In a review of the book, Publishers Weekly comments, "the notoriously media-wary Petty responds to Zollo's almost obsessive knowledge about his life, career and craft with articulate and intelligent answers that even nonfans can enjoy." While American Songwriter's Dave McPherson writes in his review, "The conversations are so intimate at times that you feel you're eavesdropping from the next table at a café," CREEM magazine's Robert Matheu adds, "Petty is always an eloquent storyteller, whether in song or on the printed page."

"Conversations with Tom Petty" contains a series of in-depth discussions between Zollo and Petty about Petty's career, with special focus on his songwriting. The book features rare photographs and the conversations are presented in Q-and-A format, essentially Petty "in his own words," representing a personal and unique perspective on his entire career.

Author Paul Zollo, a singer/songwriter, author, and music journalist, will embark on a four-city book tour this fall to Los Angeles, Chicago, Boston, and New York. Zollo will appear at local book and record stores, including Borders Books and Virgin Megastores.

In conjunction with the book's release, Omnibus Press is running a Tom Petty Guitar Contest. Readers and fans are invited to enter to win a Fender electric guitar, autographed by Tom Petty. The contest appears on the book's website www.ConversationsWithTomPetty.com, and runs through December 1, 2005. Additional guitars autographed by Petty will also be raffled at some of Paul Zollo's in-store appearances.

Tom Petty was recently named the recipient of the Billboard 2005 Century Award, the highest honor for creative achievement. Petty will accept the award on December 6 at the Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas. He is currently adding the finishing touches to his forthcoming third solo album due for release in Spring 2006.