Wednesday, November 14, 2012

On The Edge



On the outskirts of Silverton, Colorado in Cunningham Gulch lies a historic wonder, the Old Hundred Mine Boarding House. This phenomenal structure is bolted with cables to the rocky crags of Galena Mountain 2,000 feet above the basin and main mine entrance below. Splintered wood, rusted corrugated metal, and a handful of memories in the form of a cook stove, a metal bedframe, and pairs of shoes are all that remain.


The pages of the Old Hundred’s story begin in 1872 with the Neigold brothers, who made their way from Germany to become prospectors. The three brothers were an odd and amusing bunch for those traveling on Stony Pass Trail leading into Silverton. Coming from an educated background, the brothers would often entertain guests with music, plays, and even opera. They were quite the contrast to the usual prospecting crowd.
Some color was found, the most likely profits at the level seven tunnel, 2,000 feet up the mountain.


Not having the funds to operate the mine, the brothers sold out. The company who bought the mine spent the next several years and over a million dollars building the boarding house, a mill at the base of the mountain, and a tram—much like a ski lift today—to haul the ore and men from the boarding house to the mill below. A legend exists of a mistress in the boarding house who loved to play piano, so a piano was hauled to the boarding house on the backs of mules.


Hundreds of miles of tunnels were dug searching for the rich veins of ore. Unfortunately, there was very little color found in the mine. In 1908 the mine closed down. A neighboring mine bought the Old Hundred for its mill.

In 2000, the Silverton Historical Society in conjunction with the Old Hundred Mining Tour preserved the Old Hundred Mine Boarding House on Galena’s peak. The task was completed with helicopters and brave construction workers operating on crumbling shell rock above Cunningham Gulch.

Today there is a trail to the old level seven tunnel, but to reach the boarding house, one must scramble 200 vertical feet over loose rock .Only experienced climbers should make the hike.

During the summer months, mining tours are given inside the mine, probably the most revenue it has had.


Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Moonshine Murder Teaching Guide Now Available


The Moonshine Murder teaching guide is newly updated and available as a free download from my website: www.erinsgray.com.

For those of you who are teachers, Moonshine Murder is perfect for middle and high school students. View my website for more details.

If you know a teacher that may be interested, pass this on. And if you're a parent looking for fun activities to do with your kids--ages 12 and up--over Christmas break, this may be the perfect idea.

Thursday, October 11, 2012

Wine and Cheese Book Party

Where: Main Street Brewery, Cortez, CO
Date: Thursday, October 25, 2012, 5-7:30 pm.

I will be signing copies of my historical fiction novel, Moonshine Murder at the Main Street Brewery on Thursday, October, 25 from 5-7:30.

Complimentary wine and cheese will be available during the signing.

Pick up a book, grab a menu, and enjoy a nice dinner at the Main Street Brewery while you’re there.

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

The Winning Gals

Thank you to the winning gals (April Wright, Melissa Hackett, Tracey Hately, and Kindle winner, Hiedy Whitmer) for coming out to the Cold Stone Creamery Moonshine Murder Book Party. I had a blast! If you didn't make the event, don't worry! October 25, from 5-7:30 The Main Street Brewery in Cortez, Colorado will be hosting me for a Wine and Cheese book party: complimentary wine and cheese!




Sunday, September 23, 2012

AND THE WINNER IS....


Moonshine Murder Book Party was a HUGE success! The community showed amazing support and the Cold Stone Creamery staff members were wonderful! And I reached 100 sales!

The first 100 purchases of Moonshine Murder were entered in a drawing for a FREE Kindle.

My husband, Eric, took the entry cards and shuffled them, put them all face down on our table. My son, Ethan, drew out the Kindle winner and 3 Cold Stone gift card winners. And the winners are:

1. Hiedy Whitmer for the Kindle
2. Melissa Hackett for a $10 Cold Stone gift card
3. Tracey Hately for a $10 Cold Stone gift card
4. April Wright for a $10 Cold Stone gift card

Thank you again to everyone who came to the event.

Monday, September 10, 2012

Moonshine Murder Launch Is Here!

[Moonshine Murder] It's here! Launch Day!

Launch day is here! It's official: Moonshine Murder (Treble Heart Books) is now available on Amazon, E-version and print, at the publisher’s website, and at my website (www.erinsgray.com).


BOOK LAUNCH EVENTS


• FREE Kindle –The first 100 purchases of Moonshine Murder will be entered in the drawing for a free Kindle. Just simply go to www.erinsgray.com, and purchase your autographed copy. That’s it. Oh, and if you buy more than one, your name goes in the pot more, too. Kind of like, Hunger Games but with a much better outcome! So, “may the odds be ever in your favor” (for those of you who don’t know what I’m talking about, go buy Hunger Games today).
• Amazon reviews -- my goal is to get 10 reviews by the end of next week. Please leave your HONEST review when you get a chance.
• Local Event Book Party and Door prizes. Yep, more prizes, and chances to win that FREE Kindle. Launch week I will be throwing a book party, details below:
o Cold Stone Creamery Book Party (Cortez, CO)
When: Friday, September 21, 4-7
“Dollar Scoop” ice cream, book signing, and door prizes (Cold Stone Gift Cards)! Purchase a book, enter the FREE Kindle giveaway.




Monday, September 3, 2012

Moonshine Murder Book Launch Around the Corner!


[Moonshine Murder] The Final Countdown!

This is it! Moonshine Murder book launch is around the corner (next Monday, to be exact). And I couldn’t be happier.

Now, happiness does not equate to chaos-free (even if it's good chaos). My piano top has stacks of unopened mail and PILES of papers accumulating, and my front entryway looks like a shipping center -- boxes filled with books, business cards, and bookmarks.

You will most likely hear from me a few times next week. I will send a launch week update as well as a template email that you can forward to friends and family to help spread the word. I want you to feel like you've got a front-row seat for all the festivities, and will do my best to include you as much as possible in everything that goes down next week! If the extra emails annoy you, feel free to mark as read and carry on.


BOOK LAUNCH EVENTS



FREE Kindle –The first 100 purchases of Moonshine Murder will be entered in the drawing for a free Kindle. Just simply go to www.erinsgray.com, and purchase your autographed copy. That’s it. Oh, and if you buy more than one, your name goes in the drawing more, too. Kind of like, Hunger Games but with a much better outcome! So, “may the odds be ever in your favor” (for those of you who don’t know what I’m talking about, go buy Hunger Games today). You can pre-order your copy of Moonshine Murder today!

Amazon reviews -- My goal is to get 10 reviews by the end of next week. Please leave your HONEST review when you get a chance.

Local Event Book Party and Door prizes. Yep, more prizes, and chances to win that FREE Kindle.

Coldstone Creamery Book Party (Cortez, CO)
When: Friday, September 21, 4-7
Discounted ice cream, book signing, and door prizes (Cold Stone Gift Cards)! Purchase a book, enter the FREE Kindle giveaway.