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Press Release: It’s All That Glitters

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — APRIL 2012

Media Contact: Stacey McNutt
Marketing and Public Relations
Schiffer Publishing Ltd, Atglen PA
staceym at schifferbooks dot com
(610) 593-1777

“It’s All That Glitters”
Portraits of Burlesque Performers in Their Homes

Take an uncommon glimpse into the private worlds of public performers. Explore over 100 photos of contemporary burlesque performers from across the US through colorful, intimate, and revealing portraits.

What is burlesque? Who better to ask than burlesque performers themselves? With this question in mind, the author traveled over 14,000 miles across the United States visiting today’s burlesque performers, photographing them in their homes, and asking them: “What does burlesque mean to you?” Their answers and 104 accompanying portraits may surprise you. For these performers, burlesque is so many things, including fun and empowerment on stage, an escape from life’s doldrums, a fantasy, a career. This book also presents a study in contrasts between the public persona of each performer and that performer’s private life. Visit http://ItsAllThatGlitters.com for videos, photos, links, and more information about the performers featured in the book.

Brian C. Janes (aka BCJ) is a photographer, videographer, musician and producer based in Los Angeles, California. He has been photographing people since 2002, burlesque performers on and off stage since 2005, and specializes in portraits, glamour, and performance photography.

Schiffer Publishing, Ltd. is based in Atglen, PA on the Schiffer Book Farm. The company is known for publishing high quality Antique, Arts, Architecture, Lifestyle, and Military History books, as well as a successful line of children and ghost books. This title and over 4,500 Schiffer titles can be purchased at http://www.schifferbooks.com, your local bookseller, and numerous online retailers.

Book Details

REVIEW COPIES AND INTERVIEWS ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST.

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Click here to download this press release as a PDF document.

It’s All That Progress

I’ve been very quiet about my book since I submitted my manuscript back in June. Believe me, it’s not for any lack of excitement on my part, I’m just in holding pattern while the happy publishing elves have been busily editing away. I was told up front what to expect in this process. It’s one thing to know it, it’s a whole different thing to experience it.

To go from having something in my mind as a concept for so long to actually seeing it become a reality is a little bit overwhelming at times, but so far I’m really happy with the progress.

The book has been rechristened It’s All That Glitters as opposed to All That Glitters. This was a decision driven by the need for the publisher to differentiate my book from another book in their portfolio about costume jewelry. The change will perhaps prevent customers expecting a book about costume jewelry from being accosted by photos of glamorous and scantily clad burlesque dancers.

I have seen the cover design, both what it was originally proposed to be and what it officially is now. There was a brief moment upon seeing the former in which I wasn’t feeling so well, but fortunately the collective minds saw reason and revised the cover to something that I willy truly be proud to promote and display.

Early last month I returned the galleys with my notes to my editor. Not to be confused with the kitchen in a ship, galleys are all of the text of the book in a narrow column. This was the first time I had seen the text since an editor went through and cleaned all of the transcripts up. I even found myself entertained by reading all the various responses from performers.

And then late last month I had the opportunity to review the complete layout of the book in digital form. The book will only be sold in hardcopy format (I pushed for an ebook, but not this time), but all of the formatting and proofing happens in digital form.

All in all, a lot of silent progress. I still have plans for the video interviews I shot along with the portraits and I’m finally getting myself back around to focusing some creative energy on them. 2012 is going to be a busy and productive year.

Thank YOU for your support on this journey. There would be no point to any of this if it there weren’t people with whom to share this project. I’m looking forward to the big reveal.

Galleys…Not Just For Ships

Inga Ingenue & BCJ

I’ve been very quiet about my book since I submitted my manuscript back in June. Believe me, it’s not for any lack of excitement on my part, I’m just in holding pattern while while the happy publishing elves have been busily editing away. I was told up front what to expect in this process. It’s one thing to know it, it’s a whole different thing to experience it.

To go from having something in my mind as a concept for so long to actually seeing it become a reality is a little bit overwhelming at times, but so far I’m really happy with the progress.

The book has been rechristened It’s All That Glitters as opposed to All That Glitters. This was a decision driven by the need for the publisher to differentiate my book from another book in their portfolio about costume jewelry. The change will perhaps prevent customers expecting a book about costume jewelry from being accosted by photos of glamorous and scantily clad burlesque dancers.

I have seen the cover design, both what it was originally proposed to be and what it officially is now. There was a brief moment upon seeing the former in which I wasn’t feeling so well, but fortunately the collective minds saw reason and revised the cover to something that I willy truly be proud to promote and display.

Last week I returned the galleys with my notes to my editor. Not to be confused with the kitchen in a ship, galleys are all of the text of the book in a narrow column. This was the first time I had seen the text since an editor went through and cleaned all of the transcripts up. I even found myself entertained by reading all the various responses from performers.

All in all, a lot of silent progress. I still have plans for the video interviews I shot along with the portraits, and I’m finally getting myself back around to focusing some creative energy on them. 2012 is going to be a busy and productive year.

And hey look, it’s Thanksgiving week! So allow me to take this moment to thank YOU for your support on this journey. There would be no point to any of this if it there weren’t people with whom to share this project. I’m looking forward to the big reveal.

The photo strip above is me with the fabulous and beautiful Miss Viva Las Vegas 2011, Inga Ingenue, taken right after my portrait session with her just over a year ago in Seattle.

Not Quite There

But it sure is a step in the right direction.

Just a month over two years ago I started work on All That Glitters. Today I mailed a package to Schiffer Publishing that contains the manuscript and photos for the coffee table book.

Now the real work can begin.

Well, okay, so it’s been real work thus far, but now I get to embark on the new adventure of the editing, layout and design process with the publisher. I’m thrilled by this because it means I get to hear other professional opinions about what the book should look like and feel like. And even just the idea that one day I will have the opportunity to feel this project in my hands and not just see a bunch of words and photos on a screen is very exciting.

I’ll take a few days off this weekend (perfect time for the holiday weekend) at which point my brain will ask: now what are we going to work on? Oh, there are plenty of things awaiting my attention. But for now, I celebrate a little bit and save the huge celebration for when there is a book to share with all of you.

Invasion of Darth Noodles

One of the many fun things about photo shoots is experimentation. And cats. And experimenting with cats. In my session for All That Glitters with Naughty Natanya we did just that. She enlisted the help of her fuzzy companion Darth Noodles and we captured this outtake.

All That Glitters West Coast Tour – Part 4

Charlie

After watching Waxie balance on one knee on a bar stool while wearing a dress I took his advice and stopped in next door for some hot chocolate. Don’t worry, I totally took pictures of the whole balancing on one knee on a bar stool in a dress thing. With hot chocolate in hand I visited what is known in Seattle as the “poor man’s Space Needle” in Volunteer Park. You see, I’m funding this whole project on my own, so the budget is limited. Given that reality, spending $18 to visit the top of the real Space Needle just isn’t on the list of things to do. So I was happy to hear that there was a somewhat similar alternative that was available to the public free of charge. The poor man’s Space Needle is a very large water tower with stairs on the inside leading up to the top. It was pretty nifty and provided a good view of the city. One day I’ll get back there to go up the actual Space Needle, and that will be a day when I have a vacation budget saved up.

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All That Glitters West Coast Tour – Part 3

We pick back up with our fearless hero on Monday, October 18, 2010, as he embarks on the drive to Portland, Oregon. Yes, I’m talking about me. Anyway, my visit to San Francisco had come to a close and it was time to head north.

While I drive north, let’s take a moment and talk about food. Not too long ago I made a conscious decision to refrain from eating fast food as much as possible. Overall I’m pleased with my track record in this regard, but next time you go for a road trip, pay close attention to how much fast food is easily accessible from the highway while the healthy food is inconveniently tucked away on side streets with no signs directing people to it. The US Interstate food system has been designed to promote junk and fast food. Thankfully, with new technology and tools like Google Maps and smart phones it’s possible to search towns along the road for non-fast food options.

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Interview with the Devil

I want to share this screen capture of my interview with Sir Pinkerton of Milwaukee, Wisconsin for All That Glitters. It takes a lot of work to do hair, makeup and costuming for burlesque shows, so I was always thrilled and honored each time I arrived to a portrait session to see that the performer had taken the time to get ready for the stage even when they didn’t have a show to perform in that day.

Sir Pinkerton - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Although I’ve been very quiet with regards to blogging and All That Glitters updates, I have been very busy working on editing video interviews and photos for the project. As I mentioned late last year, I am working with Schiffer Publishing to create the book for All That Glitters, so much of my time is being spent editing, editing and editing some more.

Reflections on Thanksgiving

The All That Glitters West Coast Tour summary will continue this weekend. In the meantime, I spent some time today thinking about the things and people for which I am thankful and would like to share a few of them with you here.

Let me start from the beginning. Well, maybe not the beginning, but four years ago in 2006. I was working in Corporate America earning a decent living as the director of product development and project management for electronic advertising and software solutions in the travel industry. But I wasn’t happy. In fact, I was miserable. At first I thought it was only because the company I was working for wasn’t the right fit for me and that I’d be happy if I could only find the right company.

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All That Glitters West Coast Tour – Part 2

Kitty Von Quim

The thing about conducting photo shoots in downtown San Francisco is, not only is parking difficult (though possible), but once you find parking you then have to lug gear up and down the steep, steep streets. I got lucky with a parking spot only a half block from Kitty’s place, but my experience the next day was another story.

For dinner I journeyed on the recommendation of a friend to Brandy Ho’s Hunan Food. I was rather hungry and when I’m hungry and presented with a plethora of options, I can sometimes have a difficult time making sound decisions. In this case I went with the shrimp chow mein and was not proud of my decision. It didn’t seem to be much more than greasy noodles with some shrimp thrown in. I’m sure some of their other dishes were delicious, I just didn’t get to try them. Thus the end to my Saturday adventures.

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