("Johnny Wadd" creator Bob Chinn) had one in storage. It turned out to be pristine and once again Johnny was able to fill the screen. Jill says the film has broken all sales records for the distributorship.

You can bet this isn’t the last we’ll see or read of these two authors.

The following look at “Measured In Inches” appeared in the Lansing City Pulse: link to http://npaper-wehaa.com/citypulse;see-a47R6c6×1H2n6b2C#page-7;c-92660

News Item:

We would like to share the news that our friend and former LAPD homicide detective, Frank Tomlinson, is a published author of his first effort, "The First Crime Scene".

The book is based on a 1970s true crime story, when seasoned veterans relied upon gut instinct and leads during a time when there were "no computers, no DNA, no internet and no cell phones."

Along with fellow former L.A.P.D. homicide detective, Tom Lange, Tomlinson was responsible for tracking down and finally apprehending John Holmes in Florida, in December 1981, after he had been on the run for a period of five months. He was eventually turned over to the police by one of his girlfriends, Dawn Schiller. Tomlinson and Lange were interviewed extensively for "A Life Measured in Inches".

Frank Tomlinson is a man of integrity, faith and true grit. For what promises to be a riveting and engrossing read, check out his new book at Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1449537979

Please also visit our website for chapter excerpts, film excerpts, photo galleries and more!
www.johnholmesinches.

Fall/Winter Book Signing Events

TWO NEW BOOK EVENTS!

We are pleased to announce two newly added book presentation/signing events in Southern Ontario. We look forward to meeting discriminating readers who are fans of biographies, true crime, retro and erotica, as "Inches" has something for everyone! (Stay tuned for the posting of a third date soon.)

** CHAPTERS BOOK STORE - MISSISSAUGA, ONTARIO:

Chapters Book Store, located at the Erin Mills Power Center, 3050 Vega Blvd., in Mississauga (the GTA), will be hosting a "meet and greet" in-store signing event on Saturday November 28th from 11:00am-7:00pm. This special occasion will enable interested readers to chat with us about our work and learn what had motivated us to choose the legendary adult film superstar as the subject for our first collaborative effort.

Please call: (905) 820-9910 for details. Chapters - Erin Mills

** CHAPTERS BOOK STORE - ANCASTER, ONTARIO:

Chapters Book Store, located at the Meadowland Regional Centre, 737 Golf Links Road, Unit 1, Ancaster, has invited Jennifer and I to present and sign copies of our biography on Saturday February 13th between 1-3:00pm. This will be another opportunity for people living in the Golden Horseshoe area to attend a special presentation of "A Life Measured in Inches".

For more information, please call: (905) 648-7155 Chapters - Ancaster

** Note: Due to unexpected circumstances, the "Writer's Rally", that was scheduled for Sunday October 25th at the Royal Botanical Gardens in Burlington, Ontario, has been postponed to a later date that will be announced.

** The image above was taken at the premiere for Girls on Fire in Hollywood on February 14, 1985. Two of John's godchildren stand in behind.

** Don't forget to check out our website for excerpted chapter content and film reviews at: http://www.johnholmesinches.com/

John Holmes: A Life Measured in Inches - Excerpts

While Jennifer and I plan and prepare for fall and winter book-related happenings, please visit the link below to our website in order to read excerpts from six chapters of our book. Soon, we will be adding additional excerpts, including some of the Wonderland/Laurel Canyon segments of the book, with a few other surprises in store.

The above photo is a still from a loop, circa 1970. John and his longtime girlfriend, auburn- haired Sandy Dempsey, appeared in several loops and features together. John also appeared in loops with girlfriend, Gilda Grant, during the early 1970s. Next to Ms. Dempsey, John and Seka were frequent on-screen partners.

Enjoy! http://johnholmes.bizland.com/id7.html

John Holmes: A Life Measured in Inches - Critical Acclaim

We are proud to announce that over the past 13 months, since our biography's debut, John Holmes: A Life Measured In Inches has accumulated respect and high praise from critics and also, from many of the subjects that we interviewed for our book. We would like to share some of these very positive notices that our book has received.

Please also visit our website at: http://www.johnholmesinches.com/

Critics

L.A. Times Film Critic comments: "I was impressed at how thorough and definitive it was." -- Kenneth Turan

Senior Editor of AVN magazine remarks: "John Holmes: A Life Measured in Inches is packed with information that even the closest student of the porn legend’s life may not be aware of. Holmes’ life story, told primarily in the words of the interviewees, like an oral history, is endlessly fascinating. The book has some terrific extras: an amazingly thorough filmography (and loopography) as well as detailed reviews of the major movies. This is no small achievement." -- Jared Rutter

Film Threat described it this way: "Emotionally exhausting, but a truly compelling real-life story." -- Phil Hall

Widerscreenings.com writes: "John Holmes: a Life Measured in Inches is the first book by authors Jennifer Sugar and Jill C. Nelson and is a work of considerable scope, ambition and importance in its chosen field. Indeed Sugar and Nelson have taken a subject inherently problematic – the history and scholarship of the adult film – and rendered it lucidly accessible to all, whether fans of adult material or not and whether male or female." -- Robert Cettl

SKUNK Magazine sums up "Inches": John Holmes: A Life Measured in Inches is to porn what the bible is to religion, the best detailed acccount of a king." -- MI

The author of the "Whatever became of?" series, had this to say about, "A Life Measured in Inches": "Long overdue, precisely researched and a breezy read." -- Richard Lamparski

Sex Herald.com provides an analysis of "Inches: "From the first recorded scene with “snowballing” to Holmes’ preference to brunettes, A Life Measured in Inches offers an incredible gamut of information. The book concludes with a consummate filmography of John’s works, along with selected feature film reviews and the delineation of 150 loops, 306 features, and 27 compilations.

The vicissitudes of Holmes’ life offer a thought-provoking view of a time past, of a life lived dangerously and passionately. A Life Measured in Inches is a must-have for any fan of John Holmes and anybody interested in the origins of the fastest growing and most internationally lucrative industry today." -- A. Nicaj

Mittenlit book review expresses: "Instead of unverified accounts given by outsiders with no obvious connection to Holmes, these authors included the personal accounts of many of his peers which allow readers an inside view into Johnny Wadd’s troubled life.

Jennifer Sugar and Jill Nelson provide the reader with hundreds of synopsis’ of Holmes’ films including little-known reels from the earliest days of pornography that conclude with brazenly poignant reviews such as “…John gets the girls prepped for a shared facial—a personal memento from Mr. Big.” -- Ben Castanier

Hustler (Canada) exclaims about "A Life Measured in Inches": "The end result is a captivating, heart-wrenching account of Holmes life related through intense interviews with his loved ones, colleagues, business associates and follow stars.

Rounded out with narrative links, previously-unreleased photos and a stunning index of every Holmes production throughout his career, John Holmes: A Life Measured in Inches is a long overdue tribute to one of the adult industry's pioneers, let alone the industry itself." --Keith Carman

Purchaser for Chapters-Indigo book stores (Canada) states: "Exhaustive and impressive." -- Michael Nicholson

Editor of the Village Voice sexuality blog, "Naked City" summarizes: "Chocked full of primary sources... This book is an excellent piece of porn history. You learn a whole lot about John Holmes and also about porn in the 70s and 80s." -- Audacia Ray

The editor of Ottawa X-Press remarks: "An intimidating piece of literature. Comprehensive." -- Cormac Rea

AV Maniacs comments: "Holmes makes for a fascinating subject and the care and attention to detail put into this project, the obvious desire to paint an honest portrait of his life rather than to simply focus on the more sensationlist aspects of it, makes this a book very much worth reading." -- Ian Jane

America's "beloved porn journalist" observes: "Inches is an excellent companion piece to Cass Paley's and Rodger Jacobs' 1998 documentary Wadd: The Life And Times of John Holmes. Holmes is iconic in American and porn culture for many of the same reasons rock stars are: unchecked fame and ego, low self esteem and an addictive personality, a personal magnetism and, beneath it all, a gift that destroyed him in the end." -- Gram Ponante

Veteran writer for Adult FYI exclaims: "The book John Holmes: A Life Measured in Inches is an oral history of the most famous and controversial porn star of all time... blizzard of quotes and assembly of porn junkie recollections and anecdotes... fascinating book by Jennifer Sugar and Jill C. Nelson..." -- Gene Ross

Mr. Skin Magazine concludes: "Since its publication this year, the book, which also serves as an oral history of the Golden Age of porn, has become regarded as the definitive biography of adult cinema’s most famous leading man." -- C.G. Hilliard

Cindi's Naked Truth author writes, "This book is the TEXT BOOK on John Holmes and his era of porn. There is so much detail! Currently rated 5 stars on Amazon.com, this is a must read for all porn history buffs." -- Cindi Loftus

Vice Magazine (Canada) writes: "A Life Measured In Inches serves up details on pretty much every aspect of Holmes’ life. It turns out to be a ridiculously well-researched, unbiased account of Holmes’ life. -- Mel C.

Bio Interviewees

John Holmes' godson shares a heartfelt sentiment: "[A Life Measured in Inches] paints a picture of someone who once meant everything to me, in a light that I can honestly say touched me. There was the good, the bad and the extremely ugly. There was so much of the real him in the book, of the John I knew. And not just in my stories, but in those told by others." -- Sean Amerson

Veteran film director, friend and creator of the Johnny Wadd series summed up the biography: "A comprehensive survey of a great tragedy." -- Bob Chinn

Holmes' premier leading lady, The Platinum Princess, herself, weighs in: "It has taken a long time but these two ladies got it dead spot on as far as it has to do with John C. Holmes." -- Seka

Former L.A.P.D. homicide detective and Laurel Canyon/Wonderland murders investigator writes: "A real insider's look into the life of John Holmes. The many quotes throughout the book give an interesting and insightful perspective to the Holmes story." -- Tom Lange

Holmes' friend and photographer states: "'A Life Measured in Inches' should be in every library. It is a historical piece." -- Joel Sussman

Former L.A.P.D. homicide detective - Laurel Canyon/Wonderland murders investigator and President of Hope Coming Ministries in Simi Valley writes: "I was impressed by the detective work you did." -- Frank Tomlinson

Well-respected actor and erotic film director claims: "It is a fine, sensitively written piece of work. I am very pleased and proud to be a part of it. It will always be the definitive work on Holmes and it's a great read. -- Jamie Gillis

The psychologist who counselled John Holmes and others at L.A. County Men's Jail, and author of the new book, Without Remorse writes: "Thank you for doing such a great job writing Inches. You put a lot of love and effort into the project. Whenever I even look at the cover I remember the 'Wadd'. I'm sure he would appreciate the book also. Great Job." -- Dr. Vonda L. Pelto, Ph.D.

Former Golden Age starlet, who did her first film with John Holmes shares her thoughts: "This is an amazing biography! By far, it is the best and most balanced account of John Holmes and the most truthful book about the adult film industry that has ever been written." -- Rhonda Jo Petty

Former Holmes comrade and fellow performer writes: "Thanks for quoting me word for word, unlike other interviews I have participated in." -- Don Fernando

Erotic movie legend, exclaims: "You did a fabulous job!" -- Marilyn Chambers.

A Hollywood scriptwriter says: "It tells the whole story about the man. It's the truth, not someone's fabricated tale of the life. It's a page turner and absolutely compelling. Kudos, ladies. You did an amazing job." -- Raven Touchstone

Porn's Ambassador reflects in the 02/09 SWANK piece, "John Holmes versus Ron Jeremy": "And in the final analysis [Sugar and Nelson] present a fair, balanced and complete look at "The King", John Curtis Holmes, without anti-porn hysteria on one hand, and without sugar-coating on the other -- just the good, the bad and the ugly of one man's life. May 'The King' rest in peace." -- Ron Jeremy

The director of Exhausted: John C. Holmes, The Real Story and John Holmes' former girlfriend is short but sweet: "Jennifer and Jill have done a very fine job." -- Julia St. Vincent

John Holmes' widow states: "After watching the film, Wonderland, Jennifer and Jill believed there was more to John Holmes. They have put a lot of research into this book and interviewed many people. I find the biography refreshing. I am proud of the book and I am proud of them." -- Laurie Holmes

September Interview Schedule

Jennifer and I will be featured guests on four blog talk radio programs during the month of September. Please see schedule below for details.

SEPTEMBER INTERVIEWS:

- Monday September 14th from 6-7:00pm Eastern - Monday Madness & Mayhem with host, Jahzara.

www.blogtalkradio.com/Jahzara/2009/09/14/MONDAY-MADNESS

- Thursday September 17th from 10-11:00pm Eastern - The Odd Mind with host, Lesa Trapp.

www.blogtalkradio.com/TheOddMind/2009/09/18/Authors-Jill-Nelson-and-Jennifer-Sugar-with-John-Holmes-A-Life-Measured-In-Inches

- Saturday September 19th from 11-12:00pm Eastern - Chaklet Coffee Books with hosts, "Mimi" Jacobs and Gayle Johnson.

www.blogtalkradio.com/Chaklet-Coffee-Books

- Sunday September 20th from 5:30-6:30pm Eastern - Lit Media Reviews with host, Colleen.

www.blogtalkradio.com/literarymediaspot