And So it Begins

FINALLY, after a rough year of health issues, I’m getting to hit the road tomorrow begin writing “Hiking Waterfalls of Alabama”! I can’t wait! I’ll be starting easy, just to get back into the swing of things – you know, things like, oh, reacquainting myself with the GPS, my routine for taking notes and photos, remembering how to walk without tripping on roots (just kidding). You know, minor things like that. I’m going to start with some easy hikes to get back into hiking form. I’ll be heading up to Birmingham to hit several falls – getting reacquainted with Moss Rock, Peavine, Falling Rock, and Boulder Canyon. That should get me started then the real research begins in the north of the state – the Sipsey, northwest and northeast Alabama, Talladega National Forest, etc.

Several people have asked if the book will be strictly about the Sipsey Wilderness and Bankhead Forest, after all, they are called the “Land of a Thousand Waterfalls”. No, it’s not only about the Sipsey although it will include plenty of hikes from there.

I have found over 150 waterfalls to investigate across the state. I’ll cull out the ones on private property, manmade spillways, falls next to highways, etc., to make it a true guide to hiking waterfalls in the state. The only drawback is, as always, the publisher limits the number of treks. I’m buttering them up to expand the number. Wish me luck.

See y’all in B’Ham this weekend!

And That's a Wrap

FINALLY! The final proof (what publishers used to call “galleys”) for Hidden History of Mobile arrived in my inbox yesterday. I parused it one last time and it looks great! The editors at History Press really made me look good. Next step – off to be printed then off to your favorite bookstore! You can pre-order now online through Amazon.Com or Barnes and Noble.

I really can’t wait to line up presentations and signings for this one. The book covers some history that has long been forgotten about the Port City - Mobile - and also adds some lesser known history to more well-known stories and characters from Mobile’s past. 

I really need to thank all of the journalists as well as the staff of the Mobile Museum and Mobile Public Library Local History and Genealogy for all of their help. I couldn’t have done it without them.

This book is only a VERY small look at the hidden history of Mobile and its 300+ year old history. There are many other stories out there. If you want to delve deeper into the subject after reading the book, may I suggest you take one of the Secret History tours. Full disclosure, I haven’t been able to go on the tour yet myself (I've been busy with the book), but from very reliable sources and close friends, it’s a must-do tour that walks the streets of Mobile and takes you through some more incredible history. Be sure to check it out. And who knows, I might be on that tour with you.

And a Follow Up

Just got back from my trip back home to New Jersey and had a great time. Had a chance to visit Ellis Island while I was there and almost 97-years to the day that my grandparents arrived in the U.S. on that island, the family name was added to the Wall of Honor along with 700,000 other immigrants. It was an emotional day, to say the least.

Also had a great visit with the old “gang”, you know, the friends you have heard so much about in my short stories and podcast. No one told me I got the stories wrong, so that’s a plus. :)

But the bigger news is a follow up to my last post. I finally had a chance to read through the edits for the new book, Hidden History of Mobile, made what (surprisingly) few corrections had to be made, and sent it back to the editor at History Press. Those folks have this down to a science. Like I said, I sent the edits back on Friday and Monday morning – POOF! They had the book already formatted for printing! Just needs one more read through and off to the printer it goes and to a book store near you in a few weeks.

Can't wait for the big release. I'll keep you posted.

Red Ink Time

I really don’t know what the best part is of writing a book – completing the first draft, first seeing the cover art, or seeing the ultimate layout and working through edits before it goes into production.

I know, the latter – working the edits – seems more like a chore than a pleasant surprise, but to me, it is exciting to finally get to see what the project will look like when completed and the editing process, at least for me, is a learning process. Only rarely do I wear my heart on my sleeve, take offense to a red mark, and fight for a position. So far, all of my editors have been great and have nailed it every time. Oh, there were times, like when they argued with me when I first wrote in Hiking Alabama that, in many years, Mobile is the wettest city in America. I had to get the staff at the National Weather Service in Mobile to set them right. Same with stating that Mobile was the birthplace of Mardi Gras in America and that Mobile produced more Hall of Fame baseball players than any other city with the exception of New York and Chicago.

But I’m excited because the production editor for my latest book, Hidden History of Mobile, emailed and the edits for the book will be in my inbox this week. I’ll let you know if the editors need correcting or if they nailed it again ;)

The book is slated for release in time for Christmas with what I think are fascinating stories of the first women to arrive in the Port City and their “petticoat revolution” and invention (creation?) of gumbo to the country; the story of Elvis, the Radio Ranch, and a concert at Vigor High School; the unknown story of arguably the most successful free black during reconstruction, Reverend Shandy Jones; the tale of Harpo Marx getting his first real harp; and many, MANY more tales.

Can't wait to see the results and FINALLY, share it with all of you.

Different Year, Same Old Dilema

I’m getting really excited to be taking my first vacation after what seems like an eternity after all the health issues this year. This year I’m very excited to be heading back to the “homeland” – New Jersey – where I’ll be picking up shipping containers full of Criterion Salt Water Taffy in Eatontown, cartons of Wise Cheese Waffies from Stop and Shop, and visiting where it all started for the Cuhaj’s - Ellis Island. But more on the vacation in another post.

It’s a quiet time with my writing right now. When I get back from vacation, I have several projects – again – that need to be worked on like the edits for the new book, Hidden History of Mobile, research on Hiking Waterfalls Alabama, as well as several short stories heading to publishers, and a new outdoor-centric podcast coming soon.

In the meantime, and before the vacation, I’m really looking forward to hearing author Carolyn Haines speak at the Mobile Writer’s Guild meeting Thursday. I was introduced to Carolyn’s writing with her Sarah Booth Mysteries, but Carolyn’s writing goes far beyond a single genre and that’s what she will be talking about at the meeting – multi-genre writing, which, if you haven’t noticed, is me.

There are many authors and publishers that think writing in multi-genres is blasphemy. You should pick a genre and stick with it. It makes it difficult to have a work published when you say, “I have a mystery I want to submit” then your resume of published books says, “hiking guides.”

And that’s unfortunate because there are plenty of authors who are just as comfortable writing a travel guide one minute, then a mystery novel, then an historical non-fiction. To me, it only makes a person a better writer.

That’s my problem - getting over the marketing hurdle. It’s difficult promoting my outdoor recreation guides, short stories, novels, and historical pieces without it becoming muddled and giving readers (and publishers) more of a reason to say, “Stick with the hiking guides”.

It’s going to be a great session and if you can identify with what I’m saying, then you need to join the conversation with Carolyn Thursday at 6 p.m. at the Mobile Western Regional Library on Grelot Road.

Falcon Guides Announce Joe Cuhaj's Latest Outdoor Guide - "Hiking Waterfalls Alabama"

Falcon Guides and author Joe Cuhaj are pleased to announce that Joe has contracted to write his 9^th outdoor recreation guide for the publisher. The book will be titled, Hiking Waterfalls in Alabama.

As the title implies, Hiking Waterfalls in Alabama will take hikers of all stripes to some of the most beautiful and secluded cascades in the state. The guide will feature roadside waterfalls that people of all ages and abilities can visit, short easy hikes down a mountain or canyon trail to rushing waters with beautiful blue-green pools, and difficult hikes for more seasoned hikers to some of the state’s lesser known and more remote waterfalls.

Cuhaj says that research for the book is now underway. “The first step is to map out travel plans to visit all of these falls. As of right now, the list is at about 150 waterfalls that I will explore and from that decide the best 50 or 60 to include in the book.”

Of course, waterfalls in Alabama are mostly seasonal. “Yeah, summertime isn’t the prime waterfall watching season in the state, unless there are some decent rains. The best times are in the fall and winter months, maybe into early spring, when there is plenty of rainfall. So, I’ll actually start hitting the trails in September.”

The book is scheduled to be completed by March, 2020.

Cuhaj’s other books for Falcon include:

·     HikingAlabama (formerly Hike America Alabama, now in its 4^th edition)

·     Hiking the Gulf Coast

·     Hikingthrough History Alabama

·     BestDog Hikes Alabama

·    PaddlingAlabama

Joe has also penned a book for Menasha Ridge Press titled, Best Tent Camping Alabama, and a brief history of baseball in the state’s Port City titled, Baseball in Mobile, for Arcadia Publishing. He is currently wrapping up work on a new book for History Press titled, the Hidden History of Mobile, that will be released fall of 2019.

The Great Lemonade War of 1965

Good morning, all. Time for another episode of my short story podcast, "Joe Cuhaj's Shorts". This is a quick one about something we all did as a kid (or most of us, anyway) - make some quick cash with a lemonade stand. It's called, "The Great Lemonade War of 1965".

And don't forget, you can find all episodes at JoeCuhaj.Com. Enjoy, won't you?