“Would you like to have Santa come down your filthy chimney?” That was the heading on a flyer I made for my company “The Flue Bug Chimney Sweep” in 1982.  It became the thought that prompted my writing of The Climbing Boy.                           As tedious as writing, re-writing and self-editing may be I found these to be the simple, the fun, the enjoyable parts of writing.       In 1984, after finishing the rewriting and self-editing, I began the task of finding an agent or a publisher for "The Climbing Boy"  and The Writer’s Market became my bible       After hundreds upon hundreds of queries, each including a "SASE", a  self -addressed, stamped envelope (this was before my time with computers), and after receiving hundreds upon hundreds of rejections, I discovered the Catch-22 of the publishing industry: agents will not look at a new writer unless he/she has been published, and publishers will not look at a new writer unless he/she has an agent.       But I had discovered that writing had become a very enjoyable and important part of my life. So as I continued to look for an agent or a publisher for The Climbing Boy, in 1986 I began Captain Midnight and the Toothpaste Thief, which I later renamed Becoming.       Lo and behold, after twenty-two years of trying and never giving up The Climbing Boy  was published in 2004. Four years later, Becoming was published and two years afterwards, For Better or Worse was published in 2010.         To further add to the rewards of  "never giving up,"  a contract was drawn and signed between a Burbank, California production company and myself  in 2010 for a film production of The Climbing Boy with the thought of making my novel into an everlasting, ongoing Christmas classic. ________________________________________________________________                                                            Professional Review                                                   Becoming                                   A professional review of BECOMING,                                      by Willow, of Working Girl Reviews “Do you remember your radio and “Captain Midnight,” “The Lone Ranger,” “Junior Miss” and “Let’s Pretend”? The first time you inhaled a cigarette? Your first swallow of hard liquor? The thrill of the first exploration of the body of your boyfriend, girlfriend, husband, wife… your own body? Your first orgasm? Remember when as a people we loved America, and showed it? Then you might be ready for a nostalgic, funny, romantic, sexually frustrating novel. A novel that may remind many of us of ourselves, “way back then,” when God’s most mysterious creation was the opposite sex. A novel about life and the often funny, sometimes sad, day-to-day things that stir the memories of our lives…” THE ABOVE IS A QUOTE FROM THE BLURB for Mark Lichterman’s Becoming and I put it there because it so aptly describes the novel. When I decided to review this book, I was worried because number one, I rarely have time to sit down and read a book as long as this one and two, because I stupidly felt I’d never be able to connect with anything in it. I’m female, Christian, grew up in the country, and the time period was before my time. I was wrong, wrong, wrong! The subject matter is timeless, the characters so genuine they jump from the pages and into your heart, and being the mother of boys—I could even relate to the male point of view. The story begins in 1939 on Chicago’s west side and follows five-year-old Mitchie for the next seventeen years of his life. A true coming of age story told in graphic detail. And the humor—did I mention the humor? I found myself laughing out loud many times. I especially loved when the humor came at a time when it was totally unexpected, the way it is in ‘real life’. I can’t say all I’d like to say about the book because it needs to be experienced first hand and I don’t want to spoil that experience for the reader by saying too much. Mr. Lichterman is a talented storyteller with a beautifully unique writing style and strong voice. His characters are delightfully flawed, giving them an unsurpassed charm and authentic quality. Becoming transcends all gender, ethnic, and geographical backgrounds, so no matter where you’re coming from, if you love truly great coming of age stories, give this one a try. My one complaint is I felt the book ended too soon. Yes, even at 736 pages, I was sad when reading that last page and know these characters will be with me for a long time. – Willow                                                   My reviews for Becoming Wonderfully well written it paints a life picture at times through eyes of both humor and disappointment. I was reared in the rural south but this work transcends ethnic and geographic boundaries so that we can easily identify with Mitch, especially in his quest to lose his virginity. Mark's wit and great sense of humor comes through in a style that holds ones attention long after putting down his book. You just know this has to be Mark's story and that of those who experienced life with him. This is indeed a book worth reading for the sheer enjoyment of remembering the way we were and those people who made it interesting.                                                                                     Renetta Randy                                        Nashvill, Tn                                                                                                       "As one raised in a Chicago neighborhood around the same time Lichterman grew up in his, I found this coming-of-age novel very reminiscent of my own childhood and adolescence. However, to enjoy this book, one needn't be from Chicago (or Peoria, for that matter), nor a child of the same era. The scenes, characters, experiences, relationships, conversations and events in this book are vividly and brilliantly depicted in a way that will awaken fond, fearful, and passionate memories in the reader fortunate enough to acquire this gem of a book. It is a poignant, humorous and timeless tale that moves along at a satisfying pace."                                         -J. Magoun                                                     Thousand Oaks, CA   "You just know the author either lived next door or maybe on the next block `cause that's the way things were growing up in the late 30s, 40s and into the `50s. There was no TV showing "things" or a computer to "Google" what a boy needs to know. It was just day-to-day wonderment and exasperation to face. The story was so close to my younger years that I started to bet myself that he would add other happenings of my life, and he sometimes did. Oh! The fun, anger, bitter joys of your growing years that the author brought back."                                -David Wilkins                                 Newbury Park, CA "Fantastic!!! I couldn't put the book down. The author has a way of making you feel everything his characters are going through. What a delightful trip through growing up when times were much less threatening. I wish this would have been published when I was growing up."                                 -Bonnie Northcott                                  Westlake Vlg, CA "I realize that most people will enjoy the setting of the book, and that it will bring back memories, but this is actually a timeless subject. It's about growing up and, mainly, learning how the opposite sex -- boys -- deal with girls. But it's also learning that your parents are human. These subjects will go on till the end of time. Mark is very adept at revealing to women how their husbands and sons think. And it's nice to know that they are just as scared and inquisitive about us as we are about them."                              -Dona V. Cunningham                                Westlake Vlg, CA "Loved the book. It brought me back to an earlier time and I loved being there as "a fly on the wall." I found it easy to empathize with Mitchell. He gave me great insight into "coming of age" from the prospective of a boy. I wish I could have read it when I was growing up...could have let me understand that those "cool" boys were just as insecure as I. A must for us old folks and certainly a good read for everyone!"                                   -Joyce Black                                     Los Angeles, CA My Reviews for The Climbing Boy: "Mark Lichterman wrote an excellent book. I truly believe that Disney or Pixar studios should do an animation movie of the book. It would make a great film that would appeal to both adults and children. I hope he writes more books in the future."                        -Carter McIntyre                                       Winnetka, CA "Loved it, best book I have read in years. A friend told me about it and loaned me a copy. Whatever I say would not begin to do it justice. Buy it or if necessary borrow it but read it and enjoy. I'm sure you will as I did, want it in your permanent collection. Mark is a true artist and I look forward to his next work"  -Don Davey   Carmel, CA  "This 'feel good' tale by Mark Lichterman, a relatively unknown, but upcoming author, is way more than just another Christmas story. It is a classic description of the London chimney sweeping trade, brought to life by superb characterization of its main players. The reader immediately bonds with Zachariah, an eight year old child, who you want to bring home, bathe, feed, clothe and just cuddle. He will steal your heart while other feelings of anger, rage and resentment arise from the provocative personality of William Johnson, the boy's Master. Lichterman, in expert fashion, weaves a very twisted, intertwining yarn that has you holding your breath until the very end. This book is a must read. "       -Bruce Berger   Westlake Vlg, CA

Achievements?
My greatest achievement--other than being the father of four great kids and the grandfather of five great kids--is that I never fully gave up, even though it took twenty-eight years to bring life to the people of my three novels and light to their worlds.... Mark