Copper Empire is now available for purchase via Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/Copper-Empire-Donna-Searight-Simons/dp/1482656698/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1363367175&sr=1-2&keywords=copper+empire
If you are local and can pick up the book from me directly, send me an email at dksyooper@yahoo.com and I can give you a discounted rate on the book.
Copper Empire will also be available soon at bookstores and giftshops in the Upper Peninsula. Having the books available at bookstores in the metro Detroit area has become a challenge that I'm still trying to figure out. It seems that we either have Barnes & Noble or small bookstores that only carry used books. I've sent an inquiry to B&N to have the book available in their stores in the Metro Detroit area and am hoping for a positive response soon.
Copper Empire is timely in its historical significance: it was 100 years ago when copper miners became fed up with dangerous working conditions (particularly being forced to work with the one-man drill), low pay and long hours. The miners became so disgruntled, that membership increased with the Western Federation of Miners. Several months later, the men voted to go out on strike.
Self-publishing Copper Empire has been a major undertaking with all the details to look after, including editing, printing and publicity. I've learned alot throughout the process and I'm sure I'll learn more throughout the year. It has helped to be a member of the UPPAA (Upper Peninsula Publishers and Authors Association).
I plan to do book signings in the U.P. this spring and summer and have been working with local libraries to coordinate a presentation on the trials of being a copper miner in 1913. I look forward to meeting some of you this year. . .thank you for your interest. :)
