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Author event at Aldersgate

I enjoyed a delicious lunch and speaking to the Presbyterians who live at Aldersgate in Charlotte yesterday. I opened with some facts about the ways postcards have changed over the years, and then I talked about a few of the many things I learned while doing the research for The Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina vintage postcard book. I passed around 60 of my vintage North Carolina mountain postcards afterwards along with copies of one of the word find puzzles I designed to go with the book. The old postcards and the word find puzzles seemed to be hits. It was a cordial group and many of the places and events I talked about seemed to trigger good memories for many of them.

I learned last Thursday that my book is available at Moose Pharmacy in Mt. Pleasant, North Carolina. Today I was notified that The Wrinkled Egg in Flat Rock, North Carolina has ordered a dozen copies. Great news!

What I’m reading

There’s a chill in the air. It’s that time of year when the hours of daylight decrease and my dread of winter increases. Writing, reading, and practicing the dulcimer will help get me through the cold months ahead.

I’m currently reading The Life We Bury, by Allen Eskens; My Beloved World, by Sonia Sotomayor; and The Apostles’ Creed:  Fresh Water From An Ancient Spring, by James O. Speed.

My Sunday School class has just started a study of the Apostles’ Creed, and we’re using James. O. Speed’s book as our textbook. It promises to be an enlightening study of a creed that I sometimes say by rote without thinking about the words.

I am just 70 pages into The Life We Bury and I am so impressed with Allen Eskens’ writing that I already look forward to his next novel. The Life We Bury is his first novel. This novelist who also practices law has a gift for descriptive writing and characterization. This is a good read and I can’t wait to see how the rest of the story unfolds.

Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor’s book, My Beloved World, is this month’s pick by Rocky River Readers Book Club. Ms. Sotomayor’s childhood was completely different from my own experience. Imagine someone growing up in “the projects” in New York City defying the odds and earning appointment to the United States Supreme Court!

I have a growing list of books I want to read, so stay tuned.

Book Launch Party!

I had a great time this afternoon at my book launch party for The Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina! There were 55-60 people in attendance and I felt so much love from everyone. I was honored that so many people took time out of the middle of a beautiful late summer Sunday afternoon to come out to support me. It was overwhelming to look up from my table and see that long line of people waiting to purchase MY book! It was thrilling to give away the six door prizes. I hope everyone had as much fun as I did. It was a wonderful afternoon!

Announcing release of my friends’ book: Unthinkable Choice

I am pleased to announce that Unthinkable Choice, by Sampson and Lee Ann Parker was released on September 16, 2014. Sampson’s hand was caught in a piece of farm equipment on September 11, 2007, and he had to make the “unthinkable choice” to try to get free of the machinery as it was catching on fire. He lost his right arm. This book is Sampson and his wife’s story about the accident and its aftermath. Please go to amazon.com or Barnes & Noble and buy their book. Their story will make you realize how precious life is and how your life can turn in a split second.

Words of encouragement from another author

It was nice to hear from A.J. Mayhew yesterday. A.J. is the author of The Dry Grass of August, a wonderful historical novel set in the segregated South of the mid-20th century. If you haven’t read it, you need to buy a copy. There are characters and scenes from the book that will continue to haunt you long after you finish reading it.

A.J. wrote to congratulate me upon having a book published. She gave me some words of wisdom and encouragement. One thing that she and I share is that we weren’t young when our first books were published. Learning the ins and outs of the ever-changing publishing business at this stage in our lives is a bit challenging. I have learned a lot from A.J. and I value the moral support she gives me.

A.J. is writing her second novel. I will let you know when it is available.

An e-Book!

I guess I have truly arrived. Today I discovered that my book, The Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, is available as an e-book for Kindle. I bought it and was delighted at the ease with which I could navigate through the book. Every website reference is clickable, as is every page referenced in the index. The postcards are sharp and crisp. I like it!

Grateful

I am grateful to the sales and marketing staff of Arcadia Publishing for getting my book, The Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, on the shelves of a good number and variety of stores in the mountains last week. As I write thank you letters to the store owners to express my appreciation for their agreeing to sell the book, I am reminded of just how many people it takes to get a book from an author’s hands and into the hands of the reader.

Where you can purchase my book

The sales and marketing people at Arcadia Publishing have been hard at work getting my book, The Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, on store shelves. The book is available at the following locations in the North Carolina mountains:

Smoky Mountain Host Visitors Center in Franklin

Books Unlimited in Franklin

Blue Ridge Books in Waynesville

The Gilded Lily by Patra in Blowing Rock

Village Pharmacy in Blowing Rock

University Bookstore at Appalachian State University in Boone

Boone Drug – King Street and New Market in Boone

Lake Junaluska Assembly at Lake Junaluska

Walgreens on Merrimon Avenue in Asheville

Walgreens on S. Tunnel Road in Asheville

Malaprop’s Books and Cafe in Asheville

Asheville Chamber of Commerce

Battery Park Book Exchange and Champagne Bar in Asheville

Christa’s Country Corner in Newland

Mystery Hill in Blowing Rock

Town Hardware and General Store in Black Mountain

I am thrilled to know my book is being sold at all those locations in the North Carolina mountains! Soon it will be available at Second Look Books in Harrisburg, NC.

Juggling act

I’m juggling plans for my book launch, scheduling speaking engagements, helping to organize the history room/library in the new building at Rocky River Presbyterian Church, compiling notes for docents to have at four history stations at the church on November 1 for a community day, and planning a series of monthly church history talks to begin in September.

My reading time is suffering, and my sewing and quilting time has evaporated. I’m not complaining, though. It is wonderful to have so many interests and activities!

Book release alert: Just 14 days until the publication of The Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, by Arcadia Publishing.