The cover design for my novel, Universal Coverage, has been finalized. Here is a look at the front:

A few cover blurbs came in at the last minute, which kept the designers working over time. I think it was worth it. I like the look, the message it sends, and the way it stands out among other books. Look for it online or at a bookstore near you on 15 December 2009. You can pre-order if you like, too.

It’s hard to believe that Mario Puzo’s The Godfather was published forty years ago. The story has become part of the American lexicon thanks to the popular movies adapted from the novel. I’ve read the complete book many times and frequently find myself reading passages. What I like most about the book is the sweeping nature of the story. It stretches from the east coast to the west coast of the United States as well as to Sicily. Similarly, the character and plot development span the outer reaches of human experience. One thing missing from the movie adaptation was a more in depth look at the Johnny Fontane character. Thankfully, the book has entire sections devoted to Fontane, showing a character who develops into more than a simply crooner.

Puzo has left a brilliant legacy with this book. At the same time, don’t neglect Fools Die, another brilliant look at humanity, it’s foibles and follies, something Puzo knew how to show better than most.

I attended Book Expo America this year, if for no other reason, to get a glimpse of the publishing industry’s changes. Publishing endured some wrenching upheavals in the previous 12 months. There have been consolidations among companies, staff reductions, and title suspensions to name a few. There has also been an increased presence of the electronic readers such as Amazon’s Kindle and Sony’s reader. Still, there are plenty of paper books out there. Here I am at the Spanish publishing pavilion where some fine examples of printing could be seen.

A Spanish printing company displayed their version of medieval texts, printed and bound seemingly as they were several hundred years ago. It was impressive, but no photos allowed. Books have been growing in popularity in Spain, and I look forward to seeing my own work translated into Spanish soon. Many of my characters are Spanish speakers, from Colombia or elsewhere in the Spanish-speaking world.

That’s me up there, grinning like a fool to be among the printed pages. Couldn’t help myself, really, standing in the middle of so many books and people interested in the same. Trade shows are a natural opportunity to network, do business, and gauge trends. At the same time, it’s simply fun to be among like minded souls. Relax and enjoy it.

While at Book Expo America, I attended a little talk that included John Irving. I’ve read several of Irving’s books, and with rare exception, find them insightful and enthralling. Here you see Irving on the video screen.

The Cider House Rules and A Widow For One Year are at the top of my list of Irving books. I’ve read both of them twice, although it has been a long time since those readings. Listening to Irving talk about story telling and his take on the content of his own books was fascinating. It’s a rare opportunity to hear an author speak in person and thus get their opinions unfiltered by the likes of reporters or TV talking heads.

Keep reading. It’s good for you.

Previous posts here at The Bent Page mentioned a few castles in Spain. In the process of planning my next stay, I rediscovered a book called Castillos con encanto, which I had purchased in Spain. This book is one of a series of books published with the con encanto tag.

This book provides plenty of useful information, not to mention dozens of great photographs. There is also a map section, which works well when doing general trip planning. You will need Spanish skills as the book is written entirely in that language. However, it is an opportunity to further your involvement in the culture as you work out your plans.

Saludos!

America’s Oldest Brewery is that of D.G. Yuengling and Sons of Pottsville, Pennsylvania. So what does this have to do with The Bent Page? Well, as readers know, I’m more of a whiskey drinker. However, in the course of story research for Bonk’s Bar, I spoke with dozens of people about their preferences among the multitude of beer brands available. Many of them commented that they liked Yuengling. Furthermore, Yuengling reaches out to its local community with a number of programs that keep a civil society together. They deserve a lot of credit for that.

I grew up one county away from Yuengling’s brewery and remember Yuengling Beer as a “local” brand. Over the years, Yuengling has expanded their reach to much of the Eastern Seaboard and continues to grow throughout the near south and so on. They’ve purchased a brewery in Florida, built another one in Pennsylvania and seemed poised to continue their expansion with quality products the beer-drinking community enjoys.

Furthermore, I have another book that I toy with from time to time, called Big Iron. It’s based on a short story I wrote called Big Iron Holiday. I mentioned it before, but here’s a recap: two friends reunite after the First World War. One is a wreck forman on the Pennsylvania Railroad, the other a car salesman turned pilot. The story follows their lives up to D-Day in World War II. Anyway, during the first half of the Twentieth Century there were many more “local” brands of everything from beer to potato chips to bread. This was before the biggest conglomerates took hold. So, Yuengling Beer would naturally be among the beverages consumed by these characters as much of the story happens in Schuylkill and Carbon Counties as well as in Philadelphia. Thus, that’s why Yuengling shows up here on The Bent Page. (Not to mention that American Eagle with his talons on the beer keg is flat out “cool.”)

My hat is off to any business than can not only survive but prosper for nearly 200 years. There aren’t many that can claim that title. Do you know of any? Post a comment if you do.

Bonk’s Bar, my next novel to be published, is complete. The photo below shows the stack of pages. Doesn’t look like much, but the whole story is there, from start to finish and everything in between. What a relief!

Thanks to my editor, I made some last minute changes that truly improved the story. Happiness is having a good editor who makes you’re writing better, even when you thought you had the story exactly the way you wanted it. This has been a pleasant surprise for me during the completion of Bonk’s Bar, as well as An Island Away. Soon I’ll be working with her on my next novel. I’m looking forward to it.

As you can see, I’ve switched from Coca-Cola Classic to Caffeine Free Coca-Cola Classic. The only reason for this switch is that I can turn down the amperage now that this novel is ready to go. I can cruise a little through the one I’m currently knee-deep in writing. Still, it’s Coca-Cola or water and nothing in between (except Jack Daniels but that serves a separate and distinct purpose).

Enjoy your reading and check back for more updates.

The previous post showed photos from one of my book signing events in Aruba. During the course of a previous event that week, I met a fellow from Poland, John T. He had the most fascinating life story I’ve heard to date. First, here is a photo of John and I, on his 84th birthday.

John was in the Polish Underground during the Second World War. He fought the Nazis and the Russian Communists. His brother was involved with another resistance group which was sometimes at odds with John’s. As the war came to an end, John escaped from Poland (to avoid the Soviets) and ended up in Germany of all places before making his way to America. He was very successful in business and now visits Aruba, Poland, and other places every year. What a guy!

You never know what a person has accomplished until you take the time to speak with them for a few minutes. I have the good fortune to be able to engage people from all over the world and all walks of life at my book events and in my travels. This is one of life’s great pleasures that I can not say enough about. It’s better than anything on TV; that’s for sure. So get out there and talk to somebody!

John, it was an honor to meet you and shake your hand. I wish you another 84 years and the best of everything. You earned it!

The story told in An Island Away, takes place in Aruba, Dutch Caribbean. I have the good fortune to live on the island six months of the year, and thus, meet many people interested in the book. Here are some photos from a book signing event at the Tamarijn Resort.

It’s a true pleasure to meet people who have read the book or heard about it and want to know more. I’m surprised at the questions asked, which actually serve as inspiration to keep writing. After all, if a reader wants to know more or found something particularly interesting, it is a cue to include it in the next story.

Of course, hearing people’s stories about Aruba is also fascinating. There are many visitors who have been going to the island for 20 or 30 consecutive years. That’s quite a few frequent flier miles. Aruba is a wonderful island full of nice people, good restaurants, and fringed by beautiful beach. However, I don’t write much about that part of Aruba.

I write mostly about the refinery boomtown of San Nicolaas. It was here that I came in 1994, when I first visited the island. It’s a strange place, full of characters and stories, all of which are incredible when understood in the context of the Caribbean.

My thanks go out to all the people who have bought and read An Island Away. Similarly, I would like to express my gratitude to the staff of the Tamarijn Resort as well as all the retailers on the island who have helped make it the best selling book in Aruba for 2008.

Aruba Short History by Dr. J Hartog is a handy reference guide for those curious about Aruba’s past. It provides information on the native indians who first inhabited the island all the way through the time when the Esso refinery was the largest in the world.

You can find the book at the Samsom Bookstore on L.G. Smith Boulevard as well as at the DeWit-VanDorp main store in Dakota, not far from the airport. Among the many amazing fact in the book is that the population of Aruba in the mid-1920’s was 6,500 and in the mid-1970’s was more than 60,000. That’s quite an increase.

There’s much more in the book including a brief overview of the Esso Refinery days, some details about the Second World War, and bits of insight into local culture. This little book is worth the 14.50 florins you’ll pay.