Wednesday morning I e-mailed publisher, Bob Serra, that I would stop by the Pacific Publishing office when I was through at the museum to see if the books had come in. That afternoon, as soon as I walked into the Pacific Publishing building, I saw Bob in his office holding up a copy of The Crossings Guide to Oregon’s Coastal Spans. I barely said hello to the others and made a beeline for the new book. There was a stack on Bob’s desk. So I picked one up and eagerly flipped through it. Then it grew quiet as both of us spent a few moments just checking every page. They had just arrived. So they were new to Bob too. It wasn’t long before we both looked up with huge smiles. We were both thrilled with the size, the look of the glossy color cover, the feel of the thick inside pages, the quality of the semi-gloss color photos inside, and the fact that everything was where it was supposed to be.

So I grabbed a pen and started signing. All of our books are signed. After signing more than a hundred, I told Bob that I was already getting tired of this new Guide. Just kidding!  Just kidding!

Such fun to be signing the new book. I just love the way it turned out.

He handed me back the comp list I’d given him the week before. He’d added a couple. One was The New York Times.  I thought he was joking, but, no, he was serious. His sales rep had suggested it, and after thinking about it, I agreed. They receive so many books that it would be a miracle if ours were selected, so I won’t get my hopes up. But it’s worth a try.

I floated for a few hours, just happy about the book, before I started thinking about everything I now had to do. I wanted to stay ahead of feelings of panic and of being overwhelmed. So I made a list and prioritized it. That made me feel better. Now I would deal with one item at a time.

When it came to marketing Crossings, we didn’t have the big picture. As we became aware of each aspect, we simply jumped in. So while I moved further and further away from my comfort zone, I didn’t feel overwhelmed. I simply didn’t know what all would be involved. This time around, we don’t have the “clueless” excuse.  We know what will be involved.

Wednesday evening, I crossed off the first item on the list as I made new invoices for the new book. I also made new ones for Crossings: McCullough’s Coastal Bridges. I also ran off more copies of the PR sheets for both books and tucked them into my delivery folder.

On Thursday, I packaged comp copies for shipping or hand delivery for those who helped with the book. I also called all the venues in the Florence area that carry Crossings and got invoices ready.

After a stop at the Post Office, I stopped by the publishing office to give Dick Smith a comp copy. He was there signing copies of Crossings. Both of our signatures are in every copy. Although, he wasn’t involved in the new book, he continued to provide encouragement. Then I visited each venue I’d called. The weather was amazing. It was one of those winter days that tries to demonstrate everything possible in a coastal winter—snow, hail, sleet, drizzle, downpours, dazzling sun, wind, and rainbows. The only thing missing was thunder and lightning. In spite of the weather, I sold books and dropped off copies to be looked over by owners, who weren’t in. The good news––nobody said “No.”

On Friday, I spent most of the morning composing a letter to The New York Times book review editor. I had gone online to find out their requirements and to whom to send it. So when I finally got it ready, I put the letter along with a signed copy of each book and a PR sheet for each in an envelope. After lunch, I packaged a couple more copies of the new book for shipping—another comp copy and a copy to a friend in Arizona who wanted one. Once again I stopped by the Post Office. Same guy waited on me, and when he saw the fat envelope to The New York Times, he said, “Why not!” It’s a small town—we all know each other.

Today, I attended a luncheon with about 20 other gals. And I brought some books just in case. And, sure enough, when somebody asked about the new book, I just had to show a copy. So I sold four, and a few gals plan to get a copy soon. I was also asked to give a presentation to a local group, which reminded me of another item for my list––redo my PowerPoint presentation.

Tomorrow, I’ll email everyone on my list that indicated they wanted to be notified when the new book’s available. I’ll also make up a binder of all the venues for the new book like I have for Crossings. That way, I can keep the finances of each separate.

Next week, I’ll do some calling on Monday and head north on Tuesday to place books. More calling on Wednesday, but most of the day will be volunteering at the museum. Then head south on Thursday and maybe to Eugene on Friday. That may be too much. We’ll see!

So once again my life has been taken over by a book. Only this time it’s The Crossings Guide. The fun continues!

TO BUY JUDY’S FIRST BOOK

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 or from me through this blog. 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. This book makes a good coffee-table book.

JUDY’S SECOND BOOK available in January

The second book The Crossings Guide to Oregon’s Coastal Spans––covers 15 bridges and has at least one color and one historic photo for each bridge. The cost is $15 plus shipping. This new book can also be ordered through Pacific Publishing or me through the blog. Soon it will be in most places that carry Crossings. When heading for the coast, don’t drive 101 without it.

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:

February 9, 9–5, Bridge Tour, Outward Ventures, Florence campus, Lane Community College––I’ll be the tour guide on this trip that includes 12 bridges with many stops from Depoe Bay to Coos Bay and has a lunch break at Tidal Raves in Depoe Bay. Now that the new catalogs are out, sign up at the Florence campus or online. A fee will be involved. This will be such fun; I can hardly wait!