Historical fiction author William A. Glass is chatting with me today about his new young adult alternate history novel, Crossing Day.
During his virtual book tour, William will be awarding a $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble (winner’s choice) gift card to a lucky randomly drawn winner. To be entered for a chance to win, use the form below. To increase your chances of winning, feel free to visit his other tour stops and enter there, too!
Bio:
William A. Glass is a retired business executive, now coaching soccer at a small college in rural South Carolina. He began writing to pass the time on road trips.
Bill is married to Bettina Linden, a retired high school German teacher. They have three grown sons who have all moved away to pursue careers. Now, several rescued dogs and cats keep them company.
Welcome, William. Please tell us about your current release.
Crossing Day imagines how life might be in North America today if the Confederacy had gained independence because of the Civil War. In the story, slaves of African descent still perform most of the work in the South. This seems normal to the main characters, a group of teenagers who attend high school in Huntsville, Alabama. Like teens everywhere, they enjoy sharing videos, playing sports, and hanging out with friends. At a local drive-in restaurant, the students befriend a slave girl who works as a server. When she gets sold to a man with dubious intentions, the teenagers wake up to the evil surrounding them. Despite the danger, they resolve to help the slave escape. Soon, they are pursued by a pair of government agents. Will they get away?
What inspired you to write this book?
My inspiration for this came from a desire to fight back against the idea some folk still have that the Civil War was not about slavery. That and many other lies were circulated by Confederate apologists long after the war ended. Amazingly, people still believe these falsehoods. A major presidential candidate recently had a problem answering a simple question about the cause of the Civil War.
Excerpt from Crossing Day:
Melanie bites into her now cool treat. “So, you’ve never been camping before?” she asks Mish.
“Ha-ha, the only time slaves sleep out is when they’re running away from Massa.”
“I’d be running away all the time,” Gerry says defiantly.
“You ever see someone tied shirtless to a post and whipped until every last bit of skin has been flayed off their back?”
It’s quiet around the campfire as Mish’s words sink in. She throws her stick into the fire and stands up. “That’s what happens to runaways when they get caught. They do it in front of the other slaves so everyone gets the message. Still, many try to escape. Mainly field hands on the big plantations. Sugar cane, rice, cotton, that’s how bad it is. Dawn to dusk, seven days a week, men, women, and children, under the broiling sun, constantly beaten by white overseers with clubs.” Firelight reflects off the tears coursing down Mish’s cheeks. Smoke billows behind her. No one has anything further to say. One by one, the teenagers stand up to get ready for bed.
What exciting project are you working on next?
I have an outlined novel and will start writing it soon. It will be an action-packed thriller set in modern times, that entertains readers as they learn about the exploitation of Africa that began in colonial times and continues today.
When did you first consider yourself a writer?
I was an avid reader from an early age. This led me to try my hand at writing about the age of twelve. Later, English was my best subject in school. After graduation I pursued a business career and my talent for writing memos, proposals, speeches and other sorts of business communications became evident. Upon retirement, I decided to try creative writing. The reviews of my first novel, As Good As Can Be were excellent so I have continued my literary efforts.
Do you write full-time? If so, what’s your workday like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?
I still have a day job as the soccer coach at a small college, which leaves me plenty of time to write.
What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
Being a soccer coach who writes novels is quirky. It baffles the English professors where I work.
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
As a child, my only ambition was to grow up and move as far away from my family as possible.
Anything additional you want to share with the readers?
Many people I meet have an interesting story to tell. Often, they ask my recommendation if they should write it. My advice is always: “Unless you have a burning desire to get it out of your system, don’t. Go fishing instead!”
Links:
Website | Amazon | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn | Goodreads | LibraryThing
Thank you so much for hosting and featuring William Glass today.
It’s wonderful to have my new novel featured on your blog today. Thank-you!
I like the cover. Looks great.
Beautiful cover
Sounds like a great story.