Pubwished

So I am finally, ever so finally, an officially published author. Way back in 2003, when I spent my days crawling around archaeological sites and old dusty libraries, I submitted an article to Michigan History—the most widely circulated history publication in my home state. This particular project was a result of my efforts as the lead researcher for the Southwest Michigan Black Heritage Society (picture little white boy me, driving around the rather segregated city of Kalamazoo, looking for leads). I got the job through my good friend Donna, who I worked with at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum. She maintains, to this day, that I am the best writer and researcher she has ever had, which is a complement to be sure.

This particular article was on the Underground Railroad in Kalamazoo County, and local abolitionist leader Henry Montague who ferried slaves furtively throughout the district. It was a fun project, and one that deserves a spotlight in Kalamazoo’s divided climate. Only thing is, the magazine reduced the size of my article almost by half. Taking out that many words pretty much butchered my own hovering authorial voice—kind of like King Solomon actually chopping the proverbial baby in half, instead of just pretending he was going to do so. It was hard to see my baby go.

Anyway, fast forward five years and they’re finally ready to publish it. I feel somewhat inspired, and would really like to publish more. Maybe some travel material perhaps, something on the history and current life of Salvador. Maybe a love story or two. It’s good to finally be pubwished, and for the rest we shall see.

Cemeteries. A historians wet dream.

Grave of Henry Montague and his wife of more than 60 years, Abigail Kingsley.