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Hits, Heathens, and Hippos: Stories from an Agent, Activist, and Adventurer



Everyone has dreams of what they want to accomplish in life. Marty Essen’s childhood dream of becoming a herpetologist gave way to his dream of becoming a popular DJ, which led to his dream of becoming a big-time talent manager, which morphed into the dream of becoming an in-demand author and college speaker. While he achieved most of his dreams at various levels, he also realized that he didn’t necessarily have to reach the top to find success or happiness. Sometimes “almost” is close enough.


Hits, Heathens, and Hippos: Stories from an Agent, Activist, and Adventurer is a humorous and inspirational memoir that explores relationships and careers and how seemingly minor events can lead to life-changing results. Compelling stories have filled Marty’s life, and he tells those stories in a conversational style that combines his talents as an award-winning author with his talents as the creator of a one-man stage show that he has performed at hundreds of colleges across the United States.


His stories include:


◆ Growing up with an over-the-top, born-again Christian father, who prayed aloud in restaurants, thought Satan possessed his Masonic lodge watch, and attempted to faith-heal his old Toyota.


◆ Becoming the youngest disc jockey in Minnesota history, where he survived an on-air attack from a jealous DJ and learned that rock ’n’ roll and country radio stations have vastly different groupies.


◆ Running multiple music talent agencies and becoming one of the top young talent managers in America.


◆ Telling the best lie ever to reel in and marry an amazing woman that the media would later dub as his “intrepid wife.”


◆ Moving to Montana, where he founded one of the state’s fastest growing independent telephone companies and an unusual baseball league with pro-prospects and out-of-control players.


◆ Surviving as an outspoken liberal in the most conservative region of Montana and dealing with the death threats and dirty tricks that came with it.


◆ Heartwarming and humorous stories from his relationships with musicians, governors, senators, and a very special Democratic nominee for President of the United States.


◆ Traveling to all seven continents in search of rare and interesting wildlife, backpacking with a tribe known for headhunting, and surviving a vicious hippo attack.


Be prepared to be inspired, educated, and entertained!


“Hits, Heathens, and Hippos proves life is mostly luck and a little timing with many laughs along the way. Marty Essen has demonstrated that life is what you do while you decide what you are going to be when you grow up. This is a great book about a life of ventures, friends and a few lessons about winning and losing.” —Governor Brian Schweitzer (Democrat, Montana 2005–2013)


“Marty Essen’s latest book, Hits, Heathens, and Hippos—which includes a funny story from my days working with his talent agency—really drew me in. His descriptions of our old Minneapolis stomping grounds, and our mutual hometown of Duluth, brought back a lot of forgotten memories, and it was a pleasure to delve into his recollections through his colorful storytelling. Even if you’re not in the music business, Marty’s stories will fascinate you!” —Phil Solem, The Rembrandts


Amazon, Apple Books, Barnes and Noble, Google Books, Kobo, and most other on-line bookstores carry all six of Marty's books. Just go to your favorite bookseller and query "Marty Essen."



Time Is Irreverent



Marty's science-fiction political-comedy, Time Is Irreverent, was published in 2018. It is an Amazon United States #1 Best Seller in Political Humor, Humorous Science Fiction, Parodies, and LGBT Science Fiction, and an Amazon Canada #1 Best Seller in Comedy, Humour, Political Humour, LGBT Science Fiction, Alternative History, and Time Travel!


With this book, Marty Essen makes the dramatic change from writing nature-adventure travel books to science-fiction political-comedy. The switch in genres doesn't mean a switch in ideals. Like all of Marty's books, it reflects his values of protecting human rights and the environment—and does so with a wry sense of humor.


​Amazon, Apple Books, Barnes and Noble, Google Books, Kobo, and most other on-line bookstores carry all six of Marty's books. Just go to your favorite bookseller and query "Marty Essen."




Endangered Edens



Marty's second book, Endangered Edens: Exploring the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Costa Rica, the Everglades, and Puerto Rico, was published in 2016. It is an Amazon #1 Best Seller in the Travel, Ecotourism, Caribbean Travel, and Puerto Rico categories.​



On May 7, 2016, Endangered Edens won the National Indie Excellence Book Award for Nature!



On November 9, 2016, Endangered Edens won the Readers' Favorite Book Award for Environment!



On April 24, 2017, Endangered Edens won two Silver Nautilus Awards! One for “Animals & Nature,” and another for “Middle Grades Non-Fiction.”



Watch the Endangered Edens Official Book Trailer! Be sure turn up the volume on your speakers to hear Callie MaRae's beautiful vocals:



Endangered Edens is the long-awaited follow-up to Marty Essen's six-time award-winning book, Cool Creatures, Hot Planet: Exploring the Seven Continents.


Whether traveling with Marty and his wife, Deb, in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Costa Rica, and Puerto Rico, or going solo with Marty in the Everglades, readers will experience nature's Endangered Edens in a way few others have all while laughing and learning along the way.


In addition to Marty's entertaining stories, Endangered Edens also features more than 180 stunning color pictures merging the genres of wildlife photography, adventure travelogues, and environmental education into one unforgettable book.



A magical, fun journey through some of the world's hidden and not so hidden Edens, as seen through the eyes of a true wildlife aficionado and author whose writing makes the pages come alive and vibrate with the sound and pulse of nature. A book that once started is impossible to put down.
—Dr. M. Sanjayan, Senior Scientist at Conservation International and host of the PBS Television series EARTH: A New Wild


Impressively informative and a lot of fun.
—Midwest Book Review


Endangered Edens primary strength is its many glossy, high-quality photos of wildlife. From alligators to caribou, the visuals in the book are both stunning and informative, bolstered by the author's deep knowledge of butterfly and bird species. In giving factual details about each animal, the book allows the captured image to take on extra life. The book's four long essays, each focusing on a different journey, make the book easy to set aside and pick up again, and the writing style enhances the book's readability.
—​Foreword Reviews



I highly recommend that everyone join author Marty Essen and his wife, Deb, as they explore our planets Endangered Edens. After reading about these last great wild places, you will surely be tempted to visit them and more importantly protect them for future generations to enjoy.
—Cindy Shogan, Executive Director, Alaska Wilderness League


Marty Essen's explorations of exotic and remote places gave me the feeling of traveling with him, sensing his measure of the wondrous natural world. His strident call for the preservation of Alaska's wilderness is timely, deserving the response of the American people.
—​Stewart Brandborg, retired Executive Director of The Wilderness Society, and a prominent voice behind the creation of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in 1960.



Cool Creatures, Hot Planet



Cool Creatures, Hot Planet: Exploring the Seven Continents follows Marty and Deb Essen on an eight trip, three-and-a-half-year-long adventure to some of the wildest places on all seven continents.


The American couple began crisscrossing the globe with the simple intention of searching for rare and interesting wildlife. When their travels coincided with the U.S. invasion of Iraq, the added element made them unwitting ambassadors for peace. Their experiences—from amusing to life threatening—changed their lives forever.


This is not your average travelogue. Marty Essen has written a book that entertains, informs, and poignantly reminds us that we all share a small planet.

Locations visited include: Belize, Peru (the Amazon Rainforest), Argentina, Australia (Queensland), Canada (Alberta, British Columbia, Yukon Territory, and Northwest Territories), Antarctica, Europe (Spain, France, Switzerland, and Andorra), Malaysia (Borneo), and Africa (Zimbabwe).



This is a wonderful book a labor of love that describes in soul-stirring language what it is like to live with the people, the animals, the birds, the snakes, the insects, the jungles, the treacherous rivers, the gorgeous scenery of seven continents. It is the best travel and exploratory work I have yet encountered. Marty Essen and his wife, Deb, are two highly intelligent, imaginative, and brave people.
—Senator George McGovern, 1972 Democratic nominee for president


An exciting and adventurous read. Cool Creatures, Hot Planet by Marty Essen is a roller coaster ride through the natural world that will both entertain and enlighten readers.
—​Jeff Corwin, The Jeff Corwin Experience



Awards and additional praise for Cool Creatures, Hot Planet:

  • Winner: Green Book Festival Award for Animals
  • Winner: Benjamin Franklin Award for Travel/Essay
  • Winner: National Indie Excellence Book Award for Travel/Essay
  • Winner: USA Best Books Award for Travel/Essay
  • Bronze Metal: ForeWord Magazine Book of the Year Award for Travel/Essay
  • Bronze Metal: IPPY Award for Travel/Essay
  • Finalist: Nautilus Award for Animals/Nature
  • Minneapolis Star-Tribune Top-10 "Green" Book


Be sure to check out the Marty Essen "Earth Day 2016 interview and photo feature" on the Dancing Dog Blog, as it provides insight and photos from both Cool Creatures, Hot Planet and Endangered Edens.



Buy Cool Creatures, Hot Planet today,
and we will ship your order for FREE!



All book(s) purchased by mail, with a check or money order, will be signed by the author. If you have a special signing request, please send it with your check. We will do our best to accommodate you.


Buy Cool Creatures, Hot Planet today, and we will ship your order for FREE!
Free shipping applies to United States destinations only.


To order Cool Creatures, Hot Planet, mail $25.00 per book to:


Encante Press, LLC.
1572 Blue Lupine Lane
Victor, MT 59875
If you don't care about a signed copy, you can order Cool Creatures, Hot Planet from your local bookstore or from almost every on-line bookstore in the world.


Marty's second book, Endangered Edens: Exploring the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Costa Rica, the Everglades, and Puerto Rico, was published on January 8, 2016, and it immediately became an Amazon #1 Hot New Release in five categories:



All book(s) purchased by mail, with a check or money order, will be signed by the author. If you have a special signing request, please send it with your check. We will do our best to accommodate you.


Buy Endangered Edens today, and we will ship your order for FREE!
Free shipping applies to United States destinations only.

To order Endangered Edens, mail $20.00 per book to:


Encante Press, LLC.
1572 Blue Lupine Lane
Victor, MT 59875
If you don't care about a signed copy, you can order Endangered Edens from your local bookstore or from almost every on-line bookstore in the world.


Copyright © 2022 Encante Entertainment, Inc.