"Work like you don't need the money...

Love like you've never been hurt. Dance like nobody's watching." 

Those rules to live by are attributed to the great American baseball player Satchel Paige who took the mound for the last time in 1965 and pitched three shutout innings for the Kansas City Athletics—at the age of 60, if you can believe it. Satchel surely lived by his philosophy—he also once said, "Don't look back. Something might be gaining on you." 

I started thinking about Satchel Paige the other day when my dear wife observed that she thought I was working harder these days than when "I had a real job." As always, I have to admit she's right (there's a reason why our marriage has lasted so long), but it often doesn't seem like work. My days are full, though, especially this fall with the release of Windrusher and the Trail of Fire and a full schedule of book events. 

In connection with the release of "Wind-3," I'm excited to pass along a new book trailer created by my talented son Greg. It's at the bottom of this post. Let me know what you think about it.

Hopefully Satchel Paige will allow me a small look back before I look ahead.  Along with several dozen other authors, I participated in the Author in the Schools program as part of the Amelia Island Book Festival. My thanks to Mrs. Brenda Patterson for hosting me during my day at Yulee High School.  I had the pleasure of speaking to five English classes and a journalism class where I was the subject of an interview for an article in the school paper.  Here I am with Mrs. Patterson's journalism students. 

The next day at the AIBF, I was one of the featured authors and spoke several times as well as participating in the author's luncheon and book signing sessions.  This photo by Ron Miller was taken in the bookstore where I was seated next to Peter Post, right, the great grandson of Emily Post. With his back to me is Stephen Noden, one of my newest Windrusher fans. Congratulation to all the hard-working volunteers for organizing a terrific event.

If you're looking for an autographed copy of any of the three Windrushers, you can always order them from my website and receive two special gifts while supplies last. Or, if you're in the area. you might look for me at one of these upcoming events:

• Friday, October 17 from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Ft. Lauderdale Borders, 2240 East Sunrise Blvd.
• Saturday & Sunday, October 18 & 19 at the CFA Cat Show at War Memorial Auditorium, 800 NW 8th Street in Ft. Lauderdale.
• Tuesday, October 21 at 10:00 a.m. at the Belleview Friends of the Library, 6007 SE Earp Street, Belleview, FL.
• Friday, October 24 at 1:00 p.m. at the Ponte Vedra Library – I'll be speaking to the Sawgrass Women's Club Book Club.
• Saturday & Sunday, November 1 & 2 at the CFA Allbreed Cat Show held at the Gwinnett Center in Duluth, GA. 
• November 8 & 9, I'll be part of the FWA Writer's Tent at the Family Art Fest & Salute to the Troops held at Midtown Centre in Jacksonville, FL.

I hope to see some of you at one or the other of my upcoming appearances. And if I could ask a favor, if you've read Windrusher and the Trail of Fire and liked it, please go to Amazon.com and write your review for the book. These "unsolicited" testimonials help convince others who might be considering purchasing the book. 

Thanks. Until next time, remember to work like you don't need the money. I hope you enjoy the book trailer.

Vic