Tom Swift Writer’s Notebook

You write a book and hope someone in the media will care. But you don’t get specific. No. You don’t say — even if the only noise in the room is a snoring dog and a whirring ceiling fan, you don’t so much as whisper the words — “Hey, maybe Minnesota institution Nick Coleman will [...]

The books editors at both the Star Tribune and the St. Paul Pioneer Press have recently devoted column space to Minnesotans in Baseball, a collection of dozens of the most famous baseball players born or raised in the state. The book was edited by Stew Thornley, award-winning author, foremost historian of baseball in the North [...]

I know many well-adjusted human beings are and for a long time have been on Facebook, but it’s always seemed a little like fourth grade to me. That saying about mocking what we don’t understand comes into play here and although I’m not sure that I yet comprehend what it means, I am, alas, now [...]

Easily, without question, I got far more out of writing “Chief Bender’s Burden” than anyone will ever get from reading it. And the book only exists because I worked with an editor of rare patience, because I share my life with a woman of incomparable understanding, and because I belong to the Society for [...]

I didn’t personally thank those of you who commented on the previous post (about news of the award) but please don’t take my silence personally. I am sincerely grateful for your kind words and your congratulations. One thing I’ve found is that winning such an award makes me think — again — of how much [...]

I have had a week to assemble the right words for this post but unfortunately I have come to realize that time is not my biggest obstacle. It’s not possible to adequately articulate my reaction to word that I have been named the recipient of the 2009 Seymour Medal. In fact, the only salient comment [...]

How flattering to have my name mentioned in the same sentence as Larry Ritter’s.

Sometimes I wish e-mail would go the way of the telegram. But then every once in a while I open the inbox and hear from some kind soul in another corner of the country I never would have connected with otherwise. Here’s a slice of a comment from one such person:
I just finished reading “Chief [...]

This is the only store in the known universe with a display of year-to-date sales that puts “Chief Bender’s Burden” ahead of Eat, Pray, Love — a book that has sold nearly 13 gazillion copies nationwide. Thanks to every kind soul who made it possible for me to snap this peculiar picture.

For a number of years Charles and Marie Bender shared a house (pictured) with one of Charles’ sisters, Emma, and Emma’s daughter from a marriage that ended in divorce. Emma’s ex-husband later remarried and had a son. Last week, I learned that those two offspring, the half sister and brother — people who had lost [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

Don’t ask me how I know, but I have it on good authority that “Chief Bender’s Burden” has been added to the River City Books staff selection display for May. Why should you care? Well, this means you can buy new, signed copies for 25 percent off the cover price. The discount applies in-store as [...]

“Chief Bender’s Burden” has been nominated for the 2008 Midwest Booksellers’ Choice Awards. The ballot is, naturally, open only to Midwest area booksellers. If you are one of those and you happen to be reading this post, first, I am sorry Google led you astray and, second, I would sincerely appreciate your support during this [...]

The other day, as a kind person was helping me line up an author event, I was accused of being too modest — a charge that could be refuted by the testimony of many credible witnesses. Also by the fact I have an entire Web site devoted to myself. Besides, I’m not self-effacing. I’m self-interested.
As [...]

Here I thought I was merely reading a fun little item about a man who had been hogtied and paraded about town in the back of a pickup after being shocked with a Taser (who among us has not done that after tipping back a few on a Saturday night?), when I learned something incredibly [...]

A devoted reader (OK, so she also happens to be my devoted wife) pointed out that soon one will be able to buy “Chief Bender’s Burden” for 11.31 pounds sterling. See No. 11 on the list.

OK, you can stop calling Ticketmaster. My book tour dates have been set. It’ll be a whirlwind two-city tour. In addition to the Twins game signing, here’s the schedule:
• 3 p.m., Saturday, April 5, River City Books, reading and signing. Books are and will be on sale for 20 percent off through the event.
• 7 [...]

Sometimes people drop me a note. Just bought your book, they say. Wow. Few e-mails make you feel better than that one.
I always offer a thank-you reply and I wonder if, across cyberspace, my appreciation comes off. Maybe I sound as though the person ahead of me just held the door open on our way [...]