The Latest News on
Hill Country Backroads
Exciting things are happening in the world of
Hill Country Backroads!
Conde Nast Traveler magazine, December 2002: Their "Great Drives" department featured sign pioneer Joe Sanders of Hill Country Backroads as the historical counterpart to the writer in this engaging piece about driving today's Hill Country byways!
Texas Highways magazine, July 2002, featured
"The Golden Age of Motoring"
This entertaining article is based on
Hill Country Backroads---with additional photos!
Order the issue from Texas Highways today!
Scheduled Book-Signings
I am very pleased and honored to announce that the San Antonio area Barnes & Noble Booksellers named me "Author of the Month" for April 2001!
Saturday, April 7, 2001---Barnes & Noble Bookstore, San Antonio location at Hwy. 281 and Loop 1604, 2 to 4 p.m.
Thursday, April 12, 2001---Sophienburg Museum,
400 W. Coll, New Braunfels, 3 to 6 p.m.
Saturday, April 28, 2001---South Texas Historical Association meeting, La Bahia at Goliad, morning registration (9 a.m.)
I will have books available for signing.
Tuesday, May 1, 2001---Texas State Cemetery, Austin, 7th and Navasota. Barnes & Noble of Austin will host their annual kick-off party for Texas Writers Month. I'll be there with other Texas writers to sign books. Event is free and open to the public.
Tuesday, May 15, 2001---Colloquium Books,
320 University, San Marcos, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Saturday, May 19, 2001---Hastings Books Music & Video
651 N. Business Loop, IH 35, New Braunfels, 1 to 3 p.m.
Sunday, June 10, 2001---Barnes & Noble Bookstore
321 NW Loop 410, San Antonio, 1 to 3 p.m.
Sunday, June 10, 2001---Texas Folklife Festival, Institute of Texan Cultures, storytelling session and book-signing between 7 and 8 p.m. ***This is part of the Folklife Festival's brand new Texas Authors Autograph Party!***
Thursday, July 5, 2001---"An Evening with the Authors," A garden party and book-signing event in Lockhart, Texas. This will benefit the newly-renovated Lockhart Library. 625 San Antonio St., Lockhart, 6:30 to 9 p.m.
Wednesday, August 29, 2001---Presentation and Book-signing at Gay Forties Club Meeting, Landa Haus in Landa Park,
New Braunfels.
Monday, September 3, 2001---American Legion Auxillary, Comal Post 179, 410 W. Coll, New Braunfels, 2-5 p.m.
Thursday, October 4, 2001---Lions Club Luncheon, Presentation and Book-signing, Senior Citizens Center, New Braunfels, Noon.
Monday, October 8, 2001---San Marcos River Walkers, Presentation and Book-signing, Central Texas Medical Center, Private Dining Room, Wonder World Drive, San Marcos, 7 p.m.
Saturday, October 13, 2001---Wimberley Book Fair, Texas Writers' Roundup, Chapel in the Hills, Ranch Road 12, Wimberley, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. I will be selling and signing copies of my book.
Tuesday, October 16, 2001---Fort Sam Houston Officers' Wives Club, Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, Noon, Presentation and Book-signing.
Thursday, October 18, 2001---The Twig Book Shop, 5005 Broadway, San Antonio, 5 to 7 p.m.
Saturday, November 3, 2001---South Texas Historical Association Meeting, University of Texas-Pan American, Library, Edinburg, morning registration, (9 a.m). I will have books available for signing.
November 16-17---Weihnachtsmarkt, New Braunfels Civic Center. I'll be selling and signing books for the Sophienburg Museum and Archives at this German Christmas market.
November 17-18, 2001---Texas Book Festival, near the Capitol Grounds, Austin. Look for me in the tent area at the TCU/A&M tables.
Thursday, December 6, 2001---Wassailfest, New Braunfels Plaza. I'll be one of three celebrity judges to partake in the wassail-tasting contest.
Saturday, December 8, 2001---Hastings Books Music & Video, 651 N. Business Loop, IH 35, New Braunfels, 2 to 5 p.m.
Saturday, December 22, 2001---Colloquium Books,
320 University, San Marcos, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
March 6, 2002---Book Review for the Retired Teachers Association in New Braunfels
May 2, 2002---LBJ Museum and Library, Austin, Come out for the annual kickoff party for Texas Writers' Month
May 17, 18, 2002--Barnes & Noble, 18030 281 N., San Antonio, Best Texas Writers Competition for High School students. I'll be taking part in this event which includes an awards ceremony at 6 p.m. on May 17 and a booksigning on May 18, 2-4 p.m.
Saturday, July 6, 2002---Hastings Books Music & Video, 651 N. Business Loop IH 35, New Braunfels, 2-5 p.m.
Saturday, July 20, 2002---Barnes & Noble Bookstore, 18030 281 N., San Antonio (in the Northwoods Center, near Loop 1604), 2-4 p.m.
Saturday, September 7, 2002---Barnes & Noble Bookstore, Westlake, Off Capitol of Texas Highway, Austin, 2-6 p.m.
October 28, 2002, Kingsville, Kleberg County Historical Commission meeting: I will have book on hand to sign after I give a presentation about early Sarita, Texas.
November 16-17,2002---Texas Book Festival, Austin
Thursday, December 5, 2002---New Braunfels Public Library, Noon Book Review. Join me as I discuss and read from Hill Country Backroads. I'll have books on hand to sign. They make great Christmas gifts!
January 28, 2003--Presentation to the Canyon Lake Retired Teachers Association, Rio Raft Recreation Center, Sattler.
Come to a book-signing and receive a free scenic, historical postcard as a bookmark!
Media Coverage
New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung, Sunday, April 1, 2001:
The Herald-Zeitung printed a beautifully-illustrated feature about Hill Country Backroads and the events that inspired it.
San Antonio Express-News--"Weekender," Friday, April 6, 2001: This magazine published notice in its "Calendar" of the April 7 Barnes & Noble signing.
"Reflections" radio program, KGNB 1420 AM--Sun., April 8, 2001--9 a.m.
Tune in on Sunday mornings if you're in the San Antonio-Austin area.
This longtime New Braunfels radio show features interviews about historical events and people in the area. I talked about Hill Country Backroads, early travel, and my grandfather's efforts to map the backroads.
You can listen to a tape of this broadcast at the Sophienburg Archives.
From April 8-12, the New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung did a great job of advertising the April 12 book-signing held at the Sophienburg Museum.
Blanco County News, Wednesday, April 18, 2001:
"New book shows the way in Comal County"
Books will be for sale at the newspaper office soon!
Verein's Nachrichten--Newsletter of the Sophienburg Museum & Archives, April/May 2001--Many thanks to Director Michelle Oatman for her mention of the book-signing and advertisement of books for sale at the Museum and Archives!
The Bookish Frog--Newsletter of TCU Press, Spring 2001
Thanks for prominent mention of the publicity campaign for Hill Country Backroads!
Wimberley View, Saturday, April 28, 2001:
Dorothy Kerbow's excellent book review was printed as a whole page spread, with pictures!
Canyon Lake Times Guardian, Wednesday, May 2, 2001:
"Book shows the way to backroads in Comal County"
Patrick Killough's book review appeared in a nice feature in which he described the book as a "handbook for travelers" and a "must read."
**See also Killough's reviews of the book on the Barnes & Noble (www.bn.com) and Amazon.com websites.
Dripping Springs Post-Dispatch, Thursday, May 10, 2001: Kerbow's review was printed in this issue.
San Marcos Daily Record, Tuesday, May 15, 2001:
"Spotlight on Authors" in the Neighbors Section printed the Kerbow book review with photos.
San Antonio Express-News, Sunday, May 20, 2001:
The Travel Section featured Hill Country Backroads as part of its "Travel Media" section.
San Antonio Express-News, Thursday, June 7, 2001:
I'm included in the Texas Folklife Festival pullout schedule.
Dallas Morning News, Saturday, June 23, 2001:
Writer Si Dunn wrote a wonderful review of Hill Country Backroads as part of the "Southwest Books" section. Also features a photo of the cover.
Victoria Advocate, Friday, July 6, 2001:
Columnist Henry Wolff wrote a thought-provoking and cheerful review of Hill Country Backroads.
Blanco County News, Wednesday, July 11, 2001: The Blanco County News now has copies of my book for sale at their office and are running an ad on the book in their weekly paper.
(Blanco County News continued to advertise my book in their weekly paper for the rest of 2001.)
Canyon Lake Times Guardian: Wednesday, August 22, 2001: The Times Guardian published a special section on the Treasures of Canyon Lake. Their feature, "Hills, valleys of Comal County rich in history," referred to Hill Country Backroads, quoted passages, and also promoted the book as a rich historical research source.
The American Legion Auxillary of Comal Post 179 did a great job of publicizing the September 3rd, Labor Day book-signing and posted flyers throughout New Braunfels. The area newspapers of San Antonio, New Braunfels, and Canyon Lake did a great job of covering the event.
San Antonio Express-News, Wednesday, August 29, 2001: The "Neighbors" section posted an item about the upcoming Labor Day book-signing.
New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung, Thursday, August 30, 2001:
"Book signing event features 'Backroads' author Jasinski." This article by Amy Clarkson was part of the publicity generated for the Labor Day book-signing.
San Antonio Express-News, Sunday, September 2, 2001: The "Bookmarks" section posted notice of the September 3 book-signing.
New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung, September 4, 2001:
"Trip down memory lane--Local author presents book she wrote with grandmother's help." Staff writer Ron Maloney wrote this touching feature about the Labor Day Legion book-signing, my book, and my grandmother's influence on the project. Many thanks to Ron and photographer K. Jessie Slaten for their interest and coverage of the signing.
Canyon Lake Times Guardian: Wednesday, September 12, 2001: The 1936 Comal County map by Joe Sanders is featured as part of the newspaper's series on the development of Canyon Lake.
The "Comal Post 179 Messenger," the newsletter of American Legion Post 179--Many thanks for their great publicity!
"Branching Out--News from the Twig": October/November 2001. Thanks to The Twig Book Shop of San Antonio for advertising my book-signing and for being wonderful hosts.
The Bookish Frog--Newsletter of TCU Press, Fall 2001.
The newsletter quoted from the Dallas Morning News on my book as part of its "Praise For Recent Titles" section.
Canyon Lake Times Guardian, Wednesday, October 3, 2001: "Backroads Author to Participate in Wimberley Book Fair"
Canyon Lake Times Guardian--"Winter Texan & Visitors Guide," September 2001-January 2002. Hill Country Backroads events are listed in the calendar of this free seasonal publication. There's also an ad for the book.
November 2001: The New Braunfels and Canyon Lake newspapers did a great job of publicizing book events for the German Christmas Market (Weihnachtsmarkt) and the Texas Book Festival.
Canyon Lake Times Guardian, Wednesday, December 5, 2001: "Jasinski to sign book, participate in Wassailfest judging."
San Marcos Daily Record, Tuesday, December 18, 2001: Published information about my upcoming book-signing at Colloquium Books.
"Branching Out--News from the Twig": December/January 2001 (02). "New Titles Celebrate the Lone Star State. Recommendations from Dinah and Mary" Thanks very much for your great recommendation of my book as a holiday gift!
Hill Country Sun, December 2001--January 2002:
This publication out of Wimberley listed holiday events for my book and printed an ad.
The Bookish Frog, Newsletter of TCU Press, Spring 2002: Thanks for your continuing praise for Hill Country Backroads.
The Journal of South Texas, Spring 2002: L. Patrick Hughes wrote a wonderful review of my book in this publication of the South Texas Historical Association.
April/May 2002: My thanks to CRM Katy Smith of Barnes & Noble for her hard work on press releases for the May 17, 18 event. Also thanks to the Canyon Lake Times Guardian, May 15, 2002, issue for publicity for the event. This was a great program with many talented young writers, including my student, Jennifer Moore, who wrote a fine and thought-provoking short story.
Canyon Lake Times Guardian, Wednesday, June 26, 2002: "Texas Highways' Feature Promotes Comal's Backroads."
Texas Highways, July 2002 issue: "The Golden Age of Motoring: Driving Comal County's Backroads in the 1920s and 1930s. Texas Highways did a great job of layout for this article based on my book. The feature containes anecdotes, additional unpublished photos, a then and now perspective on scenic drives, and a guide to some of the roads of today. Much thanks to all the editors!
July 2002---The New Braunfels, San Antonio, and Canyon Lake newspapers did fine jobs publicizing my summer booksigning events. This included announcements in the New Braunfels
Herald-Zeitung "Stammtisch" calendar and the Bookmarks section of the Sunday San Antonio Express-News.
Herald-Zeitung "Stammtisch" calendar and the Bookmarks section of the Sunday San Antonio Express-News.
Canyon Lake Times Guardian, Wednesday, July 17, 2002: "Author Promotes Comal County."
Southwestern Historical Quarterly, July 2002:
Dan Utley wrote a fine review of Hill Country Backroads.
September 2002---The Austin American Statesman and Austin Chronicle both published announcements of my Sept. 7 booksigning. Much thanks to Barnes & Noble CRM Jo Virgil for her press releases and tireless efforts to publicize the event. It was a wonderful afternoon and gained attention from both online media and the local television media.
News 8 Austin Television Spot!
Austin's 24-hour TV new channel, News 8 Austin, covered my Austin booksigning and ran a story and interview on Saturday, September 7 and Sunday, September 8, 2002. Thanks for your interest and hospitality!
News 8 Austin, website, Monday, September 9, 2002: "Journey through the Hill Country--80 years ago."
Texas Highways, September 2002 issue: Thanks to the editors for again printing the delightful "wading in Bear Creek" photo of Laurie Sanders and her daughter Laurie Jo. I appreciate the great letters to the editor about the motoring story. Thanks for the feedback!
Riding Line, Texas State Historical Association Newsletter--Their Fall 2002 and Winter 2003 issues mention Hill Country Backroads and its related events.
Week of December 5, 2002--The New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung published notice of my library book review in their "Stammtisch" calendar.
Conde Nast Traveler, December 2002--This nationally (and internationally) published magazine featured the Texas Hill Country in their "Great Drives" department. Joe Sanders received prominent credit for helping map the old roads and his adventures served as the historical counterpart to the author's modern journey over the backroads. Many thanks for your coverage and appreciation of his work!
Canyon Lake Times-Guardian, January 22, 2003--Thanks for the item about my upcoming presentation!
If you would like to schedule a presentation or order a personally autographed copy please e-mail your request and information.
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