Interview with author Gaelyn Whitley Keith - part 3

To read part 1, click here. To read part 2, click here.

Cendrine Marrouat: How have people reacted to the book so far? Have you noticed differences between American and Canadian readers?  

Gaelyn Whitley Keith: The book has been widely received and I feel many readers are amazed by the many ways the Whitley Family has influenced Hollywood and continues to influence today. Canadians seem to particularly enjoy the fact that H J Whitley was born in Toronto, Canada. Now they can take credit for naming Hollywood.

CM: As a self-published author, how have you harnessed the power of social media to successfully reach a global audience?

GWK: Initially I was self-published by Book Surge an Amazon subsidiary. I learned many tricks of the trade from them and then was picked up by Tate Publishing. It is an amazing journey and I am learning more every day.  

CM: Are you working on a specific project right now?

If you go to my website we are having a worldwide vote for the top 100 stars for the first 100 years. 

Hollywood Stars are ready for your votes! You've watched hours of movies spanning the decades and now we're giving you a chance to nominate your two favorite stars of the century. Cast your vote by October 20, 2011. Then come back on Wednesday, October 26, 2011, for the 100th anniversary of the first Hollywood Studio filming in Hollywood, to learn the people's choice for the Top 100 Stars of the Century. 

Do you know someone who deserves recognition for their outstanding acting? Nominate them today.

CM: Where can people purchase your book?  

GWK: People can buy my book at my website (www.TheFatherofHollywood.com), Amazon, local bookstores, etc. 

CM: Any last words? 

GWK: Hobart Johnstone and Gigi Whitley are considered the patriarchs who presided over the creation of Hollywood. Their city has forever changed the course of history, portraying visions of glamour and romance to a degree unmatched anywhere else. Nestled in hills covered in towering eucalyptus and orange groves, Hollywood was built as part of a grand scheme by visionary developer HJ Whitley, “The Father of Hollywood.”

Why did the Los Angeles Times and others in the community give him this title? Whitley Heights was the Beverly Hills of yesteryear, and some of the most impressive homes in Hollywood are located there. Stars like Jean Harlow, Ethel Barrymore, Charlie Chaplin, Marion Davies, W.C. Fields, Harold Lloyd, Carole Lombard, Rudolph Valentino, and many others lived and held legendary parties in the Heights. How did he get them to settle there? What was the magical draw this amazing man possessed? Learn the true story of how Hollywood got its name.

From the earliest silent films made by pioneering American filmmakers to the multimillion-dollar blockbusters of today, the movie industry of America has always had a home: Hollywood. But how did Hollywood itself get started? Who were the driving forces behind its creation and development – the visionaries and kingmakers who built the infrastructure of a worldwide industry but only received a fraction of the credit that was heaped upon the stars of the silver screen?

Movie buffs nowadays have no idea that so much of what we take for granted about Hollywood was largely planned, designed, and built by Hobart Johnstone Whitley, an extraordinary individual who is not nearly as well known as he should be. “HJ” was the primary developer of Hollywood, a central figure in attracting and keeping the talent needed to make such an ambitious project successful and, in turn, transform a formerly sleepy part of California into a hugely profitable and exciting industry.

My book, "The Father of Hollywood," goes a long way toward erasing the misconceptions concerning HJ’s life and career, and paints a truly charming portrait of the man who lived a life that itself is worthy of a fine movie.

End of the interview.

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Cendrine Marrouat may be contacted for potential interviews, reviews and general enquiries at info@cendrinemarrouat.com