My second book, which will be a guide to the major bridges of the Oregon Coast, is making headway. Here’s a progress report:
Title––I continued coming up with titles and really appreciated suggestions sent in by some of you. I also kept going back to what I learned in a workshop devoted solely to writing titles. “In nonfiction,” says author and editor Elizabeth Lyon, “don’t go for clever––stick to telling what the book is about.” Once I felt I was on the right track, here’s how it evolved. Oregon’s Coastal Bridges: A guide to the coast’s most famous and impressive spans was shortened to Oregon’s Coastal Bridges: A guide to the most famous and impressive spans was shortened to Oregon’s Coastal Bridges: A guide to the most impressive spans. It’s not set in concrete, but I like it. Do any of you have thoughts or suggestions?
Text––I said I was finished with the writing last week and that’s still true. I haven’t come up with any major additions. Of course, I’m still fine-tuning, but at this point, it’s just tweaking small stuff. So I think, the writing part is done.
I had thought I would rewrite the text in a bulleted version to shorten it and then compare with what I’ve already done to see which I like best. But I’ve been so busy lately; I haven’t gotten around to it. I still think it’s something I should do before sending to the publisher.
This historic photo of the brand new stairway on the southwestern end of the McCullough Memorial Bridge shows the amazing Art Deco embellishments that McCullough was known for. Photo courtesy ODOT
Historic photos––I now have all the historic photos I need. The disk from ODOT that I told about last week had historic photos for all the remaining bridges. He sent 64, of which I will probably only use about 9 or 10.
Color photos––The fabulous photos of the Astoria-Megler Bridge and Thomas Creek Bridge have been sent to me, and I’ve worked out the terms. I can’t show them here because the one-time use I bought for each one will be saved for the book. So I’ll share a couple of bridge photos I took last week when I was up the coast.
Cape Perpetua, between Florence and Yachats, is where one of the newly built spans is located. It crosses Cooks Chasm.
Another photographer will be doing the Wilson River, Rocky Creek, Depoe Bay, and Yaquina Bay bridge photos. I got an email from him the other day, and I had to chuckle. He discovered that Tillamook on an 80-degree day is not a good place to be when taking photos outdoors. He said he would try again to take photos of the Wilson River Bridge when the temps drop below 60. All I’ll say is that it’s cow country surrounding Tillamook, and on warm days, you know it.
The new Cooks Chasm Bridge with its graceful deck arch greatly resembles a McCullough designed bridge.
I updated my publisher, Bob Serra at Pacific Publishing, of my progress with the book and he said to give him a list of all the remaining bridges that still need color shots. So I’ll do that this weekend. The banner above on this blog is from the cover of Crossings, so you know that he’s a terrific photographer.
Cummins Creek Bridge designed by McCullough and built in 1931. This view is from Neptune State Park.
Cover photo––I need to decide which bridge to put on the cover. I had thought I would use the Yaquina Bay Bridge, but I really like the photo I have of the Astoria-Megler Bridge. It could also be one of the smaller but remarkable bridges like the Cape Creek or Rocky Creek bridges. Do any of you have ideas on whether it should be one of the more recognizable bridges or one of the lesser-known ones? If so, which one? Hmm! Always something to decide.
Pre-selling––I was disappointed not to be able to have the book ready to sell at the Florence Festival of Books on September 29, but I will still be able to sell it, or I should say pre-sell. I have put an ad in the newspaper supplement about the new book. This is the supplement that will come out the week of the Festival of Books and will also be passed out as the program at the event when people come in the door.
I will also have a flyer about the book at the table alongside Crossings. The ad and the flyer will both have price information and contact info in case anyone wants to preorder. Without the actual book, that’s the best I can do. . . . In fact, if any of you reading this would like to preorder, the price is $10 plus $3 shipping, just respond to this blog.
I’m also setting the stage for my new book at places I hope will carry it. When I’ve been calling bookstores these past couple weeks about sending packets of flyers for the Festival of Books and asking if they need more copies of Crossings, I also mention my new book. Pre-selling suggestions came from Ashland author Dennis Powers when I saw him in the Ashland area last May and had a chance to pick his brain.
Schedule––At the moment, it looks like my bridge guide will be sent to the publisher on Oct 1 and to the printer in early November and copies ready to sell in early December—just in time for holiday gift sales. I’ll keep you posted.
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TO BUY JUDY’S FIRST BOOK
Crossings: McCullough’s Coastal Bridges.
Crossings: McCullough’s Coastal Bridges can be yours for $24.95 plus $4.99 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; in Portland at Powell’s and the Oregon Historical Society; in Made in Oregon stores throughout the state; and more and more bookstores, libraries, and museums in western Oregon.
Current happenings:
The half-hour interview with Dr. Veronica Esagui for the “Author’s Forum” program on public access TV in the Portland Metro area ended it’s two-week run June 1-14, 2012, but can be seen on YouTube in two parts: Google Judy Fleagle YouTube.
Upcoming events:
September 17, 7 p.m., Bandon––I’ll be giving my PowerPoint presentation at the Bandon Public Library (1204 11th Street, 541-347-3221)
September 29, 10 a.m.–4 p.m., Florence––2nd Annual Florence Festival of Books–an authors and publishers fair held at the Florence Events Center (715 Quince Street, 1 block east of Highway 101). I’ll be there with Crossings and flyers about my new book.
October 13, 11 a.m. Oregon City––The historic Arch Bridge designed by McCullough reopens in Oregon City on the weekend of October 1314. I have been asked to be part of the festivities and will be giving my PowerPoint presentation at the Museum of the Oregon Territory on Saturday. The actual bridge reopening celebration will be on Sunday, and I’ll be there.
Crossings Author 