| Some exciting things have been happening with me over the last month or so. I had a magazine article published, renewed writing of my fourth Rural Cops mystery, have been selected to make a presentation at the Arizona History Convention next year, and have been working with Lee Ann Powers of the Bullion Plaza Museum on republication of an excellent history of the town of Miami, Arizona written in the 1940’s and adapted and added to as a center-stapled booklet in the 1980’s by Dr. Bill Hawk. The new book, A History of Miami Area, Arizona, Edition 2, due for release on November 1, is in a larger format (8 -1/2 x 11), has larger and higher resolution photos and illustrations, and has added vintage photos. It is being published by a high quality traditional publisher, Aakenbaaken & Kent, in both a hardback and paperback version. It includes a foreword written by me, which explains the difference in the two editions, and introduces and provides a biography of each of the authors, Wilma Gray Sain, and Bill and Lynn Hawk. Dr. Hawk was given rights to the book by Ms. Sain, and he and his wife Lynn, both well-known Globe and Arizona historians, decided they would like the rights to reside in Miami, so have donated the rights to the Museum. As soon as we have the pricing, and the shipping infrastructure in place we will announce pre-publication ordering. We expect to launch regular book sales early in November. The presentation to be given at the Arizona History Convention is a direct result of the research I did on the life of Wilma Sain Gray. There is much more to her than being a great teacher and a historian. She was involved in higher math and science at a time when it wasn’t considered within the realm of women’s work. She was a supporter and director of dramatic arts, a world traveler, a community activist, WAC during WWII, and an educational innovator. I’m looking forward to introducing her to Arizona’s current historians. Lee Ann was also contacted by the publisher of the Arizona Silver Belt, about articles on the boom town days of Globe and Miami for publication in the Gateway to the Copper Corridor quarterly magazine. Lee Ann mentioned it to me so I contacted the publisher with the suggestion that I write about Miami’s first Marshall, Gila County Sheriff, and lifelong lawman Alf Edwards. She liked the idea and asked me to submit the story; she wasn’t sure how much material she would need, so I agreed to write an article with several events that could be downsized by eliminating stories. I wrote some background information, followed by seven adventures of gun play and early police work, one of which was about half the article. The longer story, with a little bit of the introduction ended up as the published article. Anyone interested in getting a copy the Gateway can request it from the Silver Belt: [email protected] or by phone: 928-425-7121 I have picked up the quill and started where I left off on my fourth novel which finds three of the deputies working undercover at an upstart copper mine north of my hometown of Miami. The officers are working on a multimillion dollar theft ring functioning in the mine, but known only to the sheriff and the mine company CEO they are also working on industrial espionage of even more value than the copper losses. A mysterious lost confidential file found in a stolen car on the Apache Reservation, and the later murder of the thief, adds a new dimension- intrigue by a foreign government. I have had Miami and Globe involved to a minor degree in my other novels, but in this one my home towns share center stage with the Gila Valley. I’m finding it more difficult to write about the place I know so well, and want to include the rich western heritage of the mine location in a way that doesn’t distract from the story; a new challenge for me. Oh, and last post I offered a pen give away for reader comments; it was not a hit. I only distributed six pens. Sigh.... marketing. |
9 Comments
Wm. (Bill) KIshbaugh
10/18/2017 06:33:01 am
Good luck on your current writing and lecturing ventures Virgil. You are a good writer and have a good style that makes reading your stories very enjoyable. Keep up the good work!
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Maxine Knapp
10/18/2017 07:17:05 am
Being a native born Arizona I would love to know more about your new endeavor.
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I'm assuming you are most interested in the "History of Miami" book, but just in case I'll also mention that the "Gateway" has several good history stories about Arizona, and if you contact the Silver Belt at the e-mail or phone number listed in the blog above, they will send it to you; the magazine is free, but the may want to charge for shipping. On the book, the estimated price for the hardback is about $25 and for the soft-bound about $20 and shipping by mail will add about $3 to the price. You want to pre-order either one right now, you can send me you contact information, by going to the menu bar at top and this page, select "Other," the select "Contact," fill enter your own information on the e-mail form and send it. I will send you more information on the book, the actual cost, and an order form. Thanks for taking an interest in my message.
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Lee Ann Powers
10/18/2017 05:09:08 pm
YOUR PENS ROCK!!! They're my favorite.
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Pearl Nancarrow
10/18/2017 07:53:44 pm
I have your first 3 books, enjoyed them all.....can't wait to get and read the one you are working on! Please let us know when it's done!
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Joy Schantz
10/22/2017 11:39:09 am
Virgil, I’m glad you’re back to work with your pen! I’ve requested a copy of the Gateway to the Copper Corridor 2017 edition!
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AuthorMystery writer, Southwestern Historian, researcher, husband, father, grandpa, with an opinion on everything. Archives
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