May 2025 Newsletter

 Hello again, everyone. I hope you all have been doing well. It’s been busy here in the old writing room. A lot has happened recently and a lot more is on the way.

 First off, I hope you have had a chance to catch the latest episode of The Pig War and the Pelican Girls companion podcast. Episode 4 tells the story of a fascinating lady, Stagecoach Mary, only the second woman and the only African American woman to deliver mail and supplies through the wild west of the 1800s for the U.S. Post Office. You can listen on my website (there are also video clips), on Public Radio Remix (PRX), or Podbean. The final episode will drop Tuesday, May 20th.

Speaking of The Pig War and the Pelican Girls book, we had a nice turnout for Independent Bookstore Day at the Haunted Book Shop in Mobile, and soon after, the book had a short write up in a local newspaper. The book is available at your favorite local bookstore and online retailer. If you order online, please consider Bookshop.org. A portion of the sale is donated to independent bookstores across the country.

As for my first cozy mystery, it’s a big week. I’ll be pitching to several agents this weekend. I’m a bit nervous since I’m jumping out of my comfort zone writing non-fiction history and outdoor recreation guides into a new genre. Fingers crossed!

 And speaking of mysteries, I had a great time meeting and interview author Tom Spencer at the Haunted Book Shop for his new novel, The Mystery of the Crooked Man. It is an amazing book and I highly recommend it to you cozy lovers out there. I wrote a review for the Alabama Writers Forum that you can read here.

 Oh, and for those waiting for the release of Notable Women of Alabama, it is scheduled for publication in October. More as we get closer.

 That’s all for now. Until next time…

The Pig War Press Kit is Available Now!

 

For media outlets, book retailers, or organizations, Joe Cuhaj is available for interviews, book signings, and presentation on his latest book, "The Pig War and the Pelican Girls." A complete press kit with more information is now available.

Quite the Week

 

Book release day is always exciting, but it makes for a busy week. My 20th book, "The Pig War & the Pelican Girls: 21 Extraordinary Forgotten Stories from American History," hit bookstores this past Tuesday.

The book is another deep dive into little known, obscure, and forgotten stories from history, this time focusing on American history. The title is a bit of a misnomer because while there are 21 main stories I have researched, there are an additional 21 that I call, "Footnotes to History," shorter tales just as fascinating that I felt needed to be told.

The book is available now at your favorite online or local bookstore. If you order online, may I suggest Bookshop.Org, an online bookseller that donates a portion of sales to help independent bookstores. 

Better yet, I invite you to come to my first book signing for "The Pig War" this Saturday, April 26th, at the Haunted Bookshop in Mobile, AL. I'll be signing from 1 to 3 pm, but come on down and spend the day. It's a celebration of Independent Bookstore Day with other great authors, snacks, and surprises.

And of course, you know that I just had to drop the next episode of The Pig War's companion podcast. Episode 3 is titled, "Viking Phones Home," the story of the opening of the National Air and Space Museum in July 1976, the special "guest" that did the ribbon cutting - the Viking Mars spacecraft from millions of miles away as it orbited the Red Planet. You can catch the latest episode on my website (complete with the videos used to produce the episode,) Public Radio Exchange (PRX), and Podbean.

So, as I said, a busy week! Hope you enjoy "The Pig War and the Pelican Girls" and I look forward to seeing you Saturday at the Haunted Bookshop. Till next time...

We're happy to announce that Episode 2 of the Pig War and the Pelican Girls Companion Podcast has dropped! This episode it titled, "Fighting Fascism with Style," and traces the early history of lipstick as a symbol of power and strength and later as a sign of defiance during World War II.

You can listen to the episode on our website, complete with videos used in the episode and transcript. 

You can also listen and download the episode from Podbean.

Enjoy! I look forward to hearing from you with your comments.

 

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.