Mr. Ski Diva's new book, "The General and Julia," comes out November 14!

[ski diva]

Some of you know that Mr. Ski Diva is a pretty accomplished author (yes, I'm extremely proud). His first book, "Finn," was named one of best books of 2007 by The Washington Post, The Chicago Tribune, and The Christian Science Monitor, and was named a Notable Book of the Year by the American Library Association. His second book, "Kings of the Earth," was named a must read for the summer of 2010 in Oprah's O Magazine. And his last book, "Marley," has been optioned for a play in London's West End.

Anyway, his next book, "The General and Julia," comes out November 14. It's historical fiction, and it's about the last days of Ulysses S. Grant, as he lay dying in a cottage in the Adirondacks, where he reflects on the crucial moments of his life as a husband, a father, a general, and a president.

Here's a video that pretty much sums it up:

If you have a book club and you'd like Jon to Zoom in, let me know and we can set something up.

 

[ilovepugs]

Is he taking pre-orders and doing signed copies? :D or should I bring a copy to Diva East?

 

[ski diva]

He doesn't sell the books, himself. You can order it on Amazon or get it at your favorite bookstore. And yes, if you want it signed, bring it to Diva East!

If you'd like to order a signed copy, you can probably do so from our local bookshop, The Book Nook in Ludlow. You might have to call to ask, though. I think Northshire Books in Manchester, VT, will have them, too.

 

[ilovepugs]

Heh, thanks. I didn’t think he personally sold books but wanted to know where he was selling signed copies! I’ll call Book Nook and see if they’ll mail a copy to me.

 

[ski diva]

Heh, thanks. I didn’t think he personally sold books but wanted to know where he was selling signed copies! I’ll call Book Nook and see if they’ll mail a copy to me.

Oops, I take this back. Jon tells me to have you call Northshire, instead (as should anyone who wants a signed copy).

 

[ski diva]

For anyone who's interested in attending a signing and reading/discussion for Jon's new book, here's the schedule right now (a couple are virtual, so you don't even have to attend in person):

11/12 The Back Room, virtual - 7:00 PM
11/13 WGTD-FM/Wisconsin NPR - 10 AM ET
11/14 Launch Day - Go buy a copy
11/16 Mark Twain House, virtual -7:00 PM
11/18 Miami Book Fair, Miami, FL - 5 PM
11/29 RJ Julia Booksellers – Madison, CT - 6:30 PM
12/01 Northshire Books - Manchester, VT - 6:00 PM
12/08 Fletcher Library - Ludlow VT - 6:00 PM
12/10 Norwich Bookstore, Norwich, VT - 7:00 PM
12/19 USC Beaufort - Bluffton, SC - 12:00 PM
1/17 National Civil War Museum – Harrisburg, PA - 6:00 PM
1/23 Northshire Books – Saratoga Springs, NY - 6:00 PM
1/31 Odyssey Bookshop - S. Hadley, MA - 7:00 PM

 

[jthree]

For anyone who's interested in attending a signing and reading/discussion for Jon's new book, here's the schedule right now (a couple are virtual, so you don't even have to attend in person):

11/12 The Back Room, virtual - 7:00 PM
11/13 WGTD-FM/Wisconsin NPR - 10 AM ET
11/14 Launch Day - Go buy a copy
11/16 Mark Twain House, virtual -7:00 PM
11/18 Miami Book Fair, Miami, FL - 5 PM
11/29 RJ Julia Booksellers – Madison, CT - 6:30 PM
12/01 Northshire Books - Manchester, VT - 6:00 PM
12/08 Fletcher Library - Ludlow VT - 6:00 PM
12/10 Norwich Bookstore, Norwich, VT - 7:00 PM
12/19 USC Beaufort - Bluffton, SC - 12:00 PM
1/17 National Civil War Museum – Harrisburg, PA - 6:00 PM
1/23 Northshire Books – Saratoga Springs, NY - 6:00 PM
1/31 Odyssey Bookshop - S. Hadley, MA - 7:00 PM

I remember asking Jon at Diva East last year if he was doing any readings- at the time the answer was no but I'm glad that the answer is now yes! I specifically remember that I meant to ask about Northshire as it's a fantastic shop and pretty close to you guys (my in-laws have had a condo in Manchester VT for 20+ years and it's a favorite shop when we visit), but I said "Odyssey" because I also lived many years in South Hadley. (The Odyssey is pretty good but not as awesome as Northshire IMHO). It's cool to see that both made the list!

I'm not in a book club but my in-laws are... I'll tell them about the book and see if their groups would be interested in the Zoom. Or is that offer Divas only?

 

[ski diva]

I remember asking Jon at Diva East last year if he was doing any readings- at the time the answer was no but I'm glad that the answer is now yes! I specifically remember that I meant to ask about Northshire as it's a fantastic shop and pretty close to you guys (my in-laws have had a condo in Manchester VT for 20+ years and it's a favorite shop when we visit), but I said "Odyssey" because I also lived many years in South Hadley. (The Odyssey is pretty good but not as awesome as Northshire IMHO). It's cool to see that both made the list!

I'm not in a book club but my in-laws are... I'll tell them about the book and see if their groups would be interested in the Zoom. Or is that offer Divas only?

He's happy to Zoom with any book club. Let me know if you want to set it up.

 

[jthree]

He's happy to Zoom with any book club. Let me know if you want to set it up.

Thanks! Apparently MIL’s book club already has their year of books planned, but FIL is going to check with his.

 

[mustski]

If Marley gets produced in London's West End ... let us all know. I can't speak for anyone else but Bob and I will fly out to see it!

 

[ski diva]

If Marley gets produced in London's West End ... let us all know. I can't speak for anyone else but Bob and I will fly out to see it!

EVERYONE will hear about it. First it was held up by Covid, then it was the writer's strike (yes, this affected London), so who knows if or when this will happen.

To put this in perspective, his novel, FINN, was optioned for a movie in 2008. The option is still getting renewed every 18 months, but no movie yet.

 

[santacruz skier]

If Marley gets produced in London's West End ... let us all know. I can't speak for anyone else but Bob and I will fly out to see it!

If during ski season, maybe I will too and hit up Austria or Switz!

 

[santacruz skier]

If during ski season, maybe I will too and hit up Austria or Switz!

Maybe I’ll even get Jimmy to go!

 

[mustski]

That's why I said "if." It's such a pain that someone can option it and do nothing; very frustrating part of the system!

 

[Jenny]

If Marley gets produced in London's West End ... let us all know. I can't speak for anyone else but Bob and I will fly out to see it!

OMG, wouldn’t that be FUN?!

 

[ski diva]

OMG, wouldn’t that be FUN?!

YES!!!

 

[mustski]

It would be a great trip!

 

[ski diva]

Hey, Divas, if you want to attend a a virtual event for Jon's new book, there's one being sponsored by The Twain House, Mark Twain's old digs in Hartford, CT, at 7PM EST on November 16. You'll have to pre-register, but you can do that here.

 

[ski diva]

So this is really cool: The CBS affiliate in New York has selected "The General and Julia" as one of three potential selections for its book club next month. This is a pretty big deal, given the size of the New York metro area. The public gets to choose by voting on the one they want, between now and November 28. Here’s the video that went up this morning. If you wait til the end of the awful ad at the top, you’ll see the video of went out on the air. And if you scroll down, you can cast your vote (and even read an excerpt). PLEASE VOTE FOR THE GENERAL! It'd be tremendous if Jon won.