Mainly because it was cheap. It’s a 2013 Nissan Leaf. We have a grounded outdoor outlet where I plug it in, and then I plug it in again at work. At Hy-Vee (one of the grocery stores here in town) there’s a big outlet thingy that will give you a …
To recap: My book, Courageous Women of the Civil War: Soldiers, Spies, Medics, and More came out in August of last year. Shortly after, several things happened. I was at a local author’s showcase with my one book on the table, and folks I knew and admired had a whole …
While I was writing Courageous Women of the Civil War, I kept running across all these Civil War generals that had the damndest facial hair you ever saw. I mean it wasn’t like the 2014 Royals where everybody suddenly sprouted beards and actually starting winning games. I mean ginormous beards, …
Dang, I am happy to see this one finished. Charles Anctil, Master Rosarian with the American Rose Society, and personal buddy, has looked over the manuscript and made recommendations, all of which I followed, so I have his stamp of approval on this book. Roses are the Queen of Flowers. …
Guys, I did a show with Gerry Prokopowicz on Wednesday! I was talking about my book, Courageous Women of the Civil War. I was very nervous but once I was on the air I did fine. I really enjoyed the interview. Gerry’s a great host and asked some good questions …
I had a total blast at Gettysburg. I climbed up the Longstreet Tower three times in two days, just because I could I suppose, learned about the cavalry fights to the east, walked Pickett’s Charge, went to the big places, and even saw a Segway tour which was … different. …
I do a little regular work for Xiaoduo Media, writing science and tech articles for young readers in China (somebody else translates them, thank goodness). Recently they had me do a little Q&A for their readers, which I had fun with as usual. I don’t know when it’s going to …
My favorite books are those where the characters spout wisecracks that make me laugh aloud, or those that capture the tiny details of life so clearly that I feel like I’m actually there with the main character, seeing those details. I want to write books like that. But then I …
I have a little throwaway line in my book, Courageous Women of the Civil War, about when the women of both sides rushed to prepare their soldiers for battle in the early days of the Civil War. Women knitted all kinds of goods for the men, such as socks and …
How about that? The first review — like the first bluebird of spring. At least it was a bluebird and not a Pteranodon come to tear my head off. The review is from Kirkus, and though I’ve heard they can be pretty harsh reviewers, my book got an even-handed treatment …
