When I first sent out comp copies of the book to the media, at the top of the list was Bob Welch of Eugene’s Register–Guard. I enjoy reading his column and his books. I even reviewed at least two of them for Oregon Coast magazine.
So when he responded immediately with congratulations and said that he would get back to me after his vacation, I was thrilled. He did get back to me and thought the best time to run it would be prior to North Bend’s July Jubilee where I and my book would be part of the 75th birthday of the McCullough Memorial Bridge celebration. We communicated via email and decided that a phone interview July 10 would work for a column July 12 prior to the July 16 Jubilee.
My book, Crossings: McCullough’s Coastal Bridges, my presentation notes, my press release, the names of the places where the book is for sale, info about the July Jubilee, and anything else pertaining to the book were handy. I was prepared to answer any questions or so I thought.
On July 10, he was to call sometime in the afternoon. So I had lunch, played with my cat, caught up on e-mails, played some more with the cat, did some exercises, kept checking the phone to see that it wasn’t sitting cockeyed on its base. I was a nervous wreck. I, who have interviewed hundreds of people, including a couple just last week for a story about Shore Acres, should’ve been as cool as a cat surveying his kingdom. Instead I was pacing back and forth like a cat in a cage. Finally, I sat down and started working on the Shore Acres story. Sure nuff, before long, the phone rang.
It was Bob Welch. I was ready. As I answered his questions, he graciously let me go on and on with my enthusiasm running wild. There was only one question that really stumped me. I talked all around it and wasn’t happy with my answer. Of course, after I hung up, I thought of a brilliant response. I also realized I had given an incorrect answer to another question: There are five not four McCullough bridges in Lane County on the coast. I sent an after-interview email with the correction and the brilliant response. Overall, I felt the interview went well and was jazzed all evening. I even dreamed about it.
On Tuesday, I didn’t buy every paper in town, only because friends said they would save their papers for me. I stopped at our local newspaper to renew my subscription and the publisher’s wife said she had read Bob Welch’s column. On my way to a meeting, I met someone leaving the building I was going into and he mentioned the column and after I got inside two more people referred to it and one handed me her paper. Wow! And that’s the way it continued all week.
So what did I think of the column? It was awesome––a seriously overused adjective, but totally correct in this case! Bob had a lot to sort through, but found the essence of McCullough and conveyed it with his usual skill with words. He also had some choice turns of phrase: “McCullough stuck to his concrete guns” and “the slug-slow ferries.” And at the end, he mentioned where to order the book. I was thrilled!
Now that I’m venturing out of my coastal comfort zone, I especially appreciate it. I’m ready to tackle Eugene and Portland cause we’ve made it to the big time!
***
Crossings: McCullough’s Coastal Bridges can be yours for only $24.95 plus $3.99 shipping. Order from Pacific Publishing, www.connectflorence.com or pacpub@oregonfast.net
***
Crossings Presentations by Judy in July:
• July 15 & 29, 7 p.m.––Honeyman State Park Campground, B Loop, Amphitheater, couple miles south of Florence
• July 16, 2 p.m.––Coos County Historical & Maritime Museum, July Jubilee and celebration of the 75th birthday of the McCullough Memorial Bridge, North Bend
Judy will also be attending two Author’s Fairs:
• July 22–23, noon–6 p.m. Friday & 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Saturday––Oregon Books & Games (corner 7th & E), Grants Pass
• August 27, noon–3 p.m.––Bob’s Beach Books (west side just north of 17th on Hwy 101), Lincoln City
Crossings Author 