Books-and-Authors.net:
Where did you grow up and was reading and writing a part of
your life?
Stan Levenson: I
grew up in Brooklyn, New York and reading and writing were
not a big part of my early life. Who were your earliest
influences and why? As a young person, I was influenced by
sports figures including my Cousin Natie who was an
outstanding baseball player. Many basketball players who
played at the 43rd Street playground in Borough Park and on
my championship high school basketball team also influenced
me.
Books-and-Authors.net: Why do you write?
Stan Levenson: I
write because I enjoy helping others and because I get a
great deal of satisfaction from it. I also find writing
relaxing, challenging, and exciting.
Books-and-Authors.net: Discuss your new book "When Brooklyn
Was Heaven - A Memoir from Brooklyn to L.A. and Places
In-Between" How did the book come about?
Stan Levenson: When
Brooklyn Was Heaven came about after many people encouraged
me to put my stories into writing. The stories come from my
early years and span the first 30 years of my life from 1931
through 1961.
Books-and-Authors.net: In "When Brooklyn Was Heaven - A
Memoir from Brooklyn to L.A. and Places In-Between" you
discuss growing up during the Great Depression and getting
into trouble. Discuss.
Stan Levenson: Yes,
I did grow up during the Great Depression. We were dirt
poor. We ate a lot of vegetable plates and government
surplus food in those days, but I don’t remember ever going
to bed hungry. My dad died when I was four years old and my
mom had a very strong influence on me. She was a super
woman! I did get into trouble mostly in junior and senior
high school because of my lack of maturity and good
judgment. You’ll have to read the book to find out more.
Books-and-Authors.net: You are a fundraising Guru. Explain
and discuss.
Stan Levenson: I
did not come up with the name “fundraising guru”. The Public
Education Network in Washington, D.C came up with that name.
It is true, however, that I have raised millions of dollars
for the public schools and the students I have trained at
the University of California, San Diego have also raised
millions of dollars. It is also true that I have written
extensively on the subject in major publications, and have
written two books on the subject, BIG-TIME FUNDRAISING FOR
TODAY’S SCHOOLS, Corwin Press and HOW TO GET GRANTS AND
GIFTS FOR THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS, Allyn & Bacon. I don’t
consider myself a “fundraising guru” but others do.
Books-and-Authors.net: In "When Brooklyn Was Heaven - A
Memoir from Brooklyn to L.A. and Places In-Between" you
discuss the World Series of 1947. How/Why was this event
such a highlight?
Stan Levenson: I
was in high school in 1947 and the Brooklyn Dodgers and the
New York Yankees were fierce rivals at the time. The 1947
World Series was truly a classic. It went seven games. It
was Jackie Robinson’s first World Series. It showcased such
great players as Joe DiMaggio, Phil Rizzuto, Snuffy
Stirnweiss, and Yogi Berra of the Yankees and Robinson, Carl
Furillo, Dixie Walker, and Pee Wee Reese of the Dodgers. I
was fortunate to attend game seven of the World Series at
Yankee Stadium with my friends arriving at the stadium at
10:30 the night before the game. I describe in detail in the
book our 1947 World Series escapade.
Books-and-Authors.net: Baseball seems to be a thread
throughout "When Brooklyn Was Heaven - A Memoir from
Brooklyn to L.A. and Places In-Between". Who were your
favorite players? Who do you root for now?
Stan Levenson: Being
a Yankee fan at the time, my favorite players were Joe
DiMaggio, Phil Rizzuto, and Yogi Berra. They were all big
stars! Of course, a little later on the Yankees signed a guy
by the name of Mickey Mantle and he captured the hearts of
Yankee fans everywhere. Right now I root for the San Diego
Padres. Our team is famous for selling off its’ best
ballplayers and having a wonderful alumni association.
Remember Ozzie Smith, Dave Winfield, Rollie Fingers, Willie
McCovey, and Gaylord Perry? They all made it to the Hall of
Fame and are former Padres. For now, keep your eye on Adrian
Gonzalez. The Padres recently sold him to the Boston Red
Sox!
Books-and-Authors.net: What are readers saying about "When
Brooklyn Was Heaven - A Memoir from Brooklyn to L.A. and
Places In-Between"?
Stan Levenson: I
am very pleased with the reviews I have been getting for the
book on Amazon and Barnes & Noble as well as in other
places. I am in the process of getting reviews from the New
York media as well as from across the United States and
abroad. We’ll see how it goes!
Books-and-Authors.net: What do you hope to achieve with
"When Brooklyn Was Heaven - A Memoir from Brooklyn to L.A.
and Places In-Between"?
Stan Levenson: I
hope to acquire an agent and a major publisher for the book.
I believe the book has the potential of becoming a best
seller.
Books-and-Authors.net:What was the last book you read?
Stan Levenson: The
last book I read was “A Moveable Feast” by Ernest Hemingway.
Books-and-Authors.net: What's next?
Stan Levenson: I
am in the process of putting together a series of
fundraising books for the public schools and am seeking a
publisher and agent at this time.
