Today I have a few announcements to pass along. The first is *both* of the new books are now available through all the major e-retailers (Amazon Kindle, Barnes and Noble Nook, KOBO Reader (independent booksellers), Apple i-Library, and so forth. I'm thrilled by this, especially because the "hard copy" version of Ain't No Harm to Kill the Devil: The Life and Legend of John Fairfield, Abolitionist for Hire won't be released until September 15! Interest in the book has been so high that the e-version was released early for those anxious to dive into the books. The "companion e-book" that goes with Ain't No Harm.... is also now available as well. This "companion e-book" is titled Finding Fairfield: The Behind-the-Scenes Story of Ain't No Harm to Kill the Devil: The Life and Legend of John Fairfield, Abolitionist for Hire. If one types "Finding Fairfield" into the search area of any of the e-book retailers, the full title will pop right up. Finding Fairfield is something of an experiment in the world of publishing. In it, readers will get the story of how I conducted my research to write Ain't No Harm... -- and readers will be able to journey along with me as I visited Underground Railroad depots, famous historical sites, museums/archives -- and even see what it was like to go on a "Ghost Walk" near where major events in the story took place. Many readers have already asked me this: "Which book should be read first, since they both are part of the story package?" My answer is simple: The reading order does not matter! Finding Fairfield provides a detailed look at how the book came about, but it does not have huge "spoilers" in it. Therefore, it could be read *before* jumping into the adventure of the main book -- or it could be read after -- and be made a delicious dessert added to the main story.
I also have a few book events coming up, and I'd like to start posting them here.
***September 28: Missouri History Museum, St. Louis, Missouri. I'll be talking about my book Olivia's Story: The Conspiracy of Heroes Behind 'Shelley v. Kraemer.' The event starts at 1 p.m., and it is free and open to the public. The 'Shelley v. Kraemer' U.S. Supreme Court decision, which had its roots right there in St. Louis, is the culminating event in the book, and I'll be talking about how the brave individuals who fought for this ruling literally changed the face of the nation. Also, the venue, the Missouri History Museum, is located in Forest Park, one of the most beautiful places on earth. The Missouri History Museum is also just a few short miles from where all the main action took place in the book, so one may just be able to "feel the history" as we hold our discussion. It should be a fun afternoon.
***October 4: Barnes and Noble, Waterloo, Iowa -- First book signing for Ain't No Harm to Kill the Devil: The Life and Legend of John Fairfield, Abolitionist for Hire. The event will be held that day from 1-3 p.m. I'll be bringing cake for everyone to help celebrate the release of the book!
***October 13: National Public Radio program, "St. Louis On The Air," with host Don Marsh. On this day, at noon, I'll be at radio station KWMU in St. Louis to be on this program. Don Marsh and I will be talking about the historical significance of the events in Ain't No Harm to Kill the Devil: The Life and Legend of John Fairfield, Abolitionist for Hire. Listeners will be allowed to call in and ask questions about/discuss points covered in the program. Please visit the KWMU website for additional details. (As an aside, I believe Don Marsh to be the very best interviewer I've ever met. He is a true treasure on the airwaves!)
***November 13: Prairie Lights Books, Iowa City, Iowa: Reading and book signing for Ain't No Harm to Kill the Devil: The Life and Legend of John Fairfield, Abolitionist for Hire. The event will begin at 6 p.m. and is free and open to the public.
Many other events will also be taking place this fall, and I'll be updating this list regularly. Watch for an event in your area. I'd love to meet you and visit about the new books.
Happy reading!
JSC
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