A Happy Story
Her book was poised to be a big deal. Then the pandemic told a better story.
My friend Kate Dawson is a senior lecturer in broadcast journalism at UT-Austin. She has also produced almost two dozen documentaries including longer form pieces for Nightline, WCBS and Fox as well as independent films. She is the author of Death in the Air and American Sherlock, which was released exactly one million years ago in February. I asked her to write about how the pandemic messed that up; she turned in a happy story, and I love it.
by Kate Dawson
I want to tell you a happy story about COVID-19, which I realize is rare right now. It didn’t begin that way.
It started in March during one of the most trying times of my life; I was in the midst of a nationwide tour for my second book, American Sherlock, the story of Edward Oscar Heinrich, one of America’s greatest–and first–forensic scientists, who had an uncanny knack for finding clues, establishing evidence, and deducing answers with a skill that seemed almost supernatural. Kirkus Reviews called it “entertaining, absorbing.” Ari Shapiro interviewed me on All Things Considered. The Washington Post listed it as one of the ten books to read in February. This was going to be a big damn deal.
It was all systems go for a big book tour, but that meant constant travel for three weeks. Most folks find that stressful, but I love to layer stress upon stress…I’m a consummate obsessive multitasker.
I’m launching a podcast with a major network in just a few months—Tenfold More Wicked will post three seasons a year with each season featuring six 45-minute episodes. Each season is a deep dive into a historical crime that has modern relevance, just like my books. I have a second podcast called Wicked Words that features in depth interviews with journalists about their best true crime stories. When my book publisher Putnam proposed sending me to eight major cities for the tour, I looked for ways to develop both podcasts. I arranged for additional interviews for Tenfold More Wicked, while locating and chatting with local journalists for Wicked Words. I love to juggled projects and, ultimately, drive myself crazy.
COVID was lurking around the U.S. during that time, and the tour went off the rails. Book festivals were canceled (Tucson and San Antonio). Lectures to major libraries were postponed and then canceled (St. Louis, San Antonio and Austin). Scheduled radio and television appearances were never re-booked. My book sales slumped with everyone else’s sales. It was an anticlimactic end for American Sherlock’s fantastic start.
And then things changed dramatically within my family. My kids (10-year-old girls) began online learning. My wife and I juggled our own work schedules as I quickly changed around the structure of my two classes at the University of Texas, where I teach documentary journalism. It was all confusing, stressful…but also exciting and wonderful.
My kids thrived at home with us. One of them has inattentive ADD and bloomed from our one-on-one attention. My other daughter’s social anxiety lightened. They’re best friends (and also bitter enemies), and this quarantine has felt like we’re having a never-ending playdate. We settled the wilderness in our backyard, installed a fire pit and bought supplies for a year’s worth of daily s’mores.
We’re blessed plenty of room at home. We have a new puppy who keeps us entertained and physically active. My parents live three minutes away and we see them daily for “recess.” My wife is an expert at online ordering, and we’re both creative cooks, so we rarely leave the house and never go into stores. She also makes scores of high-grade masks.
We’re so lucky and privileged at a time when so many are suffering, and that’s not lost on me. I’ve installed a small sound studio in my closet so I can continue my podcasts (now in post-production); I’ve sorted out safe ways to produce three more seasons based in Texas. Work continues.
Most importantly—I’ve figured out that I ADORE my family. We have a sectional couch and frequently the four of us (and Ruby, the dog) are squished onto one cushion. Same for our modest office—five family members in one room despite so many other places to hang out.
I’ve seen hundreds of cute dance recitals, including tangos in ballet gear. I’ve pushed both kids 1,225 times on our swing. We drive around just about every day, aimlessly, listening to Taylor Swift. It’s been amazing, and I’ll be sad when it ends.
My girls’ relationship is stronger than ever, as is my marriage. My wife and I walk every morning, alone, for an hour and just talk. We chat about our day, our stressors…and our dreams for the future. And despite the horrible things that are happening, we’re so grateful that we all still love each other. I couldn’t ask for more.
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