Actress, Author, Adventurer
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STUDIO CITY (CBS) — Author Karen Kondazian stopped by KCAL9 Friday to discuss her new novel, “The Whip”, which details the life of Charley Parkhurst, a woman who spent 30 years in the Old West disguised as a man. Read the full story here.
If you are in the neighborhood, don’t forget to join Karen at the Soquel Pioneer and Historical Association’s Annual Potluck Picnic on July 28th (Noon – 4pm) for some great Old West food, drink, conversation and fun!
Karen will be signing copies of The Whip, re-telling some of Charley’s adventures and take part in an entertaining Q&A.
Karen’s career began at age eight when she was chosen to be one of the infamous children on Art Linkletter’s “Kids Say the Darndest Things.” The opportunity to miss school during tapings was all it took for Karen to abandon her life’s goal of becoming a spy and focus on acting. She completed her B.A. at San Francisco State College, and Karen then continued her schooling at The University of Vienna and The London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts.
Karen’s first professional acting work was in the award winning off-Broadway production of The Trojan Women. Her theater career has included starring opposite Ed Harris (be still my heart) in Sweet Bird of Youth, Stacy Keach in Hamlet, and Richard Chamberlain in Richard II. She won the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Actress in The Rose Tattoo, (in which her work as 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).
Karen in Front of the Wells Fargo Silver Reef Museum
The picturesque West Village is well known for its narrow, cobblestone streets and brick townhouses.
Karen has a moment to enjoy the view in front of Left Bank Books.
Karen Kondazian reads from The Whip while surrounded by first editions of Ernest Hemingway, Jorge Luis Borges, Pablo Neruda, Joan Didion, Tennessee Williams, Louise Erdrich, Allen Ginsburg and Thomas Wolf.
It was a “Midnight in Paris” moment.
Karen’s appearance on the rustic sign outside the bookstore in the Village. Notice the ducks.
Left Bank Books specializes in literary first editions (especially fiction, poetry, drama, and literary non-fiction), photography, art, music, and film.
Article from Hansen Publishing Group.
Karen signs copies of The Whip for fans at Barnes&Noble.
Excited fans crowd around Karen for autographs.
Karen’s book at the noteworthy paperbacks table – the cover just beckons, doesn’t it?
Karen and Kathy Korman Frey, our DC partner from the Hot Mommas Project
Karen poses with fans and greets old friends at Union Station
The sign outside The Coop, Harvard Square, Cambridge, MA
According to The Coop’s event organizer said it was one of the most successful nights they had ever had. Jeff DeCola, book cover artist for The Whip also attended the event in support of his hometown. Karen will be traveling next to Washington DC and New York over the next few days.
The very collegiate and beautiful entrance way to the Harvard Coop.
Karen at the Podium… all these books where signed and sold!
The room was brimming with Whip fans. Thanks Boston!
Click to read our June Issue of The Whip Newletter
Click to read our June Issue of The Whip Newletter
The Harvard Square Coop
1400 Massachusetts Avenue, 18 Palmer Street, Cambridge, MA 02238
7:00 pm.
Barnes & Noble
50 Massachusetts Avenue NE, Union Station, Washington DC 20002
5:00 pm.
Bluestockings Bookstore
172 Allen Street between Stanton and Rivington
7:00 pm.
Left Bank Books
17 8th Ave., New York, NY 10014
8:00 pm.
Hi Whip fans! We’ve got some exciting news!
San Francisco television (KRON/NBC) film critic and historian Jan Wahl has invited Karen Kondazian, author of The Whip, to discuss her book on Ms. Wahl’s television show on June 2nd. They’ll be chatting about Charley Parkhurst, the inspiration behind The Whip, and about the fascinating process of transforming this great summer read into a big screen adaptation.
“I read the entire book in three days… really a great story. I saw the movie all the way through the book…” — Jan Wahl
Hilary Swank in "Boys Don't Cry"
The film Albert Nobbs recently showed us women of the same timeframe who lived as men in Ireland. Albert is remote and scared even in this courageous choice, but his friend, played brilliantly by Janet McTeer, reminds me a great deal in looks and the gruff-but-kind temperament of our Charley. Charley also has a wit, born of survival skills and intelligence. I would have liked to know Charley, and now I feel I have met her.
Cate Blanchett as Bob Dylan in "I'm Not There"
