Documentary Film Premiere

February 27, 2017
Hi, All!
     The premiere of the documentary film "The Story of Shelley v. Kraemer" went wonderfully!  The premier took place in the theater in the Missouri History Museum in St. Louis, Missouri (in Forest Park). The publicity for the event had been great (NBC, FOX, newspaper articles), so the theater was absolutely packed.  Before the event started, we had a reception for family and those who helped with the film, and that was a great time for many of them to meet each other for the first time!  Then, after the reception, everyone moved to the theater, where the general public had already started to gather. By the time everyone was seated, more chairs had to be brought in.
    There were several speakers before we moved to the viewing of the film, and some of these were Gwen Moore from the Missouri History Museum; Art Holliday from KSDK Channel 5, and Charles Bryson (representing the Mayor's office) of the St. Louis Civil Rights Enforcement Agency.  All were wonderful speakers and delivered powerful messages.  After our speakers, I then gave some "background and context" for the film, including some "little known facts" about the "Shelley v. Kraemer" U.S. Supreme Court ruling.  We then watched the film, and after it was over and the credits rolled across the screen, those in the crowd started standing -

until a standing ovation filled the room.  That was a nice way of thanking all of those who stood bravely in the fight for rights and justice for all in the Shelley v. Kraemer case!  As soon as all were seated, members of the Shelley family and the Olivia Merriweather Perkins family came to the stage.  Previously recorded film clips of them talking about what their relatives went through were shown, and each in turn gave more information about the case.  All of the speakers were, in a word, WONDERFUL!
    For those who could not attend the premiere, not to worry -- the documentary film will be the centerpiece of the new exhibit at the Missouri History Museum that will open officially on March 11, 2017 -- and will run for a whole year there!  The exhibit is called "St. Louis #1 in Civil Rights," and the exhibit will be there for the whole year as well.  If you get a chance, I encourage you to see the exhibit; it is both educational and entertaining -- and appropriate for all ages.
    I'll attach to this note a couple of pictures from the evening.  The first is me with Chatlee Williams, the last surviving child of J.D. and Ethel Shelley (she did a wonderful job in the film!).  The second is me with several members of the Shelley family (from left to right, Deb Davis, Donald Beckham, me, and Monica Beckham).  All of them are some of the best and nicest people I've every known.
    One final note: I want to give a special "Thanks!" to Douglas Hartley, who did such outstanding photography (both still shots and film footage) for the documentary film.  Douglas Hartley is an incredibly superb photographer, and the film would not have been such a success without his great work.
     Again, if you are in the St. Louis area after March 11, you might want to stop in the Missouri History Museum to see the film and exhibit.
    Enjoy!
JSC

Documentary Film Premier

February 15, 2017
Hi, All!
     This weekend is the premier of the documentary film I put together titled "The Story of 'Shelley v. Kraemer'."  The premier will be held this Saturday at 7:00 p.m. at the Missouri History Museum in St. Louis, Missouri -- because the major events described in the film took place right there in St. Louis just a few miles from where the museum stands!  Also, the good folks at the Missouri History Museum asked for the premier to be at the museum because the film will be shown for a period of one year in their upcoming exhibit "Civil Rights St. Louis."
    The background story related to the "Shelley v. Kraemer" U.S. Supreme Court decision was the backdrop for my book Olivia's Story: The Conspiracy of Heroes Behind 'Shelley v. Kraemer.'  This ruling, perhaps more than any other modern ruling, helped change the face and color of America.  Up until 1948 (when the Supreme Court ruling happened), people could be denied where they wanted to purchase a home because of issues such as race, color, creed, and national origin.  In St. Louis, a group of five individuals, called "The Conspiracy of Heroes," got together at that time, and through a carefully crafted ruse as good as anything one could find in a mystery movie, worked together to end the horrible practice of "restrictive real estate covenants."  The documentary film shows how these "conspirators" worked together to help all of this come about.
    I'm going to post here a link to a story that was just done by Art Holliday, from KSDK Channel 5 in St. Louis, for his one of his projects related to Black History Month.  Mr. Holliday is one of St. Louis' true treasures; he truly *is* the voice of the people in that city.  He was also a pleasure to work with in the interview process.  Here is the link -- and a picture of Art and me standing in the Channel 5 studio during the intereview:

http://www.ksdk.com/news/history/north-st-louis-house-changed-civil-rights-history/408112089?li_source=base&li_medium=headline-grid

     If you are in the St. Louis area this Saturday night, please consider attending the premier of the film, which will be at 7:00 p.m. at the Missouri History Museum in Forest Park.  The event is free and open to the public.  Note: If you are unable to attend this Saturday night, the "Civil Rights Exhibit" that the film is part of will officially open on March 11, 2017 -- and will run at the museum for a period of one year. So, you will have the whole year to see the film.
     More soon.  Happy reading!
JSC

The Black Plague!

January 11, 2017
Hi, All!
     I suppose it is time for me to give a little information about my next book.  Currently, I'm right in the middle of writing a literary nonfiction account of the last major outbreak of the Black Plague in the U.S.  -- and I'm loving every minute of bringing the story to life.  Oh, it's a gruesome story and quite a medical thriller, but it is also a story that shows a triumph of the human spirit on many levels.  However, on the other side of the coin, the story also illustrates the worst in human behavior, especially when it comes to ethics and fairness. I think readers of all ages and backgrounds will find people they know as they turn the pages of this story -- and may even begin to question some of their own beliefs and values.  
     The background research I had to do to get ready to write this story was also quite interesting and exciting

.  I had to read everything I could get my hands on about the Black Plague.  In doing so, I read about the "symptoms" associated with the plague, and I swear I started feeling like I was coming down with it!  This is why years ago I stopped reading magazines that had stories about different illnesses.  Every time I read a story about *any* illness, the next day I'd swear I was starting to get symptoms!  Once I finally decided I wasn't coming down with Black Plague, I got right back to the keyboard and moved into the story again.  I know, I know -- I'm silly, but when a person digs this deeply into a subject, sometimes the subject comes to life in ways that weren't expected!
     I'm going to attach to this post a picture of a page that will appear right before Chapter 1 in the book.  This is an illustration that was put together by the renowned artist and illustrator Maryana Britt, and I think it will set the perfect tone for the book before readers turn the page to begin Chapter 1.  Many times throughout history, whenever medical outbreaks have happened, children's rhymes have popped up.  Three such rhymes are listed in this illustration, with the last one representing a popular "jump rope rhyme" of the era depicted in my book.  If you get a chance, I'd appreciate it if you could jot me a note and let me know what you think about this illustration.  I'd especially like to know if you believe it has the "creepy factor" that we're striving for in it!
    I hope the new year has started off well for all.  Here's to a happy and healthy 2017 for us all!
    Happy reading!
JSC

Rock and Roll!

November 17, 2016
Hi All!
     I'm not going to be posting every day, but I couldn't resist a quick note this morning.  Last night was a blast!  I'm going to jot a few words about it now, and I'm also going to include a "moral to the story" at the end.
     Last evening, Linda and I met some friends at a new restaurant/music venue called "Bryan's on 4th."  If any of you are going to be visiting this neck of the woods, you really MUST stop by this place. The owner, "Chef Bryan," has an incredible menu, AND almost all of the wait-staff there also sing/play instruments/perform in one way or another as the night goes along.  Chef Bryan is also an accomplished musician himself.  "Bryan's on 4th" also has a special "music room," which is below the main restaurant area, and there are performers there almost every night.  Last night we knew the performers, the "Phil and Travis Combo," (check them out at:  facebook.com/PhilAndTravis) so when I felt the time was right, I asked if I could jump in on the bongo drums they had.  So, I did my best version of "Maynard G. Krebs" and "Gene Krupa" with them. For those of you not old enough to know those references, Maynard was a bongo playing beatnik of some national fame, and Krupa was one of the first "solo" drummers who was wildly popular with music lovers everywhere.  Last night I actually played with the band for an hour or so, and I had a blast.  We played everything from the Roy Rodgers "Happy Trails to You" song to Buddy Holly to the Beatles to Carlos Santana.  I'm not sure the bongos went with everything, but I did my best to make it work!  I actually got some applause from people, but I think that happened because I finally *stopped* "slapping the skins" and the people in the audience were glad I was finally done.....
     Now to the "moral" of the story.  In the world of artistic expression, whether it be in areas like painting, drawing, singing/playing instruments, performing on stage, or writing, it isn't so much always the quality of the product that counts.  It is the experience and the joy achieved that is actually most important.  Art is art, and we are all going to be very different in how accomplished we become in the different areas.  Some will be superb at their art; others will be, to put it kindly, "participators" (like I was on the bongos last night) in the art. And, it is the participation that is the key here.  We all don't HAVE to be great, but if we have any desire at all to "participate," we must do it.  Art is good for the soul and gives us an outlet for the expression of what we really love and value in this life.  Consider this:  Steven King, one of my favorite writers of all-time, plays guitar whenever he can.  Is he a great guitarist?  Check out the YouTube videos of him playing and you can be the judge.  I'll only say it is a good thing he has his writing to fall back on!  Still, he is "out there" and is "participating" in an artistic endeavor he truly loves, and that gives him great joy.  Another writer I know, and whose work I adore on so many levels, is Amy Tan (Author of The Joy Luck Club).  She was a singer (and played the "whip") for a group called the "Rock Bottom Remainders" (check them out on YouTube).  I believe her signature song with the band was "These Boots are Made for Walking."  Is she a great singer?  Again, others can judge that, but I so admire the fact she "participates" in multiple art forms FOR HER OWN SATISFACTION. So, here is the bottom line of what I'm trying to say this morning: There is so much to experience in this life, and we can't get bogged down in worrying about how successful we'll become in all areas.  We do the best we can do, and if we really try our best, we can always keep our heads high.  This is especially true when it comes to writing.  My guess is that most of you reading this blog have a great love for literature and writing, and you may be doing some writing yourself.  You may or may not already have some of your writings published.  No matter where you are at this point, keep writing!  Give it everything you've got. Keep at your art.  If you do, the act of writing itself will be rewarding on so many levels.  Follow your art -- and follow your heart.  After all, they really are one in the same, right?
     This is as philosophical as I get.  I'm going to climb down from the soapbox now and get back to my writing. My next book, which I'll write about in an upcoming post, is calling to me.
    I wish you all a wonderful day!
Jeff

Lunch with Harry Potter!

November 16, 2016
Hi All!
     Once again, I'd like to welcome everyone to my new author blog site.  I hope you enjoy my stories "from the road" while I do book readings, events, and promotions. At times I'll also include stories from "behind the scenes" while I'm putting my books together.  I write mostly literary nonfiction these days, so I travel all over the country and the globe to gather background information for my stories.  I'll try to post some of those adventures as well.
     Now to my first official post at this new site.....
     The only way to describe last weekend is this: It was a hoot!  I participated in Lit-Con, which is an offshoot of Comic-Con, the wonderful celebration of comics and popular arts.  At Lit-Con, the events were pretty much divided between a celebration of the world of literature and the world of science fiction/fantasy characters - of all types.  All of us authors were grouped together and given a very nice space where tables were set up so that we could display and sell our latest books.  At my table, in addition to displaying some of my books, I also brought "artifacts" that related to some of them: the dreaded "finger jar" from Shell Games (which grossed out nearly everyone who picked it up!),  free "wanted posters" of John Fairfield from Ain't No Harm to Kill the Devil, and lots of "swag" people could take with them related to Olivia's Story (bookmarks, book club reading guides, copies of photos of characters in the story, and so forth).  I was also mightily impressed by the way other authors arranged their tables. Some had HUGE signs they could stand up behind where they were seated; these signs had beautiful color images of their book covers.  One author had a massive bowl full of candy (that thing must have been three feet in diameter), free for the taking by those strolling by.  Another had a dish of "pennies from Heaven" -- and all were encouraged to take a penny while browsing at that table.  Still another brought a laptop for the sole purpose of playing computer games with his readers.  I had a wonderful time at Lit-Con.  I always enjoy visiting with people about my books.  And, it is a true treat to be able to discuss the stories with those who have already read them and hear about what they most enjoyed in them.
     Finally, I'll never forget having lunch at Lit-Con.  Why?  Well, consider this:  I ate my food while surrounded by Alice from Alice in Wonderland, several Storm Troopers from Star Wars, and Harry Potter and what seemed to be about half of those enrolled at Hogwarts Academy!  At that table, *I* was the odd looking character!  I also can't say enough about the dedication people have toward making their costumes appear realistic and accurate.  One "high official" from the Empire spent most of the day walking around the room and inspecting the costumes -- and if a "violation" was found, the character was notified immediately.  These good folks take this THAT seriously!  If you ever get a chance to attend a Lit-Con, I highly recommend it.  After all, it isn't all that often we can get together to celebrate our literature and such wonderful characters.
    Until next time, I wish all of you happy reading!

Jeff

This is my NEW blog site!

November 15, 2016
Hi All!
     WELCOME!
     This is my NEW author blog site, and it will have all messages I post from November 15, 2016 onward.  I still have my OLD blog site up at this address: http://jcopelandauthor.blogspot.com/
However, that OLD site will have nothing except archived posts going back to the year 2009.  So, if you'd like to go to the old site to read posts that I made from 2009 to 2016, you'll find all the "oldies but goodies" posts there.  THIS *NEW* blog site will have all my writings from this day forward. 
    
    As I make the final preparations needed to have this NEW site up and running correctly, I wish you all good health, wonderful days, and happy reading! 
    I'll have a new post up soon!
   
Jeff