Piccolo Spoleto event

I'm honored to be a part of this year's Piccolo Spoleto in Charleston, SC. I'm kicking off the Southern Literary Festival tomorrow morning at the Charleston Library Society on King Street at 10:00 am. Other writers in the series are Cassandra King Conroy, Brett Lott, Ron Daise, Anne Rivers Siddons, and Janna McMahan.

Writing the Southern Family: A Legacy of Secrets, Silence and Spirituality
Join novelist Nicole Seitz in a look at the Southern family - what keeps it together, what tears it apart. She examines the families in her novels: what aspects of these families are "Southern" and what parts are universal? Learn why people love reading about Southern families and why there's just so much to write about. Nicole Seitz is the author of three novels, A Hundred Years of Happiness, Trouble the Water, and The Spirit of Sweetgrass. A native of the Lowcountry, Seitz weaves family, faith, and forgiveness into her novels. Trouble the Water, was chosen as one of the Best Books of 2008 by Library Journal. Her next novel, Saving Cicadas, will release this December from Thomas Nelson.

Charleston Library Society164 King Street, Downtown Charleston
SCHEDULE
5/28 10AM

Great Book for Memorial Day

Well, if you've been waiting for the right occasion to get my latest novel, A Hundred Years of Happiness, Memorial Day would be a great time to read it and remember the ones who have served our country and fought valiantly for our freedoms.

Publishers Weekly wrote:
"Seitz (The Spirit of Sweetgrass) focuses on two families irrevocably changed by the Vietnam War in her latest Lowcountry saga. All Lisa Le knows of her father is that he was an American soldier who died in Vietnam, before Lisa's Vietnamese mother and uncle moved to America, and that her mother continues to mourn him in their Georgetown, S.C., home. John Porter, of Charleston, is a veteran haunted by his past. His daughter, happily married Katherine, hopes to help by taking him to a veterans' event, but instead sets in motion a chain of events that will bring the two families crashing together. Seitz deftly shifts perspective among Lisa, Katherine, John and a koi fish in Vietnam who was once an American soldier named Ernest, giving her familiar themes—posttraumatic stress disorder, adjusting to civilian life, survivor's guilt, smalltown Southern living, aging, the quest to belong—sensitive and original treatment. For anyone touched by war, this tale of life after wartime should resonate strongly."

Men and women alike will be able to relate to this one. Hope you enjoy.

Nicole

Jen's Jewels - Great Interview

Columnist Jennifer Vido recently asked me some probing questions about my latest release, A Hundred Years of Happiness. She also said of the book: "Beautifully written with an unforeseen ending, this book will leave its imprint on your heart and soul. Without a doubt, it is a must-read novel for May."

I hope you'll hop over to Fresh Fiction and take a look!

Heroes Among Us

There are heroes among us--award-winning heroes, who have fought in wars and done amazing things on behalf of our country. Today, we are one fewer.

It was with sadness that I read this morning about a great man who has passed on, Medal of Honor recipient Russell Dunham. LA Times reports "Russell Dunham, a World War II Army veteran who was awarded the Medal of Honor, the military's highest decoration for valor, after he assaulted three German machine gun emplacements, killed nine German soldiers and took two prisoners, died of congestive heart failure Monday at his home in Godfrey, Ill. He was 89."

I was at the opening of the Medal of Honor Museum aboard the USS Yorktown in Mount Pleasant, SC in 2007 with about 100 Medal of Honor recipients. I can't explain the awe I felt at being around such greatness. It was palpable--the honor, the respect. What an amazing night. So amazing, in fact, that it became a major scene in my latest book, A Hundred Years of Happiness.

Many heroes are not so decorated though. Many are just as humble, but no one really knows about their heroic acts. Perhaps it's your grand uncle who fought in World War II. Perhaps it's your grandfather who was in Korea or your stepfather who was in Vietnam, like mine. These men and women sacrificed for our country. The least we can do is ask them about their experiences, tell them "thank you" for their service, and vow to learn the lessons that come along with the wisdom of everyday heroes. For when these heroes go, so goes their wisdom.

They are, indeed, all around us if we look.

Please support our troops and remember to thank the veteran in your life.

Large Print Version of 100 Years Released

Friends, readers,

My latest novel, A Hundred Years of Happiness, releases this week in Large Print Hardcover from Center Point. The book explores faith, family and love that can survive even the atrocities of war. If you know someone who has a hard time reading small print, be sure to find a large print copy!

Hope you enjoy,

Nicole

PS. The cover was painted and designed by Your Truly.

Happyendingification

I read an interesting BBC analysis of happy endings in books and Hollywood movies in times of nationwide strife. For you lovers of books out there, I'd love to know your thoughts.

I have to say, I needed the ending to Slumdog Millionaire...even the dancing at the end. Do we all need happy endings right now? If you're an author, has the thought crossed your mind to churn out rosier stuff? I'll admit the thought has crossed my mind. Not sure if it will actually affect any of my writing though...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/7976192.stm

New Release!

I'm excited to announce that my third novel releases this week from Thomas Nelson in trade paperback, A Hundred Years of Happiness. It's a fast-paced, heart-stirring story about the lingering effects of war on families and next generations--inspired by my veteran stepfather. Best-selling author Cassandra King calls it the "must-read book of the year."

Yesterday I celebrated by speaking at the USC-B Author's Luncheon on Dataw Island, SC. I met amazing readers, signed many, many books, and was honored by the presence of two former teachers--Sunny Littlejohn, my elementary school gifted & talented teacher, and my senior calculus teacher-turned Chancellor of USC-B, Jane Upshaw.

What a way to launch a book! Special thanks to Bay Street Trading Company for selling at the event. If you'd like to read an excerpt and be entered to win a free copy of A Hundred Years of Happiness, hop on over to Camy's Loft today and comment on her post!