Doug Norton's Blog, page 2
October 23, 2013
Recent & Future Book Events--Code Word: Paternity
Thanks to the Carroll County Chapter of Maryland Writers' Association for the opportunity to join their October meeting.Interacting with readers and fellow writers is such a treat for me and I'm delighted to have several events coming up in November and December. Sometimes an exchange offers the thrill that comes from someone “getting” your message exactly as you hoped. But sometimes and equally enjoyable is when a reader gets something from the book that I didn’t realize was in it. A novel is a complicated thing and it really has a life of its own because the words trigger thoughts and feelings in readers that are their individual and unique reactions. And I REALLY, REALLY appreciate that so many readers have taken the time to post reviews and to recommend Code Word: Paternity to others!
HEREWITH A LIST OF UPCOMING EVENTS
Nov 1, Holiday Inn Quantico Center, 7 a.m.
Nov 5, Kamama, Mentone, AL, 1 p.m.
Nov 7, Rainsville Library Rainsville AL 1 p.m. and The Book Shelf Ft. Payne AL, 3 p.m.
Dec 10, AACPL Provinces Br, Severn MD 7 p.m.
Dec 12, AACPL Severna Park Br. Severna Park MD, 7 p.m.
Code Word: Paternity, A Presidential Thriller
HEREWITH A LIST OF UPCOMING EVENTS
Nov 1, Holiday Inn Quantico Center, 7 a.m.
Nov 5, Kamama, Mentone, AL, 1 p.m.
Nov 7, Rainsville Library Rainsville AL 1 p.m. and The Book Shelf Ft. Payne AL, 3 p.m.
Dec 10, AACPL Provinces Br, Severn MD 7 p.m.
Dec 12, AACPL Severna Park Br. Severna Park MD, 7 p.m.
Code Word: Paternity, A Presidential Thriller
October 5, 2013
Baltimore Book Festival
Many thanks to the Maryland Writers’ Association for inviting me to the booth at the Baltimore Book Festival for couple of hours on opening day. We had wonderful weather and I enjoyed being amongst the crowd of readers and authors. Met some new friends, signed some books, and shot the breeze with fellow MWA members. Even managed to drive home without getting caught in the traffic of an Orioles game—couldn’t have been better! Special appreciation to Ken Gauvey, Baltimore chapter president.
September 27, 2013
Today at Baltimore Book Festival
I'm looking forward to enjoying the first day of the Baltimore Book Festival www.baltimorebookfestival.com/. Looks like fine weather for it! I'm especially jazzed about talking with readers about Code Word: Paternity at the Maryland Writers' Association booth from 3-5 p.m. Hope to see some old friends and meet some new ones!
July 23, 2013
Thanks, Maryland Writers’ Association Annapolis!
Many thanks to fellow writers and friends of Code Word: Paternity who braved the heat to attend the July meeting of the Annapolis chapter. We had a conversation about the art, business, and craft of writing using the creation, publishing, and marketing of my novel, Code Word: Paternity, as our vehicle. As always when I have an opportunity to huddle with others I came away with renewed motivation and several new ideas. I hope others did, too! There is a video of the presentation and discussion at the MWA Annapolis web page, here: http://annapolismwa.wordpress.com/
July 12, 2013
Wednesday, July 17 Code Word Paternity—A Look Under the Hood
I'm looking forward to next Wednesday, July 17, at 6:30 p.m. when I’ll be giving a talk about my political thriller, Code Word: Paternity, in room 205 of Maryland Hall in Annapolis, MD.
This event differs from previous Code Word: Paternity events. I’ll talk a bit about the novel and the extraordinary way that events this year in North Korea seem to foreshadow its plot. But the emphasis in this presentation to the Annapolis chapter of the Maryland Writers’ Association is on the road traveled since I, who had not written fiction before, decided to see if I had a novel in me. It’s what I experienced and learned—the good, the bad, and the ugly—over a five year creative and business process that began in 2008. After a revolution in publishing methods and economics it’s a journey that anyone who likes to write could undertake. Whether you’re thinking about writing or are just curious about how a first novel can be created and marketed these days I think you’ll find it interesting. Hope to see you there!
The Maryland Writers' Association (MWA) is a voluntary, not-for-profit organization dedicated to supporting the art, business, and craft of writing in all its forms. MWA's diverse membership ranges from professional freelancers and published authors, to writers aspiring to be published and those who write as a creative outlet. See www.marylandwriters.org.
A tip of my hat to the Anne Arundel County Public Library system for acquiring additional copies of Code Word: Paternity.That double-digit hold list should soon become shorter—although (full disclosure) it gives me a thrill to see it!
This event differs from previous Code Word: Paternity events. I’ll talk a bit about the novel and the extraordinary way that events this year in North Korea seem to foreshadow its plot. But the emphasis in this presentation to the Annapolis chapter of the Maryland Writers’ Association is on the road traveled since I, who had not written fiction before, decided to see if I had a novel in me. It’s what I experienced and learned—the good, the bad, and the ugly—over a five year creative and business process that began in 2008. After a revolution in publishing methods and economics it’s a journey that anyone who likes to write could undertake. Whether you’re thinking about writing or are just curious about how a first novel can be created and marketed these days I think you’ll find it interesting. Hope to see you there!
The Maryland Writers' Association (MWA) is a voluntary, not-for-profit organization dedicated to supporting the art, business, and craft of writing in all its forms. MWA's diverse membership ranges from professional freelancers and published authors, to writers aspiring to be published and those who write as a creative outlet. See www.marylandwriters.org.
A tip of my hat to the Anne Arundel County Public Library system for acquiring additional copies of Code Word: Paternity.That double-digit hold list should soon become shorter—although (full disclosure) it gives me a thrill to see it!
June 19, 2013
What Gives National Security Experts Insomnia?
"In my years covering national security, every time you actually sit down and have a longer conversation with people who are involved in counter terrorism and national security and you ask them, 'What keeps you awake at night?' ... the answer I got over and over and over through the years was the idea that some radical group could get their hands on a weapon of mass destruction."
Mary Louise Kelly, former NPR national security reporter on the intelligence beat, interview on NPR Morning Edition June 18, 2013.
Mary Louise Kelly, former NPR national security reporter on the intelligence beat, interview on NPR Morning Edition June 18, 2013.
June 2, 2013
Admiral’s Worry Tracks Code Word: Paternity
In a May 30 article on the NYT blog At War, journalist Thom Shanker profiled U.S. Navy Admiral James Stavridis on the occasion of his retirement as NATO’s top military officer. In this interview the admiral expressed his concern about Kim and his nukes in a scenario that sounds a lot like the plot of Code Word: Paternity.
“ . . . ask what worries him most, and he answers in a single word: convergence.
“That is the new term of choice in national security circles for the coming together of previously unrelated adversaries, who not only might combine in operations, but also share resources, know-how, weapons and technology and personnel.
“This is really the dark end of the spectrum of globalization as you assess rising national security risks,” Admiral Stavridis said in an interview. “It is something I worry about enormously.”
“Admiral Stavridis also sketched a scenario in which a country like North Korea, seeking to attack the United States or its allies without the clear and obvious attribution of a missile launch, might contract with a smuggling ring to move a weapon into a major port somewhere in the world.”
See Globalization Creates a New Worry: Enemy Convergence - NYTimes.com http://tinyurl.com/me5g89m
“ . . . ask what worries him most, and he answers in a single word: convergence.
“That is the new term of choice in national security circles for the coming together of previously unrelated adversaries, who not only might combine in operations, but also share resources, know-how, weapons and technology and personnel.
“This is really the dark end of the spectrum of globalization as you assess rising national security risks,” Admiral Stavridis said in an interview. “It is something I worry about enormously.”
“Admiral Stavridis also sketched a scenario in which a country like North Korea, seeking to attack the United States or its allies without the clear and obvious attribution of a missile launch, might contract with a smuggling ring to move a weapon into a major port somewhere in the world.”
See Globalization Creates a New Worry: Enemy Convergence - NYTimes.com http://tinyurl.com/me5g89m
March 25, 2013
A Pleasant, Productive Gathering
The Annapolis Bookstore was a wonderful venue for meeting readers and discussing Code Word: Paternity. Many thanks to owners Mary Adams and Janice Holmes, who offer this bright, cozy haven for book lovers in historic Annapolis, a block from the state capitol.
I really enjoyed the number and variety of questions. Face-to-face is still my favorite conversation forum! My favorite question: “Who was your editor?” because it gave me a chance to recognize the extraordinary Robert Brown, Jr., who not only exterminated errors from the m.s., he almost cured me of comma disease. (You know—that chronic illness that compels the insertion of inappropriate commas.)
Thanks, readers, for your interest and support!
I really enjoyed the number and variety of questions. Face-to-face is still my favorite conversation forum! My favorite question: “Who was your editor?” because it gave me a chance to recognize the extraordinary Robert Brown, Jr., who not only exterminated errors from the m.s., he almost cured me of comma disease. (You know—that chronic illness that compels the insertion of inappropriate commas.)
Thanks, readers, for your interest and support!
March 20, 2013
Book Talk, March 22, Annapolis MD
When I wrote Code Word: Paternity in 2010-11 I set the story in the near future. When I published in 2012, I was confident it was solidly researched and authentic but I didn’t expect it to become the stuff of headlines in 2013 However, it has: North Korea’s recent nuclear threats against its regional neighbors and America lead into my book’s plot like a highway on-ramp. (I find that both exhilarating—what author wouldn’t thrill at seeing his plot validated—and worrisome because it would be terrible if this plot became reality.)
The owners of The Annapolis Bookstore, which carries Code Word: Paternity, have invited me to give a book talk on Friday, March 22 at 5 p.m. I’ll be speaking about the startling parallels and relationships that seem to exist between the world of my book and the world we are living in these days. Afterwards, I’ll be there until 7 p.m. and hope to have some lively discussion with readers and potential readers. I’d be honored to sign copies of the book.
If you haven’t discovered Code Word: Paternity, I invite you to the comprehensive review in the current issue of Outlook by the Bay magazine http://tinyurl.com/bls843s and to peruse reader comments at Amazon.com, Goodreads, Barnes & Noble and elsewhere.
I hope you’ll drop in! The Annapolis Bookstore is at 35 Maryland Avenue. http://tinyurl.com/cf7323t
The owners of The Annapolis Bookstore, which carries Code Word: Paternity, have invited me to give a book talk on Friday, March 22 at 5 p.m. I’ll be speaking about the startling parallels and relationships that seem to exist between the world of my book and the world we are living in these days. Afterwards, I’ll be there until 7 p.m. and hope to have some lively discussion with readers and potential readers. I’d be honored to sign copies of the book.
If you haven’t discovered Code Word: Paternity, I invite you to the comprehensive review in the current issue of Outlook by the Bay magazine http://tinyurl.com/bls843s and to peruse reader comments at Amazon.com, Goodreads, Barnes & Noble and elsewhere.
I hope you’ll drop in! The Annapolis Bookstore is at 35 Maryland Avenue. http://tinyurl.com/cf7323t
March 9, 2013
North Korea Writes a Prologue to Code Word: Paternity
I’ve scheduled Sunday, March 10, as a free day for the Kindle version of Code Word: Paternity in hope of reaching a wider audience with its suggestion, happily through fiction, that North Korean nuclear threats should spur us to greater attention to defenses against unconventional means of nuclear attack.
I believe much of the reaction to North Korea’s recent actions and statements is off the mark, painting Pyongyang’s threats against America as bizarre and impossible to carry out. Bizarre, they are. Impossible, they are not.
Many bloggers, tweeters, and talking heads play Kim and his generals for laughs. Most policy analysts write that North Korea is a problem but won’t be a danger on American soil until it has missiles that can carry nukes here.
Both of those spins are wrong and when you have read this novel you will understand why, perhaps joining me in the unsettling thought that North Korea’s nuclear bomb test last month and recent threats to nuke America might be a prologue to Code Word: Paternity.
I believe much of the reaction to North Korea’s recent actions and statements is off the mark, painting Pyongyang’s threats against America as bizarre and impossible to carry out. Bizarre, they are. Impossible, they are not.
Many bloggers, tweeters, and talking heads play Kim and his generals for laughs. Most policy analysts write that North Korea is a problem but won’t be a danger on American soil until it has missiles that can carry nukes here.
Both of those spins are wrong and when you have read this novel you will understand why, perhaps joining me in the unsettling thought that North Korea’s nuclear bomb test last month and recent threats to nuke America might be a prologue to Code Word: Paternity.
