About The Author
Pop Culture Enthusiast Writer
“For me, it’s really all about the music and the fans. I’ve always stayed positive when I write about musicians, I don’t bother with the scandals and that is how I’ve managed to get interviews with legends like Bob Dylan, Michael Jackson, Paul McCartney, Elton John, Keith Richards, Patti Smith, Cher and Ringo Starr. A major part of my inspiration for writing comes from music. I just love the whole process of how these artists write and perform their songs.”
Mary Anne Cassata aka M.A. Cassata has been living the “dream” ever since she began writing entertainment features for several newspapers and magazines in Upstate New York. “I had this job with a big record chain store called Record Theatre and started freelancing to local music publications. That’s when I started interviewing music artists like Elvis Costello, Ann and Nancy Wilson (Heart), Harry Chapin, Billy Joel, Mike Love (The Beach Boys) and Prince that came to town for concerts.”
Since moving to New York City, Cassata has interviewed some of the biggest names in show business including Hollywood film and television stars like Jim Carrey who “always makes me laugh and has a very strong dedicated fan base including me”. Other stars include, Leonard Nimoy, Patrick Stewart, Robin Williams, Michael Landon, and George Burns. Johnny Depp stands out as one of her favorite interviews. “He is so cool and such a brilliant actor. He's a star with a big heart.”
Her work has been published in magazines such as Variety, Hollywood Reporter, USA Today, People Weekly, Rolling Stone, and many others. She is the former Editorial Director of Popstar! Magazine and the content creator/owner of entertainment sites TheMacWire.com and OnTheTeenBeat.com.
After publishing a book about Cher titled The Cher Scrapbook (Citadel Press), Cassata received high praise for her work and Cher's fans insisted she release another book. She was inspired to write The Essential Cher, quickly realizing she had enough information for two more books. "Cher is so easy to write about," she said. "I took all the best reader suggestions and added a few ideas of my own. There's a lot of new material. This book includes more in-depth sections on Cher that were not included in The Cher Scrapbook and more more Sonny & Cher related sections."
With books like The Elton John Scrapbook (Citadel Press), The Cher Scrapbook (Citadel Press), and The Essential Jim Carrey (BearManor Media), Cassata retains a firm footing in the publishing world and has a keen edge on the pulse of contemporary media including new artists on the verge of success.
In addition to years of "traditional" book publishing, M.A. Cassata embraced the world of online independant publishing with popular teen star e-books featuring Ariana Grande, One Direction and others, as well as music legends David Bowie and more Elton John which are available on Amazon’s Kindle, Barnes and Noble Nook, Apple Books and many other popular e-book web stores.
“I like writing tribute books, especially those on iconic entertainment figures. How many times do we have to read their life stories in a biographical format over and over again? It’s boring! I love the portability of e-books and it's great for fans who just want quickie facts, trivia and other bits of information on their favorite celebrities at any given time on their mobile devices.”
Her passion for creating well researched, fan-driven literature is truly where her enthusiasm lies. In this age of unreliable media, Cassata’s exuberance for bringing the authentic, researched information people want about their favorite celebrities is what sets her apart from the mainstream hustlers of gossip and rumors. "I think it is important to give hope to readers so I try to focus on those who have a positive message to offer like Elton John for example.”
M.A. Cassata is currently working on her next book for BearManor Media. She is represented by the Carol Mann Agency, based in New York City.
For more information contact: dis COMPANY/David Salidor
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Ballantine Books, 2001
The name came from one of his musical mentors: Snoop Dogg. And ever since he was a pup, Shad Moss (a.k.a. Lil' Bow Wow) has loved to rap. Now with the release of his double-platinum debut album Beware the Dog, Lil' Bow Wow has secured his place as one of the hottest young artists on the music scene.
The Lil' Bow Wow Scrapbook by Mary Anne Cassata is the only place you can get the real skinny on hip-hop's hottest new heartthrob. It's loaded with great, full-color, never-before-seen photos and fun facts about the young rapper. Find out about his musical influences, his passion for basketball, his favorite things, how he feels about his fans, and all that he's got planned for the future. He may be the youngest dog in the pound, but Lil' Bow Wow is making a lot of noise!
Signet/New American Library, 1987
USA's own Dance Party USA is the subject of a new book by entertainment author, Mary Anne Cassata. The Official Dance Party USA Story has everything teens want to know about its stars. Cassata explores the show's history from founder Michael Nise's first teen dance show the Philadelphia-born Dancin' On Air to the evolution fo Dance Party USA and it's official start on April 6, 1986. The author covers the various musical artists that have performed on the show fron New Kids on the Block and Debbie Gibson to Madonna and Duran Duran. Cassata provides readers with an extensive family tree of the show's former dancers, behind-the-scenes and the show's hosts.
A Few Favorite Quotes about Writing
"If you don't have the time to read, you don't have the time (or the tools) to write. Simple as that." —Stephen King
"We write to taste life twice, in the moment and in retrospect."—Anals Nin
"There is no friend as loyal as a book.: —Ernest Hemingway
"If you tell the truth, you don't have to remember anything."
― Mark Twain
For more of my favorite writer's quotes see my Goodreads Author Profile.