When we moved to Kentucky in 1990, Appalshop was one of our first discoveries. There we went to bluegrass and art shows. I remember calling in on one of Jim Webb's afternoon shows. He was electric and told me the writing group at the Blackey Public Library was a good one. Jim was like a cry in the wilderness to me. Locusts and honey would not be too much a stretch.
We were birds of a feather. Jim and I attended writing workshops and poetry readings. He kept things rolling at a couple of Gurney Norman's workshops at Hazel Green. I retreated into the safe haven of teaching. Jim stayed on as Program Director of WMMT. Now almost twenty years later, our paths crossed once again in my interview last night.
It spit snowed on the way over. My husband and I got to the studio early and sat in. The walls were lined with music and not just any CDs. Many were done by local bands and musicians. I saw John Prine on the shelf. I felt right at home.
It still boggles my mind that we talked on air for an hour. Jim asked relevant questions about my book, our adjustment to life in the mountains from the life of city dwellers in Memphis, and he asked about the writing process. Jim knows a thing or two about writing. I like the picture shown above as he looks like he is up to something.
The show, Appalachian Attitudes, was refreshing. He let me read two entire stories as well. When I looked up after reading the second one, and saw it was almost six o'clock, I hated to go. He walked us to the front door and we emerged once again into the frigid air. Snow capped the ridges of Pine Mountain. I felt charged and renewed and hungry. We went on to Pine Mountain Grill where I promoted my book. The trip back to Hazard felt secure as Gorilla Glue. That is my attachment to these mountains too. Gorilla Glue. Permanent. Worth it as well.
This will be a brief blog as my favorite show comes on in nine minutes. I watch, True Blood, every week and there are only two shows left to go. Withdrawal from this vampire show will be tough.
Anyway, I am overwhelmed by the internet publishing world. A friend has shown me how she did an internet reading from her book, Sponges, by phone. There are virtual book tours as well. I have seen amazing sales of my book, All Roads Lead To Hazard. Yet you still want to reach more and more people. On Saturday, I sold eight at Christmas in the Cabin. I get the fever to sell more and more. I have become a literary vampire!
Also, I don't understand things like stats. On my Author's Den site it may tell me that about 14 people went from AD to my hazardgal page. When I check my stats on hazardgal, it says only one viewer today and that was me! I clearly need a translation for this type of disconnect. Oh well... my time has run out. On to vampires who can survive on a synthetic blood. Oh yes, I am now writing horror and fantasy. This show has changed me. Look out!
Life imitates art. One of my characters has a crisis after a car accident. She becomes obsessed with the man who hit them and in the process, finds a newer identity for herself. Tonight I knew how she felt when she Googled her name and found so many others like herself.
The facts in my journey are astounding as well. In October, I personally sold 38 books. Now just two weeks into November, I have sold 23! With about 60 books sold, I need to order more with Christmas bazaars at hand. I have a handful consigned to stores. The internet sales are of course harder to track. Waiting on a royalty check in 6-8 weeks, is daunting but sweet.
I check my stats often with online stores. I Googled my name a few minutes ago. How about being overseas without getting a passport! Two such places have claimed me. Booktopia, an Australian estore, is selling my book for $62.40 in Australian currency. If course the book is not there physically but they can order it and claim they can receive it in about a week. Maybe I can include myself in the package!
Even better is a site called The Good Book Guide in England. They claim to have read each and every book they espouse. If that holds true, I was sent across the pond. My book is listed as #5 on their list of about 130 short story collections. If that is a random order and not a rank, who knows? I am on the first page of that genre. That is all that matters here, I guess. They are asking fifteen and a half pounds for it.
Near or far, bookselling is a blast! I was overseas in 1970 for six weeks. It took awhile but I am back. Here in Hazard, today I sold three more. Where there is a will and a fertile mind, you can really go places. I am Googly eyed and thankful. The world seems pieced together like a fabulous quilt with new horizons for our nation and for me.
