Book update and cool thoughts of Iceland amidst a steamy Carolina summer
This odyssey is approaching the finish line
Most days are good days, but some days are better than others. Such was the case a few weeks ago on the day I first saw the cover of my upcoming book, A Gamecock Odyssey. It was a little surreal to be honest.
This project was a labor love, completed in fits and starts beginning in the late fall of 2017, and then in a furious nine-month spasm of productivity between September, 2021 and June, 2022, after I signed the book contract and realized with rising panic that I had to actually finish it!
The research and writing have been done for over a year now, the last twelve months primarily consumed by rounds of editing, gathering images, and generally fine tuning the book into its final form before it goes off to the printer.
But seeing the cover was heady stuff. My friends over at USC Press did a great job. From the striking garnet background and basketball court/football field motif, to the photos of Zam Fredrick, Joe Morrison, George Rogers, and Shiela Foster - all of whom figure prominently in the book - its a great looking cover. Seeing my name up top was humbling, and is a representation of not just my work, but the work dozens of people who inspired, advised, encouraged, and helped along the way.
Cool thoughts of Iceland
Every year about this time when the Carolina heat and humidity are at their most stifling, my thoughts wander back to when Melissa and I visited Iceland in August, 2017. It was a welcome retreat from steamy Raleigh into a wilder place where we hiked and camped and enjoyed the novelty of needing a heavy fleece in late summer. We fell headlong in love with the place.
The natural splendor was unmatched in our experience, and the culture was enchanting. From the haunting and little visited Westfjords region, to the stunning north country, to the otherworldly glacial and volcanic beauty of the south, to the modern Scandinavian charm of Reykjavik - we were mesmerized by the constant jaw-dropping beauty that is Iceland.
One of our favorite takeaways from the trip was learning about the Icelandic custom of Jalabokaflod, which translates to “Christmas Book Flood.” It’s a delightful tradition in which Icelanders exchange books on Christmas Eve and spend the evening happily reading while comfortably ensconced against the Nordic cold.
With that veritable Icelandic tradition in mind that, allow me to present an opportunity for you to secure a thoughtful gift for that special Gamecock fan in your life with delivery just in time for the holidays.
A Gamecock Odyssey is due for release November 14, but you don’t have to wait until then to secure your copy! Odyssey is available for pre-order NOW through USC Press, Columbia’s All Good Books, Raleigh’s Quail Ridge Books, or any of your favorite outlets (but always, please SUPPORT INDY BOOKSELLERS!)
But wait, there’s more..
If you pre-order and are a new or current SxSE subscriber, Melissa will lovingly prepare and promptly deliver to your doorstep her famous homemade yogurt and granola.
Ok, the yogurt and granola thing isn’t happening, but as I learn more about the publishing business, I have come to realize the importance of pre-orders, which instruct the publisher as to how many books to print, how much to spend on promotion, etc. Suffice it to say, advance purchases are a big deal in the publishing world, so I cannot thank you enough.
Thanks for taking this journey with me, and as always, thank you for reading!
Forever To Thee,
-Alan
