Sideline Confidential

A Novel

by Brooke Bentley

This title was previously available on NetGalley and is now archived.

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Pub Date Aug 15 2023 | Archive Date Aug 18 2023

Greenleaf Book Group | Greenleaf Book Group Press

General Fiction (Adult) | Sports

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Description

A young sports journalist soon learns the toughest hits occur off the field.

Fresh out of journalism school, Blake Kirk lands her dream job as a reporter for her hometown pro football team—the job sure to propel her to the sidelines on network television. But from the first day, double standards and old-school entitlement smack her with the intensity of a defensive line.

Blake’s boss, Johnny, keeps her sidelined with rules that make it hard for her to do her job. He blocks her from interviewing players in the locker room even though other journalists have access. He encourages her to go with coworkers to “bond,” knowing full well they’re taking her to a strip club. Worse still, Johnny may be the one leaving notes on her desk about how great she looks in pants.

Hit after hit, Blake forges on, determined to prove her worth to the team and her journalism peers. But in a world filled with boozy exploits and overblown egos, Blake finds her moral compass wavering after a celebrity tryst. Can Blake realign her professional priorities and expose Johnny’s bullying before her dream job does her in?

Brooke Bentley is a former television anchor and award-winning sports reporter who graduated from the University of Southern California with a master's in journalism. Through Sideline Confidential, she gives us a glimpse into the challenges women professionals face in the male-dominated world of pro sports.

Advance Praise

“Sideline Confidential provides a fascinating, insightful look at what it’s like to be behind the scenes covering a pro football team. Brooke Bentley, a National trade marketing and sales campaign Custom targeted outreach to digital influencers Targeted press release distribution Advance distribution of Digital ARC via NetGalley to reviewers, bloggers, journalists, librarians, booksellers, and media Large-scale book seeding and promotion campaign with Goodreads Online marketing campaign including targeted advertising, trade advertising, and advance giveaways Watch for author and book updates at www.brookebentley.comseasoned journalist who experienced the excitement and exasperation of covering a team, draws vivid portraits of the characters who make up a pro franchise. Bentley takes readers on a wild, behind-the-scenes ride from the beginning of training camp through a see-saw regular season that’s both frustrating and inspiring. I can’t wait for her next book featuring Blake Kirk.”

--John McClain, Retired Houston Chronicle writer, past president of the Pro Football Writers of America, Pro Football Hall of Fame award winner, and Texas Sports Hall of Fame media inductee

"Sideline Confidential is more than a page-turner. It’s a jaw-dropper. Brooke Bentley perfectly captures not just what really goes on behind the scenes in pro sports, but what makes it doubly challenging for women."

--John Lopez, cohost of “In The Loop” on SportsRadio 610, coauthor of the Kerri Strug autobiography Landing on My Feet, and former sports columnist at the Houston Chronicle

“Intriguing and relatable from the start! Sideline Confidential authentically portrays the discrimination, bias, and obstacles faced by female reporters. This novel is a must-read for anyone who loves football and enjoys a riveting tale with all the excitement of a game day!”

--Allison Williams, national sports broadcaster and sideline reporter

Marketing Plan

National trade marketing and sales campaign. Custom targeted outreach to digital influencers. Targeted press release distribution. Advance distribution of Digital ARC via NetGalley to reviewers, bloggers, journalists, librarians, booksellers, and media. Large-scale book seeding and promotion campaign with Goodreads. Online marketing campaign including targeted advertising, trade advertising, and advance giveaways. Watch for author and book updates at www.brookebentley.com

National trade marketing and sales campaign. Custom targeted outreach to digital influencers. Targeted press release distribution. Advance distribution of Digital ARC via NetGalley to reviewers...