Award-Winning Finalist in the Historical Fiction Category of the National Indie Excellence 2007 Book Awards
April 26, 2007
I was very excited to read this in my e-mail today:
“Congratulations!
Your title ‘Spring House: Book 1 in the Westward Sagas by David Bowles’ has placed as a ‘Finalist’ in the ‘Historical Fiction’ category.”
The National Indie Excellence 2007 Book Awards recognized 250 winners and finalists from more than 700 entries in 60+ categories. I’m honored that Spring House was among the books chosen as a finalist.
Soon the sticker announcing the book as a finalist will be added to the cover of every remaining copy of the book!
[tags]Indie Excellence Awards, Spring House, book awards[/tags]
Nicholas Fain: Forgotten Patriot
April 23, 2007
As I’m writing Adam’s Daughters, I’ve been doing a lot of research on Nicholas Fain. I believe he is one of the greatest patriots of the Revolution, and I’d like to give him and his family proper tribute. But I’m having a hard time finding accurate information.
I do know that Nicholas, five of his sons – Samuel, John, William, Thomas, and Ebenezer, and his son-in-law Andrew Evans (married to Fain’s only daughter Elizabeth) fought in the Battle of Kings Mountain. Another son David was killed by Indians. His last son Reuben has traditionally been credited with service in the Revolution, but I haven’t found documentation to verify that.
I don’t know of any other family risking so many lives for the Revolution. Later Fain and his sons protected the settlers in the Washington District as Indian fighters. It’s a shame that there is no monument recognizing the contributions of the Fains to the Revolution.
Although I’ve found references that Nicholas Fain was buried in Reed Cemetery, no one seems to know where the grave is. I’ve been to Jonesborough, searched the cemeteries, and enlisted the aid of the Jonesborough Genealogical Society. But I still haven’t found a grave or verified the date of his death.
Some sources say he died in 1783/1785, some say 1785, and some say 1789.
I’d like to recognize the Fain family in Adam’s Daughters for their remarkable service, and I would like to contact the Sons of the American Revolution to get Nicholas Fain’s grave marked as a Patriot of the Revolution.
Can anybody help me with documentation on Nicholas Fain and his family?
[tags]Nicholas Fain, American Revolution[/tags]
Common Sense by Thomas Paine- the pamphlet that started a revolution
April 19, 2007
Last week, I spoke to students in the school library at Kenedy Middle School in Kenedy, Texas. As someone intensely interested in history, especially the American Revolution, I was surprised that the library did not own a copy of Thomas Paine’s Common Sense.
The pamphlet, originally published anonymously, became an instant bestseller in both the Colonies and Europe. Several later editions were published, making Paine famous. Common Sense was the first public call for a declaration of independence from Great Britain.
According to the The Fieldston School’s United States History Survey site: “Close to 150,000 copies were sold within three months. and possibly as many as 500,000 copies all together, to a colonial population of but two and half million people. More than any other single publication, Paine’s Common Sense persuaded public opinion of the case for independence from Great Britain.”
Archiving Early America says this: “It all started with Common Sense, the writing that sparked an American Revolution.”
This document is so important to our history that I’m sending a copy to the school library.
All writers dream of making an impact on the world with their words. Thomas Paine started a revolution with his.
[tags]Thomas Paine, Common Sense, American Revolution[/tags]
School Visit: Timelines, Genealogy, History, and Autographs
April 16, 2007
Last week I enjoyed speaking to two classes of seventh and eighth graders at Kenedy Middle School in Kenedy, Texas. About 150 students attended the presentations in the school library.
As a youngster, I used to amaze my teachers with my ability to remember dates of historical events. (I only wish I’d been able to remember math and English rules half as well!) Historical dates were easy for me because I had been hearing the stories of my ancestors from early childhood. I could always associate historical events with the events in my family’s story. Genealogy and history were intertwined, and I visualized a timeline that blended my family’s place in history with actual events.
I talked about how most of us can remember exactly where we were and what we doing when important events happened in the world around us. One of my strongest memories is the assassination of John Kennedy. Although I was only in my late teens at the time, I still remember hearing the news.
To help the students place historical events in their own lives, I had them create a timeline from their birth to today. Later they could expand it back through their parents’ and grandparents’ lives. I drew a timeline on the board and asked the youngsters to name the significant events they remember occurring their lifetimes.
It saddened me to see that the two events mentioned first by both classes were the terrorist attacks of 9/11 and the Columbine shooting. With some coaxing, they could recall happy events – such as the San Antonio Spurs and the Texas Longhorns winning national sports championships. But the terrible tragedies came to their minds immediately, and the positive events had to be coaxed.
I gave an “autographed” picture of my dog Lulubelle to each student.
After my presentation, I was speaking with a teacher and noticed a young girl standing off to the side. The teacher told me the girl was very shy but wanted to talk to me. When I spoke to her, she held out Lulubelle’s picture and asked me for my autograph. As soon as I signed the card, about twenty other students appeared holding out their cards for my autograph.
I’ve had lots of compliments and many great reviews on my book, but those middle school students lining up for my autograph was one of the best moments I’ve had as an author and speaker.
[tags]school visit, David Bowles, genealogy, history, timeline[/tags]
Get a free, autographed copy of Spring House!
April 10, 2007
Updated 9/12/07: Thanks to everyone who responded with great reviews. I’m no longer actively seeking reviews as there are now a lot of reviews at Amazon.com.
I’ve received excellent reviews on my historical novel, Spring House: Book 1 in the Western Sagas, but I’m looking for more reviews at Amazon.com.
I’m especially interested in feedback from readers who aren’t professional reviewers – readers who like to share their reading experience with others. To encourage reviews, I’m offering the gift of a free autographed paperback copy of the book to anyone who writes a review at Amazon.
It isn’t necessary that you give me a five-star rating, though I really love to see those stars! I sincerely hope readers enjoy my book, and I want honest feedback to help me become a better writer. As you know if you’ve been reading this blog, I’m working on Book Two in the Westward Sagas now, and I’ll use all the feedback I get on Spring House in writing Adam’s Daughters and future books.
To get your free book, simply post an honest review at Amazon.com, then complete the contact form on the Free Book page to request your gift copy. You can specify how you want the book to be autographed, personalized for yourself or inscribed for a friend or loved one.
Should a reader not like the book, I’m sure he wouldn’t want a second copy. However, other reviews have been complimentary, and I hope everyone who reads my book enjoys it. And if you see fit to write a rave review that touches my heart and makes my beloved yellow Lab, Lulubelle, wag her tail, I’ll also send you a copy of the next book in the series, Adam’s Daughters, as soon as it is available.”
Updated May 24th: see Get a free, autographed copy of Spring House! Update.
[tags]Spring House, free book, book review, Amazon.com, Adam’s Daughters[/tags]
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