Teddy Astin, Author: A Golden Pass -And- A Platinum Future
Tough Act Publishing, POB 870948 Stone Mountain, GA 30087Contact Info: teddy@toughact.net Dear Literary Agent: I am writing to secure representation for my memoir, A Golden Past, A Platinum Future, an entertaining and informative overview of my life and career. From two decades as an award-winning Promotion Executive at Warner Brothers Records to subsequent entertainment ventures to my current work as a real estate consultant helping to preserve home ownership. The 51,000 word book provides an insider’s view of how the music industry became a bridge uniting the community and promoted the emergence of Atlanta, my hometown, as a world-class entertainment Mecca – a development in which I was honored to have played A major role. But why would a book about Teddy Astin engage a broad cross section of readers? For starters, it is an inspiring story of how a six-year-old paperboy earning money to help his mother support the family sustained that work ethic to rise from the mailroom of a major record label to its boardroom as a key player promoting the careers of some of the biggest multi-genre names in the music industry. At a time when radio was a key partner in our success, I coordinated the first promotional tour of a publicity-shy Prince and went on to work with a diverse Warner Brothers roster that included Miles Davis, Quincy Jones, Madonna, Bob Marley, Chaka Khan, James Ingram, Rod Steward, Patti Austin, Al Jarreau, Ashford & Simpson, Sylvester, Donna Summer, George Clinton, Ice-T, Biz Markie, Sly Stone, Michael McDonald, Biz Markie, Larry Graham, Bob James, Foreplay, David Sanborn, Big Daddy Kane, Sheila E, Morris Day & The Time, among others. My up-close-and-personal encounters with many of these legends and still popular artists add a humanizing element to their stardust. In fact, the numerous Gold and Platinum Albums I was awarded for significant sales landmarks in working with many of these artists (sales in excess of 500,000 for Gold and 1,000,000 for Platinum) are used in the title and as a theme throughout the book to symbolize key periods in my own life’s journey. The book also features many archival photographs that document the relationships I enjoyed with many celebrities, inside and outside the entertainment world, many of whom became my friends. In addition to the music industry stories, I have incorporated my takes on other key figures with Atlanta roots who have made a positive and enduring difference in this community and beyond. This stellar list includes our beloved former governor and U.S. President Jimmy Carter, whose love of music ran as deep as his humanitarianism; Ted Turner, who based his groundbreaking CNN and superstation WTBS here and later merged his empire with Time Warner; the late baseball and business icon Hank Aaron; Stacy Abrams, who spearheaded the voting rights movement that turned Georgia blue; and the continuing impact of the next generation of hip-hop artists who have become successful entrepreneurs and activists in Atlanta. As I weave together all of these threads, the reader will come to understand the supreme importance of my faith and family throughout my career accomplishments. In an industry that is not particularly family-friendly, my wife of 41 years and business partner – as well as my daughter, son and grandchild – emerge as stabilizing constants in my life. In my 65th year, when most are winding down in retirement and social security, I present the option of a more engaged, “socially-secure” approach. This is my “Platinum Future,” an active lifestyle of second and third acts, as well as the physical, mental and spiritual health measures in my daily routine that can be used as a model for those who may also choose to follow this path. The book emphasizes that I continue to build upon the strength and inspiration of my mother, the single parent whose example led me and my siblings to overcome early adversity to lead productive lives. Readers will travel with me from the glamour of the high-flying music industry in the ‘70s 80s and ‘90s to finding post-entertainment success. Today, as we all seek to survive and thrive in a global pandemic, I truly believe a “Platinum Future” is still possible for those who believe that if a former paperboy can do it, so can I! If requested, I can submit representative chapters of the book for your review and consideration. Sincerely,Teddy L. Astin
Tough Act Publishing, POB 870948 Stone Mountain, GA 30087Contact Info: teddy@toughact.net Dear Literary Agent: I am writing to secure representation for my memoir, A Golden Past, A Platinum Future, an entertaining and informative overview of my life and career. From two decades as an award-winning Promotion Executive at Warner Brothers Records to subsequent entertainment ventures to my current work as a real estate consultant helping to preserve home ownership. The 51,000 word book provides an insider’s view of how the music industry became a bridge uniting the community and promoted the emergence of Atlanta, my hometown, as a world-class entertainment Mecca – a development in which I was honored to have played A major role. But why would a book about Teddy Astin engage a broad cross section of readers? For starters, it is an inspiring story of how a six-year-old paperboy earning money to help his mother support the family sustained that work ethic to rise from the mailroom of a major record label to its boardroom as a key player promoting the careers of some of the biggest multi-genre names in the music industry. At a time when radio was a key partner in our success, I coordinated the first promotional tour of a publicity-shy Prince and went on to work with a diverse Warner Brothers roster that included Miles Davis, Quincy Jones, Madonna, Bob Marley, Chaka Khan, James Ingram, Rod Steward, Patti Austin, Al Jarreau, Ashford & Simpson, Sylvester, Donna Summer, George Clinton, Ice-T, Biz Markie, Sly Stone, Michael McDonald, Biz Markie, Larry Graham, Bob James, Foreplay, David Sanborn, Big Daddy Kane, Sheila E, Morris Day & The Time, among others. My up-close-and-personal encounters with many of these legends and still popular artists add a humanizing element to their stardust. In fact, the numerous Gold and Platinum Albums I was awarded for significant sales landmarks in working with many of these artists (sales in excess of 500,000 for Gold and 1,000,000 for Platinum) are used in the title and as a theme throughout the book to symbolize key periods in my own life’s journey. The book also features many archival photographs that document the relationships I enjoyed with many celebrities, inside and outside the entertainment world, many of whom became my friends. In addition to the music industry stories, I have incorporated my takes on other key figures with Atlanta roots who have made a positive and enduring difference in this community and beyond. This stellar list includes our beloved former governor and U.S. President Jimmy Carter, whose love of music ran as deep as his humanitarianism; Ted Turner, who based his groundbreaking CNN and superstation WTBS here and later merged his empire with Time Warner; the late baseball and business icon Hank Aaron; Stacy Abrams, who spearheaded the voting rights movement that turned Georgia blue; and the continuing impact of the next generation of hip-hop artists who have become successful entrepreneurs and activists in Atlanta. As I weave together all of these threads, the reader will come to understand the supreme importance of my faith and family throughout my career accomplishments. In an industry that is not particularly family-friendly, my wife of 41 years and business partner – as well as my daughter, son and grandchild – emerge as stabilizing constants in my life. In my 65th year, when most are winding down in retirement and social security, I present the option of a more engaged, “socially-secure” approach. This is my “Platinum Future,” an active lifestyle of second and third acts, as well as the physical, mental and spiritual health measures in my daily routine that can be used as a model for those who may also choose to follow this path. The book emphasizes that I continue to build upon the strength and inspiration of my mother, the single parent whose example led me and my siblings to overcome early adversity to lead productive lives. Readers will travel with me from the glamour of the high-flying music industry in the ‘70s 80s and ‘90s to finding post-entertainment success. Today, as we all seek to survive and thrive in a global pandemic, I truly believe a “Platinum Future” is still possible for those who believe that if a former paperboy can do it, so can I! If requested, I can submit representative chapters of the book for your review and consideration. Sincerely,Teddy L. Astin