ROB KIRCHER Psychological suspense Thriller author
Consistently 5-Star Reviewed Novels
WHY MY BOOKS ARE UNIQUE
OLD SCHOOL TEACHINGS
My dad, Albert, made a life-changing decision in 1923 when he immigrated to America from Germany. Bringing with him the skills of a blacksmith, he was determined to forge a new path in a foreign land.
Upon settling in America, dad used his expertise as a blacksmith and his entrepreneurial spirit to pursue the American dream. He worked tirelessly and eventually built a prosperous business specializing in custom built truck bodies. His success was a testament to his dedication and vision.
Dad instilled in my siblings and me a strong work ethic and the importance of perseverance. He taught us never to give up on what we love, encouraging us to pursue our passions with determination and integrity. His legacy continues to inspire us in everything we do.
MY MENTORS
Unique Stories
During my time at Jay Advertising in Rochester, New York, I worked in account management and acquisition, where I was tasked with collaborating on creative projects alongside Tony Lover, founder of Liberty Studios. Tony was fresh off the success of creating the groundbreaking "HBO in Space" program-opening sequence for HBO. Before that, he was the director of photography for the Oscar-nominated 1968 short film The Dove, a clever parody of Ingmar Bergman's work. As a Fine Arts & Film graduate from NYU Tisch School of the Arts at Washington Square, Tony and I communicated effortlessly and shared a warm creative wavelength.
Later, Tony introduced me to Nick Nappi, a partner at New York City's second-largest theatrical advertising agency, renowned for handling the original runs of A Chorus Line, The Wiz, and many other Broadway sensations.
It was also through Tony that I met Elliot Kastner, a prolific Hollywood film producer whose acclaimed films include Where Eagles Dare, Angel Heart, and The Missouri Breaks, starring Marlon Brando and Jack Nicholson.
I frequently met with Elliot at his Hollywood home and studio, and at his New York studio, discussing scriptwriting and character development.
Whenever Elliot was in New York, the three of us would gather for lunch at the Algonquin Hotel restaurant, where we’d delve into lively conversations about the movie industry.
Guided by these remarkable mentors, I honed my craft—learning to write with a cinematic, claustrophobic style and to create richly flawed characters, especially complex female protagonists.
TONY LOVER
Liberty Studios stands as the longest-running production house in continuous operation in New York City. Since its founding, the studio has become a cornerstone of the city's creative industry, specializing in producing films, video, advertising, and e-commerce content.
Established in 1963 by Tony Lover, Liberty Studios has thrived under his visionary leadership. Tony's passion and dedication have guided the studio through decades of innovative work and creative achievements.
The studio's excellence has been recognized with both Emmy and Academy Award nominations. Liberty Studios has produced a remarkable portfolio of award-winning television commercials, Broadway promotions, and pro bono public service announcements. Their creative reach extends to music videos and feature films, as well.
Among Liberty Studios' most notable contributions is the creation and production of the iconic HBO program-opening sequence, "HBO in Space," which remains a memorable landmark in television history.
In 2006, Tony Lover expanded his creative endeavors by writing and directing the film My Brother. This feature starred Vanessa Williams, Tatum O'Neal, and Nashawn Kearse, further demonstrating the studio's commitment to quality storytelling and production excellence.
NICK NAPPI
NICK NAPPI was a founding partner of the theatrical advertising agency Coyne, Serino, and Nappi in 1977 after they all left their previous employer, the powerful Blaine Thompson company. The firm went on to become a leading agency on Broadway. Utilizing art as a means of communication with the public has been an integral element of Nappi’s professional and personal perspective. While a vice president and award-winning art director, he designed and art directed logos and posters for Broadway mega hits like A Chorus Line, The Wiz, Les Miserables, and Phantom of the Opera among scores of other remarkable productions.
Since his retirement from the advertising world, he has pursued a passion for painting and showcases his work in various exhibits. His paintings are noted for their atmospheric quality and narrative essence, drawing on a lifetime of experiences and his professional background in visual communication.
Unflapable Nick continues to be a life-long friend. I'll always remember the nonchalant look on Nick's face when his wife Carla would refer to him as "Mr. Nappi" when irritated.
ELLIOT KASTNER
ELLIOT KASTNER (1930–2010) was a prominent American film producer known for independently financing and producing more than 60 films, many of which were literary adaptations featuring major stars like Marlon Brando, Jack Nicholson, and Richard Burton. He was a key figure in the international film scene, often based out of London's Pinewood Studios. Kastner was involved in several high-profile and commercially successful films, including:
- Where Eagles Dare (1968): A popular World War II thriller starring Richard Burton and Clint Eastwood.
- The Long Goodbye (1973): A critically acclaimed, unconventional adaptation of the Raymond Chandler novel, directed by Robert Altman and starring Elliott Gould as Philip Marlowe.
- The Missouri Breaks (1976): A Western featuring Marlon Brando and Jack Nicholson, which became famous for Kastner's innovative method of securing both stars by telling each one that the other had already committed.
- Equus (1977): An adaptation of the stage play starring Richard Burton.
- Angel Heart (1987): A neo-noir film directed by Alan Parker, starring Mickey Rourke and Robert De Niro.
- Harper (1966): Starring Paul Newman, this was one of Kastner's early successes and provided William Goldman with his first solo screenplay credit.
Kastner started his career in the mail room of the William Morris Agency and quickly rose to become a literary and talent agent. He served as a vice president of production at Universal Pictures for two years before becoming an independent producer, a role in which he thrived. He was known for his relentless and charming negotiating style, which enabled him to package significant talent and secure funding for diverse projects, ranging from commercial action films to cerebral adaptations of works by authors like Iris Murdoch and Vladimir Nabokov. He died of cancer on June 30, 2010, in London, at the age of 80.