Hello and very happy holidays! I wanted to offer you a few updates on King of the Blues as we near the end of a busy fall publishing season.
I'm happy to report that King of the Blues landed on several "best of 2021" lists and holiday gift guides, including influential entries from Kirkus, Library Journal, and AllMusic. And I learned this week that the book made the "longlist" of ten finalists for the PEN America award for biography. It's my first longlist, and apparently it's a big deal. If I make the "shortlist," you will know.
I've published several articles inspired by the book, including a story in AirMail about B.B.'s early years as the "world's greatest blues singer," a piece in the Chicago Sun-Times on the anniversary of the great Regal gig, and an article in AllMusic covering six underrated B.B. King LPs.
I still have a couple precious hardcover copies lying around, in case anyone has an urgent need for a signed book by Christmas. Not many shopping days left now, but hey, I'll do my best!
Book friends,
