Odds 'n Ends

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.

I guess my latest Prometheus Book, "Everyone's Gone to the Moon: July 1969, Life on Earth, and the Epic Voyage of Apollo 11" is getting recognition. Three times this week I've had people stop me and say, "You're the moon book fellow, aren't you?" :) That's easier than trying to pronounce my last name. I'll take it.

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.

Anyway, that's what's new here. More to come.

You Never Know What You'll Find

 

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.

Another Piece of Forgotten History

 

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!