Become a Facebook Fan of On the Job

Author Daniel P. Smith has set up a Facebook Fan site for On the Job: Behind the Stars of the Chicago Police Department. If you're on Facebook, join the party and become a fan of On the Job. Then, encourage your friends to enter the foray as well.

Many thanks to the over 600 fans who joined On the Job's Facebook movement in its initial two weeks. Good day to all.

West Chicago Library set to host On the Job author

On the Job author Daniel P. Smith will bring his compelling, story-filled presentation to the West Chicago Public Libary on Wednesday, September 9, 2009 at 7:00pm. The event is free and open to the public.

Weds, Sept 9 @ 7:00pm

West Chicago Public Library

118 W Washington St

West Chicago, IL 60185

(630) 231-1552

http://www.westchicago.lib.il.us/adult-services/programs/the-path-to-on-the-job.aspx

Wisconsin groups welcome On the Job author

Author Daniel P. Smith made the trek to Green Bay, Wisconsin to speak to a number of Citizen Police Academy groups about his work and research in completing On the Job: Behind the Stars of the Chicago Police Department. Despite the author's allegiance to the Chicago Bears in the shadow of the Green Bay Packers' Lambeau Field, the exciting event showcased the universal nature of On the Job and the book's ability to transcend longstanding divisions and perceived differences in the hopes of inspiring empathy for law enforcement officers in and out of Chicago.

Many thanks to Ashwaubenon Police Department Investigator Diana Lawler for the invite and welcoming crowd.

Following his author program in Ashwaubenon, WI, On the Job author Daniel P. Smith poses with members of the Marinette, WI Citizens Police Academy alumni group.

Beverly Library to host On the Job author

On the Job author Daniel P. Smith is slated to present his author program, "The Path to On the Job," at Chicago's Beverly Library on August 25 at 7pm. The recently remodeled library in Chicago's historic Beverly neighborhood stands a fitting backdrop for Smith's discussion of Chicago's unique character and law enforcement realities. The program is FREE and open to the public.

Tuesday, August 25 @ 7pm

Beverly Library

1962 W. 95th Street (Chicago)
(312) 747-9673

Stop by the Edison Park Fest

For the second consecutive year, On the Job author Daniel P. Smith will have a tent space at the Edison Park Fest on Chicago's northwest side. The 2009 edition of the fest will take place on August 15 and 16.

In addition to selling and signing copies of On the Job, his debut work, Smith will also have available a complete line of books from Chicago-based publisher Lake Claremont Press, including Rick Kogan's ode to the famed Billy Goat Tavern, Andy Austin's memoir of life as a courtroom sketch artist, and Sharon Shea Bossard's helpful guidebook, Finding Your Chicago Irish.

For additional information on the Edison Park Fest, including location and hours, please visit the Edison Park Chamber of Commerce.

For additional information on Lake Claremont Press and its many Chicago-focused titles, please visit www.lakeclaremont.com.

Edison Park Fest

Saturday, August 15--9am to 7pm

Sunday, August 16--10am to 7pm

Smith appears on CAN-TV's "Avila Fine Arts Show"

On the Job author Daniel P. Smith recently appeared on the CAN-TV's "Avila Fine Arts Show." The Chicago-based program, hosted by attorney Frank Avila, explores Chicago's cultural, political, and historical scene. To view the program, visit: http://blip.tv/file/2429096.

Many thanks to program host Frank Avila for guiding an honest discussion and program producer Tony Joyce for coordinating the appearance.

On the Job author set to appear at Brookfield Public Library

Join journalist and On the Job author Daniel P. Smith at the Brookfield Public Library on Thursday, June 18 for his presentation--"The Path to On the Job: Murder, Reflection, and Where TV Cop Shows Fail." The FREE presentation begins at 7pm.

Thursday, June 18 @ 7pm

Brookfield Public Library

3609 Grand Boulevard

Brookfield, IL 60513

http://www.brookfieldpubliclibrary.info/calendar

Ask the Author: Who inspires you?

Answer: I could go on for quite a while listing a number of authors, thinkers, and notable individuals I’ve known personally who’ve moved me in some way to push along this path. Rather than bore you with that, however, I’ll settle with these two:

1.) I’ve long been inspired by Antoine de Saint-Exupery, author of The Little Prince, who showed how complex and philosophical and real even a simple story and its characters could be. In all of my work, I seek to find the extraordinary in the ordinary much like Saint-Exupery.

2.) On a wider scale, I’m inspired by anyone who wants to share their story in a sincere, honest way. I love people who accept the vulnerability that comes with sharing a piece of their life so that I may take up the challenge of crafting a story around their words and experiences. It’s such people who guide On the Job and will continue to blanket my work.

Ask the Author is a running series of live audience or reader questions directed at On the Job author Daniel P. Smith. The series, which appears each Monday, is aimed at providing greater insight into Smith’s work in researching and writing On the Job: Behind the Stars of the Chicago Police Department as well as the book’s content. A speaker noted for his energy and engaging style, Smith is available for presentations at a wide range of events, including private book clubs, Citizen Police Academy meetings, libraries, senior centers, and schools. Please contact him directly at smithwriting@gmail.com to schedule an event.

Are you a reader with a question for On the Job author Daniel P. Smith? Send it to smithwriting@gmail.com.

Ask the Author: How did you get started as a writer?

(Note from the author: Many thanks to the good folks at Ebinger School on Chicago's northwest side for inviting me to attend their annual Career Day. This question arrives from one of the school's eighth-grade students.)

Answer: I came from a blue-collar area of Chicago, a neighborhood filled with cops, firemen, electricians, and other laborers, so the thought of becoming a writer never occurred to me. The only people I knew growing up who worked for the Chicago Tribune or the Chicago Sun-Times delivered or sold the newspapers, my grandfather included. Growing up, I never knew writing was a realistic option.

At the University of Illinois at Chicago, I began writing sports for the college newspaper. I then became the sports editor and, later, an editorial columnist. That work gave me a practical grounding in the craft and inspired me to do more. I began do freelance work for one of Chicago’s daily newspapers and a few magazines. And so my career as a writer began, even as I continued to think I might become a high school teacher and coach.

Ask the Author is a running series of live audience or reader questions directed at On the Job author Daniel P. Smith. The series, which appears each Monday, is aimed at providing greater insight into Smith’s work in researching and writing On the Job: Behind the Stars of the Chicago Police Department as well as the book’s content. A speaker noted for his energy and engaging style, Smith is available for presentations at a wide range of events, including private book clubs, Citizen Police Academy meetings, libraries, senior centers, and schools. Please contact him directly at smithwriting@gmail.com to schedule an event.

Are you a reader with a question for On the Job author Daniel P. Smith? Send it to smithwriting@gmail.com.

On the Job author slated to appear on Fox Chicago News

On the Job author Daniel P. Smith was interviewed by Fox Chicago News recently for a story on the nearing trial of former Chicago Police Officer Anthony Abbate. The story is (tentatively) slated to run on the 9pm newscast on Friday, May 29, just days before the start of Abbate's criminal trial.

Check it out:

Fox Chicago News

Friday, May 29 @ 9pm

Author Daniel P. Smith discusses the trial of ex-Chicago cop Anthony Abbate and the CPD's subsequent battle with public perception.

Update: Fox Chicago has posted the 3-minute special report online.