Big Weekend in Austin Texas: Film & AAA Book Event

The American Authors Association kicked off its first ever book promotion event in Austin this Veteran's day weekend. Vietnam veteran authors (12 of them strong - the Dirty Dozen!) had two book events in conjunction with the documentary film premiere of "In The Shadow of the Blade" . On Friday night the AAA licked things off at the Fiesta Gardens where the film crew and about 800 guests listen to live bands playing music from the movie and got down and partied.

          
                John Flanagan with Bill McDonald                          Bob Lupo selling his books

           
                    Bruce Carlson author of Red Bird Down   Steve Virmillion holdimng his book "Dust Off"              

                 
         POW authors Frank Anton and Col. Ben Purcell     AAA members at the book fair - Fiesta Gardens
                              Standing with Bill McDonald

The authors had great success selling and signing their books and allowing hundreds of people to see their creative works. This was followed the next morning at the Holiday Inn Town Lake Hotel were there was another mini-book fair.

                   
            Dan Dane, John Flangan, Bill, Bruce Carlson        Happiness is rubbing shoulders with Director
                Brain Wizard & Bob Lupo                                            Patrick Fries at the Friday night celebration.

                    
                              Bill & Brian Wizard                                     Bill with Jug Burkett - author of Stolen Valor


Joining the book authors at these events were the Hill Top Singers and veteran blues signer and musician Sarge Lintecum and The Hill Top Singers . Folk artist Aurence had some wonderful prints of his Vietnam related artwork there to buy and to see.

                  
                    Bill surrounded by love - Biegun (Patty)                    Bill with blues great Sarge Lintecum
                    and Vietnam veteran folk artist  Aurence

              
         The Hill Top Singers - with their favorite Author

The premiere itself was a sold out event and had an overflow hall where the film could be viewed as well. The next stop for the film is The Sundance Film Festival  in Park City, Utah January 15-25 2004.

                 
                       Col. Ben Purcell and his wife Anne                 The most wonderful people in the world
                                                                                                        Bruce's army from Liberty County, GA.           

                
                    Soul brothers - Ernie Dogwolf & Rev. Billy           Bill talking to Director Patrick Fries

                                                             
                                    The Shadow Veteran Crew                    Bill at special tribute ceremony on Saturday

 
                                              
                                                               Bill with Rose Baird, Creative Film Director
                                                                           Cheryl Fires and Bob Baird

                      
                                  Bill delivering a prayer                              New friends Janice Hemerding and Bill