If everything works out, next fall you’ll be able to put down your $19.95 (plus tax) for my latest book, Colorful Characters of St. Louis. In it, you’ll read about all kinds of interesting folks, including a champion dog and chicken thief who did his work around 1900 and a guy who’s obsessed with rescuing dogs. Dozens and dozens will be in the cast of characters, which should make for easy and fun reading for you.
But it will be anything but easy for me. For me, or for every author, there’s an endless slog toward the deadline. To keep up, I e-mail two profiles to my editor every Sunday night. That ensures I don’t fall behind. But it’s hard. I had to hustle to get out a piece last week on the African American comedian-activist Dick Gregory and Daniel “Boone” Fuller. Fuller this summer led a vigil to stop the homicides in St. Louis. I didn’t think I’d do it, but I e-mailed in the profiles at 10:30 p.m. Sunday night. This morning I started again. I’ll keep you informed on how I’m doing.
Jim Merkel the Writer 