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Please Welcome Guest Authors Jann M. Contento and Jeffrey Ross!

2/29/2012

16 Comments

 
Today, I'd like to welcome Jann M. Contento and Jeffrey Ross as a part of their virtual book tour for The Philip Dolly Affair.  I found the concept behind this book to be intriguing, offering a unique perspective on community college culture, and it is my pleasure to have Contento and Ross as my guests here at the Cerebral Writer.

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Inspiration behind the book

We wanted to write about the community college life in an entertaining—and yet instructional—manner. American community colleges are talked about constantly-- everybody in the country seems to work at one, or attend one, or knows someone who attends one. The culture is quite entertaining—and has been the subject of many jokes (and even a TV show and recent movie). But we thought we would like to write the first “campus novel” that focused on the community college experience from the perspectives of staff and students. We have over 40 years experience (together) as community college staffers—and we know for certain that little community college criticism exists.

We are dismayed at the changes which have occurred at our colleges. Once Stewards of the public trust, so many community college Leaders now follow selfish ambition.

We try (and succeed) to illustrate the “whispered truths” about the community college experience in a funny manner. As you read the Phil Dolly Affair, you might be surprised to learn about the large salaries of administrators—and feel compassion for the exploited part-time professors who work for virtually nothing. Perhaps you will be reminded of the extravagant costs of textbooks—and wonder why faculty and staff must attend so many meetings. We question the corporate management practices that have taken over our colleges, and ubiquitous Ed Leadership doctoral programs, and the Organizational Learning that occupies every waking moment in every college boardroom. We often kid ourselves that the daily emails at any community college are a novel in themselves….

(Of course, we had to throw in a few failed romances, divorces, vampire novels, dogs, potlucks, pet ducks, and motorcycles for good measure. Every good book needs a love story.)

So we hope you have fun reading College Leadership Crisis: The Philip Dolly Affair—we sure had fun writing the novel.


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About The Philip Dolly Affair:

While community colleges are currently receiving heightened attention, this novel provides a behind-the-scenes analysis of many whispered truths, those simmering but unspoken workplace behaviors, issues, and machinations every worker (Everyman!) will recognize. A humorous and biting read with a clever mix of satire, political intrigue, failed romances, and tragic-comedy, this novel will open your eyes to the truth about community colleges …



Excerpt:

JB O Connor, Student

JB had just left the Student Success Center [housed in the Teaching Learn-ed Center] at Copperfield Main.

He had taken a battery of academic placement, career guidance, political party proclivity, student government group and organization interest inventories, and TB tests….

He had spent about 20 minutes with a lady counselor [d--- she’s hot!] making course selections and was now walking over to the Business Center Complex to pay his registration fees.

JB had come to this venerable institution of higher learning for various reasons. [But mostly because his dad told him to go back to school or else.] About two days ago, he quit his job at the Sticky Mart and thought he might like to lounge around the house for a while. That same afternoon, while he was home watching the TV and drinking an ice cold beer, his dad, John, strode into the house and told him he had to get another job, or join the military, or go to college, or get out of the !%$^@! house.

Basically lazy and not suited for menial labor, JB had been out of high school for two years now, and had never really thought about going on to school. But, none of the armed services wanted him because of his inability to read... so college seemed like a good possibility.

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About the authors: 

Jann M. Contento has a broad range of experiences in higher education including student affairs administration, athletics, and institutional research. He is currently working in a community college setting and has co-authored several articles on leadership and college culture. 



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Jeffrey Ross, who resides in Gilbert, Arizona with his wife and son, is a writer, rockabilly musician, and former full-time community college teacher. He has had four "Views" pieces published on InsidehigherEd.com since 2007, has authored and co-authored several op-ed articles on community college identity, purpose, and culture, and has recently had several pieces published on the Cronk News  higher education satire website.

For more information on Jann M. Contento, Jeffrey Ross, and The Philip Dolly Affair, you can find them on Facebook, Twitter, and their websites:

Face book Info Page 

Getting to Know Phil Dolly Blog

Twitter Account @SalinasChick

Jeffrey Ross Creative Efforts  Home Page on Web Eden (Music and More)

Jeffrey Ross Open Salon Blog—other poetry and essays

16 Comments
Goddess Fish Promotions link
2/29/2012 08:33:24 pm

Thank you for hosting today.

Reply
momjane
2/29/2012 09:06:57 pm

My college was not like that. Too bad, because this one sounds like fun.

Reply
Catherine Lee
3/1/2012 12:24:04 am

Just this week, an article by Paul Fain in Inside Higher Ed says that community colleges are, "an increasingly popular choice for 18-22 year-olds from the upper middle class, thanks to cheap tuition, a career focus, smoother transfer options and growing public respect for the sector’s academic chops." That's what makes working at one so much fun!

Reply
Jeffrey Ross
3/1/2012 12:32:49 am

Thanks, Cerebral Writer, for hosting the Philip Dolly Affair today.

Reply
Rosanna Pope
3/1/2012 02:44:06 am

Thank you for this insightful new novel about community college. My son and daughter currently attend a local college here in Lake County. A friend of my son has experienced a similar experience with advising. I can't wait to read your book.

Reply
Susan Forrester
3/1/2012 01:33:17 am

I have just completed reading this entertaining novel. Although the book is quite available in eBook form, I own the paperback copy. The book “in hand” afforded the opportunity to re-read and re-trace characters and clues. I highly recommend this novel.

Reply
Catherine
3/1/2012 03:23:47 am

Thanks, Susan. I like to hear a review from someone who has read the book...especially if I'm on the fence about buying something.

Reply
Sheri Florington
3/1/2012 02:47:40 am

I laughed a bit reading your post. So true and so common. Hope your novel is as entertaining. Good Luck.

Reply
Jeffrey Ross
3/1/2012 03:09:49 am

Thank you for all the comments above. I wanted to mention-- we use the community college setting to try and make a larger point about the apparent class struggle going on in America today. We hope that our novel connects with Everyone, Everyman, who works for a living. One of our more philosophical stances in PDA is that community colleges give students an opportunity to enter the middle class-- while promoting upper middle class aspirations for staff and faculty.

Reply
Charlie Stanbeski
3/1/2012 04:16:28 am

I find the “philosophy” in your comment interesting. Social class struggle at the community college, who would think such a thing, exists? I teach sociology at a community college and my students often seem dismayed by our discussion about a Socialistic approach to living. Many of them view Socialism as some kind of hippie commune approach to civil government. Those of us old enough to conceive the terms hippie and commune somewhat agree. Anyway, I’m interested in reading your ideas about an alternative view of our democratic postsecondary education.

Reply
Jeffrey Ross
3/1/2012 04:43:31 am

Mr.Stanbeski-- you may enjoy the exploits of one our major characters-- the overtly militant socialist bartender Henry McDougal.
He wishes to form a Socialists Students Club at the college [Copperfield Community] but his application to do so is rejected by the dean. The dean advises McDougal that "Socialism is not a best practice!-- and community colleges celebrate best practice theory!" Thank you so much for you comment.

Reply
Lisa Lane link
3/1/2012 04:16:47 am

It has been my pleasure to host you today!

Reply
Jeffrey Ross
3/1/2012 04:51:14 am

Thank you so much. We have had some very interesting and cerebral comments!

Reply
Ginny
3/1/2012 04:42:28 am

Just one question to the authors, does Philip Dolly have an affair (as in love affair)?

Reply
Jeffrey Ross
3/1/2012 04:49:42 am

Hi Ginny! Dr. Dolly is happily married to Molly Dolly. However-- we do have several interesting romantic relationships in the book-- Jack Frost-Julia Flowers, Michael-Celeste, Elena-Dashika, Zontarg-Buzz, Jack Frost-Buzz, Elena-Preston (maybe) just to name a few... Frost is a frustrated poet who finds finite loving redemption at the end of the novel. We will post some of his poetry on a later virtual tour site. Thanks for the question..

Reply
Ginny
3/1/2012 04:57:17 am

YUM! Sounds exciting. Thanks.




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