About Zazel Publishing
Who We Are
Who We Are
Who We Are
Phillip S. Roberts is the author of The Luckiest Fool on Earth: The Twisted Yarn of America's Greatest Flagpole Sitter, Alvin "Shipwreck" Kelly started Zazel Publishing in March of 2025. His previous book, Waikiki Tiki: Art, History, and Photographs was published in 2010 by Bess Press and contained his original photos.
Contact Phillip at zazelpublishing@gmail.com
The Story
Who We Are
Who We Are
Alvin "Shipwreck" Kelly was born in Hell's Kitchen area of New York City in 1893. He became a fixture of the Roaring Twenties and the Depression Thirties. As a flagpole sitter, he led an incredible life; full of wild adventure, it included crazy twists and turns. His tale is a uniquely crafted turn of the century American story; a forgotten folklore crammed with intrigue, thrills, and spills.
The Book
Who We Are
The Book
My debut novel is historical fiction about a thrill-seeker, a stuntman, and an attention getter. The Luckiest Fool on Earth: The Twisted Yarn of America's Greatest Flagpole Sitter, Alvin "Shipwreck" Kelly will be released on October 1st, 2025 in Hardcover, Paperback, and e-book formats to online outlets and select bookstores worldwide.
6"x 9" - 302 pages.
Zazel Publishing
Alvin “Shipwreck” Kelly — a reputed Titanic survivor with death wishes, divinity complexes, and a chronic addiction to flagpole sitting. Being chewed up and spit out by a grifter wife, a scheming newspaperman, and America’s sick obsession with spectacle, he strives to earn the fame. Set against a roaring backdrop so vivid you can smell the bootleg gin, this book is outrageous, tragic, absurd, and painfully human, the kind of literary carnival ride readers devour. The novel is a reflection on America’s obsession with spectacle.
Alvin Shipwreck Kelly - History - 20th Century - Fads - novelty - jazz. Flagpole Sitting - Stuntmen - Daredevil - Circus - AVIATOR - adventurer. Popular Culture - United States - New York - History - Roaring 20s. Confidence Scheme - Grifter - Crime, Con men - SCANDAL - steeplejack. Yellow Journalism - Scandal Sheets - Movie star - pop culture -Explorer. Atlantic City - World record - Reporter - Marathon Dance - flapper. TITANIC Disaster - Hollywood - Hindenburg - World War, I - WWII. depression era - 1920 - 1930 - art deco -skyscraper - gangster - Sideshow freaks - P. T. Barnum - Mae West - Al Jolson - Gatsby era - Oofty Goofty - Emperor Norton - Polaire - Broadway - vaudeville - Zazel - Diavolo - Coral Castle - #TheLuckiestFoolonEarth - Evel Knievel - David Blaine - Best Historical Fiction Based on Real People - Great Depression Era Novels - Unsung American Legends - Fans of Amor Towles - Fans of Erik Larson - Fans of Daniel James Brown. - American Dream - Fame and Folly - Houdini - Escapist - Magic - Fans of Michael Chabon - Fans of Taylor Brown - Fans of Glen David Gold - ambition, 1920s Americana
Thrill in the excitement of the reckless 1920s.
Buy the Paperback!
Directly from the distributor, Ingram Spark
Enjoy the wild ride that is Shipwreck Kelly's life.
Purchase the Hardcover!
Directly from the distributor, Ingram Spark.