Book Tour Returns Home for Kickoff

This story ran today, June 26, in the Jacksonville Daily News. It's hard to believe the kickoff is only a few days away. I've been waiting a long, long time for this day.

JDNews_Book_Tour_Kickoff

Cool picture!

When I first saw this picture I couldn’t get it on my blog fast enough. I love it.

The women in this fabulous photo are part of Naval Coastal Warfare Squadron FIVE (FORWARD) and are currently serving in Kuwait. The primary mission of NCWRON 5 is to provide a detailed real-time tactical picture and theater-level data for its Inshore Boat Units and NATO allies during strategic and security operations.

From left to right, YN1 (EXW) Sam Moriarty, BM2 Lorna Sturchio (Coxswain/ Small Boat Qualified), OS2(SW) Heather Smith.

Thanks to Commander Joe Bell for telling me about these women.

Marine's Grit Shows War is Women's Work

Check out the story in the Detroit News today, June 23, 2007, of Marine Gunnery Sergeant Rosie Noel. She is also featured in Band of Sisters.

Detroit_News_Rosie_Noel

Also, Jim Agnew, who has been booking and producing talk radio shows since 1992, chose Band of Sisters as one of its Daily Book Picks for June 22. 2007. http://www.jimagnew.net/daily_picks.htm

Seattle Post-Intelligencer

Seattle Post-Intelligencer chose Band of Sisters as one of its books for its summer reading list. This is what they wrote--

"Band of Sisters" by Kirsten Holmstedt (Stackpole Books, 320 pages, $27.95). July release.

There may still be much to debate about the ill-fated war in Iraq but there is no question that American women in uniform have played a far greater role in this conflict than any in the past, including more than 70 who have been killed and more than 430 who have been wounded. A North Carolina writer proves herself a dogged researcher as she collects the fascinating personal stories from women who have served in Iraq, from various branches, ranks and jobs. Holmstedt's comprehensive look at their courageous and gritty service experiences deserves wide readership because of the way that it captures what has only been episodic in most news coverage of this tragic blunder.

Troop Talk

This past Friday night, June 15, three female Marines and I were on a a radio talk show in Wilmington, North Carolina. The show--a Troop Talk episode of The People's Forum on The Big Talker (93.7/106.3)--was hosted by Justin Meccia.

Capt. Kelly Frushour, Lt. Jessica Szczygiel, and Gunnery Sgt. Rosie Noel joined me for the two-hour show. A special thank you to Justin for allowing us to tell the stories of women in combat in Iraq. One of my favorite callers was a female Marine named Col. Hayes, who has served since 1979. She told the female Marines on the show that they were a true inspiration and that she appreciated their dedication to our country. Other callers supported her sentiment.

Things I didn't know until that evening--Gunnery Sgt. Noel had pink boxing gloves in Iraq. Capt. Frushour had more than 19 proposals of marriage despite not having showered for several months. And Lt. Szczygiel doesn't like random people touching her blonde hair.

Next stop--Wed., June 27, between 6:30 and 7:00 a.m., Carolina in the Morning--WECT-TV with First Sgt. Yolanda Mayo

BookExpo America in NY

Hey everyone,

As the book tour gets underway, I want to keep you informed of some of the highlights. Based on my weekend in NY, I think there are going to be many. I will try to keep these blogs short and sweet.

On Sunday, June 3, I met my publisher (Stackpole Books) in NY to launch Band of Sisters: American Women at War in Iraq. Stackpole had a booth at the book expo. Marine Gunnery Sgt. Rosie Noel (avionics technician at New River Air Station) traveled with me from Jacksonville, NC, to NY. We met two other Marines (Capt. Amy McGrath, an F-18 aviator, and Sgt. Chrissy DeCaprio, an MP) at BEA.



Our book signing was scheduled for 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. Sunday morning. None of us had any idea what to expect. We hoped for the best. By 9:30, a line had already formed. The Marines sat at a round table and signed books. I loved seeing them together because most of the women in the book have not met one another. We spent the next two hours signing several hundred books. We stopped when Noel and I had to leave to catch a plane. We left the Javits Convention Center overwhelmed by the positive response to the book, and motivated to continue spreading the word about Band of Sisters.

One of the highlights of the morning was a visit by former U.S. Rep. Pat Schroeder of Colorado. She sat down and chatted with the Marines. Capt. McGrath reminded Schroeder of a letter she had written to her when she was 13, and thanked the representative for supporting women in military aviation.

Next stop--June 15--Troop Talk on The Big Talker, 93.7 and 106.3, Wilmington, North Carolina
6-8 p.m.

Thanks for your support!
Kirsten