Jim Hall

October 18, 2016

If it’s not the money, why do I do this?

I was on the way to Richmond to speak at the Black History Museum of Virginia recently when I asked myself, “Why am I doing this?” I was travelling 60 miles in the rain. I was not being paid, and the director had said that she wanted the museum, not me, to sell my book.
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October 11, 2016

Me and Harry F. Byrd

When the audience member asked, “Why did you pursue this story?” I decided to abandon the safe answers that I usually give to that question. Instead, I tried to put into words the feelings that have percolated inside me ever since I started working on The Last Lynching in Northern Virginia. Usually when someone asks
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October 4, 2016

Some feedback about the book is puzzling

The Last Lynching in Northern Virginia has been out three weeks, long enough for me to get some feedback. As expected, the results are mixed. I’m delighted when I hear that someone enjoyed the book. “You addressed a very difficult and dark subject very well,” said one reader. “Well done,” said another. I also was
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September 20, 2016

Where is Mr. Jennings when you need him?

When my friend said he didn’t do online shopping and asked where he could buy my book, I didn’t know how to answer. History Press said it was going to place the book with the national chains. Was it available in the stores here? The answer, I discovered, was yes and no. At the local
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September 13, 2016

Have book, will travel

That distant date on my calendar finally arrived. My book was published yesterday. Now I have to hit the road and promote it. I’ll be in Fredericksburg, Warrenton, Richmond, Culpeper and Manassas in the coming weeks to sign books and/or talk about The Last Lynching in Northern Virginia. Please stop by if you’re in the
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September 6, 2016

Reflections of a first-time author

When I signed a contract with History Press, I lost control of my book. I‘m exaggerating, of course. I had plenty to say about publication of the book. But I also had a partner, a majority partner, according to the contract, with plenty of experience and a set way of doing things. For example, the
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August 30, 2016

For this old reporter, lynch coverage was embarrassing

Shedrick Thompson’s attack on the Baxleys and the discovery of his body hanging from an apple tree were big news in Fauquier County in 1932. The Fauquier Democrat, the county weekly, followed the case closely, as did daily newspapers in nearby Strasburg, Winchester, Front Royal and throughout Virginia. I found 29 stories about the Thompson
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August 23, 2016

Proud of my book, but do I want to buy 200 copies?

In addition to being a partner with History Press in the publication of my book, I am also a customer. I ordered copies of my book from them recently, after refusing several earlier sales pitches. Their first sales offer arrived a few days after I signed their contract. ‘I’m excited to share some information with
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August 16, 2016

Klan story stirs reaction and memory of rally in Caroline

A friend said she was surprised to read last week’s blog post about the Ku Klux Klan parade and rally in Warrenton. She is in her 50s, grew up in Fauquier County, graduated from high school in Warrenton, and knew of the Benner Farm where the cross-burning took place. Yet she had never heard of
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August 9, 2016

Making room for a late arrival

One of the great things about writing for a newspaper is that you can make changes to your story right up to the last minute. That’s not to say that the editors will be happy when you do. But you can, and I did many times. Writing a book is very different, as I learned
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