For many, 2009 has been a year of struggle, loss and disappointment. But Jeri Estes and her crew harvested many opportunities both personal and in support of Jeri’s book, “STILETTOS AND STEEL.” While Jeri and her crew had been hoping to be accepted by the publishing world with open arms and open checkbooks this year, she was instead met with the companies cowering with their tails between their legs before the recession that halted book-buying almost completely. While the dry spell was discouraging, the little, personal notes from the publishers were reassuring that the project was revolutionary and adored but it would have to wait.
Jeri, the great optimist she is, saw her waiting period as an opportunity to branch out on her own. Whether party, premiere or the cereal aisle at Gelson’s, people are drawn to Jeri’s infection energy and unabashed passion for her project. Movie directors offered to help Jeri make short films without having read a script, actors and models were begging for parts in a movie that hadn’t been written yet and everyone Jeri met was begging to buy a book that hadn’t been published yet.
The crew was ready. Jeri commissioned a beautiful new website and set up shop on Facebook and My Space rallying her troops. By the year’s end, Jeri had created a beautiful line of men’s and women’s clothing based on “STILETTOS AND STEEL,” she had 1,600 friends on Facebook and Outsmart magazine had named her book, ‘the best book you can’t read this season.” While the publishing companies are twiddling their thumbs, waiting for the next “Harry Potter” to fall into their laps, the public has become absolutely rabid for “STILETTOS AND STEEL.”
Jeri has a lot to be excited about this year. She will be teaming up with famed artist Howard Chaykin to create an entirely unique graphic novel based on her book “STILETTOS AND STEEL.” Jeri is also hopeful for a response from Dark Horse Comics concerning their publishing of this graphic novel. Along with her publication aspirations, Jeri is planning to hold an open casting-call in the gay and lesbian community in Hollywood to bring life to her book onstage at an upcoming event. Jeri is also excited to bring her cast and crew to this year’s Dinah Shore Golf Tournament in beautiful Palm Springs.
Anything is possible in life, Jeri has learned. Jeri who was once formally asked to leave the city of Los Angeles for good on accusations of pimpin’ and pandering, has recently received a letter of praise and approval from the mayor of Los Angeles himself, Antonio R. Villaraigosa. In this letter, Jeri was praised for her astounding work within the city of Los Angeles and was praised as one of the city’s shining citizens. Quite a lot can change in forty years.
So here’s to the New Year. While 2009 may have been filled with fear and hedged bets, may 2010 be the year that the publishing world takes a chance on a book about love, San Francisco in the 1960s, pride and pimpin’ and pandering.
