Author returns to honor Maroons

The following was reported in the Pottsville Republican and Herald today:

Today, ESPN Books and the City of Pottsville embark on their second promotional tour for the book honoring the legacy of the legendary Pottsville Maroons, aiming to attract readers throughout the region.

David Fleming, author of “Breaker Boys: The NFL’s Greatest Team and the Stolen 1925 Championship,” said he’s ready to autograph copies again and again and again.

His right hand was sore for weeks after signing more than 1,600 copies during the three-day book release event held in Pottsville in October.

With a laugh Tuesday, Fleming said, “the numbness in my palm is just starting to go away, which must mean it’s time to come back to Pottsville.”

This trip will be much more involved than the last. Over the next seven days, Fleming is scheduled to participate in at least 18 events, including book-signings sponsored by Lasting Legacy of Pottsville, The REPUBLICAN & Herald and local and regional book stores.

He’ll also make special appearances, encouraging everyone he comes across to sign an online petition to encourage the NFL to return the 1925 title to the Maroons. As of 11:30 p.m. Tuesday, it accumulated 9,781 signatures. In particular, Fleming will be in Harrisburg on Monday, when state Rep. Tim Seip, D-125, and state Rep. Neal P. Goodman, D-123, present a resolution to the House of Representatives requesting that NFL owners return the title to the team.

Fleming will return to Harrisburg from 3 to 4 p.m. Tuesday for an interview to be taped for PCN, the Pennsylvania Cable Network.

“It’s going to be hectic. I don’t want to kill myself, but I do want to maximize my time and do absolutely as much as I can while I’m there,” Fleming said.

Fleming said his wife, Kim, and daughters, Ally, 6, and Kate, 3, won’t be joining him this time.

“We didn’t want to take Ally out of school again, but they’re not happy about it,” he said.

Fleming, who lives in Davidson, N.C., was scheduled to catch a flight from Charlotte/Douglas International Airport, Charlotte, N.C., at 9:30 a.m. and arrive at Philadelphia International Airport at 11:30 a.m.

He was expected to arrive in Pottsville around 2 p.m. and will once again be staying at the Partridge House Bed & Breakfast Inc., 315 S. Centre St., Pottsville.

Before he can unpack, Fleming will rush off to the first event, a book-signing sponsored by The REPUBLICAN & Herald at 123 Mahantongo St. from 3 to 6 p.m.

In early November, the newspaper ordered 360 copies of the book for the event. But inquires about the event encouraged the newspaper to order another 140, for a total of 500 copies, said Janet Joyce, director of marking and community services for the newspaper.

The book-signing will also be a great opportunity for people to get a newspaper subscription and possibly a free copy of the book, said David R. Sickle, director of circulation for The REPUBLICAN & Herald.

• If non-subscribers subscribe to the newspaper at the event — a one-year subscription is $158.60 — they will receive a signed copy of the book for free.

• If current subscribers sign up for EZpay, a payment program like Ebay’s PayPal which allows the newspaper to draw the funds for annual subscriptions directly from subscribers’ debit, credit or checking accounts, they will receive the book for free.

• The REPUBLICAN & Herald will give free tote bags to the first 50 people who show up at the signing.

• The REPUBLICAN & Herald will collect entry forms, published in the newspaper this week, for a drawing for a free copy of “Breaker Boys.” The drawing will be held Thursday, Joyce said.