Working on a new book.

I have been working on revising a new book, which is why I have not posted here in so long. The book is entitled A DIAMOND IN THE DESERT, about a twelve year old Japanese American boy who plays baseball while interned in Gila River. It takes place in 1942. To write this book, I spent two years reading every newspaper that was printed at the camp at the National Archives building (where FYI, you can't take in even a water bottle for fear of ruining original documents). I also interviewed three of the players on the team, who are still alive and are in their 80's now. They remember their time playing baseball at the internment camp like it was just yesterday.

My wonderful editor at Viking sent a five page single spaced letter suggesting changes. At first, this was a bit overwhelming, but as I read through them, I was delighted to see how each suggestion made the story so much better than it was originally. And now that I'm nearly finished with the changes, I'm anxious to see how they'll put the book together, and how the cover will look. I still have to get through the copy editor, but I like that part of making a book. I like how she'll double check all my facts.

The book is due out spring of 2012, I believe right about when baseball season starts. I hope you'll look for it then.