It wasn't by design, but I ended up doing a media blitz this week

Huge thanks to News 13 Birmingham for having me on "Alabama Tonight" on Wednesday. Everyone was super nice and they did a great job making sure the book was behind me on the screen when I talked (see - they're good) -- Here's the link if you want to check it out:

Also, they're doing a profile on Saturday Down South  on Friday (6:30 p.m.).

Meanwhile, I made the rounds Monday-Wednesday after receiving numerous appearance requests. I think this is in order of appearance:

Paul Finebaum Show (guest host Tony Barhart)

The Game with Ryan Fowler on 99.1 FM in Tuscaloosa

The Opening Drive on Jox 94.5 FM in Birmingham

The Chris Stewart Show on 991.1 FM in Tuscaloosa

TiderInsider on WVUA-TV in Tuscaloosa

The Thom Abraham Show on SportsRadio 730 the Ump in Huntsville

Thanks everyone, I really appreciate it.

The book is out!

So I had to do a little traveling late last week and while I was away my wife saw the above display at Barnes & Noble in Tuscaloosa. I finally got a chance to swing by today and they had 26 copies, which makes me think some have already been sold.

Note: The books are not in sports, but the Alabama section along the front row, basically between the Starbucks and new releases (see below photo).

Meanwhile, it's going to be a busy week with the Crimson Tide reporting for training camp. I'll also be making a pair of TV appearances:

Tuesday: "TiderInsider," WVUA-TV in Tuscaloosa, 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday: "Alabama Tonight," NBC-13 in Birmingham, 6:30 p.m.

... and away we go!

The first book signing is set

Ok, this I'm just flat-out excited about.

We'll be launching the book with a signing at the Alabama Booksmith in Birmingham, on August 6th. That's a Wednesday, and I'll have to double-check the time but I think it's set for 4 p.m.

The store should post all the necessary information during the next couple of days: 2626 19th Place South Birmingham, AL 35209; Tel: (205)870-4242; booksmith@mindspring.com

For those who don't know I'm a huge fan of this store and last year joined its Signed First Editions Club. It was one of the smartest things I've ever done. I'm honored that they want to host this event and I hope a lot of you will swing by.

[Update: The time is set for 4 p.m. Here's the link for more information]

Plugging away ...

I got a couple of nice mentions/plugs over the weekend including a writeup in The Fifth Down, the online newsletter of the Football Writers Association of America. Here's the link If you want to check out "Walsh has a new book out Saban," which was also emailed to the entire membership.

So a big thank you for that.

Also, the Associated Press Sports Editors sent out a tweet that I had a new job with Saturday Down South. I won a couple of APSE awards last year after online services were allowed to apply for membership, and I think I can safely say that SDS will be looking to join in 2015.

Real men wear black ...

Somehow I survived the first four-day SEC Media Days, which was crazy as usual but in a whole new way for me.

This week was my first with Saturday Down South, and it couldn't have been more fun. I might have learned more about promoting than from the first 24 years of my career combined. The object was to make a big splash and we did that and whole lot more. Our brand was everywhere, and I mean everywhere. Now I just have to hold up my end and write some good stories for SDS.

BTW, if you want to see some of what we did, including sit-down interviews with numerous prominent people including commissioner Mike Slive, and Stephen Garcia helmet cam, check out the site. I guess you could call it my debut as a TV broadcaster.

In addition to all that the book was a huge hit as well. Triumph Books did up some nice fliers that I handed out on radio row, which led to numerous interviews. I'll also be appearing on NBC 13's Alabama Tonight on July 30th at 6:30 p.m.

The first book signing is set for Aug. 6th, but I'm waiting for the store to make the announcement. Let's just say I'm very excited about where it will be.

The Walsh book collection ...

Ok, I'll have an announcement in the very news future, but in the meantime ...

They're here!

This is what was waiting for me when I got home today. Getting the first copies of your new book never gets old.

Just to answer a couple of questions preemptively:

1) Yes, it looks as good as I had hoped. The folks at Triumph Books did a fantastic job.
2) It should start appearing in stores at any time, but if you can't wait copies can be pre-ordered on the websites of many major bookstores;
3) I'll be donating a bunch of these copies to the Nick's Kids Foundation, so you might want to keep an eye out during upcoming charity events.

We've tentatively scheduled a special signing session to help launch the book in early August. Hopefully I'll be able to post details soon.

QUICK UPDATE: I've been told that the books are scheduled to ship out to distributors on Friday, July 11 (which is tomorrow as I type this).

Before we look forward, a quick look back ...

As I hinted before I have something in the works that I should have finalized very soon, and let's just say that I'm extremely excited about the potential.

In the meantime, I've already posted my last free-lance story for Bleacher Report. For those who don't know B/R quickly offered me a position after my contract expired with BamaOnline on March 1, and I only have good things to say about the experience. Hopefully the people there feel the same way.

Here are results of some reader polls with my Bleacher Report stories ...

Who is the most overpaid coach in college football? Bielema 39.2 percent, Hoke 18.0, Other 11.1, Ferentz 9.5
Is Alabama's defense on the decline? No 76.9 percent, too early to tell 16.3
At which position is Alabama most set? RBs 62.5 percent, DL 15.3, LBs 10.6, WRs 10.3
If you could pick an all-time coach to face Saban for a title, who would it be? Bryant 72.7 percent, Bowden 6.8
If you could pick an active coach to face Saban for a title, who would it be? Fisher 27.4 percent, Malzahn 18.6
Which team would you like to see Alabama schedule a game against? Ohio St 33.3 percent, Oregon 28.3, OU 11.3
Which of Alabama's 5-star additions in 2013 will have best 2014 season? Henry 61.8 percent, A.Robinson 13.6
Which Alabama draft result was most surprising? McCarron 38.5 percent, Sunseri 17.3, Hubbard 17.0
How many games will Alabama win in 2014? 15 44.4 percent, 14 16.5, 12 10.5, 13 9.6.
Who has been Alabama's best first-round selection during Saban era (2007-2013)? Julio Jones 87.4 percent
Which team should be preseason No. 1? FSU 73.2 percent, Alabama 12.9, Auburn 7.3, OU 4.3, Oregon 2.3
Who will be Alabama's starting QB for season opener against West Virginia? (Asked before A-Day) Coker 47.5 percent, Sims 39.2
Who will be Alabama's starting quarterback? (Asked after A-Day) Coker 83.3 percent, Sims 10.7.
Who will lead the Crimson Tide in tackles this season? DePriest 44.7 percent, Collins 30.0, Foster 19.4
Who will lead the Crimson Tide in rushing in 2014? Henry 60.9 percent, Yeldon 34.0