As the new year draws near, I wanted to say thank you to all of you for making it another great year. I've penned two more books that will be released in the spring, penned two new cozy mysteries (I hope) will see the light of day soon, and had a great year meeting many of you at some fun book signings including a really fun day at the Seattle Museum of Flight. I'm looking forward to seeing what the new year brings and getting these new titles to you. Happy New Year!
Mobile Public Library Event
Yuri's Day at the Seattle Museum of Flight
Yuri's Day at the Seattle Museum of Flight with My Friend Amelia
Good morning, everyone! Well, winter has unofficially arrived here on the Gulf Coast last week. Just a note to my northern friends - yes, it does get chilly down here. No, we don't get snow, although we have been known to have a surprise dusting every now and then, and it's rare for temperatures to go below zero, but we can expect temps to regularly hit the upper 20s with lower windchills. That's what happened here last week. I guess the New Jersey in me is finally starting to fade away after 43 years here in L.A. (lower Alabama.) I used to be able to tinker around the yard in weather like that in short sleeves and shorts. Not anymore! Give me a blanket and a cup of green tea any day. Ah, age.
So, what's new in my little writing world? The big news is that this Saturday, I will be joining some amazing local and regional authors for a big holiday book sale and signing at the Mobile (Alabama) Public Library West Regional Branch from 10am to 1pm. If you're in the area, I hope you can make it out and find your next great read.
Every year I do a holiday giveaway and this year is no exception. If you visit my "Giveaway" page on my website, you will find several downloads I hope you will enjoy including short stories, a sample of the audio book version of "Space Oddities" read by the amazing vocal talents of Tim H. Dixon, a preview of my new book due out in April, "The Pig War and the Pelican Girls," and a preview of my cozy mystery, "Dead Air," which I have made available as a PDF or an eBook you can read on Kindle or Nook readers. If you have any issues downloading a file, drop me a line at joecuhajauthor@gmail.com and I'll get it to you.
And keeping with the holiday spirit, here is one of my favorite short stories from my "Joe Cuhaj's Shorts" collection. When I was in radio, sometimes I would tell these humorous stories about growing up in the 60s when I was doing an overnight show. Years later, I would write them down for the collection and then a few years later, I recorded them for a podcast reading them just like I did on the radio so many years ago. So enjoy this story, "A Wish Book Christmas."
That's all for now. I hope to see you Saturday in West Mobile for the book signing, and don't forget you can follow me on Facebook and now on Bluesky. Until next time, have a great week.
Hi, again everyone. Hope you survived Thanksgiving, the scuffle of Black Friday shopping, and are now enjoying gallons of turkey soup, turkey sandwiches, and turkey casserole.
This is always the busiest time of year for me when it comes to writing. I have a lot of irons in the fire Nothing unusual there. First and foremost, I had an email from one of my publishers saying that I needed to have more exposure on social media. I resisted Twitter and X for the longest time but now I've found a home on BlueSky. If you're on the platform, I hope you will follow me - @joecuhajauthor.bsky.social.
Oh, and I have a book signing coming up. Myself and authors from around the area will be selling and signing copies of our books at the Mobile Public Library's Holiday Market December 14th from 10am to 1pm at the library's West Regional Branch on Grelot Road in Mobile. Mark it on your calendar, come on out, and find your next favorite read.
The P.R. work for my new book, The Pig War and the Pelican Girls, has officially begun. Today, I begin writing the scripts for the 10-part companion podcast. It's one of my favorite parts of writing non-fiction history as it brings me back to my radio roots, although this is scripted and not off-the-cuff (and insane) like my old radio shows. We're shooting for a February 24th debut with the book set for release April 22nd.
No updates yet on my new cozy mystery, "Dead Air." It's circulating around several publishers and agents but it's a process that could take months before I get a response. One of the inspirations for the mystery is the film series, "The Thin Man." The book is set in a Gulf Coast port city (any resemblance to actually cities is purely coincidental :) ) but it is not a 40s noir mystery like a Raymond Chandler. It's a typical cozy - set in a quaint town with unique characters and a budding romance. What I was shooting for in the romance between our two sleuths is the unique humor we see between the characters of Nick and Nora Charles in the "Thin Man" movies. Good natured, snarky, a bit sarcastic at times, but always with love. I'll keep you posted on whether or not the book finds a home. Fingers crossed
And that's it from the old writing room this week. Have a great week, everybody! More soon.
Before everyone goes over the river and through the woods tomorrow, I wanted to wish all of you a Happy Thanksgiving and say thank you for supporting my writing and books over the past 20 years.
And while we're on the subject of Thanksgiving, and since I'm preparing for the release of my new Prometheus book, "The Pig War and the Pelican Girls: 21 Extraordinary Tales of American History," there is one story that didn't make it into the book - the story of Franksgiving.
Ever hear of "Franksgiving"? In 1939 and 1940, President Roosevelt believed that moving Thanksgiving from the traditional fourth Saturday of November to the third would boost the economy, giving Christmas shoppers an extra week to buy their gifts. The move caused much confusion and protest, especially with college football teams that had to reschedule their normal end-of-season games. The name "Franksgiving" was coined by Atlantic City, NJ mayor Charles D. White, a riff on "Frankenstein." In 1941, Congress passed a resolution that was signed by Roosevelt officially making the fourth Thursday of November Thanksgiving. The move by FDR was immortalized with a short cartoon in the Bing Crosby holiday movie, "Holiday Inn."
You can read more about "Franksgiving" HERE. And here's the clip from Holiday Inn. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!
This just in - I'll be signing books during the Chapter Crafters Holiday Market at the Mobile Public Library West Regional Branch from 10am to 1pm along with a passel of other great local and regional authors. It will be a great time to pick up that last minute Christmas gift for the reader in your life, or yourself.
I just received the final cover design for my new book, "The Pig War and Pelican Girls" and I couldn't be more pleased with it. I think the bright colors and graphics will make it stand out on book shelves. And with that, that's a wrap. The book heads to printing. Pre-sale orders ship in February, the book hits bookstores in April.
Good Monday morning, FB friends. It was a gloomy, rainy Sunday yesterday and looks like the rain is carrying over into Monday, perfect writing weather (I don't feel so bad about not doing any chores around the house). Made some great progress on my new History Press book, "Notable Women of Alabama," and while I wait for replies to my proposals for my mystery, "Dead Air," I started work on the sequel.
As I mentioned, Dead Air is set in a Gulf Coast radio station in the 1940s. Our sleuths are a couple of the station employees who attempt to solve a tricky murder at the station. I completed my beat board for the sequel (went through many sticky notes until I got it just right), wrote up biographies for new characters that will join our sleuths, and learned a lot about weddings in the 1940s.
One thing that puzzled me is what did they do for a wedding cake in 1943 since sugar was being rationed. Well, I found out there were many recipes that used little or no sugar. I've posted two below. Red Velvet cake was one of the most popular of the day. To get the red color, they used crushed beets. Wonder what that tastes like?
Also, fabric was being rationed. Many women simply wore their normal everyday attire. Some were lucky enough to obtain used and discarded parachutes to stitch together their own unique dress.
Guess I need to come back to the present now and continue writing. Until next time...
When you're on a roll, you keep on rolling. I asked a few fellow authors to preview my cozy mystery, "Dead Air," before sending it out to publishers and agents. After reading it, their first words were, "will there be a sequel?" Oh yes, there will be. As a matter of fact, most publishers ask for a series in this genre, a tidbit I wasn't aware of. But, I was already thinking of a sequel and I spent the weekend outlining how radio station WRCB and our sleuths, Judy Campbell and Art Foley, get mixed up in another murder investigation.
I have a long way to go with it but I couldn't stand it and dove back into the world of 1943 Crystal Bay to revisit my friends Judy and Art. I became so involved I had this urge to keep writing so I ditched the outline for a bit and ended up spending the weekend immersed in writing a full first chapter setting up the next book.
I feel very comfortable writing in this genre now especially since the first manuscript is receiving good reviews. Hopefully from publishers and / or agents who are looking at it right now.
Happy Friday, everyone! Just a quick note here to announce that I have just finished producing the first book trailer for my upcoming book, The Pig War & The Pelican Girls. Hope you enjoy it.
Don't forget, while the book will not be released until April, you can pre-order copies by visiting Bookshop.org. A portion of the proceeds helps support independent booksellers worldwide.
Turn out the lights, the party's over. Historic Oakleigh House Museum Literary Lawn Party was a great success! It was a pleasure meeting everyone who came out and catching up with some old friends. Thank you to the staff and volunteers who made it happen. The good / bad news is that I was so busy meeting and greeting that I didn't have time to take any pics. These are courtesy of the Oakleigh House Museum. I do have to mention the Mobile Belles who were in attendance. This group of young ladies are ambassadors to the museum who greet visitors. I was so impressed with their knowledge of Mobile history and their goals in life to become historians, political science majors in college, and more. Hats off to you!
And by the way, I have added an extra freebie to my website's giveaway page. Click here to to visit the Giveaway Page or click the individual links below for your freebies:
What are you doing tomorrow? I know where I'll be - the Oakleigh Literary Lawn Party from 11am to 4pm with over 30 amazing authors from around the region. Come on out and join us! I'll have copies of my books Everyone's Gone to the Moon, Hidden History of Mobile, and a History Lover's Guide to Mobile and the Alabama Gulf Coast. Visit the Historic Oakleigh House Museum Facebook page for more details.
Good morning, everyone. Well, it’s a fresh
new week and I’m ready to tackle all of my writing goals I set for myself for
the week.
First and foremost, we are just days away from the big Oakleigh Literary Lawn Party this Saturday (10/12) from 11am to 4pm. There will be discussions on writing, a chance to meet some of your favorite local and regional authors who will have copies of their books available, and maybe find your next favorite read. I will be there and I hope to see you there! It all takes place at Historic Oakleigh Mansion in Mobile. Visit their Facebook page for more information and a list of authors who will join us.
Besides the big Literary Lawn Party this Saturday, it’s time for me to start thinking about finding a
publisher or agent for my new cozy mystery, “Dead Air.” Putting the proposal
together might be a little challenging for me this time. It's just a wee bit
different from my other 19 outdoor recreation and non-fiction history books. I
love the way the manuscript came out and so far I’m getting good feedback from
authors and general readers who have read it. Now to bring that excitement and
enthusiasm to publishers.
The reason I
finished writing “Dead Air” in the first place since I began writing it 20
years ago (then stopped and started ever since) was because of the feedback I
received at last year’s Mobile Literary Festival in Mobile, AL. The short pitch
I sent in was well received by the audience and the guest agent / judge. So,
that told me I had something. If any of my author friends out there know of any
publishers looking for the best cozy mystery ever written. Okay, those are my
words.
I’m also
producing the first book trailer for the new book, “The Pig War & Pelican
Girls.” I love combining my old radio career with my writing to produce these
as well as the companion podcasts. The book will not be available until April,
but planning and PR work starts now.
We’ll see how
the week goes. Right now, I’m on top of the world and excited about the future
for my little writing career. The week is young. I’ll let you know how that
goes by Friday.
Good morning, friends. I have a busy, busy week ahead. Tomorrow will be an exciting but scary day for me. I hate asking
fellow authors to critique my writing. First of all, it scares me to hear their
reaction (I think that's a writer's natural response), but seriously, I hate to impose. They have enough to do without me asking a favor.
I did ask a few to read and
critique my first ever cozy mystery, "Dead Air," and so far the
feedback has been positive. They've provided invaluable insight that I have
incorporated into the manuscript. Tomorrow, I'm meeting with two of my favorite
authors and friends, Joe Formichella and Suzanne Hudson, to discuss the book
and where it falls short. Joe and Suzanne are award winning authors who have
really offered some great advice over the years in my publishing journey. This
is one meeting I'm looking forward to.
And finally, six months out
from the release of my new book, "The Pig War and Pelican Girls:Extraordinary Stories from American History," and it's time to get serious
about promotion. I used to love doing PR work for my books, but with all of the
social media that has to be dealt with, it's rather daunting. Or is it my age
telling me that? "I remember when I was a young whipper snapper, we'd hang
up posters on telephone poles to get the word out." LOL! Ok, I'm not THAT
old, but still... So, it will be a fun day of putting together contact lists,
book signing options, etc. Oh, and my favorite - I'm starting production on the
10 part companion podcast. Now THAT is fun.
Late last night I was snooping around YouTube and found a few book reviews for a couple of my books and was surprised to find this video created by Charles Harvell. He and his wife used my "Hiking Waterfalls Alabama" guide to visit one of my favorites in north Alabama, Bethel Springs. Nice video and so glad Charles and Gabby enjoyed the hike and found the guide useful. Copies are available at your favorite local book store or online.
I recently completed my cozy mystery set in a 1943 radio station, “Dead Air.” In the book, the station’s main actress, a seductive temptress named Samantha Starr, is murdered. I relied heavily of research dealing with life on the home front during World War II and the fashion of the day but there was a fact that I did not know that friend, author, poet, songwriter Mike Turner sent to me – how red lipstick became a symbol of patriotism during the war.
Red lipstick was considered blasphemy when the United States was born. Preachers of the 1700s called the makeup frivolous and it made American women look Oriental.
The first use of red lipstick to make a protest statement came in the early 1900s when cosmetic manufacturer Elizabeth Arden, who was a staunch supporter of the suffragette movement, handed out tubes of her red lipstick to marchers and protestors who were demanding the right to vote. The lipstick would show solidarity between the marchers.
In the mid-1930s, the Axis powers came into power in Europe. Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini each proclaimed that they hated women using red lipstick and virtually banned its use. At the same time, Arden and her competitor, Helena Rubenstein, were brought in by the U.S. Army and Marines to create makeup for the Marine Corps Women’s Reserve and the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps. The main makeup item in the kit was bright red lipstick that was designed not only as a compliment to the women’s uniforms, but also as a slap in the face to the Axis leaders. The designers said the lipstick was to “fight fascism in style.”
Suddenly, World War II propaganda posters began springing up across the country featuring women like Rosie the Riveter wearing red lipstick. Red shades with patriotic names such as Victory Red, Tussy’s Fighting Red, and Regimental Red appeared in stores and the women of America loved it. In fact, the government would not allow rationing of the ingredients to make the cosmetic because women needed to “maintain their femininity while working in factories and on the front lines of the war effort.”
An interesting and forgotten fact from American history. Thanks for sharing, Mike Turner!
One of the toughest chapters to write, and read, in my book, “Space Oddities”, tells the story of using animals to study spaceflight technologies. There was a few happy stories as well including the story of Pushinka, the Russian space dog. Adding to the story is this clipping from the New York Times from this date in 1963.
As the story goes, in early 1963, President Kennedy and Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev were having a heated discussion on some issue. To ease the tension, First Lady Jacqueline walks into the room and starts talking to the Premier. She asks how the Russian space dog Strelka was doing after her flight. Khruschev told her she’s doing fine and recently had a liter of puppies. Jackie got excited and asked that he send the Kennedy’s one of the puppies. A few weeks later, a fluffy white dog named Pushinka (literally translated means “fluffy”) arrives at the White House.
The Kennedy kids loved the dog, even teaching it how to climb up the ladder of a slide and slide down.
Well, Pushinka had a one-night-stand with the Kennedy’s other dog, Charley, and had a liter of puppies herself. The press called them “Pupniks” and on this day 61 years ago, the White House mail room and switchboard was inundated with phone calls. People wanted to adopt one of the space pups.
This Saturday, July 20th, is the 55th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing. In commemoration, a brand new episode of the companion podcast to my book, Everyone’s Gone to the Moon: July 1969, Life on Earth, and the Epic Voyage of Apollo 11, has just posted! The bonus episode takes a look at some of the television coverage of that historic event on July 20, 1969.
You can listen to the episode on my website by following this link or clicking the image below.
In addition, I'm giving away two personalized copies of the book. To enter, simply visit this link to the contest entry page or click the image below. Winners will be announced and notified Friday, July 19th.
And if that wasn't enough, you can purchase an autographed copy of the book during my anniversary sale for 55% off the cover price! Visit my online bookstore by clicking this link or the image below.
Sunday July 20th is the 55th anniversary of Apollo 11 landing on the moon and in honor of the event, I will be releasing a bonus episode of the Everyone's Gone to the Moon podcast. The podcast is a companion series to my book of the same name that tells little known stories of the flight of Apollo 11, but also the forgotten stories and pop-culture events of that historic month, July 1969.
Besides the podcast, I will be giving away two autographed copies Everyone's Gone to the Moon: July 1969, Life on Earth, and the Epic Voyage of Apollo 11. Plus you can purchase copies of the book at 50%.
According to Walmart and Hobby Lobby, we have skipped summer and are already into fall so it's not too early to mark your calendar for a big literary event coming this fall: Oakleigh Mansion's Literary Lawn Party, Saturday October 12th from 11 to 4pm. 40 local and regional authors will be there signing and discussing there books and I will be one of them!
More details to come but for now, here is a writeup on the event that appeared in Well Read Magazine.
