Hollyhood

By Valerie Joyner

There are three things you need to know if you're gonna survive in Hollyhood Money rules the day Tyrone Hart clawed his way up from DC's drug-infested streets to the rich and glamorous world of Hollywood. A producer and Tinseltown heavyweight, he's got the cash to burn . . . but what happens when the ratings drop? Lies rule your life To the public, Ty's best friend, Maxwell, is a Zen-influenced writer who never lets anything ruffle his cool demeanor . . . but in private he has a secret that makes him rehab-bound. Sitcom star Leede will kill to keep his status, while his leading lady, Naja, could never love anyone who isn't her . . . And sex rules your nights Ty's girlfriend might pressure him to get married...but she's not about to give up her extracurricular playdates And it's hard to stay faithful when there are ten gorgeous women for every step Ty takes. Determined to live his dream, Ty uses his street-sense and savvy instincts to keep control of his career, his show, his life . . . and his friends. Hollywood might be the land of dreams, but in Hollyhood the only dreams you get are the ones you make yourself.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0061662445
• ISBN13: 9780061662447
• Release Date: May 2009
• Publisher: William Morrow & Company
• Length: 320 Pages
• Weight: 0.52 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.4" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

Fiction with a Dose of Reality

Valerie Joyner's novel Hollyhood had it all--drama, well developed characters and it was fast-paced. Her knowledge of the "behind the scenes" happenings in Hollywood made the book not only entertaining, but educational. I would love to see Ty and the rest of the cast of characters back in another book.

A Truly Gifted Writer..

Valerie Joyner interlaces a tale of colorful characters in sticky situations. Her gifted fiction writing depicts a panoramic view into the "real" makings of Hollywood dreams and deals. Her debut novel seems only an intense warm up for the next delicious read. Thoroughly enjoyable.

First time author hits the ball out of the park-fantastic read!

Valerie Joyner has a quality in her writing that any great author strives for-to pull the reader into the story with colorful characters that we my recognize ourselves in them.

Hollyhood Delivers!

Valerie Joyner tells it like it is in this novel, revealing the often bizarre, not-so-glamorous world of Hollywood. It's all here, the famous Hollywood egos, larger-than-life personalities, the pressure to stay on top and the desire to get ahead. But Joyner doesn't offer superficial Hollywood caricatures, she skillfully develops each character into a person with human frailties and beauty, playing their roles in the often complex and politically charged arena of showbiz. With comedy and brutal honesty, Joyner gives us an inside look behind the scenes of network television. And I love every page of it! It's a quick, easy read that is fun, funny and engaging. If you're looking for a great book to read this summer while you're poolside, at the beach or backpacking thru Europe, Hollyhood is it!

Well worth the read

This novel was refreshingly more complex than I expected. For those of us who work behind the scenes in the television production industry, life is definitely not always as glamorous as it may seem to be in front of the camera. This novel takes place over one week of production for a network african-american based sitcom television show and depicts the complex day to day operations of what happens in the production office and on set. Although it's fictional, the author does explain this show with both intelligent and accurate explanations about what people are constantly dealing with both internally as they struggle to balance their ambitions and emotions with the external factors that really fight against everything they hope to accomplish as artists and creative people. It's Show Business and I believe that is clearly depicted here. When you think the actors and creator/showrunner of the show have it made, you see it's a constant battle to remember their humble roots, fight becoming a pampered, hedonistic spoiled brat, and stop themselves from becoming totally paranoid from all those who want to take advantage of their positions to leverage their own careers and possibly destroy them in the process. The women characters are all making choices whether to use their body to get ahead or their intellect, and will they be able to live with themselves with the decisions they ultimately choose. Employees who are just running day to day office business are in a constant battle for the best position to achieve their own Hollywood story and the agendas are as diverse as the people. This could very well be any sitcom on the networks, but the fact that it's an african-american show also seasons in the conflict of race. In entertainment, there is a constant in your face struggle for people of color to show American television in an alternate light, and I believe the author skillfully addresses these issues with network executives and presents the incidents in a way that is accurate without out being overdone. I highly recommend this book for those who want to understand Hollywood in a new way. if you loved the movie "The Player" you'll love this book.