Printer Friendly Version - 'Bottoms Up': New Memoir to be Launched at Branford Art Center Nov. 12

The public's invited to Branford Art Center Gallery & Art Workshop on Nov. 12, from 3- 5 p.m. when Branford publisher Bill Ludwig will read from his publishing company's newest book, a memoir, "Bottoms Up" by Paul C.Photo Courtesy Hotchkiss Publishing

On Saturday, November 12, Bill Ludwig, publisher of Hotchkiss Publishing will be at Branford Art Center Gallery from 3 p.m. - 5 p.m. for a book launch of the memoir Bottoms Up: A Recovery (Hotchkiss, 2016). Branford Art Center Gallery is located at 1227 Main St. in downtown Branford.

Paul C., a journalist and photo journalist created this book, his third, as his legacy. Through a series of engaging vignettes, Paul tells is "story" from his perspective of 37 years in recovery from alcoholism. Paul passed away this past May; having just completed Bottoms Up: A Recovery.

Reviewer Paul Furh says "The writer paints such a vivid, detailed portrait of his disease that it's hard not to breathe a little easier, feeling the white-knuckle release when he sits down in [Alcoholics Anonymous] AA for the first time."

Furh adds, "...the vignettes are as brief as they are affecting: one- to two-page glimpses at a beautifully chaotic world, one glimpse colliding headlong into the next. A whirlwind that takes the reader from 1950s New York City, booze-soaked vacations to Cape Cod, a dizzying trail of months-old apologies and, finally, gussying up his alcoholism by actually becoming a respected sommelier—all before he arrives in AA, mainly because, '...my wife presented me with a three-page handwritten list (by no means a complete one) highlighting some of the things I had done and failed to do in my drinking career and how she felt about them.' It's that sort of stark black-and-white reality check that undercuts an otherwise crazy-colorful, sometimes queasy kaleidoscope of full-blown alcoholism."

Ludwig invites the public to come to Branford Art Gallery for the Nov. 12 talk and to enjoy some refreshments, as well as beautiful art by many talented local artists.

Other books from Hotchkiss include Dear Friend II, a follow-up book of inspirational writings by the late author Richard "Sandy" Beach, an icon of Alcoholics Anonymous. Read more here .

Books from Hotchkiss Publishing will be available for purchase at the Nov. 12 event. For more information on publications, visit www.hotchkisspublishing.com