“Mary Fields aka Stagecoach Mary”
About Erich
Erich Hicks, founder of Alpha Wolf Productions Inc., is an acclaimed Special Effects Coordinator, Producer and Writer, with over 20 years of experience in the entertainment industry. The company is an independent production outlet that develops, writes, and produces feature film and television content. Historically, Erich is the first African-American/Black to receive a Special Effects Pyrotechnic Operator’s 1st class Master’s License in the Motion Picture Industry. Thus, he is expertly qualified to produce and direct action sequences, stunts and explosions to achieve a realistic scene.
As a writer, Erich’s first novel, Rescue at Pine Ridge, released in December 2008. The novel is a historical narrative, depicting the all-Black 9th Calvary. Known as the US military’s famed ‘Buffalo Soldiers’, which helped settle the American West in the late 1800’s. Erich has completed an accompanying screenplay for a TV mini-series, Trilogy, and Epic Feature, and has garnered support from some of HOLLYWOOD’S acclaimed Industry Producers/Directors/and Actors. Dedicated to exploring the history of African-Americans/Blacks and shattering stereotypes, his Alpha Wolf Productions, Inc. has also developed a feature film documentary, Soul on a Wave which exposes the life and times of surfers of color.
Please visit the webpage for more information at: alphawolfprods.com and for a comprehensive resume at imdb.com/name/nm0902436
Interview: Erich
Q:Why did you decide to write this book on Mary Fields?
A: Because, Mary Fields, the basic history of America has been askew, its history, and African-American History, is unknown. As an example, most of the history found on Mary Fields, is folklore, or askew.
Q:How much research did you do for this book?
A:15 years off and on. Chasing leads, good and bad, until the truth was found.
Q:How long did it take you to write this book?
A:Add another 5 years on top of the 15 years, research and writing, scalping the story.
Q:What was your favorite part of the book to write and why?
A:Writing about her speculative life on the steamboat, Robert E. Lee, about the escapades as a chambermaid, after the Civil War: B. This was to configure her life, to give reasons to how she overcame many obstacles.
Q:What was the hardest part of writing this book?
A:Putting myself in a woman’s place, especially in that time period.
Q:Did you learn anything from writing this book? What was it?
A:How to fish through mistruths, and folklore, to find truth.
Q:What are some of the references that you used while researching this book?
1. The Reverend Mother Amadeus of the Heart of Jesus; Published 1923-By: The Paulist Press:
2. Gary Cooper’s article on Mary Fields; Published October 1959-By: EBONY Magazine:
3. The Bird Tail; Published 1974 By: Sister Genevieve McBride, O.S.U:
4. The Black West; Published February 7, 1996 By: William Loren Katz:
5. The Story of Stagecoach Mary Fields; Published 1996 By: Robert Henry Miller:
6. The Story of Black Mary; Published 2000 By: James Franks:
7. Ursuline Convent, Telodo, Ohio:
8. Ursuline Convent, Great Falls, Montana:
9. Wedsworth Memorial Library, Cascade, Montana:
10: The History Museum, Great Falls, Montana:
11. Stockmens Bank, Cascade, Montana:
12. Cascade Courier, Cascade, Montana:
13. The Great Falls Tribune, Great Falls, Montana:
14. St. Peter’s Mission Annals
Q:What is the most important thing that people DON’T know about Mary Fields, that they need to know?
A:She wasn’t a slave to the Dunne family; she most probably, wasn’t born in Tennessee
Q:Your book looks like it would be a great book for Black History Month, do you have any plans and what age level would you like to target?
A:Several avenues are being sought, to promote this fabulous story during Black History Month. The age levels are, 14 to 80
Q:Are you part of any writing communities?
A:No.
Q:Do you collaborate with other authors you know?
A:No.
Q:For those interested in exploring the subject or theme of your book, where should they start?
A:Use the internet as a tool, but not as a resource. Get off the chair, and get out and research.
Q:Who are some of your favorite authors that you feel were influential in your work?
A:‘Lies My Teacher Told Me’ – By: James Loewen; ‘Black gun; Silver Star’ – By: Prof. Art Burton; ‘The Black West’ – By: William Loren:
Q:What impact have they had on your writing?
A:Seeking the truth about askew history, and revealing unknown heroes, and heroines.
Q:What question do you wish that someone would ask about your book, but nobody has?
A:With all the mis-truths and askew history about Mary, no one asked if she was born in Tennessee, or a slave to the Dunne family. She was most probably born in Mississippi, Vicksberg: She was most probably the slave of the Warner family.
Q:Have you written other books or publications?
A:Yes. ‘Rescue at Pine Ridge’.
Q:Do you have any future writing projects?
A:Yes, ‘Lady Liberty’; ‘Choice’; ‘Nickels from Heaven’; ‘Soul on a Wave’ – documentary; ‘Dead Inventors’; ‘The Last Regret’
Q:Do you have any advice for new writers?
A:Yes. Love your story you are about to write.
Be sure to visit Erich’s web site @ www.alphawolfprods.com.com
If you are an author interested in obtaining an “Author Spotlight Interview” –please visit our web site at www.firsteditiondesignpublishing.com
Interview by -Stacey Wood / Editor FEDP
First Edition Design Publishing
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