June 26th, 2010

There’s so much more that goes into writing a book than I ever considered. The marketing of the material is crucial. I’ve not quite finished the Elizabeth Custer book and I’m already thinking about the launch of tome and all that needs to be done this far in advance. The Soldier’s Widow is scheduled for release in May 2011. Although I haven’t made the arrangements yet I’d like to have the launch of the book in three different places; the Gene Autry Western Museum in Los Angeles, Fort Dodge, Kansas, Billings, MT., and New York City. New York is hosting Book Expo in May 2011 and it’s the perfect venue to kick off a new book. Elizabeth Custer lived out her final days in New York in an apartment on Park Avenue. I will begin making plans for all of these launches the day I ship the book to my editor. With my deep love for all things Old West I’m surprised that my idol growing up wasn’t a cowgirl. But alas, it was not. It was Nancy Sinatra. I thought she had an amazing voice and loved the song “These Boots Are Made For Walking.” She did a movie with Elvis and sang a song in the film called “Groovy Self” – I was quite fond of that tune as well. I tried to copy the fashions she wore on her album covers. The look didn’t really make it on a 7 year-old, but I had to try. One year for Christmas my grandmother gave me a pair of Go-Go boots like Nancy wore in the film Speedway. I was so proud. I wore those boots everywhere hoping beyond hope they would detract from my insanely short hair and what seemed to me to be gigantic Chiclets some referred to as teeth. On the far side of 40 now I’ve traded in my Go-Go boots for cowboy boots. I won’t ever trade in my Nancy Sinatra albums though. At a very crucial time in my life Nancy was all I had for inspiration. I?ve thought about writing her a couple of times to let her know, but talk myself out of it. Someday I might change my mind. Until then?”Come on, boots. Start walking.”