10 Year Anniversary: My “In the Arms of Angels” Book

 

Wow!  Ten years ago this week my “In the Arms of Angels” Magnolia Cemetery book was released! This first signing at the cemetery was a good omen of so many great experiences to come, meeting so many people (kindred spirits!), giving many presentations and numerous book signings around the Lowcountry, not to mention my five years teaching at College of Charleston my “Beyond the Grave” First Year Experience course. This book and that class would inspire my 2022 book, “Stories from the Underground: The Churchyards of Charleston.” I have several talks and a podcast coming up this spring and summer and all my books are available on Amazon.

This Facebook post appeared in my “Memories” to alert me to this 10-year anniversary. I remember being contacted ahead of the first official book event. The group of gals was driving from Anderson to Charleston and wanted, as part of their Holy City visit, to see if I could meet them at Magnolia Cemetery so they could have me sign my new book for them. 

Of course I will! 

About a week later I held the first book signing for my new book. Longtime Magnolia Cemetery superintendent Beverly Donald (pictured) helped organize and promote the event. Beverly was very helpful with my research and I, in fact, dedicated the book to her and to my parents as well. 

Beverly recently retired as head of the cemetery after more than 40 years of service. Enjoy your retirement, it's well deserved! 

My book publicity efforts included booking (pun intended) an appearance on WCIV-TV's "Lowcountry Live" live program. I was interviewed by Tessa Spencer who since this April 2014 event became the main anchor at Charleston's ABC affiliate. 

The Facebook "memory" anniversary notices keep popping up! This is a post I did on April 13, 2014 about a signing I did at College of Charleston later in the week. 

This is the author photo I used in the book, taken by my lovely wife Alesia. 

Thanksgiving Message: Don't Take Life for Granted

On the eve of Thanksgiving 2015 I am uploading to my computer photographs I took yesterday at Charleston's beautiful and historic Magnolia Cemetery, about which I have written two books.

I am always touched by the gravesite of little Annie Kerr Aiken who was not quite 3 years old when the throat disease diphtheria took your young life in 1856. Passersby often place small toys and stuffed animals at this site, or as I saw yesterday, coins. Thirteen cents someone placed here- bad luck?

Goodread Review of "In the Arms of Angels"

I was excited and pleased to recently come across online this very favorable review of the "In the Arms of Angels" book about Magnolia Cemetery that I published last year. The review is on Goodreads, a website that helps readers "meet your next book."

Thank you Courtney! I'm glad you like my book and appreciate the great time and effort I put into it!

College of Charleston Faculty Book Display

I was excited yesterday to finally see the display of recent faculty publications in the College of Charleston's Addlestone Library. My 2014 Magnolia Cemetery book is in the bottom right hand corner.

The display is on the third floor near the Special Collections/South Carolina Historical Society section. 

The CofC faculty books will be displayed throughout the summer. I'm quite honored to be part of this presentation!  "In the Arms of Angels: Magnolia Cemetery- Charleston's Treasure of History, Mystery and Artistry" remains available for purchase. See the column to the left for stores and other sales information. My two books are also on the shelves of the Addlestone Library and all of the public libraries in the greater Charleston area. 

Magnolia Cemetery History and Artistry Presentation Opportunities

I have what I feel is a very interesting and colorful 60-90 minute photographic and oral presentation about my Magnolia Cemetery research and books. Please contact me if I can give a talk to your