I Finally Make the New York Times!

No, not a book review. That would be nice, but you gotta take what you can get. The picture below appeared in the NYT a couple of days ago, in connection to the current activity of former Watergate conspirator John Dean. It shows Dean being sworn in before the Senate Investigating Committee in 1973.

To Dean's left there is a guy looking at a pad of paper. Above that guy's left shoulder, right where his sleeve meets his coat, you can see the top of a blond head. That's my head! I was eleven years old and my family was taking a trip across country when we happened to be in Washington for Dean's historic testimony. My dad is the man standing against the back wall right over the left shoulder of Notepad Man. Notepad Man is blocking my sister and mother, who were sitting to my right.

A nearly identical picture, taken from a higher angle, appears in Dean's book Blind Ambition. In that one my sister and I are clearly visible, which is how I know that the scalp in this picture is me.

I was a bit young to truly appreciate the historical significance of Dean's testimony, but listening to my folks talk I knew it was big.

Now, the next New York Times appearance had better be a glowing book review...

The Madness Continues

Haven't updated the blog in a while because I keep waiting for some exciting news to report but there appears to be none in the offing. So, just to let folks know I'm still above ground, here we go.

Still hitting to promotion trail for the new book, With Fire and Sword. I was recently down in Boston doing a book signing at U.S.S. Constitution, my favorite ship. Here are some pictures.



Cool ship. Bloody cold day.

Some school kids from St. Louis recently sent me a Flat Stanley, a cut out guy based on kids book by Jeff Brown of that name. The idea is that Stanley enjoys adventures in other places, and then returns to the kids who sent him. In this case Stanley helped me with my book signing.




Jim Nelson and Flat Stanley sign books at the U.S.S. Constitution Museum Store



Jim and Lisa's Great Virginia Adventure

Just got back from Mount Vernon, where I had the chance to deliver one of the talks at their Michelle Smith Lecture Series. Excellent trip. On the morning of the talk my wife Lisa and I (we had driven to Virginia the day before) woke up and had a leisurely (i.e. no kids) breakfast then drove the half hour to Mount Vernon. There we were shown the suite they were putting us up in (I'm not saying it was terrific, but they did have to call security to get us to leave the next day. The guards had to pry Lisa's fingers from the post of the four poster bed) and we spent the day touring the grounds and the wonderful museum they have there. Great place, a must see.

Here we are in front of Mount Vernon

Later on we changed and walked through the grounds to the Welcome Center where I gave the talk. A full house, and people who love Washington and all things Revolution, the best kind of audience. After that signed books furiously for forty-five minutes. Sold out nearly all the stock of books. Next Lisa and I had a wonderful dinner with Jim Rees, Executive Director at Mount Vernon, Mrs. Smith who sponsored the series and some other wonderful people. That done, it was back to our suite.

The next day I said to Lisa, "I'm not sure how a day can get any better..."

Furiously signing books - my favorite activity

(or at least it's pretty high on the list)

And now, back to reality...



Let the Madness Commence!

The official book promo madness has begun! Did my first book signing for With Fire and Sword the other night at Borders in Portland, Maine. Had to sign books quick as the bank was in the process of repossessing the store while I sat there.

Naw, just kidding. Apparently none of the Borders in Maine are slated to close. Which is good because every other bookstore in the state has been crushed underfoot.

Tomorrow my wife Lisa and I are off to Virginia for a talk at Mount Vernon (members only...which makes me ask, "would I want to give a talk at a place that would have me as a speaker?") then next weekend off to the Virginia Festival of the Book. The whole nutty schedule is on my web site, www.jameslnelson.com.

With Fire and Sword got a nice review in the Philadelphia Inquirer. Actually, a very nice review.

The Pub Date!

For regular folk, a "Pub Date" would probably mean taking your wife or girlfriend out for a fun evening at some quaint Irish or British-inspired drinking establishment, sucking down Guiness and playing darts. But to the writer, those words have a much greater significance:

The New Book is Out!

At long last, the most anticipated literary event in south western Harpswell, Maine, With Fire and Sword: The Battle of Bunker Hill and the Beginning of the American Revolution is officially available! While it may take a week or so to filter into stores, it is available for immediate purchase on line at Amazon.com, Borders.com (careful of that bankruptcy thing) and Barnes & Noble.com.

Rush out in a buying frenzy! If you buy two, you can use one for parts. And remember, it is scientifically proven that buying used books can cause irritable bowel syndrome.

Helen Hollick's Blog

A friend and fellow writer, Helen Hollick, who is much more adept at the whole blog thing than I am, has started a page where she invites guests to be featured on her blog. This month I get that honor! Check out Helen's blog here - it's fun, lots of good stuff, and an interview with me, which does not detract much from the overall quality.

Free-Bees for the Winning!

Now is your chance to win free copies of my George Washington related titles! In celebration of Washington's Birthday, the publisher, McGraw-Hill/International Marine is running a sweepstakes on their Facebook page. So check it out and enter! If you win, you get a free book. If you lose, an old pirate comes to your door and hands you a paper with a black spot on it. Then you're on your own.