Authors...

There is something about authors, that when you get together you just can’t seem to stop talking. I met John Koblas today for coffee, and four hours later, we finally left the restaurant!

John Koblas has written over 60 non-fiction books and has prolific knowledge on the outlaw gangs of America. One of his books, The Jesse James Northfield Raid: Confessions of the Ninth Man, has been filmed as documentary. Jesse James has long been known as one of the most daring, most wanted, and most controversial outlaws of The Wild West History. This book is full of little known, interesting facts, as well as theories still in question. Mr. Koblas said he wrote the screen play for the movie and that the ‘shoot out’ scene at the Northfield Bank lasted little more than seven minutes in real life, however, in the film, it goes on for over half an hour. That’s Hollywood, right?

It was fascinating to visit with such an eclectic writer, and to compare fiction/non-fiction writing, including the need for accuracy in the western historical romance genre. He was interested in the research I did for An April to Remember, and it was so cool to talk with someone who knew so much about the Sultana, most people have never heard of the riverboat disaster.

If you ever have a chance to hear his lecture on the James/Younger Gang I highly recommend it, and know you will be in awe with his research.


One final note: Shotgun Bride, The Quinter Brides Book One will be released this Friday, November 14th from The Wild Rose Press in e-book. The print version is scheduled to be released in February 2009.