When it comes to selling Crossings: McCullough’s Coastal Bridges, my territory is all of Oregon except Florence, which has been covered by Dick Smith. That changed this past week. Now I’m in charge of sales in Florence too.

Dick had done the hard work of getting the book placed. He has them in 14 venues throughout the Florence area. Now I need to touch base with everyone, letting them know that I’ll be the new contact and seeing if anyone wants more books during the holidays.

So I started calling and discovered right away that a couple of businesses don’t open on Monday, and of those that do, many of the contact people on my list were not in. Par for the course. So I left a number of messages. By the time I had tried them all, I had connected with less than half of the folks I wanted to talk to.

Whenever I did get the right person, I started by explaining everything and getting a lot of “I know, I know. Crossings that pretty bridge book.” So then I backed off on explanations. By the time I got to the Sea Lion Caves, it was Tuesday morning, and I was bright-eyed and chipper. I assumed they knew all about the book . . . until the response, “What book did you say? Is that one we carry?” Back to square one.

Dick had dealt with one of the owners of the Caves, but the owner told me to ask for Scott. So when I first called, Scott wasn’t in. After a brief doctor’s appointment, I called again and found he was on his way. After I delivered some books elsewhere, I called to find he was in but tied up. Finally, I got him. But after talking to him, I realized from his responses that he wasn’t the right person.   As it turned out, the poor guy who kept keeping me informed about Scott was one of two people I should’ve been talking to. Later I received a call from the other one, and the upshot was––no more books now but maybe in January.

Coastal bookstores and museums are a given for a book about historic coastal bridges, but some of the businesses that carry the book surprised me. I didn’t expect to see it in Brown Dog Antiques or in Kitchen Klutter.

At Brown Dog, the owner told me he had just started reading the book when I called and was thoroughly enjoying it. He was still reading it when I walked in. He didn’t need any, he had told me earlier, but appreciated the vinyl holder and poster about the book that I gave him.

Next, I stopped at Kitchen Klutter. When I first called, a sales person said she needed to check with the owner. Well, I lucked out. The owner was in and wanted six. Who’d a thunk it––my biggest book sale was to my favorite kitchen shop. Of course, it’s close to the Siuslaw River Bridge. So why not!

The Siuslaw Pioneer Museum didn’t need any more and neither did Books ‘N’ Bears (the bookstore with the fabulous view of the Siuslaw River Bridge that sells more copies of Crossings than any other venue), Periwinkle Station wanted three, and Port Hole Books & Publishing wanted two. After I got home, I received a call from Ellen Traylor at Port Hole, and she had already sold them. She needed two more. By the time I got there the next day, she had buyers for those and wanted two more. I told her, “Way to go!”

Counting the sales from Tuesday and the four additional ones to the bookstore on Wednesday, I sold 15. And while I was running around town on Wednesday, I saw friends who wanted a copy for a Christmas gift and that made 16. Not too shabby!

I felt good about my first foray into Florence, because Dick is a hard act to follow. When we first started, he outsold me three to one. Now, it’s my turn!

Note: Next week, I’ll be away celebrating Christmas with my family and not posting my blog. So I’ll take this opportunity to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas.

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Crossings: McCullough’s Coastal Bridges can be yours for $24.95 plus $3.99 shipping. Order from Pacific Publishing at http://www.connectflorence.com or pacpub@oregonfast.net. It is also available on the coast in bookstores, museums, and gift shops; in Eugene at the airport, the historical museum, and several bookstores; and in Portland at Powell’s and the Oregon Historical Society.

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Judy’s PowerPoint presentation with book sales/signing:

February 19, Sunday, 3 p.m.––Port Orford Library, Port Orford (1421 Oregon Street [Hwy 101])

Judy guest on TV show:

March 13, Tuesday, 2:30––The Author’s Forum, a talk show with host Dr. Veronica Esagui, chiropractic physician, author, and public speaker, on Portland area public access television (channel TBA)