For 10-years I had the privilege of working as an associate art director for Selling Power Inc. During that time my days were spent designing magazines that focused on the field of Sales Management. I worked on 96 issues in an award-winning Art Department made up of the best designers and copy editors that I have ever known. I also picked up a lot of knowledge in sales. Our publisher Gerhard Gschwandtner always spoke about how salespeople love the chase – even more than the sale itself. In other words it’s the hunt that satisfies the hunter more than the meal.

As a historian I could not agree more. I have been asked to speak about research and writing on a number of occasions (Read Here) and it remains one of my favorite subjects. For me, the finished piece is merely the fruit of a much more enjoyable labor. Honestly, once I read the final blue-line copy of my books, I never go back and re-read them again. I’m already on to the next project as that is where my pleasure lies. Nothing excites me more than digging through archives and finding a gem. Perhaps that is why I’ve written 7 books in 10 years as I am constantly looking for something.

That is also why I am chomping at the bit to get back on my Thomas Jefferson manuscript. Right Stripe Media has a second film project in development, so I am limiting myself in 2011 to working on that documentary and this regional book. I have already begun to compile some wonderful reference material and the people that are assisting me have been marvelous. Over the next few months I will be sharing scanned excerpts from some of my secondary sources in order to give you a peek at how I am progressing. Of course I’ll be keeping the primary sources to myself until publication. Below is the first excerpt taken from a 1980’s article that ran in the Fredericksburg Times. I have a former co-worker (from Selling Power) who participates as a clergyman in these ceremonies and I am hoping to get some of his insights to share here as well.