Actress, Author, Adventurer
Howdy, Whip fans!
This past week Karen was invited for a chat with Prairie Miller on WBAI’s “Arts Express”. If you’re in New York, you can catch the live interview tomorrow, Monday 30, so tune in to 99.5 FM @ 10pm ET.
But if you’re not in the East, don’t despair! We have the full interview right here for you. Aren’t we thoughtful?
Click below, kick back, and enjoy!
For a Book Signing, Video and Q&A
of her New Historical Novel
inspired by a true story
Red Cliffs Mall, 1720 East red Cliffs Drive
St. George, Utah, 84790
(Also Enjoy Some Refreshments)
12:15 pm Mountain (1:15 pm Central).
Airs throughout Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Northwestern Ontario and so me of the northern states. More information on their website.
6:00 AM Mountain (8:00 AM Eastern).
Airs north of NYC, from just north of Westchester County to Albany. More information on their website.
7:20 am Mountain (8:20 am Central)
Airs in certain parts of Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, and Missouri.More information on their website.
2:00 PM Mountain
Airs statewide and in northwestern Minnesota and eastern Montana. Various Broadcast Frequencies. More information on their website.
Today, Norm Goldman Publisher & Editor of Bookpleasures.com is excited to have as our guest Karen Kondazian author of The Whip. In addition to being an author, Karen is an award-winning theater actress and she has starred in over 50 television shows and films, including the role of Kate Holliday in the TV movie, The Shootout at the OK Corral. Karen is also the author of The Actor’s Encyclopedia of Casting Directors.
In 1979 Karen won the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Actress in The Rose Tattoo, (in which her work as an actor and producer so impressed Tennessee Williams that they became friends, and he gave her carte blanche to produce any of his work in his lifetime).
Good day Karen and thanks for participating in our interview. The Whip is your first novel. How did you enjoy the process of writing a novel and how much of your acting career influenced your writing?
BOOK SOUP BESTSELLERS:
FEBRUARY 13 – FEBRUARY 19
PAPERBACK FICTION
1. The Whip (Karen Kondazian)
2. Shortcut Man: A Novel (p.g. sturges)
3. The Lazarus Project (Aleksandar Hemon)
4. Swamplandia (Karen Russell)
5. Oryx and Crake (Margaret Atwood)
6. Los Angeles: Stories (Ry Cooder)
7. Empty The Sun (Joseph Mattson)
8. The Elementary Particles (Michel Houellebecq)
9. The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle: A Novel (Karuki Murakami)
10. A Hole In The Ground Owned By A Liar (Daniel Pyne)
Karen Kondazian joined readers, friends and colleagues at Book Soup in West Hollywood for a fantastic reading and signing of her new book.
The Whip quickly rose to the #1 spot on the paperback fiction best-sellers list at Book Soup as Karen and the story of her main character, Charley Parkhurst charmed the crowd.
BOOK SOUP BESTSELLERS:
FEBRUARY 6 – FEBRUARY 12
PAPERBACK FICTION
1. The Whip (Karen Kondazian)
2. Shortcut Man: A Novel (p.g. sturges)
3. Empty The Sun (Joseph Mattson)
4. What It Was (George Pelecanos)
5. Los Angeles: Stories (Ry Cooder)
6. The Lazarus Project (Aleksandar Hemon)
7. A Visit From The Goon Squad (Jennifer Egan)
8. Smut: Stories (Alan Bennett)
9. While Mortals Sleep (Kurt Vonnegut)
10. Before I Go To Sleep: A Novel (SJ Watson)
Karen with Book Cover artist Jeff DeCola
Karen signs a book for author Dee Levy
Karen and friend, Director Michael Peretzian
Karen helps play the Banjo with Marquis W. Howell, II
This past November, Karen Kondazian won the Actors Fund Auction prize. The Actors Fund is a national human services organization that helps professionals in the performing arts and entertainment in times of need, crisis or transition.
Karen won a luncheon with NY Times best-selling suspense author, Carol Higgins Clark, daughter of the great NY Times best-selling suspense writer Mary Higgins Clark. The luncheon took place at the iconic Sardi’s Restaurant in NYC, where most opening Broadway shows celebrate while awaiting their reviews.
Photo: Standing: Carol Higgins Clark, Lyle Kessler,
Sitting: Karen Kondazian, Nadine Schramm & Margaret Ladd on November 17, 2011.
Lyle Kessler is an American playwright, screenwriter and actor, best known internationally for Orphans, the play he wrote in 1983.
Margaret Ladd is an American actress, best known for playing Emma Channing in Falcon Crest in the 1980’s throughout its nine-year run. She is married to Lyle Kessler.
by Art Kusnetz
The Petaluma River was rising and the rain and wind made the old railroad trestle beneath our window tremble. I was glad we were inside and warm as I sat with actor and author Karen Kondazian. We were talking about her novel The Whip, which chronicles the life of Charley Parkhurst, one of the best “Whips”—stagecoach drivers—that Wells Fargo ever had. Upon his death, a great secret was revealed, he was a she!
As we ordered our café fare, I asked what first drew her to the story of Charley Parkhurst.
“I first discovered Charley in the 1980s. I immediately felt connected to her and her story on a very personal level. I can’t explain it except to say that I felt like a channel, a voice for Charley. Certainly the dialog flew out of me like I was channeling her, but then I really feel that artists are channels. That’s what actors do, that’s what writers, painters and sculptors do. I was the modern voice for Charley. And what I got from Charley’s life is that everything is on loan in our lives— even the people we love. So always remember to say goodbye. The key to the ending came to me during meditation when I realized she didn’t want to die alone.”
Karen Kondazian
Karen was both friend and companion to Lex Barker during his last days. They met at a Hollywood party in the winter of 1972 when Karen attended the event together with Lex’ good friend Bill Orr. It was love at first sight. During the months leading up to Barker’s death, Karen Kondazian frequently accompanied him. She also travelled to Canada with him at the end of April 1973 before both went to New York City. On the fateful day of 11 May 1973, Karen Kondazian was at Lex Barker’s side.
Karen Kondazian, born in Boston, Massachusetts, is probably best known for her skillful depictions of Tennessee Williams’ female characters. However, she has also acted in movies and television shows, produced stage plays, taught acting students and created a name for herself as an author (her book The Actor’s Encyclopedia of Casting Directors, which contains interviews with Hollywood’s best casting directors, became a best-seller).
part of 
digital network.
Karen talks about her book and reads passages from it. Truly, a must listen-to for anyone who loves audio books.
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