Tom Swift Writer’s Notebook

It has been my good fortune to be invited to read and speak and sign at more than twenty events now, and I have never been made to feel as comfortable as I was last night at the John Hassler Theater. What a warm and welcoming group of curious readers and fellow writers. I read [...]

Every third Wednesday the Rural America Writers’ Center invites an author to read from his or her work. Tomorrow happens to be the third Wednesday in August — as hard as that is to believe; I can still hear the echo of Fourth of July fireworks — and the author on the schedule happens to [...]

The Minnesota Twins have kindly invited me to speak to season ticket holders before the Twins-Chicago White Sox game Tuesday night. Should be a fun event with a lot of time devoted to Q&A — always the best part of my events — though it is not open to the public. As I understand it, [...]

I heard the name Chris Livingston long before the book was published. I’m eager to see his renowned bookstore, which I will visit on Saturday evening when I will share Charles Bender’s story with anyone who’d like to listen and sign copies for anyone who would like to receive one. Hope to see you there. [...]

I was asked to be the featured speaker at the Minnesota American Indian Chamber of Commerce’s 21st annual awards dinner Thursday night. The chamber’s worthy mission is to act as an advocate for American Indian businesses, organizations and professionals. What a terrific opportunity for me. Ironically, in his day Charles Bender was a sought-after speaker [...]

Charles Bender was born just north of Lake Wobegon and he made his name during the baseball games that are played in October. Seems fitting, then, to gather on the eve of the World Series at Common Good Books, Garrison Keillor’s bookstore, to recall the days when Minnesota’s first Hall of Famer was the game’s [...]

I would have told you sooner except I just found out myself: I will sign copies of Chief Bender’s Burden from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., tomorrow (Saturday) at Central Avenue Bookstore. This free event — of course, it’s free — will be held in conjunction with downtown Faribault’s annual Fall Festival. At least that’s [...]

I signed the tall stack of books in a dash and along the way met many pleasant booksellers. Afterward, I joined four of them (and a fellow book-signer) for some Italian. Good food, great time. The next day I picked up some books — and engaged in interesting conversations about some of them. I met [...]

I have decided to suspend my writing career. I think we can call agree it’s the only prudent thing to do, given the financial crisis our fundamentally sound economy is enduring. These times are just too critical to do anything but sit and think about a subject that, like others, I admit I know almost [...]

My thanks to Mark Moore, senior subject librarian, and the rest of the staff at the amazing Cleveland Public Library for hosting yesterday’s panel discussion. The Louis Stokes Wing Auditorium is a terrific venue and a great crowd turned out. I am fortunate to have been included in such a first-rate event. As I mentioned [...]

Thanks to journalist Vince Grzegorek for his interest in the book and the event. Also, the panel got a plug in the Cleveland Plain Dealer. Cool.

One of the three is a distinguished professor emeritus of history at an accredited university who has written several acclaimed books. Another is a prominent baseball writer who is both a prolific author and a columnist at ESPN. The third is, well, me.
From noon to 1 p.m., Friday (June 27), Dr. Charles Alexander, Rob Neyer [...]

I had no idea what to expect. It’s summer. Lives are busy. I’m not exactly David Sedaris. Besides, Howie Mandel gives away a lot more than I do. But what a great time last night at the library.
A good crowd asked great questions — readers at my events always ask great questions — and the [...]

I love spending time in libraries and my next two trips should be memorable ones. Many thanks to the Oak Grove Public Library for its efforts to publicize tomorrow night’s event. Can’t say that I’ve seen my name in such large type before. Certainly not while driving in the old Carolla. I look forward to [...]

People frequently ask about what it feels like to publish a first book. More than the satisfaction of publication or the pleasant surprise of a flattering review the thing that hits, and hits even more often than the question is asked, is the kindness of readers. It’s the e-mail out of nowhere, thanking me for [...]

I have learned that during Saturday’s signing I will face off against another author: Lou Nanne.
If you live in Minnesota and you can explain what it means to ice a puck you know the name Nanne. He was an All-American for the University of Minnesota and a defensive stalwart for the Minnesota North Stars. After [...]

I will about double my yearly allotment of mall hours on Saturday when I spend most of the day in one large enough to hold seven Yankee Stadiums. But I won’t buy a new blue shirt and I won’t ride a single roller coaster (beyond the mental up-down that comes when I appear at a [...]

Father’s Day is sneaking up on you and, let’s face it, you don’t have a gift. Not only do you not have a gift, you don’t have time to shop for one. Or the first clue what to buy if, by chance, you do make it to a store in time. You wonder whether the [...]

Father’s Day is coming up! This year I have had that date mentally marked for months. Most years I have to be reminded by the thoughtful person in my marriage. I still don’t know what I am getting my dad but I have good idea (if I don’t say so myself) what you should get [...]

If you live in, or in the general vicinity of, the city of Northfield, you may very well already have had enough of me. Last month, I did two in-person events as well as a radio interview. Area print and online media have also placed my face before the unsuspecting public. But, like the one-eyed [...]