Here’s the skinny on autographed, personalized books for the holidays

It’s that time of year again…

… and even though this year has been extremely different from those past, it is still possible to get personalized books shipped wherever you want, wrapped up and ready to go.

I am, as always, working with my beloved independent bookstore in Asheville, NC, Malaprop’s, to offer personalized, autographed copies of my books. Signed, personalized books make great gifts and autographing eReaders simply hasn’t taken off yet.

If you want an autographed book you can call Malaprop’s directly at 1-800-441-9829 or 828-254-6734. The store is chock full of helpful, cheerful folks. Once one of these charmers answers the phone, just tell them which book(s) you want to order, the author’s name—that's me—and how you would like the inscription to read.

FOR TIMELY DELIVERY: ORDER SOONER RATHER THAN LATER.

What about those inscriptions?

How do you want the book personalized? To you? To the in-law you’re always trying to suck up to? Do you want it to say “Merry Christmas,” “Happy Holidays,” “For a history buff,” or nothing at all so that you may re-gift at will? Will I inscribe anything that you desire? Oh no, my dears, I absolutely will not. Outright offensive or just weirdly personal inscription requests will be completely ignored. So there. Once you’ve decided on your (sane, courteous) inscription request, Malaprop’s can handle it. Simply give them your payment information and shipping address. 

What about gift wrapping?

Yes indeed, they gift wrap! I told you they were wonderful. So, you can have that autographed book gift-wrapped AND have a gift card slapped on it. That package of holiday reading cheer will be shipped wherever you want and will arrive ready to be shoved under a tree, stuck in a (larger than usual) stocking, placed next to the menorah, or donated to your local library.

My books are available wherever books are sold, and if you would like to patronize an independent bookstore closer to your neck of the woods while shopping from the convenience of your own home, pay a visit to bookshop.org. Links to all vendors can be found on my “Buy” page.

Happy Happy Merry Merry Joy Joy!

Here’s the skinny on autographed, personalized books for the holidays

It’s that time of year again…

… and even though this year has been extremely different from those past, it is still possible to get personalized books shipped wherever you want, wrapped up and ready to go.

I am, as always, working with my beloved independent bookstore in Asheville, NC, Malaprop’s, to offer personalized, autographed copies of my books. Signed, personalized books make great gifts and autographing eReaders simply hasn’t taken off yet.

If you want an autographed book you can call Malaprop’s directly at 1-800-441-9829 or 828-254-6734. The store is chock full of helpful, cheerful folks. Once one of these charmers answers the phone, just tell them which book(s) you want to order, the author’s name—that's me—and how you would like the inscription to read. FOR TIMELY DELIVERY: Order by December 14th. You may also order at the link below.

Sooner is better depending on your needs. Might it arrive sooner than you think? Possibly. But this year has been nothing if not unpredictable and chaotic, and who needs the added seasonal stress?

What about those inscriptions?

How do you want the book personalized? To you? To the in-law you’re always trying to suck up to? Do you want it to say “Merry Christmas,” “Happy Holidays,” “For a history buff,” or nothing at all so that you may re-gift at will? Will I inscribe anything that you desire? Oh no, my dears, I absolutely will not. Outright offensive or just weirdly personal inscription requests will be completely ignored. So there. Once you’ve decided on your (sane, courteous) inscription request, Malaprop’s can handle it. Simply give them your payment information and shipping address. 

What about gift wrapping?

Yes indeed, they gift wrap! I told you they were wonderful. So, you can have that autographed book gift-wrapped AND have a gift card slapped on it. That package of holiday reading cheer will be shipped wherever you want and will arrive ready to be shoved under a tree, stuck in a (larger than usual) stocking, placed next to the menorah, or donated to your local library.

My books are available wherever books are sold, and if you would like to patronize an independent bookstore closer to your neck of the woods while shopping from the convenience of your own home, pay a visit to bookshop.org. Links to all vendors can be found on my “Buy” page.

Happy Happy Merry Merry!

Get Autographed Books from Denise for the Holidays

It’s gift-giving-buying season once again. I am, as always, working with my beloved independent bookstore in Asheville, NC, Malaprop’s, to offer personalized, autographed copies of The Last Castle, The Girls of Atomic City, Signing Their Lives Away, and other titles. Signed, personalized books make great gifts and autographing eReaders simply hasn’t taken off yet. Though I work with Malaprop’s all year long, during the holidays I get lots of questions about wrapping and shipping and so forth. 

Here’s the skinny on autographed, personalized books for the holidays:

The easiest way to get an autographed book is to call Malaprop’s directly at 1-800-441-9829 or 828-254-6734. The store is chock full of helpful, cheerful folks. Once one of these charmers answers the phone, just tell them which book(s) you want to order, the author’s name—that's me—and how you would like the inscription to read. FOR TIMELY DELIVERY: Order by December 17th. Will it get to you if you order a day or so after that? Very possibly. But who needs the added seasonal stress?

What about those inscriptions?

How do you want the book personalized? To you? To the mother-in-law you’re always trying to suck up to? Do you want it to say “Merry Christmas,” “Happy Holidays,” “For a history buff,” or nothing at all so that you may re-gift at will? Will I inscribe anything that you desire? Oh no, my dears, I absolutely will not. Outright offensive or just weirdly personal inscription requests will be completely ignored. So there. Once you’ve decided on your (sane, courteous) inscription request, Malaprop’s can handle it. Simply give them your payment information and shipping address. That’s it! Malaprop’s will get me in to sign and then ship your book out to you or to the person of your choice, autographed and ready to go.

What about gift wrapping?

Yes indeed, they gift wrap! I told you they were wonderful. So, you can have that autographed book gift-wrapped AND have a gift card slapped on it. That package of holiday reading cheer will be shipped wherever you want and will arrive ready to be shoved under a tree, stuck in a (larger than usual) stocking, placed next to the menorah, or swapped at an office party.

Can I order online?

Technically, yes, but calling is much more efficient and, in the long run, will take up much less of your time.

Which books of yours can I order?

Almost any of them, really, as long as they are in stock. A full-ish list is available here.

Can I get signed copies of your books anywhere else?

Yes. There are many wonderful indie bookstores—especially around the south—that often carry signed copies of my books. Check with the one nearest you first. If they don't have it, and the store has several copies on hand, they can contact me and I can mail out signed bookplates. Not exactly the same, but still a nice touch. 

Happy shopping, and thanks for supporting a local independent bookstore!

Nook sale! "Signing Their Lives Away" ebook is just $2.99!

Our publisher just let us know that the bestselling book Signing Their Lives Away: The Fame and Misfortune of the Men Who Signed the Declaration of Independence —written with my husband and sometimes co-author Joseph D’Agnese—is on sale. The special Nook ebook price is $2.99, so if you’ve been meaning to check it out, now is the time.

The deal is supposed to run through Memorial Day weekend, and end late on 5/27. If you are traveling or have plans for the holiday weekend, don’t take a chance. Carpe that freaking diem.

Snag the deal here.

Quick reminder: Signing Their Lives Away tells the often quirky stories of the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence. We think it pairs nicely with summer, frosty brews, a slab of ribs, a beach umbrella, and a red-white-and-blue muumuu. Get your patriot on.

Meanwhile—if you need another reminder: The Girls of Atomic City is still on sale for $3.99 through the end of June 2. Yay.

How to Get Signed and Personalized Books From Me for the Holidays

It’s gift-giving-buying season once again. I am, as always, working with my fantabulous independent bookstore Malaprop’s to offer personalized, autographed copies of The Last Castle, The Girls of Atomic City, and other titles. Signed, personalized books make great gifts and autographing eReaders simply hasn’t taken off yet. Though I work with Malaprop’s all year long, during the holidays I get lots of questions about wrapping and shipping and so forth. 

Here’s the skinny on signed, personalized books for the holidays:

The easiest way to get an autographed book is to call Malaprop’s directly at 1-800-441-9829 or 828-254-6734. The store is chock full of helpful, cheerful folks. Once one of these charmers answers the phone, just tell them which book(s) you want to order, the author’s name—that's me—and how you would like the inscription to read.

how about inscriptions?

How you want the book personalized? To you? To the mother-in-law you’re always trying to suck up to? Do you want it to say “Merry Christmas,” “Happy Holidays,” “For a history buff,” or nothing at all so that you may re-gift at will? They can handle it all. Simply give them your payment information and shipping address. That’s it! Malaprop’s will get me in to sign and will ship your book out to you or to the person of your choice, autographed and ready to go.

What about gift wrapping?

Yes indeed, they gift wrap. I told you they were wonderful. So, you can have that autographed book gift-wrapped AND have a gift card slapped on it. That package of holiday reading cheer will be shipped wherever you want and will arrive ready to be shoved under a tree, stuck in a (larger than usual) stocking, placed next to the menorah, or swapped at an office party.

Can I order online?

Technically, yes, but calling is much more efficient and, in the long run, will take up much less of your time.

Which books of yours can I order?

Almost any of them, really, as long as they are in stock. A full-ish list is available here.

Can I get signed copies of your books anywhere else?

Yes. There are many wonderful indie bookstores—especially around the south—that often carry signed copies of my books. Check with the one nearest you first. If they don't have it, and the store has several copies on hand, they can contact me and I can mail out signed bookplates. Not exactly the same, but still a nice touch. 

Happy shopping, and thanks for supporting a local independent bookstore!

#AskMeAnything on #Facebook LIVE: 9/8/2017 at 1PM EST

Log on to Facebook.com/DeniseKiernanAuthor or Facebook.com/simonandschuster on Friday, Sept. 8 at 1PM EST for a LIVE Q&A with me about my new book, The Last Castle. 

#OnTheRoad

Ah, airport food. 

#writinglife

Hello, Instagrammers

Not to be confused with "instagrammars."

Inaugural post is up:  https://instagram.com/p/BBu-BUluknK/

You can follow me here: Instagram.com/iamdenisekiernan

Dipping my toes into the Squarespace waters

After years of dealing with a lack of iWeb updates, I have decided to give Squarespace a try. I find it quite intuitive to use, though I need to get a better handle on the design options.

Anyone have any favorite tricks or templates?

The Marshal of the Borgo now on sale

daggyland:

It’s a long story, but when we were first married Denise and I lived overseas in Italy, where she worked covering soccer for sports organizations like ESPN. We first lived in Rome, then moved to a small town an hour north. The countryside was exactly what the travel magazines depict: olive groves…

YES. So thrilled to announce my fabulous husband’s latest publication, “The Marshall of the Borgo.” 

Day 1 of the 14th annual Girlfriend’s Weekend. All the Pulpwood Queens have descended on Jefferson, Texas, population 2,106. This year’s theme: Viva Las Vegas!. Authors and readers having a blast.

Don't you like books?

randomhouse:

The most important gifset (especially that Patrick Stewart gif).

Yay! Picked up my signed first edition of “Maddaddam” yesterday from my lovely local bookstore, Malaprop’s. Can’t wait to dig in! 

"We'll Back Our Boys: The Southern Home Front During World War II"

Here’s the official release and invite to a symposium at the National Archives in Atlanta at which I’ll be speaking. I can’t say enough about the Archives and how important they are to our culture, our educational institutions and our society. If you’re going to be in the area or know someone who will, please stop by and do pass on the information.

Invitation to “We’ll Back Our Boys:” The Southern Home Front During World War II, a symposium at the National Archives at Atlanta, Saturday, September 21 from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.

Featured speakers:

• Denise Kiernan, author of the New York Times Best Seller “The Girls of Atomic City” featured on the PBS News Hour and The Daily Show with Jon Stewart.

•  Fritz Hamer, University South Caroliniana Library curator and author of “Charleston Reborn: A Southern City, Its Navy Yard and World War II, 1940-1946”

• Courtney Tollison, Furman University professor, historian for the Upcountry History Museum in Greenville, SC, and author of “We Just Did Everything We Could”

• Edward A. Hatfield, Emory University Ph.D. candidate with dissertation in progress: “The Too-Busy City: The Politics of Growth and Development in Atlanta, 1946-96”

• Nathan Jordan, NARA Atlanta archivist of military-related records

To promote research in its World War II Home Front records and to highlight scholarly works based on these holdings, the National Archives at Atlanta is hosting “We’ll Back Our Boys:” The Southern Home Front During World War II, a symposium on Saturday, September 21.   The nearly 7,500 cubic feet of records relating to the Southern Home Front during World War II envelop a wide variety of subtopics ranging from labor relations, transportation, ordnance production, naval intelligence, civil rights, women in the work force, and many others.  Make plans now to participate in this event at the Southeast’s largest archival facility.  

Pre-registration is required and limited to 200.  There is no cost to attend.

To register for the symposium, access www.archives.gov/atlanta/wwii-symposium

For more information on the Southern Home Front holdings of the National Archives at Atlanta, visit our online exhibit at http://nationalarchivesatlanta.omeka.net/exhibits/show/wwii

We encourage you to circulate this information among your staff. Professors and students of twentieth century and Southern history may take particular interest.

The National Archives at Atlanta is located at 5780 Jonesboro Road in Morrow, Georgia and holds federal records for Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. For a comprehensive description of the record groups held at our repository, go tohttp://www.archives.gov/atlanta/holdings/index.html

For questions about the symposium, contact:

Joel Walker

Education Specialist

National Archives at Atlanta

Joel.walker@nara.gov

770-968-2530

Dates set for " The Girls of Atomic City" National Tour

Girls of Atomic City — National Tour in May & June

I’m hitting the road in May and June to promote my book, The Girls of Atomic City. Here’s the list of cities, bookstores, and events. The first half is a driving tour through the Southeast; the second half will see me bopping around the U.S. to various bookstores and festivals. If our paths cross, stop by and say “hi”!

SOUTHERN DRIVING TOUR

Charlotte, NC

Thursday, May 2

Park Road Books 7 pm

4139 Park Rd.

Charlotte, NC

*Talk, Q&A, Signing

Greenville, SC

Friday, May 10

Fiction Addiction 12 pm

Venue: City Range Restaurant

615 Haywood Rd.

Greenville, SC

*Lunch Event & Signing

Nashville, TN

Tuesday, May 14

Parnassus Books 6:30 pm

3900 Hillsboro Pike

Nashville, TN

*Talk, Q&A, Signing

Raleigh, NC

Thursday, May 16

Quail Ridge Books 7:30 pm

3522 Wade Ave.

Raleigh, NC

*Talk, Q&A, Signing

Southern Pines, NC

Friday, May 17

Country Bookshop 4:30 pm

140 NW Broad St.

Southern Pines, NC

*Talk, Q&A, Signing

Chapel Hill, NC

Saturday, May 18

Flyleaf Books Noon

752 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

Chapel Hill, NC

*Talk, Q&A, Signing

Knoxville, TN

Tuesday, May 21

Union Ave Books 6 pm

Venue: The East Tennessee History Center Auditorium

601 Gay St.

Knoxville TN

*Talk, Q&A, Signing

Atlanta, GA

Tuesday, June 4

A Cappella Books 7 pm

Venue: Carter Presidential Library

441 Freedom Parkway

Atlanta, GA

*Talk, Q&A, Signing

August 30 - September 1, 2013

Decatur Festival of Books

Details TBD

Sylva, NC

Saturday, June 29

City Lights Bookstore 6:30 pm

3 East Jackson St.

Sylva, NC

*Talk, Q&A, Signing

* * *

*NATIONAL TOUR

Milwaukee, WI

Saturday, June 8

Boswell Books 2 pm

2559 N Downer Ave.

Milwaukee, WI

*Talk, Q&A, Signing

Chicago, IL

Sunday, June 9

Chicago Tribune Printers Row Festival

Solo Presentation

Details TBD

Lexington, KY

Wednesday, June 12

Joseph-Beth Booksellers 7 pm

161 Lexington Green Circle

Lexington KY

*Talk, Q&A, Signing

Denver, CO

Friday, June 14

Tattered Cover 7:30 pm

2526 East Colfax Ave.

Denver, CO

*Talk, Q&A, Signing

Los Angeles, CA

Saturday, June 15

Vroman’s Bookstore 4 pm

695 E. Colorado Blvd.

Pasadena, CA

*Talk, Q&A, Signing

San Francisco, CA

Monday, June 17

Book Passage 6 pm

1 Ferry Building

San Francisco, CA

*Talk, Q&A, Signing

Seattle, WA

Wednesday, June 19

Elliot Bay Book Company 7pm

1521 Tenth Ave.

Seattle, WA

*Talk, Q&A, Signing

Albuquerque, NM

Friday, June 21

Bookworks 

Albuquerque, NM

Venue: National Atomic Museum

Omnivoracious: How I Wrote It: Denise Kiernan on "The Girls of Atomic City"

Sharing a blog post here that I did for Omnivoracious over at Amazon about writing “The Girls of Atomic City.”

Happy Pub Day

It’s here—that day all authors wait for which, when it finally dawns, is one of the most anticlimactic career events ever, no matter how many times you go through it. Pub day.

Books are a long haul. You get a kernel of an idea, do a little digging and try to decide whether this is a topic you want to live with for years. Then of course there’s the business end of the entire endeavor which, if you’re like me, can’t be ignored if you want to make a living: Can I sell this to a publisher and can that publisher sell it to readers? 

So the kernel sprouts and you decide that you do want to live with the idea until you don’t and then until you can’t live without the idea again. Then there are the proposals and the meetings and all the while you’re trying to keep researching and come up with a clear vision for this project that you’ve already told major publishing corporations you really do have a vision for. Then you get the deal. Relief. Deadlines. A schedule. Sort of. An end date? In a sense, sure. 

You write. You rewrite. You keep researching. You turn in the first draft, which is maybe the most anticlimactic of all the anticlimatices. (New word! It’s one of those vertices in life that you think you’ve reached but feel underwhelmed when you actually do.) You’re still so far from done and you know it. You wait for your editor. You already want to make changes the minute you hit “send” and your manuscript went out into the ether on its way to the publisher. That’s fine. Changes are coming.

Your changes. The editor’s changes. Changes from those trusted colleagues you allowed to see your ugly, ugly first draft. Revisions and more drafts follow. The end is so much closer and you know now that the time to really whip things into shape is shrinking fast.

A first look at your cover blows a little wind up your skirt and you get excited again. A cover! It’s real! Do you like it? they ask. You do! You really do! You’re not just saying that to avoid sounding like a moody, picky writer with no design experience. Everyone weighs in. Then polite “suggestions” from the real power-wielders at any publishing house: sales. They don’t like the cover. Am I OK with that? Absolutely. After all, there are bigger fish in this fry-daddy.

First pass pages! Am I done? No. The copy editor has seen it, maybe a proofer. Only make necessary changes… Necessary. Never do writers have more trouble defining such a two-cent word than when they are instructed to make only “necessary” changes.

Pencil marks. Post-its. Use this pencil, not that one. You finish…sort of. You mail it in. You’re done!

No, you’re not.

Promotional materials. Second pass pages and galleys. The book is in print…sort of. Ugh..I could invent a drinking game based on the number of times I used the word (insert favorite adjective here)…I can’t believe I….Can I still change…? Your editor is about to hop on a plane and pry the pages from your cold dead hands. Promotional materials again. Web sites. Meetings. Lists of people you hope will give this book a second look. Finally, there are no more changes to be made. The book is off to the printer.

But you’re still not done. Wrangling for press, emailing, tweeting. Yay! I got a piece in yadda-yadda magazine! Boo! Whozeewhatsit doesn’t want to have me on their show! Yay! Boo! Wine.

Then, finally, on a rainy Tuesday, the book is officially out in the world. Sort of. Actually there has already been press. People have already been tweeting pics of the book after purchasing it BEFORE the pub date from stores that ignore those sort of contractual restrictions. Emails from friends and people I haven’t heard from in a while are, by far, the best part of this day, and I will answer every single one.

However, I’m still not done. I have talks to give, traveling to do, presentations to prepare (clothes to buy…) I open my laptop and try to get back to work. The inter-web sink hole drags me down into the neuro-pacification that is KenKen and I wander over to…

Hang on. What’s that a picture of…? Who is that? She looks fascinating. She did what? When? Huh. You know what would be a great story…

And another kernel sprouts in the dark. Happy pub day.

Little Big Crimes: Button Man, by Joseph D'Agnese

Mystery writer Robert Lopresti reviews “Button Man” by my husband, Joseph D’Agnese. As I’ve mentioned in prior posts, this fantastic story set in NYC’s garment district, is in the March issue of Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine. What Lopresti says about Joe’s writing is not only true, but a good measure of what all solid mystery writing should be. Click through to read Lopresti’s review and visit his blog, “Little Big Crimes.”

Here I am talking about my latest book, The Girls of Atomic City. I love these old Ed Westcott photos. Thanks to Touchstone and Simon & Schuster for putting this together.

Goodreads | Book giveaway for The Girls of Atomic City: The Untold Story of the Women Who Helped Win World War II

Thanks Touchstone Books and Joseph D’Agnese for setting up this giveaway of my upcoming book over at Goodreads.