Tui Snider - author & speaker

Texas

Author Interview: 4 Questions for B. Alan Bourgeois

by Leave a Comment

A passion for helping other authors

I first met B. Alan Bourgeois through a rather cheeky exchange on Twitter. A few years ago, when I saw his tweet about the Authors Marketing Event (AME), I replied by asking if they needed someone to give a presentation on the topic of Twitter for Writers. Long story short: he said yes, and I’ve been attending (and teaching at) this wonderful (and FUN!) annual event ever since.

Alan doesn’t just write, he also spends time and energy helping authors learn to promote themselves. And I mean a LOT of time and energy. Frankly, I don’t know when or if he sleeps! Even though I see Alan every summer at AME, there’s always so much going on and he’s always so focused on making the event run smoothly (no easy feat!) that I’ve never really had the chance to ask about him. What makes him tick? I know he writes; I know he loves helping other writers; but why? I just wasn’t sure where all that came from.

After seeing his responses to my interview questions, I have a better understanding of Alan. At the lowest point in his life, he threw himself into helping others. I hope you enjoy learning more about B. Alan Bourgeois in the following 4 Question Author Interview:

B. Alan Bourgeois
1. Tell us about your writing routine, i.e. do you write every day, or at a certain time, or in a certain place, etc? 

Alan: I have a double writing routine.  First for my book and short story writings, I need to be locked away from TV, phone and other distractions so my mind can relax and I can allow for the spirit or energy to be released and for the story to unfold.  I write it out by hand on paper first and then I will edit it via PC.

My second writing routine is for my businesses.  As someone who helps authors around the country, it is important to keep them one step ahead of the publishing curve, so when something new is happening, or changes occur in the industry, I drop everything and write what needs to be said.  Making sure that the authors are up to date as quickly as possible so that they may succeed.

2. Like you, I’m passionate about helping fellow writers, especially with promotion. My passion was born out of years of isolation and bullying. The internet, and especially Twitter, helped me find my tribe. So I’m curious about you; where did you get your tremendous passion and drive to help other writers from?

Alan: I have had the drive to help people from when I was a teenager.  I was able to do this through a lot of programs over the years in a lot of forms.  My desire to help authors came from my time as a publisher.  While I was getting books published for authors around the world in the early 2000’s, I saw and felt how important marketing was and the massive growth that laid ahead for getting published.

Realizing the high cost of marketing, I knew that most authors couldn’t afford to compete against the big publishers, or even the mid-size publishers.  But, without marketing an author will not be able to succeed as much as they want.  It is all about getting people to know you have a book and without them, you will not get book sales.

In addition, I saw how some companies were out to just rip off the author with false promises and that just pissed me off.  It was these two key aspects that led me to create the organization Texas Authors which is now the Authors Marketing Guild and helps authors worldwide.

When authors work with me and they see success, that is the happiest time for me related to this work.  I am tickled to see that happen often.  But, like me, an author has to work the programs and be determined in order to succeed.

B. Alan Bourgeois via TuiSnider.com

3. What is the Authors Marketing Guild? Why did you create it? Is it just for Texas authors? 

Alan: In August 2011 at my lowest time in life, I created Texas Assoc. of Authors to help authors succeed.  In 2018 I added the Indie Beacon group, which did the same things as Texas Authors, but for authors outside of Texas.  In 2019, we merged these two organizations and made it a membership owned business.

As Authors Marketing Guild LLC (AMG), we are able to grow stronger and increase our opportunities for authors to get more exposure and have more opportunities to succeed.  While our authors in the Middle East, or Eurpoe and Australia may have slightly different challenges then those in the USA, we work with them to get that help when possible.

It is exciting and scary to see how different countries are publishing books, or facing the changes in the electronic world.  All of these challenges gives me more to work with to help authors worldwide.

4. Tell us about the AME and what authors can expect? Do they have to attend in person?

Alan: In 2016 as we continued to grow, we created the Authors Marketing Event (AME) which is an opportunity for authors to learn in person from professionals on how to better market and sell their books.  This fun weekend includes the authors gala where we announce the winners of our two book contests, and celebrate being a published author.

In 2017 we began to record the sessions and put them online so people could access the videos and continue to learn all year, or even to refresh their memory during the year.  Our events are so full of information, that the attendees leave a bit overwhelmed with the great valuable information, so the videos help keep them on track.

While it is the authors benefit to be at the weekend event in person, we do offer the videos online so they can still connect to the educational process.  The videos are available for a fee, but those that attend in person get all the videos at no additional charge.  That’s over 24 videos and growing with great tips and tools to help them through the process.  Plus, those that attend the event pay less for the event and the video’s then if they purchase access to the videos on-line.

The Authors Marketing Event is a fun weekend event that continues to grow with attendees and value each year.

B. Alan Bourgeois via TuiSnider.com

Learn more about B. Alan Bourgeois:

BIO: B. Alan Bourgeois has been writing for over 30 years in a wide variety of genres and styles. He has won numerous awards for short stories, books and speaking during his career. All of this has led him to become one of the leading author advocates for Indie Authors in the past 7 years. This includes nonprofits and other organizations that have spot lighted Texas & Indie Authors and moved them into the category and recognition of traditionally published authors from New York, Chicago and the West Coast.

Through the years he continues to create programs and events that have gained recognition across the country and in many cases are now being copied in local areas. Yet, as he will tell you, his greatest work is still to come with the publication of two books; Authors Revolution Workbook (2019) and I’m Crazy Great scheduled for release in 2021.

Through both of these books, he will show authors how to regain their control and financial wealth as writers, while also inspiring people from around the world to stay true to their dreams when it means helping others, even at your own cost.

For more information about Alan and his various projects, follow these links:

Books: Books by B. Alan Bourgeois
Twitter: @BAlanBourgeois
Authors Marketing Event info: Authors Marketing Event (AME) [Note from Tui: On February 16, the price for this action-packed weekend jumps from $199.95 to $249. It will go up to $495 by the event date. So if you want to learn helpful book marketing strategies either in-person or online, now’s the time to grab your ticket!  I’d love to see you there!]

Before you go… Want to keep up with Tui Snider?

No matter where you live in the galaxy, Tui's books can take you on a FUN adventure!
No matter where you live in the galaxy, Tui Snider’s books can take you on a FUN adventure!

PRIVATE NEWSLETTER: If you’d like to keep up with me, you might like my newsletter. It comes out every Sunday. Use the form below to sign up if you’d like to:

  • Know where I speak next
  • Find out when my next books come out
  • Learn offbeat trivia
  • See unique cemetery & travel photos
  • Be in the loop for any other fun news!

FREEBIE: As a thank you for signing up to my newsletter, you’ll receive a historic cemetery symbols guide I created called “A Quick Guide to The Many Meanings of Hands.”

REVIEW: The Color Purple – Musical Revival

by Leave a Comment

Opening night for THE COLOR PURPLE in Dallas ended with a cheering crowd and a standing ovation at the Winspear Opera House in the downtown Dallas Arts District. 

(Company of the National Tour, THE COLOR PURPLE © JEREMY DANIEL)
(Company of the National Tour, THE COLOR PURPLE © JEREMY DANIEL)

THE COLOR PURPLE is a Tony Award-winning musical revival based on the Pulitzer Prize winning novel by Alice Walker. The story spans the years 1910 through 1940, and the Grammy-winning score expertly infuses the musical flavors of that era, everything from gospel, jazz, ragtime, and blues.

For those unfamiliar with the source material, the opening scene of THE COLOR PURPLE may come as a jolt. The casual manner in which 14-year-old Celie (Mariah Lyttle) mentions that her two children were fathered by her dad (Jeremy Whatley) may shock you. To Celie, it’s a matter of fact event. After her mother died, her father expected her to fulfill her role in every way, from keeping house to having sex. He’s in charge, and it’s the only world Celie has ever known.

Each time she gives birth, Celie’s dad, Alphonso, takes the baby away. While she prays that he gives them up for adoption, the local rumor mill claims that he kills these babies in the woods. The one joy in Celie’s life is the unconditional love she shares with her little sister, Nettie (Nashka Desrosiers.)

Celie is willing to bear her dad’s abuse because it shields Nettie from him and gives the younger girl the opportunity to attend school. It’s hardly ideal, but Celie clings to Nettie and the possibilities for Nettie’s future as her one sustaining hope.

(Sandie Lee, Company of the National Tour, THE COLOR PURPLE © JEREMY DANIEL)
(Sandie Lee, Company of the National Tour, THE COLOR PURPLE © JEREMY DANIEL)

Even this tiny bit of solace is soon stolen from Celie. After much negotiation, a man Celie knows only as “Mister” (Andrew Malone), takes her as his wife. Being Mister’s wife means more abuse and thankless servitude, only this time with step-children and a bigger house to maintain. Mister keeps Celie locked up in the house and forbids her from writing letters to Nettie. As the years pass, Mister even lets her conclude that Nettie must be dead since she never hears from her.

Eventually, two unusual women enter Celie’s life. Unlike the other women she has known, these ladies take charge of their lives in a way that Celie would have never believed possible. The first is the wife of Mister’s son, Harpo (Brandon A. Wright.) Her name is Sofia (Chédra Arielle), and Celie is both shocked and delighted to watch Sofia stand up for herself in her relationship with Harpo. Sofia says what she thinks and clearly feels equal to anyone else, man or woman.

It’s also shocking for Celie to see how physically affectionate they are, something Celie has had very little of in her life. My favorite song and dance number from the show is when Sofia and Harpo kiss and make up in the hilariously suggestive “Any Little Thing.”

(Chédra Arielle, Brandon A. Wright, THE COLOR PURPLE © JEREMY DANIEL)
(Chédra Arielle, Brandon A. Wright, THE COLOR PURPLE © JEREMY DANIEL)

The other woman to rock Celie’s world is Shug Avery (Sandie Lee.) Long before she steps onto the stage, Shug’s presence is felt in this story. Everyone in town is fascinated by her whether they speak good or ill of her. Shug managed to escape her small town fate by making a career for herself as a jazz singer, and leads an exotic life full of fancy clothes and travel.

Although the music is great throughout, it wasn’t until Shug sang “Push da Button” in the first act that I felt the musical side of this show really came to life. Like Sofia, she does not let men dominate her, and she actually enjoys sex.

Mister makes it no secret that he is head-over-heels for Shug, and when she falls ill, he brings her home and tells Celie to take care of her. Although quite rude to Celie at first, the two women eventually become close friends, and later, lovers, although the musical does not delve too deeply into this.

The dire circumstances and the grim realities of Celie’s life remind me of the trials a Charles Dickens character would endure.  Much like Oliver Twist, Celie is born into a world where she is not seen for who she is, but exploited by others.

Trade the grim realities of Victorian Era England for the grim realities of the American South in the 1910s through 1940s, and you have storylines in which the main character grows up in a harsh and nearly loveless world.

I don’t want to give away the entire story, but suffice it to say that in the end all the plot lines are exuberantly resolved: we learn the true fate of Nettie, we find out what happened to Celie’s children, and most importantly, we see a self-assured Celie carve out a place for herself as an independent woman and proudly announce to the world that “I’m here!”

Follow The Color Purple on social media:

Facebook page:  Color Purple Musical
Twitter profile:  @BwayColorPurple
Hashtag for social media: #OnceOnThisIsland
AT&T Performing Arts Center on Twitter & Instagram: @ATTPAC

See The Color Purple in Dallas:

Where: AT&T Performing Arts Center/Winspear Opera House, 2403 Flora Street, Dallas, TX 75201
Tickets: Check availability and book online at the AT&T Performing Art Center official website.
Runtime: Runs for 2 1/2 hours with a 20-minute intermission. Recommended for ages 12 and older.

NOTE: While tickets were provided for review purposes, the opinions expressed in this article are wholly my own.

Hey, you! Want to keep up with me?

No matter where you live in the galaxy, Tui's books can take you on a FUN adventure!
No matter where you live in the galaxy, Tui Snider’s books & presentations take you on a FUN adventure!

PRIVATE NEWSLETTER: If you’d like to keep up with me, you might like my newsletter, which comes out twice a month. Use the form below to sign up if you’d like to:

  • Know where I speak next
  • Find out when my next book comes out
  • Learn fun historical trivia
  • Be in the loop for other fun stuff

As a thank you for signing up to my newsletter, you’ll receive a historic cemetery symbols guide I created called “A Quick Guide to The Many Meanings of Hands.” 






Sign up for my newsletter below:

We respect your email privacy

REVIEW: Once On This Island – A Vibrant Tale in Storm-Ravaged Paradise

by Leave a Comment

 

Opening Night for Once On This Island

Opening night for ONCE ON THIS ISLAND, brought Caribbean heat to chilly North Dallas at the Winspear Opera House in the downtown Dallas Arts District. I was excited to attend since Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty’s catchy lyrics and island rhythms won the 2018 Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical with this captivating production.

Kyle Ramar Freeman as ‘Asaka’ and Courtnee Carter as ‘Ti Moune’ in the North American Tour of ONCE ON THIS ISLAND. Photo by Joan Marcus. 2019

Storm-ravaged Tropical Paradise

ONCE ON THIS ISLAND is set on an island in the French Antilles, although we never find out precisely which one. Even before the show starts, we quickly realize that the world of this play is an impoverished tropical paradise. As audience members file into the theatre, the curtain is already up, revealing characters who live in a beachside shantytown, with buildings created from a patchwork of corrugated tin. The staging is innovative, with the musicians on platforms overhead and room for 50 audience members to sit directly onstage, for what must have been a uniquely immersive experience.

The plot of ONCE ON THIS ISLAND unfurls as adults retelling a well-worn legend to a little schoolgirl who is hearing the tale for the first time. This story revolves around an orphan named Ti Moune (Courtnee Carter.) After her family is swept away during a storm, Ti Moune is adopted by an elderly couple. Despite living on the poor side of the island, she is a joyous girl who grows into a beautiful young woman.

 

MiMi Crossland as ‘Little Girl,’ Courtnee Carter as ‘Ti Moune’ and the Company of the North American Tour of ONCE ON THIS ISLAND. Photo by Joan Marcus. 2019

 

Island Gods

As Ti Moune grows up, she ponders why she survived the storm. Surely the gods must have important plans for her, and as the play progresses we see and hear four island gods plotting her fate. There’s Asaka (Kyle Ramar Freeman), the mother goddess, who is colorful and comforting; Erzulie, the Goddess of Love, (Cassondra James) who is graceful and plays the flute; and Agwe, the God of the Sea, (Jahmaul Bakare) who is robust and temperamental. My favorite, however, is Papa Ge a.k.a. the God of Death. American Idol fans may recognize Tamyra Gray in this role. To me, she perfectly embodies the enticing-yet-threatening presence of death.

Feels like an Ancient Folktale

When a handsome young man from the rich side of the island wrecks his car near Ti Moune’s family, she decides that healing him must be what the Gods have planned for her. She devotedly nurses the young man, falling in love in the process. Of course, since she lives on the poor side of the island and he comes from the rich side, their romance does not end well. No spoilers here, but the tremendously talented cast, imaginative staging, infectious choreography, and catchy music buoy this fast-paced story along to a surprising conclusion.

As I watched the play, it felt like an ancient folktale. In fact, I expected to learn that ONCE ON THIS ISLAND was based on a centuries-old story directly connected to the French Antilles. After all, many such tales involve the heartbreak created by arranged marriages, with lovers divided by their station in life.

The Company of the North American Tour of ONCE ON THIS ISLAND. Photo by Joan Marcus. 2019

Surprising origins

So I was quite surprised to learn that ONCE ON THIS ISLAND is based on a modern story, specifically the 1985 novel My Love, My Love by Rosa Guy. Guy’s novel is, in turn, a Caribbean retelling of the original “Little Mermaid,” by Hans Christian Anderson.

When I thought this was a retelling of a local folktale, I was willing to overlook the thinness of Ti Moune’s love for a good-looking man who was happy to use her and made no effort to fight for her. Had I existed as a fifth god in that island universe, I would have told her, “Honey, he doesn’t deserve you!” Even so, I left ONCE ON THIS ISLAND with a satisfied smile on my face, and a Caribbean-influenced spring in my step.

Follow #OnceOnThisIsland on social media:

Official website:  Once on this Island
Facebook page:  Once on this Island
Twitter profile:  @OnceIslandBway
Hashtag for social media: #OnceOnThisIsland
AT&T Performing Arts Center on Twitter & Instagram: @ATTPAC

See Once On This Island in Dallas:

Where: AT&T Performing Arts Center/Winspear Opera House, 2403 Flora Street, Dallas, TX 75201
Tickets: Check availability and book online at the AT&T Performing Art Center official website.
Runtime: Runs for 90 minutes with no intermission.

NOTE: While tickets were provided for review purposes, the opinions expressed in this article are wholly my own.

Hey, you! Want to keep up with me?

No matter where you live in the galaxy, Tui's books can take you on a FUN adventure!
No matter where you live in the galaxy, Tui Snider’s books & presentations take you on a FUN adventure!

PRIVATE NEWSLETTER: If you’d like to keep up with me, you might like my newsletter, which comes out twice a month. Use the form below to sign up if you’d like to:

  • Know where I speak next
  • Find out when my next book comes out
  • Learn fun historical trivia
  • Be in the loop for other fun stuff

As a thank you for signing up to my newsletter, you’ll receive a historic cemetery symbols guide I created called “A Quick Guide to The Many Meanings of Hands.” 






Sign up for my newsletter below:

We respect your email privacy

REVIEW: ONCE – A Folk Music Fairy Tale

by Leave a Comment

 

Opening Night Ovation for ONCE

Opening night for ONCE,  a multiple Tony award-winning folk musical, ended with a cheering crowd and a standing ovation at the Winspear Opera House in the downtown Dallas Arts District.

ONCE musical (photo via ATTPAC)
ONCE musical (photo via ATTPAC)

Onstage Pub and Jam Session

If you’re someone who frequently runs late, make sure you come early for ONCE. If you arrive after the show starts, you will not be allowed to enter for a full 30 minutes. The show is very quiet at the beginning and latecomers could disrupt the plot for the rest of us.

The other reason to come early is to grab a pint at the onstage bar and enjoy some live music up close. It’s a cozy touch that makes the show feel more like you are in a small neighborhood venue rather than the Big D’s Winspear Opera House.

What sets ONCE apart from other musicals is its low-key production. This is a musical that is meant to be listened to more than watched. In addition to the intimate staging, there’s no pit orchestra. Instead, the actors are actually playing their instruments!

The end result is quite charming. I came away feeling like I’d been to a concert in a small venue rather than a Broadway show.

ONCE musical (photo via ATTPAC)
ONCE musical (photo via ATTPAC)

Songs that stand on their own

Based on a 2007 movie of the same name, the musical version of ONCE tells the story of an Irishman who fixes vacuum cleaners by day and is a street musician by night. When we first meet Guy (Jack Gerhard), he is in a creative crisis, ready to give up his dreams of making it with his music. Lucky for him, along comes Girl (Mariah Lotz), a fellow musician who instantly connects with the messages in Guy’s songs and recognizes his tremendous talent.

Of course, the real “guy” and “girl” behind the show are the composers and lyricists, Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova. Each of their beautiful songs can easily stand alone, outside the world of the musical. This is a musical soundtrack you could purchase and enjoy even if you never see the story. That said, the story by Enda Walsh, is funny, sweet, and moving.

ONCE musical (photo via ATTPAC)
ONCE musical (photo via ATTPAC)

Folk Music Fairy Tale

At first glance, ONCE may seem like a romance, but it is more than that. This folk musical is a modern fairy tale clearly meant to inspire creatives to follow their dreams. After all, every creative person yearns for outside recognition, for some “fairy godmother” or “muse” to come along and give them permission to drop their mundane reality and dive headfirst into their creative passion. And as you step out of the theater humming tunes from the show, you may find yourself doing just this!

Follow #OnceMusical on social media:

Official website:  ONCE Musical (official website)
Facebook page:  ONCE (the musical)
Twitter profile:  @OnceMusical
Hashtag for social media: #oncemusical
AT&T Performing Arts Center on Twitter & Instagram: @ATTPAC

 

See ONCE in Dallas:

Where: AT&T Performing Arts Center/Winspear Opera House, 2403 Flora Street, Dallas, TX 75201
Tickets: Check availability and book online at the AT&T Performing Art Center official website.
Runtime: Runs for roughly 2 hours & 20 minutes with a 20-minute intermission.

NOTE: While tickets were provided for review purposes, the opinions expressed in this article are wholly my own.

Hey, you! Want to keep up with me?

No matter where you live in the galaxy, Tui's books can take you on a FUN adventure!
No matter where you live in the galaxy, Tui Snider’s books & presentations take you on a FUN adventure!

PRIVATE NEWSLETTER: If you’d like to keep up with me, you might like my newsletter, which comes out twice a month. Use the form below to sign up if you’d like to:

  • Know where I speak next
  • Find out when my next book comes out
  • Learn fun historical trivia
  • Be in the loop for other fun stuff

As a thank you for signing up to my newsletter, you’ll receive a historic cemetery symbols guide I created called “A Quick Guide to The Many Meanings of Hands.” 






Sign up for my newsletter below:

We respect your email privacy

#IndieBookmas A Holiday Gift Guide Featuring Books by Indie Authors

by Leave a Comment

Need Gift Ideas for Book Lovers? Scroll down!

#IndieBookmas is a Holiday Gift Guide for Readers

Books make great gifts! Here’s a list of Indie Authors you can support by buying their books this holiday season! To help you, each author describes the type of reader who will like their books.

What kind of readers are on your list? Need a gift for Aunt Sally, the genealogy buff? How about your little brother who loves scary movies? Scroll down the list to find the perfect books to give to the people on your Christmas list this year. (And if you’re an author who wants their book added to this gift guide, scroll down for directions on how to add your books.)

#IndieBookmas Book List for 2019: 

Author: Tui Snider

Amazon author page: Buy Tui Snider’s books on Amazon
Twitter handle:@TuiSnider
Author website: TuiSnider.com
Genres: Offbeat History, Travel, Cemetery Symbols, Texas

Who to buy for: Genealogists and cemetery explorers will love Understanding Cemetery Symbols as well as the Graveyard Journal. Paranormal Texas is perfect for ghost hunters and spooky road trippers. Fans of quirky road trips will love Unexpected Texas and 100 Things to Do in Dallas – Fort Worth Before You Die. Meanwhile, Snider’s Santa Claus Bank Robbery, makes a great stocking stuffer for true crime fans and history buffs.

Author: Patricia Josephine

Author pages: Amazon, Smashwords, Barnes & Noble, iTunes, and Kobo
Twitter handle: @pattyauthor07
Author website: http://www.patriciajosephine.com
Genres: Urban Fantasy and Sci-Fi Romance

Who to buy for: Readers looking to escape from the real world will love Tempting Friendship and Mistakes of the Past. Fantasy fans short on time will devour Influence of Love. Urban Fantasy fans will love battling evil in Path of Angels. Fans of science fiction who also enjoy some romance will enjoy Abducted Life.

Author: Patricia Lynne

Author pages: Amazon and Smashwords
Twitter handle: @pattyauthor07
Author website: http://www.patricialynne.com
Genres: Young Adult paranormal, speculative fiction, and fantasy

Who to buy for: Being Human is for young adults to sink their teeth into vampire stories that give a twist to the old myth. Fans of science fiction and speculative fiction will lose themself in Snapshots. Post-apocalyptic and dystopian fans will be lifted by the hope in Leaves of Fall.

Author: Maggie Foster

Amazon author page: Buy Maggie Foster’s books on Amazon
Author website:  LochLonach.com
Twitter handle: @maggiefoster55
Genres: Mystery, Scottish Texans

Who to buy for: Mystery fans will love curling up with the Loch Lonach Series. Featuring Ginny Forbes, an ICU nurse with a talent for critical thinking, the stories are rich in Scottish culture as well as exciting adventures, clever puzzles, and entertaining characters. Award winning and addictive, every book is a five-star read!

Author: Kevin Wayne Williams

Amazon author page: Buy Kevin’s books on Amazon
Author website: MottHavenBooks.com
Genres: Horror
Twitter handle: @KevinWayneW

Who to buy for: A 2014 Foreword Indies winner for Multicultural Adult Fiction, “Everything I Know About Zombies. I Learned in Kindergarten” makes the perfect gift for the adult zombie fan who also appreciates literary fiction and understands that not every survivor is a big white man with a gun.

Author: Julie Reeser

Etsy page: Buy Julie’s books on Etsy
Author website: Persephone Knits
Genres: poetry
Twitter handle: @abetterjulie

Who to buy for: Your tenderhearted friends and family, your dreamers and thinkers and philosophers. The nature noticers and relationship weavers. Gentle and generous lovers. Teachers you admire and students you want to encourage. Friends who mean everything to you, but you aren’t sure how to show it. Poetry is for everyone; the language of connection.

Author: Chrys Fey

Amazon author page: Buy Chrys Fey’s books here
Author website: ChrysFey.com
Twitter handle: @ChrysFey
Genre: Romantic Suspense

Who to buy for: Fans of Nora Roberts and romantic-suspense will devour the Disaster Crimes series. Hurricane Crimes, an award-winning novella under 50 pages sets you on the path of disasters, crimes, and love. With Beth and Donovan, you’ll experience steamy love scenes, nail-biting moments, sweet romance, and laughter.

Author: Marie Landry

Amazon author page: Amazon Kobo iBooks Nook
Author website: MarieLandryAuthor.com
Genres: Contemporary romance
Twitter handle: @sweetmarie83

Who to buy for: Fans of Hallmark Christmas movies will love The Most Wonderful Time of the Year and Mistletoe Kiss. If you like your festive reads both naughty and nice, Only You is for you. Contemporary romance lovers are sure to fall in love with Maybe You. Fans of emotional coming-of-age stories will have their heartstrings tugged by Blue Sky Days, Waiting for the Storm, After the Storm, and Take Them by Storm.

Author: David C. Kravetz

Amazon author page: Buy David’s books on Amazon
Author website: Less Beaten Paths
Genres: Travel, Quirky Travel, Back Roads Travel, Unique Town Names
Twitter handle: @sumoflam

Who to buy for: David Kravetz writes books for travelers, especially those that want to learn first hand about the unique places and things to be found on America’s back roads. From unique-named towns to wacky and weird attractions to unique gift shops and tourist traps, David covers them all.

Author: Elaine Kaye

Amazon author page: Buy Elaine’s books on Amazon.
Author website: ElaineKay.com
Genres: Children’s Books, Picture Books
Twitter handle: @ElaineKAuthor

Who to buy for: Introduce the kids in your life to Gregory Green and his teddy bear Sammy! In A Gregory Green Adventure Series, you’ll find Pea Soup Disaster, Sleigh Ride, the Missing Alphabet, and MORE! Fans of Curious George and Corduroy, from kids and adults to educators, will enjoy these sweet stories.

Author: Harry Hall

Amazon author page: Buy Harry’s books on Amazon
Author website:  HarryHallSpeaks.com Pedestriennes
Genres: historical, nonfiction, self-help
Twitter handle: n/a

Who to buy for: From 1876-1881, a small group of women endurance walkers dazzled America with their on-and-off track exploits in the award-winning, The Pedestriennes, America’s Forgotten Superstars. Conquer your public speaking fear (tops the list for many Americans) with, Help! Everyone is Staring at Me.

Author: Bambi Harris

Amazon author page: Buy Bambi’s books on Amazon
Author website: BambiHarris.com
Genres: Supernatural, Paranormal, Historical, Mystery, Murder, Time Travel, Sci Fi,
Romance, Afterlife
Twitter handle: @Bambi_Afterlife

Who to buy for: These books are for anyone who loves a compelling eerie mystery with paranormal undertones. These intriguing tales, set in different time periods, sweep the reader up while keeping them at the edge of their seats. Anyone who reads a Bambi Harris book is guaranteed to want to read another.

Author: Alex J. Cavanaugh

Where to buy Alex’s books: B&N Amazon iTunes Kobo Books-a-Million Audible
Author website: AlexJCavanaugh.com
Genres: Science Fiction – Space Opera/Adventure
Twitter handle: @AlexJCavanaugh

Who to buy for: CassaStorm is perfect for fans of Robert L. Heinlein and Star Wars – those who like their science fiction mixed with character development and action.  Suitable for early teens through adult. Carries great message of peace and acceptance.

Author: Andrew Crusoe

Amazon author page: Buy Andrew’s books here
Author website: Andrew’s website
Genres: EcoTourism, Nonfiction, scifi, memoir
Twitter handle: @hellocrusoe

Who to buy for: Makes a great gift for anyone who loves travelogues, unconventional living, or Hawaii. The story follows a young man who felt the call. From the moment he lands on Hawaii, synchronicities click together and the island opens him up, leading him to the home of a volcano goddess herself.

Author: Mimi Flood

Amazon author page: Amazon Kobo Nook
Author website: Mimi Flood
Genres: Contemporary romance (different heat levels)
Twitter handle: @WriterMimiFlood

Who to buy for: The Long Weekend is perfect for readers who love city girls who reluctantly return to their small hometown, real-life romance, real-life family drama and gorgeous former crushes who do naughty things. It’s the perfect blend of family, a funeral and falling in love.

Author: Serdar Yegulalp

Amazon author page: Buy Serdar’s books here
Author website: GenjiPress.com
Genres: SF/fantasy/slipstream
Twitter handle: @genjipress

Who to buy for: Always Outnumbered, Never Outgunned – for those who always wanted a crossover between crime-family drama and cyberpunk, between “GoodFellas” and “Strange Days”.

Author: Jacquelyn Middleton

Amazon author page: Buy Jacquelyn Middleton’s books on Amazon
Author website: JacquelynMiddleton.com
Genres: Contemporary Romance, Women’s Fiction
Instagram handle: @JaxMiddleton_Author

Who to buy for: Jacquelyn Middleton’s award-winning books are character & relationship-driven stories about people dealing with the triumphs & disasters we all experience. They’re also love stories for hopeful romantics, but life is messy, and she’s not afraid to go there, too. Jacquelyn has had life-long anxiety & depression and depicts mental health realistically and empathetically.

Author: Sarah Brentyn

Amazon author page: Buy Sarah’s books on Amazon
Author website: SarahBrentyn.com
Genres: flash fiction
Twitter handle: @SarahBrentyn

Who to buy for: These slim volumes of flash fiction are perfect for anyone who wants a collection to dip in and out of during the holiday season. They explore the dark side of the human condition and leave readers thinking.  Enjoy some bite-sized morsels of poetic prose.

Author: Stephen Drivick

Amazon author page: Buy Stephen’s books on Amazon
Author website: none
Genres: Science Fiction/Post Apocalyptic/ Dystopian
Twitter handle: @StephenDrivick

Who to buy for: Zombie fans will enjoy the Sometimes We Ran series – I just uploaded the 4th book. If you’re a fan of giant bugs, I have a story about that, too. :)

Author: You’re next! (scroll down for directions)

Amazon author page: add text here…
Author website: add text here…
Genres: add text here…
Twitter handle:

Who to buy for: add text here… 50 word description! Let us know who the ideal readers are for your books. Feel free to mention your book titles. (Scroll down to see how to get your books added to this list.)

Authors – Want your books listed? Here’s how:

It’s easy! If you’d like to be listed on the #IndieBookmas Holiday Gift Guide, simply leave a comment on this blog post with the following info [PLEASE: Use the BLOG comment form, NOT the FB comment form. It’s easier for me to keep track. Thanks!]:

    1. Your pen name
    2.  Link to your Amazon book page (or wherever else you sell books online.)
    3.  Author website
    4. Twitter handle (if you have one)
    5. Genre or genres
    6. Then, in 50 words or LESS, tell us in the third person WHO your books make great gifts for. See examples in the list. (If you need to count your words, use https://easywordcount.com/ If you go over 50 words, I will trim the result.)

     NEXT STEP: HELP US PROMOTE THIS GIFT GUIDE!

    ==> Follow the #IndieBookmas tag on Twitter!
    ==> Add the tag #IndieBookmas to your social media and
    ==> Swipe the banner from this page to use in your online promo
    ==> Share the link to this gift guide: bit.ly/IndieBookmas
    ==> Combine #IndieBookmas with other pertinent hashtags as the holiday season marches along.
    For instance:
    November 29 is #BlackFriday
    November 30 is #SmallBusinessSaturday
    December 2 is  #CyberMonday

    ==> Other hashtags to try: #giftguide #booksale #indieauthors #bookworm #bookobsessed

    Each day, I will add new authors to this blog post. Watch our #IndieBookmas Holiday Gift Guide for Indie Author Books grow!

    Let’s work together!

    Each day, I will add new authors to this blog post. Watch our #IndieBookmas Holiday Gift Guide for Indie Author Books grow! Let’s work together to make this gift guide a success!

    Before you go… Want to keep up with Tui Snider?

    No matter where you live in the galaxy, Tui's books can take you on a FUN adventure!
    No matter where you live in the galaxy, Tui Snider’s books can take you on a FUN adventure!

    PRIVATE NEWSLETTER: If you’d like to keep up with me, you might like my newsletter. It comes out every Sunday. Use the form below to sign up if you’d like to:

        • Know where I speak next
        • Find out when my next books come out
        • Learn offbeat trivia
        • See unique cemetery & travel photos
        • Be in the loop for any other fun news!

    FREEBIE: As a thank you for signing up to my newsletter, you’ll receive a historic cemetery symbols guide I created called “A Quick Guide to The Many Meanings of Hands.”

8 Strange 4th of July Facts

by 2 Comments

8 Strange Facts about The 4th of July

How will you celebrate Independence Day this year? If you’re American, chances are you’ll join family and friends for a backyard barbecue and a firework display. But how much do you really know about this annual summer celebration?

I do a lot of newspaper research for the books I write. Not only is it a great way to separate Urban Legends from actual facts, but it helps me understand the mindset of different eras. However, every time I dig into a newspaper archive for something specific, I end up learning completely different things along the way. That’s how I discovered this batch of Independence Day factoids. I hope you enjoy them!

Happy Independence Day! (photo by Tui Snider)
Happy Independence Day! (photo by Tui Snider)

1.  July 4th was nearly a different day!

Independence Day was nearly celebrated on a different day! America’s Independence Day is so intertwined with its date that many people simply call the holiday “the 4th of July.”

In grade school, we’re taught that the Declaration of Independence was signed July 4, 1776, but that’s only partly true. Many signers waited until August 2, 1776 to add their names. 

Other people felt that July 2, 1776 was a more appropriate celebration date, since that is when the American Colonies formally separated from Great Britain. President John Adams was in the “July 2” camp. He even predicted that, “the 2nd day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable Epocha in the history of America.” [more info here]

Adams felt so strongly about this that he refused to participate in Independence Day celebrations held on July 4th. If you wanted to party with him, you had better make it July 2nd!

In the end, July 4th won out. Even though it wasn’t officially declared a federal holiday until 1870, people began celebrating Independence Day on July 4 as early as 1777.

2. Three US presidents died on July 4th. 

Here’s a weird fact: Three US presidents died on July 4th. Two of these presidents even died the same year. 

Not only were those two men presidents, but they were signers of the Declaration of Independence, and they both died on July 4, 1826 – the 50th anniversary of America’s independence! 

The two men were John Adams and Thomas Jefferson. Although Jefferson died earlier in the day, President Adams did not know this. His final words were, “Jefferson still survives.” [Here’s a fascinating article on this coincidence.] 

Who was the third US president to die on July 4th? James Monroe, yet another Founding Father. Monroe died on July 4, 1831, thus becoming the third President in a row who died on the holiday. (And don’t I sound fancy using the word “thus”?!) 

 

3. This US president was Born on the 4th of July: 

One US president has the perfect patriotic birthdate: Calvin Coolidge, the 30th President, was born on July 4, 1872, and, so far, is the only U.S. President to have been born on Independence Day, although it’s interesting to note that President Obama’s daughter, Malia, was born on July 4th.

4. Patriotic Lockjaw was a Big Problem!

What does Lockjaw have to do with the 4th of July? When you think of Independence Day, you probably think of parties, fireworks, and parades. But how about lockjaw? 

In the 1800’s fireworks became a popular way to celebrate the 4th of July. With little regulation, these fireworks were often quite dangerous. Each year, people would have all sorts of mishaps  – everything from serious burns and housefires, to blowing off a finger or two. Worse of all was the possibility of tetanus.

1912 newspaper article warning about the dangers of tetanus. via TuiSnider.com
1912 newspaper article warning about the dangers of tetanus.

Tetanus occurs when anaerobic bacteria infects a wound. The disease leads to painful muscle constriction, and since it often strikes the neck area, it’s also called “lockjaw.” Untreated, lockjaw can lead to an agonizing death, and as the 1912 newspaper clipping above suggests, children were, “easy meat for Mr. Tetanus.”

Tetanus-causing bacteria dies quickly when exposed to air, so your average cut or scrape will not lead to trouble. The reason fireworks caused so many cases of tetanus is that the explosions propel bacteria deep into wounds. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, tetanus cases were so common after the 4th of July that people called it “patriotic lockjaw.”

In the 1900s, newspaper campaigns helped spread public awareness of the tetanus threat from fireworks. Eventually, a tetanus antitoxin was invented, and a tetanus vaccine was developed. There are just as many tetanus-causing microbes around as ever, but thanks to what has now become a routine childhood vaccine, “patriotic lockjaw” is a thing of the past.

By the way, a tetanus booster shot is recommended every 10 years. I recently had mine. How about you?

Ooh-la-la! A lady wearing trousers in 1896. How saucy! via Tui Snider
A lady wearing trousers in 1896. How saucy! (Sure hope she doesn’t get Patriotic Tetanus!) via Tui Snider

 

5. Hot dogs weren’t always in vogue

Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest has been a 4th of July tradition since 1916, and for many Americans, hot dogs and Independence Day go hand-in-hand.  According to Consumption Stats, Americans put away 150 million hot dogs while celebrating 4th of July! 

In America’s early days, people celebrated the 4th of July with different fare entirely. For instance, John Adams and his wife, Abigail, sat down for a celebratory meal of turtle soup, New England poached salmon with egg sauce, green peas and boiled new potatoes in jackets. They followed the meal with Indian pudding and Apple Pandowdy. 

6. Other countries celebrate independence on July 4th

July 4 was originally chosen by the Philippines to mark the day they ceased being a US Territory and gained independence. Filipinos even called it Independence Day up until 1962. Now it’s called Republic Day.

In Rwanda, July 4 is an official holiday known as Liberation Day. This day commemorates the end of the 1994 Rwandan Genocide, and the date was chosen as an homage to the U.S. government for helping them gain freedom.

7. Where can you find the biggest July 4th celebrations outside of the USA?

There is even another country that actively celebrates America’s Independence Day. This country is said to have the biggest July 4th celebration outside of the USA. Any guesses?

Denmark!

After immigrating from Denmark to pursue the American Dream, a group of Danes purchased a plot of land back home. They donated this 200-acre tract to the Danish government with the stipulation that it be used to celebrate American holidays. Since 1912, an annual 4th of July festival has taken place here and it’s still going strong.

The festival, called Rebildfest, takes its name from the nearby town of Rebild. Each year, thousands of Danes and Danish-Americans gather for this 4-day event. The celebration is a mish-mash of Danish and American tradition. From schnapps, hot dogs, and pickled herring to Danish folks songs and American flags, Rebildfest is a wonderful celebration of both nations and a great reminder of America’s cultural melting pot.

Wouldn’t it be fun to celebrate Independence Day in Denmark? I’d be curious to see how Americana has seeped into Danish culture. Not far from Rebild, for instance, there’s a Highway 66 restaurant as well as a cafe called Central Perk inspired by the TV show Friends.

8. Which Texas library displays the Declaration of Independence?

In 1776, 200 copies of the original Declaration of Independence were printed. Only 26 copies remain, and most of them are located on the east coast of the United States. However, there is one copy of this historic document west of the Mississippi.

After moving to Texas, I was excited to discover that the Dallas Public Library has this rare copy of the Declaration of Independence on display! (They also have a rare copy of Shakespeare’s “First Folio.”)

Want to read more quirky, offbeat & overlooked tidbits?

Click here to see my books on Amazon.

 

Hey, you! Want to come along for the ride?

No matter where you live in the galaxy, Tui's books can take you on a FUN adventure!
No matter where you live in the galaxy, Tui Snider’s books can take you on a FUN adventure!

PRIVATE NEWSLETTER: If you’d like to keep up with me, you might like my newsletter. It comes out twice a month. Use the form below to sign up if you’d like to:

  • Know where I speak next
  • Find out when my next books come out
  • Learn offbeat trivia
  • See unique cemetery & travel photos
  • Be in the loop for any other fun news!

FREEBIE: As a thank you for signing up to my newsletter, you’ll receive a historic cemetery symbols guide I created called “A Quick Guide to The Many Meanings of Hands.”