Well, folks, I have recovered from unloading and storing the 2000 books. I've already managed to throw away two cartons -- some sold, some given away as review or complimentary copies. Progress.
A couple of weeks ago I was at my dentist's, Midcoast Dentistry, and I promised that I would write a blog entry about my visit. To be fair, I didn't tell them that it would be about how I sat staring fixedly at the light, just praying for it to be over. I did tell Kayla, the technician, that I really miss the old swish and spit cups as I sat there clutching this suction gadget, ineffectively running it through my mouth periodically, then swallowing heaven knows what. Now, Dr. Randy, did you really think I was going to say it was really fun and what a wonderful time I had? Be reasonable. That's just not in the nature of dental beasts! Let me end by saying that, as horrifying an experience a trip to the dentist's is by nature, Dr. Randy and Kayla do what they can to make the experience less painful.
The really big news this week is that I finally pried myself out of the house and started visiting libraries and bookstores in my area. The result has been fantastic. Most of the bookstores have taken the book or are seriously considering it, (we're talking about STOLEN FIELDS in case you're wondering or have been living in a cave for the last few months), and the libraries have been receptive as well. The old actress in me is stirring and I'm looking forward to meeting and greeting, and telling stories to a rapt audience. The experience is whetting my appetite for the upcoming book tour in June and subsequent appearances. I feel like Norma Desmond! (See "Sunset Boulevard").
Friday, March 28, 2008
Sunday, March 9, 2008
2000 BOOKS
It's been a busy week! This past Wednesday I received notice that my 2000 books would be arriving. Well, of course, it was pouring rain that later turned to ice, and the books did not arrive. Thank goodness! But I was nervous as a cat all day waiting for them, gained about five pounds munching. The problem (besides the weather) was that I was wondering how a huge tractor trailer was going to turn around on my road -- a dead end. The printer's rep who took the order knew it was a residence and I hoped they would send a smaller truck. I was in a state all day wondering how I was going to get the books into the house and wasn't even sure they'd be packed in boxes. By dinnertime I realized they weren't coming that day, but started worrying about where they might be. I had images of the truck overturned on the Maine Turnpike and the books scattered all over the highway. At midnight I received a message on the tracking site to call customer service. That was a big change from "on time to Belmont for delivery 3/5/08!
When I called customer service, they referred me to a number in Bangor. Yes, the books were safely there and would be delivered Thursday. I had the chance to explain about the road and we agreed that the driver would call me once he was in Belfast and we'd arrange to meet. I knew it would take at least two trips in my SUV to unload the books from the truck and get them home.
Finally in the afternoon the driver called. He did indeed have a huge tractor trailer. We set up a meeting by the town sandpile and the driver very kindly helped me unload and load about two-thirds of the boxes into my SUV. He then went on another delivery in the area and agreed to meet me back at the sandpile in a little while.
I drove the two miles to my house and managed to work feverishly to get the boxes out of the car onto the patio -- all the while wondering what I would have done if they had arrived the day before in the rain and ice!
I got back to the truck and the driver was waiting patiently, and had the remaining boxes sitting on the back of the truck. He again helped me (although his instructions had been that he couldn't help with the second loading) so now I at least had all the books.
The rest of the evening was spent bringing the rest of the boxes from the patio into the house and figuring out where to store them! I left one box in the car for ready sales. I was really glad I didn't order 3000 books!
This story will be in my third book that will be about becoming a publisher. The one that's in the works now is about moving to Maine and renovating the house.
When I called customer service, they referred me to a number in Bangor. Yes, the books were safely there and would be delivered Thursday. I had the chance to explain about the road and we agreed that the driver would call me once he was in Belfast and we'd arrange to meet. I knew it would take at least two trips in my SUV to unload the books from the truck and get them home.
Finally in the afternoon the driver called. He did indeed have a huge tractor trailer. We set up a meeting by the town sandpile and the driver very kindly helped me unload and load about two-thirds of the boxes into my SUV. He then went on another delivery in the area and agreed to meet me back at the sandpile in a little while.
I drove the two miles to my house and managed to work feverishly to get the boxes out of the car onto the patio -- all the while wondering what I would have done if they had arrived the day before in the rain and ice!
I got back to the truck and the driver was waiting patiently, and had the remaining boxes sitting on the back of the truck. He again helped me (although his instructions had been that he couldn't help with the second loading) so now I at least had all the books.
The rest of the evening was spent bringing the rest of the boxes from the patio into the house and figuring out where to store them! I left one box in the car for ready sales. I was really glad I didn't order 3000 books!
This story will be in my third book that will be about becoming a publisher. The one that's in the works now is about moving to Maine and renovating the house.
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