Chicken Ranch report: WE HAVE A PUBLISHER!

Folks, I cannot express how pleased I am to announce that I have a publishing contract! My long-in-the-works book, tentatively titled Texas' Legendary Chicken Ranch: Truth, Lies and Legacy of a Lone Star Whorehouse will be published in 2016 by the History Press. Go show 'em some love for their august taste in historical literature.

If all goes well (that is, if I meet my deadlines) we could see the book as early as this coming summer. This is a quick turnaround, so I've got my work cut out for me. Such a publishing date would ensure the book's availability at the 2016 Fayette County Fair, various fall book festivals and other potentially fun venues.

It's been very, very difficult reining myself in these past few weeks. I've come close to signing with other publishers in the past, only to have the deals fall through. I've been holding my breath on this one, certain that something would happen to put the kibosh on the deal. But you know what? The folks at History Press--in particular, acquisitions editor Jose Chapa--have been fantastic thus far. It's one of those apropos coincidences that the finalized contract arrived yesterday whilst I was away on a research road trip to Sealy, Bellville and La Grange. The History Press has requested more photos for the book than I'd originally planned on, and I'm surprising even myself with some of the interesting images I've uncovered. The book will be worth it for the photos alone.

It's hard to believe that when I started this project back at the beginning of 2009 I anticipated it would take six months, tops. Here I am, six years later and only now in sight of the finish line. I have to admit, there were times when I was profoundly discouraged and wanted to chunk the whole thing. The very real prospect of everyone who has supported and assisted me in this Quixotic quest over the years (and there have been a lot of people who fit that description) finally getting to read this book they've been taking on faith... well, that makes it all worth while. Thank you to everyone who has helped make this thing possible. I literally could not have done it without you.

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