Book Description

Short Story Press Presents Getting Micky Dolenz by Alicia Voss-Guillen “Getting Micky Dolenz” is a funny, touching, heart-warming story that will appeal equally to young adults, pop-culture lovers, and Monkees fans of all ages. Peppered with humor and full of heart, this is the tale of Julie Desmond—or, as she likes to call herself—Julie Desmond Dolenz, a thirteen-year-old living in the psychedelic sixties who is absolutely ape over drummer Micky Dolenz of the sensational, made-for-TV band, The Monkees. Ever since the show first aired in 1966—nearly a year ago now—Julie has been crazy about the sparkly-eyed drummer with magnetic personality and fluffy brown curls. And when Julie gets the chance of a lifetime—to meet Micky Dolenz at an exclusive Malibu party—no one on earth is happier than she. It takes one magical evening full of dreams come true for Julie to make a surprising discovery about crushes, first love, and finding romance where she least expects it. Julie’s scheming and dreaming about her favorite celebrity will strike a chord with any girl who has ever pined after a hunky movie star or musician. Her decidedly 1960’s lifestyle will tickle the fancy of those who lived through that colorful decade or merely wished to. Her idol-worship of The Monkees will cause Monkees fans, young and old, to be swept into the whirlwind adventure of Julie’s dream come true. Author Alicia Voss’s own love of The Monkees inspired her to concoct a tantalizing tale sure to be enjoyed by many readers. “Deciding on the title was easy,” she says. “As many may know, there’s an episode of the Brady Bunch entitled ‘Getting Davy Jones’ and featuring the Monkee of the same name. In my opinion, Micky Dolenz, much as he is loved, is an underappreciated talent, not to mention a wonderfully memorable personality! For these reasons, it only made sense to write a story entitled ‘Getting Micky Dolenz!’” Alicia Voss has been an avid follower of the Monkees since she was thirteen—Julie’s age. She has been to Monkees concerts, written endless amounts of fan mail, received personalized autographs from Davy Jones and Peter Tork (she still needs Micky’s and Mike’s!), and has even had the privilege of meeting Davy Jones and Micky Dolenz, her two favorite Monkees at a concert she went to for her fifteenth birthday. She is probably the only person in the world who has made their own Monkees paper dolls (complete with an extensive wardrobe of hand-drawn psychedelic clothes), carved Davy Jones and Micky Dolenz jack-o-lanterns, and named a stuffed animal D.W. Washburn (after the Monkees’ song). The death of Davy Jones in February 2012 was admittedly a very difficult time for her, but she plans to keep him alive in her memory always. As for Micky Dolenz, it has long been one of Alicia’s biggest dreams to go to lunch with him. “Who knows?” says the young author. “Maybe someday it will come true! I’d also love it if he read ‘Getting Micky Dolenz’!” Short Story Press publishes short stories written by everyday writers.