His first two novels have become popular in Chicago, as well as across the United States and Europe. But it was not easy for Martin to get his work into print. He self-published his first book in 2001. A year later, St. Martin's Press purchased the book and released a hard cover edition; Polish and German rights sold almost immediately. Martin has also sold the film rights to
Push Not the River, so it could become a feature film. His second novel
Against a Crimson Sky followed in 2007; it has also been translated into Polish and is also a best-seller. So Anna Berezowska's story has come full circle: from Polish to English and back to Polish.
His novels have earned Martin a gold medal from the American Institute of Polish Culture. The same award, for the promotion of Polish history and culture, has been given to Lech Walesa, the former President of Poland; director Jerzy Hoffman; U.S. Senator Barbara Mikulski, as well as writers James Michener, Jerzy Kosinski, and Norman Davies.
Martin, who holds degrees from St. Ambrose and DePaul Universities, is a longtime English and creative writing teacher at Marian Catholic High School in Chicago Heights.
For more information, visit www.JamesCMartin.com.
To view the book trailer for Push Not the River, visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jv_16jzWe_0
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