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The other day Lynette Olson at the Emporia Public Library called and said she knew I had a book coming out and that the library would like to buy a couple of copies.
It will take a few weeks to process these as library books, to dress them up in electronic gear and such. So, they won’t be on the shelves immediately.
One book will go in the Kansas room. The Kansas room! And the other will likely be shelved in my favorite section, the 814s – essays.
And then I stopped by KVOE to give a review copy to Jeff O’Dell. (He happens to be in the book, pages 55-56 “Living in the Alley.” Tornado alley. When the tornado sirens go off, Jeff O’Dell’s voice is the one I’m scrambling to listen to. When bad weather strikes, Jeff jumps in his car and gets on the air to give us the scoop from “Mobile Unit No. 1.” And he always remains calm and cool. Maybe 30 years of chasing tornadoes does that to you.)
Anyway, I started telling Jeff what was up with the book – that the Book Launch is at Town Crier on Sept. 1 (5- 7 p.m.) and he said, “Well, if you have events scheduled, then I can do a news story on this.” So, we recorded a short bit. I was hit-and-miss around a radio this afternoon and I didn’t hear it, so I don’t know what he aired – or if my babbling responses were even airable. (I know, that’s not a word. Sometimes I make words up.)
This evening, a friend from Illinois sent a message that she had called Town Crier and ordered a book from them, but that she wanted me to personalize it. So I went to Town Crier after dinner and there were two books that needed personalized.
Well, you’d think I’d know how to come up with words by now, but personalizations are difficult. Just difficult. So, if yours ends up says something strange, please forgive me.
Anyway, I leaned on the bookstore counter trying to come up with words. And then when I finally got done and turned around, I saw this….
I stopped, stunned. Absolutely stunned. I thought I was going to cry.
Maybe I’ve mentioned it, but those women at Town Crier are absolutely incredible people. They do everything they can to make your shopping or authoring experience a good one.
Town Crier is at 716 Commercial in beautiful downtown Emporia.
That is touching, Cheryl. I think I get your emotion and feelings right now. Like I said in a post or message earlier, your life will never be the same and your little Frankenstein will control your life for at least a year in a good way.
It looks great on the shelf! It was good to see you yesterday and to get my own, my very own personally signed copy. I stayed awake last night later than I should have, reading, and plan to read some more tonight.
I don’t know if I can WAIT until Wednesday!
Wonderful! Enjoy all of it!
Next this week and next are super busy for me, but I’m going to try to make it. I really really want to! I just may not be able to spend the leisurely day driving slowly up there and stopping to take pics and see other things. Or maybe I’ll be motivated to kick things into gear here and get them done early. Ha!
We bought our copy yesterday. Cheryl, I know I said this to you before, but that book is put together beautifully. I’m reading it now and enjoying it a lot.
You sure have grabbed life fantastically. Feels good to see and hear, and in some small ways we FOPers have been part of your evolution. It’s wonderful.
I just ordered two signed copies! You so deserve this attention and more, Cheryl. You’re a treasure for Emporia and for Kansas.
Thank you, everyone! I’m so grateful for your support and encouragement. It means a lot to me. 🙂