OFFICIAL SITE OF AUTHOR MICHAEL RICKARD

Recently I collaborated with my dad on a book about our three-legged cat, Chester. Now, the story of how Chester came into our lives can be found in the new children’s book, Don’t Call Me Bush Beans: The Legend of a Three-Legged Cat He's the coolest cat on the planet, but when this three-legged feline finds himself with no home and a goofy new name, he has to move fast to find a good home and a cat staff to treat him right. Discover the joy of perseverance and courage as this

Copyright 2018 by Michael W. Rickard II Editor's Note: In 2016 I wrote a paper for my undergraduate senior project on the Red Western, a sub-genre of the Western film. Here is the paper in its original form. Introduction The Western has been called a true piece of America, as integral to its culture as jazz and baseball (Kitses 1). The idea of an individual fighting lawlessness on the frontier and helping to bring order has been said to be linked with America’s westward expan

It’s been said that you should write what you know, and wrestling fan/historian/author Dick Bourne has shown this with his various books dedicated to the legendary territory, Jim Crockett Promotions (JCP). JCP was one of many promotions during the heyday of the National Wrestling Alliance, and like all NWA territories, it featured appearances by the NWA Heavyweight Champion. Now, in the book, Ten Pounds of Gold (2nd Edition): A Close Look at the NWA World Championship Belt, B

Copyright 2018 Michael W. Rickard Things looked bleak for comic books throughout the 1970s because of plummeting sell-through rates. With each passing year, the newsstand became less and less interested in selling comic books. The industry seemed locked in a death spiral, but the Powers That Be at DC Comics had an idea to reverse their fortunes. In 1978, they implemented a bold initiative: Provide readers with more story pages by increasing the price-point of a regular comic

Although the Victorian Age saw tremendous changes in England including the expansion of the Industrial Revolution and a new voting class, women remained in rigidly defined roles. However, not everyone agreed. Harriet Martineau would challenge English society on many levels. Click here to watch my video, Harriet Martineau, Challenging Victorian Society.

When a wrestler is portrayed as unbeatable, a wise promoter will want to be careful in how they are booked when they do lose. If done right, it can lead to successful rematches, even years later. When done poorly, it can result in a match that tarnishes the original. In 1975, a rematch was held between a wrestling juggernaut and the man who had originally stopped him. Join me now as we look back at the Madison Square Garden series that pitted World Wide Wrestling Federation c

Thank you to everyone who entered the Flunky: Pawns and Kings giveaway at Goodreads. 100 winners were chosen and I look forward to hearing your thoughts on the book. Flunky will go on sale one week today at Amazon.com.

The good folks over at Canadian Bulldog's World (whose site I write for) were kind enough to interview me about my upcoming book, Flunky: Pawns and Kings. Click here to check out the interview and don't forget to enter for a chance to win a free digital copy of Flunky: Pawns and Kings.

Copyright 2018 by Michael Rickard Charles Dicken, a figure synonymous with Victorian England and recognized as one of the first authors to become an international celebrity. His timeless works such as A Tale of Two Cities, Great Expectations, Oliver Twist, A Christmas Carol, and many others continue to resonate with audiences and yet for several years Dickens looked as if his writing career was doomed to mediocrity or failure. Join me for a look at "Boz and Charles Dickens—a

Brian Pillman remains one of wrestling’s greatest what-if stories, with fans wondering what would his life been like had he not died twenty-one years ago. In a world full of colorful characters and off-the-wall personalities, Pillman arguably was the poster child for everything good and bad about professional wrestling, epitomizing athleticism and charisma while also showing wrestling’s personal pitfalls. Author Liam O’Rourke presents a well-written examination of Pillman’s l

100 lucky individuals will win a digital copy of my upcoming release Flunky: Pawns and Kings. It's easy to enter. Just sign up for Goodreads and enter the contestant. Click below for more information on this free giveaway of Flunky: Pawns and Kings. Good luck! If the link doesn't work, click here.

Editor's Note: Back in 2007, "Nature Boy" Ric Flair launched Ric Flair Finance, what seemed like the next step in "Slick Ric's" storied career. Sadly, Ric Flair Finance only lasted a year (arguably because it was ahead of its time). Join me as I look back at Ric Flair Finance. Copyright 2007 by Mike Rickard II Originally published at World Wrestling Insanity Sep 14, 2007 Like most wrestling fans, I feel the financial pinch from time to time whether it's buying tickets to Wres

My first novel, Flunky: Pawns and Kings debuts on Amazon.com on November 25, 2018. You can purchase it through Kindle or order a paperback. Say hello to the bad guys—well at least the people who work for the underworld’s costumed villains; the anonymous thugs whose only role is acting as cannon fodder against the world’s mightiest heroes. However, things are about to change… Every dog has its day – and every criminal has a good side. Growing up with his friends Paul “Dizzy” S