When you come to a fork in the road.........

 October 2, 2025

Hi, Everyone!

     Life is full of many twists and turns. Some of these are of our own doing. Others just seem to show up without warning. No matter the circumstance, the older I get the more I realize one of the great things about life is that the world is very unpredictable. Therefore, every day is a very special gift, one full of promise and, and times, challenges. My grandmother always used to say, "Any day you can lift your head off the pillow is a good day."  She was absolutely right. I do feel blessed in life. I honestly believe I could win the argument that I've had the best life a human being ever had. If I got hit by a cab tomorrow, I could have no complaints. Oh, I hope there are a few more days on the calendar, but I know how blessed life has been for me - and I treasure that daily. I guess all of this is my very long-winded way of saying the past couple of years in particular have been absolutely wonderful, full of change and adventures. I'm being purposely vague here because specifically what I have been doing isn't important. What is important is that I've been able to live the type of life that gives me fulfillment and joy - and I hope you can say the same about your lives. Yes, I've still been writing, but many of you know I've switched gears somewhat recently to write for magazines and other publications. I will still be writing books, but I shifted away from that for a while because when I write I need very concentrated periods of time in which I close myself off from everything else. If I don't, I can't hear the voices of the characters. I've been doing a lot of travel, and this is not the best thing for my writing because I don't get that special, concentrated time.  I will have a book out in 2026. This one will be an Adventure Romance, which is different for me, but if you've enjoyed my most recent books, I think you will still find this a fun story to jump into. Watch this space after the first of the year for more information about this. In the meantime, I want to thank everyone for reading my books. And, I also want to thank you for your notes and well-wishes - these mean a lot to me. I'm still here -- just getting slower about having the books pop up on the shelves. Stay tuned! I wish all of you a wonderful fall season.

Jeff 

*The picture here is of me "petting" a buffalo at the Great Salt Lake earlier this year. Classic pose

, yes?

An "Interesting" Year.....

 December 19, 2023

Hi, Everyone,

     Well, this has been an "interesting" year..... The year start off fine. I was able to do a lot of travel - and even got to participate again in one of my favorite activities: mountain hiking/climbing. My favorite was making my way up to Alum Cave Bluff in the Great Smoky Mountains. It is a rugged adventure, but I was overjoyed when I reached the summit (see picture). However, it was shortly after that when the year took the "interesting" turn. Because of the effects of Covid, I developed a sudden and brutal form of rheumatoid arthritis that completely changed my world. Imagine if you will being full of energy and zest one day and feeling absolutely and truly wonderful in all respects. Then, the very next morning you wake up and are unable to use your hands, feet, and have a difficult time breathing. I literally could not bend my body enough to get out of bed. At first I thought I had some kind of a stroke that left me incapacitated. A specialist ran a full range of tests, and the results confirmed that Covid triggered a very peculiar auto-immune response that led to a sudden onset of the rheumatoid arthritis. I had not had any arthritis in the past, so this was simply a "Covid-specific" response. Basically, this made me unable to do simple things like take a shower, brush my teeth, eat with a fork, drive a car. Those were serious enough, but I also could not use a keyboard, so I could do no writing. None at all. Finally, I was given an experimental medicine that started to reverse the symptoms, but for a long time the activities I had taken for granted just wouldn't kick in again. Scared? You bet I was. As odd as it sounds, it was also something of a soulful time because I had plenty of time to think about all the things I had been taking for granted. I also realized just how lucky I was to have had the life I've been living. I've been blessed in life. I know that. If I hadn't recovered at all, I honestly could not have had any complaints because I've had a great life for me. But, late in the year, the medicine started working better, and my range of motion started coming back in my legs and arms. And, finally, I could type again, which made this writer very happy to the point of tears. I'm not completely back yet, but I'm on a good climb up the hill - and I have no complaints. I'm getting back into my writing, and I hope 2024 is a good one for my writing projects. I'll keep all of you posted as these come to fruition. In the meantime, I want to wish all of you a wonderful holiday season and a very Happy New Year. And, finally, I think it would be a good idea for us all to be thankful for our many blessings in our lives. I know that is what I'm going to do when the new year rolls in.

     Take care, everyone. My best wishes to you all!

Jeff

Authors on the Road Again - Finally!

 March 2, 2023

Hi, Everyone!

    I'm terribly sorry for the long interval between posts, but last year was "challenging"- on many levels - for so many of us who write. For the past two years and change, bookstores, museums, book clubs, conferences, and other popular venues for authors pretty much dried up because of the pandemic and related issues. Before the pandemic, I (and most of my friends who write) seemed to be constantly on the road to meet with readers, and those were always such special times. However, once "pandemic protocols" were put in place, the options for authors were few when it came to promoting and sharing our latest works. We had to get more creative than ever - and used Zoom, Skype, FaceTime, BlueJeans, and every other platform we could find to interact with those interested in our books. Last year, I was able to do events electronically with museums, a few organizations, and even did some "one-on-one" visits with readers, which I greatly enjoyed. Still, in my case, I missed going to the bookstores and other places I normally get to when I have a book come out. Speaking of that, my newest book, After Jackie: 15 Pioneers Who Helped Change the Face of Baseball, is still selling very well, and it appears several schools have also adopted it for special classes and reading units. I'm very pleased and proud of that.

     Last year was also tough because no matter what precautions I took, I still managed to come down with Covid -- and it wasn't pretty. There are days I still feel tired and more than a tad run-down, but I consider myself very lucky to have come through it as I did. So many did not........  I hope all of you and your loved ones have managed to navigate these terrible medical times without too much difficulty.

     I mentioned above that the After Jackie book is selling well, and I truly am grateful for that. I also learned something in the past year that I'd bet will continue as the years go by: More and more of my readers are choosing to purchase the e-book version instead of the paper version. I know this is a trend in the world of publishing, but I guess I never noticed before just how dramatic this shift has become. I know there are all sorts of reasons for this change in how readers are accessing their books, but I didn't expect this change to erupt so quickly. Years ago there was a dramatic shift to e-books. Then, that sort of tapered off somewhat as people chose to have the paper version. Now, however, the desire to have an e-book version is more powerful than ever, and authors better start employing new strategies to get out and interact with their readers. After all, why would, say, a bookstore set up a book reading/event if those who attend the session have purchased an e-book version elsewhere?  Yes, the world of publishing -- and of being an author - is rapidly taking on a new complexion.

    And speaking of "new" things, I'm now going to provide something of a "teaser" about my next book project. As most of you are aware, my last eight books have been in the Literary Nonfiction genre. However, for my next book project, I'm going to shift gears and try my hand at Historical Fiction. The two genres do share some similarities, and the research for both can run parallel, but the extra freedom a writer has in Historical Fiction is something I'm going to embrace for this next story. This book will be a combination of romance, adventure, and history.  I'm really enjoying the writing, and I hope all of you will like the finished product. I'll keep you posted on my progress on this project.

    I'll sign off for now.  I wish all of you a healthy and prosperous 2023.  Take care, everyone. And, happy reading!

Jeff

P.S. I'll post a couple of pictures with this post. One shows the street in front of my home in Northern Iowa last week. This is a perfect time to hunker down and get some writing done! The other shows me doing my favorite outdoor activity, hiking and climbing in the mountains. I'm SO looking forward to doing more of that this year!

After Jackie FINALLY in bookstores!

 March 31, 2022

Hi, Everyone!

     Well, it took a long, LONG time, but After Jackie is FINALLY in bookstores - yippee!  The last year has been challenging for everyone on multiple fronts, and the world of publishing has also had its own "ups-and-downs," to say the least. Publishers have had to deal with everything from printing problems to distribution problems - and everything in between. Electronic sales have been very strong, but for many readers, part of the true joy of reading is just holding a book in the hands.  Yes, electronic devices sure make storage of books a snap, but there is just something special about having a copy of the book right in front of you while diving into the pages. At long last, After Jackie is on the shelves for those who love this experience. I'll attach a couple pictures of the shelves at Barnes & Noble. The good folks at B & N have been very good to me and other writers during this very difficult time for everyone. Hopefully, more and more of the independent bookstores will be able to carry the books as well.  We NEED the independent bookstores, now more than ever. 

      Originally, a 12-city book tour was scheduled for the release of After Jackie, but most groups are still not getting together because of pandemic concerns.  That is probably a wise decision in many cases, but it is still frustrating for me because I love going out and visiting with readers. The exchanges during the in-person events are so wonderful and special. Still, the health of everyone must take center-stage, so I get why in-person events/readings are probably still off in the distance quite a ways. I've been doing some Zoom sessions and a few radio programs to talk about the book, but I"m ready to be out on the road -- as I'm sure most people are as well.

    For those of you who have read the book, please jot me a message if you have the time and let me know what you thought about the stories. If I can't go on the road to meet with you, I'd love to hear what you have to say, even if it is via e-mail exchange.

   I'll sign off for now.  Everyone -- please take care -- and stay well!

     Happy reading!

Jeff

After Jackie now available!

 July 3, 2021

Hi, Everyone!

     This will be just a quick post to pass along some fun news: After Jackie: 15 Pioneers Who Helped Change the Face of Baseball is now available in electronic version through all major booksellers.  The e-book version actually came out July 1. The paperback will be available in late fall in time for the holiday book buying season. This year, because of the pandemic and the fact that so many people are not going to bookstores yet, publishers are really pushing e-books at this time because, well, the past year has found more and more readers purchasing books to read on their electronic devices.  This makes sense -- and is probably a trend that will continue in future years.  E-books take up virtually no space, are easy to download and store, and the screens on electronic devices are getting much better and easier to read.  Right now, some books appear in e-book format only.  In future years, that number will really climb.  Publishers also really like this trend because there are no warehouse/storage feels associated with new releases, no shipping fees, and they now don't have to twist arms to get books placed on the shelves in bookstores. In other words, in most cases it is a "win-win" situation for publishers - and dramatically increases their profit margin. E-books also allow them to take chances with books they normally might now have published.  Yes, there are still many costs related to getting an e-book ready to be sold, but this cost is WAY lower than getting a print book on the shelf. To be perfectly honest, I wasn't particularly wild about the idea of After Jackie appearing as an e-book so far in advance of the hard copy showing up in bookstores.  However, this is the heart of the baseball season, so it does make good sense to have the book ready to go right now, even if it is only in e-book format.  

     Here's the link to the listing on Amazon Books:   https://www.amazon.com/After-Jackie-Fifteen-Pioneers-Baseball-ebook/dp/B096147LVF/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=After+Jackie%3A+15+Pioneers+who+helped+change+the+face+of+baseball&qid=1625337258&sr=8-1

     I also wanted to share a few of the comments folks have already said about the book.  I'll list these below --

“In both baseball history, and American history, Jackie Robinson holds an enduring place of honor and respect.  While nothing will ever diminish his standing, it is also true that those who followed him in integrating their respective teams, faced their own versions of the obstacles and racism Robinson encountered.  And, like Jackie, they were distinct individuals with personal lives and stories beyond their on-field performances and symbolic significance. With that in mind, After Jackie contains vivid and moving stories.  It is also a contribution to the historical record.”

Bob Costas

Ford C. Frick Award recipient and member of the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame

 

 

 

“Every baseball fan knows Jackie Robinson and all he accomplished.  Lesser known are the other players who broke their team’s color barriers.  Jeff Copeland takes a look at these men and their place in baseball history, as well as their unique stories.  A fun and interesting read for any baseball fan.”

Cassidy Lent

National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum

 

 

 

    “Jackie Robinson was first in the Majors, but fifteen other players were the first to play as persons of color with baseball’s other big league teams in the mid-century era.  In After Jackie, Jeffrey S. Copeland recounts their achievements, not only on the field, but in their lives.  And not just regarding sports, but about the full context of race and society during the America of those years.  Here are all the good stories, some legendary and others never heard before -- and more than a few surprises.  A superb book – for everyone who loves sports, history, and stories of courage and determination.  Play ball!”

    Jerome Klinkowitz, author of Short Season, Basepaths, and Owning a Piece of the Minors.

 

 

 

     “Jeff Copeland's book is an important addition to the history of baseball. While every fan knows the story of Jackie Robinson, Jeff goes into incredible detail telling the stories of the men who followed Jackie in helping break baseball's color barrier. What these men endured and what it meant to the future of baseball can never be forgotten.” -- Rob Rains, editor of STLSportsPage.com and author of Baseball Samurais: Ichiro Suzuki And The Asian Invasion; Intentional Walk; James Naismith: The Man Who Invented Baseball; and Ozzie Smith: The Road to Cooperstown. 

      I hope all of you enjoy the book.  I sure had a great time doing the background research!  Take care -- and stay safe!

      Happy Reading!

JSC

Up next: After Jackie!

 April 17, 2021

Hi, Everyone,

     I hope this note finds all of you well and riding out these very odd and unsettling times we are in.  As most of you know, my "day job" is being a university professor. Here at our school we've had all sorts of ups and downs caused by the pandemic.  We're also still trying to adjust to the "new normal," which involves classes and people being together in all sorts of combinations: in-person, through Zoom, Skype, BlueJeans, FaceTime - and even old-fashioned phone calls.  The technology side of this has been a real challenge for many.  For my 8:00 a.m. class, which was being hosted through Zoom one morning during the jaws of the pandemic, my students were Zooming in from their dorm rooms or apartments close to campus. Imagine my surprise when two of them, a young man and a young woman, weren't fully clothed.  I said something immediately, and both were horrified -- because they thought they could see me but we couldn't see them!  Ah, the innocence of youth....

     I feel lucky that members of my extended family who have had Covid did not have severe cases.  I can't say the same about my students, some of whom became seriously ill -- and are still dealing with the effects of the virus today. I wish them all the best as they continue their medical challenges. Like so many others, I'm longing for some return to normalcy, but who knows when that will be?  In the meantime, I just hope people will be kind, caring, and understanding to all.

     While "cooped up" this past year, I was able to finish the book I had started right before the pandemic hit. I'll attach the "mock-up" of the cover to this message so you can see a general idea of what it will look like. This mock-up shows Jackie Robinson in the middle, and the "other fifteen" men in small circles around Jackie's image.  Also, the "book blurbs" (testimonials) from other writers and sports personalities that will go on the cover aren't on this mock-up. Finally, the full title of the book is: After Jackie: Fifteen Pioneers Who Changed the Face of Baseball.  The idea for the book actually came about one night, pre-pandemic, when I was eating supper in a restaurant that had a baseball game on the television in the corner of the room.  Between bites, I saw the right fielder make an error, and the announcer said, "That looked like the second coming of Carlos Paula." Nobody else in the room got the obscure reference, but I did.  The announcer's words caused me to laugh and almost choke to death on my food.   The player the announcer referred to, Carlos Paula, played for the Washington Senators in the mid-1950's.  Carlos was a tremendous hitter who could have had a long and glorious career -- except for one thing: He never could quite get the hang of catching the dang ball.  As a result, he made quite a few errors, much to the dismay of his manager, his teammates, and even the fans.  After hearing the announcer bring up Mr. Paula's name, something also dawned on me: Carlos was the first person of color to play for the Washington Senators of the American League.  That got me to thinking about something.  Nearly everyone, and not just baseball fans, has at least some knowledge of Jackie Robinson and his legacy.  However, Jackie was a pioneer on one of just 16 teams in Major League Baseball when he took the field for the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947.  So, I immediately started wondering who the "other fifteen" were who helped break down the color barrier for the other teams.  In a nutshell, that's how the idea for this book came to me.  In doing the research, a great deal of which was done at the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York, I discovered the "other fifteen" went through much of what Jackie went through, but each also had a special story to tell about his journey into baseball.  In the book, a chapter is devoted to each of the "other fifteen" men, and their stories are incredible, which made the book a labor of love to write.  After Jackie will be released soon in electronic form, and a paperback version will then follow.  I'll let everyone know when it is available.  I can't wait - I loved writing this book!

     I'll write more again soon.  In the meantime, please take care -- and stay well!

JSC

Be safe! Stay well!

 October 30, 2020

    Hi, Everyone!

     I hope this note finds you well and navigating these very odd and unsettling times.  I think the toughest part of all this for me is not seeing friends and loved ones.  I've been isolating pretty much of the time because I have the underlying kidney situation, so, like so many of you, I've tried to limit my time with others.  Instead -- again like so many of you -- I've resorted to Zoom, Skype, FaceTime, BlueJeans, and old-fashioned phone calls to keep in touch with everyone.  Still, that just isn't the same. There is a real "lonely factor" here that I think sometimes gets forgotten during this age of Covid.

    In terms of my writing, I *am* continuing to research and write my next book, but there is a great irony (weirdness?) that I think about all the time: the book I'm working on now will probably be out before I can do any book events for my last book!  My latest book, Lt. Elsie Ott's Top Secret Mission, came out March 15, one day before most bookstores and similar venues started shutting down because of the virus.  So, my 12-city book tour for the book was immediately called off.  At the same time, I was scheduled to go to the United Kingdom this past summer to do more book events (for reasons I'm not completely sure of, my books are very popular over there), and all that was shut down as well.  I was able to do a couple of NPR programs about the book, and I appeared on the Armed Services Radio Network twice, but other than those, I really haven't had a chance to do any book readings/events because of the current situation here and around the world.  I'm NOT complaining.  Problems with a book are absolutely nothing compared to the suffering that has fallen on so many because of Covid and related issues.  Still, for an author, this is a living example of "If a tree falls in a forest and nobody is around to hear it -- does it make a sound?"  Well, the book came out, but because of the situation, it didn't make a sound at all.  My publisher tells me we will try to do a book tour once the circumstances change, but who knows when that will be.  Plus, as most authors will confirm, if events are not done when a book is released, LATER events just won't create the same publicity and readership.  Again, I'm not complaining.  This is just an observation that this may be a book that never finds a readership because of the current circumstances.  If that happens, it happens.  All I care out, honestly, right now is that everyone stays safe.  Like my Grandma Dunavant always used to say, "If you don't have your health, you don't have anything."  The older I get, the more I see just how much she was right.

     So, I'll sign off by again saying, please stay well.

     Take care!

JSC

Lt. Elsie Ott's Top Secret Mission

April 16, 2020
Hi, All!
     Today I also wanted to post the link to the radio program I did about my newest book, Lt. Elsie Ott's Top Secret Mission.  I also did this program for Veterans Radio (and the Armed Services Radio Network) for veterans and those who are currently serving.  I'm hoping that this book will provide a good distraction for everyone while so many of us are in isolation because of Covid-19.  I know so many of our people in the service right now are being told to stay where they are, and the opportunities for entertainment are small.  Hopefully, this radio program will lift spirits.  This book is the story of a true American hero, a person who literally changed the way we live.  This year is the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote and other rights as well.  Lt. Elsie Ott is considered one of the most important women of the 20th Century, and when you read the book you will see why.  She was an amazing person, and her legacy will live on forever.
   Here is the link to the interview.  I hope you enjoy it!
   Take care -- and stay well!
Jeff
LINK:
https://www.blogtalkradio.com/veterans_radio/2020/04/14/the-first-medevac-flight-is-discussed-with-jeffrey-s-copeland

Covid-19/Plague Interview

April 16, 2020
Hi, All!
    First of all, I hope this finds you well and doing your best to stay safe at this terrible time. I know better days are coming, but right now these are tough times for us all.  However, we will get through this.  We WILL!
  Several of you have asked me to post the link to the program I did for Veterans Radio (and the Armed Services Radio Network) that was broadcast worldwide to our veterans and those who are still serving now.  I'll provide the link below.  The interview basically get into how the Black Plague outbreak in 1924 in Los Angeles and what we are going through today are so similar.  Actually, what we learned about dealing with a pandemic in 1924 has served as a model for what we are doing to stem the increase of Covid-19 now.  In 1924, the officials, both medical and with the government, went to strict isolation, self-distancing (forced), and a "tracking" of the spread so that it could be stopped.  If you haven't read the book Plague in Paradise yet, you might find some answers to what is going on today in those pages.
     Here is the link:
https://www.blogtalkradio.com/veterans_radio/2020/03/24/covid-2019-spanish-flu-1918-plague-1924-discussed-with-author-jeffrey-copeland

Please -- PLEASE, everyone take care -- and stay well!
Jeff

March 22, 2020
Hi, All!
   I'm sorry I haven't posted recently, but the world around us has sure been unsettling. I also teach at the University of Northern Iowa, and we have been busy night and day getting everything ready for our students to complete their coursework online for the rest of this semester, this summer, and if necessary, next fall as well. Just telling instructors and students to "go online" is one thing, but the reality of the situation is still another.  Through this crisis many of us have learned that our students don't have their own computers and other electronic devices -- that they rely on the technology here on campus to do their work.  In plain-English, this means not all students can continue their work online because they do not currently have the means to do so.  Our students have all been instructed to go back to their homes for at least the remainder of this term, but many do not have Internet at home or electronic devices there. In addition, many faculty members have never delivered instruction by way of the Internet before, so there is a steep learning curve on this end as well.  Most will likely end up using Zoom, Skype, Panopto, or other visual means of interacting with students and others, but this will be a challenge if many do not have access to the Internet or appropriate devices.  In short, this is going to take all of us working together for this to work.  I also urge everyone, wherever you are, to be kind, understanding, patient as everything in our daily lives changes.
    Right now, we must all concentrate on keeping our health.  The virus is continuing to spread at alarming rates, so many cities, and even states, have instituted "stay at home" policies to try to stop the exposure.  My mom, who is in her 80's, lives in St. Louis, Missouri, and where she lives there has a "stay at home" order that goes into place today and will last a minimum of thirty days.  Other places are following suit.  That is a long time to be isolated, but it is what is needed right now.  We haven't gone to those measures yet here in northern Iowa, but I could see that happening soon here as well.
   I know many sites on the Internet have suggested that people read while isolated to help keep busy.  For many, reading will help fill a small part of the void in daily lives caused by the "stay at home" mandates.  I hope reading does turn out to be a nice way of relaxing for everyone.  My new book, Lt. Elsie Ott's Top Secret Mission, was "officially" released two weeks ago, but because of what is going on, all of my book readings and events have been postponed indefinitely.  That's the way it should be because the last thing we need is groups getting together right now.  However, it is available in e-book format for those who would like to get it from your favorite book e-tailer.  I wrote the book to have a "cliffhanger" at the end of every chapter, so I hope it provides good entertainment for everyone during this very difficult time. I also did a podcast about the book on Veterans Radio.  If you go to the Veterans Radio website, you can click on a link there to hear the discussion.  I think you will enjoy listening to this.
   At the same time, my last book, Plague in Paradise: The Black Death in Los Angeles, 1924, is currently being read my many because the events surrounding the Plague outbreak in 1924 is so, so similar to what is taking place with the Corona Virus right now. If you would like to see how health and government officials dealt with a deadly outbreak in the past, you might want to read this book as well. It is a literary nonfiction account, so the story will take you behind-the-scenes to see exactly what happened to everyone -- those who were ill, those who governed the area, and the medical professionals who put themselves at great risk to help stop the spread of the disease.  We learned a great deal from the 1924 outbreak, and much of that knowledge is being used right now to fight the spread of the virus.  I'll attach a picture of the book cover for you to see.

     I wish all of you good health.  Take care -- and please stay well!  I'll try to be better about posting once we get organized here. 
JSC

December 17, 2019
Hi, All!
     First of all, I'd like to wish everyone a wonderful, happy, and healthy holiday season.  Next, I simply can't believe that 2019 is almost over.  Where did the time go?  So, I'd also like to say Happy New Year!  I hope 2020 is a great year for all of us.
     I would also like to pass along a little information about my next book, Lt. Elsie Ott's Top Secret Mission.  It is scheduled for release on April 1, 2020.  I will soon know my schedule of book readings/events for the initial book tour, so I will report those here when I can. In the meantime, I'll post a few "teaser" pictures here to get everyone ready for the release.  The book is a very fast-paced account of this amazing woman's adventures, and I think you will enjoy it!

     I also just returned from Cooperstown N.Y. and the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum.  I needed to be there to conduct some research for my next book.  That is all I can say about that project for the time being, but I imagine that trip will give you and idea of the subject matter I'm digging into. I finally get to write a book related to sports!

  More on this research in the coming year.
     Again, Happy Holidays and a very Happy New Year!
     And, happy reading!
JSC

Much going on!

October 12, 2019
Hi, All!
     Much has happened since my last post.  First, I've been on the road quite a lot to do readings and events related to Plague in Paradise, which seems to be increasing in popularity all the time -- likely, I'm guessing, because of all the parallels in what is going on today in 2019 to the events in the time period of the story, 1924.  Plague in Paradise takes place in Los Angeles where, in 1924, some of the officials wanted to build a wall around the Mexican-American community.  Does the concept of putting up a wall sound familiar in news items today?  Plus, many of the problems in the city at that time were blamed on the poor and down-and-out.  I just visited L.A., and I heard the same refrain over and over, everywhere I went.  The bottom line?  The more things change, the more they stay the same -- unfortunately.  There are other major parallels as well; please read through the book to see quite a reflection of contemporary issues.
    At the same time, I also finished writing another book: Lt. Elsie Ott's Top Secret Mission: The WWII Flight Nurse Behind Aeromedical Evacuation (MEDEVAC). This book is another work of Literary Nonfiction that looks at one of the most amazing heroes of modern times.  Lt. Ott literally changed the world in so many positive ways.  In a nutshell, she was asked to take six wounded soldiers from Karachi, India, back to Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, D.C.  This trip was an experiment of epic proportions, one designed to show that the wounded could be transported great distances by plane in order to get the help the needed.  The trip back to Washington, at that time, would normally have taken three and a half months by truck, train, and ship.  However, Lt. Ott managed to get the soldiers back in six and a half days by using planes for the whole journey!  Along the way, she braved snipers, German fighter planes, her own plane catching fire -- and much more.  I think those who enjoy stories about people who risked everything to help change the world will really like this one.  It is scheduled for an April 1, 2020 release, and I have most of the early book tour for it scheduled.  I'll be providing venues and dates soon in case you'd like to stop by and hear more about the book and how it came about. I'm also posting two related pictures. One is of the plane use for part of the journey, the "Able Mabel."  The other is a picture of the book cover.
     Also, my documentary film about the landmark "Shelley v. Kraemer" U.S. Supreme Court Ruling was placed on Amazon Video so that everyone will now have a chance to view it.  The title of the documentary is "The Story of Shelley v. Kraemer," by Jeffrey S. Copeland.  The Amazon Video version is a shorter version by design -- so that schools all across the country and the globe can fit it into their class periods.  I hope people all over will enjoy this story of a milestone ruling that literally changed the face and color of America. I'll also post the photo used at the Amazon Video site to showcase the film. The photo is of J.D. Shelley, the man who started this historic episode in our history.

     I'm also currently working on another book.  I'm not at liberty yet to discuss the specifics of the story, but I can say that it will be the first story I've written about the world of sports.  As a matter of fact, I will soon be at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum to do some more research for this project.  I'll post more on this as additional work is completed.
     I hope all of you are well -- and are enjoying the fall weather.  I'll post again soon.
     Happy reading!
JSC

January 9, 2019
Hi, All!
    I hope all of you had a wonderful and relaxing holiday season -- and I wish you all the best in 2019.
    I thought I'd share a few quick updates with you.  First, Plague in Paradise is still doing very well, and I'm quite happy about that. Book sales in today's market can really be mystery at times.  The reasons why book sales jump one day -- and go flat the next day -- aren't always easy to determine.  A couple of years ago the sales of Shell Games went through the roof one week, and I had absolutely no clue why it happened.  Then, at the end of that week, I found out a dear friend of mine (another author) had talked about the book at an international convention -- and that was all it took to have sales skyrocket.  There are other times when "sales spikes" happen, and I never find out why.
    Another side of this same discussion has to do with why some book readings/events are well attended (and why many books are sold there) -- and why others have just a few people show up (causing low sales).  I, literally, wrote the book about ways to do book readings and events (I'm Published! Now What?), and I've done over three hundred book events worldwide.  However, this area is still one of great mystery of the publishing world.  Here is a classic example of this.  I recently attended a book reading done by an author the week her new book jumped on the Best Seller list.  The venue had done all manner of publicity for the event -- everything from Facebook (and other social media) to spots on all traditional media outlets in the area.  Special letters of invitation were also sent out to hundreds of people in the area.  That evening, six people showed up to an auditorium that could have seated five hundred.  Six people.  Six.  To her credit, the author did her regular reading for the six souls who came out to hear her.  I once did a book event for well over a thousand people -- and I've also done a reading when two people showed up -- and everything in between these numbers.  Getting a crowd to a book reading/event these days is tough.  Really tough. For all you aspiring writers out there, start asking veteran writers what they do to build audiences for events -- and start putting your ideas together/making a master plan for the time when you will be doing your own events.  Believe me -- it isn't too early to start thinking about this now.
      I also visited right before the holidays with an incredibly talented painter, Lowell Davis.  May of you may know the wonderful figurines that have been made based on his paintings.  If you don't know Mr. Davis's work, all you have to do is type his name into a search engine on the Internet -- and you will see quite a range of his accomplishments.  He currently lives in Carthage, Missouri, where he grew up.  Funds earned through sales of his art allowed him to build a village around his home - literally!  He moved in an old church, gas station, diner, and so forth.  If you are ever in the area, you should definitely consider stopping by Red Oak II to see his village.  It is quite a sight to behold.  I would go so far as to say his village is "living art" on many levels.
    Finally, I'm just about finished with the research for my next book -- and will start writing soon.  I expect to have the book completed by the middle of summer.  I'll talk more about the subject of the book in an upcoming post -- so stay tuned.  It is going to be another "medical" thriller -- and will be loaded with adventure and plot twists.
    Happy reading!

JSC
*The picture I'm posting here is of Lowell Davis, taken when I met up with him right before the holidays.

NPR Interview link

November 1, 2018
Hi, All!
     Yesterday afternoon I had the pleasure of being interviewed on National Public Radio by one of their very best hosts, Don Marsh.  Don is always perfectly prepared -- and asks great questions.  Don also has a very special gift: the ability to make his guests feel very comfortable and relaxed.  I didn't feel nervous at all while the program took place.  Rather than worrying about myself and how I'd sound, I wanted more than anything not to let Don down.  He is THAT special - and is a true national treasure.
     Here is a link to the program:
  http://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/st-louis-connection-1924s-deadly-plague-outbreak-los-angeles#stream/0  
     Scroll about half way down the page to find the button to click on to hear the program about Plague in Paradise: The Black Death in Los Angeles, 1924.
Enjoy!
JSC
P.S. I'm also going to post a couple of picture of me with Don Marsh.

Book Tour Pictures

October 30, 2018
Hi, All!
    Here are just a few pictures from my recent book tour in California.  The first two are from my reading at the Sherman Library & Gardens in Corona Del Mar.  The picture of me

with the woman in the blue dress was taken at the Barnes & Noble store in Burbank. You'll also notice rats all over my rental car in yet another picture.  Look closely and you'll see they are also on the dashboard inside the car!  I have been taking rubber rats that squeak when squeezed to my book events -- and have been giving them to those who participate in the Q&A sessions after the readings. The plague was spread by way of fleas on rats, so I thought this would be an appropriate "visual" for the talks.  People are loving them!  I took a whole suitcase of these rats with me on the book tour, and the people who x-ray the baggage at airports were freaked out when they saw the rats, especially because there was an outbreak of Typhus (also transmitted by fleas on rats) while I was there.  Everyone had to make sure my rats weren't real!  I'll be posting more pictures soon, so stay tuned.
     Happy reading!
JSC

California book tour

October 29, 2018
Hi, All!
     I just got back from the California book tour.  I had a GREAT time -- met some pretty wonderful people, had nice crowds for the book events, sold lots of books, and saw some new sites out there as well.  I even went on a Hollywood tour one afternoon!
    I did book readings/events everywhere from Corona Del Mar up to the Burbank Barnes & Noble store.  The timing of the trip was very interesting as Los Angeles, where the events of the book took place, was currently in the middle of a horrible Typhus "epidemic" (the exact word used initially by NBC News!).  What I discovered was yet another case of "The more things change, the more they stay the same."  Why?  Well, at one of the book readings, I had a huge crowd.  In the middle of my reading I asked how many in the room had heard of the Typhus outbreak taking place, and only *four* individuals raised hands.  One of the four said, "I don't think much about it because it is taking place in the homeless around Los Angeles."  This person was shocked when I revealed I had just seen on NBC news that "ground zero" for the epidemic was in the million dollar homes just north of the city.  This is merely speculation on my part, but my best guess would be that the pets of those who live in those million dollar homes somehow got the fleas that help transmit Typhus -- and then it spread from there.  Still, listening to that individual reminded me so much of what took place in my book.  Back in 1924, many weren't concerned about the illness because it seemed, at first glance, to be focused on the Mexican community and not with mainstream Los Angeles.  It really does seem that as long as there is a group to "pin it on," outbreaks like these don't seem all that important to some people -- and that is so sad.  So sad.
     The Typhus outbreak going on right now also sparked added interest in Plague in Paradise because, I think, people were curious about how a similar situation played out in the past. Maybe a reading of my book will help individuals in that area better come to grips with what should be done now.  I sure hope so.
   I'm still coming out of jet-lag, so I'll sign off for now.  In the next post I'll try to post some pictures from the trip.  In the meantime, happy reading!
JSC

Book Event Pictures

October 1, 2018
Hi, Everyone!
    Just for fun, I thought I'd post a few photos from recent book events related to Plague in Paradise.  I've had a great time with this book -- the reception has been great all the places I've visited.  One of the pictures is something I like to do during the "book launch" period for each of my books; I have a bakery near where the event is to take place "screen-print" the cover of the book on a cake!  So, when I do the event, everyone can have a piece of cake while we are visiting about the book -- and they can all eat a piece of the cover of the book.  I know -- it's silly -- but fun!
    The one of me at a traditional "signing table" at a Barnes & Noble store shows the types of "artifacts" I'm taking with me to events for this book: rat traps, rubber rats, photos of yersinia pestis (which causes the plague!) and pictures of locations in Los Angeles where the outbreak took place.  The items do make the signing table look more than a tad creepy, but this fits the subject matter of the book -- and people really do seem to like the rats!  The only problem with this picture is my eyes are closed, so it looks like I've fallen asleep while "meeting and greeting" people at the store -- yikes! Every once in a while, if a person seems really excited to read the book, I'll give one of the rats to her/him when they purchase a book. When the rats are squeezed, they sound like real rats!
     I'll post more pictures as I do more events.  In the meantime, happy reading!
JSC

Book Launch!

September 26, 2018
Hi, Everyone!
     Plague in Paradise was "officially" released on September 1, so the past few weeks have been wild -- in a good way! The "book launch" period for a book is typically the first two or three months after copies are made available for purchase, and there is usually a flurry of activity during this time as the book is being introduced and promoted.  For example, I've already done book readings and events at bookstores, popular restaurants and gathering places for those who love books, and even did a live radio program about the book that was streamed over the Armed Services Radio Network.  I was particularly proud of this last event as it gave those who are serving our country a program to listen to while helping keep our country safe and strong.  I gave a big shout-out to those serving -- and thanked them for all they are doing; at times, I think we don't express enough just how fortunate we are they are out there.  So, to all of you serving, thank you -- and bless you.
     I also have several other events ahead that should be a great deal of fun -- and will also help let people know about the book.  This coming Saturday I'll doing a reading that will be in conjunction with a PBS program that will be talking about "The Great Read."  I can't wait for that.  Then, on October 31 I'll be on NPR with host Don Marsh to talk about Plague in Paradise. That is Halloween, a very fitting day to talk about the Black Plague!  Don Marsh is one of my media heroes.  He always asks the best questions, and we have a great time talking about books and "life in general" in today's world.  I know we'll have a great time on the air.
     In a couple of weeks I'll also be doing book readings and presentations out in California.  The Black Plague outbreak described in the book took place in Los Angeles in 1924 -- and was the last "major" outbreak in the United States.  So, it is fitting that I do events out there.  I'll be doing a reading/presentation at the Sherman Library & Gardens in Corona Del Mar the evening of October 18; at this event I'll be sharing a wide variety of photos that were taken during the outbreak.  Then, on the afternoon of October 20, I'll be doing a reading at the Barnes & Noble store in Burbank.  If you are in the area for either of these events, please stop by and say hello.  I have plenty of other events scheduled as well, and I'm looking forward to all of them.  I love getting out to visit with readers and talking about my books.
    For the readings/events related to this book, I decided to bring along quite a few "visuals" to show what happened during the plague outbreak.  I've been taking with me to the events such items as one of the rat traps used to catch rats during the 1924 outbreak, photos of the major places involved in the story, and even bottles of the "treatments" used at the time, which were very primitive by modern standards.  I believe people in the audience have really enjoyed seeing these items and hearing how they were used. I've even been bringing a pack of large, rubber rats to place around the rooms while I read!  Some have thought this pretty great -- others have said the rats are creepy!
    I also just found out the e-book version is now available through Amazon and other venues, so for those of you who prefer to read on your electronic devices, you can now order the book.
    I better sign off now.  I have a reading this Saturday in Waterloo, Iowa, at the Barnes & Noble store there -- and I have a few items to get ready before that event.  Again, if you are in the area, please stop by!
    Happy reading, everyone!
JSC

Plague in Paradise off to print!

June 1, 2018
Hi, All!
    

     I'm very happy to announce Plague in Paradise: The Black Death in Los Angeles, 1924 will go to print June 8.  This is one of the steps in the process of book publishing that is a true joy for the author because it represents the culmination of all the work that went into the project.

    Interestingly enough to me, the last piece of the puzzle for this book was the book cover, which is usually done much earlier in the process.  There were almost a dozen versions prepared before the final was chosen.  One of the early versions had a HUGE rat poised above the picture of downtown Los Angeles. Rats harbored the fleas that caused the plague, so having a rat on the cover seemed to make sense at first. However, when this draft of the cover was shown to groups, to get a marketing perspective, the rat wasn't popular at all.  Many said it was too scary or spooky, which turned them off.  Others said it reminded them of the 1950's sci-fi films with giant insects attacking people (like the giant ants in the movie "Them!").  So, out went the rat.  Other versions followed until those involved with the design came up with a cover that was "pleasing to the eye -- and interest-catching." 

     Having a good cover is a dramatically important part of publishing in today's world. For those who are browsing in brick-and-mortar bookstores, an eye-catching cover can make all the difference between a person walking by or pulling the book from the shelf to take a closer look, which might lead to a purchase.  For those looking through the listing at online bookseller sites, it has been estimated that the cover of a book is one of the most important determinants of all in selection of a book for purchase.  One study suggested as many as 75% of all books purchased online were chosen because the cover of the book drew the purchaser to it.  Therefore, it is no wonder publishers take so much time making sure the cover is exactly right.

    I'm attaching a copy of the final version of the cover of Plague in Paradise. I also feel a little explanation may be in order to go along with it. As mentioned in a previous post, the book is a literary nonfiction account of the last major outbreak of the Black Plague in the United States, which happened in 1924 in Los Angeles. At the time of the outbreak, Los Angeles was known as the "Paradise of the West."  City officials touted it healthful climate, its booming business community, its new harbor, and as a place where families could come, plant roots, and grow and prosper along with the city. Hence -- the "Paradise" part of the title.  And then the plague showed up.......

    So, the main image on the cover is done from an actual picture of downtown L.A. in 1924 -- to help illustrate how much the city was growing and prospering.  Then, in sharp contrast, at the bottom of the cover, just below the image of the city, an image of a cemetery appears to represent the devastation caused by the appearance of the Black Death in the community.  I especially like the Art Department's choice of yellow, red, and black as the dominant colors in the background; for me, these add to the stark contrast between the fast growth of the city and the sudden outbreak of the plague.  I tip my cap to those who worked in the cover.  I believe it will draw potential readers to the book, whether they are looking at it in a store or online.

     As mentioned, the book goes to print June 8.  There are several other steps after a book is printed before it actually shows up on shelves at all the places where books are purchased. The book will be available shortly for advance purchase for those who want to reserve a copy, and it will show up in bookstores in about two months.  I'll provide more details about that as we get closer to the actual release of the book.  I think readers will find this story quite interesting and revealing, especially as pockets of of the Black Plague have popped up in several countries in the past few months.  The "Scourge of the Middle Ages" is still very much with us today.

    I hope all of you enjoy the start of your summer.  Happy reading, everyone!

JSC

Happy Holidays!

December 21, 2017
Hi, All!
    First of all, I want to wish everyone a happy, healthy, and wonderful holidays and Happy New Year!  I hope all of you have a great time with family, friends, and others special to you.
     This will be a quick note, and you will soon see why.......
      Take a look at the picture attached to this post.  Yes, I really did break my leg playing soccer.  So, this brings up the question: "Why, at my age, did I think I could still play soccer?"  It's funny, but I don't feel like I'm getting older -- even though my body reminds me of this just about every day now.  Age is nothing but a number -- until a person gets hurt!  I'm posing with a baseball bat instead of a soccer ball because a dear friend of mine did some fast work on the picture to show my leg stuck out like this.  Ouch!  So, the reason this note will be short is it is still difficult for me to sit at the computer for any length of time.  I think I'm going to have to start typing while standing up!
    A soccer injury isn't a very "romantic" injury to report, so I think I should change my story to something like I broke my leg while saving some children from a burning building.  Or, how about I threw myself in front of an out-of-control car to save an elderly person who was crossing the street?  How about saying I hurt the leg while falling off an elephant?  If you can think of a better story I can use, please send it along to me.
     Again, Happy Holidays!  And a happy and blessed 2018 for us all!
Jeff