Anchors Away - Aweigh - A-???

By Lonnie Cruse


Though my book has been out since December, I'm *officially* launching it Saturday week, (March 15th 2-4 PM, Metropolis Public Library, 313 Metropolis Street, and in case you want to fly in for this event, the nearest airport is over in Paducah and I'll send someone to pick you up!) Where was I? Launching a book.

The library is providing cookies and I'm bringing Coke floats. Anyone wearing something from the Fifties is entered in a contest, winner taking home a free signed copy of the book. So why here, and why now? Here, because the Metropolis Public Library has always been VERY supportive of my books. And the meeting room downstairs is lovely. And I think the librarians are the greatest. Did I mention how supportive they are?

Why now? Because it's March and all threat of bad winter weather is past. NOT! Today we expect two grandchildren and four inches of snow. Hubby is about to hunt up the sled, in case. Hopefully NEXT week will be better. If not, bring snowshoes and maybe we'll make snow cream instead of Coke floats. Whatever.

Writing a book is tough. Can I do this? Will anyone publish it? Read it? Like it? Launching is worse. Will anyone come? Buy the book? Like it? Yes, I'll take some cheese with my whine.

Apparently publishing is getting harder and harder. Fewer people reading every year. Fewer books sold. And that, of course, trickles down to writers. More people seem to be writing and hustling to get published. So competition for readers is stiffer. Sometimes we think about giving up. Surprise you? Me, too. But mostly we keep on writing. And hustling. And worrying. And hoping. And serving things like cookies and Coke floats.

Meanwhile, I'm thirsty. Think I'll just do a test run of a Coke float. Just to be sure I remember how to make them. Hopefully, it will bring good luck. Coke floats were lucky for me 47 years ago when I met Hubby at the Blue Onion drive-in in Las Vegas. You just never know.

Okay, let's make this interesting. Tenth person to leave a comment to this post wins a free signed copy of Fifty-Seven Heaven. And you can't post more than once. Any takers? I'd include a Coke float, but you know how fussy the USPS is about liquids.