"And what did the boss say?" Regina demanded. Austin locked eyes with her. "He said our stories need more vagina." Regina recoiled as if Austin had poked her with a sharp stick. "He said what?" Austin held his hand up. "As God is my judge. That was the word he used." What kind of crazy newsroom is this? It's the kind three friends find as each embarks on a broadcast journalism career at the height of the Golden Age of TV News. In their quest for Truth, Justice, and Ratings, they'll risk it all, battling profit-minded owners, idiotic managers, shady businessmen, out-of-control public officials, and dangerous criminals. Before it's over, one will be in a fight for his job, another will be fighting for his sanity, and the third will be struggling for his very life. Written by Forrest Carr, an award-winning journalist who spent 33 years in the trenches of local news warfare, Messages tells a compelling reality-inspired crime story while also providing rare and authentic insight into the powerful world of local TV news and the driven, sometimes tortured people who decide what you'll be allowed to know about the community where you live. An "accomplished debut novel" written with "smooth skill" and filled will "considerable comic energy and fast-paced dialogue. A spirited, lavishly detailed behind-the-scenes look at the inner workings of a newsroom." -- Kirkus Reviews "A masterful exposé of TV news. Carr's novel is engrossing, fun to read and a joy to see play out to its inevitable, tragic, hilarious and scandalous conclusion. Take this book home. You won't be disappointed." -- Tim Schwartz, MoCoVox.com What readers are posting about Messages: - "Great read! Many laugh out loud moments." - "Fast paced and funny." - "Better than Anchorman." - "Loved it! Hard to put down." - "Like reading M*A*S*H set in a newsroom."
Forrest Carr is an award-winning journalist who's spent 33 years in the trenches of local TV news warfare. He's known for strong ethics, outspoken views, and for such innovations as the critically-acclaimed Viewers' Bill of Rights. Take his passion for journalism, mix in his quirky sense of humor, stir, and you have his novel, "Messages." He's also a long-time fan of old-school science fiction, as can be seen in his second work of fiction, "Journal of the Crazy Year" - a zombie apocalypse with a twist (among other things, they're not zombies!) Carr graduated from the University of Memphis with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications in May of 1980. After working his way up through the ranks as a reporter and producer, he became a TV news director in 1997, and has served in that capacity in the Tampa, Fort Myers, Albuquerque, and Tucson television markets. He has received or shared credit in more than 90 professional awards, including a Suncoast Regional Emmy for investigative reporting, two regional Edward R. Murrow awards for investigative reporting, a Walter Cronkite large-market station award for excellence in television political journalism, and most recently, a national Edward R. Murrow station award for best website. Carr is a co-author of "Broadcast News Handbook," a college textbook published by McGraw-Hill, now in its fifth edition. He resides with his wife Deborah and their two cats Ellis and Mina, a.k.a. Butthead 1 and Butthead Also, in Tucson, Arizona.
