My lovely assistant/wife, Kimberly, took these photos during my presentation of “Wicked Columbus, Indiana” at the Harlequin Theatre in Columbus on June 27. After watching the slideshow, I’m really curious as to that I was talking about or thinking during each shot.
Go ahead and chant. It’s OK.
“We’re Number One! We’re Number One!”
I have been told that my book, “Wicked Columbus, Indiana,” now holds the title of No. 1 best seller among adult nonfiction books at Viewpoint Books, our great independent bookstore in downtown Columbus.
Last week, the first week the book was available, it was No. 2.
“Wicked” is my second nonfiction book. The first, published in 2012, is “Murder in Wauwatosa: The Mysterious Death of Buddy Schumacher.” Both books were published by The History Press and both are also available as e-books.
Let’s see how long we can remain in the top spot. Viewpoint has “Wicked” on the shelves right now. If they sell out, just ask them to order it. Then, stop by on either Aug. 12 or Aug. 19 and get it signed. I’ll be there from 11 a.m to 1 p.m. those Saturdays.
If you can’t get to Viewpoint, you can get the book just about anywhere books are sold, either at your local bookstore or online.
If you want an autographed copy mailed to you, send me $23.50 via PayPal (phof63@sbcglobal.net) or send a check in that amount to me at PO Box 2611, Columbus, IN 47202 and I will mail one to you as soon as I can.
Finally, I’d like to thank all the members of the Scribblers Writing Club for all their support. Several were able to help me out this week by reading excerpts of “Wicked” at programs I put on in Columbus. Check my schedule as I keep adding programs, book signings and other appearances.
I was thrilled to see so many people come to the “Wicked Columbus, Indiana” program at the Bartholomew County Library tonight. We laughed, we cried, we had moments…
Seriously, I want to thank everyone for coming out. I especially want to thank Mary Clare Speckner from the library for inviting me again. She had me in a few years ago to talk about my first book, “Murder in Wauwatosa: The Mysterious Death of Buddy Schumacher.”
I also want to thank my peeps at the Scribblers Writing Club in Columbus. Several members read excerpts from the book, and the whole club has been very supportive of this book and my work in general.
And my lovely wife, Kimberly, who served as my assistant, photographer and gopher for the evening.
We’ll be reprising this event Tuesday at the Harlequin Theatre in Fair Oaks Mall in Columbus. So, if you missed us at the library, stop by the Harlequin.
We’ll also be at Viewpoint Books in Columbus Aug. 12 and 19. Our great hometown bookstore carries my book, and lots of other books by some great local authors.
Here are a few photos from the festivities at the library:
I’d like to thank Brian Blair for doing a great job on this coverage of “Wicked Columbus, Indiana” in The (Columbus) Republic on June 15. You may also be able to view the story on The Republic’s website here, although you may need to be a subscriber.
One note: I do have TWO events planned for next week:
Monday, June 26: Program/book signing at Bartholomew County Public Library,Columbus, IN, 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, June 27: Program/book signing at the Harlequin Theatre, Fair Oaks Mall, Columbus, IN, 7 p.m.
We will have local authors read excerpts from “Wicked” and books will be available for purchase.
If you’d like to hear some excerpts from “Wicked Columbus, Indiana,” tune in to WCSI-1010 AM on Saturday, June 24 from 8:30-9 a.m. That’s the time slot when the Bartholomew County Public Library conducts its Library Chatter Show.
This Saturday, library employee Michelle Williams will be reading parts of my book on the air.
If you can’t tune in, you can stream the show here.
Here are some more opportunities to find out more about the book:
Monday, June 26: Program/book signing at Bartholomew County Public Library,Columbus, IN, 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, June 27: Program/book signing at the Harlequin Theatre, Fair Oaks Mall, Columbus, IN, 7 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 12 and Saturday, Aug. 19: Signature Saturday Authors Event at Viewpoint Books, 548 Washington St., Columbus, IN 47201. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. My wife, Kimberly S. Hoffman, will also be signing her book, “Emma’s Dancing Day.”
I’m eager to get back to Kentucky this fall to be part of Imaginarium Convention. This will be the second straight year I’ve been chosen to serve as a guest to lend what expertise I have to panels. And this year, my wife will also be serving as a guest.
The convention is a three-day annual event held in Louisville, Oct. 6-8 at Ramada Plaza Hotel and Conference Center this year. It is centered entirely around creative writing, including the worlds of books, movies, gaming, music and comics/graphic novels. It features extensive programming content, with panels and workshops presented by more than 150 professional guests covering everything from the craft of writing to various genres, industry-specific topics, publishing and social media/publicity. The convention features a film festival with a full array of awards, a masquerade/costume contest, live music, gaming, an expo open to the general public, an awards banquet, a series of literary awards called the Imadjinns and more activities, creating a welcoming, inclusive atmosphere that is content-rich and ideal for networking, promotion and personal development.
Last year, I served as a panel expert at the following sessions: Historical Writing; New Author Boot Camp; Faith in Fiction; Breaking into Freelance Writing; Homonyms, Semi-Colons, Serial Commas, Oh My! And I attended a few other sessions to learn a few things.
Who knows what topics will be on tap this year.
My wife, Kimberly S. Hoffman, just published her first book, “Emma’s Dancing Day,” and she’ll be serving as a guest panelist at Imaginarium, too.
For more info on Imaginarium 2017, click here.
I am pleased to announce that we will be conducting a book launch for my next book, “Wicked Columbus, Indiana,” at the Harlequin Theatre in Columbus at 7 p.m. on June 27.
We’ll have some fun with historic photos projected onto a large screen for viewing ease, readings from several of the chapters, some refreshments and who really knows what else at this point … more details will be revealed as we get a little closer to the date.
And of course, books will be available for purchase.
I am grateful that Robert Hay-Smith has opened his venue to me for this event. My wife and I have been to the Harlequin many times for plays, comedy shows and more. This is really a gem in town that more people need to check out.
The book is scheduled to be released June 19. Pre-sale has commenced.
I also have a program scheduled at the Bartholomew County Public Library in Columbus at 6:30 p.m. June 29.
Who knows what other events will be planned. Check here to see updates.
My second book, “Wicked Columbus, Indiana” is scheduled to be released on June 19. As we get closer to that date, I’ll be announcing book signings, a possible book launch party, media coverage and a pre-sale where you can order signed b
ooks from me before they’re published and I mail them to you as soon as they arrive in my clutches. Price to be determined by The History Press.
The book will also be available at your local bookstore (if it’s not in stock, just ask them to get it for you and all your friends) as well as all major online book vendors (Amazon, Barnes & Noble, etc.) And if you prefer reading on your Nook, Kindle or other e-reader, “Wicked” will also be available in that format.
My first book, “Murder in Wauwatosa: The Mysterious Death of Buddy Schumacher,” are still available in print and e-book formats. In fact, I just mailed three to former Wauwatosa East classmates of mine this week! Email me at phof63@sbcglobal.net for details.
After a few minor changes, the front and back covers of my next book have been approved. This is quite a colorful display. I can’t wait for it to come out in print (and in e-book).
My first edits have gone back to The History Press. The folks there will go through the manuscript one more time and page it before I get one final look.
My best guess is that our release will be March 2017. Details to come.
