Many thanks to John Wilkens at the San Diego Union-Tribune for his recent article on my book Once upon a Mulberry Field on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the fall of Saigon. The picture in the article was taken by SDUT photographer Howard Lipin at my April 18 book discussion at the Poway … [Read more...]
A Valentine’s Day Message
It was exactly a year ago on Valentine's Day that my book Once upon a Mulberry Field was published. I remember it like yesterday. It was early February and everything was set to go, except for one small but important detail: an official publication date for record-keeping purpose. It had to be … [Read more...]
Library support for local authors
Libraries have always been the place where book lovers of all stripes congregate, so it makes perfect sense that a local library would help support and promote authors in its own community. In this fostering spirit, San Diego Public Library for the past 49 years has been sponsoring an annual … [Read more...]
Defining success
Okay. It's still a brand spanking new year, so it's still time for some new year's resolutions, right? I must admit, though, that for a long time now I've been out of the habit of setting those. Not that I have anything against them, it's just that I figure I usually have some idea of what I'd … [Read more...]
2014: A Memorable Year
At first glance, the above picture shows a postcard winterland that brings to mind a white Christmas. But take a closer look. See the drooping palm tree standing forlorn in the background? And what's that on the snow-sprinkled shrub in front of it? It can't be right, but aren't those orange-colored … [Read more...]
Book Review
The main objective in entering any book contest is to get a rough idea how your work may be viewed by people outside of your supportive network of family and friends. Unfortunately, for practical reasons most book contests only give you a Pass/fail Win/lose categorical answer that leaves you with … [Read more...]
Writer’s Digest 2014 Book Awards
I'm so appreciative and excited to have some good news to share with you: A couple of days ago, I was notified that my book, Once Upon a Mulberry Field, had received an Honorable Mention as a finalist in the Writer's Digest 22nd International Self-Published Book Awards. In this day and age, one … [Read more...]
Book Talks Announcement
Over the next thirty days, I'll be giving a talk about my book Once Upon a Mulberry Field at some branch libraries around San Diego. The talk is approximately 45 minutes long followed by an always lively questions-and-answers session at the end. If you'll be in town, mark your calendar and come join … [Read more...]
A look back at the first six months
August marked the six-month anniversary of the release of my novel Once Upon a Mulberry Field. It seems much longer than that, yet it also feels like just yesterday. On this last day before Fall, I'd like to take a moment to look back on that first leg of the journey and share some milestones with … [Read more...]
Under the Evergreen
Long ago, in my younger years, I used to go camping (almost) every summer. My favorite camping grounds were scattered throughout the Eastern Sierra Mountains, from Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks to Mammoth Lakes and Yosemite, to Lake Tahoe. It was impossible to pick a favorite among … [Read more...]