This is Jim George in Austin, and I'm sending this to (what I hope is the)
VT Alumni reflector for the Austin area Hokies.

Some of you are aware of the fact that I've been writing since my
retirement. It has been quite a journey, and I've taken it seriously. The
result is a 301 page novel that I think you will find interesting and well
written.

"Reunion" begins and ends with the 45th reunion of the 1960 class of
Princeton, West Virginia. Set in a small town on the southern edge of the
state, it deals with usual themes of coming-of-age and high school, as well
as the once-in-a-lifetime experience of desegregation and its impact on a
group of friends. In addition, the debut novel, written in the first person
in an engaging style, probes the relationship, or lack of it, between an
emotionally-distant father and his son, who much later in life begins to
understand what it means to grow up as the adult child of an alcoholic.

The characters are rich and varied, with the very essence of Americana:
high school, football, and social interactions on multiple levels; the
music of the 50's; the thrill of short-wave ham radio; a unique peer group,
including an emerging high school rock band; and of course the family of
origin, a complex mix of stately Virginians and more informal Kentuckians.

Distinguished "review readers" went over the manuscript and permitted their
comments, warm and rich with compliments, to be included on the book
jacket, and in marketing material. You can check out a few of the reviewers
and their comments by looking at the rear cover of the book on Amazon,
using the "Look Inside" feature.

One review that captures the spirit of the novel was written by the General
Manager of KUT FM, the University of Texas's NPR station in Austin. Stewart
Vanderwilt wrote "Reunion is a deeply personal journey of discovery. It
lays bare the angst and confusion of coming-of-age on the edges of
America's moral awakening to civil rights. There are familiar themes of hot
rods, heart throbs, and early rock and roll, and darkness as well, of
family secrets and silent suffering. Reunion may inspire you to do just
that, to reunite with family, friends, or even a buried past."

Bill Stephenson writes, Dean Emeritus, College of Engineering, Virginia
Tech, writes, "In his riveting novel, Reunion, Jim George clearly displays
a creative and engaging style that holds the reader's attention and causes
the reader to think back on his own life. We all have reflected on our own
lives, but how many of us could remember them as vividly and could express
ourselves so eloquently? This is a wonderful book, written with great
sensitivity, and is deserving of a very wide readership."

A comment by Diane Umstead, an author here in Austin, states "Reunion is a
beautifully written story of innocence, loss, and reconciliation. George's
finely crafted prose and compelling voice make this debut novel a memorable
read."

Paul Torgersen, President Emeritus, Virginia Tech, graciously commented,
"... A young man successfully confronts the vestiges of segregation in the
community and cliques in school. A more personal tribulation is his
alcoholic father and their relationship. The description of the ups and
downs of high school years are pure Americana."

The book is published by AuthorHouse, in Bloomington, IN, and is available
now at all Internet retailers, including AuthorHouse, Amazon, and Barnes
and Noble. In addition, all independent book stores such as Book People in
Austin, Powell's in Portland, and your favorite indy book store all can
deliver it to you. Just go to your favorite web site, search for the title,
"Reunion," and the author as "James Kennedy George, Jr.," or simply
"George." It's available from all versions including Hardcover, Softcover,
and eBook (eKindle, eNook, or eGoogle). The book is well edited, and done
professionally in all respects.

Give it a look. I know you will find it a well-written, exciting, and
thoughtful story. I have purchased a modest but nationwide marketing and
publicity campaign with two companies in Indiana. It's in development now,
and will be rolled out in April and May. It will include a full-capability
Internet marketing and social media capability: author-centric web page
with some cool bells and whistles, Facebook emphasis on the book, an active
writer's blog to encourage questions and conversation that is creative and
book related, plus a Twitter capability. All these will have
interconnecting links. Wow. Lots of new tricks to learn at (almost) age
seventy. The overall plan will include interviews, book reviews, and media
appearances. In addition, I'm working with a local publicity firm here in
town to focus on Texas. There will be some book signings, so please stay
tuned for appearances in town, including a major book signing at Book
People in Austin, plus locations in West Virginia, Virginia, and Arizona
for sure.

This is very exciting, and best of all, the book has gotten extremely
positive reviews and comments to date. One of my editors put me through a
six month long exercise that would qualify as a graduate course in creative
writing. She did a great job, at least I think she did, and bears
significant credit for the quality of the manuscript. There were twenty
full revisions! Hopefully I got it right in the end.

I hope you get an opportunity to check out the book, and that all is well
with you and your families. I'll be submitting it to the VT magazine for
inclusion for the alumni book publications, but wanted you to see this
first. I think the process is off to a good start.

Regards and best wishes,

Jim George





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