Pump Up Chats with James Livingston

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James D. Livingston’s professional career was in physics, first at GE and later at MIT, and most of his writings in the 20^th century were in physics, including one popular-science book (Driving Force: The Natural Magic of Magnets, Harvard, 1996). As he gradually moved into retirement in the 21^st century, he began to broaden his writing topics into American history, a long-time interest of his. His latest book in this genre is Arsenic and Clam Chowder: Murder in Gilded Age New York. His Author’s Guild website is www.jamesdlivingston.net.

Thank you for this interview, Jim. Do you remember writing stories as a child or did the writing bug come later? Do you remember your first published piece?

Yes, I wrote stories as a child, and in my grade-school senior book (age 12), I wrote that I wanted to be a journalist when I grew up. The closest I came to that was the weekly tennis column I wrote for a local paper from 1964 to 1976.

What do you consider as the most frustrating side of becoming a published author and what has been the most rewarding?

Getting rejections from publishers (until you finally land one) is the most frustrating side. Getting positive feedback from readers is the most rewarding side of writing.

Are you married or single and how do you combine the writing life with home life? Do you have support?

I’m married, and my wife is very supportive of my writing. In fact, she co-authored one of my books (A Very Dangerous Woman: Martha Wright and Women’s Rights).

Can you tell us about your latest book and why you wrote it?

My latest book is Arsenic and Clam Chowder: Murder in Gilded Age New York. When I was studying Livingston genealogy over thirty years ago, I learned about the 1896 murder trial of my black-sheep cousin Mary Alice Livingston, and thought that would make a great book some day. When I finally retired from research and teaching physics a couple of years ago, I finally found the time to write it.

Can you share an excerpt?

(From Chapter 1): Matricide is a particularly heinous crime, and the arrest of Mary Alice in mourning clothes immediately after attending her mother’s burial drew special notice from the press. That the allegedly poisonous chowder was delivered to the victim by her ten-year-old granddaughter added extra interest; experience had shown that stories involving children always drew considerable attention, particularly among women readers. There was also a substantial inheritance involved, and Mary Alice was a member of the prominent and socially prestigious Livingston family. Money and New York society were reliable attention getters. On top of all this, Mary Alice was the mother of three illegitimate children and pregnant with a fourth. Scandal piled upon scandal. Although this was not the first time that Mary Alice had drawn the attention of the New York newspapers, her 1896 trial for the murder of her mother would dominate the news for many weeks at a time of “yellow journalism” when papers focused even more attention than usual on sensational stories. Hundreds of thousands of readers in New York, and well beyond New York, would become very familiar with the story of Mary Alice, the clam chowder she sent to her mother, and the death of Evelina Bliss.

Where’s your favorite place to write at home?

I write only on my computer in my home office.

What is one thing about your book that makes it different from other books on the market?

It’s an intimate blend of a sensational central story (matricide by poison and a dramatic murder trial), history (New York City in the Gilded Age), and serious social and legal issues (such as capital punishment of women and the precise meaning of “beyond a reasonable doubt”). It’s also one of the few books with a great song video at YouTube.

Tables are turned…what is one thing you’d like to say to your audience who might buy your book one day?

I hope and trust that you’ll enjoy the story of Mary Alice Livingston, her very dysfunctional family, and the witnesses, lawyers, judge and jury who decided her fate, as well as the colorful background of New York in the Gilded Age.

Thank you for this interview, Jim. Good luck on your virtual book tour!

Thanks. I hope it’s a virtual success!

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How do you make sales happen for you?

A lot of hard work! I sponsor a lot of on line parties, festivals and contests. Book sales don’t magically happen, believe me. An author has to work hard to earn her readers. And then she has to work hard to keep them by giving them something they’ll enjoy reading. I try hard to make my books worth a reader’s time.

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