Hi, again, everyone.
I am thrilled to announce that the contract has been signed and I am
all set to begin work on a new book, Best Dog Hikes Alabama. Well, sort of
ready to begin.
But as with all of my books, getting started is always the hardest
part. Something always happens. This time, my excitement to hit the trail again
was quelled when my hiking companion, Archer T. Dog, tore a ligament this week
and will be undergoing surgery in two weeks. That delays my start a bit but
with a little rehab, plenty of healthy kibble, and TLC he’ll be good as new and
we’ll get this party started.
After 18 years and 7 books (not including 4 editions of Hiking
Alabama) I have finally learned my lesson. Usually I get an offer like “can
you have the manuscript done in 6 months?” to which I say,
“sure!” which I immediately regret. This time I have one year to
complete the manuscript and turn it in for editing. It’s good to have a little
breathing room.
The hardest part of writing a guide book like this isn’t the research
and writing. For me that’s the fun part. It’s the planning – which trails to
include? Alabama has so many wonderful destinations that it makes it tough to
choose. I’m scouring through pages of spreadsheets right now where I’ve logged
every hike I’ve been on and listed some new ones I want to visit. But, the good
news is that this time, I have ample time to put figure it out.
One thing I am working on is a way that you, my faithful readers and
your dog, will be able to join me on one of my hikes in the Mobile, Montgomery,
Birmingham, and Huntsville areas. These hikes will also be a way to help raise
money for animal shelters in those areas. As soon as I can get the details
together I will pass them along.
Till next time, Happy Snails, er, Trails (sorry J )
