Author Richard A. (“Rick”) Noble is taking his book, King Cotton, on tour – a Virtual Book Tour, that is, with Outskirts Press! King Cotton was a recent FOREWORD Indies Finalist earlier this year.
Luckily for us, Rick was kind enough to answer a few questions as the tour was getting started so that we can give you a sneak peek into the mind of the author of King Cotton.
OP: Tell us a little bit about King Cotton. What is it about?
Rick: King Cotton is the title of my book, and history buffs will recognize those words as describing the notion that America’s Southern states had a significant advantage over the North due to their dominance in the all-important cotton industry during the mid-1800’s. The phrase takes on additional significance in the book, which covers the entirety of the U.S. Civil War. The story begins in Baltimore with Lincoln and his family passing through on the way to his first inauguration, and it ends in Washington at the Petersen House across from Ford’s Theatre on April 14, 1865, the night Lincoln is shot. While the vast majority of the characters and events in the book are real, readers are exposed to them through the eyes of a fictional character, Jack Bailey, who goes to great lengths to save his cotton exporting business during the conflict. When southern ports are blockaded by the Union, his only option is to sell his product to the North. Doing so will require a cover that enables him to move across the battle lines, so he lands a job with famed Civil War photographer Mathew Brady. This new career brings him into direct contact with many of the famous people of the times, including Lincoln, Grant, Sherman, Allan Pinkerton, Harriet Tubman, P.T. Barnum, John Wilkes Booth, and some of the other Lincoln conspirators. He dates Anna Surratt, daughter of the first woman executed by the U.S. Government, Mary Surratt. Bailey is a largely cad through it all, indifferent to the reasons for the conflict or its outcome so long as he is profiting from it. That said, his experiences with the war, slavery and romance all begin to improve his moral standards.
OP: Why did you decide to write this story?
Rick: I have always been interested in history, and I became more exposed to the Civil War during a brief period living in Kentucky. My wife and I have teenaged twin girls and I was disappointed with the amount of history that they were being exposed to in school. I think it is also safe to say that many of us—of all ages—have a less-than-ideal appreciation or knowledge of the past and how it can help us better comprehend current events. I felt that weaving a (hopefully) entertaining and, at times, humorous personal story through the facts and events of that period would make exploring it more palatable and fun.
OP: How did you get your book published?
Rick: I partnered with Outskirts Press, which is headquartered in my home state of Colorado. In addition to producing beautiful print editions of my book, they made it available through all of the major retail and library systems for me, including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Ingram, Follett, and Google Play.
OP: What types of readers would be interested in this story?
Rick: Obviously anyone interested in history, and especially Civil War history, will be interested. When I first set out, I had young people, particularly young men, in mind as my main target audience, so the book contains plenty of action and adventure, and some solved mysteries. But I was pleasantly surprised to find that it appeals to a much wider audience. My favorite example is of an 82-year-old reader who emailed me saying that she grew up in the Washington, DC, area and knows all of the surrounding towns and battlegrounds that were mentioned in King Cotton. She told me that the book brought back fond memories of those places, including some of her and her siblings exploring the attic of their grandparents’ house, browsing through trunk after trunk of Civil War uniforms, hats, swords, medals, and other paraphernalia. Below her signature on that email she signed off, “Closet Confederate.”
OP: What is special about your book?
Rick: People tell me that the mix of fact and fiction makes for painless and entertaining learning. The book is footnoted and contains actual photographs of some of the people and events that are covered therein, reminding readers that it all really happened, and that truth can truly be stranger than fiction. Also that, in the arc of human history, the 1860’s were not all that long ago. I’ve had many readers say that they found themselves doing their own research when they wanted to learn more or when they were surprised by some of the things that happened in that era. And, of course, the internet makes doing that incredibly easy.
OP: What differentiates it from other books in the same category?
Rick: In addition to the mix of fact and fiction that I mention above, I think the use of a personal story to bring it all together makes the historical aspects infinitely more relatable. I also use humor to highlight my character’s weaknesses, the arrogance of some of the leaders of the day, and the absurdity of certain situations. Some have told me that they often found themselves thinking that, when it comes to politics, business, and relationships, “not much has changed!” Or likely ever will.
King Cotton was one of nine finalists for the 2023 INDIES Book of the Year Awards in the War & Military Category. There were 2,400 entries across all categories. King Cotton was also awarded 5 Stars by Readers’ Favorite (https://readersfavorite.com/book-review/king-cotton) and every review on Amazon is also 5 star.
OP: Have you published any other books and do you plan to publish more?
Rick: King Cotton was my first book, although King Cotton II – Kentucky Gold, was released in May of 2024. This sequel picks up right where King Cotton ends, moments after Lincoln’s assassination at Ford’s Theatre, with Bailey fleeing Washington justifiably fearing he’ll be implicated in the conspiracy. His travels take him south and then west where, as only Bailey can, he befriends (or gets on the wrong side of) many additional well-known historical figures. Wild Bill Hickok, Buffalo Bill Cody, the Reno Gang, and Frank and Jesse James all make appearances. As do prior acquaintances including, Allan Pinkerton, Ulysses S. Grant (who is now President), distiller John Beam, George Armstrong Custer, and P.T. Barnum.
As was the case with King Cotton, all of the events, timelines, and most of the characters in King Cotton II – Kentucky Gold are real, creating colorful and authentic backdrops for Bailey’s adventures. And, once again, certain longstanding mysteries are solved, including what happened to the Confederate Treasury.
A third book in what will likely end up being a trilogy, King Cotton III – Jack & the Ripper, is in the works. Bailey is back and, as always, most of the characters and events in this one are true—and more historical mysteries are finally “solved.”
OP: How can someone learn more about your book or purchase it?
Rick: As mentioned earlier, King Cotton is available through all of the major retail outlets, including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Google Play. It is also available from the Outskirts Press online bookstore at https://outskirtspress.com/bookstore/details/9781977268525 and on my website www.kingcottonbooks.com. Usually searching on “king cotton noble” will get you straight to it, regardless of platform. Or you can use these links, for example:
King Cotton
https://outskirtspress.com/KingCotton
https://amzn.to/3S5SrbQ
King Cotton II – Kentucky Gold
https://outskirtspress.com/KentuckyGold
https://amzn.to/4bSiYkB
OP: Thanks for your time, Rick! We look forward to learning more about you as you visit other bloggers!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Richard Allan “Rick” Noble’s career in publishing began at Canada’s National Newspaper, The Globe and Mail. He moved to the U.S. in 1990 to work in digital publishing in the newspaper, periodical, medical, aviation, and K-12 industries before retiring in 2022. He holds a B.A. and M.B.A. from the University of Toronto, resides in Colorado, and King Cotton is his first novel.
Visit: www.kingcottonbooks.com
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This author purchased the Virtual Book Tour marketing option, which allows self-publishing authors to connect with bloggers and harness the power of the blogosphere by taking their book on the “virtual road.”