D.L. Havlin's Blog, page 4

Time to think of Christmas?

Christmas Cookies! The name of the Oak Ridge Boys album & accompanying anthology of short stories…one of mine is included.

I know. I know. It’s late August. No sleighs are skimming the snow. In fact, most places in the northern hemisphere are hotter than hell! So why do I want to talk about Christmas. If you’re in the ‘book business’ now is the time the finishing touches go into the holidays publishing process. Since I have a short story in a book that will be released for this Christmas, naturally, I’m excited. The book my short story will appear in is titled, “Christmas Cookies.” This anthology is a companion piece to the OAK RIDGE BOYS’ album carrying the same name. One of the Oaks has a story included in the book. My story is “Aunt Elvira’s Jewels,” a cozy Christmas mystery. The book is to be published by Ally and pre-pub orders can be placed November 1st. It will be in stores soon after. These will make great gifts; can’t miss music and can’t miss reading.

 

The perfect stocking stuffer for the reader on your gift list!

 

Many of you have asked whether my book ‘A Christmas Story Collection‘ would be available again this year. YES! It is very, very popular! There will be no order size restrictions, last year’s run was limited, for those of you that wish to order as presents for friends, relatives and business associates. YES! There will be a 20% discount for orders of six or more placed directly through my website …  http://www.dlhavlin.com  … and YES, I’ll sign them if you wish. For those of you that are asking about new books: I don’t have a release date from FlashPoint for the first book of my SLY HARRELL series, ‘The Grave with Greener Grass.” I’m hoping for spring of 2022 with the next two following close behind. The second book of the Harper Sturgis, Iron Lady series should be available by November or before. ‘Out of Italy,’ is a historical novel, set in Tuscany, full of info for WWII readers, that is an on-the-edge-of-your-chair read that has Harper treasure hunting for a nation’s wealth. Check my webpage for availability. Hey…You only get one life! Enjoy it!

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An update

It has been a long time since my last post. That’s for several reasons. First, the changes made by the WordPress #*@&%!# make it so time consuming and difficult to post that I abhor something I used to love. WordPress makes blogging agony instead of a joy. Second, my writing schedule has become so full (a good thing) that everything else sits in the back. Third, requests for speaking and presentation appearances have ballooned now that Covid-19 is under control. I won’t waste more time on WordPress. They clearly don’t care what their users think.  On to pleasant subjects. DL signs the TouchPoint contract in a Florida motifThe picture above is of me signing a contract with TouchPoint Publishing for a three book mystery series. The Sly Harrell series features a ‘redneck light’ Sherlock Holmes. He specializes in finding and recovering valuable (and not so valuable) items for people desperate to get them back. The first book in the series is “The Grave with Greener Grass.” It is set in rural Florida. In this novel, Sly is after a fortune amassed by a cattle baron. Sly intends to see that the baron’s female heirs rightfully receive their portion after 125 years. Finding the Nancy Lynn and The Curse of the Calusa Queen follow. The manuscripts for all three are complete. Nine more novels in this series are in the works.  Avenger Field, Sweetwater Texas, home of the WASPs as it is today.One project I took time to do, was a research trip to visit the WASP (Women’s AirForce Service Pilots) Museum in Sweetwater Texas. It is for my upcoming novel about this courageous women’s group’s contribution to the US effort in WWII. If you want to learn a great deal about just how unfairly ladies were treated in that period of time, a visit to Sweetwater is in order. This is great museum. I’ve included a few pics below. This hanger houses part of the museum An exhibit that features one of the brave ladies. On runway 4 at Avenger FieldMy speaking, book signing, and appearance schedule has really bloomed. Jeanelle, my publicist tells me that November 2021 is filled. September, October, and December combined, only have a few dates left. She says she is currently booking into the fall of 2022. You can find the schedule by going to my website….. http://www.dlhavlin.com  ……and clicking the “calendar” on the tool bar below the introductory ocean scene. I’ll be visiting familiar venues and many new ones! DL at one of his historical presentationsHope to see you when I’m out and about very soon!

 

Sweetwater TX | WASPSweetwater TX | WASP

authorsBarnes & Noble SarasotaBlue Ridge BookfestbooksCape CoralCharactersCharlotte CountyChristmasDaytona BeachdogseditorsEnglewoodfamilyfictionfishingfloridaFort MyershistoryhumorinspirationsLee County LibrarylibrariesLifeliterary agentsMelbourne FLNaplesnon-fictionnovelsPine IslandPort CharlottepublishingPunta GordareadingRotarySarasota FLsurvivalTampatechnologythrillerunicorn conferenceVero BeachwildlifeWorld War IIwriters conferenceswriting

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How are things going? … Pretty damned good!

The appetite for returning to a pre-Covid life is super strong. The pic is from my February program at the King’s Gate Country Club in Punta Gorda FL. 47 attended…

February is in the rear view mirror and it’s time to evaluate my participation in PUBLIC GATHERING EVENTS. In the face of Covid, answering questions about safety, peoples willingness to attend, and their desire for more…they’re critical. The ‘report card’ for February (my observations) is shared below. Are the venues holding events establishing Covid safety rules? — YES. One hundred percent of the events I attended in February had Covid safety requirements for presenters/vendors and attendees. Were the rules adequate to ensure safety? — Yes. Standard requirements for masks, spacing, hand sanitizers, etc. were required at every event I attended. Were the rules ENFORCED?  — Yes. With one exception, all rigorously enforced the rules.

Mixon’s art show where I meet and greet readers. Masks are required.

Are people willing to venture into public gatherings at this point? — Yes, with qualifications. 1) That safety procedures are in place and observed. 2) That the event has a strong “draw.” Organizations sponsoring the events have told me I qualify as the later. My primary reading demographic are readers 40 and up. It is gratifying and humbling to realize my ‘audience’ is willing to take some risk to hear what I have to say. However, we are in Florida and many of my audience have had the vaccine. How is attendance? — Good! I originally had 9 events scheduled. Three were excellent! Three were average to good. Two were below average. One was canceled.   Note: My book sales were excellent even at subpar attendance events…people who have read my novels in the past came specifically to get additional books.

 

Speaking about Florida’s contribution to WWII. Note the level of safety rule compliance. 100%

What is the outlook for public gathering events going forward? — Excellent! People long for a return to social interaction. I think one side benefit of the accommodations made to provide programs during Covid will be the use of Zoom and other programs to allow simultaneous home and meeting room events.

Back at Master the Possibilities twice in March. Virtual and In-house classes are available to everyone.

March is a loaded month. I have 16 presentations/appearances scheduled on 13 days. I’ve had to decline requests or postpone them. At this point, I have some dates booked as far ahead as April 2022. Visit my web page (DLHavlin — the link is to the right of this post) and click into “Calendar” for my detailed schedule. You can also use the “Contact” button to inquire about my speaking to your organization, get info on my books, etc. It’s exciting! My literary agent is in the act of finalized a contract for my new three book mystery series! I’ll release info as soon as it is complete.Hope to see you soon in person…or in one of my books!

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February…updating the update

Brandi relaxing on the couch. She’s still a pup…at 65 pounds

One of the structures at the Crowley Museum. See you there March 6 & 7!

I have a new critic that enjoys my novels…or at least the manuscripts. The newest member of our household, Brandi, really has sunk her teeth into my work. Literally. She wandered up the circular stairs that go to my writing office in our loft. Several boxes of manuscripts, mostly unpublished, are stored there. Golden Retrievers have a tendency to be “oral” canines, and 8 months-old, Brandi, is dedicated to proving that’s true. Our house is scared from her attempts to eat anything, even walls. She’s a sweetheart and it’s impossible to remain angry long.

Three new books to add to my stack??

The next paragraph falls under the category of slightly premature. My literary agent has, in hand, an offer and contract for book one of my three book Finder Series. It’s with a large house and I’m excited at expanding my publishing base. The series features a redneck light Sherlock Holmes character, Sly Harrell. He’s in the business of recovering treasures, antiquities, and industrial secrets. An ex-DOJ operative, he has a the skills to accept any challenge presented to him. The first book in the series is titled, “The Grave with Greener Grass.” I hope to confirm my signing in the near future.

A “full house” during Covid-19, a presentation at Master the Possibilities. This presentation is on “Florida’s Museums and Historic Places.”

   Now to update, the update. My schedule for the rest of February and beginning of March is as follows: Wednesday 2/24, King’s Gate ComCenter, Punta Gorda, 10 AM Presentation, “Florida’s contribution to WWII & WWIIs contribution to Florida” Saturday 2/27, Mixon’s Spring Festival, Bradenton FL10 AM to 3 PM, Meet and greet Sunday 2/28, Friends of Boca Raton Public Library presentation (Jacqueline Cochran – Florida’s feminist pioneer – rescheduled to Sunday March 21 Friday 3/5, Ft Myers Beach Public Library, 10:30 AM, Presentation, “Florida’s Museums & Historical Places” Saturday & Sunday, 3/6 & 3/7, 10 AM to 6 PM, Southwest Florida Heritage Days, Crowley Museum, Sarasota Florida, My presentations are at 11:00 AM each day. Saturday “Jake Summerlin & Florida’s Cattle Heritage” Sunday “The Patriot War.” Meet and greet all day. I’ll be at the education center. The Crowley Museum is a preserved late 1800s Florida Town complete with cattle herd.

Spin me up a shirt Ma!

Transportation – 1880’s Florida style. One of a multitude of exhibits (as they were) at the Crowley Museum.

Hope to see you soon!~~~~~~~

 

Pine Island Garden Club Gala Cancelled

CANCELLATION NOTICE: Pine Island Garden Club Gala scheduled 2/20/21 on Pine Island has been CANCELLED. Please go to my web site “Events” for future activities.

February will go fast…

I’ll be back at Master the Possibilities this Wednesday February 3rd. This is a pic from one of my January classes…

I’m ready to get back into the presentation season in earnest. In Florida, the period from Thanksgiving to Easter sees an influx of visitors. Many stay for the winter. The peak portion of that season is in the months of February and March. With Covid in retreat, people educated on avoiding catching it, vaccinations getting into full swing, and people’s longing for social contact becoming acute, the presentation circuit has awakened. While I’m still doing some virtual programs, more and more events are going back to in person or dual presentations. February will be busy. The kick off is at Master the Possibilities, Wednesday the 3rd. I’ll be presenting three programs. The 9AM class is on Florida’s 400 plus historic sites and museums. The class provides handouts that list most of them with locations and descriptions. I cover the exceptional opportunity Florida provides for a look at our past.  At 11AM, I’ll be discussing one of Florida’s outstanding sons, General Daniel “Chappie” James, America’s first black 4-star General. Part of Florida’s violent past is exposed in Flaming Florida, the perpetual wars and bloodshed from the year 1810 through 1865. These programs are held at “The Top of the World” offices in Ocala, in rooms dedicated to this life long learning program. They are also simultaneously available through virtual programing. Visit www.masterthepossibilities.org  to sign up. Click on the link below to see the flyer.

Presentation flyer-Master the Possibilities 2-03-21

I’ll be doing two private book clubs, then I’ll be doing a meet and greet book signing at Annette’s Book Nook on Fort Myers Beach on Thursday Feb 11. I’m there from 9 to 1. Annette’s is located in the Santini Shopping Center on Estero Blvd. The next stop is in Port Charlotte and the Charlotte County Cultural Center winter arts event. It’s located on Aaron Street, and will be held Saturday the 13th. It’s from 9 until 3.Ft Myers Beach Public Library is my next stop. I’ll be doing a combined in-person/virtual there February 18th. My topic…Edison in Florida. The program starts at 10:30 and lasts an hour. Visit the Library’s website http://www.fmb.lib.fl.us for details and to sign up for the “virtual cast.” Saturday the 20th I’ll be at the Pine Island Garden Club Gala held at Phillips Park (intersection of Pine Island Rd & Stringfellow) for a meet and greet. Come discover Pine Island a remining bit of old Florida. Hours are from 8 until 2. King’s Gate Community Center will host my historical presentation, Florida’s contribution to WWII and WWII’s contribution to Florida. It’s located in Port Charlotte. That’s on February 24th at 11AM. February 27 winds up the month. I’ll be in Bradenton for a meet and greet at Mixon’s  from 10 to 3. Mixon’s is located at 252 27th Street East.

Mixon’s at a previous art fest.

 

Hope to see you!

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The kickoff! 2021 is underway……

A pic shot at my first presentations of 2021 at Master the Possibilities. Note the spacing. The divider is opened to make two rooms one. Space for 180 reduced to 35. Covid’s shadow remains.

Happy New Year. The long awaited passing of 2020 arrived, way too late for many of us. Hopefully, 2021 will conjure up some positives. Personally, I’ve received several good bits of news. I’ll share some. My wonderful literary agents informed me that they have an offer from a substantial publisher for my “Finder” three book mystery series…with others requesting more time to review it. They also have interest in a “near history” novel that is one of my current projects. Renewed enthusiasm in presentations has snapped back like a rubber band. A combination of the availability of a Covid vaccine, pent up demand, and a realization virtual presentations are drastically lacking in some instances all contribute to my phone ringing, and ringing, and ringing. I’ll use my February schedule as an example. February 3rd – Master the Possibilities – Ocala FL – 3 presentations (Florida’s Historic places & museums, General Daniel “Chappie” James – the 1st US black 4-star general, Flaming Florida II – the Seminole Wars) in-person & virtualFebruary 6th – Lemon Bay Heritage Days – Presenting (Edison in Florida) – virtualFebruary 11th – Ft Myers Beach Book Nook – Book signing/meet & greet February 13th – Cultural Center of Charlotte County – Winter Art Fest/ meet & greet February 18th – Ft Myers Beach Library – presenting (Edison in Florida) in-person & virtual February 20th – Pine Island Garden Gala – Book signing/meet & greet February 24th – King’s Gate, Punta Gorda – presentation (The Loyal 14th Colony) February 28th – Friends of the Boca Raton Library – presentation (Florida in WWII) As always check the calendar of events on my webpage www.dlhavlin.com for my complete schedule and, while there, sign up for my quarterly newsletter.March is equally crowded with seven dates taken. April still has some dates open but if you’re interested in having me for an event use my web site to contact us right away. One week in April will be devoted to a research trip I have to make for a book I have in process. Currently, I have events scheduled as far out as the summer of 2022.

Our new family member, Brandi, is growing! At 6 months – 66 pounds – long & lean – and difficult to keep off forbidden spots like the bed.

The screen is brightening. Let’s hope the idiots in DC can learn to control the extremes on both sides. If so, 2021 will be an improvement over its older brother. It’s out and about time. I hope to see all of you soon.

 

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And now…what’s next?

Early 2020 before the Chinese Covid-19 destroyed the year. This photo is at Master the Possibilities.

One of the finest documentaries of its time (1952-53) was “Victory at Sea.” Much of the WWII footage shown on the History Channel and other media sources today are a re-plow of this twenty-six episode program. The beginning of each show began with Leonard Graves’s commanding voice saying, “And now…” He heralded what we’d see with those title page words with Richard Rodgers stirring score playing in the background. It sparked anticipation for what we would see. We need Leonard to announce, “And now, 2021…” to lift our expectations for the coming year.
I’m looking at 2021 with restrained optimism. Why the optimism; why the restraint? My optimism stems from what I see as the populace’s relief. Relief that the Covid-19 crisis is nearing resolution. Relief that the stench of politics, manufactured issues that magnified real ones, and senseless violence will fade into the background. People will have a better outlook with the Sword of Damocles removed from above their necks. If the idiots in Washington will allow it, the economy will recover.
Personally, I’m super encouraged by the increasing number of people seeking my next book! At every venue I’ve visited, most of my sales are to readers of my previous novels, asking, “What do you have new?” They buy them! And, since an important portion of my effort to increase my reader base is personal touch, the inventiveness of the organizations staging of events in a social distancing environment has increased. Back to business! Plus, I’ve become skilled at virtual presentations and that increases my ability to reach more people. 

Signing a book for a fan. Reoccurring sales to readers of my work is gratifying.

The single greatest reason for my rose-colored view is the writing I’ve completed this year. My agent is optimistic about placing my three book “Finder” mystery series. Titles, “Finding the Calusa Queen,” “The Grave with Greener Grass,” and “Finding the Nancy Lynn,” all feature Sly Harrell as their protagonist. He’s a kind of redneck-light Sherlock Holmes.
I won’t dwell on the negatives, but I have to mention them. There are two threats: The specter of monopoly destroying publishing as a whole, and the increasing (horrible) threat of censorship infecting our ability to write, to publish, and most importantly to think as we please. That said, welcome 2021. Our honest hope and prayers are for you to be better than 2020. See you all next year!

 

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2020 the year of the manure pile…

Sandy, I love you. I lost my wonderful buddy of thirteen and a half years in 2020,

It’s time for you to go! Leave! Vamoose! Get your ass out of here! Anyone else feel this way about 2020? The Chinese have a tradition where they name years, like the year of the Dragon. I can come up with some names that tell the way I view the cesspool in time, 2020 has been. I hate to sound bitter. Sorry, I am.
The year I lost my Sandy…self explanatory.
The year of the damned mask…I hate them, I wear them, I can’t wait for an official government mask burning. It’s something that some local mayors and governors might get right. They evidently like watching things burn.
The year of the cancel vulture culture…Talk about some manure spread thickly! If you paint stripes on an elephant and call it a tiger…it still ain’t a tiger. Censorship smells no matter what you call it, no matter how you justify it, no matter how much totalitarian garbage you try thrusting down the public’s throats.
The year of journalism’s last gasp. In future years they’ll discuss how the media became a joke that wasn’t one bit funny. Worthless! Well…Not completely, newspapers and magazines can be sliced up, placed on a roll in the bathroom, and serve some purpose.
The year of the filthy politicians. Talk about a hypocritical, despicable group of human garbage. They believe they should be able to tell everyone how, when, where, and what to do. ONLY THING, THEY WOULDN’T BE FOUND DEAD OBSERVING THEIR OWN DICTATES!
The year of the Chinese Crud. That’s where it came from. Wuhan. The lab. It has gone a long way to destroying a large part of the world’s economy, social structure, and human happiness. Don’t think so? Ask the people who closed their businesses, canceled their conferences, lost their love ones. But the globalists say that’s fine, move on. Don’t think so. A sobering question…why did those scientists develop such a selective killer. Hmmmm?
The year of social division. The college elitists and politicians have done a great job this year. One half the population hates the other. Tell me how sponsoring violent riots and terrorist assaults endears one segment to the other one watching on TV? Certainly makes one side likely to invite the other over for dinner after watching an identifiable group burn peoples property, steal and loot, and inflict injury and death. That’s making friends and influencing people.
So, 2020 go away! I’m looking forward to 2021. Thanks to the rapid vaccine development, the central problem Covid-19, that allowed many of the other problems to fester, will die as the disease fades into history. The politicians will have their own hell. They’ll have to make good on their promises. Maybe they’ll get stoned to death, but that’s too much to hope for. We’ll be able to burn the masks, shake hands, hell we might even be able to kiss someone. The people who want everyone to think and talk the same, and try to force the issue, will learn it isn’t happening in this country. Those who want fundamental change at the cost of our freedoms will have to find it in another place. Sitcoms will replace the current ones called news programs…we’ll be able to laugh at something that’s funny, not pathetic. The answer to the financial problem? Simply deduct all the costs of the pandemic from our debt to the Chinese government. Bill them for any overage. The social division…2021 won’t heal it, but the process of finding the way back will begin. The last year has set the cause of true equality back twenty. Race was used as a lever to try to install radical political change. When those that were used discover the truth, there will be a costly debt to be paid by the users.
I’m hopeful the residue of the pile of manure we just endured will grow a crop of promise for the coming year. Sorry, about the soap box. There are just sometimes you have to stand on one.
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Hope…what a great word…

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The Tarpon Lodge – a piece of paradise.

Hope…what a great word. It’s under used these days for so many of us have lost it. Covid. Political strife. Corruption. Loss of freedom. These things make ‘hope’ seem like a forlorn abstraction. However, it is hope that will allow us to overcome the obstacles just mentioned. Hopes are based on helps. I’m pleased and proud to participate in one ‘help’ in my home community. This charity event provides hope to the disadvantaged in the community. It is the Beacon of Hope’s 11th Annual Holiday House. At this time, many good folks in our area, have larger needs than normal due to the pandemic.
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A hometown event designed to help home town people.

What makes me particularly proud of our Pine Island community is its leaders. They made the courageous decision to carry on with the event, in spite of the popular herd mentality of simply cancel everything. We have dedicated community minded people who make it happen. Thanks to Robert Wells, Elsie Stern and others, the event has been moved totally outdoors, under huge tents, utilizing prudent safety measures to ensure all attendees. These good folks realize the time to persevere is when help is needed is. It’s not the time to abandon those needing hope the most.
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I’ll be at the Beacon of Hope charity event at beautiful Tarpon Lodge on P.I.

 I’ll be there Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, December 4, 5, & 6. Friday and Saturday are late afternoon (4PM)/evening affairs — Sunday is from 1 – 4. The picturesque setting is the beautiful and historic Tarpon Lodge on Pine Island. Come early and enjoy a meal at the finest restaurant in the area. The address is 13771 Waterfront Drive, Pineland FL. I sincerely hope you’ll make plans to attend.

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A couple reminders. My latest books are off the press and now available in print and ebook forms. Buy them on Amazon, order them through your local book store, or you can order through my webpage. You won’t find a better “stocking stuffer” for the reader on your Christmas list than my short story release, “A Christmas Story Collection.”
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The perfect stocking stuffer for the reader on your gift list!

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The Hangin’ Oak, says hello again. FWARPLA winner.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Check my webpage for more information on my appearance and speaking schedule, my books, and upcoming works.

 

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