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We rejoiced and celebrated, understanding that our book was no longer a private document. It was published, meaning it was available to the public for purchase, and we soon started distributing copies in person and packaging them to send via mail to customers.
Bookends, an independent bookstore owned by Gwen and Wes Bartlett, has invited me to do a book signing the evening of July 20th from 6-8 p.m. This is during Hutchinson’s Third Thursday celebration that has a July theme of “Arts and Eats.”
When "K-9 Kudzu: Observations of a Working Dog Who Loves to Play" is published, I’m going to do an experiment with direct sales. I’m not going to share my print files with Amazon.com or Ingram Spark. Instead, I’m going to do my own thing.
I call myself a cave dweller. My computer cave room is where I, alone, write blogs and books. But, at some point, I do collaborate. While writing my books, I read my new chapters to Alex—my wife—and she regularly encourages me and improves my work. Currently, I’m collaborating with Gina Laiso, Integrita Productions, as she creates colorful illustrations for my first children’s book.
Now that my children’s book is in the hands of illustrator Gina Laiso, Integrita Productions, I’m refocusing for a few days by doing some historical research in preparation for my sequel to Deputy Jennings Meets the Amish. Please join me on an Amish horse-and-buggy ride.
As with any major project, the original plan and the finished work can vastly differ. Things evolve. I planned a primer picture book titled B is for Badge: The ABCs of Law Enforcement. Instead, I’m eagerly awaiting the publishing of an illustrated, upper grade-school book, K-9 Kudzu: Observations of a Working Dog Who Loves to Play.
Here’s a quick review about this series of weekly blog posts on publishing my color-illustrated children’s book in six months. It’s a progress report. From my first post in January 2023, I’ve shared my goal: publish K-9 Kudzu’s Guide to Law Enforcement ...
This is my update, a progress report, the nuts and bolts of the draft copy of my children’s book. Another blog may cover the importance of an author taking time between edits, giving the manuscript time to breath, and the writer an opportunity for rest ...
We live in the country. We have a pond—sometimes with water—but my life as an author isn’t even close to Henry David Thoreau’s at Walden Pond. I’m not on a writer’s retreat with minimal interruptions; I’m on the internet and have a phone.
Preparing to publish my book requires a lot of multi-tasking and networking. It’s a process and I can’t do it alone. I’ll bet you’ve heard the saying, “It takes a village to raise a child.” In publishing—whether traditional or indie—it takes a network to birth a book.
It’s a new year, and I’m excited to be on a path to my first children’s book. I expect it to be printed in June 2023. Before I share about the present activities, let me tell you about the past. The idea for writing this children’s book began fifteen years ago.
End of Part 3: While we were located on Oppenheim, I was part of a little incident which I will relate to you. Part 4: It so happened that we had a new medical officer join our company on that day. His name was Captain Tom Dann from St. Petersburg, Florida.
The Division had been activated on October 24, 1939, at Fort McClennan, Alabama. It consisted of the 2nd, 10th, and 11th Infantry Regiments, four Field Artillery battalions, 7th Combat Engineer Battalion, 5th Medical Battalion, 5th Signal Battalion ...
By Harold L. Potter (1998); Presented to the Sojourners group, near Hot Springs, Arkansas. Editing and audio recording by Jim Potter.
My military experience started on August 25, 1938, when I joined the Medical Detachment of the 130th Field Artillery Regiment ...
Chapter 1: Deputy Jennings Meets Rosanna Yoder
“How can this be happening to me?” thought Rosanna. Earlier, Adam, her husband, had remarked, “We sure had a gully washer overnight!” “How are my flowers?” she had asked, concerned about filling business orders ...
Congratulations, Shoshanna, on the recent release of your children’s book, Tobias’ Travels. You’re a first-class storyteller. We’ve never met face-to-face, but I’m the current president of District 6 of the Kansas Authors Club. Congratulations for being a published author.
Book review of Cheryl Unruh's book. Gravedigger’s Daughter: Vignettes from a Small Kansas Town is Cheryl Unruh’s latest masterpiece, a memoir written in prose poetry that transported me to my childhood. I can smell the Folger's coffee that gave Mom an extra spark.
Book Review of 31 Days (Nights): Memoir of Living Black in America by Reginald D. Jarrell Can you tell a book by its cover? This is a question that author Reginald D. Jarrell addresses in his just published book, 31 Days (Nights): Memoir of Living Black in America (Blue Cedar Press, 2022).
Book review for Soul by Soul: Life Inside the Antebellum Slave Market by Walter Johnson I’ve just completed reading the best book ever about understanding slavery. Soul by Soul: Life Inside the Antebellum Slave Market (1999) isn’t a new book, but it’s a classic.
Charles C. Collins, also known as “Charlie,” (1845-1906) was of Irish ancestry, his grandfather having immigrated from Ireland to Louisiana before the War of 1812. I haven’t had much luck finding “Grandfather,” especially since ship passenger lists ...
I’ve been researching and researching, and I still have unanswered questions. I’d like to learn more about Charles C. Collins and his ancestors before I write his story, but I can’t wait forever. I’ve been down so many research rabbit holes that I’ve become comfortable living underground.
"Pardon me if my brain’s not as sharp as it used to be. I’m nearly 93 years old. Due to my age, I occasionally get names and dates mixed up. It could happen to anyone. However, for the time period 1927-1930, my glory years, my recall is as sharp as a tack...
It’s late Thursday afternoon, October 11, 1951, at the Reno County Jail on the fifth floor of the courthouse. Vera Gambee Frazey, 45, jail matron and cook, hears the metallic sound of heavy jail keys, followed by the forceful clang of a door being shut, and the keys locking the gate.
It’s Monday afternoon, August 1, 1949, at The Fox theater in Hutchinson, Kansas. Mrs. Sheriff, Ruth Graves Dixon, 54; and her sister, Charline Graves Allison, 60; are talking prior to the start of the picture show, The Barkleys of Broadway, staring Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire.