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Chicago Author Looking for Local Help on His Latest Book

July 22, 2010

Local Chicago author, Bryan Alaspa, is now asking for help with his latest book from the residents of Northwest Indiana and, in particular, those who have lived for a long time in Chesterton, Indiana.  The author of such works of non-fiction as Ghosts of St. Louis: The Lemp Mansion and Other Eerie Tales, Chicago Crime Stories: Rich Gone Wrong, Chicago Disasters, Forgotten Tales of Illinois and the upcoming Silas Jayne: Chicago’s Suburban Gangster, is working on a book about the United Airlines plane that crashed in Chesterton back in 1933.  The crash turned out to be sabotage and the case was never solved.

“With all of the other books I have written I have been able to get all of the information I needed from books and publications,” said Mr. Alaspa.  “This one is different.  It was never solved and there isn’t as much written about it.  I could really use some local stories from people who were alive during the crash or stories that have been handed down from generation to generation.”

The book will be published by History Press sometime within the next year.  Alaspa states that he would be willing to interview residents who were alive and have memories of the crash as well as those who may have heard stories from relatives or friends.  Interviews can be via email or phone or even in person.

“I’d like to make this the definitive telling of the story of this shocking act of murder,” said Alaspa.  “Given the focus on things like terrorism these days it is amazing that one of the earliest acts of terrorism against a commercial airline happened right in Chicago’s backyard.  It’s a story I feel I was destined to tell.”

Those who have stories or know someone who might are encouraged to email Bryan Alaspa at chestertoncrash@yahoo.com.  All efforts to respond to emails will be made and acknowledgements for those who contribute will appear in the book.

About Bryan W. Alaspa:

Bryan W. Alaspa has been writing since he first sat down at his mother’s typewriter when he was in the third grade.  He became a professional, full-time, writer in 2006.  He has published numerous works of non-fiction and several works of fiction.  His works of fiction include: Ballad of the Blue Denim Gang, The Vanished Child, Dust, Rig, Gone, Sin-Eater: Part One and After the Snowfall. He is also a writer for Examiner.com covering minor league baseball in the Chicago area as well as the Chicago Wolves hockey team.  He covers arts and entertainment for Associated Content as well.