Archive for May, 2010
While I was in England, I was delighted to find out that the two books I published in 2009 were the recipients of awards here in the States. Although good reviews and comments are always welcome and important to me, it is always gratifying to realize that others out there feel your work deserves an award.
The historical photographic chronicle, Crimean Memories: Artefacts of the Crimean War, photographed by me and written with my co-authors (Michael Vice and B.J. Small), received a 2010 Independent Publisher (IPPY) Silver Award for best reference book.
My most recent novel, The Gettysburg Conspiracy, received a 2010 Independent Publisher (IPPY) Bronze Award for best regional fiction. In addition, The Gettysburg Conspiracy was selected as a finalist in the ForeWord Magazine Book of the Year Award (BOTYA) for historical fiction.
IPPY Awards – http://www.independentpublisher.com/article.php?page=1362&urltitle=Announcing%20the%20Results%20of%20the%202010%20Independent%20Publisher%20Book%20Awards
BOYTA Award Finalists – http://www.bookoftheyearawards.com/finalists/2009/category/fiction-historical/
London
The UK election dominated the news while I was there. I learned a great deal about their election process – fascinating. We could learn a thing or two about limiting our tedious and prolonged campaigning process – now it goes on and on and on. Their way is very different from ours, but that’s another story.
Guardsmen friends and the lovely female friend of the lad on the right.
I lodged mostly in the Victoria area of London, visiting often my good friend and the son I never had, Sgt Kev Gorman, Scots Guards at my favorite pub, The Cardinal. He has two of the most awesome dogs I’ve met in my lifetime. Alphie, a mix of English Bull Terrier and possibly Lab, and, Jennifer – a pure English Bull Terrier. One doesn’t dare refer to them as “pit” anything. They take great offense, and one really doesn’t want to offend an English Bull Terrier – they might eat you.
Alphie and Jennifer
Jenn and I fell in love. Just a whim, a mere peccadillo, but I for one shall remember our steamy affair always. She was next to me or in my lap constantly, giving Alphie fits. Now having such a magnificent dog in your lap is much like having a large boulder in your lap. She is hard as nails, but very affectionate … and those eyes !
"Jenn"
During the three weeks I was there, Kev and I worked diligently on a project we have going, to publish a diary of a Scots Fusilier Guards enlisted soldier who was in the Crimean War. We, mostly Kevin, tracked down his entire family, and it is an amazing story … again for another time. If we can do it, we’ll have the manuscript publication-ready by end of year. I’ll keep you posted. Should there be any one out there with an interest in publishing such a wonderful diary, please let me know. We have several folks already interested, but would consider all other interested parties.
Kev and LTC Wade Russell, Royal Tank Regt (Ret) - a good friend
Cardinal Pub, Victoria, London - My local 
Cardinal Pub - Again !
Amazing street in Shaftesbury, England
This has been a long several weeks. My apologies for being off the blog, but as you may know I have been out of country. I left for the United Kingdom the first of the month, and have been there since. I had a lot of adventures, and over the next few days I will tell you about the highlights.
It had been my intention to give you a sort of blow by blow blog of my visit to “Old Blighty,” but it was not to be. First, I found out that my internet access was to be extremely limited. Then I thought I might be able to use my iPhone, but quickly found the cost of using it overseas was enormous, and unacceptable.
In any event, I took many photographs and will regale you soon with tales of my travels.
Home of LtCol T E Lawrence, Lawrence of Arabia, in London
