Posts Categorized: Uncategorized

The first is for a book I edited which is just hitting the stores now. I may have mentioned before how proud I am to work with veterans in helping to tell their stories, and the same goes for the journalists and historians who make it possible. In this case it’s journalist Charles Jones writing about US Marine Corps combat photographers in WWII. The book is titled War Shots and features Marine Corps legend Norm Hatch (he shot some of the iconic footage on Tarawa which ended up winning an Oscar in 1944). You can find out more at http://www.warshotsbook.com/

The other website is actually a complete redesign of the publisher’s site I edit for, Stackpole Books. You probably already know this, but I edit military history and current affairs and conflicts books, everything from Civil War to WWII, Vietnam to Afghanistan. It’s just possible you’ll detect a little of that influence in the Iron Elves. This new website is a quantum leap forward for us and looks pretty darn spiffy. You can find it here: http://www.stackpolebooks.com

Cheers,

Chris

For a number of years now, I’ve tried to live my life in a linear fashion. I’m not suggesting I used to live it in contravention of the arrow of time, but I was focused on accomplishing A before I moved on to B. Sounds logical and obvious, and I suppose it is, but I’m coming to realize life doesn’t exactly work that way, at least not for me. What I was really doing was putting off all sorts of things until I had achieved a set goal. So I’d place all my energies into a manuscript and skip the gym. Or I’d go for a run and give up going to a movie. Worse was when I’d plan to write, want to see a movie, felt like a run, and wound up doing none of them. What’s become apparent to me is that I need balance. With a little planning (and that’s huge for me – I used to not know what I was having for lunch five minutes before I ate) I’m starting to be able to walk AND chew gum at the same time.

So not so much a resolution as a burgeoning realignment of priorities that let’s me have cake and eat it too

I’m very proud and at the same time feel incredibly fortunate to have spent the last ten years of my life working with so many writers and veterans to tell the stories of soldiers at war. I just happened to see this photo tonight on one of my author’s Facebook pages. I think it’s the first time I’ve seen a photo of one of the books I edited in war zone with a soldier. You can see a lot truly amazing photos of the war in Afghanistan here: http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2010/12/afghanistan_december_2010.html

Here’s hoping 2011 brings us one step closer to peace on earth.

After a wonderful holiday with my folks and brother in a somewhat frigid Florida, I am waiting for my flight back to NYC with fingers crossed. Seeking comfort for my vigil, I’ve taken up residence in Delta’s Sky Priority lounge. Lot’s of munchies and an open bar. And people complain about waiting at airports

Happy Holidays to one and all and here’s to 2011 being the best year yet!

Chris

So I got the bright idea the other day to combine two of my favorite snacks into one. I’d already made a hot chocolate, and not just any hot chocolate either, but hot chocolate with peppermint for that extra holiday flare. But as I started to sip I realized I needed something to nibble on, and as I’m single I had to settle for a bowl of cereal. I poured myself a bowl of Shreddies (a Canadian breakfast cereal of little squares of woven whole wheat goodness) and then thinking one plus one equals a glorious hot snack on a cold, blustery day I poured my mug of peppermint hot chocolate into the bowl and voila, created glop. I somehow managed to turn two independently wonderful things into one unpalatable mess.

The upside to all this? I almost, but not quite, overflowed the toilet when I flushed it.

The other upside? No oven mitts were harmed in this kitchen disaster although several paper towels and one unfortunate dish towel weren’t so lucky.