Life. Be There at Ten 'Til. A Collection of Homegrown Wisdom. Released by iUniverse Star

Lincoln, Neb. (Sept. 21, 2005) - "Whether you're walking the red carpet at a Hollywood movie premiere or walking with bare feet through a fresh plowed field, there's perspective to be found in both," explains R. Dean Johnson, who has traveled long and far from the family tobacco farm outside of Aynor, South Carolina where he grew up. Yet the former Los Angeles celebrity assistant-now a screenwriter, author, and producer-continues to let the down-home lessons of his childhood guide his days. Life. Be There at Ten 'Til: A Collection of Homegrown Wisdom (iUniverse Star, October 2005; $9.95) offers evocative stories that bring both the rural farm community of Horry County, South Carolina, and the frenetic, star-studded homes of Hollywood to the page. With these twenty-five tales, Johnson shares his gratitude for the unshakeable ideals of his Southern roots and presents the charming life lessons that Instinct Magazine has called "Chicken Soup for the Southern Boy's Soul."

After spending years in a successful career in South Carolina, Johnson took a leap of faith and drove to Los Angeles, where he landed a job as a celebrity assistant. His clientele included Noah Wyle, Alan Thicke, and Tiffani Thiessen. Seven years later, he became a partner in Tit 4 Tat Productions with Tiffani Thiessen, producing (in association with Omaha Pictures) the award-winning film Just Pray, which was presented at the prestigious Tribeca Film Festival and will be featured at the Palm Springs International Film Festival. In Los Angeles, Johnson learned that his most valuable life lessons came from the everyday people of his youth:

• Accountability: Don't just show up for life; get there early. You'll be all the wiser.
• Acceptance: Two uncles are labeled "black sheep," yet their return to the fold offers powerful perspective.
• Admiration: From stars in the sky to stars in Hollywood, sometimes it's best to just admire from afar.
• Sympathy/Comfort: Southern food is not only the way to one's heart, but also to one's sense of humility.
• Spirituality: Embracing God or any type of spiritual lifestyle should be liberating and, more than anything, free from fear.

With humor, uncluttered insight, and true storytelling talent, R. Dean Johnson provides a joyful Southern feast of homegrown lore laden with good sense-a delightful read for all.

About the Author

South Carolina native R. Dean Johnson grew up under the stars of the southern skies and under the influence of lazy accents, kind folks, good cookin', and country livin'. Yet, it was under the influence of Hollywood's stars that he grew as an author and writer. Now based in Los Angeles, Johnson, along with producing partner Tiffany Thiessen, continues to pursue both film and television projects. Johnson's next literary creation is a series of children's books titled Fins & Tales.

About the Publisher

iUniverse offers a variety of publishing services to help authors publish, market, and sell fiction, poetry, and nonfiction books. The company is one of the largest publishers in the United States, publishing more than 5,000 new titles each year. iUniverse partners with industry leading author organizations, including the Authors Guild, the Harlem Writers Guild, and the American Society of Journalists and Authors (ASJA) to bring innovative programs to their members. The company's major investors include Warburg Pincus and Barnes & Noble.

The iUniverse Star program is designed to identify, celebrate, and support titles that display a high level of editorial quality and have shown promising levels of book sales. Star titles receive industry-standard discounts at book retailers and are fully returnable.