Homer Hickam News
December, 2013

The Writer's Life

 

 

Dear Gentle and Prodigious Readers:

 

Well, here it is the Holiday Season, a busy time for all of us, but for the Hickams, something of a relief. The Fall of 2013 was one thing after another, most of it all good, but requiring our full attention! Before I tell you all that happened, let me remind one and all that Linda is prepared to fill all of your Christmas autographed Homer Hickam book orders for that special person in your life who loves to read. See her section below and don't wait! Of course, the Coalwood books are available - Rocket Boys , The Coalwood Way  (aka A Coalwood Christmas), Sky of Stone, and We are Not Afraid.  

 

The acclaimed Josh Thurlow series set during World War II - The Keeper's Son, The Ambassador's Son, and The Far Reaches
Red Helmet - are available as are the stand-alone books,
(a romantic tale of the coalfields),
The Dinosaur Hunter (a grand adventure and mystery story set in today's Montana), My Dream of Stars
(the memoir of the Iranian-American astronaut Anousheh Ansari), and the young adult sci-fi Helium-3 series set on the moon- Crater and Crescent.


Linda also has the printed version of the short e-books Paco: The Cat Who Meowed in Space  (the story of my early years with NASA and a very special cat), and From Rocket Boys to October Sky (the story of how the memoir was written and the movie made).  

Check in with Linda at LTerry@hiwaay.net and she'll help fill your orders. DON'T WAIT! Book prices can be found in some specials Linda has below and the full list is here on my websiteJust click on the white gift with the green ribbon there!



I just turned in my latest novel, the third in the Helium-3 series, titled
Crater Trueblood and the Lunar Rescue Company.     

I've pulled out the stops on this one but it won't be available until June so please hang on for the latest adventures of Crater, Crescent, Maria, and all the characters in the first two novels in the series.  
 

 

 

We had the most marvelous time this year at the second Rocket Boys/October Sky Festival in Beckley, WV. It was great to see the other boys - Roy Lee, Billy, and O'Dell - plus a special treat in the appearance of Chris Owen, the great actor who played Quentin in the movie. Next year, the main Festival day will be Saturday, October 4.

Billy, O'Dell, Chris Owen, Princess, Roy Lee
and Homer

From the moment we set foot in Beckley, we were in a whirlwind of activities. I spoke to visiting students, ran a writer's workshop, talked to the audiences of the movie October Sky, and, on the prime day of the celebration, greeted the crowds and signed books all day while visitors celebrated with music, great food, visiting vendors and other authors, not to mention launching rockets! Linda had been stung on her hand by a yellow jacket and had a reaction and an infection from it but persevered anyway during our busy but wonderful time.

 

I next headed to the Big Apple, New York City, to talk to my fellow creators of  Rocket Boys the Musical after a third popular season at Theatre West Virginia. After the recent successful presentation at Fairmont State University, we think we're in great shape to keep going toward that brighter sky!

Linda's 92 year old dad Walt watching football with Albert



In NY, I also took the opportunity to visit Kate Nintzel, my wonderful new editor at Harper Collins who will guide me along as I write book eighteen, Carrying Albert Home: A Family Epic
(the working title). Much more on this later!

  Our Albert is much loved
wherever he goes!





After that, I headed to Watertown,
Connecticut, to help them celebrate both
Rocket Boys: A Memoir and Crater 
as their 2013 annual city/library read! I was very much made to feel at home by the wonderful folks in Watertown and made many new friends.
 
Before I had time to scarcely turn around, I was on my way to Denver, Colorado, where I celebrated the selection of Rocket Boys by the Commerce City School System as a school-wide read.  I was most impressed by the educators and students in this high percentage Latino district. They understand how to use education to motivate their students be successful in the USA! I was proud to help out and so pleased that the story of the Rocket Boys is meaningful to these wonderful folks.

 

Linda and I next drove up to Blacksburg, Virginia, to help the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Skipper, the game cannon I helped build in 1963. Joining us was Ben "Butch" Harper and George Fox, my fellow cadets at that time who joined in to build a grand brass cannon that for so many years was the pride of the Corps.

 

Although the original Skipper is retired now, her legend lives on in  Skipper II. What a wonderful reception we received from the Corps including a special firing of the new Skipper on the drill field.   

The Cannon Boys and Skipper

Right after this, I was honored by being selected by the governor of Alabama to serve on the board of the United States Space & Rocket Center, the home of Space Camp and Space Academy. I look forward to working with Dr. Deborah Barnhart and my fellow board members in my hometown of Huntsville, Alabama.

 

Then, with a great sigh of happiness, Linda and I headed for our prodigious home Skyridge. There, as always, we had a most marvelous time, snorkeling, scuba diving, have meals and drinks with friends, gardening and working on the house, getting it shipshape for the rental season. We will be back soon, with my brother and his family in January, their first time there.

Dusk view from Skyridge deck
The most beautiful full moon rising
over "The Narrows."
From our deck this last trip

 

 

 

 

We wish you joy these holidays, from our family to yours. May you take time to be with friends and family and make time for what really matters - memories, and the gift of your presence, not opulent presents.

Happy 2014 - Make it your best year yet!

Homer 

 


Merry Christmas from the KnowInk Shipping Department - Linda, the Fluffies here
and all the rest of my VERY helpful crew!

From
Linda

The holidays are HERE!

Order your Autographed Books
 for that hard-to-find-a gift-for person NOW!
 
Autographed Books - Sale
 
Think Christmas NOW!  The purrrfect gift
- a personalized, autographed book! We will mail for you, no postal line. Gift wrapping even available :)

Rocket Boys hardcover, $30, $41 with shipping.
And of course I have his sixteen other books available too. Please see Homer's website to see the selection and prices or email me.  (click on the white gift book with the green ribbon, looks like below) All of his books are described in detail on his BOOKS page there too.
For your young ones, 5th grade on up, Personalized and autographed trade paperbacks of the second Helium-3, Crescent, for $12, $6 priority mail - $18 total. I do have hardcovers of the first book, Crater still, $22 with mailing. If you want the pair, $30 total with priority mailing.

Red Helmet
(hardback, out of print, collectible) $22.00 Shipping, $11.

I have 10 copies of the very rare, out of print hardcover collectible
My Dream of Stars    $40, $6 mailing.
 
For the hard to buy for guys (girls too!) 

The Dinosaur Hunter

Hardcover is now available, collectible out of print, a perfect "BOY gift!" $25, $11 shipping.
Trade $16.00 Shipping, $6 so only $22.00

I have the 
Josh Thurlow Trilogy
also, WWII buffs will love it. The trilogy includes Keeper's Son and because that book is rare, the price is $85 for the 3, $11 shipping.

Ambassadors Son and Far Reaches are sold alone also for $25 each but not Keepers, too rare. 
 
Six books will fit in one $11 mailing box. Confused? Write me!
 

Send check or money order to me here, or email for credit order  Lterry@hiwaay.net  

 

After DEC 19 credit card only by email, orders will not get there in time, order now!

  

Note: Prices here are current and supercede the website list - most are lower, a few higher due to new scarcity.  

 

Linda Hickam    

2124 Cecil Ashburn Dr
Suite 100
#210
Huntsville, AL 35802

     

After Jan 1, email me at Lterry@hiwaay.net for new address.  

Wyatt watching his weight during the holidays ;)
In This Issue
Quick Links
Speaker, Homer Hickam
Homer is an often requested and talented speaker. However he cannot travel and speak and get a book or more written a year without it being well worth his while. Honorariums go towards maintaining our five college scholarships. Thank you for your understanding.
Please contact
Greater Talent Network
to find out his availability.


Eagle Scout Congratulations

This is a prodigious award and Homer could not be prouder of the young men who achieve this major landmark in their lives, but he has been put on some lists where he is receiving up to 50 requests a week! PLEASE, we require a SELF ADDRESSED STAMPED ENVELOPE for return congratulation letters. Send the requests and envelope to:

 

Homer Hickam

Eagle Scout Request 

2124 Cecil Ashburn Dr.

Suite 100   #210

Huntsville, AL 35802

 




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