Very happy to announce the book I wrote, "GREEN GLORY: A Visual Tribute To The Courses Of The Majors - Golf's Renowned Venues," is off the press, with initial copies bound and about to be delivered to the courses and clubs included in the book. It's the culmination of a three-year effort that included the yeoman labors of photographer and longtime friend Patrick Drickey, skilled painter Linda Hartough, editor Sally J. Sportsman, publisher Steve Hayes, designer Gail Snodgrass, able assistance by photographer and newest Stonehouse star Dan Murphy, and yours truly.
It's my debut as a published author, and so far (one week) reactions have been very positive. I just returned from Orlando and an evening at the Association of Golf Merchandisers' (AGM) meet-and-greet prior to the opening of the PGA Expo. PGA attendees got a chance to see the book, and more than few chose to buy autographed copies, multiple in many cases. Even signed a few myself... weird feeling.
I don't know exactly how to describe the emotions that go along with realizing this goal, but since my name is on the book as author I suppose I'm obligated to try to find the words. As stated earlier, Patrick and I started working on this project three years ago; there now exist on our hard drives files and files of letter drafts, emails, power point presentations, and in our memories hours of phone calls in which Patrick and I discussed everything - from our next move following rejection by one source or another, to questions about design and content. We always seemed to agree about what was required... which makes the book as much a tribute to our collaboration as the game of golf, in my mind. I'm proud of that.
The words? Few things are as repulsive as false modesty (insulting and terribly boring), but I'll run the risk of accusation here by saying that I think the words are mostly just adequate to the task. Fortunately, the book is a coffee table creation, meant to be looked at, admired, read only as occasion or interest inspires. No plot, no overarching literary theme, no complex scenes, characters or dialogue. Parts of the section introductions I like, while most of the course descriptions I wrote just trying not to sound like the sentences were lifted word for word from course websites. Mixed feelings about the words. A sports journalist I am not - yet, if ever. Great assistance, guidance and direction were provided by the book's editor, Sally J. Sportsman (yep, her real name) - a gentle, charming, unafraid writer and public relations pro whose credentials relating to golf prose far outweigh mine. Thank you Sally.
So, one hand raised in triumph, while, out of sight, the other trembles. That's how I feel.
Oh, one other thing. I haven't publicly thanked my wife, Laura, for her support of this project. You can find her name in the list of "ACKNOWLEDGMENTS" (British spelling, in deference to our colleagues in the UK), but that's small compensation for her contribution, in my opinion. Laura is the perfect wife for a writer: She is ever-sensitive to my many shifts in mood, attention span, conversational ability and companionship quotient as I pursue my interests, real and imagined. She reacts to this melange of personality/behavioral environments much like an able seaman - she rides the waves skillfully, unfurling sails as conditions dictate, traversing the eddies and treacherous whirlpools without complaint. I owe her everything. She is my pal, my citadel, my truth.
My contract for writing the book provided me with a limited number of copies, which have been quickly committed to family members - real and chosen. So if you're at all interested in obtaining a book, I'd like to help you out, but I can't get it any cheaper or quicker than you can, thru www.stonehousegolf.com, beginning March 15.
Actually, that might not be true... but I want to sell books, too.
Thanks for stopping by.
It's my debut as a published author, and so far (one week) reactions have been very positive. I just returned from Orlando and an evening at the Association of Golf Merchandisers' (AGM) meet-and-greet prior to the opening of the PGA Expo. PGA attendees got a chance to see the book, and more than few chose to buy autographed copies, multiple in many cases. Even signed a few myself... weird feeling.
I don't know exactly how to describe the emotions that go along with realizing this goal, but since my name is on the book as author I suppose I'm obligated to try to find the words. As stated earlier, Patrick and I started working on this project three years ago; there now exist on our hard drives files and files of letter drafts, emails, power point presentations, and in our memories hours of phone calls in which Patrick and I discussed everything - from our next move following rejection by one source or another, to questions about design and content. We always seemed to agree about what was required... which makes the book as much a tribute to our collaboration as the game of golf, in my mind. I'm proud of that.
The words? Few things are as repulsive as false modesty (insulting and terribly boring), but I'll run the risk of accusation here by saying that I think the words are mostly just adequate to the task. Fortunately, the book is a coffee table creation, meant to be looked at, admired, read only as occasion or interest inspires. No plot, no overarching literary theme, no complex scenes, characters or dialogue. Parts of the section introductions I like, while most of the course descriptions I wrote just trying not to sound like the sentences were lifted word for word from course websites. Mixed feelings about the words. A sports journalist I am not - yet, if ever. Great assistance, guidance and direction were provided by the book's editor, Sally J. Sportsman (yep, her real name) - a gentle, charming, unafraid writer and public relations pro whose credentials relating to golf prose far outweigh mine. Thank you Sally.
So, one hand raised in triumph, while, out of sight, the other trembles. That's how I feel.
Oh, one other thing. I haven't publicly thanked my wife, Laura, for her support of this project. You can find her name in the list of "ACKNOWLEDGMENTS" (British spelling, in deference to our colleagues in the UK), but that's small compensation for her contribution, in my opinion. Laura is the perfect wife for a writer: She is ever-sensitive to my many shifts in mood, attention span, conversational ability and companionship quotient as I pursue my interests, real and imagined. She reacts to this melange of personality/behavioral environments much like an able seaman - she rides the waves skillfully, unfurling sails as conditions dictate, traversing the eddies and treacherous whirlpools without complaint. I owe her everything. She is my pal, my citadel, my truth.
My contract for writing the book provided me with a limited number of copies, which have been quickly committed to family members - real and chosen. So if you're at all interested in obtaining a book, I'd like to help you out, but I can't get it any cheaper or quicker than you can, thru www.stonehousegolf.com, beginning March 15.
Actually, that might not be true... but I want to sell books, too.
Thanks for stopping by.
