A new book by a former Los Angeles TV news insider is getting rave reviews from local TV news anchors and reporters from around the country. STUCK IN THE BOX: A LIFE IN LOCAL TV NEWS by Donna McNeely is now available on iTunes and audible.com. The paperback version of the book is being distributed exclusively through Amazon.com.
STUCK IN THE BOX is the fictional story of Jackie McGee, a young woman destined to become a local TV news star–or at least that’s the plan. Jackie takes the reader on the bumpy ride from her beginnings as a small town TV reporter to her final revelations about big time local TV news. Fast-paced, insightful, poignant, and often hilarious, Donna McNeely’s STUCK IN THE BOX captures the insanity, the characters, and the superficiality that permeate local TV news.
“STUCK IN THE BOX is a literate, fun, heartbreaking look at a microcosm of the human race–the people both behind and in front of the cameras in the local TV newsrooms of America,” says Jessica Kaye, President of audio book distributor Big Happy Family, LLC. “We’re delighted to add it to our roster of distributed audio books.”
The audio version of STUCK IN THE BOX was produced by Richard L. Parsons and Virginia Square Audio. It was recorded and engineered by Audie Award winner John Baker and is introduced by best selling, award-winning narrator Scott Brick. The book is read by the author.
“We’re very excited to offer STUCK IN THE BOX on the Virginia Square Audio label,” says producer Parsons. “Donna McNeely has written a wonderful book and she’s made an outstanding recording of her work. She’s a very talented narrator.”
In her early career, Donna McNeely worked as a local TV news anchor, reporter and producer at various local TV stations in the Midwest. After attending graduate school, she continued to work in local TV news in Los Angeles.
Donna is a former news writer for KNBC-TV’s Emmy® award-winning newscast, The Channel 4 News at 11, and regularly wrote for that station’s many other newscasts. Over the years, Donna worked as a news writer and special segment producer for KCAL-TV, KCBS-TV, and Fox11 News in Los Angeles.
Donna is also a recipient of the prestigious Nicholl Fellowship in Screenwriting given by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Her award-winning screenplay, Julia’s Child, is the story of a poor Ozark mountain boy whose life is changed when he discovers the French Chef, Julia Child, on afternoon TV. Julia’s Child is being developed as a feature film by Spectra 5V Film of Montreal.
Donna is a graduate of the Indiana University School of Journalism and was a Fellow at The American Film Institute Conservatory in Los Angeles. Donna said, “I’ve spent about half of my adult life working in local TV news. Most people don’t have a clue about what goes on behind the scenes in this business. All I did was peel the lid off the top of the TV and allow the average viewer to look inside. I wanted viewers to understand what they’re really getting when they watch their local TV newscast.”
“I’ve been out of the local TV news business for several years and haven’t missed it for a single minute. I needed to get some distance from it to be able to write about it. But last year I had a chance to put some of my TV news skills to use when I was hired by the Democratic National Convention to produce the first-ever daily webcast for the convention in Denver. I spent the whole summer there. I also decided to put on my reporter hat again and do some of the on-camera interviews for the show.”
You can check out a sample of Donna’s work at the 2008 Democratic National Convention here:
STUCK IN THE BOX: A LIFE IN LOCAL TV NEWS is currently being shopped as a potential film or TV series. “That’s really where I’m focused right now,” said Donna. “Selling the film and television rights so the story can reach a broader audience.”
For more information on Donna and her book, you can visit her website at: http://www.donnamcneely.com
Posted by: Aaron Garrish on February 10, 2009 at 10:51 am
Great article Beth. I bought Stuck in the Box on iTunes last fall to listen to on long drives for work and I thought it was great. I was pretty much either cracking up or shaking my head in disbelief the whole time. It’s amazing to realize what goes on behind the scenes at our local TV news stations. I would definitely recommend this book and would love to see a TV or film version. Thanks.
Posted by: Laura Montocchio on February 10, 2009 at 11:06 am
I recently read Stuck in the Box and loved it! I also loaded it onto my iPod, and the author does an excellent job narrating this “fictional” (Yeah.. right!
story. There’s all this talk about local TV news insiders raving about the book, but I see it appealing to a much wider audience. In the author’s wickedly witty and readable style, Stuck in the Box addresses universal themes such as romance, vanity, employer/employee tensions, and the folly of our collective willingness to be duped by the little man behind the curtain. I highly recommend Stuck in the Box for anyone who enjoys an entertaining, intelligent, and provocative yarn.
Posted by: Nancy Martin on February 10, 2009 at 12:14 pm
McNeely’s very sharp, witty writing style made for a fast, fun read. I couldn’t wait to find out what wacky events or characters she was going to reveal in the next chapter. Indeed a roller coast ride through the “glamourous” world of getting the news from the field and into “the box” in our living rooms.
Posted by: Marcia Grimsley on February 10, 2009 at 12:57 pm
As a former TV producer, I enjoyed this books tremendously – it gives a funny and poignant look into the world of TV news, and puts a personal spin on the people and personalities in this fascinating business. It ain’t all microphones and make-up!
Posted by: Jennifer on February 10, 2009 at 1:48 pm
Stuck in the Box was not only an insightful look into local TV news and personalities, it made me laugh out loud many times. It’s a great read – I highly recommend it! After watching and listening to McNeely’s interview of Howard Dean, I think I’m going to have to get the audio version to hear her tell the story during my daily 50 minute commute each way to work. Not only can she write exceptionally well, she has an excellent voice!
Posted by: Maura Soden on February 10, 2009 at 2:53 pm
This should be a must read for every journalism student. For those not on that path, it’s a simply delicious tale of the world of TV news. It’s got it all glamour, big egos, social injustice, you name it. A fast, easy, insightful read!
Posted by: Phil Thomas on February 11, 2009 at 1:30 pm
Thanks for this post! I downloaded Stuck in the Box from iTunes last night thinking I’d give it a listen to and from work. I took the iPod on my evening walk and before I knew it I was hooked in to a great story. Bill Murray in Groundhog Day always cracks me up but who knew the circus was real and performing every day at our local station? I guess Ms. McNeely did. I’d say Stuck in the Box is a page turner but for me it was an iPod burner. I finished it last night. Now I am stuck with the radio on the commute. Maybe the radio folks aren’t as whacky as their T.V. counterparts. Thanks again for a great recommendation!