My gratitude to so many organizations for making The Great Abolitionist launch so special!
I have thanked and continue to thank so many organizations, bookstore staffers, librarians, podcasters, moderators –and most of all, YOU, dear readers – for a memorable spring book tour for The Great Abolitionist: Charles Sumner and the Fight for a More Perfect Union. As an author, I could not have asked for a better launch! The photos in this introduction show just a few of the many highlights from the tour.
My 20-plus events over this period (most live, a few virtual, and a few podcasts) took place in libraries, country clubs, bookstores, senior citizen centers, TV studios, and hotel conference rooms. The overall response from hundreds of readers was truly gratifying, and the dozens upon dozens of questions I received during presentations were impressive and insightful. This tour reminded me again (not that I really need reminding) how much I enjoy meeting and interacting with readers. Special thanks to all of the organizations listed below:
*The Friends of the Hull (MA) Public Library, Buttonwood Books, and the beautiful Nantasket Beach Resort for sponsoring my launch event! *The Andover (MA) Book Store and the historic and majestic Memorial Hall Library in Andover for a memorable setting and a great audience. *The Marshfield (MA) Council on Aging for a jam-packed event! *The American Inspiration Series from American Ancestors/New England Historic and Genealogical Society who partnered with WGBH (public broadcasting) for an enjoyable virtual event! *The Tufts Memorial Library in Weymouth, MA for a spectacular “hometown event” with nearly 100 participants. *The Winchester (MA) Public Library, a beautiful place to do a presentation and amazing lovers of history attended!
*The James Library and Center for the Arts in Norwell, MA, a gem on Boston’s South Shore and a wonderfully engaged group of members! *The Mark Twain House and Museum in Hartford, CT, which sponsored a spirited virtual event moderated by long-time Connecticut journalist and television host, Duby McDowell. *The Reading (MA) Public Library, whose attendees made me think – and think again! – with their outstanding questions! *The Barnes & Noble store in Hingham, MA, which hosted a wonderful Saturday afternoon signing event (my 690th as an author!). It’s my “home” B&N, and I was thrilled that so many family members and friends stopped by! *The Charlotte and William Bloomberg Medford (MA) Public Library, where more than 70 people showed up to discuss The Great Abolitionist. Medford is a city with a great history, and it showed! *The Friends of the Wolfeboro (NH) Public Library Book & Author Luncheon. I was thrilled to participate in this memorable event, along with New York Times bestselling author Lisa Gardner, to kick off the Wolfeboro/Lakes Region summer season! What a fantastic event! More than 150 enthusiastic readers turned out for the library’s big summer fundraiser.
*The Forbes House Museum and the Milton (MA) Public Library, where an engaged crowd of readers and history-lovers attended for this special event. I spent some quality time at the Forbes House while researching Voyage of Mercy, and the Town of Milton made Voyage its community-wide read a few years ago. *The Robbins, Library in Arlington, MA, where a great crowd braved scorching heat to make my final in-person Spring TGA event very special!
