Making sex and love making scenes realistic but not gratuitous is a delicate balance and knowing my children will be reading it always is in the back of my mind!

Richard Kirshenbaum – 2 December 2025

The Back Flap

During Hollywood’s Golden Age, a destitute young man, Bartie Maddox, journeys to Los Angeles and, through his wits, hard work, and talent, becomes the PR fixer to the most important film studio and its studio chief, Solomon Myers. Through his experienced lens, Bartie influences the lives and creation of some of the world’s greatest stars: Duke Drake, Carroll Madison, Mirielle Montaigne, and the heiress, Grace Greystone, La Marquise de Faucigny, exposing how their images are created, managed, and intersect through the Great War and glamor of Tinseltown.

This masterful and sweeping novel is based on true stories from the studio system era and PR machines which have not only created legends but exposed the dirty business of keeping the stars shiny and clean. Bartie’s intricate fixes involve endless scandals of money, sex, captivating personas and even the cover-up of death. But in the end, Bartie’s own studio fix becomes the greatest fix of all.

About the book

What is the book about

The novel is about how they created the stars and the images and whitewashed their scandals during the golden age of Hollywood.

When did you start writing the book?

Three years ago!

How long did it take you to write it?

Three years! The research took a great deal of time.

Where did you get the idea from?

My wife was a long-term Hollywood Publicist and I was always intrigued by image and Image making. I also love biographies and noticed that truth is stranger than fiction, truly.

Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?

Making sex and love making scenes realistic but not gratuitous is a delicate balance and knowing my children will be reading it always is in the back of my mind! However, I always say “the characters write the book.!”

What came easily?

I love the dialogue and how people spoke in the 1930’s. Women were “dames”  etc. I channeled my grandfather Harry who was a NY City policeman and his language of the era.

Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?

I always base my characters on real people and real stories but then make them my own.

We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?

I think Adriana Trigiani is a genius storyteller and Andre Aciman is a beautiful writer and wordsmith. I worked for James Patterson and he invented the three- page chapter. It keeps the story moving.

Do you have a target reader?

Anyone who loves a page-turner!

About Writing

Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?

I love writing at Irish Bars and by pools. There is something about water and liquid that inspires me.

Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?

I always create an outline and character breakdown first.

Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?

Editing is like breathing. It’s always ongoing.

Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?

The sound of water or music at a bar always inspires me. If I go into a trance-like state, I am at my best.

About Publishing

Did you submit your work to Agents?

I am lucky enough to have the world’s best agent Laura Yorke as a long time Friend and advisor.

What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?

I have published with many publishing companies and Post Hill Press offers the best of both worlds. Big enough to be the most professional, independent enough to be entrepreneurial. Anthony Ziccardi and his team are a dream to work with.

Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?

I worked with Post Hill’s team but my team at SWATbyKirshenbaum created the cover since we are a creative agency.

Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?

I have a detailed marketing plan and have a digital focused and traditional PR agency.

Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?

If you love it, do it! “Do what you love and love what you” do was my late father’s motto.

About You

Where did you grow up?

I’m a Long Island boy.

Where do you live now?

I have lived and raised my family in Manhattan on the Upper East Side.

What would you like readers to know about you?

I love life and I love characters and that hopefully shows up in my storytelling.

What are you working on now?

I have a new novel I am working on that takes place today. The characters are also based on people I know and love and those you love to hate! Always makes for good reading.

End of Interview:

Get your copy of The Hollywood Fix from Amazon US.