Lydia Criss Interview Part One

Lydia Criss's Sealed With A Kiss Second Printing Available in June

KISSFAQ recently conducted an interview with author and former wife of original KISS drummer PETER CRISS, Lydia Criss. The second printing of her 2006 book, Sealed With A KISS, will be available starting in June (the first printing has long since been sold out).

By Tim McPhate

When I think of the "must-have" books for the KISS library, the ones that come to mind are "KISS Alive Forever," "KISS: Behind The Mask" ... "KISStory." Chris Lendt's ability to recount four-course meals from the '70s and what "rankled" the late Bill Aucoin make "KISS And Sell" a winner. Can't go wrong with the excellent research and extensive detail found in Julian Gill's KISS Album Focus books. Nestled at the top of the bookshelf is also Lydia Criss' excellent "Sealed With A KISS."

What makes "Sealed With A KISS" arguably a cut above the rest is the personal feel of the book. It's like looking at an insider's personal scrapbook from the '70s. And the photos. Criss' book contains more than 1,500 images, offering fans a unique time capsule of a most magical period in KISS' history as well as some great never-before-seen images from the unmasked era. Coupled with the text, it's as if you're right alongside Criss on not only her personal journey, but KISS' rocket ride to superstardom.

Originally released in 2006, not surprisingly "Sealed With A KISS" ultimately sold out of its first printing. While Criss released an ebook version last year, fans' best opportunity to land a physical copy is by scouring eBay, where copies run anywhere from $100 to $300. But that's about to change with the second printing of "Sealed With A KISS," which is set to be available in June. KissFAQ caught up with Lydia Criss to put her book back on the table and discuss the second printing, as well as a potpourri of KISS topics.

Q: Lydia, thanks for taking time to speak with us. We've been in touch for the past few months and you mentioned to me that you were working on a second printing of Sealed With A KISS. Can you give KISS fans an update on what's going on in your world?

A: "Well, first I was working on my ebook since my first printing sold out. I didn't really think it would take long to get the second printing done. Especially since most of the work was done already. But the ebook came out during last summer. The second printing of the book is being printed in Italy now, the same place (as the first printing)."

Q: Is there a tentative release date???A: "It usually takes a little less than two months especially because I already had a book printed (with them). We have corrected a few things so that means you kind of have to start over. It's really complicated. Being that I am the publisher, they have to send me a book that doesn't look like a book, it looks like a newspaper. I have to review everything and Fed-Ex it back immediately. There's been a lot of little steps in between. I takes a while to order the paper. That's the thing that takes the longest. I didn't quite understand why a printing company wouldn't have paper in stock already. But I've heard from some people in the industry that Italy has the best paper. I really wanted to go back to Italy. It's so much easier. I tried doing everything the American route but the price was crazy."

Read the rest HERE.  Part two will be available soon.