“Sid Johnson and the Phantom Slave Stealer will go down as the best historical novel I have ever read.” Wow! A review like this one means a lot to a writer, even better, it is from Readers’ Favorite, a website that offers reviews by people who enjoy books but make no claim to being professional
Jonathan Walker was an abolitionist known as “The Man With the Branded Hand.” Sid Johnson and the Phantom Slave Stealer, my forthcoming book, owes a debt to the abolitionist for its title. A lot goes into choosing a title for any book. Choosing the title for Sid Johnson’s story was a challenge until I got
You Belong Here, by Baltimore Artist Kacey Stafford Tucked into the basket that I prepared for the Malice Domestic live auction was a Kacey Stafford signed print, “You Belong Here.” The print is a contribution from the Baltimore artist and friend. Kacey’s work reflects her priorities of family, nature, and social responsibility. The Found Studio
Tea and Biscuits from Betty’s I was very happy that my Silent Auction Basket at Malice Domestic went to someone who was delighted to win it. Not only will she have the fun of drinking tea from a reproduction of the Mimbreno china created by Mary Colter for the Santa Fe Chief trains, but she’ll
The Silent Auction at Malice Domestic benefits KEEN Greater DC, supporting reading, literacy and communication programs. Creating a basket for the Silent Auction requires thought and creativity.
The Alabaster Caverns near Freedom, OK are one of two places in the world where you can find black alabaster. Not far from the Santa Fe Trail, it is important in The Black Alabaster Box. 3 min. read. Kid Friendly.
The Santa Fe Trail recently celebrated its 200th Anniversary. Who were the people who used the trail? Author, Frances Schoonmaker, discusses a fictional family making the trip west and offers resources for discovering more about the Santa Fe Trail. 6 minute read. Kid Friendly.
The diverse history of the Great Westward Migration is illustrated in the life of James Pierson Beckwourth. Born in 1798 to slavery, Beckwourth was of mixed race. His larger-than-life story reached from the Crow Nation in Wyoming to the town named for him in California.
2021 marked the 200th Anniversary of the Santa Fe Trail. First and foremost a trade route, it began with a man hard-pressed for cash: William Bucknell. (2 minute read)
BSP and Learning to Celebrate my work are challenging. Nobody likes a braggart. But there are times when it is right to celebrate your work with others. Learning to self-promote is a critical part of the writer’s life. 2 minute read.
I have better things to do than fill your inbox, but I will update you on news, such as Sid Johnson and the Phantom Slave Stealer’s nomination for an Agatha Award. It was one of five finalists–an incredible honor.
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