Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Book Signing V: IUPUI Strikes Back

Today's book signing back at IUPUI wasn't quite the same as the very first one in July, but was still a good time for this author. In the lead up, I conversed with several of my old profs from my grad school days there, which was nice in and of itself, but made more so when one of them stopped by. I got to talk with several people about the book as well. No doubt the highlight was when Shumaker's granddaughter arrived, bearing a gift from the Shumaker family and catching me up on all that has been going on with the family who let me tell the Reverend's story to begin with! That made my time downtown more than worth it. The staff at the IUPUI bookstore was once again great as well.

In other developments, there is a chance that the Shumaker show is going to go on the road in a big way....probably all the way out to Washington, D.C. if all goes as planned! But more on that when I know more.

Saturday, October 3, 2009

Book Signing IV: Franklin in the Fall

Today was one of those Indiana Fall days. Cold, overcast at times, windy at times, and even some sun. The book signing was held at Kira's Cottage Christian Bookstore in Franklin, right on the courthouse square. It was a good time, I got to talk to several people about the book and see some old friends. Even if there aren't always sales, it never hurts to get the word out! A fine time when all was said and done, some good cookies, and the kids had a blast with all the Fall Fest activities, and with spending some time with Grammy and Grandpa Bill.

Overall, things are going well with the book (I think). Sales are solid, and there will be some reviews (fingers crossed) before to long!

Sunday, September 27, 2009

Book Signing III: Methodists in the City

Today was the third book signing and first public event for the book. It was held at Meridian Street United Methodist Church in Indianapolis -- which has been my church home since moving to Indy, where Erin and I got married, and where both kids got baptized. It is an historic congregation (the mother church for Methodists in the Circle City), and I was very blessed and honored that the church wanted to do something in conjunction with the book's publication.

All told, there were about 14 members of the congregation in attendance, including 2 members of the church's ministry staff. Additionally, Erin was there with both the kids (who were great) and I was very happy that my parents got to be there as well.....as neither of them has actually ever gotten to see me do what I do.

It was a very good time, including some excellent questions from the audience. I can only hope that there might be more such events in the future!

Next up is a book signing in Franklin (October 3), and then a return visit to IUPUI in November! With a bit of luck there will be more in the new year (beyond just the one set for March in Columbia City)!

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Sales and Signings

Book sales, officially, according to the Press for the fiscal year (ending 30 June 2009) stand at 157. Which is not a bad start (considering that the book didn't officially "drop" until 15 May 2009). I've been told that back in the day, academic sales were considered "good" if they topped 500. That's still my goal, of course I wouldn't mind going over that either!

On September 27th, there will be a book signing and "public event" at Meridian Street United Methodist Church......which has been my church home since I moved to Indy, and where research on what became the book first began. I'm very excited about being able to do this, and that the church wanted to do something!

On November 4th, I'll be returning to the IUPUI bookstore for a book signing as well. I'm still holding out hope something will come together for October in Franklin, but we'll see I guess. There also looks like I'll be doing something in Columbia City in March of next year. All very exciting, and reminds me how blessed I've been to be able to do this project.

Sunday, August 16, 2009

The South Bend Signing


The book signing event of August was held at University Park Mall Friday night. The turn out was awesome, and my thanks to all who were able to come.....which ranged from friends from NorthWood's class of 93, to family, old friends, and plenty of members from Sugar Grove, as well as a few visitors from the Press. My thanks to all who came....it was great seeing you all.



There is every hope that the list of signing sites will grow. I've already nailed down one in Columbia City for March.....but there is also a possibility that there will be more signings in Indy, and maybe some other spots as well. Indeed, I'm not ruling out anything, and that would include a return trip to South Bend.

Monday, July 13, 2009

Book Signing at IUPUI and A Review

The first book signing held for _Prohibition_ went quite well last week at IUPUI. A total of 5 books were sold over the course of an hour, with an additional 4 signed by people who brought in copies. It was a nice mix of friends, family, and former students. It went well enough that I've been invited back come the start of the Fall semester.

This weekend brought more good news....a review from Midwest Book Review which rated the book at 5 stars with a plug that college libraries buy it!

http://www.amazon.com/Prohibition-Here-Stay-Reverend-Shumaker/product-reviews/0268033838/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1

Plans are in the works for a book signing in South Bend in August, and things seem to all be moving in the right direction.

Monday, June 15, 2009

Book Signing

There will be (with a bit of luck this is just the first) a book signing on July 9, 2009 from 11-noon at the IUPUI Barnes & Noble.

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Book Sales So Far

The book is doing, at least from what I can tell from visiting websites, fairly well...considering when it came out and the topic! It has been as "high" on Amazon.com's sales as in the 60,000s position, but spends most of its time in the 200,000-300,000s range. I do feel the need to post the following blurb:

"Unputdownable... Thrilling, daring, inventive. Easily the most compelling narrative about prohibition to have hit the shelves this year." --Joel Melasniemi, Finland, on "Prohibition is Here to Stay"



Granted it was written by a friend and made (somewhat) in jest, but it is nice nevertheless!

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

It has arrived

My author's copies arrived in the mail today....which means if you pre-ordered a copy of my book (thanks by the way), yours should be to you sooner rather than later!

Friday, March 20, 2009

This Just In....

From the editorial page of the Indianapolis Star:


http://www.indystar.com/article/20090320/OPINION07/903200317/1043/OPINION07

Monday, January 5, 2009

And the blurbs are...

"Prohibition Is Here to Stay"
The Reverend Edward S. Shumaker and the Dry Crusade in America
Jason S. Lantzer

"Jason Lantzer's excellent biography of Edward Shumaker places one of America's most successful Prohibition crusaders in the very center of American religion and reform. Lantzer's careful research and thoughtful analysis sharply contradicts the tendency to see Prohibition as a mere sidebar to American history and opens our minds to the connections between political activism and religious faith." -James H. Madison, author of Slinging Doughnuts for the Boys: An American Woman in World War II

"Given Lantzer's access to Edward Shumaker's personal papers, his narrative of Shumaker's life is undoubtedly an authoritative one. In addition, the book increases our understanding of the organizational dynamics of the Indiana prohibition movement, the Indiana Anti-Saloon League (IASL)'s political endeavors, and the IASL's relationship with African Americans, Catholics, and the Ku Klux Klan." -Ann-Marie Szymanski, University of Oklahoma

"In this sympathetic, serious account of Reverend Edward Shumaker and the Indiana prohibition movement, Jason Lantzer brings to life an earlier, formative phase in what Americans have ruefully come to call the 'culture wars,' in which ethnic, religious, and cultural divisions within communities can give rise to and perpetuate rancorous conflicts over standards and behavior. While that story is important enough, Lantzer also evokes the atmosphere and life of Indiana's cities and small towns as the Midwest struggled with the powerful, sometimes frightening forces of urbanization, industrialization, and immigration. Lantzer's book is worth reading because of its imaginative re-creation of the social and intellectual environment out of which evangelical, moral reform efforts such as Shumaker's prohibitionism grew." -Alan Lessoff, editor of the Journal of the Gilded Age and Progressive Era

"Based on newly opened manuscripts and impressive research in local sources, this study of Edward Shumaker sheds new light on the workings of a state Anti-Saloon League, its leader, and state and national politics and public policy." -K. Austin Kerr, Ohio State University

Jason S. Lantzer is an adjunct history faculty member of Indiana University-Purdue University, Indianapolis, and Butler University.

Thursday, January 1, 2009

Pre-order, part 2

While still awaiting official word from Notre Dame Press, it appears as though (at least according to Borders) that the book will be published sometime late spring (April/May)