Jeff Guinn!

Welcome to the Piece of Advice Newsletter!

Good morning! Today we are looking into one of my personal favorite author’s; Jeff Guinn! He is the author of this amazing series called “The Christmas Chronicles” and is a super kind guy!

Jeff Guinn is a master of blending history, heart, and imagination. A former journalist and book editor, Guinn has made a name for himself as an accomplished author across genres; true crime, Westerns, biographies, and holiday-themed books. His work is marked by a deep respect for storytelling, a journalistic attention to detail, and a genuine love for the characters he brings to life. Whether he’s writing about infamous outlaws like Bonnie and Clyde or the magic of Christmas, Guinn’s books always offer rich detail and captivating narratives.

One of his most beloved contributions is “The Christmas Chronicles”, a three-book series that brings Santa Claus to life in a way readers have never seen before. The series begins with “The Autobiography of Santa Claus”, an imaginative retelling of how St. Nicholas became the modern-day Santa. Told in a warm, first-person voice, the book offers a globe-trotting adventure that blends history with holiday magic, featuring appearances from historical figures like Leonardo da Vinci and Attila the Hun. It’s a clever and charming holiday tradition for families everywhere.

The second book, “How Mrs. Claus Saved Christmas”, gives readers a front-row seat to the equally important role Mrs. Claus plays in preserving the spirit of the season. The third book, “The Great Santa Search”, adds a fun, modern twist with Santa navigating the chaos of reality television and media frenzy while trying to remain true to his mission. Together, the trilogy captures the joy and wonder of the holidays, while also offering thought-provoking lessons about kindness, courage, and belief.

Jeff Guinn’s ability to take something as familiar as Santa Claus and make it feel new again speaks to his talent as a writer and storyteller. With warmth, humor, and historical flair, his “Christmas Chronicles” have become cherished reads for people of all ages. Whether you’re discovering them for the first time or revisiting them each holiday season, Guinn’s books remind us of the power of storytelling to inspire wonder and keep the magic alive!

Bonus Question:

Giancarlo: How did you come up with the idea to start this awesome series?

Jeff Guinn: My father was in the US. Air Force, and I spent most of my childhood living overseas - Italy Germany and England. My first Christmases came in Italy, with Befana the old woman (or, i some versions, a witch) bringing gifts. St. Nicholas delivered gifts and candy to children on Dec. 6th when I lived in Germany, and Father Christmas handled gift chores on Dec. 25th in England. I loved the mythology and the variety. Because my nature is to try and learn all the history I can, I spent time studying how Christmas/Santa traditions evolved all over the world. As you can imagine, that turned out to be useful when I decided to write a book about Santa's life and times, gearing it for people of all ages and using actual history without spoiling the magic for young readers. Because Nicholas/Santa tried to comply with all the different expectations for him, that meant he needed brilliant helpers to make that possible and, again, I did my best to use real history. For instance, Leonardo da Vinci designed a "flying sleigh" for Santa that was based on Leonardo's actual sketches of a winged, flying wagon in one of his journals.

Piece Of Advice:

Giancarlo: What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

Jeff Guinn: The best piece of advice I’ve ever received came from Mary Arendes, my fourth-grade teacher. She told me, “If you’re ever bored, it’s your own fault.” Words to live by!

You can check out Jeff’s books here!: https://www.amazon.com/Jeff-Guinn/e/B000API412

Thank you for reading today’s article! We will see you next week with another awesome one!

-Giancarlo