If you don't know about Marty HIntz, you're really not paying attention. In addition to his work as a journalist and freelance writer -- and half of a gossip column team -- Hintz has written, quite literally, dozens and dozens of books. We caught up with him planting spuds and he took a break to tell us about his latest, "Forgotten Tales of Wisconsin."

The book is packed full of fun, funny and interesting vignettes from Wisconsin's past. From the world premiere of pink lemondate to the giant serpents in search of copper to the tragic demise of the world's last wild passenger pigeon, Hintz shares it all in these pages.

OnMilwaukee.com: Tell us a bit about the seed of the idea for the book. Was it something you'd wanted to do or something that The History Press asked for?

Marty Hintz: The editors of The History Press requested me to do "Forgotten Tales of Wisconsin," as part of its series on states. I had written historical works for various publishers, so The Press hoped that I could do its Badger State volume. Naturally, that was a yes. It's always fun to write about Wisconsin.

OMC: How did you go about collecting stories? Did you already have some in mind at the start?

MH: After covering the state, with its colorful personalities and culture for way too many years, I had a good idea of what I wanted to write about. For instance, being a longtime circus fan, having once worked for a carnival that traveled via railroad and covering the entertainment world for "Amusement Business," "Billboard" and others, it was a natural to write about the state's circus history. I also wanted to touch on earthquakes, tornadoes, train wrecks, fires and other catastrophes so their long-ago victims will be remembered.

I scoured libraries -- remember them! -- chased down historians, talked to "regular" folk who had great stories, rummaged through old newspapers and magazines and utilized museums, historical societies and assorted other archives. Researching was similar to being a detective on the hunt.

OMC: Were there things you needed to cut for space? Will there be a volume two?

MH: I had a 30,000-or-so-word count for the book, so I wrote to fit the format and requirements of the publisher. Like "Rocky," I suppose we could hit multiple volumes if The History Press likes the sales figures on this first one. But I think they'll first continue with other books in the line. Then we'll see.

OMC: What are your favorites in the book?

MH: Tales of political shenanigans are always fun, especially back in the era when pigs were housed under the State Capitol. I also wanted to be sure readers recalled that our upstanding Social Democrats took care of working folk; and how Ziggy the elephant could play the harmonica. He performed with a troupe of Little People, all of whom were run out Milwaukee for an incident during Prohibition. Now that I have your attention, please read the book for the details.

OMC: Tell us a bit about the illustrator. Some of the drawings are pretty funny, especially the Wilde one.

MH: The History Press regularly uses artist Kyle McQueen for illustrating many of its various volumes. My editor asked what incidents would be perfect for pictures, so I suggested several images and he came up with others. He certainly has a clever touch, such as the image of Irish writer Oscar Wilde, who once lectured about interior design during a visit to Milwaukee. Great fun.

OMC: You seem to always have a couple of book-related plates spinning at once. What's on your computer screen right now?

MH: I'm always crunching on magazine stories, plus have a film script, two novels and a history of Milwaukee's brewing and distilling industry in the works.

OMC: A little off topic, I know, but what's exciting you in advance about this year's Irish Fest?

MH: As publisher of The Irish American Post, it's always grand to cover the world's largest Celtic cultural festival, showcased right here in good old Wisconsin. This year, the daily "Legends of Irish Folk" feature such old pals as Schooner Fare, Tommy Sands, Tom Sweeney, Seamus Kennedy and the fantastic Eugene Byrne.

Plus, I always love the Celtic Rock Stage, with this season's rollicking lineup highlighting the Red Hot Chilli Pipers (guess I just dig their red socks and all those drums), plus the Screaming Orphans and Young Dubliners. Go Gaelic!