Oh shit, it's apparently hitting the fan in Brockport, NY. That's my hometown and the setting for 98% of the book. Apparently, "Confessions" has ruffled some feathers. Imagine that!
The kind owners of the Liftbridge Bookstore in my hometown have agreed to nice little consignment arrangement and my book has been on the shelves for less than three weeks. Rumor has it that an anonymous caller demanded my book be removed from the shelves because it's "full of lies" about her family. Her. Her family.
Dum dum dum.
An angry female whose family was featured sufficiently enough to anger her. Hmmmm.....
Who do you suppose it is?
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
The Morada Way Third Thursday Walkabout
At the last minute, I was offered the opportunity to set up a table at the 3rd Thursday Walk About organized and sponsored by Islamorada's Morada Way Arts & Cultural District. It's a gathering of "artists" selling everything from jewelry to fine art to mosaics to post cards. And then there was me.
Most people had nice market umbrellas with fancy lights attached and pretty teak tables for their wares. I had a fold up card table covered by a table cloth and a few candles. I overheard a passerby ask her husband if he thought I was a palm reader. Ahem.
The night began quite warm and I thought it was sheer dumb luck when I sold a book before I'd even unpacked my things. I'd like to brag at this point and mention that the person who bought the book was a complete stranger. The feeling of handing over my paperback in exchange for cash was....odd. Awesomely so. Dougie just watched me smiling like a weirdo.
From out of nowhere, the wind picked up and shit began to fly around. I was freezing and after two hours, we packed up and headed home to the fire place. (I think it went below 68 degrees!) All in all, I sold six books in two hours and that was satisfying. I met some really funny people with whom I exchanged Catholic School stories and they seemed very interested in my book. I met others who read the title, wrinkled their noses and walked away without a word. Sheesh. Some people.
I've been invited to go back next month but it was strongly suggested I buy a more attractive table. I guess my crappy card table and ill-fitting table cloth isn't the look they're going for!
Most people had nice market umbrellas with fancy lights attached and pretty teak tables for their wares. I had a fold up card table covered by a table cloth and a few candles. I overheard a passerby ask her husband if he thought I was a palm reader. Ahem.
The night began quite warm and I thought it was sheer dumb luck when I sold a book before I'd even unpacked my things. I'd like to brag at this point and mention that the person who bought the book was a complete stranger. The feeling of handing over my paperback in exchange for cash was....odd. Awesomely so. Dougie just watched me smiling like a weirdo.
From out of nowhere, the wind picked up and shit began to fly around. I was freezing and after two hours, we packed up and headed home to the fire place. (I think it went below 68 degrees!) All in all, I sold six books in two hours and that was satisfying. I met some really funny people with whom I exchanged Catholic School stories and they seemed very interested in my book. I met others who read the title, wrinkled their noses and walked away without a word. Sheesh. Some people.
I've been invited to go back next month but it was strongly suggested I buy a more attractive table. I guess my crappy card table and ill-fitting table cloth isn't the look they're going for!
Girl's Night Out Radio Show
I enjoyed a fun night at the Green Turtle with Kim Chesher and Terri Albury for the Girl's Night Out Radio Show. We talked about the book and what I find so amusing is that everyone at the table had Catholic School stories of their own. Each and every lady could relate to the book and that's what I'm hoping will draw readers...familiarity, empathy and a love of laughing at our ridiculous experiences.
Kim and Terri were gracious hosts and I really enjoyed myself. The rather large glass of Malbec I had sitting in front of me may have contributed...but even without the wine, Kim and Terri are fun to be around.
I thank them both for their support and look forward to great things in the future!
Kim and Terri were gracious hosts and I really enjoyed myself. The rather large glass of Malbec I had sitting in front of me may have contributed...but even without the wine, Kim and Terri are fun to be around.
I thank them both for their support and look forward to great things in the future!
Monday, December 31, 2012
Returning to the scene of the crime
I went home to Brockport, NY for Christmas with my husband and daughter. Our Navy son was planning to meet us there as well, but scheduling didn't work out and we experienced our first Christmas without him. It was difficult and sad, but I kept reminding myself how fortunate I am and unlike the parents of Newtown, CT who will never see their precious babies again, I will see Zak in the not-too distant future. I have nothing to complain about, I told myself. But I'm a selfish brat and cried anyway.
I wanted a white Christmas and Santa delivered. Eighteen inches fell, resulting in flight cancellations and airport nightmares. On a positive note, it gave me two more days to walk through the snow and down the lane to visit my Dad's grave in the cemetery.
Returning to the scene of the crime is never wise, but then again, I've never been accused of being very smart. I trudged through snow drifts up to my thighs and the walk that normally takes me ten or fifteen minutes took about thirty. The walk up the cemetery hill was a bitch but I was rewarded by fairly shallow snow under the ancient pines.
After stopping to chat with Dad at his grave, I wandered down to the far corner to see if the old graves had ever been fixed. The photo to the right is proof that I never earned enough money to fix them all. As I took pictures, I was certain I heard the hum of an old Caddy driving up behind me. I spun around, half expecting to see Aunt Elizabeth driving over the snow covered grass, aiming right for me. My imagination is a powerful thing. In spite of what I thought I'd heard, I was alone in the cemetery.
Or was I?
I wanted a white Christmas and Santa delivered. Eighteen inches fell, resulting in flight cancellations and airport nightmares. On a positive note, it gave me two more days to walk through the snow and down the lane to visit my Dad's grave in the cemetery.
Returning to the scene of the crime is never wise, but then again, I've never been accused of being very smart. I trudged through snow drifts up to my thighs and the walk that normally takes me ten or fifteen minutes took about thirty. The walk up the cemetery hill was a bitch but I was rewarded by fairly shallow snow under the ancient pines.
After stopping to chat with Dad at his grave, I wandered down to the far corner to see if the old graves had ever been fixed. The photo to the right is proof that I never earned enough money to fix them all. As I took pictures, I was certain I heard the hum of an old Caddy driving up behind me. I spun around, half expecting to see Aunt Elizabeth driving over the snow covered grass, aiming right for me. My imagination is a powerful thing. In spite of what I thought I'd heard, I was alone in the cemetery.
Or was I?
Saturday, December 22, 2012
Great People
I met some great people last night at Wahoo's before, during and after the radio show. Host Captain Bill Kelly made me feel like we've known each other for years and before I knew it, my ten minute segment grew to forty! He's a humorous guy with a knack for putting others at ease.
His co-host last night was George Speerin, a retired fireman I've known for a couple of years. Soft spoken and kind, George is an easy guy to like. His lovely wife, Nancy Saxe, is our vet. She comes to house for routine check-ups, shots, etc. and even Bear likes her. That's saying something.
Then there's Joey Naples, a Guido from NY. What a character! He, too, has an easy way about him and is quick to laugh. His son, Joey Naples, was also there. Joey Squared. Joe Jr. is a Broadway star.
The radio show was a good time. We drank beer and laughed about hairy nuns, Catholic school beatings and confusion about various Catholic Sacraments. All of the guys had been through Catholic school at one time, so they had no problem relating to the book.
Bill Kelly remembered reading about the walk across England Lauren and I did last June and we spent several minutes talking about it. After the show went off the air, he said he'd like to have Lauren and I on his show in about a month to talk about our Coast to Coast Walk! How exciting. I wonder how Lauren will react?
It got even better. Joe Naples does a live radio show on Wednesday nights from Holiday Isle and offered to set up a book signing during his show. He said he'll record a blurb that'll air for about a week before the event and then he'll have me on the show and I can do a book signing. I really don't know what to expect, but I'm so honored by the offer.
These men do what they can to support and promote locals - businesses, musicians, artists and writers. They support them all and I for one, and grateful for that support!
Thanks guys! I appreciate all you do.
His co-host last night was George Speerin, a retired fireman I've known for a couple of years. Soft spoken and kind, George is an easy guy to like. His lovely wife, Nancy Saxe, is our vet. She comes to house for routine check-ups, shots, etc. and even Bear likes her. That's saying something.
Then there's Joey Naples, a Guido from NY. What a character! He, too, has an easy way about him and is quick to laugh. His son, Joey Naples, was also there. Joey Squared. Joe Jr. is a Broadway star.
The radio show was a good time. We drank beer and laughed about hairy nuns, Catholic school beatings and confusion about various Catholic Sacraments. All of the guys had been through Catholic school at one time, so they had no problem relating to the book.
Bill Kelly remembered reading about the walk across England Lauren and I did last June and we spent several minutes talking about it. After the show went off the air, he said he'd like to have Lauren and I on his show in about a month to talk about our Coast to Coast Walk! How exciting. I wonder how Lauren will react?
It got even better. Joe Naples does a live radio show on Wednesday nights from Holiday Isle and offered to set up a book signing during his show. He said he'll record a blurb that'll air for about a week before the event and then he'll have me on the show and I can do a book signing. I really don't know what to expect, but I'm so honored by the offer.
These men do what they can to support and promote locals - businesses, musicians, artists and writers. They support them all and I for one, and grateful for that support!
Thanks guys! I appreciate all you do.
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Wow!
It's available! For those of you who asked for a paperback version of "Confessions", it's now available on Amazon.com.
Here's the link:
http://www.amazon.com/Confessions-Catholic-School-Dropout-Lavell/dp/1481253964/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1355920566&sr=8-2&keywords=confessions+of+a+catholic+school+dropout
I hope you enjoy it!
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Your Wish is My Command
Well, I did it! Enough of you requested a traditional, paperback book that I bit the bullet and answered your call. They're being printed as I type!
I spent several days reformatting the file to conform to Amazon's specifications in order to convert the e-book to a "real" book. What a royal pain in the ass and I've no doubt several more grey hairs on my head as a reward for my work. Miss Clairol is paying me a visit later today to help with that.
SO....within a week's time, you'll be able to order a paperback version of "Confessions" from Amazon.com. A few words of warning:
- the cover of the "real" book is different than that of the e-book because the photo I used didn't meet their printing standards. I was unable to convert it/improve it, so I had to substitute the photo. Since I had to change the photo, I changed the rest of the cover to mesh well with the new photo. I like the result and hope you will too.
- I fear that when you search Amazon.com for "Confessions of a Catholic School Dropout", you'll get two results; the e-book and the paperback. Please be careful when making your selection. The e-book has a dark cover, it's the screen in the Confessional that separates sinner from priest. The paperback is much lighter and the cover is the interior of a church, highlighting the stained glass windows.
- This is what's bothering me the most. The price of the paperback is $11.00. No shit, that's a lot for a paperback! Unlike with e-books, Amazon sets the minimum price an author can charge, based on the shipping channels the author wants to use, the size of the book, production and distribution costs. The least Amazon will let me charge is $10.83 based on those variables. I raised to an even $11.00, recognizing it's quite expensive, but because I'm self-publishing, self-marketing, self-producing, etc. my hands are tied by corporate Amazon. Highway robbery, I'm afraid.
I hope everyone understands that the pricing is out of my control and you don't write letters to Santa suggesting he put me on the naughty list. I'm doing the best I can here, people.
I did it!!!!
I spent several days reformatting the file to conform to Amazon's specifications in order to convert the e-book to a "real" book. What a royal pain in the ass and I've no doubt several more grey hairs on my head as a reward for my work. Miss Clairol is paying me a visit later today to help with that.
SO....within a week's time, you'll be able to order a paperback version of "Confessions" from Amazon.com. A few words of warning:
- the cover of the "real" book is different than that of the e-book because the photo I used didn't meet their printing standards. I was unable to convert it/improve it, so I had to substitute the photo. Since I had to change the photo, I changed the rest of the cover to mesh well with the new photo. I like the result and hope you will too.
- I fear that when you search Amazon.com for "Confessions of a Catholic School Dropout", you'll get two results; the e-book and the paperback. Please be careful when making your selection. The e-book has a dark cover, it's the screen in the Confessional that separates sinner from priest. The paperback is much lighter and the cover is the interior of a church, highlighting the stained glass windows.
- This is what's bothering me the most. The price of the paperback is $11.00. No shit, that's a lot for a paperback! Unlike with e-books, Amazon sets the minimum price an author can charge, based on the shipping channels the author wants to use, the size of the book, production and distribution costs. The least Amazon will let me charge is $10.83 based on those variables. I raised to an even $11.00, recognizing it's quite expensive, but because I'm self-publishing, self-marketing, self-producing, etc. my hands are tied by corporate Amazon. Highway robbery, I'm afraid.
I hope everyone understands that the pricing is out of my control and you don't write letters to Santa suggesting he put me on the naughty list. I'm doing the best I can here, people.
I did it!!!!
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