Going Out Like A Lion

 

Aye, it's not fit for man nor beast down here on the Alabama Gulf Coast today. Storms are making their way in. That makes it a perfect day to sit here in my office, gaze out the window and soak in the inspiration of the gathering storm for a bit of writing.

A lot has been happening since last we met. Many new writing projects - and a few old ones that I've been revamping - are boiling waiting to be released to the world. 

Having said that, I had one of those mornings this past week that writers dread, filled with rejection emails. I always joke that my rejection letter collection keeps growing, but in reality, I am very fortunate that it is relatively small. But this week I was hit with four. I always give the same advice to aspiring authors: remember not to wear your heart on your sleeve. First, that would be a literal bloody mess - LOL! - and second, it happens. Be ready and take them in stride. Hopefully the letters will give you feedback as to why your work was turned down. If so, latch on to it and make your work better.

In other news, Episode 1 of the companion podcast to my new book, "The Pig War & the Pelican Girls: Forgotten Stories from American History," dropped last week. Episode 1 is titled, "The Keeper of the Flame." You can listen or download the episode by following the links below. I look forward to reading your comments. Episode 2 drops April 8th.

* My Website (w/video clips used in the episode): http://www.joe-cuhaj.com/the-pig-war---pelican-girls.html

* Public Radio Exchange (PRX): https://exchange.prx.org/.../566459-the-pig-war-and-the...

* Podbean: https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-ewxpb-185ae1c...

As for the book itself, I was excited this past Saturday to open my front door and nearly fall flat on my face tripping over a box. It was full of my latest book (#20, I had to do a recount), “The Pig War and the Pelican Girls: 21 Extraordinary and Forgotten Stories from American History.” I will have a very limited number of copies for sale beginning tomorrow, a few weeks before it hits bookstores. Visit my website - http://joe-cuhaj.com - tomorrow (4/1) for details. 

And in yet more news about "The Pig War," I hope you will join me for a celebration of independent books stores April 26th at the The Haunted Book Shop, 9 S. Joachim St., Mobile. I’ll be signing copies of my new book, “The Pig War and the Pelican Girls,” from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., but you’ll want to spend the day. Author Frye Gailliard will be there from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and I’m sure there will be plenty of surprises and specials.

 

That's all for now. Until next time, thanks for reading and for your support of my books. 

It's Here!

 

In case you haven't heard, Episode 1 of the companion podcast to my latest book, "The Pig War and the Pelican Girls," has dropped! Titled "The Keeper of the Flame," the episode tells the story of Charlie Deleo, the man who was literally the keeper of Lady Liberty's flame.

You can listen and download the episode by clicking on the following links. Episode 2 drops April 8th. The book hits bookstores April 22nd.

My website (w/video clips used in the episode):

http://www.joe-cuhaj.com/the-pig-war---pelican-girls.html

Public Radio Exchange (PRX):

https://exchange.prx.org/.../566459-the-pig-war-and-the...

Podbean:

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-ewxpb-185ae1c...

It Begins Tomorrow

 

Good morning, friends. A reminder that the companion podcast to my new book, "The Pig War and the Pelican Girls," debuts tomorrow! The 5-part series will present even more little known, obscure, and forgotten tales of American history that wasn't included in the book.

I'll be posting links to where you can download or stream each bi-weekly episode. It all begins tomorrow. 

The book hits bookstores April 22nd. My first signing is set for April 26th at the Haunted Bookshop on S. Joachim St. in Mobile, AL, from 1pm to 3pm. Hope you see you there. 

Marching In...to March

 

Spring is about to, well - spring, which actually means that summer is about to hit us here on the Gulf Coast. We skip over the nicest month of the year here on the Gulf Coast and go from a dead stop into the heat and humidity of summer. Just kidding, of course, but it sometimes seems that's the way it is.

I had an amazing time at the Orange Beach Festival of Art in - where else? - Orange Beach, Alabama this past weekend. Met some really great people including a couple from Long Branch, NJ, which immediately brought back memories of my first job in radio at WWUU - U107 - in Long Branch. I was working parttime overnights and part of my job was calling the Meadowlands Racetrack in East Rutherford and get the harness racing results read them over the air. And if I ever hear the Sheena Easton song, "9 to 5 (Morning Train)" one more time, it will be too soon.

The best part about doing an event like this where there are two or more authors together is spending quiet times talking about writing and the business of being an author. I learned so much comparing notes with history author Mike Bunn, poet and songwriter Mike Turner, and of course, mystery author Carolyn Haines who gave me invaluable insight into the process she uses for writing her 30 (THIRTY!) Sarah Booth Delany mysteries. 

It's on to the next event and it will be a big one - my new book, "The Pig War and Pelican Girls," hits both brick and mortar and online booksellers April 22nd and on April 26th, my first signing at one of my favorite indie bookshops, the Haunted Bookshop in Mobile. The signing coincides with Independent Bookstore Day. I'll be there from 1pm to 3pm. If you can't make it, you can pre-order the book here. While the sub-title says "21 Extraordinary Tales of American History," there are 21 main stories and another 25 shorter ones. I think you will find the stories fascinating.

Oh, and did I mention - author Frye Gaillard will be there signing as well from 11am to 1pm. His book, "A Hard Rain," is on the top of my recommended reading lists.

As for writing, I have a ton of projects in motion, as always. Besides doing promotion for "The Pig War," I am completing production of the 10-part companion podcast. My book, "Notable Women of Alabama," is still not ready for release. I was hoping the publisher would have had the edits and galleys completed by now for release during Women's History Month, but the deadline for me to complete the writing made it impossible and those edits are taking a long time. Still, I should be getting the final proofs soon and before you know it, it will hit bookshops. The book bios 50 incredible women who are from or moved to the state and made a difference not only here, but around the world as well.

Two publishers have shown interest in a couple of proposals I have sent out - a new non-fiction history and a new fiction book. Keep your fingers crossed on those. If the fiction is picked up, I'll be a happy man. It's something I've always wanted to write.

And that's all from the writing room for now. I hope to see you April 26th in Mobile.