Today, September 14, is the Fifth Anniversary of the Publication of my First Novel, The Fourteenth of September

It’s been a wild ride teetering between my initial aspirations, which were as grandiose as those of Christo, of course, but often crashed into a reality which was more Matisse-like: I still can’t fold a fitted sheet, but I no longer just ball it up and shove it into the linen closet. I’ve learned it takes way more than two hands, and to master one corner at a time. Ah, metaphors. And yes, I’ve squeezed the life out of this one. Stay with me.

I’m happy to say the novel has done well and is still plugging away, with new interest—from younger book club readers to an upcoming release by a major author that should build readership for my book as well. It’s all good and has been fun—funny “ha, ha” as well as funny peculiar. And today, for your amusement, I’m sharing some of my favorite lessons and “curiosities” that have occurred over the past five years. Enjoy.

Book Marketing is Murder on Your looks

Like most authors, I spent a hefty amount of time and money on perfectly fashioned author portraits that combined aspects of attractiveness (as possible) and (not too) serious artist, with an attitude both approachable and friendly—someone you’d like to chat with for an hour over lunch, or better yet, think about for the twenty hours you’re reading my book. However, I find the photos that end up in the newsletters and social media posts are the exact opposite—top of the reject line, if I’d had a say in it. Please appreciate how brave I am to share these with you.

Kristin Hannah is Writing the Mirror Image of my Story  

I’m pretty excited that Kristin Hannah, best-selling author of The Nightingale and many other books, will come out with The Women in February. 

Her story is about a young woman who volunteers as a nurse in Vietnam and has a crisis of conscience. Her theme is that “women can be heroes, too.”

The story of The Fourteenth of September is about a young woman on a military scholarship to become a nurse and go to Vietnam who has a crisis of conscience. My theme is that women in war are faced with life-altering decisions as tough as men.

If I were an instructor, I’d teach the books side by side. A great project for a book club as well, right?

I’m selfishly hoping the release of The Women will give my book a bump, but most of all, further help to make the subject of Vietnam as attention worthy as the ubiquitous World War II.

Birthdays Bring Big Bucks 

At live events, one of the most popular reasons people stop to look at my novel is that September 14 happens to be their own birthday, or that of a husband, mother, boyfriend . . . you get it. And I respond, “Then of course the book will make a perfect birthday present,” which as a sales pitch is almost always successful. I used to feel guilty, since they had no idea what they were in for. But then, more than half the time we discuss the story behind the date of the title and their eyes widen, glad there is more to their purchase than coincidence, and they tell me a story from their own lives about the Vietnam era we’ve all been touched by whether we realize it or not. As for the guilt, not so much if the purchaser originally asked if the novel was a mystery or thriller (apparently titles with dates are often these genres).  Bottom line, you never know what will spur a sale. (I also get sales because of the pretty cover!) 

A Birthday to Die For

Though I didn’t anticipate the appeal, the book was initially sent to media reviewers wrapped in birthday paper with a card indicating the Fourteenth of September was “A Birthday to Die For.” Audacious but effective, and on point for this story of a young woman whose birthday is is same as the #1 in the Vietnam Draft Lottery. I did brace myself for pushback, which didn’t happen. Whew! Thanks to Books Forward for the idea and creative genius Cathleen Johnson for the line. 

Catch 22 in Vietnam

At my book launch my brother-in-law told me his birthday was September 14 and he had therefore been #1 in the Lottery. This was a fact I hadn’t known during the entire writing process of the novel, but you’d think I would have remembered from birthday parties over the years. He was immediately drafted back in 1970, one of the most dangerous times in the Vietnam War. He was twenty-five at the time. The Army put him through all the paperwork, got him into a uniform, and sent him to basic training. Then, just as he was ready to be shipped to Vietnam, his actual birthday occurred and he turned twenty-six, which made him too old for duty. They took back the uniform and sent him home. A close call for him (though he’d been willing to go). But a genuine Joseph Heller moment of military absurdity. It was also one of the many bizarre-but-true stories shared by quite a few of my readers who were drafted at the time, but through some slip up in the universe didn’t actually go to Vietnam. They were amazed at how fate . . . and f---ups were on their side. 

Tip for Audiobook Listeners

Listen to audiobook here

I can’t believe I made the narrator of the audio book of The Fourteenth of September pronounce the dew do do da dews in “Suite: Judy Blue Eyes,” the era-specific Crosby, Stills & Nash song that led to my main character being named Judy Blue Eyes. That should have been left to David Crosby, Graham Nash, and/or Stephen Stills and no others. But if you set the speed faster you’ll enjoy her interpretation. Please sing along.

I knew you’d ask. I’m killing myself to get the full revision of my next novel to my editor before the end of September, when I will be off to Morocco on a trip that’s been delayed for three years because of COVID, unless it will be delayed again due to the earthquake. I’m also planning a trip to San Miguel in November for the Day of the Dead fiesta, which is the setting for the final third of the novel. I’ll be completing bits of remaining research so I can begin the process of sending the manuscript out to find a publishing home. Stay tuned for updates.

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This September marks the fifth anniversary of publication and there's no better time than now to grab your copy of The Fourteenth of September. Available wherever books are sold.