Inside Out by Jack Kearney
As an actor, Danny Belson has played many criminal types, but as the prisoner transport bus pulls out of the LA county jail, the realization of his conviction overwhelms him. The irony is that only six months ago he taught an acting workshop at the same institution he is now going to be incarcerated in….
As an actor, Danny Belson has played many criminal types, but as the prisoner transport bus pulls out of the LA county jail, the realization of his conviction overwhelms him. The irony is that only six months ago he taught an acting workshop at the same institution he is now going to be incarcerated in. Danny had been chosen to take part in California’s answer to New Jersey’s highly acclaimed “Scared Straight” by actually working with the inmates of the Medium Security Federal Prison in Lompoc. In his short stay, Danny made some interesting friends as well as unforgiving enemies.
Utilizing a groundbreaking format, Follow Danny as he goes from a care free beach volleyball loving, pool shooting, actor, who’s only worry is knowing when his next audition will come, to a convicted murderer. Written using flashbacks, with no chapters, learn what a struggling actor goes through, and how, after his incarceration, Danny’s life is turned INSIDE OUT.
” Great book! Unique writing.”
Five Star Review on Amazon By Keira Quinn
I’m an avid reader so when a friend told me about this book I went for it. It is the best $10 I’ve spent in a long time. Mr. Kearney has created unique form of telling a story that at first left me a little perplexed. I try to read at least three chapters a day when starting a new book, but it wasn’t until I was a quarter ways through “Inside Out” that I realized that there aren’t any chapters. It was so fascinating and powerful that I just kept reading until the end. As a woman I never thought that I would like a story about prison, but this story about an actor who gets caught up in a tale of survival, is not your typical prison drama. Danny Belson is an actor, who after helping teach an experimental program, designed to give convicts an opportunity to learn some acting techniques, ends up back inside as an inmate himself. The reason he is convicted could happen to anyone, and the fact that he is thrown into a situation where he has already made friends as well as enemies, makes this book very interesting and extremely exciting.
It is obvious that the author was a struggling actor in the late 70’s, because the events of Danny’s rise cleaning toilets to working actor are so vivid. His realistic account of prison life makes me think that he may well have spent time, as well. What I do know that he weaves a story that gives the reader a real look at justice in the eyes of the law, as opposed to true justice. Wait until you see, what I know you will end up cheering for. It made me really look deeply into my soul. I have reviewed books in the past, and this is the best one I have read in a long time. Also because of all the characters we get to know, I believe that this great book, will make an awesome movie.
About the Author
For most of my life I was a struggling actor. I appeared on such shows as Mash, WKRP in Cincinnati, and General Hospital. Back in the mid-seventies I attended the very prestigious American Academy of Dramatic Arts where I was part of the first graduating class in Los Angeles. After that I joined the ranks of the other sixty thousand would-be stars who acted in showcase plays, occasionally going on professional auditions, and attending a weekly workshop. I had an opportunity to teach an experimental acting workshop to some inmates at a Federal prison. I met some very fascinating guys, some of whom I got along with and others that–let’s just say, I was glad that there were guards stationed just outside of our room.
After I got back to my regular life, I had a scare that made me think, what would happen if someone were to be part of this program and, by a twist of fate, end up back inside as an inmate? Inside Out is that story.
Waiting for that big break I had many survival jobs typical of the actors of the ’70s and ’80s. But sales seemed to offer the only possible way to make a living and contrary to popular belief, I discovered that a salesperson is made not born. In fact, commissioned sales can be almost as frustrating as breaking into show business. I am currently working out of my home, on commission, for a newsletter publishing company. I have been married twice. My first, which ended in divorce gave me my beautiful daughter Shannon. I lost my second wife of ten years to cancer in 2012. Now 63, I currently reside in Northern California with my Yorkie-Poo Toby.